Heids, Heidi, Ha Ha

Sometimes it's overwhelming when I think of all the wonderful people in my life. I am so blessed with many friends and so many experiences and fun times with those friends. I am often saddened by the fact that I can't keep in touch with people as well as I would like or give them as much time as I would like. But the time I can get I am so thankful for!


So when Heidi texted me a couple weeks ago to let me know she was in town, I was super excited to see her! I happened to be in Vancouver already, so we met for brunch and went for a little jaunt around Stanley Park.


I love when you can just pick up where you left off and just share life together. A true blessing. And to be in Stanley Park on such a stunningly beautiful day just makes it all that much better!

{Oh heidi. such the rebel}

I think one of my fave memories with heidi was the time we were sitting in the living room doing homework together (we lived together for a year). we weren't very good at doing homework together and she suddenly sent me an instant message that said "heids". Confused as to why she would send me a message with her name, i replied "vaness". And then she realized what she had done and we both had quite the laugh. Maybe you had to be there. But it was funny. And still is. So I will laugh at the memory.

Enjoy your thursday! {Can you believe it's June 2nd already?? GAH!}

Bears, Beautiful, BC

Meeting new people is one of my favourite things about travel. And when I get to meet up with those people again, even better! A couple weeks ago, the cruise ship I had been on, the MS Volendam, docked in Vancouver after making the trip all the way from Japan. I knew quite a few people that were still on the ship, so it was fun to see some of them! The first day, I picked up one couple and drove them to the ferry terminal, and then the next day, I met up with my friends, Paul and Vicki and was lucky to be able to show them a bit of my beloved BC...


I have lived in BC all my life, but still am in awe every time I look at the stunning, majestic mountains with their snow-capped peaks. Every time I glance at the ocean and the greenery. I loved that Paul and Vicki had never been here, so it was fun to see it through their fresh eyes anew. We did the drive up to Whistler, with a stop at Shannon Falls along the way.


It was an absolutely fantastic day! Perfectly blue skies and nice warm sun. The people watching in Whistler was quite fun as you had everything from guys with no shirts on to people in their full winter gear carrying around snowboards.


At the beginning of the day, Vicki had said "I'd love to see a bear today". And bears we saw indeed. I think in the end, Vicki spotted three different bears and we decided she was the pro bear spotter. One was even on the edge of a side road, so we got to stop right next to it and snap some shots.

All in all, a delightful day! So great to reconnect with friends I have met along the way. And hopefully I will see them in Quebec whenever they pass through there!

As I drove home from Whistler, I took in all the incredibly beautiful sites and was a bit sad that I would be leaving them. But, I was reminded to soak it in and enjoy it for the moment. So enjoy it and soak it in I did. Looking forward to more exploring of BC in the next month and a half!

Grace, God, Gifts

Lately I have been overwhelmed with the grace of God. In so many ways. I'm relearning it and being reminded of it and seeing its practicality walked out in day to day life.

Over the last two weeks, I have been overwhelmed with God's incredible miracle of life. And His gift of it to us. One of my dear friends just had her third child and the road that brought them to have this little treasure was a long one, but here she is and she is precious. And loved. And perfect. I am reminded that in all the storms, God is there, as the one who anchors us, the one who makes sense of things. And no, we might not have the answers or understanding to everything, but suddenly we receive this incredible gift amidst it. And we cling to the fact that we know God must be good. God must be love. Because even though most of the world around us doesn't make sense, this does and it is proof of God's goodness.


So I have been enjoying snuggling with this precious little babe. And seeing her siblings enjoy having a new little sister as well. Life is so fragile, yet so incredible precious. The thought of it makes me marvel in awe of having such an incredible God.

Decade, Day, Died

Today marks a decade since my brother passed away suddenly.

I am baffled to think it was 10 years ago that he left this earth, because it honestly feels like it could have been yesterday.

So today I am going to take the day to remember and celebrate his life.

Enjoy the weekend!

Canucks, Cup, Cheering

Since the day I came home, I have been enjoying everything about the Canucks playoffs. I was sad to miss the first few weeks, but excited that they have been playing amazingly and that I could join in with the cheering fan base.


There's something about being at a game that cannot be fully explained, until you are there and hear the thunderous roar of the crowd, feel the towel lint irritating your eyes, jumping up at every goal and good play.


And Round 3, Game 5 was exceptionally exciting. My heart was racing most of the time, my cheeks were rosy and I was on the edge of my seat.


And we WON! For the first time in 17 years, we are off to the 4th round once again. SO exciting! I remember going to the playoffs 17 years ago when I was 10 and so I am excited to go again and appreciate it through new eyes.


And even being in downtown Vancouver is exhilarating. Horns honking, giving everybody high five, cheering loudly, waving your towel around... so great! There's something special about when everyone gathers together and cheers for a common thing. It is unifying and bonding in a unique way.


Now we will just wait to see who we play in Round 4 and until then I will keep my evenings open so I can continue cheering until the end! Hope you are also enjoying the playoff run!

GO CANUCKS GO!