So Many Blessings

what a blessing it was to have my Grampa here with us this year! It is so nice to know that he is well cared for by my mom. Praying he gets stronger and starts to feel more like himself.

We had a fantastic Christmas!! We stayed at home for over a week and just enjoyed being together and vegging. My brother and his family got sick with the flu so we did not see them on Christmas this year. We plan to have some time with them in a couple of days. We surprised the kids with a trip to Disney in Febuary. The countdown is already on!! Check out the new stockings this year, so big and so fun...I think I could fit in one, well, maybe just one leg! The snow we had was a major bonus. It is so rare that we have a white Christmas!

We are on our way to friends for New Years Eve and some birthdays.
It has been a year of many blessings. God is so good!

Tradition

Oh so fun!! Mom, Dad and Grampa came for perogies tonite! Dad pulled the kids and yes, mom and I behind his truck on sleds in the back lane. What a hoot!! We have so much snow! Then the kids came in and asked if they could open their new pajamas. Nice..they know they are coming. It is tradition, my mom did it too. They were thrilled and they looked so cute!! I have to do matching while I still can.

We must go and get the stockings filled!!
Merry Christmas all and to all a good night!!

Snow Day

We are into our Christmas break and really loving it. We are all being abit lazy , lounging in pj's a little longer each day. Mark is making it to work but has to take the Pilot cause he hit the ditch the other day so now he needs a wheel balance. We finished up our school work on Thursday and we called Friday a snow day. It is cold and there is actually snow to play in. The kids and I walked to the park to sled abit but the wind was cold, Nate cried the whole way home. We got home and climbed into our bed, read stories and had a nap!!

This year we didn't get a family picture taken, it was too cold, or no one felt like it or someone needed their hair done...so a dear friend made this cool strip of us. This was attached to our Christmas cards this year, which not everyone is getting, some of you may just get a e-card. sorry

My Grampa from Moose Jaw is here at Mom and Dad's for the holidays. It is still odd that he is by himself and Grama is not with him. It makes it hit home more. We miss her. Grampa ended up in emergency on Saturday night. He is having alot of trouble with his eyes and blood pressure and lots of things. Even one of the kids said his heart hurts too. We are so happy he is here and my mom can care for him.

Highlites!

Some of highlites of this past week....Dad celebrated his 59th birthday! Yes, those are his 7 grandkids and I am pretty sure there will be more to come. So thankful for him. Wish he could slow down and not work so hard, pop in for coffee more (hint hint). My kids love being with him and they are working on not screaming when he arrives! Thank you Papa for your love you interest in each of us!!

Faith had her first ever ballet recital. She has waited patiently to take ballet. At Jess' recitals Faith would go dressed up like a ballerina. She headed out the door all dressed up in a fancy red hand-me-down coat. She did fanastic. I was worried she might panic and not go out on the stage. There were 6 littles girls in her class and they danced to a song about friends! Well done our lil' ballerina!

It is so cold we got snow (-5 is cold for BCers plus a nasty wind)...just a skif but we will take it. The kids were thrilled!! Even this morning before before 8 they went out, with pj's under their jackets. Jess brought in a sand pail of snow to show us and then made a snow castle on the deck!! Now if the wind would just settle down. It is definetly starting to feel like Christmas.

I made vereniki tonite!!! Like perogies but not. Not bad for someone who claims not to be mennonite even with a name like Penner. Even made the sauce and added bacon..yes my jeans are feeling a little snug.

Looking forward to a week of some baking, little shopping and finish up our school work before we break for abit!

Memories

This weekend we made some memories! Friday night we went to Mission's Candlelight Parade. It was long but fun. The kids got a ton of candy, which of course was a highlight. We had never done it with 4 kids cause it is usually too cold to want to stand outside with little ones...call me a wimp. We had a great time but it was such a late nite that all 4 kids had an afternoon nap on Saturday, don't remember the last time that happened.

After naps we decorated a gingerbread house. So much candy was eaten and therefore the kids all got abit crazy but the house looks great!

Today we spent the day with friends...12 kids and 3 moms, all homeschoolers. Such treasured friendships! Tonite I am on my way to Starbucks with a friend from forever to have a Red cup. This is so overdue, but I am so thankful we can just pick up. Thanks Heidy. One day I'll tell you all about our kindergarten days while we rock in our chairs at the Menno Home, maybe we will have more time for each other than, if you remember who I am. Just kidding!

Have to go and quickly feed the fam Beef Barley Soup..yes it is homemade but it is really Deer Barley Soup. Thankful for my hunting husband!

Daddy Daycare

Today Mom and I went shopping. We hit Tims and then to Langley. We got lots done and had a great day. We were even able to squeeze and Egg Nog Latte in at the end. Love being with my mom, especially when I have her all to myself...no kids to share her with.

This was a day off for Mark, well, sort of. When I called he said he napped all day and had me a wee bit worried. I got home and they were all out picking up Faith from ballet. There was a note on the counter not to look under the tea towel. When they got home Jess pulled the towel off to surprise me with 4 different types of cookies. They had been busy. They each made a separate recipe with Daddy. We all dug in and had a small sample of each. (Small...yeah right..they were basically our dinner and then I wondered why Nate was getting so crazy this evening) They had a great day with their Dad, making Shortbread, Peanut Butter Cookies, Sugar Cookies and Chocolates Crinkles. The kitchen was even cleaner than when I left it, gotta love that!

"Thanks for a fun day Daddy"

Things that Rock

Check out my new shirt. Love it!! Saw it online and ordered it! Nate has one that says My Daddy rocks, why can't I have one that says My Husband Rocks!
www.frommetees.com

Mark and I went shopping today and the kids had a sitter. Not just a sitter, a girl we love and the kids love. She is the oldest of 4 in her family and is also homeschooled, so her hours work with ours. Anyhow, when we got home Jess offered to teach Nate how to play checkers...so sweet, so I grabbed the camera. It was sweet for about 2 minutes and then the game was over and Nate was crying.

Did a turkey on the crock pot today. It turned out great, very moist!! It smelt so good when we walked in today...what a treat!

Fun Stuff

Look who came for breakfast! The kids were to dress up as a character from a fairytale for their homeschool class. Jess was Princess Annelise and Nash was a pirate from Captain Hook's ship. Tuesdays are busy for us. The kids have a class with 50 homeschoolers till lunch (we eat in the truck) and then we have swim lessons at 1 and swim till about 3. We so enjoy our day and seeing friends but coming home is so fun. Everyone is so happy to be home. We all dropped our bags and headed for snacks and a movie. I cannot imagine leaving our house every morning and then not seeing the kids till mid afternoon. Life is good!

Tonite we pulled out our collection of snowdomes. The kids were thrilled. We are decorating this week and really getting excited. Reading about adding some different advent traditions. Think I am going to try the 25 Names of Jesus. I think this one will relate to all our ages.

Our eldest

Time with just Jess rarely happens. Nash was at Grama's and the littles one were in bed already. We ordered sushi. Jess loves it and we had tons. She has such grown up tastes. She is always willing to try something new. She is still are most easy going. Happy to be with you whatever you are doing. She is growing up so quick. I remember when it was just her and me everyday...it was so fun! I was just learning to be a mom but loving every minute of it. She acts so big already. Before ya know it she will be able to babysit the kids for us...scary thought. Jess and my time is after everyone else is tucked in and we lay and talk and snuggle. Jess you are such a delight to our family. Thank you for being you!! Continue to let your light shine! You are so loved!! Our precious lil' boo!

Early Christmas

I got an early Christmas gift. I told Mark it should be our Christmas gift to each other, not sure what he thinks of that. Yes, it is a new camera. I am actually going to read up on this so I am able to more than just the basics. I think I might have to still keep my little digital in my purse for those odd times I wish I had my camera cause the new one is bigger. Looking forward to using it. I should of taken in to soccer this morning but it was starting to rain but then it stopped by the time we were there. Had 2 games back to back. Then went and saw Grama Selma at the hospital. It is hard to see her like this and we even had to garb up (gloves and gowns). She has aged and seems so frail. Praying God gives her a few more years with us. She is such a blessing to our family.

Believing God

What mom does not love to kiss their kids when they are sleeping? I love when they are out of a crib (crib bars are in the way) and you can get right in their face and kiss and nuzzle them without them really waking up. I whisper "Jesus loves you, Mommy loves you too" I pray for them and sometimes wonder how can I get frustrated at this little one. Thankfully, God's mercies are new every morning. I told Faith that I took this picture of her. Her hair was so wild but she looked so peaceful. This little girl can snore so loud sometimes. Definitely her Daddy's girl!!

Like I said mom and I are taking Beth Moore's Bible study called Believing God. Do I just believe in God or Am I really believing God? Learning so much and really challenging my walk with God. So much going on in my head these days. Lots to think and pray about. More to come at another time on that.

Sweet Things

I have been meaning to update the past few evenings so here I am finaly. Just got home from a homeschool meeting. I don't go to often cause the kids usually have soccer practice on Thursday nites. It is always so encouraging and I come home with fun, new ideas. This is sort of like my professional development nite. Teachers get these days and the kids get a day off school..not our kids.

Anyhow, I must confess that yesterday I went to Starbucks twice. I ordered my first Egg Nog Latte of the season and listened to a Christmas CD while driving to get Faith from ballet. Then after Bible Study last nite with mom, we did drive through and I had a Gingersnap Latte. Egg Nog definetly gets my vote!!

Our little guy

After dinner last nite, Nate came running over to me with the paper and hand and said, "Mom, look at that cool car, I want it!" Remember he is only 3. It made me laugh and then when I had a closer look I saw that it was bright yellow. Nate likes yellow, yellow plate, yellow cup...etc. I sometimes tell Nate to stay little and then when I say 'you are such a big boy'..he says "I be little mom" It's fun to watch them grow up but sad to see the time fly by.

I am rethinking my Blog Title but when I decided to do this..it just came to me. I haven't sang the song for awhile but I thought it was appropriate for this blog.

"This is my commandment that ye love one another, that your joy may be full. That your joy may be full, that joy may be full....."

This is song is actually from John 15:9-17. As I reread this passage, I think I will keep this title. There it is settled.

Creating as I Go

I have not shared this with anyone as of yet because I wanted my blog to be and look perfect. My hubby said that is not what blogging is about. So here I go. It is about journaling our life, our joys and sorrows, our good times and bad. Today is Remembrance Day. Lest We Forget. We have so much to be thankful for living in this country. How is it that God chose me to be a Canadian? Thank you to all who have given for our freedom.

Today is a low key day. All activites have been cancelled and we are just enjoying be at home. My Dad came in for a coffee and surprised the kids. We all love that. A couple of kids are not feeling great today. I am getting portfolios ready for a visit today from our homeschool facilitator. I think it is time for a snack and a book read with the kids.

This is our Dog, " BUDDY"

ROOKIE

OK, I am such a rookie. I have no idea what I am doing. I thought this might be an easy way to keep others posted about our life. I think it is also a cool keepsake for ourselves and perhaps it will help me start taking more pictures of the everyday. I tried to look for a picture of myself and do you think I could find on? Seems I am the one who is usually taking the picture. Let's just see how this goes. It seems at the beginning of something there is always good intentions. So seeing it is the beginning of our school year and lots of new things are starting maybe this is one thing I could really stick to.