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...