Other Random Things

When I started this blog, I did with the intentions of catching up on the past two years and then staying caught up.  I figured that it would help those of you that aren't nearby us, to stay in contact with our life that much more!  I also needed to add a lot of information and would be here forever if I added pictures...so I'm going to update on everything without pictures.  

Truck Zone

In August 2007, Steve and Peter were approached of the opportunity to sell Truck Zone.  This truly came at a fantastic time, as Steve was wanting to either expand or get out.  So get out was what it was.  The sale finally happened August 1, 2008 and the new owners are great.  There is actually a group of men, but the one man that I have met often seems like a great guy!  Steve has to remain on as staff for at least one year and after that we aren't sure where God is calling him yet.  He has it really good with Truck Zone as the deal that he made with them was that he only had to work 6 months out of the year.  

Correna's Employment

When Steve and I were married in February 2007, I was employed with the Lloydminster Exhibition as a Event Rental Coordinator.  I loved my job.  However, once Steve and I realized that the sale of Truck Zone was a reality, we also began to look at the possibility of resigning from my position.  I started to find that there were too many things on my plate and that various important areas of my life were being affected.  In May 2008, I handed in my resignation and June 21st was my last day.  Although I miss my clients, I am loving my time at home.  So currently right now, I am a stay-at-home wife and mom to 5 dogs :).  I am also babysitting this amazing 18 month baby girl during the week full-time.  Daelyn is teaching me lots and we have a fun time together.  

Family, Friends, and Fun

Steve and I remain constantly busy with our family and friends and our extra-curricular activities.  Steve was able to catch times in at the mountains sledding with good friends of his.  While he was gone, I was able to spend a weekend with girlfriends scrapbooking at the lake.  The past summer, I directed Intermediate Camp at Southridge Camp, was a counsellor at Primary Camp, and was involved as the Ceremonies and Protocol Director for the Saskatchewan Summer Games.  Dad Parkinson retired in 2007 and we had a surprise celebration for him, surrounded by many family and friends.  My brother Morgan got married to a wonderful woman, Nikki, on August 23, 2008.  My bestfriend, Sarah Jane married her amazing match, Matthew in May, which allowed us to have a nice brief holiday in Kelowna.  In January 2009 we are heading to California to attend some hunting conventions and visiting with clients (that have become friends).  February 2009 we are heading to Jamaica to celebrate our second anniversary.  We (okay, probably me!) are really excited about this trip!   

Quickload Adventures & Outfitting Ltd.

In June 2007, Steve and I were approached by Randy and Sandy Huebert to purchase Quickload Adventures (it is an outfitting company) as they were moving to Mexico to become missionaries.  After much deliberation, we decided that we would try our hand at it.  This past fall (2008), we were "on our own" and had a great fall hunting season!  Many of our clients have become good friends of ours and we are already looking forward to next hunting season (myself included).  

Our Dog Family

We have 5 dogs.  Jaz is our Dalmation is just about 4.  Arrow is our German Shephard and he is 2.  Cody is our Black Lab and he is also 2.  Buddy is our Pomerinian Chihuahua and he is just about 2.  Diamond is the baby girl - she is our miniature pincher and she'll be one in February.   We have a lot of fun with our dogs

 

Steve and Diamond checking hunting camera's.  Diamond is only 3 pounds and can get cold very easily!

Buddy and Diamond hanging out - this wasn't long after we got Diamond...she only weighed 1.5 pounds when we got her.  

Christmas photo's :)

This winter has already been hard on the both of them (and to think that Buddy already went through one winter - it's Diamond's first winter).  In the mornings, they both forget that it's going to be cold and they have to go fast.  By the time that they get back into the house, they are on 3 sometimes 2 legs and crying.  So....I went and bought some newborn socks and put them on them.  It seems to help!

Our New Home

We decided at the beginning of December that we would buy a RTM and move it out to our land.  We went from our original idea of a 700 square foot home (that would last us 1-2 years), to this one which is alot bigger and will last us (10-15) years.  We love it!  The company that we have bought it from (Homes To Go) have been awesome and the anticipated moving date is February.  Hopefully we have our house sold by then!  

Living Room Windows

The largest reason why I fell in love with this house - the doublesided fireplace that seperates the living room from the dining room/kitchen.

This is the kitchen/dining room side of it.  Glass cabinets are going in the "holes".

Our Current Home

We moved into this home about a month after we married (Steve had bought a condo so we lived in it while this house was finished being built.  We were only in it for a few months and then we listed it on the market to sell as the summer of 2007 we bought a half section south west of Lloydminster and planned to move out to it.  We didn't realize that it would be so hard to sell our home and are currently still in it...the market has slowed down alot in Lloydminster.  

Our Wedding - February 17, 2007

We were married on February 17, 2007...it was a beautiful day!  We were surrounded by so many of our friends and family (over 400 people!) and it truly was the best day of our lives!  Here are just a sample of some of our wedding pictures from our wonderful photographer. 

The four special little people in our lives had to be part of our special day.  Left to right: Sydney (my cousin's little girl), Genesis (Steve's neice), Zane (Steve's nephew), and Jake (Hannah's little boy).  I love how Jake looks in this picture.  

To keep them content and sitting for the service, we had a bag of gummy bear's pinned to the back of their chairs.  No one knew that the bridesmaid's fed them the whole service, but they sat like little angels - which is what they are :).  

From left to right: Shane (usher), Scott (groomsman), Garth (bestman), Steve (THE GROOM!), Ryan (groomsman), Kevin (usher), Kelly (usher).  All good friends of Steve's.

Our DJ was fantastic and we brought him in from Toronto.  This is how we started our dance off.  He formed a huge congo line and by the time it was done everyone was on the dance floor.  The traditional "first dance" followed.  

We recommend him to anyone!

The KISS that sealed the deal!

The beautiful ladies!  From left to right: Hannah (bridesmaid), Correna (THE BRIDE!), Sarah (maid of honor), Tannis (bridesmaid).  I am truly blessed to have these three women as part of my life.  They are amazing!

We had our pictures taken at a house that I used to housesit at.  They turned out beautiful!

I bought my wedding dress brand new.  The cape however, is my mom's and she wore it on her wedding day.  I love the symbolism.

Our beautiful wedding cake.  A friend of mine made it and all I gave her was a picture of Christina Argulara (didn't even begin to spell that right!) wedding cake and said....if you can do it - I would love this.  I LOVED IT!!!

Such amazing friends!

The Past Two Years

It amazes us how quickly the past two years have flown by.  Last Christmas, we didn't get a Christmas letter out and this Christmas is coming fast upon us.  I have so many friends that blog and are great encourager's to start this new addiction that I thought, why not - the easiest way to keep our friends and family updated about our lives.  So here we go...