a little surprise!

Sometime last year while I was still in Japan, Mom found me the best seat sale we've ever seen to fly to Nova Scotia so she booked it for me and I paid her back when I got home... what an awesome decision that was! I kept it a secret, and only told my aunt who is the official 'airport pick-up driver' about a week before my flight.

So... last Monday, I flew to Nova Scotia and surprised my family and friends that I haven't seen for 7 years! I had an amazing time shocking people... it's a family tradition ;)

I had a wonderful time with my family and some church friends. So many precious memories were soaked in. I loved every minute of my time there and the week went way too fast!

Here's the video I took when I walked into my grandparents' house...



So much fun!! :)

and here's just a few of the pictures I took...

I spent the evening with Gwen, Eric, Gillian and Jennifer- friends from church (Gillian is like an older sister to me because she became part of our family when she drove from NS to Saskatchewan when we moved there in 95) We had an incredible time together... I have not laughed that hard in a long time! We skyped Mom and Dad and got them in on the party too! What a blast! and what a blessing that good friends are!

More special church friends from way back... Barb and Larry :)

Had to include this one even though it's almost the same as the last one, but I love the joy that was captured :) I don't remember what was said to make us all laugh, but I love this picture!

Part of the gang that went out for lunch at Wendy's after church :)

This is Victoria Park in Truro... Lissa and I used to go there lots in the summer with Grammie Purdy :)

My lovely second cousin and special friend, Laura :)

Long, long friends... together again!

Auntie Debbie (Dad's sister)

Enjoying the sunny day at my aunt Lorraine's house (Dad's other sister) with Grammie and Lorraine

I got to see my cousin Christopher... sounds sad, but I don't remember the last time I saw him. (he's got a unique character...)

Enjoying some time with Grammie and Grampie (Dad's parents)

And enjoying some time with Mom's side of the family at Auntie Chris's house... these are my cousins, Brett and Blake

Auntie Michele and Brett looking at a decorating magazine with Grammie Purdy :) (yes, Chris's house is always this fabulous!)

Hope that gives you just a tiny taste of my special week! I had a fantastic time... but it was so short!

On the way home, I had a 10 hour layover in Montreal so I ended up meeting up with our old neighbours that Melissa used to babysit for (their kids were 3 and 4 and now they are 16 and 17 I think!) I got to do a little sight seeing so that was great! Boy was I exhausted when my plane finally landed in Winnipeg just after midnight! I was SO ready for bed and slept quite well last night! :)

That's about all I can think of to say about my trip. Thanks to everyone who put me up for the night with little to no notice :) I had a wonderful time with everyone! Can't wait to come back again... hopefully not 7 years from now!

My little love story...

I've been meaning to do this for a long time, but somehow I keep forgetting! Today I finally posted pictures of the little book that Bobby created for me when he proposed! It's absolutely amazing! He's so creative and I just felt the need to brag about him :) I posted them on Facebook because it would take forever to do it on here, so you can find them here

I've said it before, but I'll say it again because I don't say it enough! God has blessed me with an amazing fiance! Bobby is incredible. He's sweet, romantic, kind, thoughtful, wise, smart, respectful, and so much more! He's a great example to me and has helped me grow in so many ways. I espcecially admire his passionate love for the Lord and how he displays it in all areas of his life.

Just thought I'd share just a glimpse of the amazing blessing that God has brought into my life!

I love you, Bobby Baden!!

wordle...

One of my friends just posted a wordle picture (makes a picture of a bunch of words from a website or text, and the more frequent a word, the larger it is) she created based on her blog. I had never heard of it before, but it looks really cool! Of course, out of curiosity, I did the same thing. Here's what mine turned out like...

(click to make larger)

I'm not really surprised by it... I think it's a pretty accurate description of my life (except the random words like now and just... apparently I use those a lot!) and I'm pleased to see the words like wonderful, blessed, joy, God, love, and (of course) wedding that did show up bigger :)

Anyway, I just thought this was really neat so I thought I'd post it... you should try it out too! (http://www.wordle.net/)

so many smiles and much to be thankful for :)

Well, I think I've officially failed at maintaining my Smile Lists since I left Japan! I do still very intentionally thank God for the things that make me smile each day...

Recently I've enjoyed reconnecting with some friends from High School and it's been so wonderful! A lot of my thankful smiles have come from those times of catching up! True friends are such a blessing!!

Wedding plans are still pretty much "my life" these days... just 60 days now!!!! Time is going so fast, and the excitement just keeps growing as details are coming into place! The invitations are in the mail, I had my hair trial on Saturday, found material for my flower girl and bridesmaid dresses, and potentially have a cake/cupcake maker! God is taking such good care of us and providing for us in so many ways!

We've created a wedding website with all of the details of our wedding... please check it out!

http://www.theknot.com/ourwedding/HillaryTimmons&BobbyBaden

Please don't be offended if you don't get an invitation in the mail... we are having an open ceremony and want all of our special friends to be there, but we could only send out so many invitations! If you do plan to attend, please let us know (BobbyandHillary@gmail.com or through the website) as it will make our lives a little easier as we continue to plan.

Things are also falling into place as far as plans for the future. I've applied to Providence and we've already got a place through student housing there! Life is just really exciting these days and God is SO good to us. I can't say it enough... I am abundantly blessed!

We are still trying to figure out immigration details for Bobby's year in Canada and return to Japan. Please keep praying about that with us.

That's pretty much it! Let me know what's going on in your life! Have a lovely week!! :)