update

I see that my last post is still from when I started my training at Sammy J Peppers. However, I feel I should update this because I've decided not to take the job after all. Turns out its not exactly my kind of place. The level of professionalism was actually quite high and i got really great impressions from all of the staff there but the dress code was a little too high maintenace for me. I didn't realize that I'd HAVE to wear a skirt AND high heels to every shift. I thought I'd be able to get away with dress pants and flats...apparently not. So...anyone who knows me knows how I loathe skirts and heels...thus my decision not to take the job. I'd heard alot about how the other locations were pretty "trashy" and I can honestly say that I don't think the Abby location will be like that. The managers there were very strict on the lengths of the skirts and said they'd be sending anyone home who came to work with a skirt 2 inches over their knees; pretty conservative for this day and age anyway.  Still, I'd go there to eat and I'd recommend that everyone go their at least once to give it a fair chance. The place looks awesome!

(The last picture I have of my Oma sitting with my Aunt Fenny taken last September)

This weekend Len and I flew down to Winnipeg MB for my dear Oma's funeral. We left here friday with aching hearts but come back with the comfort of knowing that she is now in a better place. At 81 years, my Oma leaves behind 7 children, 41 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and a devoted and loving husband of 57 years. My poor Opa seemed so lost for the better part of the weekend but everytime he did speak it was always about how everything is by God's hands and in His time. Closest to my heart, though, is my Aunty Fenny who was born deaf and unable to speak. My Oma, her greatest support and most faithful companion, was so patient and so loving with her for all these years not once complaining about the extra time and attention she needed to give.  My heart aches for my Aunt Fenny who seems to be taking this death harder than most of us and I pray that she too will find comfort in this as we have.

Although the circumstances were less than desirable it really was great to see everyone again. Its been almost 2.5 years since we were all together so we all had a lot of catching up to do. Mom's side of the family is already so large and shows no signs of slowing down. Two new babies were born in the past couple of weeks and there are several more on the way just after summer.  Len only met half of them last summer so I think he was a little shell shocked to see all of us together. With almost 60 people there he was busy with introductions almost all weekend.

Sunday night, Len and I walked home from that family gathering and reflected on the weekend. It was pretty intense actually how much we learned over this weekend even amidst all the pain. To see such strength in a Christian family and to see them all pull together at a time like this is a great gift from God. So often we take our lives and the lives of those around us for granted, assuming that God is going to bless us all with long lives and good health but the truth is that anyone of us could go at any given time. I can't remember the minister's name we had on Sunday afternoon but he had a really great sermon about how we're supposed to be living our lives according to God's Word. I remember mentioning to Len that I've never before sat in church and felt so guilty or moved by a sermon before. With the weight of my Oma's death heavy on my heart I couldn't help but think how much I could learn from her example and from her firm faith and trust in God. Being home now and further reflecting on the weekend has really confirmed for me how blessed I am to have been chosen by God to be in this family. He has been so great and so merciful.

What a great weekend! After church Friday morning Chelsea, Brandon, Len and I went to the Carnival in Abbotsford. Aside from how sketchy the rides really were we managed to have a really fun time. I went on a ferris wheel for the very first time. Len wasn't being very good about it though, he kept making our seats swing back and forth even though I was adamently pointing out the signs that said "CAUTION DO NOT ROCK CHAIRS." So much for ferris wheels being romantic. We went on a couple rides and then the guys tried their hands at a couple of games, hoping to win a big prize for their wonderful girlfriends.....Chels and I left with nothing but the guys left with even less...just the holes in their pockets and their bruised egos. Then Len and I went down to Credo to watch my sister Ashley play volleyball. After the game we went back to the guys house and hung out with Carolyn, Justin, Marco, Gregg, Lynette, Kevin, Kendra, Hilmer and Megan. What a great way to spend Good Friday.

Saturday, Chelsea and I packed a picnic for our men and went down to Cultus. It ended up being alittle more cloudly than we had anticipated it would be but we made the best of it anyway. Sitting on the dock enjoying the beautiful weather, having a drink and laughing; what a simple way to connect with the person you love and friends who mean so much.

Sunday was a pretty busy day. With the Stam Easter dinner and the Abbotsford Easter Concert we hardly had time to sit and enjoy the day. Dinner, as is usual with the Stam family, was a gong show (in a very good way). Lots of singing, dancing and a little bit of drinking always makes for a good time. And then it was off to the concert where we participated in the concert by singing in choir. It was a great day to be with friends and family, a wonderful time of fellowship. Sunday also marked 8 months for Len and I but with everything else going on we hardly had time to reflect on that.

Hope everyone had a great long weekend with friends and family! Although a little delayed... Happy Easter to all!

Last week Thursday Brandon, Chelsea, Len and I went bowling at Chillibowl! Although it was a random, last minute decision we had a lot of fun! We even seriously considered joining a bowling league because we were just that good. I've decided that Chelsea is my new favourite person out here because she shares the same sense of humor as I do. Sure-Wood have benefitted us to "take a look around" at where we were before we expected the bartender to make us a shot (inside joke, sorry).
Then because we had so much fun hanging out on Thursday we decided to hang out on Friday. Marco was lucky enough to join us as we embarked on an even more exciting endeavour....BINGO! Chelsea and I have been to BINGO on several other occasions and I think Marco had gone once before as well but neither Len or Brandon had gone (I think) so it was a pretty big deal. At one point Len thought he had gotten BINGO so he shouted out but got shut down hard. LOL! The guy helping us quickly came over looked at Len's sheet and politley whispered "you don't have bingo." Poor Len, he was so excited. After we all lost at BINGO we went back to Brandon's house where the guys jammed for a bit. Chelse and I were both kind of falling asleep on the couch so then I dragged Len's sorry butt home. 
Len recently bought an 88 Honda Civic to drive around for work and it ended up stalling on him in the middle of Vancouver on Friday. So Saturday morning we drove back to his car and met a mobile mechanic who "fixed" the car for us. We had just made it back onto the freeway before the car stalled again. Len was sooo mad. We spent the next two hours trying to find an automotive place that sold batteries and than had to install it in his car on the side of the road in the pouring rain. The poor guy was not impressed. Thankfully enough the new battery seemed to do the trick and onwards we drove all the way back to Abbotsford. We spent the evening with Justin, Carolyn and Gregg going for dinner at White Spot and watching the movie Blood Diamonds. After that hectic day it sure was nice just to sit and relax with friends!
Its really nice to find other couples to hang out with and it sure makes me feel alot more at home here. So thanks Chelse and Brandon for the great weekend!