Friday, May 30, 2008

Too soon to say its summer??

Judging from my last few posts, either no one is reading this anymore, or everyone is on a "blogger break." :)  Regardless, I still love to update this thing, so that's what I'm going to do, response or not. So if you are reading this, hope you enjoy... :)

We've had some fantastic weather over the last few weeks and its really starting to feel like summer. I'm a bit afraid to say that, in fear that I may be speaking too soon, but nonetheless, the sunshine has been wonderful and greatly appreciated. Any time we can spend outdoors is a blessing... especially when its with our favorite little kidlets...

Here we are setting up the new "rocket launcher" from Grandma...
All set and ready to go...
Ava thought it was awesome... such a priceless expression...
We had a BBQ on the deck with Naomi and the kids on Wednesday night. One of my very favorite summer activities. I know I've said it a million and one times before, but I just can't get enough of our niece and nephews. So much fun to be close by and be able to watch them grow up. They bring so much joy to our lives...

Jon reading to the kids after playtime outside. I love the fact that Ava is leaning on Jon's tummy... trying to get as close to the story as possible :) And just look at her cheeks... is that not the most kissable face you've ever seen!?
Some quality time with the newest little man of the house. I'm very much in love with him...

Calvin looks so tiny against Jon's big hands :) Hard to believe he's already 2 weeks old...
As for life in general, things are going well. I've had a big decision to make in regards to work and feel infinitely "lighter" now that its been decided. Just to give you a quick recap about it, I was uncertain as to whether I would be staying at the cabinet company I've been working for, simply because I was originally hired temporarily (with the possibility of permanent) to cover Tara's mat leave. With the tragedy of her losing the baby, I knew that she would be returning to work sooner than originally planned and just assumed that I would be leaving. A few days prior to all of this, I was offered a job in Chilliwack and although I was relieved to know that I would have a job to go to, I was really sad at the thought of leaving my job at Dentara. More than anything, I wasn't sure how to tell Tara that I would be leaving.

Well, things got even more interesting when my boss told me that they really loved having me around and would like me to stay even though Tara would be coming back to work full time. They basically made a position for me and wanted me to stay on full time as well. (Definitely NOT what I was expecting!) I told him about the offer I had been given in Chilliwack and though he understood that it was a good offer, he asked if I would wait to make a decision until he and Tara could talk things through and come up with their offer. It made me smile to think of what a different boat I was in compared to last January, when everything was so unknown and rocky. God never ceases to amaze me with the way he provides :) Not to mention how flattering it was to be "fought" over by two different companies. But despite how flattering it was, I knew I had a big decision to make and unfortunately, it wasn't black and white for me.

Anyway... the offers were put on the table by both parties and after a lot of talking, praying and thinking it through with Jon, we decided that I should definitely stay at my current job. I really do love it, and the relationship I have developed with Tara is not one I want to lose. Though it means commuting to Abbotsford everyday and paying up the kazoo in gas prices, I feel so good about my decision to stay. I feel blessed by the way the Lord has been guiding & directing me through all of this and it has emphasized once again, that there is no situation too big for Him to handle. He cares about the tiniest of details and wants us to be willing to give everything over to him. My heart feels so full of gratitude and praise for Him.

As for Jon, he's continuing to work in construction and is actually in the process of deciding whether or not to do schooling to get his Journeyman. Its all up in the air at this point, but is something we have talked about more and more lately. Guess we'll just have to see if that is the direction God is leading him in.

Other than that, we've been enjoying time with family, friends and golf, and are looking forward to a busy summer. Now its time to get supper going... :) Have a great weekend everyone!

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Highlight of the week...

The most exciting news, as of late, is the arrival of my Aunt Moira from Johannesburg, South Africa!! She arrived last Saturday evening and I can hardly even begin to tell you just how wonderful it has been to have her here. For us kids, its been about 15 years since the last time we saw her. Hard to believe that when she left after the last visit, I was only 9 years old. A lot has changed since then, but now that she's back, it feels as though she was never even gone. :)
As for my Mom, it had been 7 years since the last time they had been together, so as you can imagine, it was a pretty emotional reunion...

... Sisters reunited at last... :)


We tried to get as much time in with Aunt Mo over the weekend seeing as we'd be working during the week. Sunday afternoon was perfect, with a BBQ lunch on our deck and an afternoon at Harrison Hot Springs...

... beautiful Harrison...





Thankfully, Aunt Mo will be here 'til mid June so we have just a little less than a month with her. Its really hard having all of our family back in Africa because we virtually never get to see them. But I guess it does make these visits just that much more special. Wish they weren't so few and far between!
So... we're going to make the most of this month and pray that the time with Aunt Mo doesn't fly by too quickly.

Friday, May 23, 2008


Golf season is here... oh how sweet it is...








Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Meeting Calvin Jacob...






We're already SO in love with our new little nephew! He's perfect in every way.
Looking forward to lots of snuggles in the days to come :)
We love you Calvin!!

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Its a BOY!

I'm absolutely thrilled to announce the safe arrival of our new little nephew!
Naomi gave birth to a beautiful baby BOY last night, just before 8:30pm.
Calvin Jacob
was 6 lbs. 14 oz. and both he and mom are doing great!
Haven't had a chance to meet him yet but will post pictures as soon as possible.
Congrats Naomi, Erich, Konrad & Ava... and welcome here little Calvin (or Kelvin :))!
We love you so much!

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

I just don't understand days like today. I came into work this morning, to the heartbreaking news that my collegue and friend Tara, had given birth to a baby girl late last night, but that their beautiful little girl hadn't made it. Even as I write this, the confusion takes over and the shock of the news sets in all over again. No matter how hard I try, I can't make sense of this. To have carried this baby for the last 9, almost 10 months and to have to come home to a nursery, with no baby, just makes me feel sick to my stomach. My heart aches today. For the pain they are feeling, and the very tough road they have ahead of them. I can't even begin to imagine...

I cringe every time the phone rings because I know it will be just one more person I have to share the bad news with. Everyone has been asking about Tara for the last 2 weeks now, checking to see if she had had the baby yet. She's loved by so many people, work related and non-work related, and I just hate that I have to tell them this awful news. I just don't understand why things like this happen. But one thing I do know is that He is Sovereign and only He can bring the healing and comfort they need in this time. So if you think of it, please keep Tara, her husband and their family in your prayers. This isn't going to be easy.

I just wish this day was over... wish it wasn't a reality...

Saturday, May 03, 2008

Fire engine fun...

Seeing as baby #3 will soon be here, Jon and I thought we would spend a little one-on-one time with Ava and Konrad, and give Naomi and Erich a little alone time this afternoon. We took them to the "fire engine park" (as Konrad calls it) and had an awesome time. Konrad literally talked the entire way to the park... and let me tell you, it wasn't a very short walk. :) As you can see by the picture below, he was very involved in the conversation, arm motions and all...
Ava absolutely loved the swing. It was hard to get her to try anything else...
Konrad would slide down the slide and then show us what a "big boy" he was by climbing back up each time...

Ava and Uncle Jon spending some quality time on the swings. Too cute...
Uncle Jon stealing a snuggle... a very common sight...

It was pretty hilarious watching Konrad attempt to push Ava. I must say he gave a valiant effort...
Driving the fire engine...

We really love being an Auntie and Uncle and days like today are such a treat. Just us and the kids. Can't wait to meet baby #3... and it could be any day now.