Little Fam Shout out to the Paulinos!

Dear Kristi, Jonah, Levi and Jason:
Hope you know how much we miss you! We drove up to the cousins house and it felt weird that you weren't with us! Hope that you like the pictures and videos!

Sure did miss you this weekend! We went up to the cousin's house where we saw Maggie in the parade! I tried to take a video of her but it didn't work! She was on top of a JEEP waving at everyone it was sooo cute! I ran up and gave her some flowers! The parade was so cute and they were throwing out candy and your cousins were all trying to grab it and fill their bag! I made some videos for you and wanted you to know that we missed you so much! Love you!

Opposites that have Similarities!

I am so thankful for Danny. yup. Still love that guy even after 46 days of marriage! We are going strong! We are complete opposites in many ways but we have found so many bonds and similarities in different things:

• We both adore the beach
• We have found a sweet connection in our love for canoeing! We get to the water every chance we can!
• We work together in the kitchen....although I make most of the meals, Danny always helps clean up! And sometimes on Saturdays he delivers a tasty breakfast in bed!
• We have the same schedule for renovating! (I am probably a bit more pushy) but we aren't stressing or working OVERLY hard to get every single little project done THIS summer! We are doing things we want to do like: Painting, We made shelves for furnace room for my *MANY* plastic containers, We got our closet organizer up (no more boxes, yay!!) and a ceiling fan installed and we have our lamps! But...we have TONS of projects we have not yet tackled, but we are happy to do it in our own timing!
• We love video games! I never EVER imagined marrying a GAMER! But I am enjoying playing a few games with Dan and I am getting better! We love lots of activities and this is just one that doesn't take TONS of our time but is a fun little break for a few minutes! (I definitely don't have his STAMINA...but I don't need it! I am just having a little fun!)
• We value church. I love walking hand in hand into church with my man.
• We love Harry Potter! (just finished watching the entire series this month!!)
• We love our families! We are both loyal to the death to our fams, and we are learning alot about this these days! But I am so thankful that we have good strong relationships with the people who love us most!
• We really are nice to each other! I really really appreciate the things Dan does for me like talking, listening, and spending TIME with me! And I know Dan loves that I make him yummy suppers and take care of house stuff and play vids with him and spend time with him too! We are learning so much about marriage and I look forward to seeing our love grow deeper and stronger! 

Beautiful Book: The Power of a Praying Wife

When you get married, there is a lot of overwhelming things that happen in a really condensed period of time. Visits from your favorite people, Planning the biggest dinner party of your life for all your wedding guests, the lists, the calls, the bills!!! And then you also receive love like you never have before. I was completely blessed with 3 showers before my wedding. The first was with Danny's family (cousins and aunts and my mom and sister and DANNY!) and we received the most beautiful and practical gifts that we use every day! I love thinking of the person who gave it to us when I use it and I am trying to make sure I can remember those things by writing them all out in a little journal that I can look back in years to come. Then my mom held the sweetest tea party for me at her house with so many women I love and admire! I was so happy to be in that room that day and was again completely OVERWHELMED by the generous and thoughtful things I got!  And then one of my favorite nights was my (tame) Bachelorette and all my favorite girls were in attendance (minus 2 bridesmaids) and that was really special too! One gift that I received in the mail from a dear Prairie friend/blogger (http://thisgraciouslife.blogspot.ca/) is this book below.  I have been really excited to use it in the mornings! I still need a bit better time management to get it done every day, but even just a paragraph is great to get my mind in the right mode for the day! 

I love to pray as I drive to work and even though its not that long of a drive, its the perfect way for me to start my day. I am trying to be faithful to pray for my husband every day, but this book takes it to a WHOLE new level! Its the perfect book to read for me right now and is definitely a humbling book to read as you realize the HUGE gift it is to be a wife and I have a HUGE desire to be a GREAT not just a good wife to Danny! Anyways. I definitely recommend this book and would love to hear feedback of other great books that are inspiring my readers (I think there are a grand total of 3 now! hahaha)

Feeling Blessed

There has been alot of commotion in my heart in mind for the last few months. OH the things that I have tried to process and understand, the plans I've made, the lists I've compiled and the receipts I've tucked away in my file...its alot for me to even get my mind wrapped around.

There has been alot of change that has happened too. I left my favorite apartment of all time. The greatest roomie. Living life as a single gal. Subbing for kids and saying good by to my last name.

But WOW....I can't say enough times how BLESSED I feel to be married. It still seems like a magical dream that my wedding day has come and gone and I have been a wife for 28 days. My wedding week was a wonderful gift of so many precious memories. Here are some highlights:

• Spending time with my childhood bestie Kristin on a Saturday afternoon. Just a precious little gift of quality time---before a busy week and I'm so glad we fit that in, and even more to run into my sister at the mall and have her join us for a while
• Picking up my Bible school besties at the airport on Sat/Sun and having a few days with them before I got sidetracked into moving/wedding mode
• Seeing my friends and family drop everything, take off work, bring their kids, bake cupcakes, move tables, set up place settings, decorate all over the room, finish details, put together flower bouquets and corsages, fill mason jars with flowers, make road signs, hang pictures, pick up supplies and on and on....they made my wedding happen!
• Along with the above note, I have to say that I was totally overwhelmed with the way I was loved in the last week especially and leading up to the wedding day. So many individuals gave me their time and love in so many ways and I honestly never felt so loved as I did that week.

But the best feeling of all was to know that I was Danny's wife. I am his forever and my heart is safe and secure in his love for me. He has already overwhelmed me with his kindness, gentleness and patience and has supported me through some hard things even in this last week. He takes care of me and I know he will always be there for me. I know young love always feels this way, and I know there is many things that will come in my life that will challenge our vows. I know this. But right now in the place I am in...I just can't ever imagine loving him more and even beyond that I can't imagine how hard marriage (could/can) be. I just love being married and I hope that I will always cherish the gift of being a wife. 

Some of my favorite pictures:

Waking up early!!!

Well my new HUSBAND works for 7 am and I love getting up with him in the morning and packing his lunch for him! ( I hope I can manage to keep doing this after the excitement wears off!!LOL) So being up this early every day opens up a world of excitement for me that I haven't known for a LONG time!

WOW, you can get SO much done with an extra hour and a half in the morning! I've actually managed to do laundry, put a load of dishes in and shower and be able to sit down and read a devo...BEFORE WORK! ****MIND BLOWN****

I do love snoozing though....there is nothing like that feeling of : YES! I have 2 more minutes to lie here!  But so frustrating when YOU get up JUST as early on a Saturday morning and start your day right! OH well...hahaha I love mornings, once I get up an at 'em!

So the last few weeks have been unbelievable....now that I am over the HUGE mountain of adrenaline of actually having my wedding be over....

I'll have to do a huge memories post of the special moments I had...but right now I want to talk about one of the SPECIAL gifts we received from Dan's Parents....

our very own canoe!

I'm pretty stoked to have a canoe and we have already taken it out two times! It is the most relaxing and peaceful adventure! I am so so so excited to take it out lots this summer and what a treat to have a river just up the road 5 minutes away!

EB

For over 30 years, I've been Erin Elizabeth Bredin.
I've been linked to a great heritage of people who have loved Jesus, served Jesus and given their entire lives to be in the ministry.
I grew up as a pastor's kid. I was known by my last name especially with the church people. I was loved and supported by hundreds of people because of whose daughter I was. I just recently looked through some old bins of notes and cards that I have had since high school and found SO many encouraging letters from so many people over the years.
I went to Prairie Bible College, and most of my friends from their call me EB. (Thanks to Britt! hahaha) My identity their was almost all from the people I hung out with. A few people knew my family and there were a few traveling missionaries or old family friends that I met up with, but I was largely unknown until I found my community of friends.
Living on PEI, you are always, ALWAYS asked "Now, what is your father's last name?" almost anytime you are meeting someone for the first time. I've been shamed into admitting I'm not an Islander! hahah But I always qualify it with, if Anne of GG is an Islander then so am I! I am definitely an Islander at heart!
As a sub teacher, my name around the school out of most of the kindergartner's mouths is "Miss Bumble-B". The older kids call me Miss B, and that is how I am known by the kids and if I slip up and say my name is Miss Bredin...they immediately call me out and tell me that my name is MISS B!!! haha

All my legal documents say Erin Bredin.
My doctor and dentist know me as Erin Bredin.
My landlords receive their rent from Erin Bredin.
My driver's license says Erin Bredin.

I'm Erin Elizabeth Bredin.
For about one more week.

I can't even begin to understand what a BIG BIG MOMENTOUS occasion it is to GET MARRIED, CHANGE YOUR NAME, MOVE IN WITH YOUR BFF and START A LIFE TOGETHER.

I've been reading some really amazing blogs lately about people in all different stages of Love. I know Danny and I are in a very specific stage that could never last forever. There is this THRILL of excitement when I get to see him, even if it was just the night before that I saw him. I even get excited sometimes when he goes outside to do something and then comes back in the house! hahah Every night when I have to drive back to my own apartment, it just feels weird. Its starting to feel strange when I don't see him at the end of every day, and I haven't really started many days with him so I can't wait until that happens.

But I am realizing that soon my identity will be Erin Elizabeth Stretch. It feels like I'll be a whole new girl. That I will be stepping into being a grown up after all these years. That I will finally get to be a wife. That I will finally get to look around my HOME...not just an apartment or a place I'm living, but a home where I belong!

I am excited for the seasons to change and our relationship to strengthen. I know we have so much to go through and so much to grow in as our hearts continue to submit and love each other as a husband and wife. I am sad to give my name up a little...but I love my new name.

Stretch. This is a name that is known on the Island. There is a huge heritage here. This family has such a great reputation for being hard workers, detailed, helpers, givers and God-fearing folks! I am proud to become a Stretch, although it is intimidating at times to feel like my personality is completely opposite from them. But I know that I will be better for it. I am already learning (haven't quite mastered this yet!!!) to be more patient, take better care of details and to work hard without complaining!I hope that I can share with Danny the amazing qualities I bring as a Bredin. We have a reputation for being food and coffee lovers, investing in people/relationships, givers, encouragers, and God fearing folks!

I am proud of my family and I am excited to have a whole new family to add to it!
So for one more week, you can call me a Bredin....and I will cherish that name.
But after that, I'll be Erin Stretch!

Moms

I love Mother's Day. I am glad we take a day out to celebrate both of my parents around this season. Its the perfect excuse to have a family meal and buy a special present and write a meaningful note to my Mom. I was thinking alot about that John Mayer song (Daughters) and that it is true that our parents do alot to form who we are...and YES, its very important to be good to your sons and daughters...but I was thinking about the legacy and the heritage I have and then thinking about (forgive the song reference...) but the "mazes" Danny has had to deal with from me and it usually does have "nothing to do with him". There's alot in my heart that has been built up with love and grace from my parents, especially my Mom...who my sister worded well, did most of the raising, rearing, disciplining and building up in our home (due to my Dad working full time as a pastor and being committed most evenings to church things). But there's those OTHER things that are deep in my heart that cause stress and strife in our relationship that also impact Danny. He is the most constant and intimate male relationship I've ever had and he wants the best for me... so more than any other male in my life he works really hard to address things and talk it out and listen and make things work for us. Because we are so different, this has caused more stress and pain and conflict then I even want to begin to think about...especially in the past 4 months, unfortunately. We have had to deal with some really big things and are slowly coming up over the hardest part and starting smooth sailing again but the fact that my man has NEVER given up on me even when I had some of my hardest and most difficult moments and didn't always show my best side to him makes me feel so utterly safe and secure. I know he loves me, and it still flabbergasts me why sometimes, but I know he does and he will stick by me to the end.

Its not just Danny though. My friends and family who have supported me in the past few months really don't know how that has helped me. When I think of my line up of 7 bridesmaids...theses are the girls that have had such a huge impact on me.

 Jodi and Kristin: my school years wouldn't have been the same without them. We formed a spiritual friendship from when we were teens and they are two of my inspirations and encouragements in maintaining a daily quiet time a midst the chaos of raising children, running a home and loving their husbands. Kristin, of any friend I have, you do the MOST to maintain connection with me. I feel pretty guilty sometimes with the amount of effort you put into me. I know you love me and want to know about my life and I am so thankful that you have that gift of keeping in touch. I know we will be friends until we are old and gray!

Brittany and KT: my Prairie years wouldn't have been the same without them and even after that...living in Japan with KT. I know so much of my spiritual friendship was impacted by journalling with Britt, talking out life with all the Prairie girls, driving to church every Sunday with KT (blaring TuPac the whole time) and seeing Jesus in them. I am so proud of who they are and they continue to inspire me in so many ways, even though I don't get to have the every day life lived together I'll never forget the days that I DID have that privilege.

Julie: my life AFTER university wouldn't have been the same without her. I met her 10 years ago at Kristi's wedding. We drove to New York many times and she has impacted my life as an UTTER servant and caregiver to children. I have watched her loving children and giving LITERALLY every penny she has for the joy of others. She has sacrificed so much and there is NO cost that is too high that she wouldn't give to ANYONE. She inspires me with her giving and her patience and her ability to THRIVE in chaos. She is perfect for what God has chosen her for and the kids and the people she impacts will be lining the hallways of heaven to give her tributes someday. So proud of her.

My sisters. Well, since one reads my blog and one doesn't I'll just put this in a general way. I am blessed to be raised in a dysfunctional family of 5 kids. We grew up in a home where there was a huge RANGE of ages. And I have always been the middle child...hahah. I have two older sisters and two younger brothers. And I know the relationships we have with our siblings are far different then any friendship. My Mom has always had this burning desire for all of us to be close, and in our own way we certainly have come a long way from those days of fighting over 5 dollars of gas and who's turn it was to wash the dishes. We still fall back into our roles at family meals...well correction: I Do. I am probably the one that acts the "youngest" when we are all together...but I do love my siblings. I love the family nights we are blessed to have together and I am grateful that there are 4 other people in this world that I don't have to explain my family issues to. They get it. We all get it. We all have our own perspectives, but there are just certain things you can't really put into words sometimes. I am so grateful for my sisters. I am thankful that I have sisters to show me through their experiences of marriage of what I want for mine. There are things in their lives that aren't perfect but I have learned about the priorities I want in my marriage.
Kristi: You have taught me to love your husband first. You adore Jason. You miss him when he's gone for even one night. You go to sleep at the same time every night and pray together (even when one person falls asleep). You serve him and give him a good life. You are an amazing cook and your home is filled with peace and love. Its one of my favorite places in the world and it DEFINITELY is the place I would call a safe haven for me. When I'm upset or sad, I always feel a calm there and your boys give me so much joy. So well done! You are doing it.
Lori: I know that your life is different than you imagined. You have been blessed with four amazing kids who are so different but so smart and talented. You have given them so many opportunities to do sports, travel, be part of church and school and community life. I remember when you first got married how you decorated your apartment and how you made such fancy meals for Brian. I know that newly wed stage doesn't last forever but I remember watching you and Brian falling in love! I know we are similar and I know Danny and Brian are similar. I thank God that he blessed us both with men who can fill our gaps and show us alot of grace, kindness and patience.

I have so many girls that have sent me emails, sent me packages, called me, asked me questions and tried to be there for me even though time and distance often causes a separation. I have felt so supported and loved and I know that I am blessed.

To wrap up this little blog: I want to go back to that song and I love it. I just realize so much about the HUGE impact we have on each other. I am so thankful for all the people who have inspired me. I want to be the best wife to Dan. I want to be an amazing Mom. I know I won't be perfect but I am so glad that I have such a HUGE wealth of people I admire that I can look to.

So Happy Mother's Day. You are doing a great job. Thanks for showing me what good mothers look like. Thanks for being honest about life and keep doing what you're doing!