Grateful Eight

It's May!!! I still can't believe that April is gone and it is May!

This week I am grateful for:

1. Nice weather! We were able to get out a lot by the middle to the end of the week and play, go on walks and bike, bike, bike!!!

2. Good Friends.

3. The Bible! It comes in handy when I am frustrated and upset and need a time out! (We got another medical bill from our visit to the hospital with Zech. The doctor billed us for his time and billed us a lot! I was irrate, frustrated and upset! This doctor did NOTHING, didn't even diagnose him)....... I'll end it there! :o)

4. Emails from people I wish we could see and be closer to!

5. Our little boy who is such a joy to be around. He has found a new love--dancing!! Check out his new boots too!!


6. For Ron and Laura Redner. They are leaving again tomorrow for 5 weeks to celebrate 50 years of marriage on an European tour! They have been a real blessing and it has been wonderful getting to know them.

7. For reaquainting with new friends (see picture above). John happened to run into a friend that he worked with quite a few years ago. Turns out this friend and his new fiance are good friends with Ron and Laura and their daughter and family. It was nice to meet another young couple and we look forward to getting to know them more.

8. For answers to prayer and encouragement when you need it most! God is truly great!

Grateful Eight

I am actually going to get this posted on Sunday---Yeah for me!!

This week I am grateful for:

1. Antibiotics! Never thought I would say that, but we had to take Zech t0 the doctor because he wasn't getting any better and discovered that both of his ears were badly infected! Poor little guy! He is doing much better now and we are finally back to sleeping through the night (I have been so exhausted)!

2. Great weather! I know what the weather has been like in Alberta and I am quite happy that it has been nice and green and sunny here (it is still cooler than normal, but no snow!). Sorry, just had to mention how grateful I was! :o)

3. A Great Bible Study! We are doing John Piper's "The Blazing Center".

4. Wonderful, God-fearing people who have so graciously opened their home to us and go out of their way to make us feel like family and as comfortable as possible! Ron and Laura have been great!

5. For Costco and their online photo centre! So fast and convenient!

6. For my wonderful husband who had to dig through every single box in storage to help me find my scrap booking bag. Of course it was way in the back, tucked away in the corner, which meant we had to take everything out and then put everything back! I love him so much!

7. For a day to myself to scrapbook all day long! I won a gift pack worth $80 and got a lot of pages done! Plus, John got to spend the day with Zech and they had so much fun together biking, playing outside with the trucks and just hanging out!

8. Missionaries who go into the dark to shed light! We were blessed to have two couples speak at church today about their work in the Mission Field. One couple has been up North for years. They are retired and in their 80's and were asked to go back and help with one of the churches they originally planted back in the 1960's and they went and shared with us this morning (you would never guess that they were in their 80's)!! The other couple is in Romania and, wow, what a state that country is in! But in all of this darkness, God is so great and shines so bright! (John and I have a real heart for Missions, so maybe one day when God says that we are ready, we too will be able to share!)


**I completed 9 layouts yesterday, but I will only show 5. I had to take pictures of them--so they aren't going to show up the best. I also still have to journal a few of the layouts---my printing is horrible, so I will do them on the computer. It was a little challenging at times to scrap book as I don't have all of my stuff with me. I have two containers full in storage and all I grabbed was my bag. Plus I didn't want to buy anything yesterday either


This was a "Make and Take"! They do a layout and provide you with all sorts of materials and you make your own version of it.

I didn't take this one out of the protector, as I don't really like the pictures of me in the hospital--hardly recognize myself! However, I did want to scrap them for Zech! (still have to do the journaling)

Grateful Eight

This week I am grateful for:

1. The snow melting within a few hours!! Still can't believe we had snow in April, in Kelowna! It's gone now and the grass is even greener! It's funny to see the green, green grass and trees in the valleys and the white peaks--what a contrast!

2. For good health. Even though Zech has been pretty sick this weekend, once again, we are so blessed that it is just a cold and nothing more serious! (I wouldn't have said that a couple of days ago when we had ZERO hours of sleep!!

3. For the country we live in and the peace of mind knowing that we can take our kids outside and not be afraid of being bombed or shot at! Yes we LOVE Canada, but that does not mean that Canada does not have it's problems too (like the fact that even though we are Canadian citizens, we can't get medicare.....nothing more stressful than not having medicare when your child is sick and running a fever and knowing that to take him to the emergency will result in a $500 bill and to take him to the doctor is another $50 or more!! We contacted the MLA and were told that if we were immigrants or refugees we would have medical--not something we wanted or needed to hear!!!)!! Sorry I know this is about being grateful, but I have been a little sleep deprived and stressed this weekend!

4. Ron and Laura Redner!! This is the wonderful couple who has let us into their home after only meeting us twice. They are back now for a couple of weeks before they leave again and it has been a true blessing spending time with them and getting to know them!

5. For pictures of these adorable little guys!! Can't wait for the next visit in June!!


6. My sister-in-law Michelle, who was able to get me in with her hair dresser. After the week I have had trying to "fix" my hair, it will be nice to have a good hair dresser!

7. My sister and her phone calls--she thinks she calls me too much, but I always love hearing from her and hearing my nephew "coo" in the background!!

8. My wonderful husband!

18 Months

I have been trying to get an 18 month photo and post completed for two weeks now! This will be long, but it is more for my records than to bore you! So I won't be offended if you don't read it. I want this archived so that I can scrapbook it once I get a little more organized and settled!

The photo isn't the greatest, but it will do for now!



Zechariah at 18 months:

• Weighs almost 26lbs. He's lost a bit of weight--maybe because he is so active now!
• Is approximately 33 inches long (a rough measurement--he doesn't hold still long enough)
• Goes to bed at 8:00 p.m. and wakes at about 8:00 a.m. at the latest.
  
• Still takes his two naps. He went to one nap for about a week and then switched back to two again! I LOVE his TWO naps! The morning one is usually 2-3 hours and the afternoon one is 1/2 -1 hour. I think it will change here again though--he's been pretty sick lately!
• Has all of his teeth, except his two year molars. I really pray he doesn't get those until he is two!!
  
• Eats a HUGE breakfast! Loves Eggs, toast and fruit!
• Loves FRUIT, especially apples and mangoes.
• Loves cars and trucks. He can even distinguish the difference!
• Loves animals, especially puppies!
• Still loves his books and loves to look at them himself.
• Loves to talk on the phone in real life and pretend!
• Enjoys being outside and eating rocks!
• Has an infectious laugh!
• Loves to listen to music and has even started to sing.
• Likes to dance with Mom! (since daddy won't)
• Loves Sesame Street (the old school 70's episodes)!
• Has learned how to say "cheese" for the camera!!
  
• Gets so excited when Daddy comes home from work!
• Is a really sweet, compassionate kid. He gets so upset when he knows that others are upset!
  
• His Vocabulary is expanding daily. Some of his words at 18 months include;
  

1. apple,
   
2. ango (mangoe and any orange fruit),
   
3. puppa (puppy and any other animal),
   
4. meow (cat),
   
5. hi, bye,
   
6. blue,
   
7. momma, dadda,
   
8. car, truck,
9. Choo, choo (train)
   
10. na na (banana and grandma and all of the other relatives--we're working on not calling Grandpa and Uncle "Na Na"!),
    
11. Elmo,
    
12. eyes, nose, ahhh (mouth), toes, ears
    
13. shoes, socks, boots,
    
14. poon (spoon), bowl,
    
15. that,
16. water,
    
17. Oh Wow (his cousin Amanda taught him that),
    
18. Oh nice,
    
19. night night,
20. I low (I love you--melts my heart everytime!!),
21. Oh, Oh, Oh no,
    
22. Boo!,
23. No, Yeah,

I am sure there are more words, but I can't think of them and it seems that every day there is a new word! He is so inquisitive!

Grateful Eight

This is a little late, but we just flew home today after a short, but wonderful visit in Edmonton!!!

So this week I am grateful for:

1. My camera!! Yes it is working and it was just the Memory card. I have to remember to reformat it every so often!

2. This little monkey who is such an amazing traveller!! He does so well on the big airplanes!! Also check out his new haircut!! We took him to Beaners and they are amazing!! Thanks to Missy and Ethan for helping me out!!!

3. My amazing little nephew Jonas!! He is the happiest, most content baby I have ever seen!! I miss him already!
4. For getting a chance to meet some new babies that have just entered the world!

Kevin, Pamela and Casen Vadori. Casen was born on April 4, 2008! He is such a cutie!

Jaia Ramkissoon--Rita and Glen's little angel!! It was great to finally meet her and hold her!

4. My beautiful sister Melanie!! She picked us up, drove us all around and helped run after Zech!! Also for my wonderful brother-in-law Cory who put up with us as well, and watched the boys so Mel and I could have some shopping time and drove John to the airport!!



5. For getting a chance to get together with cousins and all of the new babies!



6. For Mom and being able to surprise her with a special gift that was a little late!! Sorry Mom it took so long, we hope you enjoy it and cherish it!! Thank you too for all of your help with Mel's baby Shower!



7. For Zechariah and Jonas and the loads of fun they are going to have growing up together. It was a lot of fun seeing these two interact. Although it was stressful too, as Zech is still learning the whole concept of being gentle and that baby Jonas is NOT a toy!


8. For a chance to see my great friend Trish! Trish and Trev are expecting at the end of September, beginning of October!! We are so excited for them!

Grateful Eight

There are some times in your life when every corner you turn, something bad happens, something frustrating happens and you wonder WHEN will it stop and how much more you can possibly take. So these 'grateful eights' are a real struggle for me lately, but nonetheless I will get through this--right?!!!!

This week I am grateful for:

1. Our stuff arriving from Australia (even if we have to stick it in storage and can't really 'use' it--it has arrived safe and sound)!

2. My wonderful hubby and my father-in-law who made the long, tiring trip to Vancouver to retrieve our stuff. The roads were horrible and they had to drive right to downtown Vancouver to get our stuff with a big one tonne truck!

3. For a wonderful week with my Mom and my Auntie Elaine! It was really nice to see them and spend time with them. I got to know a lot more about Kelowna. The week seemed to go by way too fast though!

4. For yummy, organic veggies, oatmeal and honey from my Mom! And for new jeans and p.j.'s for Zech! (thanks MOM)

5. For hand-me-downs!! (just found two containers full that my sister-in-law gave us that will fit Zech right now--came at a time when we really need them)!!

6. The Bible.

7. A roof over our heads, even if it isn't ours!

8. Games night with Jason, Missy and the kids! We had a great meal, dessert and fun playing pictionary!! We are a very artistic family!! :o)


Sorry no pictures yet again!! I am feeling a little lost without my camera. I will hopefully find out what is wrong with the thing tomorrow!

Some good finds!!

This week we are enjoying spending time with my Mom and Aunty Elaine. I really wanted to post some great pictures I took while we were touring the Mission Hill Winery, but all of the pictures on my camera "corrupted"! I was so upset and now i have to take my camera in to be fixed--thank goodness we got the extra extended warranty, but the camera isn't even a year old yet!!! Erghhh!!

So instead of pictures you will have to settle with some good finds that I have come across!

1. Joe has now come out with adjustable waist pants for kids!!!! I have been having a really hard time finding pants lately for Zech! He has long legs and a skinny waist. All the pants are either too short, or too big around the waist. Plus Joe is so reasonably priced!! There are other places that carry the adjustable waist pants, but I think they are a little pricey! They sell for $12 at JOE!!! I LOVE JOE and if you have never been, it is in all of the Super Stores. Their clothes are trendy and super cheap, plus JOE was just featured on the Loreal Fashion Show (this Spring) and it is pretty remarkable that a company that is only two years old has been featured on the Loreal Fashion Show in Toronto!

2. We love to travel, so naturally we collect travel points. Our main travel points that we have been collecting have been the 'Aeroplan' points. We have had such problems with them. It takes hours to book anything and if you don't book it online there is a $25 charge for you to call and talk to someone. We found this out while we were trying to book a flight for John and the internet wasn't working so we had to call. We told the lady that the internet site was down and her response was "yeah we have a lot of problems with it, but we still have to charge you the $25 for calling in"!! Yeah thanks for the great service!! This has just been the start of our problems with AEROPLAN.

However, we have found the perfect travel points Visa. TD offers a new TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card. You can check it out on the TD website (which i can't link to for some reason). It is awesome and it took me only 10 min. to book a flight online the other night!! Some of the features include:

• Unlike other travel cards, you don't have to book your travel at a particular travel agency in order to use your TD Points. You can book your trip through any travel agency or travel provider you choose and take advantage of any seat sales, travel deals, last minute deals, etc.
  
• When you book your trip at a travel provider other than the TD Visa Travel Rewards Centre, simply charge it to your Card, and then call the TD Visa Travel Rewards Centre once the charge for your travel is posted to your Account. The required number of TD Points will be redeemed from your TD Points balance and your TD Visa Account will be credited by the amount of TD Points redeemed. So the points basically give you a dollar amount that you can use towards travel. (10,000 points gives you $50 and you get 3 points per every $1 you spend, plus 9 points per every $1 you spend at the TD Travel Rewards Centre)
  
• Book your travel through the exclusive travel agency — the TD Visa Travel Rewards Centre — or the exclusive website at www.tdtravelrewards.com, where your TD Points will be redeemed automatically upon booking. Earn triple rewards for travel purchases charged to your Card
• Book your travel in any class (including business class and first class)

Get great value when you redeem your TD Points

• Redeem your TD Points for whatever type of travel you prefer, including air, package, hotel, cruise, car rental, train
• Unlike other travel reward cards, you are not limited to "reward" seats and you don't have to book in advance in order to use your TD Points. There are no seat restrictions, blackout periods or advance booking requirements. With TD Points, you can travel any time of year, including peak periods, and even during seat sales¹⁰ — and still use TD Points
• Use your TD Points for taxes that apply to your travel purchases, such as GST or provincial taxes, as well as any other charges or fees you may incur at the time of booking, such as port charges or airport improvement fees
• Your TD Points do not expire¹¹

SORRY, this got kind of long winded, but we are so excited about this new Visa. We are already planning our next trip and saving points!! Plus the travel insurance that this card offers is AWESOME too!! They have just re-vamped this VISA and it is 10 times better!!

3. I have been searching for a place to get my 12x12 digital layouts printed out, that was not super expensive. I just found out that Costco does it now for only $2.49 (next day) or $3.49 (one hour). I don't know what their quality is like, but it is worth the try for that price!