Grace in the 'blessed' storm.

So it's been a while since a post. Too many late nights folding laundry or falling asleep on the futon watching the evening news with D. I can't complain one bit, being 6 months without him, I treasure the busy. But yes, life's been extremely busy, more than we thought. I hate saying that word 'busy', cause who's not busy. What was once busy to me being a wife working a full-time job with no children, then 1, 2, and 3 little blessings (1 at a time thankfully) and add alll the rest in there,  it's always been busy to me or to you in your life..right? Everyone's busy, which is good, because "idle hands are the devil's play thing"..I think that's how it goes. But I hate saying that word BUSY to people because it makes it sound like your busier than them, or that you need them to help you solve your 'busy' problem, or that it is the reason you haven't had time for them, which is what we are here for, to serve God and others...period. The truth is, if your busy now, you probably always will be, it's just for us, this feels like the most busy yet, but we know God adds a little on at a time, and promises not to give us more than we can handle..so I am going with that. Yeah his word, it has gotten me through the tougher stuff so far, so I am going to keep trusting. 
But I have had to decide somedays what things I am  willing to let go of, and right now, it's the housework. I am ok with that and thankfully I married an easy going man, who just wants to be fed and play with his kids...as long as the counters and floor is clean and the bathroom is clean, and my kids are happy, I know this stage is temporary. The house doesn't have feelings that will get hurt if I let it go a little right? Plus were moving so if anyone stops in, I have the perfect excuse, "Oh we are moving"..I better take it while I can!
         We have been so blessed these last months, if we thought that graduation meant the end of the craziness we were wrong, it just began. God has taken us on a journey and we are along for the ride. We have had to make some major decisions in the last few months which has brought us to our knees a lot, which is good. We are moving this summer, which wasn't in the original forecast, (well unless we HAD to for D's new career) not that's how most of my life has gone anyway. See every time I think I have my life under 'control' (and I say that with the utmost humour, because we are NEVER in control), God decides to change it all again. Some changes have been harder than others, some I have even fought and went kicking and screaming, but lately, I am learning to 'go' with it. God's plan has always worked out better than mine, and I am so glad for it. The time in my life I finally decided to let go and submit my will to HIS and decide I was a bad life manager, God came in and took over and changed me forever....what grace! That being said, I usually always revert back to my little plan in small ways or try to control how the next year(s) is going to play out...and it never works..or sometimes it does, but it isn't always ideal. So how do we try and figure out just what HE wants to do with us and use us for? Well, 2 things I have learned that make me aware of what God may or may not want for D and I and our family. Reading my bible and prayer.(lots and lots and lots of prayer!) It has made me more sure of decisions we have to make, despite setbacks or whether or not we feel support from others down here on earth. But there's been a lot of "OK Lord is this REALLY what YOU want?" being prayed here...followed by, 'ok, let's go with it. There is only 1 'sure' thing and that is HIS word and HIS promises...and I am thankful for the solid foundation, otherwise I'd be a nervous wreck all the time! (as opposed to just sometimes:)) 
So yes, we are moving, and I am a litle sad, but excited for our new place. D and I both knew when we bought this home it was a starter, and hoped to make it last 8 years or so, and we almost made it to 9. I think we could have stretched it out to 10 but God had other plans. D did so much work in this house and that is what makes it so special to me. We would discuss a design idea and he would pretty much do the work and together we enjoyed the reward of a beautiful home. I will miss the carpet he lovingly installed for my 30th birthday, but I enjoyed the almost 3 years of it. I will miss the back yard, which is the main reason we liked this house. I will miss coziness of it, and that it was where we started our family.  But we did do all the work on our house as a way to make some more money when we sold it, and it did payoff. It sold on the second showing for asking price and we felt so so blessed in the 'descison' making process and that sort of confirmed it for us. I hate saying good-bye, and I have loved almost every minute of living here. It was a great location, since D worked in Abby, and we went to church in Langley. It was a huge blessing for us while we lived here, and we are so thankful God planted us right here. But it is time to move on, our family is bigger, louder than the day we moved in,  and this street is very busy, not ideal for boys who want to ride bikes and play on the driveway. I am a little tired of driving into Langley everyday (which I do sometimes twice now) and excited to save some $$ on gas for sure. Plus a second bathroom would be ideal, and D just can't seem to get a good sleep during the day when I am home with the boys. BUT Aldergrove, you have been good to us, despite what we may have said sometimes and we are thankful to have gotten into the housing market because of it. Soo.. onward and upward, I suppose!
D is still finishing his training, which has been insane, yet at the same time amazing. As some of his former troop mates told him "You see and do more in a day than I do in a month". The pros to that? He is getting a lot of experience-fast. The cons-sometimes it is just so much to take in one day, so soon. But I am so proud and I am amazed at how well he handles it all it just shows that the LORD is with him and this was where he was supposed to be and what he is supposed to do. 
Yes overall, I think we are both still sitting here with eyes wide open, jaws dropped, barely able to take in all that God has done for us, blessed us with, and is still doing for us. We sure feel undeserving and yet thankful and humble all at the same time. What a great GOD he is!

Psalm 118

 5In my fear I cried to the LORD, 

   and he answered by setting me free.
⁶ The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.
   What can man do to me?
⁷ The LORD is with me; he is my helper.
   I will look in triumph on my enemies.

 ⁸ It is better to take refuge in the LORD
   than to trust in man.
⁹ It is better to take refuge in the LORD
   than to trust in princes.

AMEN to that!

Our new home!

I need a Butt Kick!

Ok, seriously..I am out of shape and VERY unmotivated to get back into shape. The bad weather, coupled with being ill, and then the fact that it has been coat and sweater weather for at least 5 months=1 out of shape Mama. I tried as best as I could to keep it up when D was gone, and I was doing pretty good, despite the fact I wasn't teaching a single class anymore. Then after December...wa wa wa. Yep, I admit it..I went from doing 5 classes a week last spring (which included 2 bootcamps) to now..nothing. D being gone consisted of a lot of evenings of fuzzy slippers, baths and hot tea. So I may have taken it a little far....So I signed up to sub a class tommorow night to get me some motivation...and well, I am a dead duck. I will just have to roll myself in there and do my best and hope that some other pretty out of shape people show up. I need someone to sell me a bottle of motivation so I can drink it up. i have always been a bit this way..go go go go.STOP. I need to become a bit more balanced...I am actually excited to see some sunshine and warmer weather so I can get my butt out there and go jogging...fastest way to get in shape I say! I am going to make a goal to get in shape in 6 weeks..I would like to try that p90x with D, but we just don't have the $$ right now..and I know most of the moves so I should be able to do it on my own...but I need some accountability...this is part of the reason I became an instructor..otherwise, I'd never show up to class. LOL! I always told my 6:30 am clients..you are all nuts, I would never be able to scrape my carcass out of bed if I hadn't signed myself up to teach! Well, spring is going to be here before we know it, and shorts are going to have to be pulled out sooner or later..and my legs are not for shorts under these pants. I am enjoying the 'celebration' of my husband being back I think, and I am lacking the will to want to leave him when he is home...pathetic or cute? Not sure...maybe a bit of both...other than that, things couldn't be better... absolutely loving life right now...so blessed. I think 6 months of being apart was the best marriage therapy ever, we haven't even argued yet! I think we both realized how much we meant to each other and the little petty arguments that we got into before he left (you know, if you've been married for more than 10 years, you know..and if you don't...your lying!) seem to be absent..and I'm loving life. Praise God for all of it!

Someone please pinch me...

So almost 3 weeks since grad and it feels like it was so long ago already. This feels like a good dream that I might wake up from, but it's not....we are really done the 6 months.  We are full fledge adjusting to the life of shift work, and so far, it's mostly been awesome. His first two shifts ended up being more like 16 hours instead of 12, which was a good warm up to what to expect from here on in. the last block he worked wasn't nearly as bad, but he has been experiencing a lot of action and is happy to be able to learn so much so quickly. The first 4 days he was gone felt like he never even came home from depot, but after his 2nd day off, we woke up the next morning and he smiles and says "And I still have 2 whole days off, this is nuts". Yep, he has never really had 4 days off in a row just to be at home, it is quite wonderful. He still has some projects and homework for the first six months as this is still sort of the "apprenticing" part of the new job. But yesterday, the sun was out, it was gorgeous, and we were at the new bike park by our house, all of us, together and I felt like it was all a dream. Seems like yesterday I was just there with the boys, walking with the stroller in my shorts and tank, and Darryl had just left. I have never appreciated the wonderfulness of being together as a family and spending the whole day together as I have since his return. I feel like I have a new sense of life and appreciation , more time to stop, relax, and enjoy the time just being together. I have had to let some things go, give up some personal things, but it has all been more than worth it. God has been so good to us and we are completely humbled by everything he has done for us and been to us. My eyes were really opened to his love and care, and to how much we depend on him every day for our every breath. Grad was so amazing, something I could never pen or type on paper, for it wouldn't give the experience justice. I know I will never experience anything like that again, but I am so thankful and full of joy to have been able to be a part of it all, it was something I will cherish forever. It was all encompassing, very emotional and really felt like the celebration of a tough journey and step into a new one, full of excitement and question marks. we were so humbled and blessed to have been able to share it with the over 30 people who traveled all the way to Regina and be there. We had so much support from family and friends over the last 6 months and were so blessed by so many people, i don't even know where to begin with the thank yous. To have the added blessing of sharing the grad with all our loved one that came share in our joy, and see Darryl in action, and then win the comradeship award...that moment alone made the whole 6 months of waiting worth it for me. I am so proud of him, and I am so happy to be able to have him in my life. The kids were amazing on the trip, and I was so thankful that Darryl's brother was able to fly back with us and help us with all the kids and carry on luggage. Also, spending time at the hotel with Darryl's family all in one place was a rare thing, and it was wonderful. I think it is safe to say that everyone had a good time and it was definitely his family's turn to all be together and enjoy each others company. What a blessing it was for the boys to enjoy some time with their cousins and I know they will never forget the trip and the massive watersliding we did at the hotel.
After putting the kids to bed last night and drinking our usual after dinner coffee, Darryl and I reflected on the grace of God and the sheer richness of his mercy and blessings to us. Tonight I put the boys to bed alone as he is working and checked on them later as they were all sleeping...and my heart just melted they looked so precious!  It is so wonderful to see how God also took care of them and their emotional needs, even as they missed their Dad. It is so wonderful to have him home, back with us in this cozy home god has given to us. May all the glory be to our gracious God who carried all of us the whole way. On March 4th it will be our 11th wedding anniversary and I can't wait to get a sitter and go on our official first date, since his return. I reflect on the words of our wedding text we chose and see how fitting they still are to our lives today:




So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Col. 2:6-7

Great Deals-posting some extreme 'couponing' last weekend.

So, here I am on an evening Darryl was on night shift, sorting coupons. So for all of you who haven't heard, London drugs lets you stack coupons. Meaning, if you have more than 1 coupon for an item, they will let you use them all. I had heard about women using coupons to get free diapers, then got some 'training' on how its done from my friend, Marnie. So I have only done this once before and gotten a couple things, but I was planning on doing a major trip last week as London Drugs was also having a sale. I had 24 dollars worth of coupons in pampers, however they had no ore boxes of pampers left so I could only use 19 dollars worth and get the bagged ones. Oh well, after I was finished I was pretty stoked. the bill came to 97 dollars and some cents and after coupons, I paid 19 something and 10 of it was to tax. I even forgot 2 coupons, and forgot to get the dishwasher detergent I had coupons for, so it would have spent a bit less and got a bit more. Rookie mistakes...but not bad for a couple hour of work.(cutting, sorting and shopping). Most of the coupons you can get from the brandsaver or save.ca websites and they will send them to your house. When I was in line, there were 2 woman in front of me couponing as well all kinds of stuff, so obviously more people out there are catching on...and if your a household on a budget, why not? It felt like I was doing something wrong but it's legal...and all you have to pay is the tax. Some of the stuff I got, I wouldn't normally buy, like expensive razors, shaving cream and fabric softener...but why not if you only have to pay tax right? Here is what I got for $19.43...

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

Pure joy!

Well, what else can I say....reading scripture and so many verses speak so clearly about how I am feeling. My first post was the night D left, and this post is the night before we leave to go see him graduate. What do they say? The days are long, but the months are fast...something like that anyways...it's about right. Here we are pretty much full circle, ready to begin a new chapter. I can't decide what I am more excited for, seeing him graduate or having him back here, seeing him with the boys again. Well either way, it will be great. Writing on a blog about the emotion I feel being at the end of this journey, just doesn't give it justice. I feel like I could compare it to the euphoria one would feel after completing a marathon, or triathlon or something. Proud, tired, and ready to relax a bit and then take on the next challenge ahead. Yep, nothing really new to write other than complete and utter joy and thankfulness to God, who did it all for me. It might sound repetitive, but what else is there to say expect...PRAISE GOD! His mercies are new every morning, and thankfully I can say I really felt this along the way. 

So...ready to go, mostly packed. Got my new red shoes my Mom found and bought for me for a real bargain, matched with a gorgeous red necklace and earrings from one fabo SIL, and my 'new' black $8 dress I got at the consignment store in Burlington (Yes I brought the one from Ross back cause this one was cheaper and nicer) with a red sash sewn perfectly on, by yet again, my wonderful mother. I really learned how I had to rely on people to do things and 'help' out even though it was usually out of my comfort zone. It taught me a great lesson about how to give others in the future, and how it can be such a blessing for the giver and the receiver. Again, God providing for us through loved ones and His grace and love shown through them.  

The boys are so excited, though Jude won't know what hit him when we get there, D and him have had a really close bond since birth, and I know Jude has really missed his presence. The other boys are eager too and look so cute in their little serges, and short hair cut like Dad's. 

So I am humbled, by His amazing grace, and my realization of our constant need for HIS saving power and grace everyday. 

I just wanted to say for those of you reading this that have supported Darryl and I, in whatever capacity, and for your prayers, I am truly grateful and thankful to have been able to experience such a communion of saints. So THANK YOU! Yep....after 6 months of struggles, triumphs, stresses and love...it's Pure Joy. I can't even imagine Darryl's story and I am eager to hear his testimony of God's care of him over the last 6 months, and share mine! 

 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:57-58

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

The countdown is on!

Whew! Well, it looks like we are going to make it! 6 sleeps till I pack up the boys and jump on plane bound for Regina! Eek..I can hardly believe it. I don't know what else to say except "Praise God"! He has been so gracious to us, and to our family, and has really carried us during this time.  This has been such an awesome experience for me, probably one of those things in my life and will look back on and be proud of. I was having this conversation the other day with an aunt of mine, how the hardest things we have done in life, we'd probably never do again, but they are always SOO worth it and we are glad we did them! I can't believe how well Darryl has done, I am so proud of him and all he has accomplished and it is so cool to see how God is transforming him into someone new again....it makes me cry!  God has really been with him this whole time, and Darryl attributes every success to God's gracious hand. Even yesterday, someone from his troop packed up and was sent back 4 months to troop 11, and I can't imagine how hard it must have been for this guy. But we know that everything happens for a reason, I am just so thankful that Darryl's journey will most likely not be longer than it had to be. Darryl just testified to me on Tuesday after his practical exam, how after it was over, he wasn't so sure that he passed and was praying, praying and God answered and he got a "P" for pass, he couldn't believe it.   There aren't enough blogs I could post with all the things I have learned in Darryl's absence, about God, myself, others, my attitude, and how truly blessed I have been to have gone through this. We try in this life, to avoid pain, to avoid the tough stuff, and I knew this time, that Darryl changing careers was coming. See we made a pact about 10 years ago, a year after we got married. I had decided I felt God calling me to go to college and pursue something I had felt passionate about since elementary school. I never  wanted to go to college after highschool and I ran from it for 5 years, going from job to job, doing anything to not have to do more 'school' work. I never liked school. I thought I would get married, and a year or two later have some kids and live happily ever after. God's plans are always different than our plans though, aren't they? (Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD'S purpose that prevails Proverbs 19:21)But they are always better. So, Darryl agreed that he would support me to go back to school, if one day, I would support him if he wanted a career change. I never really forgot about that, sort of filed it in the back of my mind...little did I know, it was a tougher road than I would have signed up for. But, when he applied to the Abby PD a few years ago, I supported him, and I had hopes for him. After making it all the way through the process and failing the final interview, we were both discouraged. It seemed liked this is what God was calling him to do, it felt right to him. But our feelings are not always right, only God's truth will prevail. And so, after much prayer, and discussion, he went with a half hearted hope and handed in an application in to the RCMP in September of 2008.....i remember saying "Oh yeah, watch now, your going to get in"...yep he sure did...and the rest is history. We have both learned so much, and i am so eager to go down this road with Darryl. I know, it is going to have its up and downs., I have been warned about shift work. But I have had a look into that life, seeing my little sis go through it all when her hubby became a full time firefighter, and them both doing shift work. I think the upside outweighs the downside, and I look forward to all it has to bring. Plus, I believe it is mostly attitude, and I feel that the Spirit has been with me, giving me a thankful heart and encouragement when I needed it most. There have been times, when I had questions, felt farther from God and started whining and feeling sorry for myself. But I realized not only was it rediculous and an insult to all God has done for me, it does nothing, brings NO relief to oneself at all. In fact, usually it makes you feel worse.(Like the Hymn..."Will anxious care or bitter sighing..at any time bring true relief?") It is good, when your having a tough moment, day or even week, to call someone close to you (if your hubby is gone) and 'get it all out'. But deal with it, wipe off the dust and move on with a smile, otherwise...your in for a tough life. This was one of the valuable lessons I got to learn, to now treasure and hopefully remember. And I have had much inspiration and blessing from family, friends and the 'depot dolls"! I have met some great Christian ladies, wives of other cadets, one in particular who has 4 kids under the age of 5, and has the most positive, thankful, Christian attitude everyday and it has brought me a sense of what really matters and real perspective on life. (You know who you are JJ!) I have been blessed just to learn from her outlook and I hope to encourage others in the same way.   Also, I have to bring up the fact that my Mom and my sister have been the absolute bomb for me, they are a true gift in my life, I love them so much. I love my whole family, but I have really been made to become closer to them and I realize what a treasure it is to have a mother like mine. She has taken the boys every Thursday while I teach and then had me for dinner every time. Today, when I got there, she once again had gone to the dollar store and bought the boys a little something, just to spoil them and she always does sweet little things like that. then when I got back from school , after she and I had tea by the warm fireplace, she showed me the red sash she had finished sewing for the dress for grad and hemmed some pants for the boys. (oh and she found some awesome red matching shoes from Suzy Shier). Yep, mothers, sisters, friends, family and the communion of saints..I am rich, so very rich.  I know I have already said this, but I am so thankful to God for everything, all his grace, grace and more grace he has blessed me more than I could have ever known, despite my ongoing sinful nature, ....God is GREAT!....So, here's to the last week of being a single Mom, I think I am going to have to do some adjusting when D gets back....I'll keep you updated and hopefully have a picture or 2 of the grad...now I better go and rinse this box die out of my hair before it all falls out. I think I have posted this song before..but I just LOVE it...I feel very passionate about music, and I get goose bumps when I play this song.... God has really saved me from  myself!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d33iScnAa9w&feature=fvsr

Thankful....

So as you can see I am no designer blogger, and I haven't quite figured out how to make it all look good, but I am wanting some better weather here, with all this rain, so I decided to put up some sunshine. With hopefully approximately 3 weeks left in this journey, we are all getting so excited. Even though we know the hard work will continue once he comes back, at least we know he will be coming home after work. God has been so unbelievably good to us, and we are astonished by His richness and grace. This has motivated me to want to do more for others, to praise God more and tell others of his awesome deeds....God is good. My life feels so incredibly blessed, and I am so excited to have the love of my life back here starting this part of the journey together and  have never been so proud of him. This whole journey has really made me lean on God and only been a positive part in my relationship with Him, and learning to rely on him every moment. He has not only taken care of us, but blessed us, blessed Darryl and answered our prayers (sometimes within minutes!). It hasn't always been easy, but that is the best part.Through struggle,I have learned so much, I have gained, especially about trusting in Him more than ourselves or others. It sounds easy, but it isn't always that way when there are question marks.  I truly believe God tests us and sends things our way to draw us closer to him, and even though sometimes we can't always see the big picture, He is always there and always has a better plan than the one we hatch up...and I am so thankful for that. 

Psalm 100

A psalm. For giving grateful praise.

 ¹ Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
 ² Worship the LORD with gladness;
   come before him with joyful songs.
³ Know that the LORD is God.
   It is he who made us, and we are his^[a];
   we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

 ⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
   and his courts with praise;
   give thanks to him and praise his name.
⁵ For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
   his faithfulness continues through all generations.