My aching back

That's right, my back hurts. I'm getting it fixed tomorrow though, yipee! I can hardly wait. We went to a movie tonight and I could barely sit through it those seats were so uncomfy. We saw benchwarmers. Hmm... is all I can say. At first I thought it was a try hard Napolean, but it definitly improved. It had some gay humor in it which I just find lame and not funny AT ALL!
I'm not working this week, but I'm busier than I would be if I was working. I've been doing errands in town. We're starting to make our adorable baby bassinet this week, it's so cute. If you wanna see a picture it's on www.cariboo.us it's the top left picture called the classic bassinet. I'm also trying to get junk in our house packed up so we have a bit of breathing room before this baby gets here. It seems like it's coming so fast!

This was Christine and I in Salem having some hot chocy, delish! I also need to show you how beautiful it was there!

This is a road right by the Hildebrant house that we drove by all the time, I would just gawk everytime we drove by. Then on our way home we went through the Ice Parkway south of Jasper and had the sudden desire to go snowboarding.

It was an incredible drive. I have so many more pictures to post but it's way past this girls bed time. I love you all and I'll talk to you soon.

Back in Town

Oh man! We're home, and it's kinda good to be here. We had such an amazing time with Matthews family visiting, shopping, and of course eating. So yea, it was bittersweet I guess. Matthew ended up getting really sick while we were there, poor little duffer. So anyhoo, we stayed an extra day so he could sleep a little longer before hitting the road. We stayed with Ro and Christine most of the time, then headed up to Portland area to stay with Nathan, Erin, and Clara. Oh man, it was good to finally spend time with them, usually it's so rushed. Clara was so cute, I'll post pics as soon as we get our computer back (it's getting an improvement with Matthews oldest bro Eric). Nathan and Erin haved moved into their beautiful house since we were there last. I felt so spoiled the whole time, it was awesome! It is definitely a dream house. We were very inspired for ideas for our house. I looked at decorating mags while there and think I have the baby roomed planned, I can't wait! Only 2 months and it'll be here already! It's hard to believe.
On our way home we stopped at my grandparents in B.C. I missed the rest of my fam by about half an hour, I was so sad! Then we kept driving up through the Ice Parkway (which by the way costs 18$ for about 2hours of very windy driving) but it was almost worth it, it was just gorgeous. Again, I'll post pics when mr. computer is back. By the time we were home we'd had two 10hr days and I did most of that for my sick hubbie. I was exhausted and am just now semi recovering. Work has been pretty slow this week, it's boring. Both of us are feeling a little overwhelmed right now. Matthew is volunteering for the fire department and building a house for the first time. I'm bearing him a child, still trying to work with Mary Kay and keep up our little household. It may seem trivial but sometimes things seem big in your own eyes you know? But we know whos hands all our problems are. Even more than that, we need to look at the big picture and remember what really matters, that's something I've been reminded of a lot lately. The Kingdom of God is what were living for, not this dingy world. That's exciting.
Well folks, that's about all I got in my right now. I'm working and still haven't had lunch (for a pregnant lady that's a miricle) Matthew was sweet and brought me a sandwich, but didn't put cheese on it. Honestly does he know me at all, me the one who could just take bites outta a brick of cheese. Crazy. Love you all, and I'll be back soon if this boring work week keeps up.

Hey dudes!
These are my cutie nieces Rosemarie and Judy. I love them, it's so good to get to spend time with them. We're staying at their house so we get to see them lots. When we first got here Rose was wearing this very same p.j. combo (the jammies on the head thing) so I thought it was funny to find this pic on their computer. Obviously it's something that happens a lot. Judy is so big now and so different than she used to be. God is healing her of Downsyndrome and it's amazing to watch. She interacts so well and is such a joy to be with. I love these girls. I'm supposed to be comparing prices for baby stuff right now so I gotta jet. Love ya all

Beautiful Oregon

Here we are in Oregon, it's goregous! I'll post a pic when we get home. It's green everywhere, so warm and all the blossoms are out. It's so so beautiful. We're staying with Roland and Christine who we often refer to as our "spiritual mommie and daddie" they teach us so much and are so encouraging. It's been so nice to relax with the fam, I love them all so much. We're also trying to get some shopping done for baby stuff. I feel so unprepared. I'm realizing how soon this babe is getting here! So I bought a few cute clothes and we're looking at furniture 'n stuff. It's fun, but kinda stressful. Baby's moving a lot today, I think it's all the bad stuff I'm eating. Costco hot dog and huge piece of cheese cake, all in one day! I'm a rebel when I'm on holidays.
Deb, are you gonna be at Grandmas this weekend? We're staying at their house on Sat night and probably leaving around 10 after breakie on Sunday. I'd love to see you guys if you'll be around! I don't know how late we'll be going through on Sat, but maybe on Sun if you're up we'll see you.
Anyhoo, sorry 'bout that side note. My tummy looks mutated right now, it's so odd! The baby just shifted all over to the right, I'm very lopsided.
K, just wanted to let you know how awsome the weather is here to make you Canadians jelous. Love you all! Ciao!

Preggo and creepy uncle pics

Alrighty folks, this is just gonna be a bunch of pictues, yipee!! Ummm that is if my computer decides to work. I'm just waiting for the pics to upload. I don't have time for this! We're leaving for Oregon in hopefully one hour and I still have to pack and make supper and finish the laundry, ack! I'm so so excited to get in the car and go! I'm reading a good book right now, and knitting a baby blankie. So I'll have lots to keep me sane.
Ok, this pic I tried to take of myself today after church but couldn't figure out the timer. Just as I was about to give up Leah came over and saved me. Otherwise you'd be seeing a lot of weird angle pictures of my face and my belly and not a whole lot that would make sense. This shirt makes me feel fat, but hey I'm pregnant I guess thats normal. This other preggy pic was taken a few weeks ago, and yes I believe I did have bare feet:-) I'm going to update the "hole" post with a pic so scroll down there. And the last pic is my new little "nephew" Joel. He's actually a second cousin, but who really keeps track?
Ok, we've had lots of adventures with Matthews facial hair this week. I don't remember if I've already mentioned this, but just in case I haven't I'll update you on the situation. So he's joining the volunteer fire department and as a result has to be clean shaven, waaaahh!!! I love my husbands face, I'll miss his burns 'n stuff. So heres his burns going bye bye and his lovely face minus the hair. He looks so young to me. It's really weird to get used to.
I'm still so so bad on the computer, I can't believe how ignorant I am! I don't know why these pictures aren't going where I want them to, but you get the point. K, gonna jet now. Love you all, and look at previous posts for a couple more older pictures.

Soon and very soon

Ok folks, my lovely sis taught me how to post pictures finally (since Ryan is apparently ignoring me lately) so now that I know how to do it I'll take a picture of my big bowl full of jelly (well it's not really jelly, it's actually a cute little baby) and post it yipee! Just to prove that I really know how to do this, here's a pic of my favorite little girl ever. This is Andreas daughter Rayah, she'll be two this Tuesday! This picture was taken in the fall before she lost some baby fat. She's getting to be more little girl and less baby everyday. She's a very good big sister now and always points to her little bro and repeats "Joel Joel Joel" until whoever she is talking to acknowledges her. Aww so helpful. Ok, I gotta jet, I have a cake in the oven. Ciao!

Church Plant

Hello hello

I'm so thrilled that people are actually reading my blog! Thanks Auntie Deb and Felicia for your comments, you have no idea what a joy it is during my boring work day to see those little gems. Well, I come to you on another boring work day with an exciting topic that I haven't even mentioned yet!
We go to a little Mennonite church in the farm country in an even smaller town than the one we live. I love our church! The past couple years we've been busting at the seems and have decided to have a new church in the bustling city close by. Ok yea, for those that don't know, it IS NOT a big city. It's a dirty loud trucker/oil city. For some reason my heart just loves it though (sometimes it's a challenge, but there's something about it that's home). Anyhoo, the meeting started out as planning meetings and have since become so much more. A group of about 20 of us meet once a month for worship and prayer (we still attend the "parent" church as well). It has been so refreshing for M and I to be part of this. We are seeing a true church, the closest thing we've experienced to what we imagine the new testament church to be like. We take turns hosting the meetings and usually sing, share, pray, and of course eat. We are Mennonite after all. This weekend we're having a casual get together with the kids as well (who usually stay at home) and having a potluck, should be good. We are just leaving this in Gods trusting hands, and excited to see what will happen with it. We don't care at all about 'typical' details like a building and childcare. Those things will be taken care of in a way we can't imagine right now.
Yesterday I took a spiritual gifts test, and was very surprised by the results. One of my highest spiritual gifts was Faith, followed by apostles/.... something else I can't remember. But it talked a lot about how I'm a pioneer in the church area. I know this is something that has grown in me drastically the past few months. If I had taken the test before this church started I would have been intimidated by the questions it was asking me about church planting, and as a result would have scored low in that area. Now as it is, I feel excited, challenged, and exhilarated. We're definitely committed to this and don't know at all what that means.
So yea, I just wanted to share that with ya'll (borrowing the Yankee language of my traitor sis) 'cause it's on my heart and I'm excited. I'll keep you updated fer sure.
Next week we're going on a long long road trip to Oregon to see M's fam. I can't wait to just talk and shop and eat and talk and talk and talk. I love his family. I'm so blessed by lots of sis-in-laws (two of which are also pregnant right now). His brother and sis-in-law Roland and Christine (who's little girl was our flower girl) are kinda our spiritual mom and dad. it will be so good to be with them and learn and be encouraged. I feel so lazy lately, I need to be pushed right now. I guess I'm just thinking about being a parent and what kind of family I want this baby to come into. My main thing I'm realizing is selfishness and how terribly hindering that is to a child. So I have less than three months to clean up my act before I'm a Mommy. Oh boy, that's crazy!
On our way home we're hoping to stop at my grandparents house YIPEE!! I love them! And hopefully I'll get to see my 'rents and aunts and uncle and cousins too, oh man I love my fam. My grandparents have been such an incredible example to all of us, what a blessing. They are prayer warriors and I believe their prayers have held this family together. I'm sure we'll never know the extent of what God has kept us all from as a result of their prayers.
Owww I picked a hang nail and it's bleeding!!! Ok, I'm at work hence the reason this is somewhat random and interrupted, sorry! It's getting to be that time of day where I need to get some work done. Adios all, and tons of kisses! Oh one more thing, I've officially changed my email to hollhil@gmail.com sweet, talk to ya later!
P.S. M is sick :-( I think he has the flu. Also, our hole is no longer just a hole, it now has concrete, yipee!!