Very recently, our good, sweet, wonderful friend, Michelle, passed away from a brain aneurysm. She was 36, and left a husband and 3 kids behind. It is still such a shock. She was one of the funniest, loving, giving people, that I have ever met. Our friendship started at the Shell gas station by our home, where she worked. She was our favorite cashier. She worked afternoon shift. She ALWAYS had a smile on her face, and always had something witty to say to Pete and I. Last spring, her hubby and kids started visiting her at work, so we met the family. Michelle told us that she wanted Pete and I to come hang out with her family at THEIR house. We accepted the offer, and the rest is history. Last summer her job at the Shell ended, but our friendship just kept getting stronger and stronger. Her family lived (still does) just up the road from us, a 4 minute drive. Her kids are my friends on Facebook, and it tears my heart out, to read their status updates, since she has passed away. They miss her SO much, and they long for her, especially the two youngest. Michelle had many struggles in her life, and had a hard life, until she met and married her husband. I know that he is still in shock, as we all are, but Pete and I are going to take the family under "our wings", and look out for them, I know Michelle would have appreciated that. During the day, I find myself about to text Michelle or send her a message on Facebook, and then I realize she's gone. I feel that a really "good" part of my life is gone now. We went for coffee just 3 weeks before she died, and we laughed SO hard together, and she told me some things, from her heart, that she felt were important. In a way, I think God was preparing her, in His own way. My last memory of her, is her walking to her front door, from my car, she turned her head and said good-bye, and was laughing SO hard because she was struggling with her shopping bags but didn't want my help. I'm glad I have that last memory of her :)

We're still here :) Pete's been busy at work, and I just finished 3 weeks of double chemo. Not much happening here........well, always problems with the people upstairs, but as far as Pete and I go, we're solid :) LOVE that guy!

On January 4th, Pete and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary!!!! We celebrated by going out for dinner. Pete's brother was still here, and staying with us, so we didn't go too wild. The next day, I had a doctors appointment in Vancouver, so we went to Mongolian BBQ for dinner for supper. Our first two years together were REALLY hard, and I wasn't sure we'd make it to 3 years, but LOTS of prayers helped us get to 3 years! I am MORE in love with Pete today, than I ever have been :)

As the holidays quickly approach, we are preparing for out of town family coming! Pete's parents from 100 Mile House (6 hours from us) were NOT going to be coming for the holidays. That changed, when Pete and his brother David, offered to go and pick them up/drop them back after. David will be arriving the 17th of December, and he's staying til Jan 6th.! It looks like he will be staying with us, as my sister in laws house will be full, with my in laws there. I am trying not to stress, knowing that thrown in there will be chemo, but I guess I'll deal with that. David also will not have a vehicle when he is here, so I may end up being his chauffeur, while Pete is at work. This Saturday, is Pete's work Christmas dinner :) That will be fun! last year, he had just been with the company 4 months, but now I know most of the people that he works with, except some of the drivers. It will be a blast! I am also looking forward to my sister and her family, coming for Christmas, from Kamloops (3 hours away). We always have SO much fun together! We will have 3 days with them! YAY! So LOTS to look forward to in the next few weeks :)

Hmmmm...what are the Stingls' up to??? Well, Pete has another new position at work. He went from being a dispatcher, to now being a Compliance Officer! His new position means that he is in charge of the trucks, in every aspect. He makes sure all the trucks (rigs) are up to date with all the mechanical inspections and paper work, makes sure all the drivers have all their proper hours written down, makes sure all the drivers are up to date on their drug tests etc. He starts his new position next week, and he's excited. :) Also, there is a prayer request we need answered, concerning Pete's 14 year old daughter. I can't go into many details, but she has basically decided that she no longer wants anything to do with Pete or his family. This is a very sad situation for the whole family. We are praying that God's will is done, no matter what, and that HE would in total control of the situation. We are trusting Him 100%, to do what He needs to, in order to make sure there is minimal hurt and devastation to all involved. Thanks for stopping by, to see what's new :)

Well, with fall, comes change. Not only do the leaves change color, and the weather feels crisper, but changes seem to happen in our lives. Pete has been offered, and has accepted a new position with the transport company he works for :) He's been with the company for less than a year, and this will be his fourth promotion and raise! He is being promoted from assistant dispatcher, to head dispatcher! This means a significant raise, along with a lot more responsibilities. He will be fully responsible for all 18 trucks and drivers. This means he's the guy they call if anything goes wrong, or anything to do with the loads and timing etc. He is the only one directly in contact with all the drivers, all the time. He feels ready to take on this new position, and excited to keep learning. With this new position, comes a little more stress, but we feel that we are in the place in our marriage and our lives, that we can handle a bit more. The pay increase will help with our goal to purchase a house in the next 8-12 months, Lord willing :) We are excited to see where God will take us in this new season ;)