Expected and Unexpected Additions

It has been well over 2 years since I last posted anything on my blog.

There have been 2 very good reasons for that.

Reason #1 Major house renovation. The Expected Addition!

More pictures to follow in another post.

Reason #2 A New Baby Girl. Our Unexpected Addition! 

Just a reminder that it is a good thing we are not the ones in control. What a blessing she has been and a very welcome addition. In fact, we finished our addition just before this little munchkin arrived and her room 45 minutes before my water broke. Seriously!!!

~ Marlene

Joyful Discoveries 

Happy Birthday Oma!

Every year we celebrate Oma's (my mom's) birthday with the kids decorating her Christmas tree and making sugar cookies. This year was no different except those kids keep getting bigger...

Jeremiah

Tyrel

Julianna

Josiah

Family Christmas

There is nothing quite like sitting around the Christmas Tree

with all the people that you love.

And the kids are getting so big that we have a big table set out just for them.

They all kinda out-number us all now.

 But are they not absolutely gorgeous.

What a great looking bunch.

As the children get a little older they are starting to catch on to the joy of giving instead of just receiving.

Also not forgetting to show their thanks with gi-normous hugs.

and kids too for that matter.

Another highlight was the length of time it took some of the kids to open their presents.

 Thanks for that Uncle Al.

What a blessing to have such a wonderful family.

Doll Bunkbed

Yes I did another project. However, this time on a much smaller scale....

I have so enjoyed learning how to create things out of wood. When I found out that Josiah had Sierran's name for Christmas this year and that she wanted a doll I couldn't resist the urge to try a small piece of furniture. When I stumbled upon this blog Pieces For Reese's I knew I had everything I needed to make the perfect gift.

Since Sierran is now 6 it was important to make her a big girl's bunkbed with a big girl doll.

It appears as though it was a successful.

In fact, before I left we had to go into Sierran's room and we had a photo shoot with

the bed and the doll

 Sierran and yes Aunt Marlene too.

A wonderful day with family and a very happy little girl.

Morning Rituals

Apparently we all have things we do every day and don't even realize. Bear has figured out that Terry will sit in the same place to put on his work boots and has realized that if he sits right beside him he can be assured of a good belly rub.

This morning I awoke to find Bear lying beside Terry with his tail banging on the floor in great anticipation. Oh the joys of a good belly rub first thing in the moring, if you are a dog that is.

Crazy Brother Enjoying Life

This is a picture that I live for every year when we hit the cottage. My brother goes a little off... or just finally learns how to relax and have some fun. That is the brother I remember growing up with. Not always so much fun for me but most of the time I can say were good times. The fact that I now have a son who is soooo much like him doesn't seem quite fair. However, I loved him then, I love him now and I love how my son is growing up as well.

It appears, though, that it is no longer only my issue to live with since he is now married with a wife and 2 children to interrogate. And yes he just shooved her in the lake before jumping in right after her.

I love my family!

Bartering for Frogs

Josiah catches the FROGS.

Tyrel and Josiah listen to the reasoning of

Julianna and Jeremiah for said FROG.

Julianna wins "care privileges" of the FROG.

More FROGS that Josiah caught but were immediately released since they don't mix very well with SMORES around the campfire.

No bartering this time.

Great Fishin', Good Eatin'

The first morning out was quite a success! We had quite a feast that evening. Tyrel went for the first time with Uncle Jamie and Terry. He had wide eyes the whole time he was fishing. He may find fishing a little disappointing after this great fish biting experience.

Last year the boys got the 411 on how to gut and cut up a fresh fish. They did an amazing job with no bones in the meat at all.

That evening Terry cooked up the fish. Even though there was lots of food for supper, everyone wanted a taste, and then more, of that delicious fish.

My Husband Rocks

So as usual, I was totally spoiled on my birthday this year. I can always count on Terry to make it a special day. And of course it is always close to Mother's Day as well. The kids spoiled me too and made it special all around.

I don't know why I have such a wonderful husband or such great kids but I sure know that I thank God for them every day. On my birthday I woke up to a beautiful bouquet of red, white and pink roses. A slight change from the red roses I usually get, as my daughter pointed out to me.

My 2 boys surprised me with Joy Jars they made at school. Each Jar has many different items in it that will bring me joy. I already pulled out one for each boy.

Josiah's read: You are my bestest friend.

Tyrel's read: I will not play electronics for 4 days. (We finished Day 1 today. We'll see how that goes. :))

Kaydence made a beautiful card and gift bag with chocolates at school. Yesterday she did very well selling her cards at the Business Expo at our church and used some of that money to buy me a new willow tree angel for my collection. Angel of Grace. I love it!

Amazing Concert

What a special weekend this turned out to be. Our daughter had her 12th birthday and was given a ticket to the Michael W. Smith and Down Here concert from her uncle. Does it get any better than that? Answer YES! All of the sudden her uncle was "stuck" with 4 extra tickets and all the girls and moms who had come to her party were able to attend the concert that night  all together. What a blessing that was!

The music was amazing,

the company was fantastic and

the worship was breathtaking!

Not only that but we had the best seats we have ever had at a concert. My husband happened to be working in Ottawa that day and was off a bit early. He went to Canadian Tire to buy a lawn chair and umbrella (it was really pouring rain at that point) so he could stake out a spot in line for good seats. He called us at 4:30 to let us know he was 8th in line. Yup, 8th! How do you explain that to three 12 year old girls? This may be the best seats and concert you may ever see, just so they don't feel let down in the future for other concerts. However, I don't think they cared about the future...

It was really about enjoying the present and the presence of God in a large gathering of believers.

God is so good.