Four Months to go, and finally I think SUMMER is HERE!

Four months today, Neil and I will be exchanging out wedding vows, and I will call him my husband, and I will be his wife. I just needed to write that down. It's reality, I'm getting married! That, my friends is crazy but I am so excited. 


Our buck & doe is on June 18th, it's coming very quickly and we're very excited! I cannot wait to see our families, and friends together to help us celebrate this new chapter in our life!

Our garden is at a halt, but I want to get it planted by the end of the week. I've got some green and red peppers, tomatoes, leeks, lettuce, zucchini, spaghetti squash and tomatoes going in planters on the deck for now. I've got everything planned out for the garden, just need to get some compost worked into the ground before I plant it. I never imagined I would be planting it this late, but I hope to get it in very soon!

Veggies waiting patients to be planted! 

The fire department has been very busy, it feels like they have been out at least once a day, sometimes twice a day for weeks. Ofcourse, Neil is enjoying keeping busy while I am working a ton of nights, so it's keeping him happy!! 

Neil filling the tank down the street from our house.

I'm pretty confidant that spring never really came. The past two weeks have been rainy, and miserable. I spent many nights driving home from work in thick fog, which was pretty scary and tended to double the time it would usually take me to get home. With that said, I do believe SUMMER is here! The weather the passed three days has been HEAVEN and everything that I have growing it tripling in speeds because of this great weather! 

The view from where I am sitting to blog, with the sweet smell
of lilacs and the strong warm breeze. I love our home. <3

Life is good otherwise, I am nearing the end of my training at the communications centre, and will be on my own next week! I am really looking forward to it. This weekend is going to be a very busy one, but I am looking forward to being off with Neil for two days. On Saturday morning we'll be going to a Cattle Dispersal Sale for our extremely missed friend Ron Wooddisse. I think Neil plans to take Friday off to lend his help to prepare for Saturday. This will be so bittersweet for family and friends. Afterwards, we'll head Tammy & Paul's wedding - we are really looking forward to it. Tammy and I have been swapping decor stories since we got engaged so I am really excited to see all her ideas! 

Sunday I will be attending a bridal shower for a friend, and then coming back to our house to have our wedding party over for dinner! It's going to be a busy weekend! Well I better get ready for work. It's so nice out, I just don't want to move. 

Four months and counting... lots of love..

Spring has Sprung..

Despite what you may think, I am still alive. 

It's been busy, and needless to say - I think many people will find this time of year much more exciting then the winter months - when a weekly, or something daily tradition was to update the world on my life. Now, well it's too darn nice outside to sit still, and blog. It's tough to keep up with the growth of the grass on our property let alone challenging myself to a blog!

So work is going well. I am going to be signed off by around the first of June from training, which is about a month of the initial plan - so I am excited and thrilled to be soon on my own. I am still working 1-2 shifts a pay at the hospital for right now, and once I get into the swing of things at OPS I will hope to pick up more hours again.

Wedding plans are going great! We're in the final stages of the invitation design - I LOVE them. My Uncle Wayne is SO talented!! The Buck & Doe is coming up quickly, June 18th so we're really excited for that big night in Dundalk too! Time is FLYING!!

Neil is doing well - he's been a huge help around the house while I am away from home many nights now. I am SO lucky to have such a great husband-to-be willing to help out with the laundry and dishes. It sure feels good to come home and know everything can be taken care of. He has been spoiled while I was just working at Credit Valley, and I think he knows that. 

Lennox`s - 6 weeks old

Lennox is still growing like crazy! Her 1st Birthday is this Saturday. We are renting a doggy safe blow up castle, having a doggy bone cake and everyone`s invited!! Keep an eye out in the mail for your invite! So come on over and bring your puppy too! JUST KIDDING. I am totally NOT that person. This girl is working at the hospital, nights! We have a busy day on Saturday, but of course she`ll get some extra loving. 

Lennox & Neil - Love On the 1st day
we brought her home. 6 Weeks Old

She is crazy about Neil. I can be home with her all day, she is good and barely bugs me. She loves being outside, and cannot get enough of the birds. When Neil gets home, she wants ALL of his attention, and wants to be played with. One day I tried playing with her before I knew he`d be home, to try to tire her out - and I wasn`t good enough. The moment he got home, she was bugging him to play. She is even as suggestive as to bring the ball in the house, and set it on his lap. She is so funny!

She has been testing the `water` out at the river which is about a 5 minute walk from our door, and she is loving it! She`s so funny to watch. 

She is also loving running alongside Neil on the walking and biking trails by our house. As soon as we get out bikes out, she knows. I have a feeling most summer walks will turn into swims in the river, so just loves it!

W

orld.. meet Dexter! This is Lennox`s cousin! This is my Aunt Marilyn, Uncle Al, and cousins Fraser and Adam`s little puppy Dexter. He is around 10 weeks old now, I think. Isn`t he ADORABLE. Lennox was SO good with him, and he was adorable with her. I think they`ll be great friends.

Our beautiful pear tree - I just love the smell and flowers!

So finally, spring has sprung - we`re testing out the skills of our greenhouse and my green thumb and trying planting some peppers, tomatoes, and herbs early to give things a little head start. They have slowly started to come to life. I also planted a couple planters of wildflowers for the front of the house. They are coming along too. Here`s the progression of the planters.. the tomatoes, peppers and herbs have a little less `noticeable ` growth but they are still coming along. 

Last week we cut out grass twice. Over the weekend we worked on rototilling the garden, and weeding out the flower beds. I am bound and determined to get a green thumb and get my mother helping me out with the gardening thing! She always has such an awesome garden and I want one too!! I got some pansies at the farmers market on Friday so we planted them and Mom brought me some perennials too, so I mixed up the stuff and planted it around. Hopefully in a few weeks everything will look really good!  

Ok, I will update you all again soon. xoxo

Hoppy Birthday & Hoppy Easter!

We have had such a busy weekend, I am so exhausted but wanted to post a few pictures and tell you all about Neil's Birthday and our weekend! 

On Thursday Neil went to pick up Mandi in Waterloo to come home for the weekend. We have been totally spoiled seeing Mandi two weekends in a row now, and we REALLY love having her around! We went for a quick dinner at The Chop House before I headed into work for my night shift. 

The Birthday Girl & Boy.. 

Friday I slept in as I worked nights, and Neil and Mandi helped tidy up the house as we were having Neil's family over for Birthday and Easter celebrations! Neil and his Mom share a birthday (April 23rd) so we got together, had dinner, dessert and presents before everyone got busy with their weekends. We played games until almost 1am when I had to head to bed, I could barely keep my eyes open and was running on about 5 hours sleep! 

Saturday was an extremely busy day! We got up early to head to an farm auction sale. We were in search of some rusty sap buckets for the wedding, but unfortunately they were not the type that we were looking for - so instead we visited with neighbours and had a look around. Lennox came along with us, and was very excited to be around so many people. We headed over to my parents once we left the sale, and I got ready to go to Jocelyn's Shower. Neil stayed back at the farm, and had a nap! 

Jocelyn's Shower was a really nice time! Her & Kyle were so spoiled with love!!

Myah Tupling & Wyatt Bailey
- they are cousins! SO CUTE!! 

Hudson Tupling - Myah's Little Brother 

These adorable children are those of two incredible women that I feel so fortunate to know, and call my friends.  They are two of the strongest sisters I know, and their relationship with eachother and their amazing family support is a true testament to how they get through each day.I just have to post these pictures of Myah & Hudson Tupling and Wyatt Bailey.




Since it was Neil's birthday on Saturday, Grant, Lynsey, Neila and I went to Steve's for supper in Markdale before the buck & doe! The buck & doe was such a great time, they had a really great turn out and by the end of the night they had completely sold out the bar! What a great night!! 

My birthday boy and I...

We had a family Easter today at my Milliner Grandparents. We did a little bit more work on the wedding invitations which was a lot of fun. Thank goodness for Uncle Wayne, he saved my "corrupted" camera card { - this is the second time this has happened!}  The boys were in football mode, so I took a few pictures of them outside, having fun! Neil is the oldest, yet the smallest!! Lynsey and I are outnumbered with boys, and adding Neil to the mix adds another boy to the team. Adam (orange shorts) plays football and is very good, so it was fun watching him and the boys play today! It was a really fun day! 

Last but not least I promise to show my birdhouse creation from the Prim Pickins' workshop last Monday night - I had a really great time!!

80 Years Old, 55 Years of Marriage and 5 Children, 7+1 Grandchildren...

Grandpa's 80th Birthday is officially tomorrow (Monday, April 18th). Happy Birthday Grandpa!


We had a wonderful day today, despite the terrible weather and nearly landing in the ditch! It's April and as much as "Spring has Sprung"  - we know in Southwestern Ontario anything in possible!! And that sure rang true today! Crazy snow and slushy road conditions, poor visibility and ofcourse, we just took the snow tires off. 

Uncle Glen, Aunt Shirley, Gayle Milliner, Sandra Lawler, Grandma & Grandpa Abercrombie.
Absent: Uncle David.

I worked nights last night, so getting my rear out of bed this morning was hard! We got ready, and headed to Steve's Restaurant in Markdale (family favourite!) to meet the family. We had a really nice lunch, and then headed back to my Aunt Sandra & Uncle Rick's house for cake and visiting. 

Lynsey, Christine, Sarah, Jacob, Neil, Mark, Grant, Ashleigh and Grandpa Abercrombie

Grandpa Abercrombie, with his `Birthday Boy`ribbon - cute! 

It`s been a busy weekend, and I am ready for bed pretty soon! I start on a couple day shifts at my new job this week, which will be a nice change as I have been working all nights so far. Tomorrow I`m taking Neil`s sister Mandi back to Waterloo for the week, and meeting up with my Grandma, Aunt Shirley and Mom in St Jacob`s for a little bit of shopping. 

I`m going to my first Prim Pickins workshop tomorrow night with my sister, Neil`s sister Holli, and her sister-in-law Amber and mother-in-law Ellen! Very excited! We`re making birdhouses!! Stay tuned for the results if they are show-able! 

Grandparents...

What's leading me to this blog, is that face that my Grandpa Don Abercrombie is turning 80 years old next week. On Sunday we're getting together, as a family to celebrate with him! I am so excited that my Aunt Shirley has trekked home from Whitehorse, Yukon to be with us on this special weekend. 

I would say, in the last five years (my more adult-like years) I have come to realize how incredibly lucky Lynsey, Grant and I are to have Grandparents, and not just one or two - we have all four grandparents alive and in good health! Thinking over friends, family and co-workers this is nearly unheard of for our ages. We are young adults, and truly blessed to have such great relationships and support from our grandparents. 


Growing up, when we moved to the farm my Milliner Grandparents lived just down the road from us. It was great, and we saw them a lot. We took for-granted they were so close - how lucky were we, they were always right there. For baseball games, for quick visits and of course, for rides to where we needed or wanted to go when Mom & Dad weren't available. My Abercrombie Grandparents were also not that far away, and it felt like they were always just around the corner and visited them often too. 

Grandma & Grandpa Abercrombie and Grandpa & Grandma Milliner
The Year they were BOTH 50 Years Married 

Anyways, what I'm trying to say is that I feel so blessed to have two grandmas and two grandpas in my life,at my age of 26 years old. Calling them to see how they are isn't a pain in my but, it's something I love to do, and I should do more often (although I'm pretty good at it - admitted!). I wish I could see them every single day, because they make my life enriched. I've had them my whole life (you know, their the ultimately forgiving ones that "their grandchildren could do no wrong" type) and always there for me. I am SO lucky. 


So take time to give your grandparents a call and spend some time with them. I wish I had a year to learn all I could from my Grandparents. My Grandma Abercrombie is a very talented quilter, she loves to sew and can bake well. My Grandma Milliner is also an avid quilter, a great cook, keeps in good touch with friends and family, and makes one hell of a pie. My Grandpa Don loves woodworking, is an avid International tractor man, was a hard working farmer, and loves to garden. My Grandpa Milliner was too a hard working farmer (gives instructions well), was a Mayor in his community for many years, and can be found either on the farm visualizing (or supervising) Mom, Grant & Dad now-a-days. All four of my grandparents are very involved in their churches, and all volunteered in their communities on agriculture societies and fair boards. When we get older, so do they and time flies. I'm not taking time for granted, however there is no way I will ever be a quilter like my Grandmas are!


Ok... now for a funny.. because usually I don't get this serious.

Grandma & Grandpa Abercrombie and Grandpa & Grandma Milliner, I love you all so much! 
I know you'll never read this, but thank you for everything you have done for me! 

6 months to go, and counting..

Well well, it`s less then 6 months away my friends! The countdown, I guess you could say, is on! But then again, I`ve been counting down for a lot longer then I am willing to admit. I`ll leave it at that! 


Plans are coming together quite well. Next on the list is to finalize decor and invitations! What`s the etiquette on timeline of invitations - send out at 3 months, 4 months, 5 or 6 until the big day, I don`t even know what to think! I wish I paid better attention in the past to when my friends sent theirs house, and how long before the wedding they wanted the reply! Anyways, regardless we`re going to get on this very soon! I`ve got great help on my side, and some awesome talent!! 


Work (a.k.a. jobs x2) has been busy, which has hindered me in such things as laundry, house cleaning, sleep, and my `what I used to know`as my normal life. I have such a great appreciation for a night off, and plunking my @$$ down on the couch, and blogging - hello tonight! Even though I was at CVH today, worked a 12 hour day + two hours of commuting, I am still blogging - that my friends, is commitment. 


I am so excited for my friend Jenna, and her husband Hauke! Yesterday morning Aaron Mitchell Heusing was born, a little brother to 11 month old Bennett! Jenna is going to be one busy momma, but if there is anyone who has the love and patience to do it, it's her! Congrats guys, I am SO happy for your growing family! <3


I need a TV show to watch religiously as Neil is addicted to the discovery, history, speed, and these days there is really nothing else I'm interested in watching, so he gets his way and I sit here and play on the computer. Already, we're like an old married couple. It's ok though, I love it - and we don't spent many evenings together though, as I am orientating mostly night shifts so far. He must  have super powers, he just put on Tabitha's Salon Takeover, which I do like to watch! 


With that, I better go watch it - he's given me a chance to watch something decent, and not learn about maggots eating who knows what, or how to install this that and the other thing, in a car we'll never own. 

winter, spring and I were very happy.. now you just show up and wreck the relationship.. thanks. ps/ leave.

Doesn't she look annoyed.. I think so!!

Ok, so who's annoyed? I am! Spring and I had a good thing going, and that damn winter wrecked it as of today. Neil had done the poo-duty in the back yard yesterday (apparently Lennox pooped a lot this winter!!) and raked the sand, stones and crap out of the front lawn yesterday. We were so ready for spring, and even noticed our tulip bulbs were popping out! Now they are covered in a white blanket, again. So here we are, Sunday April 3rd, covered in white - again. I would like to note that Neil started singing Christmas Carol's tonight, so I almost slapped him. If he doesn't show up to work tomorrow, he continued - and I knocked him out. Just kidding. 

Ok, so we are once again in winter. I put the winter coats away, and almost washed the front door mats from the salt stains! Spring, you better return very soon. It would be nice if tomorrow I woke up and this was all gone. So Mother Nature, do me a favor and behave yourself tomorrow and get rid of this. 


Not so fast. I think I will wait another few weeks. 




We had a nice weekend, I worked yesterday at the hospital (it's so much nicer working there now a lot less {due to a long commute} - working ten minutes from home rocks!) and then came home, had a quick nap. In the midst of me trying to wake up, Neil went to a fire call and then we had a really late dinner! We went to Tamarisk & Greg`s buck & doe in Flesherton. It was so great to see everyone there! It definatley took me back to being a teenager (no, not the way I acted or how much I drank) but just being around the people I grew up with. Greg`s parents live on one side of my parents, and his uncle lives on the other side of my parents - we spent a lot of time with their families. I miss being younger and care free!! 


Today we went to a play put on at the Curtain Club in Richmond Hill - my Uncle's are involved there, Wayne helps out with the behind the scenes and ticket sales, and Cam is an amazing actor! We saw "Someone who'll watch over me" today, and it was very interesting. Only three actors in the whole play, and it was quite emotionally tugging. Here's a advertisement for the club, they put on some really great plays - my favourite so far has been "Don't Dress for Dinner!" Cam is the one in the middle of the three men (he plays the English academic). The synopsis is - "An American doctor and an Irish journalist are being held captive by terrorists in Beirut. They exercise, they argue, they do what they can to survive. Suddenly, they are joined by an English academic. The three men display their national biases and prejudices, intensified by the cramped confines of their cell. A roller coaster ride of emotional drama!"


After the play, we went back to their place and had Chinese take out for dinner and hung out with them for a while! We also went and checked out their new lot, which they are building a house on this coming summer - I am so excited for them - it is going to be so nice! They basically designed the house themselves, and seeing them go through all the planning, and the different stages of it all has been very exciting!! 


Then, on the way home, we (Grandma, Lyns, Grant, Mom, Neil & I) were driving along quite well until we reached Orangeville. What a different world here at home, as you see - we've been blessed with a dumping of snow tonight. Neil had just nicely planted his ass on the couch, after nicely throwing a load of laundry in the washer when his cell phone rang, it was his boss asking him to come in tonight to re-connect the plows, and sanders and to plow the town tonight. So needless to say, it's 11:15pm on Sunday night, Lennox and I are sitting here staying warm watching the CMA's and blogging and Neil is at work. I am sure he will be out for a while longer, and then again early in the morning.


The new job is going well, for anyone who cares. It's very exciting, and every single day is different there. I think I'm doing quite well (on a self evaluation stand point) and I am really enjoying it. I have been doing the 6:00pm firefighter test pages three nights in a row, which is exciting because one of the departments we dispatch for is Neil's fire department - so they get to hear my sweet voice whether they like it or not!! Anyways, keep your fingers crossed that I keep catching on well and the orientation continues to be smooth. So far so good. 


Wedding plans are currently at a stand still. I think we've got everything under control right now which is very exciting! I have even booked the hair dresser and makeup artist for the day! I am feel very good about everything, and feel like we're doing well. I would also like to note, Neil has started writing his speech! My fiancée is super amazing, can you believe that! I am so proud of him - he asked me to read what he's got so far and was already crying! I have said this before, keeping my emotions intact that day will be a huge priority!!  


By the way, we're LESS then SIX months away now!! Goodnight my friends.