All things are possible, oh yeah!

Here it is, the final blog.

Kinda of a strange feeling to think I won't be sharing with you anymore in this way, but it's so awesome to be home :)

So this last blog won't be a run down of the last week of our stay, or a funny story about the crazy trip home (we left Calgary with just one nappy and had 3 flights to get home!!!), it's going to be a little more on the thoughtful side.

It's hard to explain to people how much you learn when you take a trip like this. I mean, we learnt a tonne about Christian camping, and we came back with heaps of new ideas on things we could try here and exciting things to implement. We also learnt how to navigate through airports with only moments to spare before missing our planes. We discovered and enjoyed learning about Canada's rich history and  beautiful environment. 

But I feel like the big things I learnt were things I discovered about myself.

Like, 1. Just because I am an introvert and normally take a while to warm up to people doesn't mean that I have to live my life that way. In Canada I realised that if I wanted to have friends and people to talk to I was going to have to get over this stupid boundary I had put in my head and just go up and talk to people, open up about my life and let people in. And here is the shocker... it was fine! I made heaps of friends and in no time had plenty of people to talk to. 

2. I really didn't think I could handle being away from home and from my surroundings, I am such a homebody usually and the idea of being away for so long totally freaked me out! But you know what? I loved it, I loved the change of scenery, being away and having the chance to explore an entirely new place. 

3. I totally hate not having a plan, or a list or a project and I was really worried that going over there and not having anything really pinned down would do my head in, but I just relaxed and started going with the flow. Eating tea at 8pm and feeding the kids cookies until we can eat? No problem! Not knowing where we were going to camp that evening? No drama! Not having any jobs to do and anyone to feed my approval addiction? A-Okay! I coped and I think that having that experienced has allowed me to relax and realise that it's ok to not have everything perfect all the time. 

4. Spending 24/7 with my kids. I really didn't know if I would be able to handle this. And after a few weeks, I really did think they might end up being left in Canada while I took an early flight home. But after a little while it suddenly hit me that in Tassie I am always saying, "Gee I wish I was less busy and able to spend more time with my kids!" and what do you know?? God sends me a whole six months to relax and enjoy with them. And by the time we came home, I'd have to say I don't just love my girls now, I truly and deeply like them. I think that I often used to just "look after them", not really hanging out and spending time with them. They are so awesome and now when I am with them, I am so much more tuned into them and we have so much more fun!

5. Alex and I. Wow, there have certainly been new dramas and new pressures while we were away but we came away stronger and more in love then ever. We have new visions and goals for a our marriage, our kids and life at home. We seemed to  have unified and we had the chance to really look at where we want the next 5, 10, 15 years of our life to look like. There is nothing like moving into a tiny place and being in each others face everyday to work stuff out!

It's going to probably sound a little cheesy but what I really learnt, the crux of the whole thing is that I can really overcome any obstacle and the only thing standing in my way truly is me. I know, it sounds like every silly encouragement picture on facebook that you see and simply scroll past. But for me it's true. I know now deep down inside of me that I can overcome big stuff, that I am made of sterner stuff and that if I want to, if God is for me, then it's not only possible, it's a certainty!

There is nothing like finally realising that everything you have ever wanted for you life, is within grasp and completely yours for the taking. God has shown me so much, and I know He will continue to show me and my family so much more as He takes us on the next leg of our journey. 

I don't know why you may have been following this blog, maybe you know us, or maybe you found it by accident. But I truly hope that today, maybe you will look to God and see yourself the way He sees you. Full to the brim with possibilities!!! Take a leap, put the pressure on, achieve what you have been only dreaming about. Because, as the song says and I have come to know deep within me....All things are possible, oh yeah!!!

This is Tamara Grey signing off on the adventure of a lifetime (ready for the next one!)

It's the Final Countdown..ba da daa dummm, bada da da daa

One week to go. Can you believe it? We can't!

So this last week we have been traveling around and catching up with a few relatives who decided to pop over since we were going to be here in Canada. Why not, it's as goo a reason as any hey?

First up was Oma (or Lynne, Alex's Mum). We picked her up late one night from the airport. The girls were so excited they decided to stay up and see Oma (even though it was like 11pm), but funnily enough only Miss E was able to stay awake to greet her. :)

We then took off for Crow to show her around and introduce her to everyone. Then Alex, Lynne, Joshua (Wilson) and a couple of mates went to Waterton National Park for the weekend to go to a few workshops on photographing animals in the wild. They did managed to get some great shots of some bears, so that was pretty exciting! The girls and I just chilled and caught up with some friends while they were away.

Then we took off to show Oma around Banff, we went up the Gondola again, which was fun even the second time around. She was pretty impressed. It's been snowing a little and we got to see some really amazing places while watching the snow drift around us.

This is a drop box toilet and although the smell is non existent when it's this cold, it's certainly not pleasant on your bottom!

Bear riding is a seriously extreme sport here in Canada!

Alex thought I was a little in appropriate getting naked in a cafe. Hee hee

The girls were also pretty impressed with our new abode. A really amazing couple over here offered us their trailer for our holidays so we have been really enjoying being able to drive and go as we please! The girls love being able to draw and colour while we travel :) As well as eat in the trailer and watch TV in bed. )Even though they are supposed to be asleep!)

We have had such a great time in this trailer but there have been a few Rv (the movie with Robin Williams) flashbacks while in it.

Hannah making sure we are headed in the right direction

 

These little monsters were supposed to be sleeping bu kept moving the curtain back to watch the movie with us. Open Season, very Canadian!

Then it was on to Jasper to meet up with some more family. My Mum (Barb) and my brother (Peter).
 it was awesome to see them again and they even brought a surprise with them from Australia.....Peter's wife Dana!!!! Must have been a squishy ride in the suitcase.


 

After spending the day in Jasper looking around and seeing some pretty amazing scenery (all the leaves are changing colour and the world is just awash with yellows, golden browns, reds and burnt orange!) we headed to Edmonton for Hannah's 5th birthday.

We found this amazing pizza place in Jasper, called Famosa, yum!

We thought Famosa was even cooler after seeing this...Only geeks will get it so if you don't, too bad.

For Hannah's birthday we went to the Edmonton Mall , it's a super amazing mall, that has an ice skating rink and a waterpark inside. Whoah!

Hannah with her new butterfly necklace from Oma and Ondie

The Mall also has a Seal Park.

The Water Park that we spend the afternoon at.

We had such a great day shopping, going to the waterpark and eating also the yummy things we could fit in. We left the guilt at the door as we figured that we were walking enough to work most of the calories off.
Hannah had a pretty spectacular day, she brought a Rapunzel doll at the Disney store (that was so cool, I could have gone crazy there!) and some new clothes. Sadly, we didn't get to do any ice skating as there was classes on. But it was still a pretty epic day.

So, it was time to head our separate ways, as Lynne had to get back on the plane to jet set off to her next holiday and Mum, Peter and Dana were heading to Banff. But not before Peter and Dana went to a Hanson concert in Calgary. No, I didn't type the name wrong, it was definitely the Mmmm Bop all boy band sensation of the 90's, Hanson. All grown up but still rocking it apparently. :) Here is photo evidence

Dana (die hard Hanson fan) and Taylor Hanson. Still pretty spunky even without the long hair I might add.

After saying good bye to everyone we are now back at Crow, getting ready to sort through all the stuff we have accumulated since being here and deciding what we are going to take back and what stays. Ugh, this could take the rest of our time here although I hope not. The staff here have organised a farewell for us on the Saturday before we leave, which we are really looking forward to.

But in all honesty....we are just really keen to get home now. We can't wait to fall asleep to the sound of the ocean, get back into routine, go see our our friends and family and church and really get moving on what God has shown us and taught us while here.

SOOOOO looking forward to seeing you all soon! In fact....in 9 days!!!

Love to you all.