Truly Great Kids

Mark and I were at a parenting course all day. It was called Raising Truly Great Kids by Dr. Tim Kimmel. It was so great! I have only read one of his books called, Grace-based Parenting. Today we learned what that really means and how to apply it. I was so thrilled that Mark was willing to do this with me. I mean we are in this together, raising these 4 blessings together. We bought a few more of his books to read. Mark has already decided what book he is going to read first..wow!

We went out for dinner last nite with friends to the Keg and then go all day today. I really missed the kids and I can tell they missed us too. Jess said tonite that she just likes to know I am home when she goes to sleep. Nash got 2 goals at soccer today, bummed we weren't there but Papa was. Thanks Pops and you too Grams.

We are on our countdown to Disneyland....9 more sleeps!!!!!

A New Year

A new year has begun! We had such a relaxing holiday! We finally got together with my brother and his family to swap some presents and celebrate his birthday. We went to visit Mark's mom on the island for a few days. It rained but we all had a great time and were able to get in abit of visiting. While we were gone my Grampa ended up in the hospital for a week. He has pneumonia and they thought for awhile it could be TB so he was in isolation. We all had to garb up to go in for a visit. Happy he is back at mom's and we will see how things go and how his health improves.

We started school this week, only on Thursday and Friday. We all have to get back into our groove. The kids would really rather play. It is amazing how we take our education so for granted. Kids in other countries would love to be learning. We will carry on and pray for better attitudes.

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!