Unsettled

Ahhh, the end of July is here.  It is hard to believe we left Saskatoon a month ago and haven't been in our house for a full month yet.  We are getting settled.  I think it has been a slow process but when I look at the house and all we have accomplished since moving in, I guess it hasn't been all that slow.  Every room is set up and most pictures and curtains are hung and storage rooms organized.  So, it is looking and feeling like home but I am still feeling a little unsettled.  Of course there are still some projects we need to accomplish, the biggest being a deck and yard work that will happen once the lot is graded and we receive the certification from the city.  I think that living without a yard has us all feeling unseated.  The heat wave of Calgary without air conditioning in the house has us all feeling unsettled and exhausted.  And with not having our lot graded, we don't have our bbq hooked up yet which has made cooking more of a challenge.  I don't even want to turn on the oven when it is +27 in the house already.  We were told two weeks ago that the lot would be graded and today I was told that within the next two weeks it should be graded.  But, this too shall pass...little trials.

One thing I have learned about myself over the years is that when I start a job/task, I work hard until it is finished and until it is finished, I feel distracted and very unsettled.  So over the first two weeks of moving in, very few breaks were taken and when they were it was to take the kids to play at a park or a swimming pool.  I have to learn to stop and enjoy these moments more and let go of the list that constantly runs through my head.  And staying up late is then the norm to get things done that didn't get done during the day and not having the sleep I require makes me not function as well and makes me more emotional - yes, it is possible.  Am I the only one who is like this?  However, to do's have been checked off the list and time has been spent with the kids.  But I am looking forward to enjoying more time with them now that I can focus on them like I want to.  And we still have one month of summer to enjoy.

I also know that once we get into some routine with school, that will add to feeling more settled for all of us.  It has been difficult for the kids with not meeting any friends in the neighbourhood.  So I will definitely need to make a genuine effort to plan play dates for the kids and keep them busy with activities at times.  Getting back to church and getting involved will also be wonderful as we have missed our church home so much over the last year.  And perhaps we can even find a small group to be part of or I can join a Bible study in the fall when programs start up again.  And then there is always the exercise piece for me that balances all the rest.  I haven't been running regularly since moving here and have only been out a hand full of times since recovering from my injury.  I haven't joined a gym yet either.  So not working out since moving is really affecting me too so I am looking forward to getting my butt in gear and becoming more active.  I do see all these pieces coming together and realize that when you move there is lots of change and that it does take time.  However, all is good and it will all fall into place with a little bit of time.

Another new change for me was cutting my hair for summer.  So grateful to be back with my fabulous hairdresser, Kim.  Such a great hairdresser and I always enjoy our visits and time together.

We visited Regina last week, in amongst the chaos of our lives.  There was lots going on when we were home and I was a little concerned about my mom and her health.  Then this last week, she was in the hospital again.  She has been suffering from fevers regularly.  She had a ct scan when we were there and the results were negative for cancer which we are so grateful for.  But, despite that, doctors are still concerned and they are doing numerous tests to find some answers regarding her health issues.  We are praying for a diagnosis sooner rather than later so that a treatment plan can be put in place.  I would appreciate prayers for her.

In Regina, we enjoyed some time at the park, time at the pool, and even visited Depot for the RCMP Parade.  While there, we were briefly interviewed for a news piece on CTV.  Saturday, Mom and I took the kids to see the movie, "Train Your Dragon 2."  That evening I was going to go to the Rider game with my Dad but unfortunately wasn't feeling well and caught most of it on tv instead. 

Mom and long-time friend, Sharon, outside RCMP Chapel at Parade.

An officer presented Jaret and Kirra with pins that they wore with pride!

Jaret reading from the Bible in the RCMP Chapel.

After leaving Regina, we drove to Saskatoon to visit our neighbours and get our Thule, stopped in for a visit with my Uncle Walter who was in the hospital, and enjoyed lunch at Fudd's.

This week we welcomed home our dear friends Mark and Shea and the boys.  After being in Norway for two years, they are back home, as are we.  It is great to have them home!  The kids were over the moon excited to welcome them home at the airport and then enjoy a play date with many more to come.

I guess I will wrap it up here for tonight as I am tired and need to get some rest.  I don't have pictures yet of the house but will eventually take some to post.

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Let those who fear the Lord say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free." ~Psalm 118:1-5

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on.  Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?  And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?" ~Matthew 6:25-27

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." ~Philippians 4:6