Its a New Day

Last night I had dinner at Rachel and Ryan's. Tristan asked to pray after dinner and my heart swelled with love and thanksgiving for this little boy and his prayer. "Dear Father, thank you that I could go to school and daddy could go to work safely. Thank you that Hannah is healthy and we could play outside. Thank you that Jen loves us." Hannah wanted to pray too "Dear Father, thank you that Tistan could go to school and be invited to a birthday party. Thank you that daddy could be safe. " How could you NOT love these nutbars :)

I have just finished reading a blog from another site that was written about being a single woman and the struggles that come with that. The author was very candid in her writing and got me to thinking about my life. There seems to be a stigma in the church that if a person (past a 'certain' age) is single there must be something wrong. Or that it is some sort of a curse. Everything is focused on the family (which I am not disagreeing is very important) and those not 'in a family' (whether married and childless or single or widowed) are often left out. After many many many years of struggling with being single, the Lord in his gracious kindness has helped me to learn to be content in being single. I know that there are many things that I can do as a single woman that I wouldn't be able to do if I was married. (I also realize that there would be things that I could do as a married woman that I can't do as a single.) I know that the grass is not 'greener' ...

I've been thinking about my family a lot lately. Growing up I always wished for 2 things 1. to be an only child 2. that if there had to be other kids that there would be some brothers Now I wouldn't trade one of these girls for the world! I am overwhelmed with thankfulness when I think of all my sisters (even if I don't have up to date photos of them) and the beautiful, gracious, lovely women they have become. So (in no particular order... this is blogger after all).... Amanda Mandie is the youngest - the one that we actually DID want to be a girl :) Mandie is a very independent, strong woman who works at a law firm (Big and Smarter... seriously that is the name) in downtown Toronto. She is planning a wedding to Chad (Ryan's brother) in September and though she has spent just about every weekend over the last year at Rachel & Ryan's it will be nice to have her living closer still (where ever they decide to move it will be closer than Toronto). Kimberly Kimberly ...

This week we had a 'snow day' and since I was feeling pretty good I decided to make a quilt to hang on my living room wall. I was waiting to finish that before I posted pictures (Cher... here they finally are!!!) This Christmas gift from Hettie greets you at the front door. Climb up the stairs and this shelf is there with all sorts of nic nacs - from chickens to wooden shoes to Indonesian Wedding masks that my Opa gave me from when he served in Indonesia. This is the piano/book shelf/quilting material section. I've been good at trying to use the materials that I have to make quilts. (There are larger pieces in the closet as well as backings and middles). Hard to believe that even with all those blues I still didn't have the right ones for Chad & Amanda's quilt! The sewing area. A few weeks ago I picked up and built the desk and Jon came one evening and hung the shelf (and the mirror in the front hall). It is so nice to have a dedicated area to sew and have...

My dad grew up in a family with 4 brothers. They were a bit 'rough around the edges'. We hear stories of when they were growing up and how the police just 'stayed away' from those Hovestadt boys. They were rough and tumble kind of guys. No real shows of love or emotion were ever given when they were growing up. When people said to my dear oma "You poor thing, all those boys and no girls" she would always say, "the girls will come". Well, the strangest thing happened... the girls did come. In fact there are 13 granddaughters and 1 grandson! But even stranger was what happened when that first girl (that would be me) came to the house. These rough and tumble guys became the biggest balls of mush you could ever find. I don't remember a time when coming together as a family (to this very day) that we don't go around and give a hug and kiss to everyone when we arrive or leave. When we were growing up people would ALWAYS say to my dad 'You poor ...

The last of the "JAM" (Julia, Analia, Meaghan - as dad pointed out) is 1 today! She is a sweet little girl with a quick smile. She loves music and like the other girls bops to the beats. She had a bit of a rough start but is quickly making up for any lost time. Happy birthday Sweetheart!

Two more birthdays for the month of February First Karen was on the 21st. Karen and her hubby & children now live much closer which is so nice. Karen is very creative and a very good photographer. Chad's birthday is today! My soon to be brother in law is wild, funny and actually likes to hug (this is not true of all the boys)!!! Happy birthday to these dear loved ones.

Happy birthday Ryan! Growing up in a house full of girls was great. I did at one point want a brother (when Rach was born and had a temper tantram when dad said it was another girl) but it was really nice to have sisters. Now I have brothers. Brothers who welcome me with open arms into their homes, make sure that I'm taken care of and loved. Brothers who, those most are younger than me, look out for my like I always imagined a big brother would. I am so thankful for Ryan and how he opened his home to me and let me live with them for 4 years (well beyond the at first expected 1 year). May the Lord give you many more years to love and serve him and give you the wisdom and grace to be a godly husband and father.

On Saturday afternoon the Everts & Hovestadt clans invaded Mike & Karen's home for an engagment party for Chad & Amanda. We're all looking very forward to the wedding on September 30th! Opa Hovestadt with baby Chas (from Shane & Anita) 3 of the 4 grandmothers There were lots of presents to open Hannah had a front row seat for viewing on Opa's lap

Sunday was a good day. Sunday was a great day, actually. I don't get to say that very often. Besides the wonderous blessing of being able to go to worship, be under good teaching, and witnessing the sign of baptism, I was at a '5' for the day. I don't remember the last time I was at a '5'. It was a great day! The thing with great/good days is that when the '5' turns into a 9 for days and weeks on end it feels much harder to bear. I haven't figured that out yet. Is it because I know what I can get accomplished, how I can participate, the 'freedom' from unbearable pain that when it comes back I feel more frustrated and 'helpless'? This past week I only worked Tuesday, Wednesday (for 1 hour), Thursday (for 4 hours) and today... I"m not sure how long I'll last. That means that I spent most of my time in bed, in the dark, in pain. It is weeks like these that make me really wonder 'Where is God? Why doesn't he answer ...

It is a bit late, but Happy 1st Birthday to Analia Grace! This little sweetie is the most snuggly little girl you'll ever find. One minute she'll be playing and then suddenly she'll be in your lap with her thumb in her mouth contentedly playing with her silky dress. She is a very girly girl and we all just love her to bits.

It has been one of those days... well honestly weeks.... or more truthfully months. Everyday feels a bit worse than the one before. These are the times that I need to be reminded again of God's blessings in my life so that when I am laying in bed, or working in the dark (as is the case today) or just in pain, I can still be thankful. 1. I am thankful that I am a child of God. Above all things, that he chose me before the foundation of the world, this is the greatest blessing. I can't imagine how anyone could even think of surviving anything without hope. I know that I have hope in Christ and because of that I can endure the hardships of each day. 2. I am thankful for my work. I have worked in offices in the past and just had to suffer through if I had a migraine. Here I can turn off the lights and get my work done and if that isn't cutting it I can go home and make up the time later. The board and those I work with are very understanding. 3. I am thankful for my fri...

Christmas Eve I spent with Rachel & Ryan and the kiddies. It was great fun to see them excited to open all sorts of presents. Even Julia, who though was slow at unwrapping, was laughing and giggling the whole time. All clean after a bath and getting ready to open presents Tristan was helping to set up his own work bench and quickly 'assembled' the bird house that came along with it. The girls got this pink wooden kitchen. Hannah here is washing the dishes after putting some cookies in the oven. Even Julia got some 'soft' food to play with. Christmas day we met at Mike & Karen's with the whole clan. During dinner we had a little video from last year. It was so funny to see how quiet things were with a new born, a 3 year old, 2 year old and 1 year old. This year we had a 4,3,2,1 and 2 almost 1 year olds! After dinner the littles went to bed and Tristan and Hannah hunkered down to watch a movie while the adults opened their gifts. Meaghan a new addition from...

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!!!...