So much life has happened since July of 2015. We have moved, and settled, at least somewhat. With all the moving I've done in my life, I feel this time, moving back from BC, to Southern Ontario, has been the hardest. After being gone a year and a half, its not as easy to jump back into life in the same community as I thought it would be.
In January, of 2016, baby boy number three joined our family.. such a darling little bundle of cuddles, joy and laughter. He's definitely the 3rd born, and has the clowny sense of humor.
Dietrich William
Baby's 1st Birthday!
When Dietrich was just 3.5 weeks old, we packed our bags, and went to SMBI once again, and Graham directed the choir, as well as taught a class... it was an incredibly stretching time for all of us. Trying to adjust to life as a family of 5, having daddy heavily involved in school life, and all the post-baby hormones that were raging, in the new mama. :) We made it through the 6 weeks of school, and then it was off on the 3 week choir tour. Hmm..looking back, I know there are some things I would love to do differently, but we did the best we could in the middle of it all, and we made it. :) The tour started in California, and went up along the West Coast.. through Oregon, Washington, and up into beautiful British Columbia, than back down into the states, and across the country, to PA.
My Handsome Choir Director Husband & I
at the Ice Fields in Jasper Parks
The Choir
(I really do love the Northwest!!)
The weekend we got back from tour, my younger brother got married to a wonderful girl, so we hunkered down in a cabin with my family, and kept on going, through the wedding weekend. It was a beautiful wedding, and I'm super happy, that my little brother found such a sweet girl, to walk through life with him! I don't have the greatest pictures, but stole from family emails, and facebook and came up with a few. ;)
Micah and Carissa
(April 30th 2016)
My Favourite People
Darling Brothers
(and goodness...they look like such squishy little babies!)
Nieces and Nephews
Micah looks a liiiitle too pleased here.. ;)
In September, we had the second family wedding for the year... My little sister Camille.
So, the end of August, we packed our bags again, and headed out across the country, to spend a little time in Oregon before the wedding.. It was a wonderful time of year to be in Oregon, and prepare for her dreamy outdoor wedding, in Dad and Mom's back yard.
Davie and Camille
September 3, 2016
Such a fun, beautiful day!
Sisters.
Another Nieces and Nephews shot. Just look at all of the babies. 😍
And allll of the emotions that go along with weddings and taking pictures. Ha.
The Krabill Clan
Some Gorgeous Detail
Flower Girl, and her Escort
(He kinda wanted her job! :) )
Such a Beautiful Wedding!
Loved all of the flowers!
A magical ending to a perfect day!
I absolutely love weddings, and Davie & Camille's certainly did not disappoint! So happy she found herself such a good life companion! (Or rather, for the way God lead them together!) I pretty much love the fact that she (and Micah & Carissa) live *only* 8 hours from me now, instead of 40.
The day after the wedding we loaded our little family back up and headed home, driving once more allll the way across the country. Its SUCH a long drive, and we were more than happy to pull into the drive-way!! All of the gorgeous Maple tree's in our yard were starting to color....and the Fall had SO much beautiful weather.
We also discovered there would be an exciting arrival in the Spring.....!
(which is now just a few short weeks away!!)
In November, Graham very unexpectedly lost his job. I always wondered what that must feel like for people, but never expected it would be us. He got a text message from his boss on a Sunday night about an hour before leaving for church (Graham was supposed to have a topic that night....talk about hard to focus!!) saying that as of tomorrow, (Monday) the business would be closed, and they could come by anytime that day to pick up any personal belongings they may have left behind.
We were left reeling, wondering what God's plan could be for us. Why this? Why now?? So many questions, racing through our minds..and questions that I never thought I would ask, or think were now surfacing. How can this be the best, God? It has been such a huge journey of Faith and Trust, and quite possibly the hardest, longest Winter. We felt very clearly that God had a purpose in all of it, and wanted to know what His best plan for our family, was. He had several job opportunities, but nothing felt clear, and Graham is not the type to run into something without knowing its where he is supposed to be. So, we took a little time to think about it. For a couple of years now, we have been involved with Plexus, so were wondering if we should pursue the home-business route for our main income, or not? It was the dream we had, for quite a while, so maybe it was Gods way of telling us to go for it?!
Graham started up some baking on the side, just from home, and we are going with the home-business thing. So thankful that we had that option. I'll be honest. It hasnt all been easy. There are a lot of opinions, and somehow other people can sometimes *see* and *know* what we should be doing, even if we don't feel it. We are learning that we have to listen to, and follow GOD's plan for our lives, and where we feel him calling, rather than following man. Otherwise you would end up doing 10 different things, and...well, that really doesn't work out too good at all! I have to lay aside what others think, not let it bother me or get me down, and put my focus on Jesus....continuing on the path HE has for us/me.
It really did send me in a spin (not to mention those pregnancy hormones rolling around, making it a little more dramatic..hehe) and I feel like just now, maaaybe I'm finally able to sit down, write out my goals and go for them! Most of my January, February and even March, were spent searching, crying, questioning, feeling abandoned, and seeking Jesus for comfort. I'm so thankful for my husband, and the rock he was for me during those long Winter months... I have to say, he put up with a lot! The struggle isn't over, and I certainly haven't "arrived", but Spring is coming, I feel Hope and Joy, around the corner! We weren't promised an easy road, but we were Promised, that our Saviour would be with us ever step of the way. Weather we feel His presence or not, He is there, and for that, I am truly grateful!
