*WARNING* Selfies Ahead. (a random-catch-up post)

I left ya hanging at summertime and camping. That wasn't very nice of me was it!

Now that life has settled down into a routine, I *hope* to blog twice a week. No, let me rephrase that... I *need* to blog twice a week. I need to be "motivated" to take more pictures. And write more. And ya. Here is to being better at this blogging thing.

I have been writing more over at my other blog "Awakening My Heart". Well, more as in... I have been consistent for about a week. :) Check it out if you so desire. 

Ok. Let the random-selfie-ness begin.

So, first of all. How's about some more happy summer memories?

We hung out with this sweet gal and her family A. lot. this summer. Which was great, because they are great. 

We also got some good, quality sister time in. You know, the shopping, the eating, the chilling. Girl stuff. :)

Closer towards harvest time, the busy began. I didn't do a whole lot of canning this year, because most of it happened when I was in the field. But when I did... I took a selfie. ;)

Speaking of the approaching harvest. While Dad was resting up from pulling an all-nighter swathing fields, Ker and I took some of the kids to the "Harvest Festival". We split up to go on rides, and this fiery girl wanted to go on all the scary rides.
I obliged.
We took a selfie on the one that I could open my eyes on. ;)

For the first time, we experienced the traditional festival fireworks from inside the "Taco in a Bag" booth. Our church sets up this booth every year, and this was the first time that Ker and I were able to help out. It was much fun!

Of course, we had to look cute while doing it! ;)

Speaking of church, Ker and I have just become more involved in helping lead worship on Sundays. My bros are also involved in setting up the sound equipment eeeearly Sunday mornings, so I get to put my feet up before practice starts. And take a selfie. Of my feet. Because, like... what else would I do???

Speaking of Sundays, I don't think I have enjoyed these days of rest as much as I have this harvest season. I even took a nap once. If you know me well, you know what a miracle that is. ;)

Speaking of resting. Rainy days are taken very seriously during harvest. We are very serious about doing absolutely nothing.

Aaaand harvest.
Hardly a day went by that I didn't have a sibling, or neice/nephew along for a ride on the grain cart. They kept me happy, and kept me taking selfies.

I have nooooo idea what this picture is about...

You haven't experienced a sunset until you have experienced a harvest sunset...

A boy after my own heart....

I made the mistake of letting Jaden play with my ipod. I only have about a million of these types of pictures to sort through...

He did manage to get a picture of your's truly climbing a bin though...

This. Girl. I missed her so much during harvest! We basically didn't see each other, because I was hardly home. She worked every bit as hard as the "field folk", making meals, chasing children, and keeping the house from falling apart.

Of course when we were together, we had to grab a quick selfie...

There was this one time, that our combine broke down, so I had time to braid her hair...

At 1:00 in the morning, saving grace comes in the form of a doughnut. 

Nearing the end, rain was in the forecast. So we worked extra long hours in attempt to get er' done.

Then... just like that, we were done.

We were finally able to get caught up on cuddles and stuff.

After about a week of just breathing, it was time to break out the school books. We spent a couple of days making school schedules, and re-organizing our life. I was SO glad to be getting back into a routine. I can only take summer spontaneity for so long. 

Oh, look! We are all caught up to today.

Today was a good day. Beginning bright and early, I wore boots with heels for the first time, got to worship my heart out with the church family, absorbed an amazing sermon, hugged the people I love dearly, ate pizza and icecream, and relaxed the afternoon away.

Wow. That, was probably the longest, and most random blog post I have ever done. If you have made it this far, I like you. ;) Have an amazing Sunday evening everyone!!

Goodbye June

Well that was fun!
Today is the last day of June, which means it is also the last day of "Hello June"!

Right now I am giving Mikey morning snuggles.
Soon, we will be on our way to help Henry and Megan move to their new house.
(Moving day!!!!)
Needless to say, my day is going to be full, and I know I'm not going to have time for a lengthy blog post, so I just wanted to pop in and congratulate myself (Haha!). And also congratulate my sisers Becca and Meg. This was challenging for me, and I don't even have any kids! ;)
Loved doing this again with you gals! <3

(Since we didn't quite get it together to take a picture together this year,

last year's will have to do :)

Another June past.
Goodbye June.
Who is ready for July??

Girl Party

Ever since I met Rebecca, (lemme see, over ten years ago I guess it is) she's always felt like a big sister to me. Even before she married my brother and it became official.

We are SO blessed to be living on the same yard as her and her little family and we get to see them almost every day.

But still, during the summer, we don't often get our "girl time" in. So last night, after Josh made a spontaneous trip to Regina overnight, we took the opportunity to spend time together as sisters.

We did the usual girl stuff. Painting nails, eating food, watching girl shows, and laughing (and laughing, and laughing).

Always a good time with these two. <3

 

It's like a fruit salad, but with chocolate. ;)

Birthday Girl

Twenty-one. How did this happen? As a big sister, I couldn't be more happy of the woman that she has become. 

This beauty inspires me to be a better person every day.

Watching her suffer these past couple of months has been really hard.
The words of a Jason Crabb song say it best, "If I had it my way, I'd take this from you, but God, He knows what He's doing."
I would take her place in a heartbeat, but I know God knows what He is doing in Ker's life, and I have seen her faith, her trust in Him flourish this year.

I have been thinking back, reflecting on our year and all of the good times that we have shared together, and I was trying to pick a favorite memory to share. The funny thing is that through the memories of all the girls days, the chats we have while driving the long road home, even all the memories we made on our trip south, my mind keeps coming back to a visit we took to the ER not so long ago.

I had gone with Ker to an eye appointment. It was nothing major, she was just getting her eyes checked out amidst a barrage of tests and appointments.

To make a long story short, we ended up spending about seven hours waiting. Five of those hours being in the ER. And about three of those "ER hours" to see if Ker had a brain tumor or not. 

When we walked out of the hospital with the good news, and began driving away, Ker looked at me and said sincerely. "That was fun."  And I agreed.

Now before you think we are crazy, and kind of creepy for thinking sitting in a waiting room wondering if you/your sister could have a problem that is potentially life threatening is fun, let me explain.
The moment that we heard the news that the eye doctor was sending Ker to the ER to get a cat scan, I felt God's presence, His peace. And later, while waiting for the test, His joy.
We were both nervous, and had lots of nervous energy which could have turned into terrible moments. But instead, they added to the laughter, and the bond that we share.

We were the only ones in that waiting room having a good time. (I felt a bit sorry for all the other sick people in there). Ker spent her time perfecting her mad eavesdropping skills, while I kept her up to date on the lame book I was reading. And you know, somehow, we had a good time. Good quality unforgettable sister time.

The reason this is my favorite memory with my girl this year is because through it, I got to see her true strength. It was severely tested. She could have panicked and been a mess. But instead she allowed joy to overtake her and influence her day.  

While we were driving to the ER, she told me "I could be freaking out right now, but worrying is not going to make the results any different." So we just had fun instead.

I saw beauty in my sister that day.

I see beauty in her every day.

I love you Ker.

Happy Birthday!