School and work

As I mentioned in a previous post, I just finished a year of school. It was a great and extremely trying time for me. I did accomplish something I was not sure I would ever do, post secondary education. This was quite a big thing. A lot of time that I would normally spend with my beauties I instead had to allot to study. The great thing was that I got to see Adam and the kids really bond. Adam did bed time with the kids about 5 days a week for about 5 months. And he took them out about once a week for hours on end to give me quiet time to study. This was great bonding time for them and I feel so much more confident with his ability to handle them well. What a blessing he has been for me!

So I got my office assistant certificate and did very well at it. As is the case with God and I, he answers prayers that I do not even think are possible. I pray them and just after think, why did I ask that? That is just too much! But it isn't! God can do anything of course. So, this may seem small to you but when I started the courses I asked God to provide for me work in an office where I could work 9am-1 so I could not miss a moment with my kids when they are in school and could keep up with the house work and continue to make healthy, good meals for my family. Then I thought, where in this town would an office hire someone 9-1? That just doesn't happen so I reasoned that I would not be able to work in a job I was training for. One week before I finished my courses I was offered a possible job and I went for an interview. As they were explaining the position I was shocked to hear that for the summer it would be 9-1, Tuesday through Thursday and then in the fall it would be Monday-Friday, 9-1! It is also working for a great christian couple in town! I am feeling so cared for my my Lord! He has given me the desires of my heart but I know it is because they are also His heart.

I am in training and so nervous for when I have to do the job alone but so thankful for it and really excited that my schooling is going to use!

This is the update on my school and work situation but there will be many updates to come and I will post some pics soon. Working on my laptop right now which has very few of our pictures on it. Hope you all are well!!! Have a great weekend!

Happy Canada Day

As I talked to my children tonight about the greatness of living in a free country I was reminded again not to take my freedom for granted. I told my kids that it is our right, freedom and obligation to tell all who we can about our Lord. If we do not, there is also freedom in our beautiful country for everyone else to share their false ideas with all who will hear. We are bombarded with all different "winds of doctrin" flying around but still, what a wonderful thing it is to be able to share, worship, and love our Lord openly and freely.

I love that our country was founded on the idea that God would reign from sea to shining sea! I feel blessed to live here and be raising my beauties here and I pray they will be great missionaries to all who they meet in this beautiful and blessed country!

Neglected and sad

No no, not me... this BLOG!!! What a sad and pitiful state it is in!

Well, I am nearly done my year of studies and I am planning to update semi regular soon. I am so excited to report that as I already knew... God is faithful!!! This past year that I have not blogged has been very eventful It has been full of fun, new experiences, joy unending mixed with a terrible amount of stress (school related!)

The kids are wonderful, Adam and I are better than ever, our church body is, as always, the place we find encouragement and love on this earth and our God is moving in our family's hearts like I can hardly believe!

It is nearly Father's day where we get to celebrate the wonderful love of Adam to our beautiful children and we take an extra special look at the Father's heart. I am ever greatful for the gift of a wonderful man and father for my children and a wonderful, faithful and good Father in heaven of which I have the pleasure to know deeply.

Talk again soon! Hope you all are still out there and able to come back to our blog, have a cup of tea and enjoy the adventure again with us. Thanks for popping in!!!

Pot of Gold

Every wonder what's at the end of the rainbow? As this photo shows its my handsome fishing buddy, Joel!!! A true treasure and blessing!

9 Years today!!!

Today we celebrate our love! Happy Anniversary Adam, thanks for marrying me and spending your life with me. I can't imagine it without you. 9 years have passed and this is the song I think of every day... I love you Babe!

Settlers of Catan!!

Man are my kids smart. They really understand and love to play Settlers of Catan. Joel took away my longest road and paved the way for Joshua to beat me earning 13 points. Lots of fun to hang out with these cool kids!

By the way, thanks babe!!!

My Friend

Just finished reading One Thing You Can't Do In Heaven by Mark Cahill and this poem really hit me.

My Friend

My friend, I stand in judgment now,
And feel that you’re to blame somehow.
On Earth I walked with you day by day,
And never did you point the way.
You knew the Lord in truth and glory,
But never did you tell the story.
My knowledge then was very dim;
You could have led me safe to Him.

Though we lived together here on Earth,
You never told me of the second birth.
And now I stand this day condemned,
Because you failed to mention Him.

You taught me many things, that’s true,
I called you “friend” and trusted you.
But I learn now that it’s too late,
And you could have kept me from this fate.

We walked by day and talked by night,
And yet you showed me not the light,
You let me live, and love, and die,
You knew I’d never live on high.

Yes, I called you “friend” in life,
And trusted you through joy and strife.
And, yet, on coming to this dreadful end,
I cannot, now, call you my “ friend.”

My Big Guy turns 8 today!

A moment to treasure. Annabelle is getting Joshua to slow dance with her. She loves that. And Joel, patiently waiting for his turn. Joshua, although not showing it, loved every minute of the dancing.

The years fly by and my first baby has reached 8 years old!!! I can hardly believe it! He is becoming such a wonderful example of maturity and love. I am so proud of him!

A few things I know about Joshua.

1. He will scratch my back no matter how he feels just because he knows I love it.

2. He hopes to be a chef when he grows up.

3. He loves to read.

4. He needs his sleep!

5. He can keep a secret very well.

6. He would do almost anything to make his sister and brother happy.

7. He is all about respect.

For his birthday we got Joshua a beginners snowboard for practicing on sledding hills and art classes through the city. My mom got him cooking lessons. Sam brought him over a certificate to spend at the book store. My sister sent him money that he wants to buy magazine holders for all his magazines with. And my other sister bought him a subscription to Owl. He loves that. She does it every year. Thank you everyone! He was overjoyed by every moment of today. The gifts, the love, and everything in between.

Joshua is more than a mother could dream of in a son and a gift I am grateful every day to God for the pleasure to care for.

Been a while

I love blogging but sometimes just get too busy. Just wanted to do a quick update.

1. I got 91% in Business English and am so glad to be finished!
2. I have a keyboarding test in the new year that I am nervous. I am not a very good typer.
3. I have hardly had the chance to do any reading except with the kids.
4. Obviously Adam has not either as he is still reading that book right there ---->
5. We bought the kids an airhockey table for Christmas which has been a great hit!!!
6. We are bringing in the new year with my sister and family and I am really looking forward to it!
7. We had a wonderful Christmas time and we were blessed and felt the love of God through our family and friends.
8. Adam and the kids bought me a family ring this Christmas. It is something I have always wanted and it is beautiful.
9. New courses start soon!
10. Joshua's birthday is coming up soon!!! He will be 8!

That is it for now. Pics to come.

Baby its cold outside!

Isn't it??? Yikes! The kids even got to stay in at school. It is a little like frost bite weather out there so I was so glad to hear that they did get to stay in. It is about time to post this song. I love this time of year more than all the rest and I love the feel of the house near Christmas. It is so warm and cozy in here. I am a huge winter fan!

Studying for my English final tonight. I can't believe that I will be all done and able to think about other things, like all the Christmas baking I would love to do with the kids, Christmas crafts, and reading! I just read this one to them in the last two nights...

And of course it was awesome! I loved it anyway. Then Adam found out that there was a TV movie made years ago and found it. The kids watched that tonight. What a treat! It was great. I didn't get to watch the movie because I was studying but the kids said it was awesome! After my exam tomorrow I will update with some picture and stuff that has been going on. Hoping everyone is having a wonderful time in the cold and blustery weather!

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I can't believe that we are all grown up!

I was looking at this picture of Adam and me when we were ready to go out to Adam's Employee Recognition Dinner. All I could think was, since when did we grow up? We look like adults! This is strange, sometimes I still think we are 18 and 27. But I guess in the past 10 years, we kind of grew up. What a great night this was!

Our Tiny Christmas Tree

We have not had a Christmas tree in years! We decided quite a while ago to make our center piece of Christmas the beautiful Willow Tree Nativity set that we purchased. Last year Annabelle was so in love with Christmas trees and was starting to feel pretty sad that we didn't have one. She asked a few times if maybe we could have a tree when she is bigger. I would just tell her, probably not.

By the end of the season, Adam's big brother had had enough and (I think, just to frustrate us) didn't ask but went and bought Annabelle a tiny tree and then brought it over and gave it to her. She was excited and finally satisfied. She didn't need something large and it didn't have to be the greatest and grandest part of Christmas. She didn't want to replace what we had, she just wanted something she could decorate and look at. I think Adam's bro might have been a little surprised that we didn't mind and were quite happy about it.

Annabelle went out with my mom this year and they bought some cute little ornaments for her new tree and then Annabelle chose some of our smaller ornaments from our box and decorated it herself. It is pretty hey? And stands about two feet tall.

Wreath

Here the kids are helping fix up the wreath. It always needs a few more berries attached to make it right. They fall off each year because of the door opening and closing.

The wreath is something we made a few years ago. It is a reminder of the great sacrifice God made when sending Jesus, as our saviour, to this world. We try to talk to the children often of, not just the wonderful gift that Christ was, but of how the Christmas story relates to the Easter story. This is a symbol of the crown of thorns with Christ's blood on it.

To think that God, knowing of the way that people would treat Christ and then eventually that He would die for we who are so unworthy, would choose this plan baffles my mind! I know that He had to do this so that we could have redemption but it still just amazes me that this was the plan He chose; that He preferred us saved! So at Christmas I don't only want to remember the beautiful child, laying in the manger; I want to remember the purpose God had in sending Him.


Here the kids are modelling beside the freshly hung wreath. I love it. It was cold out that day so they look as if they are just about to pray. Cute. Blessings on the start of the advent count down and the joys of the "feeling of Christmas" in the air. I can't believe it is snowing so much out there! I hope it continues!!!

And the days march on

I am just getting into the Christmas spirit and have almost finished my Christmas shopping! I am so excited to start all the great traditions of the season.

To start off the reading (which happens to be about my favourite thing to do with the kids during this season), I read this book. By the end I was choking back the tears. I wasn't too sure about it at first as it takes place in the future, but it ended up being just awesome. It takes place in a time in the future when Christmas and anything to do with Christ is outlawed. Then the main character comes across a drum and it is the drum of the little drummer boy. He finds the story of Jesus and wants to play the drum for Him. The passion in the boy is portrayed so well.

As the days go by I will write about the things we are doing to celebrate the birthday of the King. The one who deserves all glory! Hope the start of the holiday season has everyone in awe of the wonderful gift that the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords has given!

All about Joel!

I am not totally MIA after all hey? I have been so busy with school and life that I have not had the chance to come on and share it with the world! So here goes a little bit.

First of all, Annabelle and Joel are sick. they either have seasonal flu or H1N1, not sure which. Fevers, cough, chills, runny nose, tired, headaches. Joel is pretty rough tonight but over all such a good sick kid. Throw on a good Christmas movie and all they need is Advil and water. . Annabelle is on the mend now. We will be staying home from church tomorrow to reduce the spread of this but Adam will be taking Joshua and that will be a great time for Joshua, just to be with Daddy on his own.

My baby turned 5 years old this week!!! He is so amazing. I love that boy more than I can even say. He has been such a blessing in my life. I had the honour of presenting his VIP presentation at school where I talk about his baby days and younger years, show pictures, go through his baby book, and bake cookies for the class! That last one is just something that I love to do, not
something that is part of the presentation. What a great time that was!

Joel- God is willing and Jehovah is Lord! When Adam and I first talked about children, Adam wanted 2. I wanted 4. I prayed that God would either take the desire away from me to have more or put the desire in Adam's heart to have more. After Annabelle was born, while we were still in the delivery room, Adam leaned over and said, "You're made for having babies, we should have another one!" I was overjoyed. We both prayed about it after Joel and felt that 3 was our family. We had such peace with that. We were absolutely decided on calling Joel, Joseph until about 2 weeks before he was born and we both felt that was not what God would have us name him. As we went through the name books trying to figure out the most meaningful name, Joel gave us both peace, it was right. We also had a girl name chosen in case. We didn't find out the gender of any of our children as we love surprises and what better surprise is that?

So, it was about 5am, on November 19th, when I felt the first contraction and excitedly got out of bed to start timing. Being the third baby, I figured I had better be ready. After the third contraction with them timing 10 then 9 then 8 minutes apart, I called our babysitters, Henny and Moriah. They were to the house in about 15 minutes to watch the older two kiddos. While I waited I called my awesome friend Christy who was coming to watch baby be born and be a support for me. I also called my parents.

Adam and I left our house at about 6am. Had to get coffee for Adam, that was a pretty early morning! While we were in the drive thru getting the coffee I knew that it was not going to be a long labor. Adam hurried us off to the hospital where they checked me and found I was in active labor- over 4 cm dilated- so I was aloud to stick around. About 6:30 I walked the halls of the hospital supported during contrations by Christy and Adam. After about 15 minute I couldn't do that anymore and by 7:29 Joel was born. It was the most relaxed and peaceful labor I ever could imagine. I remember everything, had no medication, was alert and excited and the baby was born healthy and strong.

From that point on I was bonded to Joel. He is my third, just as I am the third in my family and Adam is the third child in his. Joel is a wonderful mix of Adam and I.

This year my baby started school. He loves it!!! He is learning well and making great friendships that I hope will last a lifetime. I love the school the kids go to! They will be with the same group of friends till the day they graduate!

Joel is a love. He loves cuddles and kisses. He is also a talker and has a great sense of humour! This summer Joel asked the Lord into his heart and he definitely understands what that means. I am so thankful! When he grows up he wants to be a worker (carpenter) or a tractor driver.

Joel chose 6 boys he wanted to come over for his birthday and he had a wonderful time with them. I still can't believe that I am 28 years old with kids, 5, 6 and 7 years old. Time is flying by and I am just trying to enjoy every wind that blows! I am learning what it means to cherish one another and to take time out for "moments" of love that will last a lifetime. Letting the rougher moments pass without breaking me and letting the great moments remain in my thoughts and heart. I am feeling pretty great about letting each season slip away and embracing the next and I feel blessed that God has given me each season to remember.

I feel as though a chapter has closed. I have no more babies, but now growing warriors in the kingdom of God. Lady and men who are being equipped to fight every battle and they are enjoying every minute of it.

My dream for Joel is that he grows strong spiritually and that he understands the "race" he is running and runs with all his heart!

Days Of Elijah

Robin Mark performing Days of Elijah in the REM Lee Theater. I had to tape this video for Annabelle who has always loved this song, especially the "There's No God Like Jehovah" part. I had the opportunity to thank Robin for his music after. I also got his permission to post this video in case you were wondering. :>)
I also thanked the bass player. He had such an original style and I really enjoyed watching him play.