60 days

You would think that after 60 days off of work, I would be ready to "get back at it" and have a routine again, but you could not be more wrong. 
I was so fortunate to be able to take the summer off and have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of schedule-less days, being with friends and family, reading, soaking up the sun, camping, sleeping in, etc.  It was such a great summer.  To give you a quick recap...

We were blessed again to be part of RUN143 and what an incredible time!  Ian and I both completed the entire distance, although I can't even come close to his athletic ability.  He ran the entire distance, where I ran/walked/hobbled/biked - whatever I had to do to finish.  Once again we met amazing people, supported 2 crazy awesome families and raised lots of money for orphan care and adoption.  If you want more information about this event, visit www.run143.com

 The sign that followed us the entire journey

 Group photo after day 2

 Our awesome families!

At the end of July, I was able to go for a weekend away with my mom and sisters to Edmonton.  It's an annual event for us and I love it!

Look at those beauties! 

Okay, seriously...where did August go?  It flew by, but was a great month!  Ian took time off and we went to Kananaskis/Banff for 10 days.  We haven't had a vacation that long in a few years and it was SO needed.  The first part of our trip was spent camping in Kananaskis.  We spent most of our time hiking or sitting around the fire.  Ahhh...I want to go back!

 View walking to our campsite

 Hiking

 more hiking...

This was the beautiful lake we hiked around - 16km later and I was feeling it!  

The second part of our trip was spent camping in Banff.   We spent time hiking, strolling the streets of Banff, eating delicious goodies and facing one of my fears...white water rafting!!  After many comments of "You're going to love it!"  and "It will be so much fun" from my dear husband, I finally gave in...and he was right...I loved it!!  We went with a great company that goes down the Kicking Horse River and had such a great time.  I would even go again :)

 Floating down the river

 I got such a mouthful of water through the first rapid, I made sure that didn't happen again!

 

 After our trip down the river - we wore so many layers because the water was only about 4' C!

 

 Hiking at Johnston Canyon - Don't you just love this guy's water bottle belt clip?!  So handy! Too bad I forgot mine :)

Johnston Canyon (above & below)

 

 Can you find what's wrong with this picture?

 Lake Louise Tea House hike 

(which Ian decided to run after we had finished our hike!  Seriously!!  I am in awe.)

I told you we had delicious goodies!

Last night in Banff

Before we headed home, we stayed a couple of nights in Calgary to shop and relax some more.  It was such a great trip and as always, we were sad to see it end.

So, that brings me to the reason I started this blog - our adoption.  I thought the summer would be a good time to reflect on our situation, pray through things and really have peace about what is going on, but I almost felt as if I was trying to push it out of my mind. 

Don't get me wrong! We have been busy writing letters, advocating, making phone calls and fighting as much as we can to bring all these kids home.  I thought about and prayed for our baby every day.  What I didn't do is dwell on it and really face it.  I didn't want to let myself go there, but maybe that's okay?  Maybe the summer wasn't supposed to look a certain way and maybe I just needed to enjoy each day.

Now, work starts tomorrow.  I don't feel ready to be busy again.  I've needed this time to just "be" and I feel like I need more time. This is such a time of stretching for me.  My heart is in pieces, I feel weak and I'm trying to live with the joy of the Lord (as cliche as that sounds).  I am SO thankful for my incredible husband.  Yesterday we celebrated 7 years and I realized once again how blessed I really am; for a husband who loves me and our baby, is a leader for our family, who I feel supported and encouraged by and who loves to have fun.  I would not want to be walking this road without him.  

Whether I like it or not, life moves forward.  I know in my heart that I am not facing the days ahead alone, but today I don't feel ready to face anything.  I am sure of this though: my God loves me and our little one in South Africa and I will choose to trust Him - even if that means minute by minute.  He will be faithful.

Thanks for sticking with us.