GOODBYES

As summer comes to an end I am once again hit with the reality of saying goodbye. 

I hate having to leave the ones I love but like Winnie the Pooh so wisely taught, I really am grateful that I have something that makes saying goodbye so hard. 

When you ask mom to take a photo...Im still trying to teach her the basics of photography ;)

Im a mommy's girl through and through!

ALL TOGETHER

Three weddings in one summer calls for a lot of family get-togethers and I am so grateful that I have gotten to spend so much time with my immediate AND extended family over the last couple months.

 Looking at this picture makes me wonder when the next time we will all be together again will be...it's fun watching all of us grow up and start doing our own thing and it definitely makes the moments where were all together more special and memorable.

COUSINS AND CAR RIDES

Thursday after my cousins wedding Rachel, Savannah and I all headed off to Kelowna for the rest of the weekend!

First stop was the gas station (YAY!) because I really needed to use the bathroom! I saw a bathroom sign at the end of the hallway but it looked like an "employee only" area so Rachel said "Just walk down and pretend to look at the magazines" (genius!)...I awkwardly started walking down, trying to figure out if it was a public washroom when the lady at the front counter states loudly for the whole store to hear "The bathroom key is right here!"So I awkwardly walked back to the front counter to pick up the key...not so genius after all.

Next, we stopped at Superstore where Savannah conveniently left her wallet in the car so she wouldn't have to pay and stocked up on car ride essentials...gold-fish, teddy bear grahams, liquorice and cookies (we're so healthy!)

With the radio on full blast we headed off! It was raining so hard we would start hydro-planing every ten minutes or so and every single time Rachel would yell loudly "HYDRO!". At one point we're driving along in our tiny car with a motorhome in front of us and a huge truck beside us and water is just pounding on our window haha from behind all you would see is this tiny car stuck in between these two huge vehicles getting dumped on with their water!

Then...we stop for another bathroom break and decide to take a picture on the side of the road. As we continue driving we all smell something odd...at first we thought we might be driving by something but after twenty minutes we were all secretly thinking that someone had gas...all of a sudden Savannah and Rachel just start screaming! Savannah had looked down at her shoe and after twenty minutes finally noticed that there was a huge clump of dog poo stuck to her shoe and foot! Thankfully we found wet wipes in the car and Rachel had some perfume in the trunk so for the rest of the ride we had this lovely smell of perfume and dog crap combined into one...best part was that Savannah was wearing Rachel's sandals...she was not impressed!

Five hours later we finally made it safe and sound! It was an entertaining five hours for sure and I'm positive we all lost our voices from singing Celine Dion at the top of our lungs!

That moment when the camera thinks the door is more attractive so it blurs you all out :/

UN-PLUG

We live in a world filled with technology where we can send a message or text instantly! As wonderful as this is, it makes it easy to forget about spending quality time with those in our lives. Sunday night Savannah, Ellen and I were all chatting over Facebook when my mom messages me (Yes she face-booked me from downstairs ha!) saying "Why don't you drive down to Ellen's and talk in person". With only a few weeks left to all hang out together Im so grateful for the reminder to un-plug and spend quality time with those I care about.

I don't feel the need to always have a planned event or activity to go to everyday. I enjoy the simple times like Sunday night where my evening was filled with lots of laughter and a beautiful view of the ocean!

SUMMER DAYS

Hiking is definitely one of my favourite summer activities and hiking with good company makes it even more fun! Im trying to enjoy every second we all have to spend together before Savannah runs away to Uganda and Ali begins school in a few weeks!

We made it to the top in good time and took our time enjoying the view...then I ripped my pants on a sharp rock, Ali tripped and almost broke her phone, Ali continued to trip the entire way down, Savannah pretty much ran all the way down leaving us in her dust and we finally made it back down in one piece! 

My Finlayson is beautiful and I always enjoy escaping the world for a few hours to simply enjoy Gods beautiful earth in its natural state.

What is the job of a younger sister? To point and laugh at your stupidity of course!

 Such a beautiful view!

Password - asummerhike

MY MISSION CALL

As I passed the mailbox on my way home Tuesday night my mission call crossed my mind. ”There’s no way its here already” I reassured myself.

I walked in the door and my Grandma jumped out from the hallway with a scream! In her hand was the big white envelope that had just crossed my mind! The first thing to come out of my mouth is “Shutup. No way!”

After a few phone calls and some screams of excitement I was gathered in my living room with all my family around, some calling in from Skype (thank goodness for technology!)

As they all started to guess places like Oklahoma, Colorado, Salt Lake, etc. I realized that I didn’t actually care where I went…of course I had a dream place in mind (England) but I really didn’t care. I’m not going on a mission to travel, I’m going to spread the Gospel!

(I’m pretty sure we all thought I was going to the Salt Lake City, Temple Square mission though!)

As I opened that big white envelope I started freaking out! Despite the anxious excitement building up inside of me I felt such peace. I knew I was making the right decision and that God was smiling down upon our living room that evening.

As I read the words “Dear Sister Holmes, You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints” I was flooded with peace and love…AND THEN!

I screamed! Because what I read next…

“You are hereby called to serve in the England, Manchester Mission!”

I screamed some more because I could not believe it!

It has been a childhood dream of mine to live in England…I considered going to school there once upon a time and almost travelled there two years ago. Obviously though, God had a different plan for me. He knew I wanted to go to England and he also knew my desire to serve Him and His children.

I am so excited for this opportunity I have to serve the people of the England, Manchester mission. I am SO excited to let those 18 months change me in ways I can’t even imagine right now. Well…the countdown begins and it’s going by FAST!