An Alberta Break!

We left for Alberta on Canada Day for a mini vacation and of course to meet my new nephew! We had figured that it was about a 7 hour trip, max. 8 hours. Yeah----10 hours later we finally pulled into Beaumont to stay with my Sister and her family! It was a long drive. Yes we did stop along the way and had a picnic at a lake, Zech had to throw-up a few times and finally some ice-cream in Vegreville to make everything feel better!



This trip was a multi-purposed trip. We had not been on a holiday in a long time and desperately needed one. We had been invited to a Christian camp a while ago by some pretty good friends. We wrestled with it, we really wanted to go, but didn't know if we could afford it or if we could get time off. We also knew that it would be around the time that my sister was due and then we found out that it would most likely be around the time that my cousin was to be married. So we were hoping that maybe we could fit everything in. Well, we made it to see the baby and went to camp, but couldn't stay for the wedding. I guess we just couldn't do it all.

We spent the first few days trying to help out my Sister and her family. I am not sure how much help we were, but we did try. My kids were obsessed with baby Emmett and were constantly wanting to hold him. Zech and Jonas fought a lot, and Gigi was grumpy and teething.

We were able to see my Grandma, but it was a real short visit. We took Jonas with us, so 3 little kids (who seemed to be a little cranky) meant that it would be short and sweet. She looked good and she remembered who I was! She loved seeing Gigi, but Gigi was so grumpy and got very upset every time Grandma tried to touch her!

I celebrated my 31st birthday with my family. My sister and brother-in-law are BBQing experts! We had a yummy supper and Mom and Bill brought a strawberry shortcake over--yummy!

On Monday we headed to the camp. We had to make a pit stop in the mall at first (which was a bit of a gong show--as the kids were too tired) and then we picked up some groceries for the week and headed out to the camp. I was pretty excited as it was the fist Bible Camp I had ever been too!

Our little cabin was tiny (ok very tiny) and well, antique. We knew that we did not have a bathroom, but were a little shocked that we didn't have running water in the kitchen. I guess it was camping in the true sense! :o)

Chruch service ran every morning at 10:00 and every evening at 6:00. Zech had a great little 'Sunday' school program during these times. There was no nursery for Gigi, so that made things a little difficult at times. We would try to alternate. John would go to a service while I watched Genesis and vice versa. We both went there with expectations, pretty big expectations. There were a few things that I had been struggling with and really seeking answers on and John wanted a break, plus some spiritual rejuvenation. Plus we were pretty excited to hang out with our good friends and met some really great people too.

However, sometimes 'our' expectations don't always pan out the way that we envisioned them. Our picture perfect beach times, never came to fruition. In fact halfway through they completely closed the lake off to swimmers and pets due to the blue/green algae that was present. Kids were coming out of the water with massive hives and the lake stunk! So no beach time for us. Close to the end of the week, Zech had had enough of Sunday school. He was tired and all 'churched' out! ;o) Genesis was beyond grumpy with her poor little teeth and we were getting some pretty horrible sleeps and then the second last day it rained and what were we to do with the kids. So we decided to pack up and leave a day early.

WE packed up and went to the mall. It was great this time! The kids slept on the way in, we had a nice Vietnamese meal (some of our favourite food) and we did a lot of sightseeing and just hanging out and having fun. I even bought some new shoes (I can't remember the last time I bought new shoes). We spent the night with Mel and Cory again. Sunday we had a lunch BBQ with some friends and then that evening we had another fabulous meal from the BBQ from Mel and Cory (still drooling). Monday morning we left and made the long trip back.

Road trips are long, but really fun. I love travelling on the road as it is such a great time for my Hubby and I to really connect and just talk. We prayed for our trip like we always do and then we just started sharing with one another and reminiscing and opening our hearts up to one another about what we learned, what we felt that God was speaking to us on and just life in general.

While this sort of vacation did not turn out as we had planned, it turned out exactly the way God had planned. Even though we could not make it to every church service, the ones that we did make it too, were exactly what we needed. I was amazed that at every service I was able to attend, it all had to do with the struggles, the questions, that I was seeking God on. I found myself moved to do things that I NEVER do and I know that it was the work of God and what He was stirring in me. John felt the same and even though we didn't see these things in the midst of the week as everything was going on, we were able to look back and reflect on what God really wanted us to see and know.

We also felt that we didn't get a chance to see everyone that we wished we could have--sorry! It was rushed and we felt kind of sad as we were leaving. Plus I didn't get to hit IKEA! ;o(

Thanks to my sis and bro-in-law for putting up with us and letting us sleep there! Thanks to the Buhlers for inviting us and for putting up with us at camp. ;o)


Gigi wondering how on earth she can get this baby home!
Gigi obsessed with babies, is naturally obsessed with her real life baby cousin!
Proud Uncle John! Another nephew to rough house with!!
Zech smothering his new baby cousin! He absolutely adored him and prays and ask about him all of the time! He is convinced that we can just hop in the car and head over to play with Jonas and see his new baby cousin!
Our attempt at a picture of Grandma and all the grankids! These kinds of pictures are so hard to get! I love the boys matching shirts though!
Mommy and her precious little one! There is something so incredibly special about witnessing a mommy with her newborn child, especially when it is my baby sister!