A Miracle

I posted a while back about the power of prayer, and last night we got some amazing news about my brother, his wife, and their coming babies. We were told that one of the babies had two heart defects, a hole in the heart and a missing artery. The hole in the heart is fairly common, and has a much larger survival rate. The missing artery was the real scary one, that would have required immediate surgery with a good survival rate, just not as good.

My brother and his wife are down on the coast now, until the babies are born. This week they have tons of appointments. Yesterday, they had another ultrasound to check up on the little ones. And they discovered the missing artery!!!! I know that may sound weird, but I guess the last ultrasound, they couldn't see it. But it's there, clear as day now.

So what this means is that the baby boy (one with the defect) can come home with his baby sister! The hole is still there, but won't need surgery until later. This chopped my brother's stay in Vancouver from six months or more to only three! We are so happy. And thrilled that both babies and mom should be fine.

I guess the power of prayer really works!! Side Note: This is a picture from their 3D ultrasound. Pretty incredible hey?

It's About the Journey

Well, after some praying and some serious consideration, Dana and I have decided to post something on my blog. I have been debating it because I am not so sure I am ready for the feedback that may (or may not) come, but Dana and I feel solid in this choice so we decided to share it.

For those of you who may be following our lives, we recently moved back from Sask to our hometown, to be closer to family, to build a house and for Dana to progress with his electrician ticket. When we made the decision to leave Regina, it was very difficult. Harder than any thing I have ever done. I can't explain why, it just didn't feel right. However, we missed our family and this amazing opportunity to build with my father-in-law. But ever since we have been back, we have felt a pain in the pit of our hearts. Whenever someone would talk about the prairies or Regina, or thought about our home there, or even listened to a song about home.... our hearts ached. For months now, we have been trying to ignore these feelings, thinking that we just need time to settle into our new lives here, but truth be known, our hearts are not in it. I have wrote about how we felt like we made a mistake when we moved from Regina. That our time was not quite done there. And now we are following our hearts back there. Yes, we are moving back to Regina.

This has been very hard on us and on our family. We wouldn't make this choice if we weren't 100% certain it was what was best for our family. We truly believe that we are stepping out on faith and truly trying to follow God's purpose for our lives. True we may take the long way to get there, but so often I have been told "It is not the destination, but the journey."

So there it is in a nutshell. Everything we have been dealing with the last two weeks and thus the reason for my sparse entries. We are hoping to be back in Prairie land by the end of September. We don't know where we are living, working, or when this will all go down. But I actually feel ok that we don't. I have faith that we are making the right decision and so then I have faith that the Lord will provide for us. I don't mean to sound "religious", but this is just what we are feeling.

The Power of Prayer

There is so much I can post right now. Our lives seem to be full of new news, but today I just want to talk about the power of prayer.

For those of you who don't know what is going on with my brother and his wife, they are expecting twins come December. This is very exciting and we are all excited to welcome them into our family. However, about a month ago they found out that one of the babies has a heart defect that requires immediate surgery upon delivery. Because of this, Shane and Margaret and my niece Lorelei are having to move to the coast as soon as next week. This is good. It is so that the doctor's can keep a closer eye on Margaret and on the babies. But along with this came so many uncertainties. Where would they live, how could they afford to run two households, and of course the health of the babies. Today some prayers were answered and they were accepted into an apartment complex that helps families in their situation. Also, they were contacted by a representative from a few service clubs who assured them they would have financial support. This is HUGE. Now my brother and his family can relax and just focus on the health of their babies, and while that is still unknown, they now have at least a home for the next few months. Please pray for my brother and his family as they are going through this difficult time. Pray for the health of the babies, and that a miracle happens.

In addition to all of this, we have some good friends in Regina whose daughter was just diagnosed with Leukemia. She is just 2 and a half. I don't know much, except that she started chemo and is responding well to it so far, but there is a long road a head. Her spinal fluid is clear, which is positive. So please pray for their family, and the little girl. Every little bit helps.

And as for us, Dana and I are making some more big changes in our lives and we could always use some prayers thrown our way. What we are going through is not as BIG as my brother and my friends, but it still will be a transition. We appreciate all the support and LOVE we have gotten so far and hope that the future will bring much more.

Prayer is amazing and I truly do believe in miracles. I believe that no matter what, we always have faith.

Lily of the Valley

Can I just take a moment to talk about this amazing little flower that is growing up right before my very eyes. This little girl who, with every passing day, seems to learn more, grow more and gain more. Here is Ava Lily at my cousins beautiful vineyard wedding. You would have thought she was the bride, the way she strutted around the yard in her little white dress. She is not only walking, but almost running. She idolizes her big brother, trying to mimic everything he does. Even it means scaling a wall, she will try it. He eyes are breathtaking. She looks so much like Dana, it takes my breathe away. She is the sweetest little girl, but with a big attitude. If she doesn't get her way, watch out. She gives dirty looks, and sticks out her big bottom lip. But 99% of the time she is smiling big and letting lots of giggles out. She is talking SO much. New words include please, thank you, luv ya, mommy, dada, papa, baba, grandma, more, all gone, tree, there, bird. And of course she will copy whatever word you say. She is always pointing at everything, as if to say, check out all these amazing things. The other day she was extra cuddly because she was teething and I just soaked in it. I was holding her, dancing with her, loving on her. This amazing little girl is truly amazing and my heart booms with love for her. We are so blessed by her and oh my how she enriches our lives.

Lately, I have felt so tense. I never seem to be relaxing or even breathe. I have been running from one thing to the next. Yesterday, I took one of my 'healing cards' (cards with little sayings of focus for the day). I like them because it gives me something to focus on. I pull one out, read it aloud, think about it, pray about it, and then start my day. Anyways, yesterday mine was "Time". It read basically to let time go and stop scheduling. Just enjoy moments, enjoy people, enjoy the time we have given to us.

I tried, really, but it is very hard especially running after Ava. She has entered the stage where she is mobile and ready to discover. She is determined to get into everything, which is wonderfully challenging (oxymoron, eh?). I love her will to discover. She is learning so much everyday, it's amazing. Did you know this kid says please and thank you??? Her other new words are puppy, papa, luv you, mommy, k (for Kynan), tree. She points at everything and loves chasing after her brother. Sorry, getting off topic...

I did try, but everything seems to be pulling me here, there and everywhere. I don't even get to all the places I need to go. I am emotional. Being excited one minute and almost in tears the next. Yesterday, we went to Kelowna to get my phone fixed (yay) and look at some appliances for the house. The kids didn't stop screaming in Sears and looked at Dana, all weary, and said "Let's go". I don't think the kids phased him too much, but everything seems to be overwhelming me lately.

That's pretty much it. We are done house sitting tomorrow so hopefully you will see some pictures up soon. Dana and I are going to our lot tonight to officially toast our new property and pray over it. Check out A Modern Life for our building updates.

Happy Long Weekend

WARNING **Gush**

Tonight I would like to talk about a very special man in my life. He truly completes me in every meaning of the word. He is my soul mate, my best friend, my husband Dana. He just celebrated his 27th Birthday. It's so hard to believe that he is nearing the BIG 3-0! It still feels like we are sitting on his mom's couch, sharing a tub of ice cream or 5 cent candies, watching whatever new movie I talked him into seeing. I still feel like I have to be home by 11pm and that my mom will get mad if she walks in and doesn't see two feet on the floor (wink wink). Time really hasn't changed my love for him or how I look at him. Sure there are a few greys speckling through his gorgeous hair, he runs a little slower, and his pants are a little tighter, but he still is the heart throb I whispered to my girlfriend I would marry one day.

Dana and I's marriage is far from perfect. We fight passionately, I yell, he looks sternly. He always says "We are not fighting, we are disagreeing", but I call it as I see it. We also love passionately, laughing and making love (gush-sorry). I wouldn't change it for anything. It's real. It's raw. It's us. Just like we are ever changing, so is our marriage and our love for one another.

This man that married, for infinity (our corny saying), is forever putting people above himself. Even if someone has wronged him or mistreated him, he is quick to forgive AND forget. He is generous with the little we have to give, often telling me "What would Jesus do, Susie". How can you argue with that? He is generous with "things", his time, and himself. He truly does pour himself into people. While saying all this, he is not a door mat. He is a strong, confident man. One who I am proud our son watches every day. He makes decisions carefully, and stands by them. He does what has to be done. He is a provider of stability and love to our little nest. He is a Godly, wonderful man.

My rock, my everything. When everything in the world is going wrong, he's always going right. My hero in the sun and warrior in the rain. How did I ever get this lucky to end up with him.

Happy Birthday, Dana.

4'n'1

1. I sometimes find blogging truly exhausting. Sometimes I don't have the energy to post something, I am afraid of posting what I really think in fear of the back lash from it, and more often than not I am afraid of being mis-interpeted of what I am trying to say. This happens alot. But I have come to realise that those who know me and know my heart, know what I am trying to say and know my intentions and for those who don't, this blog is an opportunity for me to open up and them to get to know me more. I also find this blog very much an emotional reliever. Sometimes it causes stress, but most of the time I can be who I am on this blog. Say what I want to say, and share what I want to share. So for now, I think I will continue on this blogger voyage.

2. We are house sitting for the next two weeks, which has been an incredible blessing. It feels so nice to have our own space. The kids and I are in a routine again and we are enjoying the family time we get. The house doesn't have cable, so we are finding other ways to amuse ourselves, which is so much fun. But as I am not near my computer and don't have a card reader, my posts will be pictureless. Sorry.

3. My work is going really well and for the first time in a long time, I feel on my game again. For those of you who are thinking, what work? I am working part-time at night for my former employer, SADI. Mainly supervising events. For instance, tonight I am taking some youth to Kelowna to shop. I know, my job is hard. My main work; however, is a contract with a provincial non-profit organization that works with communities across BC with positive youth development and youth engagement. I love it. I never thought I really offered much expertise in this area, but I am being proved wrong every week by the work I am doing. It feels really good to be contributing this way and I can see the work that I am doing is actually making a difference in the world. I have struggled lots with purpose in my life, and even though I still do, it feels good to find a niche.

4. For those of you who know us, know that we have struggled since moving back to Summerland. We miss those prairies so bad. Prairie scenery, prairie cities, prairie people. So much so that we even considered moving back. For the last month I would say, we have been looking on MLS and job search websites seeing if it is even possible. But with all this happening, I was unsure if it was what I really wanted. Last night we had a wonderful conversation with my inlaws (the ones who will be building for us) and we let it all out. No stone was left unturned. All emotions were brought forward and for the first time, possibly ever, I felt like they saw who I truly am. It made us feel alot more relaxed and some of those feelings of being unsettles, unwanted, not belonging faded a little. Do we still miss Regina, of course. But now I look at it as it was a beautiful blessing for Dana and I to experience. We walked away stronger in our faith and with priceless friends. Nothing will ever change that. But now, we are home. And we look forward to the blessings that the Lord will bestow us and what we can bestow on others.

Well, there you have it. Your deluxe 4'n'1 post. Now I gotta go push my son on the tire swing as he has been patiently waiting for me. Such a good boy.