Its a New Day

November was a pretty busy month - I didn't realize how busy till I was emptying my camera this morning (so that I can take lots of pictures with my family). Of course, since this is blogspot the pictures are in reverse order so... It ended with me spending the night with the VanDyk kiddies (so Jon could take Kelley away for their birthdays/anniversary). I tried to fill the weekend with lots of suprises. We made cupcakes, delivered them to a neighbour, visited with Sinter Klaas and watched Toy Story 3. I even read through 1 and a half books! It was a great weekend (even if Saturday morning did start at 6 amish). Coming back from delivering some cupcakes to the neighbour The kids with their 'clean' cupcakes At the end of November my mom's side of the family came together for a christmas dinner. I spent the Friday night sleeping over at my grandparents home (for a visit and to help them in the morning). Bright and early Saturday morning, driving through slush a...

She came into the world in a whirlwind and this past year has flown by too! Happy 1st birthday to Julia-bear. Julia is a very sweet little girl, who rarely cries (unless something is really really wrong). She loves her brother dearly and breaks out into smiles and laughter just at the sight of him. She is a bit of a 'pest' but in a way that makes everyone laugh. We are all very thankful for this sweet little girl and pray that the Lord will bless her with many more years.

As day four of a 'terrible' migraine continues I see how short I fall. I've complained, and cried. I've become full of self-pity and frustration. The Lord, in his great faithfulness, brought to mind these verses to me. Because of this I have hope (even when in pain) Lamentaions 3:19-24: "I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, an dmy soul is down cast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Becuse of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, FOR HIS COMPASSIONS NEVER FAIL. They are new every morning; GREAT IS YOUR FAITHFULNESS. I say to myself, "The Lord is my porotion; Therefore I will wait for him"

Right now, as I'm sitting at my computer at this very moment, I've been hit by another migraine. It has been looming most of the morning and is starting to get to that 'being in the dark isn't cutting it' stage. I can feel the tears welling as I know what is in store the next few hours (or days depending on what 'kind' of migraine it is). I'm writing this now because, now is when the rubber hits the road. Now is when I struggle with being thankful, content, submissive, and trusting. As my head thumps and pounds, shakes, rattles and throbs I'm trying to remember 'those' verses that come to mind that the Lord is sovereign and in control. That all things work out for good to those who love God. More importantly, I'm trying to remember what I've learned over the past week about suffering and thankfulness. Now is when I need to be held accountable for all the things that are easy to profess when I'm not feeling so bad. Now is when...

Ever since I moved out in September, Tristan and Hannah have wanted to come over for a sleep over. I figured last weekend was as good as any so on Monday the kids asked mom & dad if they could sleep over. Apparently they were really excited and talked about it all week. Friday afternoon I stopped by the house to get the kids. My poor dad had come for a visit but as soon as I walked in the Tristan & Hannah grabbed their back packs and pillows and went racing out to my car. They had to be reminded to say goodbye to Opa and mommy & Julia. Tristan requested chicken muggies for supper, so we went to good old McDonalds for chicken muggies and fries. Then headed to my house. Tristan and Hannah were very eager to get inside - so much so that they didn't want their pictures taken When we got in the kids set their beds up and then I ran a nice warm bubble bath (with bubbles that unfortunately didn't work well). I'll be kind and not put a picture of that up. After...

At long last, after making countless baby quilts, 2 big bed quilts, 1 bigger than lap size quilt, 1 90" x 90" quilt, 5 miniature quilts and counltess others, I finished a quilt for me! The original pattern was called 'Cracked Pots' (we joked that you'd have to be on crack and pot to do it). I made a few changes to the pattern - I added some solid borders around the courthouse steps (in the middle) and around the houses. I added piano keys to the top of the quilt (as it was wide enough but not quite long enough for my bed) and a solid border all the way around the quilt. It was a great challange and I'm very glad that it is finally done! Last week Tristan was playing after church and bonked his head and ended up with 5 stitches. Two days later I was over for dinner and helping give the kids a bath, when Rachel took off the bandaid. At first Tristan was crying (more from fear thinking it may hurt) but when Hannah started wailing "Don't hurt Tistan!!!...

Thanksgiving weekend certainly was a busy one for us. It started off with a garage sale on Saturday morning. Karen looks awake... I arrived at the house at 7:30 to get things set up and everyone was still sleeping - kids, parents - even mom and dad were still fast asleep in the trailer There was lots of stuff - sadly mostly mine (outside anyways). Lots and lots of chicken things. Sadly, the next day Hettie went around my home and counted all the 'things' that had chickens on them and there was still over 50! Time to do more decluttering! There were also lots of baby things. Karen sold one baby holder/play thing for $50 to some bikers who were camping out for the fair. The night before they had put the baby in an empty beer box so I guess they were willing to spend whatever to not have to do that again. Kimberly didn't have much for the garage sale but decided to do some baking. Derek bet her $1 that she wouldn't sell anything (to anyone except us sisters) so Karen use...

"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and aksing God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience and joyfully giving thanks to the the Father who has quialified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkeness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he love in whome we have redemption the forgiveness of sins" Col 1:9-14 These verses were read to my last night and I was reminded that though I may not have freedom from or relief from my headaches, it is my prayer that I would be given the endurance to go through this trial, ...

Since it is the time that we reflect on what we're thankful for I thought I'd just write down a few things (not in any particular order): 1. Family - my parents, sisters, brothers in law, neices & nephews bring untold love and joy to my life. I love walking inot a room and having the little ones joyfully call out my name with a big squeeze and smooch to follow. 2. My church family - these are the people that I learn and grow with from week to week. I am held accountable, encouraged and prayed for by these dear saints. I have been made a part of their families and they are the ones that I want to learn to be more transparent and less superficial with. 3. My work - I have a job that has lasting and eternal value (something I was praying for before I started almost 10 years ago!). I have been stretched, poke, prodded and convicted in working with inmates, instructors and volunteers. There is great sorrow but also great joy in this work. I am also thankful for a job where...

A few weeks ago we were talking about being transparent with each other at Riverside. I've been thinking a bit more about this lately, trying to think of how to be that way. Being transparent doesn't mean that you have to share everything with everyone but that as a family it is important to be able to have that relationship that you COULD share everything with everyone. There are certain folks that I am closer with than others. Everyone has that, even Jesus was closer to Peter, James & John than he was to the other disciples. There were certain things that he shared only with these 3 men. But he did not share ONLY with those 3 men. In my own family I am closer to some sisters & brothers in law then others, but I will still share things with all of them. So how does this play out in the church? First I think we need to be more open with each other. Something that I have been realizing over and over is the importance of being specific. (Isn't that nice and vauge?) Do...

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...