A Series of Firsts

Typically, when we think of firsts in our lives, it's the big ones like first step, your first bike, your first day of school. But in this blog, I have a few firsts that are more ordinary; every-day firsts.

First Overnight House Guests
I do actually mean real people, friends of ours from our previous area of residence. They were making a long trip to visit family and though we aren't really even close to being half way on their trip, they did cut a few hours off the first leg of the trip by stopping in on their way through. We've had lots of friends from around here come by for supper or just to visit but since they all live around here, there's not really much need for overnight stays. It was fun have to them and great to visit. It also made me appreciate the space we have so that we are able to host overnight guests.

First Snowflakes
I wish I could say it was our first snow storm but that would be a fib. We had a few flurries and overnight, a few managed to land and stay on the ground until the sun came up and melted it. The weather experts were calling for a lot more than we got but it was nice to see the beginnings of the winter weather starting. It would have been nice to have a substantial amount of snow but if this year's snows are anything like last year's were, we'll have plenty enough! I'm sure I will be wishing for less given that I will have to shovel it.

First License Plates
We have lived in 3 of the four Maritime provinces at one point or another but I lived here when I went to college. I did not, however, have a vehicle then. It always seems to make a move more real once you're changed over all that technical stuff to the province or state you're now living in. I feel like I live here now and call this place home. Maybe it's just me and maybe I'm just being silly.

First Swimming Lessons since I was a Kid
Yup...I've decided to take swimming lessons and this week is my first class. I had swimming lessons as a kid but that was a long time ago and I've lost a lot of my technique due to the fact that I just haven't gone swimming much. (Kinda helps to have a bathing suit...most pools don't like it when you swim in your birthday suit...something about it making the other people swimming uncomfortable.) I did buy a new bathing suit this year and figured that since I have the time available in my schedule to take lessons, the question becomes why not? I'm looking forward to it. Should be fun!

First God Re-Discovery
This first is probably my favorite one of this list. This past Sunday at worship, I had a moment with God. I had known about God for many years but knowing God has been a longer, slower process. My worship times have yielded some pretty cool things but mostly just a re-discovery of who God is and how He interacts with his people. This week, it was like I had entered Narnia and discovered a world I have known about for some time but never ventured past the fur coats to see what behind. It's pretty cool on this side of the proverbial wall. Of course, learning about the character of God is a life long journey. I can't wait to see what I'll discover next!

Thanksgiving -- Canadian Style

I heard a theory this week on why Canadian Thanksgiving is in October rather than November like our southern counterparts...

It's too cold in November here so the pilgrims were smart and moved their feast to a warmer month. But honestly if they had any sense they'd've moved it to July. That's about the only month when we can definitely say that it's warm here. :0)

Ah...it's not so bad, as long you're dressed appropriately for the weather. We have been having much cooler temperatures lately so it definitely feels like winter weather is not long in coming. There have been reports of some snow in the areas around us but not here...yet. Soon enough, soon enough.

We feasted on turkey and all kinds of other goodies with several friends. Each brought a component of the meal so the burden of fixing the entire meal did not fall on one person/family. It was fun! Desserts were assigned to me so we made our oh-so-yummy Southern inspired Sour Cream Apple pie and introduced our friends to Sweet Potato pie. I was amazed at how many had never heard of sweet potato pie, let alone tried it. Since we're half American, we've decided that we'll host Thanksgiving dinner in November. Should be fun!

Good food, good friends....priceless.