Sitting in the tub with dory stickers all over my arms. Just a quick 15 minute cleanse and back to my fold away table with my lap top in my living room (OHHH how I dream to have a writting room one day). I’m surrounded by magnetic fishing games, strips of dory stickers, a half eaten apple, left over hot dog on a plastic plate and a green little pony on the floor.

Things have just shifted into 5th gear since Sunday. Last week, Andy and I were sitting having our coffee on his bed (the couch in the living room) in the morning and praying for God to direct our next steps with his career. Yes, a lot of people have been asking us what he’s up to with his job. He was a contract pilot working seasonally from April-October with the Winters off. People need to understand that the Winter is basically like his “weekend” with his family. He is away so much. Up to 5 weeks away. It is especially hard in this new stage of life with little ones. Bethany gets heart broken every time he leaves and I have subtle anxiety thinking of being a single parent.

With our faith experience, God usually brings us through a period of waiting and stillness which can be a very challenging season. Feeling very unmotivated, with no vision or idea of the next steps, Andy and I continued to thank God for the little home He’s blessed us with, our amazing little family AND the time that He was giving Andy to be home with me during my transition to 2 kids. He was able to get such valued time with Bethany while I am constantly nursing and rocking a baby.

Through the heli network, Andy has landed a job with an Island based company- West Coast Helicopters. Such an outstanding company. Looking back over the past couple years since we started having kids, Andy has had 4 career changes. Not necessarily by choice.  The last company he worked for was bought out and all pilots were laid off. To say it has been a roller coaster is an understatement. Job changes, moving, having kids are all huge life adjustments and can cause a lot of tension in families and anxiety in the soul. We’ve done a couple of those things in the last couple of years, and hoping this may be IT for his career. A great job where we get to stay on our lovely island!

For most, the island Winters are brutal, depressing and very challenging to the mental state. However; to the surfer or ocean lover at heart, it is an OPPORTUNITY to live in a wetsuit while the storm swell comes peeling in. If you’re gonna get wet, do it properly.

I totally suffer from seasonal depression. These gloomy days are extremely challenging to me yet, I am learning (and forcing) myself to remember how amazing the Island summers are. Andy and I laugh sometimes because we know there are a lot of celebrities that have bought property on the island or surrounding islands and we wonder if they have ever withstood an island winter?? We are tough people! Helly Hanson ain’t cheap !

It’s so much easier watching Bethany run around in her  pineapple bathing suit bottoms and letting popsicle drip down her little hands. But again… it’s all worth it to me.

Last thought- I get super SAPPED when I don’t get social interaction. I live for it. I was driving yesterday, thinking/praying “God, it’s a bit funny to me that I have a husband/best friend that works away?” He reminded me that there are a lot of lonely mommas out there who need other moms to connect with during the crazy long days with toddlers. Yesterday at Strong Start (the preschool program with school district 68), I met a couple of moms who just moved to Nanaimo. My social tank was filled right up chatting with them. Maybe that’s why I have a husband who works away? So I can surge my energy towards other moms who need some company and I am more than willing.