July 7th - 14th

What makes me joyful? Getting to visit my family. I feel content living here in Red Deer, but there is always one thing missing - my family and friends who feel like family. I used to sing a song in girl scouts when I was little "Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other's gold." I don't know about the splitting them up into silver and gold categories, but I DO know there is nothing like going home!

We started out our visit with a trip to my grandparents house. Norah can't know, and won't understand for a long while, how lucky she is to have 4 grandparents and 2 great-grandparents in her life. She had so much fun playing with them and getting spoiled (as per usual).

My Grandmother picked Norah up and exclaimed, "Wow, you're chunky!"

We then spent a few days getting things ready for my brother's wedding (a separate post will have to cover that great event) and playing with my parents. Norah marched right into my parents house like she owned the place and spent the rest of the week getting spoiled and loving life.

My mom made the wedding cake

Lovin' on Uncle Ben

Playing in the backyard swing

Ferndale Fountain

One of the best things about being home is running into people, recognizing the cashiers and store employees, knowing the shortcuts and visiting old stomping grounds. We took Norah to Hovander Park to do all the things we have been doing there for years. She vetoed the animals and decided to play with a water pump the whole time. Whatever makes you happy baby!

We did have some hard times while we were home. My brother found out a few days before his wedding that he has thyroid cancer. The news came like a slap across the face as the whole family tried to take in what this means. I was upset mainly because of the timing. I felt it was so unfair for my brother and Melissa to have to receive this news so close to the happiest day of their lives...but...God is in control and I cannot choose when to trust and obey and when not to. We heard Ben's news when we were all at church setting up and visiting my mom who works there. It felt right to be in church together as we prayed and asked God for strength that only He can give. Their wedding day was a beautiful testament to what life is really all about and God's Joy permeated through them that day. We have since learned that Ben's cancer is the most treatable type of thyroid cancer and things are looking positive. Prayer is always appreciated!

God is good all the time, and all time God is good!