Church Family Camping Weekend

Backtracking a bit today because so many great things have happened this month! Life is really kicking into high gear and is SO busy - we are all over the place! But it's so fun - we live for this time of year! We have been spending lots of time at camp and I don't have wi fi when I go there, so it makes blogging harder. So let me catch you up a bit!

After my last post, we came home for Tuesday youth group that week, and then headed back to camp Tuesday at like 10pm  and stayed the rest of the week and weekend. Saw this on Instagram and loved it :)

Because we were staying for a while up there, we brought Henrik with us. The last time he travelled in the car with us, he lost pretty much half his coast of hair in nervous shedding as we put him in the carrier. So we decided to let him be free this time and just walk around. Bad idea! He meowed like crazy and scratched us all as he was trying to get out. But Quinny loved it - she kept calling him and petting him saying "shhh shhh shh! You okay Henrik! You okay!" Pretty perky little girl for so late at night!!

He sat with her for quite a bit of the drive and she loved all the cuddles, despite the loud, annoying meowing! haha!

Sadly it wasn't very nice all week. I had dreams of being up there with it all quiet, hanging out on the beach with her, going paddling and just having fun. But instead it was freezing and we sat by the fire and wore pants and sweaters all week. Sad! But we went on a few adventures. This was for sale in Lake Cowichan and I had to resist from buying it! Isn't it totally adorable?! But a bit too pricey. So she sat and had a pretend tea party and then we were on our way

Nighttime snack on the couch in the living room of the trailer. That couch is my favorite. Its SO comfy. Jon always teases me because when we are there and Q goes for a nap in the afternoon, I always say that I am going inside to read while she naps... he knows that really that means more than likely I will also be napping on this oh so comfortable couch.

She loves "camping" at Wildside. It really is starting to feel like a second home, which is so nice for all of us!!

HRM is all over! We had to send in a selfie of ourselves wearing our new shirts! Here is mine. I'm sad it's over but also a little relieved - life is getting so busy and its really hard to get the set workouts in. I need to stay active in other ways this summer and continue to watch what I eat. I am grateful for this program - I am down 14lbs and about 13 inches I think overall. But its a lifestyle change, so I need to keep making better choices. Jon hit his 20lbs down mark! Lots can change in 12 weeks! I am proud of us

Thursday I had to teach a Home Alone course, so I drove to Duncan and back for that - I love those courses. I have a few more coming up in the fall. Around that, I spent the day making these signs for the church families that were coming up for the weekend! Church lets camp use the bus all spring/summer long, in exchange for a free weekend of camping at Wildside. Pretty sweet deal! We had quite a few families back out last minute because of weather, but we were excited for the ones who were coming!

She helped us carry them out and set them up at the designated campsites. It made it very easy for families to know where they were going when they arrived, and a cute little thing for them to take home

This is the conversation her and I had about the Monahans coming:
Q: "Mom which my friends coming camping here at Wildside?"
Me: "Auntie Mary/Uncle Andrew and Ady, Jen and Ian and the girls..."
Q: (cutting me off) "YAY! My Jen coming! and Megan and Sarah and Dani! YAY YAY YAY! Jen so nice. And Jen have REALLY good snacks!"
Me: "You are right, Jen is so nice. Maybe this weekend we can share our snacks with the girls instead of them always just sharing with you."
Q: (looking at me like she is thinking really hard and takes a long pause)...."Umm no thank you Mama. Jen snacks are WAAAAAAAAY better!"
It was SO funny! Even funnier because Jen and I often have the same snacks for the kids! But I guess other people's food always does taste better. Q's love for this family is just so awesome, and they take her in and treat her like one of their own.

All the signs once they were set up

These two got a lot of rides in the bike trailer this weekend! They thought it was so fun and would giggle and wave at everyone as they went past. My legs got tired of biking them, so Andrew took them quite a few times as well. So funny

Edgar took on the kayak - this was donated to Wildside this spring! I think the kids will love having a kayak to play with!

We all piled into the big Arc boat that Jon had for Wildside - them in the front, us in the back! Hilarious and so fun. At one point we all stopped paddling and Ian kept going and after almost two full minutes he turns around and says "Wow this is a lot harder than I thought it would be!" haha gotcha!

She wanted to swim and wanted her Daddy to go with her- she was counting him down in the picture haha. But it didn't work and he didn't jump because it was pretty chilly. I went over and gave him a little push... yikes... then I ran away haha! But once he was in he said the water was nice and then Q got in with him

The two littlest ones (besides Ady who was napping) were the two who went in the water! Way to go Quinny and Dani!!! I made a fire inside while they were in the water still so that it was toasty warm in there when they got out. They came in and dryed off and got warm before heading back outside

Horseshoe tournament. These guys played all weekend long

So I also spent the week finishing a bunch of painting in the trailer. Here is Q's room before and after!

So much brighter and cleaner and nicer looking! It's super cute back there now and she loves it

Sunday morning we all gathered by the lake and Jon lead us in worship and then he spoke. He did really well - so full of wisdom and humility. He leads well

These two with their 'babies', sitting together. They really are best friends, always looking for the other one, always wanting to be together. They are gentle with each other, and share so well (in this picture they are actually each holding the other ones doll). I love watching their friendship grow as they grow! Special friends!

Of course because it was Sunday when everyone had to go home, that is when the sun came out and it turned into a lovely day.  The Monahans got brave all jumped into a canoe together for one last quick paddle

Happy camp girl!

Andrew biking the girls around

The Jones! No Gabi because she was away for a school thing, but we learned that these two love playing games, and live just around the corner from us! I see a family games night in the future :)

Al and Anne made breakfast for everyone on Saturday morning, which was so thoughtful and kind of them! We all gathered together and ate in the mess hall, and then Jon and Edgar did all the dishes afterwards. It wasn't even a discussion, they just got up and did them and were happy doing it. I thought that was pretty neat - the youth pastor and the lead pastor, taking on this task eagerly, with their servant hearts. The breakfast was awesome and we were very thankful that Al and Anne did that for us!!

My pics always seem to get out of order! But here is a few more

Jen put this picture up on our Facebook page and I thought it was so cute! She is right, we are so happy here, and we love sharing this place with people we love!!! It was SUCH a great weekend with our church family. I didn't get any pics of Dixie or Mary or the Hess'.... all people that we love and had so much fun with, but I was so busy to take pictures :) We are all already looking forward to next year!!

We got home later that afternoon and showered quickly and then headed back into Duncan to drop Q off with Mollie and Noah Corbett who were babysitting here, and headed to Cow Bay pub for a burger and beer fundraiser dinner! Dana was selling tickets for Noah's soccer team, and Noah offered to babysit if we went! We were happy to support him and eating dinner out without her is kind of a nice treat once and while! We invited Jerrica and Eric to come with, so they bought tickets too. We had a great evening with them! They even bid on some items in the silent auction and went home with a steal of a deal on dog food for their two pups :) A great ending to a wonderful weekend!

June 6th

Monday, June 6th was supposed to be our due date. We saw the date looming on the calendar (white out on that day, covering "DUE DATE!!!" That I wrote months ago), but didn't really talk about it. Jon asked if I would come to camp with him that day so that we would all be together. It was his staff's first day that day, so needed to be there. I've been feeling raw the last few weeks, thinking about what our life "would" have looked like at this point, and feeling pretty empty inside not being pregnant again by now. But for the most part, I just distract myself and do my best not to dwell on it. I can't change anything about this, but I can choose how I'm going to live and act and raise my daughter, who needs me to be present and content with her. I spent a few minutes in the morning holding onto this beautiful gift Mary bought me back at Christmastime, and just praying. It is crazy how much I can miss and ache for a baby that I never really knew. 

There's a song that I've been listening to on repeat for the past while called "Just Be Held" by Casting Crowns and every single lyric of that song describes how I feel. There's one part that says:

"If your eyes are on the storm, you'll wonder if I love you still. But if your eyes are on the cross you'll know I always have and I always will.

Not a tear is wasted, in time you'll understand. I'm painting beauty with the ashes, your life is in My hands.

When you're on your knees and answers seems so far away, you're not alone, stop holding on and just be held.

Your worlds not falling apart, it's falling into place. I'm on the throne stop holding on and just be held" 

That speaks volumes to me. When I am able to re focus my thoughts and rest in who Jesus is, my soul doesn't feel nearly as weary and I am able to remember and know that I am not alone and that I am immensely loved and not forgotten. I need to let go (of a lot of things, but mostly let go of my need to be in control of this situation, and let go of my pain) and just be held. 

Jon had staff meeting in the morning so Quinny and I spent some time at the park where she happily dug in the dirt and made castles and went down the slide. She saw Lisa walking towards us after the meeting and she squealed with delight and ran so fast right to her. Lisa picked her up and swung her around and kissed her cheek while Q giggled, and that moment filled my achey heart. This little girl of mine is so loved and she is such a gift so many people. God gave her to me knowing that I would need a girl as special as her and I am very grateful.

Mary texted me Sunday night to tell me that she was thinking of me, and then she texted again Monday morning to check in. We haven't talked about it much, she knows that I can't say a lot or else I just cry. So it meant a lot to me that she remembered on her own and made a point to tell me she loves me and is walking this with me. Shayna called too a while later, and I thanked the Lord once again for these beautiful friends of mine who are willing to stick it out with me even when it's uncomfortable. Quinny and I had a great morning by the beach, me reading a new book from Sharon and her playing in the water and building stuff. Such a gorgeous morning! So thankful for the sunshine!!!

Chris and Jenna are the Wildside staff this year, and it's so great to finally have them up here!! They are both going to be pretty great in these roles I think. After a full day of meetings and praying and walking around property talking about camp (both are brand new to Wildside, never been before!), Jon told them to grab life jackets and that they were going on the lake. They were pretty stoked about that, getting to do something fun and take a little break in the middle of the day. He's such a good boss, and could see that a lot of information had been thrown at them and they needed to digest it. Quinny grabbed her paddle and was desperate to come along and her dad of course let her. So she hopped in the front and off they went!

My sunburn was quite raw so I was avoiding sun at all costs, but it was fun to watch them. I love that she's not even 3 years old yet, but already she knows canoe rules and he can take her out on his own knowing that she will be totally fine. This is going to be a great summer

And this just made me smile - Brooke got a car for her birthday (which isn't until July but they got it early) and I was the first person she told!!! I love that! It's pretty awesome that we have been able to develop such a great relationship over the years and despite the distance! Love my baby cousin :) 

Family dinner at the Burdges! I ate with this gorgeous woman and as always, talking and laughing with her made me happy. Overall, the day was good. I was stronger than I thought I would be (no tears) and my heart felt okay. I am loved and not forgotten, and need to just be held.

Perfect Kind of Weekend

We came down to Vic on Friday night and it was so nice out! We spent time on the pool deck and ate pizza for dinner, Q played on the 'waterslide' with Aimee - very laid back and easy night. Lois and I headed to Walmart after dinner so that I could pick up stuff for dinner the next night. Saturday morning there was a family baby shower for baby Toby - Jon's cousin Ken and his wife Kendi recently adopted this beautiful newborn. Adoption is something that Jon and I have talked about since before we were even married. There is something so incredible about babies/children who need homes finding parents who will love and take care of them and give them a life that they would never have had otherwise. Jesus calls us to care for the widows and the orphans and I take that very literally. With the fertility issues that we have been facing in the past two years (two years... man sometimes it feels like just yesterday Q turned 1 and we decided to try again, and other times it feels like we have been walking this road for way longer than 2 years) we have talked a lot about what our future plans for adoption may look like. We always kind of planned that we would have two biological children and when they were a bit older, maybe around 10 or so, we would adopt one or two. We also always assumed that we would go through the ministry and adopt a kid rather than a baby because 1) its 'free' (always some sort of costs involved, but certainly not thousands) and 2) these kids need homes immediately, since they are currently in the foster system. If we could adopt two small kids that were already siblings and had that bond, that would be my ideal. Anyways, these are all just ideas and thoughts we have tossed around with obviously nothing set in stone and no plans as of yet to move forward. I asked Ken about their adoption story, and he was very eager to tell it. He says that their adoption story is their birth story of their beautiful baby, and they are more than happy and eager and willing to share it with everyone. As I was listening to him, I couldnt help but cry! The story is just so incredible, and there is no doubt that this baby was meant to be theirs. They went through an adoption agency because they really wanted a newborn, which makes perfect sense. Listening to him talk, I was overjoyed for them (hence the happy tears!), but I also ached because I want a newborn to snuggle and love and take care of too, regardless of if I birthed them or not. As we talk about adoption, a newborn never really occurred to me, because I am not usually crazy for babies... But it hit me that as Quinny was growing, I never thought that she would be my last tiny baby, I always thought there would be another one behind her. A while later I was talking with Kendi, and she shared with me that their adoption cost about $25 000, and this is a baby that is from the island, born in Courteney. That is an amount that I can't even fathom and there is no way we could go that route. I could save for the rest of our lives and we would still never come close to that amount. But it was so interesting to talk to them about their journey through adoption, and I am so happy that little Toby gets to have these wonderful people as his parents! Quinny came with to the shower and she was obsessed with seeing the baby. She kept talking about Toby and Diego (Jon's other cousin Joe and his wife Noha had Diego 3 months ago and he was there too) and wanting to see them. Ken was great with her, and he bent down and let Q talk to Toby and give him kisses, which totally thrilled her. She has been talking non-stop about Toby ever since!

And then after 2 kisses, Ken says "oh give him one more!" and so she leans in, and then she licks the poor little guy's head!! Here is Ken laughing at her and saying "Quinny! He's not an ice cream cone!" Oh man, my face was SO RED, I was so embarrassed that she did that!!! I apologized profusely, while she just stood beside me and giggled. Oh this kid, she will always give me a run for my money haha. What a little turkey. 

We spent the rest of the afternoon by the pool and just hanging out in the sun! Jon was gone all day because he was taking his recert for his NLS. Quinny was very excited to hang out with her cousins.... when they pulled up, she started yelling and clapping and calling them to come out to the pool. The girls were awesome all day, just playing in the water and having fun. It was the best kind of afternoon!!

Gorgeous day

That evening I cooked a big dinner for everyone (minus Care who had to work and Calea who went out with her friends) as a celebration for Jon. It's easy to view this change of job's for him as no big deal, because he is already at camp part time and we are still going to attend church, just not work there. But it is a big deal, and I wanted him to feel special and to be recognized for how great this is. In 2012, we left camp. And when we did that, we did not think we were ever going back. Jon started Wildside, his dream that he has had since he was 18, and after just two summers, he walked away from it because that was what was best for our family. Looking back, I find that so amazing. How many people have a vision, a passion so great for something, to walk away from it, thinking you were never going back, but trusting that God had a plan. I have watched him the past four years juggle MANY different jobs, trying to make ends meet for us (landscaping, Thermoproof, Halalt, the pool, church, announcing, and then camp part time to name a few) and fully trusting God the entire way. When he went back part time to camp in 2014, he was overjoyed to be back doing Wildside - he was gone a year and a half from camp, but only missed one summer. Now here we are, he is going back into full-time camp ministry, and he had the past four years to grow in faith and grow as a man and dad/husband. He has learned what it means to seek after the Lord, and to walk in faith, and make decisions that seem crazy, knowing that God is leading him and has a plan. I am just so incredibly proud of him. Being able to focus his time and energy on one job, one ministry, will be just a positive change for him and for us. So we ate yummy food and celebrated Jon! Nana and Auntie Hanna and Uncle Ian and Stef joined our immediate family as well. So nice to have everyone together!!

Sunday morning Jon got up in front of the church and told him of his resignation. The congregation was so supportive and awesome. We had a few tear-filled conversations with a few people, mostly parents of our youth. But even those conversations were left in a positive light, and everyone is very happy for us/Jon. 

Thank you Edgar for being such a great boss, mentor, shepherd, and friend. 

After church we met up with Jerrica and Eric at Kin Beach for a picnic and beach fun! We played on floaties, searched for sand dollars, made sand castles, walked to the lighthouse, had a picnic... it was awesome! So fun. It is so nice having new friends who like to do things that we like to do!

I bought this for her back when Chemainus Foods was closing for 60% off and just blew it up for her. She was so stoked about it and played with it all day! I bought a pelican too, so we are thinking we may take them to the pool for her and Madi to play with this summer :) I bought her a little mini dingy boat as well for camp!

She fell asleep in the car on the way home, so Jon drove around and let her sleep and I got dessert ready for our dinner BBQ with the Corbetts. I was getting changed and realized my back hurt - YIKES!! I was wearing lots of sunscreen and spent most of the day in the shade!! WHAT THE HECK?! My poor skin. It hurts so bad, I could barely sleep the past two nights. Sigh.

Off to the Corbetts for dinner! Oh how we love this family!! They are just the best. Conversation is always so real with Dana and Kevin and we can joke and talk about light stuff and switch on a dime and talk about heavy stuff. Nothing off the table. I love that. Such good friends. Quinny spent the evening with Mollie and Noah (Anna was doing homework). I made a fruit dip for dessert - vanilla greek yogurt, peanut butter and honey. Amazing! Time with this family is always so awesome - there is just so much respect and love in that house for each other. Kevin and Dana have done such an excellent job raising these kids. Love all of them! And so does Q... she cried when it was time to go

 This weekend was just so full of people we love and really great things. Also, Jon passed his recert! So yay! All in all, it was a pretty perfect weekend