So it begins...

Today was GORGEOUS! This afternoon staff for the summer began to arrive (I believe somewhere around the 100 mark, including our full time staff already, there is around 200 staff) and as I sat on the lawn at camp, it began to feel like summer! As part of the staff team (by marriage ;-) we were assigned a team. In the evening after dinner the staff all played games-except my hubby, he never gets to join in the games, because he is always working! Danika was quite eager to join in. I LOVE seeing her at camp and this year there is such a HUGE difference in her. I don't know if it is age, or just being surrounded by people but Danika has really broken out of her shell. Like this evening I was sitting with Adessa and told Danika to go find the blue team (all staff were in a GIANT circle, remember there is around the 200 mark of them!) and she says okay and walks off around the circle looking for 'her team.' She walks around and meets me at the other end, telling me she can't find them, when the announcer (Stevie-G) announces that Danika needs the blue team to find her. They swoop in and grab her and she joined in the rest of the night! It was so cool to see!
Adessa is also very socialized and will go to anyone who will have her! (Such a wonderful break for mommy!) She is a very outgoing little gal.
My mom and dad are coming tomorrow and I am very excited! It is the perfect week for them to come and visit because Steve will be doing staff training and will be gone for morning until late night.
As I put Danika down tonight, this was her prayer, "Dear Jesus, thanks for letting me play in the game, and for letting me win. I love you. I miss you. I love you real much. Amen."

Taking the Plunge!

So last night, I did the challenge course at camp! Since we have moved to work at Qwanoes I have been telling people that I wanted to try everything in the challenge course. So last night they opened it up to the staff. So Steve and I brought the girls and tried the screamer (zip line) and skyscraper (GIANT swing!). As we pulled up to camp however my nerves started getting the best of me, my heart was going crazy and it felt like I was going to have an anxiety attack! (Is this what it feels like to get older when you want to try something new??)
I did not chicken out though and first went up on the giant swing with Steve and another friend from camp. Once we were pulled to the top (approx. 80 feet high) I was freaking out. Steve looked at me seriously and said "Nik, don't be scared, do you want me to pray?" Me thinking he's being all sweet, said, "sure!" and closed my eyes. Which was obviously Steve's cue to pull the trigger... down we flew with me screaming like crazy! After the initial scare and drop, it was quite fun and felt like you were flying! Not to mention the beautiful scenery of the ocean from way up top!
Next we went on the zip line. Last year Steve helped build a bigger platform for it, so it is now 50 feet up. I got all geared up and then started climbing the pole. my body was still coursing with adrenaline from the first swing, so it took everything in me not to give up and fall down!
Once I got to the top I held onto the pole for dear life... it is HIGH up there!!! Steve and I got to go together, so we sat on the edge of the platform and Amelia (who was GREAT!) talks you into slipping off. It took me a little while, but I did it!!! Such a Rush! I loved it!
Before we left I did the swing one last time. It was awesome! I am so glad I tried it all!

Happy Daddy's Day, My Love!

Today is Fathers Day. And I find myself sitting here this morning reflecting on Steve and how much I love him. He really is an amazing father and husband. Both his girls absoluteley adore him and Danika knows that she is Daddy's little princess. No one can make Adessa laugh like daddy does. Or play games and get both girls so riled up, like daddy does. I truly couldn't be more blessed to be married to a man like Steve. I love how he takes the girls after supper to bathe them. Or puts Danika to bed and reads her bible stories, and I hear Danika asking all sorts of questions, with wise thought-out anwsers from Steve. So this fathers day I want to wish my husband the happiest father day ever. Knowing that all his girls love and adore him!

A day at the beach

Adessa always wins!

Saturday morning we packed up the girls and went on a little 'adventure.' We found ourselves at Steve's 2 days off until we go into a 6 day work week with a day to rest in between. So Friday night Steve felt like he wanted to just leave, go off somewhere with the girls for the weekend. No plans, just go. However I being a little more off a planner, not so spur-of-the-moment type person, decided that we should go home (we were at a friends little 5th birthday party) talk it over and make a real plan. So we slept on it, woke up and decided a road trip would be fun. So we packed up the van, and I mean packed it! We had outfits for every weather, swim suits, warm clothes, and some food! And then we drove. We stopped for coffee and then at this point, me being the person who kind of likes a plan (I don't think I would be so anal if I didn't have kids... but they make me grow up a bit! ; ) started an argument with Steve wanting to know where exactly we were going. And his reply was I always get like this, to trust him and it always turns out to be fun!

So after driving for about 2 + hours, with the girls getting a little fussy, I was kinda upset. However we found A destination. Sombrio Beach.

It was beautiful. We hiked out to the beach, walked around, played in the sand and just enjoyed each others company. I would have to say Adessa probably had the most fun, as she was exploring new things with her mouth. Rocks and sand were constantly in her mouth, and I just let her have at it. There was no stopping her, if I was going to enjoy my time as well. And whats a little sand going to do anyways? (nothing I hope!!!)

After hanging out a bit, watching a surfer, we decided to pack up and drive over to China Beach . Our main goal was to see Mystic beach, which is quite a hike from China beach with 2 children. So we left that for another day. China beach was gorgeous! The sun was shining and once again Adessa was down exploring the tastes of the beach, Danika was rolling around in the sand, apparently being a mermaid. It was pretty priceless. I love just sitting and watching my man and my girls. He is such a wonderful daddy and has the most special relationships with his girls. They both just adore him. On the way back home through Sooke we stopped at a little 'family friendly' restaurant and ate SO MUCH food! I had this Greek dish with calamari, rice, naan bread and Greek salad. And on the menu it had said 'healthy portions' of each. So I'm thinking it was a nice, healthy meal. However, it turned out to be quite opposite. My meal could have fed all of us!! Of course Steve loved it! There was SOOO much food!

Our drive home was filled with silence, (minus the sound of sweet, exhausted little girls breathing and sucking their thumbs) moments to reflect on our wonderful day together. And next time I won't give Steve such a hard time for just wanting to create another adventure with the family! : )

Delivering Iris

Through our church we attend, we were fortunate enough to meet the Nagtegaals. They own a dairy farm near us and we have been able to go over a few times. It is really neat as they also have 2 little girls, their oldest is a month younger than Danika and their youngest is a couple weeks younger than Adessa! We all love going to the dairy farm, being able to see the cows and pet the new baby calves. And Steve really enjoys helping Mark out in the barn.

Last week Steve was able to go over and help deliver a Calf! The girls were being watched for the afternoon by a good friend so I was able to go over and witness this as well! When she came out, I was able to name her Iris! How fun!

Anticipation

My happy crawling girl! She LOVED crawling on the grass, and was gone as soon as she was put down!

A cute little friend of Adessa's, they are only a couple of weeks apart.

Adessa loves putting her face into people, I think its her way of hugging!

Summer is finally here!!! This weekend was the first break in our cloudy weather in about 3 weeks. Such a wonderful feeling, and just makes you want to smile! : )Yesterday was Open House at Qwanoes, which was basically kick-off to summer and it was incredible and made me very excited! There was about 1300 people at camp and the weather was GORGEOUS. We walked around camp with good friends, ate BBQed food, walked to (and in) the ocean, enjoyed ice cream, jumped on the trampoline and visited with good friends. Oh and got lots and lots of sun!! I had nicely crisped shoulders, and thanks to friends with sunscreen, my children didn't get burned! I think I was in denial about how warm the sun is here on the island!
However as much as I am excited for sunshine and warmth, there is also a bit of hesitation and nervousness. Last summer was our first summer at camp as a married couple with children, and I am not going to lie, it was tough! We had just moved to a new town, leaving behind all family and friends, started a new job and I was pregnant! Steve worked long, hard days and worked a 6 day work week for the entire summer. I was needy as a pregnant mother for the first half of summer and then having a newborn for the second half.
As tough as last summer was though, Steve and I have really been encouraging one another to have positive attitudes. To remember what life at camp is all about and to look at the positive side of working in ministry. Yes Steve will be putting in long days and working 6 days a week, but the girls and I can be a part of it. As we get to go eat our meals at camp and hang out with good friends while we are there. This year we have also gotten to make a lot more friends, both in the camp and out. I have met many mothers with children my kids age and am really starting to form some good, deep friendships, which I cherish.
Something else we have been encouraging each other with is this, that if we look at camp as a job, it would pardon me, but 'suck'. As Steve does work really really hard, for little pay. However it is the bigger picture and the working environment. Everything Steve builds and makes better at camp is for the kids that attend. It is the reason we signed on to work at camp and why we have always been drawn as kids. To show children how much God loves them and to have children come to know the Lord. That's what camp is all about, right?

Danika 'supervising' the candy toss, all the other kids came out with handfuls of candy, Danika came out with one pink one... must take after her daddy! ; )

Beautiful butterfly eating ice cream

Adessa's first touch of the ocean... and she loved it!

*Photos courtesy of Ashleigh!!

My Beautiful Danika

4 years ago today, we welcomed Danika Raeanne into the world. All 4 pounds 9 ounces of her. I remember when she was first given to me(after being thoroughly looked over by the numerous medical staff overlooking the delivery) and thinking I had never seen something so perfect and beautiful. And she was mine. The circumstances and events leading up to the day had been stressful and complicated, however when I looked at this little gift in my hands I knew everything would work out.
Danika has since and will always be my little princess. Danika is a special little girl and I truly feel totally blessed to be this little girls mom and I pray everyday that I can be what she needs me to be. That I can love her the way she needs to be loved, Discipline consistently in a way that will teach her to honor and respect others, and most importantly that through both Steves and my life and relationship she can see how great Jesus' love is and that she will grow up with her own personal relationship with the King.
My baby girl is 4... wow!!!

GOODMORNING 4 YEAR OLD!!!


New jewellery box, amongst endless amounts of polly pockets!

Blowing out birthday candles on homemade cinnamon buns! Happy birthday my love!

Talking on the phone to grandma, she looks so grown up!
Phone calls always followed by numerous 'Juicy' kisses!


Happy Birthday my darling Danika, I can't wait to celebrate the rest of your life with you!!!