Preparations

chats with Lindi on the deck
making place cards

the awesome aprons Aunt Donna made us out of some of the favourite oldies

only 6 days left!

It's been a whirlwind at home, but so good... was a bit overwhelmed when I first got here, but now I'm sitting contentedly- everything (seems) in order, Brian is coming today, I have a bridal shower with the girls this aft (can't wait to see them!) and fireworks at the park tonight.

Exciting times, and I know that they're pretty special, so I'm trying to soak it all in...

feels like home

sunrise from one of Mum and Dad's early walks..

Home in Grimsby.... travelled here from my home in St. John's-- I am blessed to have multiple homes.

Familiar crowded highways with oodles of traffic, everyone in Toronto headed to Niagara Falls on the long weekend. Oh house I grew up in, always evolving just a little bit, subtle changes here and there, little home improvements done by my now-empty-nester parents... but still and always, home. Catching up with mum and dad. Comfortable, quiet bed-- all's still in the house at night. Church on Sunday morning, still the same, classic hymns and newer songs- yet children older, hair a little grayer... faces I have known for most of my life saying hi and how are you and congratulations.

It's good, it's very good.

Looking forward to a reunion tonight with my Pink Flamingos.

July days

these pics are from a little over a year ago now... my dear friend and cousin Hillary got married to my other favourite cousin Mark... and I had the privilege of being Hill's maid of honour. This is at her bridal tea.. it was a great time. can't wait to see you soon Hill!

I've been waking up early these days. 5 am, 6 am, etc. On the days I don't have to get up at 6 30 am for work. It's a bit frustrating. I lie in bed and try to make myself sleep more.. but my mind keeps going a mile a minute. There's so much to think about.

I don't feel stressed about all the upcoming events... moving all my stuff to Brian's and leaving this house, flying back to ON, and the whirlwind of events from then till the wedding (!!). But still, it's cause enough for my mind to never really stop thinking. In a good way, I s'pose.

And I do enjoy the early mornings. When the air is still cool... that fresh breeze blowing in from the kitchen window, and yet another sunny day. It turns out that Newfoundland is quite sunny in July. Who would've thought.

I really am enjoying these days. They are slipping by. What a summer, really. So much anticipation... then the big wedding day... and then the rest of our lives. I am so looking forward to road tripping with my new husband (!!) through northern Ontario and then out in California. To exploring together... Brian won't have to worry about his thesis. I won't have to ponder yet another detail of wedding planning (my thesis, sort of). It will be a vacation in every sense. A time to start off our journey together as husband and wife. To dream together and just have so much fun. We have such a fantastic time when we go off on our day trips here (such as last Saturday, a hike out in Arnold's Cove). I can only imagine what a whole vacation together would be like.

And it'll be so good to go back to ON. Next Saturday already. To see Mum and Dad, spend some special time with them before our world changes a bit. Visit people. Bridal showers. Wedding gowns and flowers and ribbons and lace.

These are exciting times.

new look

Well my few and far between blog reading friends,

its 10 pm, i should be sleeping cause my eyes are falling shut from a hectic day at the HSC ER.

But i found this blog and found new designs to tinker with.

will type more later. For now, guess what-- next Saturday i go home to ON.. and in 25 days I'm getting married!! eeeeh!!

:)

oh joyous July

I am typing this in the sun out on my porch.. I have to squint to see the screen but it's worth it. My peat seed pods (thanks Carolyn!) are (hopefully) soaking up the sun beside me and gathering all their strength for their pending germination. My green thumb was apparently not so green during my first attempt as it failed miserably... here's hoping for better success in round 2!

Yesterday was Canada Day-- I went to a BBQ, it rained, and we tried to watch the fireworks in the fog.. unsuccessfully as there was nothing to be seen but flashing clouds. Ah well. Still a fun time.

6 weeks today, at exactly this time, I will be married. Oh. my. So exciting! Now that the weather is warmer and its July everything seems that much closer.

joy.

Junebugs

June has been a lovely month so far here in St. John's. My good friend Alex came here all the way from Vancouver for the first week of it, and we had a great time. Went camping for two nights too... I forgot (well, not really, but it was nice to be reminded) how much I love camping. How good the food tastes, the campfires, waking up in the tent with the birds and the waves (though maybe not being cold in the tent all night, but that's a side effect of camping in June in NL I think).. it's just so good. Hoping to get out a whole lot more this year!

with this ring

Last night we purchased these very special items. We were in the jewellery store, the same place where Brian bought my engagement ring. Standing by the glass counter, shiny cases, sparkly diamonds, smiling saleslady and the older man who told us with a grin on his face and nostalgia in his eyes, "I've been married 30 years now. August is a good month."

And these, the classically simple elegant gold bands to symbolize our love and commitment to each other.

"I give you this ring as a symbol of our covenant in Christ"

And seeing my groom-to-be there trying that gold band on his left finger for size, and knowing that this is it. He is going to be my husband in 77 days. It made my heart go pitter patter a little bit, it really did.

This is the start of our journey, coming so soon. We'll exchange our vows and our rings and we'll go live and love and serve.

I am so thankful... and sometimes I feel like my heart is going to burst with it all.