Its a New Day

Kelley & Rachel planned a housewarming/open house for me on Monday evening. It was so nice to be able to have my mom & sisters and family from Riverside come out and see my new home. What I wasn't expecting was the generosity of gifts. What a treat! There were pots & pans (greatly appreciated since I only had 1 stock pot), measuring spoons, cheese graters, trays (with cream cheese, peach/pepper jelly & crackers included), a chicken, toaster, kettle, ironing board, vacuum and from the VanDyk children a cap gun (so that I can keep and eye on them and stop people away from stealing their bikes). I really didn't want to wear it, but Greig was glad to wear the ribbon hat. One thing that I had been thinking about as I started settling into my home was that I was missing out on something. When my friends all got married and moved out there were showers and the one thing that they really appreciated (and later told me) was that when they look around their home ...

Two weeks ago Rachel & I took the 3 kiddies to the St. George Apple Fest. We like to go first thing in the morning so that it isn't too much trouble trying to push 2 strollers through crowds of people. Hannah getting her face painted Mowing down on Kettle Corn The kids really enjoyed it this year. We stopped to eat some Beaver's Tails and Elephant Ears (yum) and of course bought our Kettle Corn. Julia just sat back and enjoyed watching all the people milling around. Tristan and Hannah watching the balloon that someone let go. Notice how tightly Hannah is holding onto hers! It was wrapped and tied around the stroller and she clung to it for dear life Tristan running away from the camera

Yesterday I had my first guest over (Hettie, Peter & Alida) and made a pot of soup. It really is one of the best soups I've ever had (if I do say so myself) and sooooo easy. Tomato Tortellini Soup 1 can chicken broth (or any flavour will do) 1 small can tomato soup 5 cans of water 1/2 package frozen chopped spinach (or you could put in any veggies you like) 1/2 big boullion cube (I don't like salty soup - you could put more in) 1 package of Beef Filled Tortellini (since there's meat in the pasta you don't have to make meatballs) 1/2 cup shredded cheese Salt & Pepper to taste Combine broth, tomato sauce and water with spinach and boullion cube. When boiling add the Tortellini. Cook about 10 mins (or till pasta is cooked). Spoon into bowls and sprinkle some shredded cheese over top. Serve and enjoy! (this served about 4 people - 2 bowls each with some leftover). I had a bit left over and can hardly wait till lunch today when I can have the last bit of it!

The kids were taking their turn at the tractor pull. We had our church picnic on Labour day again - hosted by the Tamminga family. It was a great day. Though there were a few sprinkles of rain, we were able to keep dry under the dining tent area. There was piles of food - salads, a pork roast, Jake's summer sasauge, turkey, chicken and of course desserts. Sarah won the dessert contest this year with a Lemon Crepe dessert (it was delicious!!!) It is wonderful to be able to come out together and have a time of fellowship together with lots of room for everyone. Ranya and Ruth enjoying some snacks Ken taking Tara for a ride

It has now been 2 1/2 weeks since I moved into my new place. It has been exciting to have my own space and have things decorated and set up the way that I like things. It has been a blessing to be in this particular place but now I'm finding that I'm faced with some new challenges. 1. I really miss the kids. I have tried to go over a few times a week to spend a bit of time with Rachel and the kids but it isn't the same as being there all the time. Tristan & Hannah have often asked me 'Are you ever coming back downstairs?" or "Jen, your bed is gone". Last night was particularly difficult when Hannah squeezed me and said "Jen I love it when you're here". Julia was also playing shy (though it didn't last long and Rachel said that she has been doing that to everyone). Having been there every day for 4 years it is hard to not see them every day. I'm sure that as time goes on and we all get on with regular life it will be fine ...

Today was the Fire Safety Day at the Cambridge fire hall. Rachel & I took Tristan, Hannah & Julia on an adventure. Tristan put out a 'fake' fire in 9.2 seconds Here's Julia with her fire hat. I'm sure she must have been wondering what was going on in that busy building. Hannah & Tristan with the fire dog Tristan & Rachel took a ride in the fire truck. It just went in circles but he had great fun. Hannah was afraid that it would be too loud so I watched with her and Julia on the sidelines.

Welcome to my new home... Last week was a very busy week with packing and moving boxes just about every evening. Jon & Kelley and their children often came over to help lug the boxes up the stairs. One evening Jon even came by with a large piece of wood and a saw and made custom window openers. Friday night Ryan decided that we would get a lot of the boxes moved over so, though it took a few hours for Rachel and I to lug boxes up from downstairs to the garage and a bit of time to get them into the trailer, with Jon & Kelley helping at the new place it only took 20 minutes to unload! Hannah wanted to help too - well she just wanted to provide music for us while we were unpacking Saturday morning Brad & Brenda were over by 8am taking my bed apart and within 1/2 hour we were on our way. Once we got to the house, Tristan went right over to the van Dyk's to play with Lucas (he'd been asking all morning when he would get to go over there) and the rest of us plugged on, br...

Friends are Friends Forever Last week Cher, Betty and I were able to get together to say goodbye to Cher. Her husband accepeted a call the the URC in Winnipeg, MB and they leave this Saturday to start on their new adventure in ministry. Over the years we've grown a bit a part (getting married, having children and moving away tend to do that) but when we do get together it is like no time has past. We suddenly are sitting in a booth in Swiss Chalet laughing, talking, laughing, remembering, singing, and did I mention laughing? These two dear women (are we really old enough to be called women... it feels like we're just young girls still) have had a great influence in my life. In highschool (though they were a few years ahead of me) they welcomed me into their circle of friends. In young people's they helped me with preparing my first lessons (well Cher did and apparently doing a skit does not qualify as a lesson... who knew?!?). They taught me to laugh (as if I really needed ...

55th Wedding Anniversary This weekend my grandparents celebrated 55 years of marriage. (cousin Ashley, mom, Amanda, Aunt Heather and I with what was left of the cake) The family went to their church in Guelph in the morning and the girls helped serve cake. What a blessing to be able to praise our God together for giving them so many years together. Though little Meaghan was a bit tired, she was still pretty smiley

Last week Tini and I went to the Women's Ministries Annual Meeting at the bon Clarken Conference Centrer. We had a great time meeting lots of different women and doing some exploring. Tini and I went to Hendersonville and took a nice stroll through the downtown area. All over there were these bears dressed with different themes - so of course we had to take a couple of pictures with the different bears. Don't forget to sit in the rocking chairs A group shot of the Women's Ministry Board On Tuesday afternoon there was a showcase for all the Presbyteries to show what has been going on during the last year with their women and to let the women know what is going to be happening in the next year. There are also tables from all the agencies of the ARP (World Witness, Christian Education Ministries, ONA, Bon Clarken, The ARP Magazine & Erskine Collage). It was great to be able to meet so many people from the different churches and explain where the Canadian churches are (...

Waaaay back in May we had a dinner for the elders, deacons and their wives. It was a great evening with lots and lots (did I mention lots) of delicious food prepared by Sarah. It was a great way to show love and appreciation for these men (and their wives) who give so much for the church. Heather and Brenda were busy cutting potatoes, layering the pot roast and talking (and laughing of course) The ladies... suprisingly well behaved... at least for now :) The men (notice how they are looking so lovingly at their wives). Enjoying Creme Brulee and Chocolate Cake for dessert

Since January I've been on a "sabbatical" trying to figure out what things could be contributing to my migraines and now learning how to be able to be involved in different things without letting it get to my head. Some changes have been harder than others but at the same time it has been good for me to see that I don't need to do everything - that letting others serve is a good thing (Impossible to imagine!!!). Here are some other things that I've been doing in the last few months. 1. Hettie and I are going through the book "What is a Healthy Church Member?" by Thabiti M. Anyabwile. In the first chapter we were challenged to pay closer attention to sermons and take notes so that during the week we can keep the sermons fresh in our minds. I've found this to be really helpful to meditate more on the sermons as we send each other an email every morning on what we are thinking of that day from the sermon. 2. Keeping a prayer journal. I was in a pla...

These are the 2 quilts were made for the Wee Quilt challenge at McDougall Cottage. The first one is only 12" x 13". The second one I cheated and didn't quilt it but put it in a frame. Nope, I didn't win any prizes but I thought I should get something for being the only person who entered 2 quilts :) Next year's theme is DIY Plaid... yep... do your own plaid. It will be interesting to see what I'll be able to come up with.

Be Afraid... well... at least I am... Three weeks ago (can it really be that long ago already???) the ladies from my church hosted the 4th Annual Ontario ARP Ladies' Retreat. This baby was started to get the ladies from the 4 Ontario churches in the denomination together so that we can put faces in the pews and get to know each other better. Well, 3 weeks ago we had our retreat on the theme Godly Living in a Fallen World. Jerry Hamstra spoke on Friday night from Col 3:1-4 on how we are hidden in Christ and we already have victory! What a great promise! There was much more (and I might post more on that on a later date). Andrea (a lady from Riverside) spoke Saturday morning on our discipline and how we need to be in the word to be able to grow. Betty Ann spoke on Saturday morning on our talk and how important it is to be careful with our words. Our mouths should be used for praise and worship not slander and gossip. Lastly, and here is the part where you need to be afraid, I spoke o...

Family update... Here are just a few pictures from the last few weeks. Tristan and Hannah showing off their new sunglasses which according to Tristan are "cool" Mom along with Julia, Analia and Hannah... before Meaghan was born And of course, little Julia - who though only 31/2 months old looks like a giant compared to her 6 week old cousin Analia and 2 day old cousin Meaghan. She is a real joy to have around.