love Notes from Home

Gifts: Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

2012-01-23T21:05:00.000-07:00

Gifts: Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

2012-01-16T09:30:00.000-07:00

I started this a week late but it's something I hope to continue throughout the year. We'll see how it goes...You should join too!

Family Traits

2012-01-11T16:05:00.001-07:00

Last night Marco and I were looking through pictures of Ellie around the 4 month mark and we came across this one. We both looked at each other at the same time and smiled. We think a little man looks a lot like his older sister! What do you think?

At 4 months, Joel...

2012-01-11T00:16:00.002-07:00

* weighs 16 lbs 1 oz and measures 26 inches long.

* is into 6 month clothing, the second row of snaps on his cloth diapers, and size 3 disposable diapers for when we are out and about.

* has rolls on his legs and dimples on his knees and elbows. He's pretty squeezeable...kissable...and loveable!

* will suck and chew on his bottom lip close to eating time.

* nuzzles into your neck or rubs his face in the muslin blankets when he gets sleepy.

* goes to bed between 7 and 8 p.m. and sleeps through the night with a little snack before I head to bed. We are so very blessed!

* wakes up in the morning and from naps with coos, stories, and singouts. It's the best!

* is easily distracted, especially by his big sister, whom he adores, and will watch her go about the room with a content smile in his eyes.

* had his first set of shots and the loudest meltdown yet. A long story for right now but it wasn't his fault.

* enjoys tummy-time for a bit but prefers to stretch out on the floor or sit in the bouncy chair where he'll happily play with the toys above.

* likes to blow bubbles and have his hands in his month.

Holiday Re-takes

2012-01-02T20:43:00.009-07:00

I've been trying to keep my camera and phone close by to capture the daily moments and stories with two. Somedays are easier than others. On Christmas Day when we tried to snap a few of the two together wasn't one of the easier days. Tongues sticking out, cheesy grins, sideways glances, and arched backs were the ingredients for this photo shoot. We think the last one may be a keeper and the others we'll keep for a good laugh.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T08:00:00.015-07:00

( * found here and wanted to share: El-em-bee)

Merry Christmas

2011-12-26T18:03:00.000-07:00

Occupying Advent

2011-12-18T15:20:00.000-07:00

"Advent is an active waiting. And Christmas comes to those who wait for the whisper, who look for the little, who seek the small, scandalous signs of the every-where presence of God."
--from A Holy Experience blog--

At 3 months, Joel...

2011-12-10T17:54:00.001-07:00

* is 14 lbs 11.5 oz and 25.5 inches long.

* has discovered his hands. He will fold his hands together while nursing, sitting in his car seat, or as he's talking.

* likes to suck on his hands or nuzzle his face into the muslin blankets while falling asleep. We often find the soother in the corner of his cradle.

* is wanting to keep up the conversation and story telling just like his cousin Zoey! Joel has also discovered his voice. It is the most delightful thing I have heard in a long time!

* is beginning to reach for things...the toys in his chair, the birds on his swing, or the food at the supper table.

* has found a sleeping rhythm and we are so thankful! Joel hasn't been a fussy baby, except for a week in his first month where gripe water was our friend, but we were ready for a 8 hour stretch of sleep instead of getting 8 hours in chunks :).

* has a passport. Bring on the winter travels!

All You Need for A Snowman...

2011-11-22T13:14:00.001-07:00

* is a warm morning with temperatures above zero, a grinning girl excited to be outside, a carrot for the nose, stones from the back alley, and a toque and scarf from the mitten basket. So much fun! *

At 2 months, Joel...

2011-11-10T22:15:00.068-07:00

* weighs 13 lbs 11.5 oz and is 24.5 inches long. A growing baby boy! The newborn sleepers and 0-3 month clothing are packed away.

* is squeezable and loveable. His double chin, rolls, and folds are delightful!

* likes to lay on a blanket on the floor so he can stretch and kick. His right leg just gives 'er.

* is content to take in the world around him.

* will hold his arms straight up or out in a superhero pose when he's being changed.

* graduated from the infant tub to the big tub as he quickly stretched out from end to end.

* gives us many smiles and laughs daily. His whole face lights up!

* has begun to have long conversations and tell his stories.

* is incredibly strong. He can hold his neck and head steady.

* celebrated his first holidays...Thanksgiving and Remembrance Day.

* is alert and beginning to follow our voices and where we are in the room, especially keeping his eye on his busy sister and Mama.

* loves to be comforted by being wrapped up and swaddled over a soother.
* has a calm and content temperament. We are incredibly blessed!

Pieces of You

2011-11-10T15:30:00.011-07:00

* Had technical difficulties so I'm posting reflections from the 1st month today as well.

Dear Joel,

1. After one month, you weigh 12 lbs 4 1/2 oz and measure 22.5 inches long.

2. At your 5 day and 8 day check up, you blew the health care nurses and Dr. B away. You are thriving!

3. Both sets of grandparents were here for your arrival and were able to stay for the beginning days at home. What a blessing!

4. You were welcomed by many friends and family, near and far, with phone calls, emails, meals, gifts, and packages in the mail.

5. You did not stay in the "newborn" onesies, sleepers, and diapers for much time.

6. Your first smile was the Monday Daddy went back to work and we flew solo at home. Thank you!

7. You aren't keen on the soother. If we put it in too quickly you start to gag.

8. Being swaddled and falling asleep on Mommy or Daddy's chest is what you prefer and we are okay with that!

9. You are such a content boy.

10. In the hospital, you let me know that you needed something to eat by smacking your lips.

11. At home, we mostly hear grunts if you are not content and only cries if you are really hungry, on the tired side of things, or have a bit of tummy troubles.

12. Your big 'ister Ellie is quite fascinated with you.

13. Ellie asks to hold you every day and wants to be near you as she plays.

14. In the morning, or after sleeps, she greets you with, "You're awake. Good morning!" If she hears you cry, she'll come to where you are and say, "It's okay my boy. Ellie's here!"

15. At the end of September, you took your first road trip to visit great Grandma Ellefson for her birthday as well as visit with some great uncles and aunts too.

16. You are a wonderful little traveler already and don't mind your car seat as long the car or stroller is moving.

17. In didn't take you long to settle into days and nights. You often give Daddy and I, 3-4 hour stretches at a time.

18. You are a strong boy. When you are on our chest, you can hold your head and neck steady.

19. You quietly take in what is going on around you...whether you are in someone's arms, in your swing, or on our bed.

20. When I look at your long fingers and little feet, I wonder what you will do when you grow older? Musician? Bass player? Rugby player? We see lots of pictures of things to come for you, my son.

21. You are a good eater.

22. You don't mind coffee...second hand that is...for which your Mama is grateful.

23. Bath times are different for you than they were for Ellie. You love being in the water! It won't be long until you are out of the small tub and into the big tub.

24. Whether you are getting your diaper changed or getting ready for the bath, you have not had a true melt down.

25. However, you keep us on our toes when it's time to change your bum.

26. Depending on the day and the light your eyes will look brown or dark blue-grey.

27. You have a double crown on the top of your head. We've had people comment that we are "doubly blessed" and we would agree whole-heartedly!

28. These are the pieces of you we remember and love in the last 28 days with you at home!

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

A song as we turn off the lights:

2011-11-09T22:43:00.001-07:00

Goodbyes. Yecchh.

2011-11-06T23:22:00.000-07:00

This weekend our family gathered together for a meal and to say goodbye to our Dad and Bestefar as he returns to do the work of our Father. Though we are incredibly grateful for the extra time we had with him, the goodbyes still hurt. A lot. Days with airport hellos are just better.

Thanks Dad for the airplane watching, outside swinging, cradle prepping, grandson snuggling, coffee sipping kind-of-days. You are already missed but we do look forward to our weekly Skype chats!

A Three Year Old's Fairy Tale

2011-10-31T23:10:00.000-06:00

Begins with a princess...

..."Daddy, you be the king and Joel be a pumpkin..."


...with a friend as a knight!

Penetrating the Darkness

2011-10-31T21:54:00.006-06:00

When I was younger, I remember our family doing a variety of things on Halloween night. I remember my Dad driving us from acreage to acreage when we lived in the North as it was already too cold and trudging through a few snow banks in our Clown-Around Family costumes would be difficult. I also remember going to our Baptist Church in Hay River, dressed up as a Biblical character to have fun together with other like minded friends and families. As we got older and we were often traveling, I remember my Mom and Dad taking us to the local convenience store in the town we were in, giving us a loonie, and then letting us choose the treat we'd like to enjoy. Halloween night was also a time for our family to go and enjoy a movie together at a theatre so that we weren't at home.

As I remembered this morning what I had done as a child, it was very timely that my Mom sent me some links to my inbox to ponder:

In his book Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster says, "Why allow Halloween to be a pagan holiday in commemoration of the powers of darkness? Fill the house or church with light; sing and celebrate the victory of Christ over darkness."

John Piper's thoughts were also well spoken:

As we embark on this parenting journey, Marco and I ask ourselves how our family will be salt and light. How about you? What "traditions" or family boundaries do you have for this day? In what ways are you filling your house with Light?

How to carve a pumpkin...

2011-10-29T23:24:00.000-06:00

1. Start taking out the goop and seeds from inside.

2. Ask Daddy, "Did we get it all?"

3. Maybe have Daddy check while you use your fingers.

4. Use a spoon as it's really goopy.

5. Don't forget to reach to the very back.

6. Stick out your tongue for extra measure.

7. Watch Daddy do the cutting with a knife and a stencil.

8. Light a candle and smile!

Contemplations from the swing:

2011-10-28T14:21:00.007-06:00

When Joel was a few weeks old, a friend generously brought their swing over to our house for us to borrow. It has been particularly helpful in the afternoon as I begin to prepare supper or in the early evening hours when a little boy tends to be more fussy than content.

It seems to me there is a lot of growing and thinking happening in this swing. Maybe about blue birds...

...but all this thinking makes us sleepy...

...and then it's time for bed right away!

And E, the big sister, keeps us laughing with her swing dancin' and singin'! Life is full but it is good.

Three Going On Five

2011-10-27T23:30:00.010-06:00

Marco and I sang "Happy Birthday" to Ellie this morning as she crawled into bed next to us. How fast time goes!

In El's mind, there are big things happening this year; she's made big plans. Ellie turns 3 today but lately she has been focused on the number 5. So, after breakfast, she packed up her lunch box and was waiting for the "lellow school bus come pick me up." Please don't grow up TOO fast my girl! My heart isn't ready yet.

This year, we started a few new birthday traditions:

First we made birthday cupcakes, chocolate ones with sprinkles, as Ellie requested.

I made a birthday balloon wreath to celebrate the birthday girl in the house!

And we had pancakes for supper with just our family as Marco and I pictured a birthday party with our extrovert might end up like this birthday. Grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, grade 4, grade 5, grade 6, ANNNNDDDD Kindergarten. Pancakes are another one of El's favorite suppers!

It was a happy day with lots of favorites celebrating a special girl!

A Classroom of Two: Fall Fingerpainting

2011-10-11T12:25:00.001-06:00

I found this idea on Pinterest and thought it would be something E would really enjoy doing one morning while J snoozed. So last Friday, we filled the sink with soapy water, squeezed dollops of Dollar Store paint onto a plastic lid, and went to work.

She was SO proud of her finished fall tree! And I realized in a fresh new way why finger painting was always a center in Kindergarten and not a whole class art project :).

A Thanksgiving Anthem: He's Always Been Faithful

2011-10-10T23:38:00.004-06:00

Big Sister, Little Brother

2011-10-03T15:05:00.001-06:00

Before Joel was born, Marco and I wondered how Ellie would take to being a big sister. How would she show her love to this new little person that she had only heard us talk about? Ellie was Joel's first visitor at the hospital and I think it was love-at-first-hug-and-snuggle. My Mom told me later that when she came out of the hospital room, she put both hands in the air and with excitement in her big brown eyes exclaimed, "The baby is here!"

Ellie loves her little brother! She loves to hold him, kiss his head, hold his hand, lay on the bed next to him, and read to him. If she hears him crying, she'll run to where he is at and will say, "It's okay my boy...Ellie's here."

It fills my heart to see them together.

You

2011-10-03T14:33:00.001-06:00

You have fairer skin, lighter hair, and blue-hazel eyes but when you go like this we see bits of your sister in you. Some say it's the lips, or the cheeks, or the nose. Sometimes it's hard to say which side of the family and which grandfather you look more a like. We are so glad you are here and a part of our family. We know you are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are knit together well.


Joel at 2 1/2 weeks

Ellie at 2 months

After church...

2011-09-17T13:50:00.001-06:00

...Sunday afternoons are for snoozing. All four of us.

Introducing...

2011-09-14T21:05:00.003-06:00

On the morning you were born, the sun smiled with such wonder...

that the birds peeked in to see you...

and the morning breeze whispered, "Life will never be the same."

Because there had never been anyone like you...ever in the world.

On September 10, 2011, at 1:20 pm, we welcomed with much joy, Joel Christian de Andrade, into our family. He weighed 9 lbs. 6 oz. and measured 21.5".

* words adapted from Nancy Tillman's children's book On the Night You Were Born *

A gentle reminder...

2011-08-31T16:15:00.011-06:00

...for my heart today where perfectionism and to-do lists often overwhelm.

Follow some encouraging thoughts here.

Let us adore the Son of glory...

2011-04-24T10:00:00.004-06:00

+ from http://www.littleredhearts.blogspot.com/ +

I remind myself of all that you have done...

2011-04-22T09:55:00.005-06:00

Starting a Dress-up Box

2011-02-28T13:24:00.001-07:00

Did you have a dress-up box growing up? We did. I remember many cold winter days spent in the basement with sister and friends putting on fancy dresses and high-heels that were way too big. Sometimes we opted for a tie and Dad's tool belt. Well, El found the tickle-trunk the other day and came up stairs saying, "Mommy...look...me!" I think the tickle-trunk is a hit already! We'll have fun filling it with home closet finds and thrift store treasures to imagine and play with.

A toast...

2010-12-31T19:45:00.009-07:00

Happy New Year!
(* found at Blueprint Bliss and wanted to share)

Boxing Day...

2010-12-27T21:05:00.001-07:00

definition: [a Canadian Holiday the day after Christmas, perfect for spending outside on a hockey rink learning to skate and play hockey.]

Celebrating Christmas

2010-12-27T21:01:00.001-07:00

Celebrating Norwegian Christmas a few weeks before...

Eager to wash...to rinse...to play :)!


Sharing a story with Oldemor.

Christmas Eve...

Too tuckered to open presents. So we waited for...

Christmas morning!

Listening to Daddy read about the birth of Baby Jesus but also asking..."Presents time?"

Adventing & Anticipating

2010-12-23T20:36:00.000-07:00


Going to find a Christmas tree on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

It's hard work...just getting there!

Looking for just the right one.

Here I come...

What advent looked like for our family this year:

Thinking of my Mom as I hung ornaments on the tree.
Longing for her to be nearer!

Baking Sour-Cream cookies with my sister.

Making Julekake: Norwegian Christmas bread.

Saturday Snoozes

2009-12-12T11:53:00.004-07:00

I peaked in on Ellie this morning during her nap and this is what I saw:

Her tiny toes, chubby diaper bum, and little snores brought a smile to my face. I snuck out quietly before she woke up.

For Today

2009-12-05T19:34:00.013-07:00

Outside my window...winter is definitely here! I hear the wind howling and the snow blowing around the house. It is cold out there and warm in here!

I am thankful for...having my Mom and Dad here since Wednesday, meals and coffee together, and our conversations around the supper table. They are on the highway tonight so I pray they make it home safely!
I am also praying for...sick and hurting loved ones and friends.

From the kitchen...warm Beef Stew.

I am creating...Christmas projects for my Grandmas.

I am celebrating...Advent and old and new Christmas traditions.

I am going...to change the load of laundry, make myself a cup of tea, and keep blogging.

I am reading...Matthew and Watch for the Light.

I am hoping...we can go out to find our Christmas tree tomorrow...weather permitting.
I am hearing...Sarah MacLachlan's Wintersong album playing.

Around the house...it's a relaxing Saturday.

A few plans for next week...a trip to Costco, some Christmas shopping, cleaning, and maybe some baking.

A picture to share...of our El-Bear last December-rrr.

2009-10-27T20:14:00.000-06:00

At 12 months, Ellie...
* can crawl quickly and confidently up any flight of stairs.
* wants to walk and holds tightly to our fingers.
* loves to play peek-a-boo around the kitchen island or through the afghan at naptime.
* crawls toward us and starts laughing when she hears us say "Going to get you!"
* enjoys helping unload the dishwasher or cupboards that she can reach.
* is getting very persistent when she sees something she wants.
* waves bye-bye and blows kisses.
* is starting to say her first words...hi...mama...dadee...pa (for the puppies next door). Her intonation for words is incredible!
* reads books from her toy basket every morning for a good chunk of time. She is totally engaged with the pictures, the touch 'n' feel swatches, and turning the pages.
* spends Wednesday afternoons, Thursdays, and Fridays with her Daddy (and sometimes her Bestemor and Bestefar) while her Mommy goes to work.
* has the most beautiful smile I know. She has dimples in her cheeks and her eyes light up!

2009-10-27T15:01:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday sweetheart!

Love, Mommy & Daddy

For Today

2009-10-18T15:19:00.007-06:00

Outside my window...the sun is trying to poke through the clouds.

I am thinking...about what this week will hold. What do I need to do? What do I choose to let go?

I am thankful for....talking with a friend on the phone just before lunch.

From the kitchen...leftovers for lunch.

I am wearing...comfy clothes and wool slippers.

I am creating...a video of Ellie's 1st year.

I am going...to make myself a cup of coffee.

I am hoping...that my sister and Dad have safe travels today.

I am reading...Classroom Instruction that Works.

I am hearing...Ellie talking to herself as she settles down for a nap.

Around the house...there is lots to do to get ready for company and Ellie's birthday party on Saturday.

One of my favorite things....quiet Sunday afternoons.

A few plans for the rest of the week...catching up on housework, preparing for school and teaching, grocery shopping, making birthday cupcakes.

A picture to share...taken around this time last year and now our El is here!

Where's Ellie?

2009-09-28T13:29:00.002-06:00

2009-09-27T15:36:00.004-06:00

Many people stop and ask me, "How old is she?" It is an "ah-ha" moment each time I answer as I realize that she is 11 months old today and next month she will be 1! Ellie is growing and changing so quickly and each day is about learning something new. It's amazing! At 11 months, Ellie...

* is on the move and is crawling on her hands and knees.

* is by no means walking yet but she has figured out how to walk with assistance! She pulls herself up on everything and has started reaching toward the next piece of furniture as if she's contemplating how to get there.

* magazines, books, Tupperware, the pantry, and the pots and pans cupboard are her favorite things to get into.

* loves her food and aside from cereal in the morning, applesauce, and yogurt, doesn't want us spooning it into her mouth mashed up or pureed. Just bite size on my tray please ;)!

* has two teeth and weighs about 22 lbs.

* is back to drinking 3% milk from her sippy cup. She took a break and wasn't keen on drinking anything. Period. Many thanks to the help and encouragement from my Mom, I persevered and kept offering her the sippy cup...first with soy milk, then with half soy milk and half 3%, and now we are only drinking 3%. But, warmed up please!

* is determined and persistent when she sees something she wants.

* wears 12-18 month clothing but the jeans are almost too tight.

* loves going for walks and meeting new people along the way. She gets so excited when we meet a walker and their puppy.

* loves to sit on the floor or on your lap and look at books.

* plays peek-a-boo with her hands and her blankets.

2009-08-27T21:22:00.010-06:00

At 10 months, Ellie...

* battled her first real cold and eye infection. Many runny noses and goopy eyes to wipe!

* hasn't been sleeping the greatest. Her naps and sleeps have been interupted and at times choppy. We think it's because she's been so stuffy and because she's teething.

* has started pulling herself up in her crib. This means that she doesn't have the bumper pads on her crib anymore and the mattress is at a new height :).

* is sleeping on her tummy. We'll go in to check on her at night and she'll have turned around in her crib to a new position.

* is a confident mover!

* is still doing the "army" crawl. Sometimes she'll get up on her hands and knees and rock back and forth.

* has successfully rolled over from tummy to back and back to tummy and is SO quick!

* gets excited when she sees herself in the mirror

* spent back-to-school week with Bestemor.

For Today

2009-07-29T22:35:00.011-06:00

Outside my window...the sun has set and it's dark and cloudy out.

I am thinking...about a Nooma video by Rob Bell I watched tonight.

I am thankful for...a hardworking husband.

From the kitchen...BBQ chicken, baby potatoes from the garden, romaine and mandarin orange salad

with toasted almonds, corn, and icecream with berries

I am wearing...denim, Old Navy bermuda shorts and a t-shirt.

I am creating...editing pictures of Ellie to print at London Drugs.

I am going...to bed soon.

I am hoping...to see a good friend from University days soon.

I am reading...My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult.

I am hearing...the sound of the train going through Lacombe.

Around the house...there are lots of piles of school things as I gear up to go back at the end of August.

One of my favorite things...watching Ellie sleep.

A few plans for the rest of the week...going into Red Deer to run errands and check out new stores at the mall; picking raspberries, saskatoons, and strawberries; moving our office to the family room.

A picture to share...Ellie at the beach this last weekend :).

2009-07-27T20:55:00.005-06:00

At 9 months, Ellie...

* has quite the personality! We've noticed that she is a detailed person. She loves to investigate new things and play with ribbons, tags, and other small things. She is so expressive and loves to spend time talking with people.

* gets quite excited when she sees her Daddy come home.

* is no longer in her newborn, baby carseat. We bought her a bigger carseat as she outgrew the new and improved bucket seat in height and weight.

* started drinking milk and water from a Nuby sippy cup.

* still has no teeth but chews and chomps on cold teethers.

* loves spending time outside on the grass, in the sand, or out for a walk. We enjoy watching her feet feel the new textures and her eyes take in the new sights.

* has quite the sandle tan. She has her Daddy's skin :)!

* does not like it when sunscreen is applied or wearing hats. She will pull on the hat until she gets it off.

* started raising her hands above her head when she's happy, clapping, and waving.

* has started to spin around in circles on her tummy and will motor backwards. She will pull herself forward if she grabs our hands.

* gets excited when she hears the water running for bathtime. She's quite the little fish and will splash in the water for a long time!

* had her first Canada Day BBQ and Westerner Days parade.

A sunny day for a parade...

2009-07-15T16:00:00.005-06:00

Ready, Set, Maybe...

2009-07-14T16:20:00.004-06:00

2009-06-30T22:24:00.005-06:00

Dear Ellie,

Tonight you woke up with a start just after 10:00 pm. I'm not sure if you had a bad dream or if your stuffy nose and cough from your cold startled you. I went into your room, lifted you up from your crib, and sat down in the rocking chair. At first I tried to hold you close to me with your head resting on my shoulder but you wanted something different. You wiggled and squirmmed until you had turned yourself around and were facing out. I gently tucked your arm behind my back, wiped the tears from your eyes, put my hand on the side of your cheek, and then you immediately put your head on my chest. You lifted your other hand and rested your fingers on my arm. I wasn't ready to lay you back down after you settled and were calm. Instead I held you, your head resting against my chest, feeling those tiny fingers against my skin, listening to the steady rhythm of your breathing, your body perfectly cradled in my arms. I wished time would slow down and almost stop. I wished I could hold you like that for a long time. My eyes welled up and tears fell down my cheek. I was speechless except for one prayer silently whispered, "Thank you, Lord for my Ellie. "

Love, Mommy

Hiccups, Giggles, & Jumps

2009-06-28T23:09:00.005-06:00

2009-06-27T21:27:00.007-06:00

At 8 months, Ellie...

* made 6 plane rides to North Carolina and Thunder Bay, Ontario. She was a wonderful, little traveler. Now she has been to each coast of North America.

* and her mommy (and daddy too) are thankful to be home for the rest of the summer.

* measures 30" long, has blonde hair, and dark brown eyes. We've been told that she has very distinct eyebrows :).

* is wearing some 9 month clothing but mostly fitting into 12-18 month clothes.

* doesn't like to play on her back anymore but likes to sit up to see and reach for things around her.

* can push herself backward when on her tummy.

* is very ticklish and laughs every day.

* makes gaga, baba, aaahhhh, mama, and murmel sounds.

* LOVES food! So far she has tried applesauce, pears, peaches, bananas, and orange wedges,

sweet potato, carrots, peas, green beans, pumpkin, cucumber, and corn on the cob,

cereal, yogurt, chicken, and crackers.

* has no elbows, knees, nuckles, or ankles...a little chunky monkey!

* uses her pointer finger and thumb (and sometimes her whole fist) to pick Cheerios and Puffed Wheat off her highchair tray.

* celebrated her first Father's Day!

I can't believe that Ellie is 3/4 of the way to her first birthday! I know this summer will go by fast!

2009-05-27T21:39:00.011-06:00

At 7 months, Ellie...

* loves to jump in her Jumperoo.

* is sitting up on her own but still a bit unsteady.

* enjoys playing Peek-A-Boo, singing songs like "Little Green Frog", "You Are My Sunshine", and "Skin-na-ma-rink-i-dink-i-dink", and reading books (although she likes to eat the pages :)).

* had her first swimming lesson and loved the water. She is a little fish indeed!

* still loves the yogurt and cereals we started a month and a bit ago and now enjoys sweet potato, carrots, pumpkin, applesauce, pears, and peaches too.

* instantly loved the Cheerios when we gave them to her the first time.

* went to visit her Grandma and Grandpa de Andrade in Abbotsford and meet her cousins, as well as other special friends, for the first time.

* travelled over the mountains, took 2 ferry rides to Victoria, and got to visit the ocean too!

* had her first Starbucks Strawberry Lemonade :).

* slept in many new beds and did well but it wasn't her favourite part of travelling.

* celebrated many family birthdays and her first Mother's Day!

2009-04-27T22:00:00.007-06:00

At 6 months, Ellie...

* went for her checkup and weighs 16 lbs. 13 oz. and is 63 1/2 cm. long.

* started eating solid foods about 2 weeks ago as she was waking up out of sorts at night and really early in the morning.

* has tried yogurt, oats, and wheat cereal and thinks they're pretty yummy!

* doesn't sit in her bouncy chair anymore but in her Bumbo.

* continues to be a wonderful napper, with 2-3 naps a day.

* is sleeping much better with a fuller tummy at night.

* puts everything in her mouth to explore and taste.

* is still so happy, calm, and content.

* is recognizing familiar faces.

* celebrated her first Easter!

* and her Mommy survived 4 nights without her Daddy but were sure glad to see him when he got home!

2009-03-04T16:20:00.009-07:00

1 stroller, hoodie, blanket, and soother

2 winter boots

3 pictures snapped

4 rosy cheeks after our walk

So Much Joy

2009-02-28T21:08:00.005-07:00

"...Your laugh, baby
To me it’s just like helium
I breathe it in until I am
Ten feet off the ground

Oh, your laugh darlin’
It warms me up like sunshine
It is golden, it is so fine
Baby, when you laugh..." --Carolyn Arends--

2009-02-28T20:44:00.006-07:00

At 4 months, Ellie...

* wears 6 month clothing and size 3 diapers. She is a long baby!

* goes to bed around 7/730 and sleeps through the night with a little snack before I head to bed at 1030/11. We are so very blessed!

* wakes up from her sleeps happy and calls out from her crib with a voice like "Mommy, I'm ready now..."

* had a weekend sleepover with her Bestemor and Bestefar while Marco and I were at BreakForth

* had her first set of shots and we both did okay :)

* enjoys tummy-time and playing with her Clutch Cube

* is happy to sit in her bouncy chair while I have my breakfast or make supper

* has the best smile and is full of giggles and laughs

* thinks her Daddy is pretty fun

* is so content

* had a visit from Grandma and Grandpa de Andrade from Abbotsford, BC

Outside Our Window

2009-02-25T14:20:00.010-07:00

I woke up this morning to it looking like this outside our window and the weather report saying it is -30C with the wind chill:

So it is a good day for a warm oven, rhubarb muffins,

and a second cup.

Hope you are keeping warm!

Monday Mornings

2009-02-23T09:12:00.004-07:00

I love Monday mornings because of moments like these and a little girl who brings so much joy.

2009-01-27T13:24:00.013-07:00

At 3 months, Ellie...

* has discovered her hands and loves to look at them and suck on them

* smiles, laughs, and brings so much joy

* is so strong and can roll from her tummy to her back (did it for the first time on January 9th)

* celebrated her first holiday...Christmas and New Years

* is getting to be so alert and aware of what is going on around her

* loves to kick during bath time, push her feet against the edge of the tub and is so serious when she does

* likes to be wrapped up and snuggled with the blanket on her cheek with she's tired

* has at least 3 naps during the day and sleeps through the night from 10:30 pm to 8 am (has been doing this for over a month now :))

* sleeps with her hands folded like she's praying

* still has dark hair and brown eyes like her Daddy

* is beautiful and we love her so much!

Tree Day

2008-12-01T21:54:00.011-07:00

My sister has eagerly anticipated the Advent Season and "Tree Day" this year. I must admit that her excitement has rubbed off on me too. Tree Day is not a day that is on our calendars but it's a day we count the number of sleeps until it's here. We get bundled up, go to the nearest tree lot, and choose the tree to fit our home. Then it doesn't mater how young or old you are but the time it takes to let the tree defrost and open up seems to take a LONG time.

In our home, Marco always fits the tree in the stand and does the lights so they are just right. Then we decorate the tree together with old, new, and treasured ornaments. This year, Ellie sat next to us gazing at the lights as we decorated. It's like our second-first Christmas!

Sunshine

2008-12-01T21:18:00.011-07:00

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.

You make me happy, when skies are grey.
You'll never know, dear, how much I love you.
Please don't take my sunshine away.

Twenty One

2008-11-17T16:39:00.011-07:00

Today Ellie is 3 weeks old. As I was thinking back on the last 21 days, I started making a list about some of the things I love about her.

1. the way she fits on my chest

2. how she loves to snuggle

3. the way she rests her hands underneath her chin to let me know she's asleep

4. the way she sighs with contentment when her tummy is full and her bum is clean :)

5. her dark brown eyes and the way she looks up at me when I'm holding her in my arms

6. her ten perfect fingers and ten perfect toes

7. her dark brown hair

8. the way she smells after a bath

9. the way she buries herself in the fuzzy, warm bath towel because she doesn't like being naked :)

10. how calm and peaceful she is

11. the indescribeable joy she brings to our family

12. the way she turns when she hears her Daddy's voice

13. whispering how much I love her

14. her yawn

15. her beauty

16. her many faces, especially when she scrunches up her little nose and eyebrows

17. the humming and little noises I hear as I walk by her cradle

18. she is our "El", "love", "pumpkin", "sunshine"...

19. that she is an answer to our prayers and she came at just the right time

20. that when I look at her I am reminded of our awesome Creator

21. "I will give thanks to You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139:14

Ellie Renae

2008-11-06T19:58:00.008-07:00

Our Ellie ("light") Renae ("reborn") is 10 days old today. She came into the world on October 27th at 4:03 am and weighed 7 lbs. 6 oz. The last week and a bit we have been resting at home and enjoying the love that has been showered on us by grandparents, brothers, sisters, a great-grandmother, and friends. We are truly blessed! We have also been doing a lot of cuddling, especially in Daddy's safe and strong arms. The last two days our little family has gone for a drive into Red Deer. The time together has been so special!

From Cookies to A Bun In the Oven

2008-10-24T22:48:00.009-06:00

It's been a long time since my last post and a lot has changed for us! Thank you to all you faithful readers who have kept on checking for the last 9 months. Marco and I are eagerly anticipating the birth day of our baby and it could be any day now. Here are a couple of my favorite pictures that my talented sister Erika took on Thanksgiving Monday. I'm so glad I said "Yes" to being in front of the camera because we had such a wonderful time together and the pictures are beautiful!

Quote of the week

2008-02-15T21:26:00.004-07:00

Here is a story that made me smile this week:

One boy in my class brought cookies that looked just like this on Thursday. He really wanted to share them with his friends for Valentine's Day. After passing them out, one boy took a bite and said, "These are the best cookies I've had in years!"

Isn't it great to be 7!

Philippians 1:9-11

2008-02-10T12:03:00.000-07:00

May your love increase to affect every action you take...

Listen to the "Abound" sermon by Rob Bell at Mars Hill to learn more. Let me know what you think.

To Grandma's House We Go...

2008-01-12T21:00:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures of our trip to visit my Grandma in Coronation at the end of December.
It was a beautiful drive. The horror-frost on the trees was breath-taking.

The trip was relaxing. We took our time getting there and enjoyed drinking a travel mug of coffee, listening to Stuart McLean on CBC, and stopping to take pictures. Thanks for going with us Erika and Arden :).

Christmas In Our New Home

2008-01-12T20:16:00.001-07:00

It was such a blessing this year to spend Christmas in our new home although we did miss being with our family. I am already looking forward to next year when we will be a little closer to each other.

In front of our fireplace Christmas Eve

We enjoyed many cups of coffee and a "sit down" breakfast together over the holidays instead of a quick bowl of cereal before dashing off to work :).

We made turkey dinner on Christmas Day. So good..

Happy Thanksgiving

2007-10-07T13:41:00.000-06:00

Last weekend was beautiful and sunny (much like today). So after church Marco and I went for a walk and took some pictures. It was so relaxing and wonderful to spend time together! We wanted to share a few of the shots we took. I also wanted to take this time to say "Happy Thanksgiving". I hope the time that you spend with family and friends around the table will be a wonderful time! I know I am blessed and I need to turn back and praise Him for all the things He has done in my life!

2007-09-29T15:10:00.000-06:00

About half an hour ago, I watched as Marco drove away in a white 15 passenger van, not filled with people, but filled with dishes, glasses, prepared food, knives, and his red tool box. He is on his way to Calgary. Tonight Marco is cooking a revolving, six dish meal for 25 people.

I am so proud of him and am honored to call him my husband. He left cooking and working as a chef in the Fairmont Hotels about 7 years ago because he knew he was putting cooking before his relationship with God. He started pursuing God and seeking after Him with all of his heart.

When Marco moved to Red Deer and friends found out he was a chef they would ask him to cook for them. Over the last few years he has willingly done a few functions like Christmas dinners, youth fundraisers, and my grandpa's memorial service but he has not pursued cooking full time, even though it is his passion. At each of these events I would stand back and watch as he used his talents and gifts with food to serve people :). He always felt awkward and a bit unsure when people would say "Wow! This is amazing..." because he knew that God deserved the praise, not himself.

As I go to school each morning and get to work with kids (my passion), I've prayed that we would both know in a real way if and when Marco was to do a catering event. So, this weekend is different. It is not just a catering...it is an answer to prayer!

I love you Marco!

Our Summer Through Pictures

2007-08-31T21:41:00.000-06:00

I can't believe that it is Labor Day weekend already. It seems like we were just at the beginning of summer. I thought I'd post a few pictures to let you see what we've been up to.

At the end of July we were all together to celebrate Erika and Arden's wedding :). It was a beautiful day but very hot!

On August long weekend, we went camping with friends to Horburg (near Rocky Mountain House)

I spent most of my days at home which was wonderful. I really enjoyed being able to read a book in my quiet house while drinking a good cup of coffee of course :). I was also able to pick some berries which was a lot of fun!

Last weekend, I flew to Winnipeg to celebrate Tanya and Todd's special day. I was blessed to be there.

I hope you enjoy the last few days of summer before heading back to school...or work :). Can you tell that I'm already thinking about Grade 2!

6 weeks and counting...

2007-03-19T19:15:00.000-06:00

...we get to move into our new house. We are really excited and thankful for this home that God has blessed us with. As Marco and I have been praying for God to direct our next steps, He led us to this house in Lacombe. Come and have a tour :). It has a spare bedroom so we'd love for you to come and visit us in the summer. Then we can tell you the whole story.

After Dinner...

2007-02-26T20:24:00.000-07:00

Marco and I just finished eating supper. For some reason I was really looking forward to tonight even though we try really hard to make eating together a part of our normal routine. Over the last month, life has been extremely busy with "more"...more meetings after school, more errands to run, more jobs to do, more lists to keep track of, more late nights.... After another busy day and with those other things in the back of my mind I was looking forward to sharing my day with Marco. He is such a good listener. Tonight while we ate supper at the island I often got excited about teaching and kids and he patiently and intently listened about my day.

Here are some of the highlights :):
* At 8:30 I took my Grade 2 class to gym. They were really excited to play tag games and floor hockey early this morning.
* For the rest of the morning, we wrote Dr. Seuss-like stories. Even if you are not a kid you should visit www.seussville.com. It's a lot of fun!
* After recess, I spent 20 minutes sorting out a bullying issue that happened on the playground because it was more important than doing math.
* Shortly after 2:30, I had a boy take a huge nose-dive on the classroom floor. There were lots of tears and blood. After doing the basic first aid, we took a little walk to the office.
* When I came back to the classroom, no one was focused so we had some free time at the end of the day :).

Our Christmas

2007-01-13T10:15:00.001-07:00

Driving through the mountains...

A walk around Mill Lake with our neices Natalie & Jolene

Being together with our family out in Abbotsford, BC...Mom & Dad, brothers, sisters, and neices and nephews :)!

2006-10-12T14:26:00.000-06:00

Blessed Be Your Name

Blessed be Your name in the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
And blessed be Your name when I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out I'll turn back to praise
And when the darkness closes in, Lord, still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name when the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
And blessed be Your name on the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

Thinking Thursday

2006-10-12T14:15:00.000-06:00

In my Grade 2 class, I try and make each day special. We start off our day by reading a morning message that I've written to them. If I was at school today it would be "Thinking Thursday". I decided to call a sub this morning at 6:30 am. It has been a heavy week and I felt I needed the time at home to spend time praying and collecting my thoughts. Here are some things I've been thinking about and praising God for:
1. the Sovereignty of God...that He is in control of all things despite our flaws
2. for God's faithfulness and grace that is new every morning
3. a husband who loves God and serves Him
4. family and friends who love, support, encourage, and keep me accountable
5. a question I'm thinking about: What does it really mean to be vulnerable, real, and genuine with those around you?

2006-10-12T14:11:00.000-06:00

I don't usually like sending out forwards. However, like a friend wrote "This one was time well spent!" Here is the link to both the article and the video. Read the article first! http://cjcphoto.com/can/
Blessings,
Kristin

My second favourite time of year...

2006-09-30T11:59:00.000-06:00

...is when Starbucks brings back their Pumpkin Spice Lattes. I had one this week and it was wonderful! Can't wait to have their Eggnog Latte at Christmas!

A list for today...

2006-08-22T10:48:00.000-06:00

1) Finish getting ready for the day and have a kick start cup of coffee
2) Maybe run Marco's lunch into Red Deer because it was left on the counter this morning :)
3) Make a stop at a teacher's store and also Superstore to drop off rolls of film
3) Go to Blackfalds and continue working on getting my classroom ready for the fall
4) Come home and make a veggie tray and chicken wings for our small group tonight
5) Enjoy getting together with new friends at our small group
5) Later tonight I hope to do some more planning

A short list but a busy day!

2006-08-22T09:53:00.000-06:00

On Saturday, we had a surprise visit from some very good family friends. I am so glad they stopped by because they are heading up north this week and I don't know when the next time will be when we'll be able to see them again. While enjoying a cup of coffee, the conversation turned towards blogs. My sister Erika blogs every week and when I read her posts it is just like having a
a face-to-face conversation with her. I know my blogging has been lacking over the few months so I got a few nudges, pokes, and prodes. Thanks Mrs. Guthrie for not only encouraging me with your visit but also encouraging me to blog.

2006-05-23T21:13:00.000-06:00

In kindergarten, one of the things that we do everyday is calendar and weather. We talk about the seasons and some of the signs of spring. The kids are getting really good at telling me why it is spring. "Mrs. D. it is spring out because it is raining a lot...I can hear the baby birds sing...the sun shines right through my window early in the morning...there are flowers popping up in our garden...I can run on the green grass."

Talking about spring everyday has my mind thinking a lot about new life. Tonight as I work around the house, my thoughts have gone to two precious people that were born recently. Both are small, new, and fragile. They have lots of machines hooked up to their tiny bodies, running tests and such to see what the next day may hold.

I've been reminded that even though life, for young or old, may seem uncertain and at times confusing, God is Sovereign and in control of all things. God not only thinks good things about us, His plans for us our good too!

From Psalm 139:13-15

For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother's womb.
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them.
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!

Winds of Change

2006-05-21T16:38:00.000-06:00

Sooooo, this is the first time I (Marco) am adding thoughts to the blog. I have to do this before working on the aquarium. Talk about incentive.

As the title states, things are changing in my sphere of influence. Up to now, I have been static with life. Getting married and having a beautiful woman moving into the house has been a big change for me. I am thoroughly enjoying the time with Kristin and watching her add her influence to life. Being single past thirty has allowed me to settle a bit and enjoy one place for more than 6 months. That is until recently.

Since 1999 I have worked for Hertz Rent a Car, starting in Banff, and moving to Red Deer to assume a branch manager role. The Red Deer office was new when I started and so the first years have seen many experiences and lessons on how to run a car rental office. It has been a struggle over the last couple years as I come to know more about the pressures of corporate life and the reality that at the end of the day I am a number and therefore at the mercy of executives that make decisions that affect lives. I became one of those statitics of a company trying to go lean in the search of greater profits and efficiencies. Red Deer was deemed to not be profitable enough to justify its existance at this point in time and I was given to the end of April to find a new job.

Well, to say the least, it took me by surprise, something like getting sucker punched, except that I have known that I would get sucker punched for sometime, I just did not know when. That's the irony of a sucker punch. One of the first things I did was take this concern to Jesus. I knew that I could take this in two different ways, negatively or positively. I decided to take this as an opportunity to see what God would like to do in my life. We also asked our small group to pray for us, which ironically was studying James and discussing reactions to major disruptions in life. I also talked with a few other people, mostly to let my feelings and emotions out, but also to try and get a sense of what God is trying to tell me.

So on the first Wednesday of April I found out about the closure. On the Friday I received a message to contact a business person out of Rocky Mountain House. I talked to him late on Friday and we setup a meeting on Monday at the end of the day. Also on Friday I was informed by my boss Helen that there was a position at the Calgary Airport service center to manage the distribution office, which cooridinates a fleet of up to 4000 cars. It would mean we would have to move or I would commute about an hour and half each way daily. This position was actually filled tentatively and the candidates had not been told yet. So Helen was sticking out her neck to try and reopen the position to give me an opportunity. Helen asked me to think about it. Sunday was our small group. Monday came and the meeting occurred at the end of the day. Brent from Rocky Mountain House offered me the job of continuing to manage Red Deer and he would supply the fleet and other resources needed to make the office run. He invited Kristin and I for supper where we continued to talk about the opportunity. He asked me to let him know soon. Helen also wanted to know soon. So Monday night I faced a delimma. Both opportunities were good, both had risks and I wasn't sure what to do.

I was reading through the book of Proverbs and in chapter three vs six it states that I should acknowledge him(God) and he will make your paths straight. I realized then that I needed God to make my path straight and to trust Him in the decisions.

On Tuesday I talked to Helen, I told her that I did not want to burn any bridges and appreciated all that she had done for me. She informed that she was going to close the door on the Calgary position, leaving me the one choice to make.

Since the decision was made I have been working towards a change over. It is now at the end of May and starting to get hectic. It will be a challenge to keep things smooth and provide seamless service. I am looking forward to what comes up over the next several months. Brent has been telling me some of the opportunities he would like to see happen and I have longed to do them and more.

Well, off to the aquarium.

Marco

ABCs About Me

2006-04-07T22:58:00.000-06:00

A is for Age ~ 23
B is for Beverage ~ Cinnamon Dolce Lattes from Starbucks.
C is for Career ~ Kindergarten Teacher
D is for Dad's Name ~ Haakon Christian (Chris)
E is for Extracurricular Activity ~ Volleyball, golf lessons with Marco, taking pictures, scrapbooking, walking
F is for Favourite Song(s) of the Moment ~ I've been trying to focus my days by listening to worship music while I'm in the car.
G is for a Good Time ~ Getting together with friends
H is for Hometown ~ Born in Hay River, NWT
I is for Instrument you play ~ Flute
J is for Juice You Like ~ Orange, Grapefruit, Cranberry Juices
K is for Kids ~ While on a missions trip, I was called a "kid magnet". Teaching kids is my passion and I hope one day we can have kids of our own.
Living Arrangement ~ The top-floor of the Flatiron Building in Lacombe
M is for Mom's Name ~ Judith Marie (Judy)
N is for Name of Best Friend ~ Lately I have been really encouraged by my friend Carolyn. I have many wonderful friends.
O is for Overnight Hospital Stays ~ Just once when I was young. I have been very blessed with good health.
P is for Pets ~ Salt-water Aquarium Fish
Q is for Quote You Like ~ My bulletin board has a few quotes on teaching and this is one I come back to: "There is no job easier than teaching if you don't care--and no job harder if you do."
R is for Relationship that Lasted the Longest ~ Marco and I have been married for nine months this weekend :)
S is for Siblings ~ Erika & Nathan
T is for Trip you were last on ~ Fairmont, BC for our Honeymoon
U is for U2 song you love ~ I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
V is for Vegetable you Love ~ Too hard to choose only one
W is for Wine you like ~ Zinfindel
X is for X-Rays you've had ~ My teeth
Y for Yummy Food you make ~ Chinese Stir-fry
Z is for Zodiac Sign ~ Like someone blogged "I believe in the Creator of the stars…not the stars themselves "

It 's been awhile...

2006-04-07T22:52:00.000-06:00

...but we are doing well! Sorry for the lack of blogging for all you faithful bloggers. I decided that tonight I would dust off the keys and do a little blogging before another day of not blogging turns into a week which turns into a month or two :).

Life has been steady and busy ever since I accepted the teaching postion at Iron Ridge Elementary School. I ended up starting at the beginning of March, one week earlier then expected, and the last month has blown by. Even though I teach part-time, my days are filled preparing lessons and units, coming up with new ideas to make the classroom more my own, getting to know the staff and the 21 kids I teach, and doing assessments for report cards :).

On Wednesday, Marco and I started taking golf lessons at one of the high schools in Red Deer. Marco is looking forward to when the courses open this spring and he can take me out for our first round of golf together. I have never golfed before so I was very nervous walking into the gym. I was thankful when I saw the curtains hanging to divide the gym into little driving ranges. I could swing and miss and not worry about how blotchy I went. This week I learned some of the basics: how to hold a club, stand, and swing.

What does our weekend hold? I'll probably put in a few hours at the school on Saturday while Marco does a few things at Hertz. Saturday night, we are getting together with the young couples from church for a games night and potluck. It will be good to get to know people a bit better and have FUN! I hear the weather is supposed to be gorgeous. I hope you are able to enjoy the beautiful sunshine and time you spend with family and friends!

2006-02-15T09:02:00.000-07:00

1 Corinthians 13 (The Message)

The Way of Love

1If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.

2If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing.

3If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

4Love never gives up.

Love cares more for others than for self.

Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.

Love doesn't strut,

Doesn't have a swelled head,

5Doesn't force itself on others,

Isn't always "me first,"

Doesn't fly off the handle,

Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,

6Doesn't revel when others grovel,

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,

7Puts up with anything,

Trusts God always,

Always looks for the best,

Never looks back,

But keeps going to the end.

8Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit.

9We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete.

10But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.

11When I was an infant at my mother's breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good.

12We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!

13But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.

2006-02-14T12:22:00.000-07:00

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

How I celebrated my birthday...

2006-02-13T22:27:00.000-07:00

* On Friday the 10th, my parents and brother called from Kunming, China and wished me a happy birthday on the speaker phone :).

* On Saturday morning I got to sleep in. Then, I checked my email and got a few more birthday wishes. I did a few things around the house but mostly enjoyed the sunshine and the day to relax.

* My Farmor and Farfar Stokland came down to Lacombe for birthday lunch. Marco made soup and sandwhich fixings. For dessert we had homemade coconut cake that Farmor brought with fresh strawberries, whipped cream, and coffee. It was wonderful! After lunch, we drove around Lacombe to show my grandparents a bit more of where we live. At about 3pm they headed back to Edmonton.

* For my birthday, Marco gave me a card and a Starbucks Coffee gift card that said "to help you unwind in the days and weeks ahead in kindergarten." This was my first birthday since we've been married so it was special to spend all day with him.

* Then Marco and I went into Red Deer to meet my Aunt Laurie, Uncle Gary, JD, and Amy. One of their gifts to me was tickets to the Red Deer Rebels WHL hockey game. It was a great game...the Rebels won 2-1 in the last minute.

* After the game we went to Moxies for drinks and birthday dessert. I had a Hawaiian Hunny margarita and the Banana Carmal Xango: "Creamy. Light banana cheesecake wrapped in a pastry tortilla. Dusted with cinnamon-sugar and served with warm caramel, ribbons of chocolate and French vanilla ice cream." So yummy!

* My sister Erika and boyfriend Arden were waiting for us at Moxies. They had driven down from Edmonton after work to help me celebrate. It was supposed to be a surprise, but even though they were very stealthy, their cover was blown half way through the day. It didn't bother me at all because I was glad I could spend the day with part of my family. I couldn't stop smiling.

* Erika and Arden spent the night at our house. It was a good visit but too short. They left Sunday morning after breakfast.

And that is how I spent my 24th birthday!

2006-02-11T16:41:00.000-07:00

Here is an email I sent to family and friends this week that I thought I would share here too :)!

Well, the last few days have felt like a whirlwind of excitement and nervous anticipation. Last Friday (February 3rd) I had an interview at Iron Ridge Elementary School in Blackfalds, AB for a part-time position teaching kindergarten. The interview went very well! I understood all the questions and felt I was able to answer them confidently. The principals were impressed that I supported my answers with lots of examples from my practicum and substitute teaching. At the end of the interview, they explained that they had narrowed it down to myself and one other candidate. Before they could make the final decision they need to see me teach.

I was back at the school on Monday afternoon (February 6th) subbing in the kindergarten room and so I prepared to teach a Math lesson. That day I could see God working in so many ways--their were only 17 kids instead of 23, some of the kids had colds and so instead of "acting out" listened very well, the kids weren't distracted by the principal being there, and instead of scrambling my words when I know I someone is watching me teach, I was able to speak clearly. My hands and voice didn't even shake!

Wednesday (February 8th) I got a phone call at 8 am. I recognized the number from the school and knew it was the principal. She offered me the position and wanted to know if I would accept it. My hands and voice were shaking at this point. I asked if I could have one more day to think about it (a.k.a. phone Marco and let him know about the offer). After talking with Marco that morning we knew it was God directing our steps. I phoned the principal back at 10:30 am and accepted the position. It isn't official yet but I like saying that I am a soon-to-be-part-time-kindergarten-teacher :)!

Right now, I am so thankful for God's blessings! He is faithful!

Love,
Kristin

I'm it...

2006-01-13T13:07:00.000-07:00

...and it is my first time being tagged too :). Lots of fun!

Four jobs you have had in your life?
1. working retail at Northern Reflections
2. cleaning the church for a summer
3. daycare worker
4. substitute teacher

Four movies you would watch over and over:
1. While You Were Sleeping
2. Sabrina
3. Bourne Identity
4. Bourne Supremacy

Four places you've lived:
1. Hay River, NWT, Canada
2. Waxhaw, NC, USA
3. Ukarumpa, Papua New Guinea
4. Kunming, China

Four TV shows you love to watch:
1. LOST
2. CSI
3. House
4. The Amazing Race

Four places you have vacationed:
1. Australia
2. New Zealand
3. Thailand
4. Norway

Four websites I visit daily:
1. the blogs of friends
2. school district websites to look for jobs
3. Creative Xpress to get ideas for scrapbooking
4. Real Simple

Four of my favorite foods:
1. My mom's brocolli and rice casserole
2. Cari's mandarin orange and almond salad
3. real Chinese food either in China or at the OPM restaurant in Edmonton
4. Marco's receipes

Four places I would rather be right now:
1. out for a Starbucks coffee with a friend
2. at home relaxing with my husband
3. on a warm, sunny beach
4. teaching in a classroom of my own

Four bloggers I am tagging:
1. Erika
2. Kirstin
3. Amanda
4. I don't know 4 bloggers that haven't already been tagged so I guess 3 will have to do :)

2006-01-11T11:39:00.000-07:00

As I walk around the apartment this morning I can't help but look out the window. It is snowing! We haven't had a "snow day" in a long time so to see the big, white, fluffy flakes come down is absolutely beautiful. I love how the snow coats everything like a fresh coat of white paint. When I was little and living up in Hay River, NWT, I always enjoyed going outside to play in the snow. I would get bundled up in my parka, skipants, snowboots, knitted mittens, and toque. There were so many things to build and do in the snow. The hours would go by quickly and soon it would be dark. When I would go back inside, my nose and cheeks would be so red. I have lots of good memories playing in the snow. However, today, I think I'm going to stay warm and cozy inside :).

Roads by Jean Little

2006-01-07T13:58:00.000-07:00

Some people walk on straight roads
And see to both ends
--But my road dips and loops and swoops
And crooks and bends.

I've heard some people tell the world
That they know where they're going
But that's a thing I couldn't stand:
Always knowing!

One year ago today...

2006-01-04T01:49:00.000-07:00

After graduating from high school I remember being very focused. I had goals I wanted to achieve like going to Capernwray Bible School for a year, getting my Elementary Education degree, serving God in my church and in short-term missions, and getting more stamps in my passport by traveling to different places in the world.

However, at times there was a tug-of-war going on in my heart and mind. There were things I wanted to accomplish as a single person. I had high standards for myself and I wasn't interested in pursuing a relationship with someone for the sake of dating. But at the same time my heart's desire was to be a wife and mother. I remember writing lots of emails to my Mom and having long car-talks with close friends! They would always remind me, "Kristin, don't ever doubt pursuing the best. Trust God and His faithfulness. Give this to Him. He knows your heart."

I met Marco at the beginning of my third year at the University of Alberta. We would see each other occasionally when I would visit my aunt and uncle in Rocky Mtn. House. We would talk over coffee, while spending time with family, or on the way to the bus station. Our conversations never felt forced or superficial. It wasn't until the summer of 2004 that we decided to pursue a relationship together. Because he lived in Lacombe and I lived in Edmonton we would spend our nights talking on the phone. Then he would come up to the city on the weekends so we could spend time together.

On January 4th, 2005, in a gazebo in Kunming, Yunnan, China, Marco asked if I would be his wife. I said, "Yes!" Some of you may be asking, "Why did he propose in China?" Well, my parents live and work in China. It was a gift from our Heavenly Father to all be together for that Christmas. It was important to me to show Marco China, a significant part of my life and where I grew up. To have Marco ask my Dad for his blessing on our relationship was also special.

I was once asked what quality attracted me the most to Marco. I would have to say that he is a lot like my Dad. I am amazed by Marco's commitment to God--to love and serve Him with his life. He is honest and trustworthy. He is a "big-picture thinker" and shares with me the thoughts/ideas that are going through his mind. He makes me laugh everyday! He is patient and gentle, yet a strong leader. I love him, respect him, and thank God for him!

The first post of January

2006-01-03T21:31:00.000-07:00

2005 in Pictures

Well, the last 6 months of 2005 that Marco and I have spent together :). May you know God's presence and guidance in your life this new year!

JUNE

My Mom, Dad, and brother Nathan came home from China on June 8th.

I graduated from the UofA with my degree in Elementary Education on June 9th.

JULY/AUGUST

Marco and I were married in Edmonton on July 9th. It was a beautiful day!We went to Fairmont, BC for our honeymoon.

SEPTEMBER
For Labour Day weekend, Marco and I drove out to Logan Lake, BC to visit Marco's Mom, Dad, and Aunt Maria from South Africa.

On September 17th, I did the 5 km Parkinson's Walk in Red Deer with my Aunt Laurie and cousin Amy.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER
These were busy months! I wasn't able to take many pictures but I remember taking this one of a beautiful fall sunset during a day at home. The colours were amazing!

DECEMBER
Marco and I celebrated our first Christmas together. Many good memories!

2005-12-28T15:06:00.000-07:00

Can you believe that it is almost January? This month has gone by so fast. I know I haven't posted about what we did for Christmas, so I thought this would be a good time to do a month-in-review because we started celebrating at the beginning of December :)!

Dec. 4th--Went and got our first Christmas tree.

Dec. 10th--Met my Dad in Lacombe and then drove to Rocky Mtn. House to have a German/Ukrainian Christmas with my Grandma, aunts, uncles, and cousins on my Mom's side.

Dec. 11th--We drove to Calgary to get together with friends Marco knew when he cooked in Banff. Even though it was a short visit, I enjoyed meeting people that Marco has talked a lot about!

Dec. 17th--Marco and I drove to Edmonton to have a Norwegian Christmas with my Dad, Farmor and Farfar (my Dad's parents), Erika and boyfriend Arden.

Dec. 18th--Marco and I drove back to Edmonton to say goodbye to my Dad who left early Monday morning to fly back to China.

Dec. 20th--I had a wonderful girls night with Carolyn x2 and Treena at Moxies in Edmonton.

Dec. 21st--We made the hard decision not drive out to BC to spend Christmas with Marco's family because of new, challenging things happening for Marco at Hertz.

Dec. 24th--Erika and Arden drove to Lacombe to spend Christmas Eve with us. Marco and I made a roast beef dinner with pumpkin and cherry pies for dessert. After supper we opened a few gifts and then went for a walk around Lacombe. We also phoned our family all around the world to wish them a Merry Christmas!

Dec. 25th--We drove to Withrow to spend Christmas Day with my Uncle Gary, Auntie Laurie, and cousins Jonathan and Amy. We had turkey and all the fixings!

Dec. 26th--For the first time, I went Boxing Day shopping with my husband. We bought a few more things for our reef aquarium: 3 trubo snails, a coral, and 1 crab. We also stopped in at Farmor and Farfar's for coffee.

Dec. 27th--We had friends over for dessert and coffee. Marco and I enjoy having friends come to our home. We always seem to have good talks around our table!

Over the month we've done a lot of driving! It's been good though to be able to spend time with family and friends. So, tonight Marco and I have decided on a "home night". After the dishes are done we are going to go for a walk and coffee at Kavaccino's.

Our First Christmas Tree

2005-12-28T14:19:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, December 4th, we got bundled up and drove about 45 minutes west of Lacombe. We asked a friend who lives on a farm and has a quarter section of land if we could go out with their family when they went to find their Christmas tree. They told us we were more than welcome and so we met up with them later that afternoon.

It was the perfect day to find a Christmas tree. It started to snow as we drove out but it wasn't too COLD. When we walked through the trees everything crunched beneath our feet. The trees looked beautiful with a layer of snow on their branches. Marco was the one who found our tree. He knew the tall, full tree would look beautiful in our apartment. We didn't have to look any farther.

We loaded it into the truck and we were so excited to get it home to start decorating for Christmas. The hard part was waiting for it to thaw out. A while later Marco brought it up four flights of stairs :) and set it in the stand. While I got the decorations out, he started putting on the lights. I'm not a big fan of garland so I found some silver ribbon to weave through the branches.

I guess you could say we were double blessed this year because we got to decorate our tree twice. Thursday morning that week, I woke up to a huge crash. I jumped out of bed and ran into the livingroom where our tree lay on the floor. It was a really hard morning! I cried because there were special decorations that my Mom and friends had given to us that were shattered. There was a nativity scene that I had bought specifically for our first Christmas and it was also on the floor in a million pieces.

Over the next few days, with the tree propped in the corner waiting to be re-decorated, I had a lot of time to think. My thoughts were all over the place. At times I was disappointed and hurt that it happened on our first Christmas. Other times I was disappointed in myself; it was trivial to care so much about a tree, decorations, and memories. Overall, I learned in a new way what Christmas is all about. It isn't about decorations, lights, ribbons, trees, and little gifts. It is about the wonder of God's gift to us in Jesus. He is our Saviour, Redeemer, and King!

After doing the dishes at night, I enjoy sitting in a chair next to the tree and watching the lights twinkle in the dark. Because it is a real tree, the fresh outside smell fills the whole apartment. It is decorated mostly in blue, silver, and white with lots of snowflakes. How lovely and beautiful are it's branches!

2005-12-27T10:18:00.000-07:00

Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus
by: Charles Wesley/Rowland H. Prichard

Come, Thou long-expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free
From our fears and sins release us
Let us find our rest in Thee

Israel's strength and consolation
Hope of all the earth Thou art
Dear desire of every nation
Joy of ev'ry longing heart

Born Thy people to deliver
Born a child, and yet a King
Born to reign in us forever
Now Thy gracious Kingdom bring
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone
By Thine all sufficient merit
Raise us to Thy glorious throne

Israel's strength and consolation
Hope of all the earth Thou art
Dear desire of every nation
Joy of ev'ry longing heart

Come Jesus Come

Girls Night

2005-12-27T09:18:00.000-07:00

Last Tuesday night the four of us met at Moxies on the west end of Edmonton for a girls night. We really wanted to get together before we all left in different directions for Christmas. Girl's Nights are not new for us. When we were all at the UofA, we would get together a lot to celebrate the end of exams, graduation, before a long trip, birthdays, or holidays. A girl's night usually includes margaritas, diet pop, or coffee, appetizers and/or dessert :).

These girls are really an answer to prayer. When I came to Edmonton to start university from my year at Capernwray I really had no close friends in the city. The last two years had been hard years of "saying goodbye": first to my friends and classmates I had grown up with in Papua New Guinea and then to my friends I had spent a whole year with at Bible School. My mom and I started praying together for a close friend. I met Carolyn my second year at Grant MacEwan. After a few short months of getting to know her it felt like I had known her all my life. There are so many things that we have in common and yet we are different so that we can encourage and challenge each other in our walk. Carolyn introduced me to her two other close friends, Carolyn and Treena, and I have enjoyed getting to know them as we spent time together at university, survivor nights, and girls nights.

THANK-YOU...for making me laugh, being there when I am discouraged, and supporting me through "big" life decisions. I really appreciate your servant hearts for God, your honesty, and your integrity. Your friendship is such a blessing to me!

(The picture is of the four of us at Carolyn's wedding June 26, 2004)

The Parade of Lights

2005-12-04T00:02:00.000-07:00

It has been awhile since I last wrote so I thought before I crawl into bed I'd post a few pictures. Tonight Marco and I went to the Parade of Lights in Rocky Mountain House. It was -17C so we bundled up in our toques and mittens and watched the parade with a latte in hand :). Thanks for peeking!

My Favourite Things

2005-11-22T10:55:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon I watched Oprah to see what made her list of favourite things. She talked about her favourite clothes, shoes, accessories, cosmetics, food, electronic gadgets, etc. for the year and then gave each favourite thing away to every audience member. At first I was really happy for the deserving men and women in her audience; they were all relief workers for Hurricane Katrina. But after a while I started to feel jealous, greedy, and selfish. When is Oprah going to invite me to be a part of her audience so she can give me her favourites? Thank-you Father for forgiving me when I focus too much on my self and for showing me how blessed I truly am!

After reading another blog I started thinking about my favourite things...the simple things I enjoy, the meaningful things, the things that last, the things that are of eternal value. Here is my list:

* The amazing love and grace of God--it is unchanging, unfailing, and unending
* The blessing of my husband Marco--I love you!
* My family near and far
* Close friends that you can be honest and "real" with
* Towels and sheets that have dried outside in the sun
* Hearing rain fall on a tin roof
* Walking through the river valley when the leaves are changing colour
* Waking up to fresh snow on the ground
* Seeing the first patch of green grass or red tulip after winter
* Walking by the window and seeing the most beautiful sunset
* Shopping with a latte from Starbucks
* Taking good pictures with my camera
* Watching the Amazing Race, Lost, and CSI on the couch with my husband, maybe with a bowl of popcorn
* Lighting candles after supper
* The smell of a clean house
* An unprovoked hug and "I love you" from a child
* Hearing a child laugh--the kind that is way down deep and makes you laugh too
* Being a "kid magnet" on the playground

Well, I think I'm going to stop here. What are your favourite things?

2005-11-20T20:24:00.000-07:00

Well, it is Sunday night and I felt like doing some baking. Lately Marco has been looking in the cookie jar hoping that while he has been at work I've replenished the cookie supply. I thought tonight would be a good night! One of my favourite cookies is peanut butter cookies. I love how the smell from the oven fills the house. It makes it warm and cozy inside. They also melt in your mouth and are just perfect with a glass of milk. Someone has just made their way over to the cooling rack...I think I should join him!

2005-11-17T21:53:00.000-07:00

Tonight Marco and I went out for supper to one of our favourite restaurants. For our wedding, a friend gave us a gift certificate to Earls and she wrote on the card: "Marriage should be the beginning of romantic dates and not the end!" We really enjoyed her gift and the time we could spend together. Over supper we realized that Christmas will be a busy time as we celebrate with family and friends. We wondered when we would be able to have a Christmas together. Marco came up with a really good and romantic idea. Instead of giving each other our gifts on Christmas, we are spreading out our Christmas and gift giving over the four weeks in December; one gift for each week. I am really excited! I love surprises and Christmas secrets!

Our Home

2005-11-14T21:32:00.000-07:00

Home is something I think about a lot probably because it seems I have many "homes" around the world. If I have counted right, I think I have lived in 24 different homes, in 6 different countries including Canada, the USA, the Philippines, China, Papua New Guinea, and Australia. Marco has moved at least once for every year of his life :). After moving so many times you start to wonder where your home is and what a home really means.

There are many definitions of the word "home" but I really like this one that I found on a card as I was browsing in a stationary store in Edmonton: "Having a place to go--is a home. Having someone to love--is a family."

Marco and I are starting our first home. No, we are not living in an old, rickety, and crowded jeep on a bumpy, dusty road. We are living here...on the top floor of the brick building on the corner. After getting married, it took us awhile to clear a path through all the boxes, unpack the boxes, and find places for all the things inside the boxes. Now, our apartment is more than a physical house and just place to go. It is our home and we really enjoy the view!

Travelers

2005-11-08T15:52:00.000-07:00

We are restless, we are ready
To be anyplace but here
And the waiting has a way
Of making one thing very clear
There is variance in circumstance
Direction and occassion
But the truth is we're all travelers
Who have not reached our final destination

love Notes from Home

Gifts: Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

Gifts: Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

Family Traits

At 4 months, Joel...

Holiday Re-takes

Happy New Year!

*Merry Christmas*

Occupying Advent

At 3 months, Joel...

All You Need for A Snowman...

At 2 months, Joel...

Pieces of You

A song as we turn off the lights:

Goodbyes. Yecchh.

A Three Year Old's Fairy Tale

Penetrating the Darkness

How to carve a pumpkin...

Contemplations from the swing:

Three Going On Five

A Classroom of Two: Fall Fingerpainting

A Thanksgiving Anthem: He's Always Been Faithful

Big Sister, Little Brother

You

After church...

Introducing...

A gentle reminder...

Let us adore the Son of glory...

I remind myself of all that you have done...

Starting a Dress-up Box

A toast...

Boxing Day...

Celebrating Christmas

Adventing & Anticipating

Saturday Snoozes

For Today

For Today

Where's Ellie?

For Today

A sunny day for a parade...

Ready, Set, Maybe...

Hiccups, Giggles, & Jumps

So Much Joy

Outside Our Window

Monday Mornings

Tree Day

Sunshine

Twenty One

Ellie Renae

From Cookies to A Bun In the Oven

Quote of the week

Philippians 1:9-11

To Grandma's House We Go...

Christmas In Our New Home

Happy Thanksgiving

Our Summer Through Pictures

6 weeks and counting...

After Dinner...

Our Christmas

Thinking Thursday

My second favourite time of year...

A list for today...

Winds of Change

ABCs About Me

It 's been awhile...

1 Corinthians 13 (The Message)

The Way of Love

How I celebrated my birthday...

I'm it...

Roads by Jean Little

One year ago today...

The first post of January

Our First Christmas Tree

Girls Night

The Parade of Lights

My Favourite Things

Our Home

Travelers

Merry Christmas