GrEIGHTful!

I am actually posting this on time this week! Yay for me!!! :o)

This week I am grateful:

1) For my Job and the fact that the week is over. It was a short week (only 3 days), but I was exhausted!

2) For my wonderful husband! He is so good with Zech and they had so much fun together (I don't think Zech asked for me once while I was at work)! He has made up a schedule and I am quite impressed with his organization and dedication to his family, his little man, and his studies and of course his devotions!

3) That Zech really likes the snow and is excited about it. Last year when we returned from Australia he HATED it and cried everytime I tried to take him out and play in it. As you can see John and him had a blast! (John was pulling him on his boogie board--and everytime they turned a corner he would whip Zech around so that he fell off and Zech was laughing so hard he had tears coming down)!

After he took a dump! Notice all the snow on his face! :o)

4) That this week is over! John was working crazy hours right until I went back to work and it was just a LONG, tiring week.

5) Safe travels for John and my Father-in-law. John flew to Kelowna yesterday after work to pick up our other vehicle and drive back today. I just talked to them and they are in Cochrane, but the roads have been horrible! Praise God that they have made it this far and pray that they make it home!

6) God's messengers in places I least expected.

7) Stories in Hand course by Jessica Sprague. I have had quite a few technical difficulties and am no where near being caught up, but the course is really great and the system is pretty cool! I know I will make good use out of it!

8) That my little boy posed for me so nicely today. I finally took his two year photos (only a month and a half late)! I got him all dressed up, did his hair and told him that I was going to take his pictures. I hung up my backdrop and he sat right down and started saying "cheese" before I even had my camera out. I was shooting in Manual mode (something I don't usually do) and well some of the shots were not that great at all. I think I forgot what mode I was shooting in and never did the proper adjustments so a few nice pictures did not turn out as clear as I had hoped. Oh well, I really need to practice more and I don't think that Manual mode is a good mode to shoot an energetic two year old who has an extremely short attention span! I should have been on Action mode!

What a little stud muffin (yeah, yeah I now I am biased)!! He loves his pockets now, so when I told him to put his hands in his pockets and smile--he thought that was a pretty good idea! I just can't believe what a little boy he is now--my baby is gone!
This one isn't even that clear! :o(
Notice how blurry this one is!!! :o(

The NO MORE pictures pose!! He had enough by this point!


By the way......I did get some good clear shots, I am just not posting them yet! I have to edit and print them and then I will post them! I was just disappointed that they weren't all clear and that the lighting was a little finicky--I am still learning and need to practice a lot MORE!!!! He is still a cutie none the less--especially with his new outfit and new hair cut!

GrEIGHTful - another extended version

I am so bad at blogging lately, it is horrible! I can't believe October is gone and we are already in November. Some days the time just flies--other days not so much!

This weeks GrEightful list is going to encompass that last three weeks or more (so expect a few more than eight things on the list). I think that is how many weeks I am behind--sigh!!!

1) A visit with my sister and Jonas. After both boys had a nap, they seemed to be eager to play with one another and they were so funny, I wish I had video taped them. Zech would rub his head into Jonas and Jonas would grab his hair and then they would both just laugh hysterically!

2) My wonderful hubby who completely cleaned our place and sorted, moved boxes around, etc. How on earth did I get so blessed!

(one of my favourite pictures of him I took this summer at the beach)

3) Trips to the "lellow Slide" and the "Purple slide"! Although lately, walks collecting rocks, trees and pine cones have been much more interesting. He could care less about the playground!

4) Great phone calls with good friends! I miss these friends so much lately!!

5) Baby Showers! I was at baby Isabelle's (Trish and Trev's little one) shower a few Sunday's ago and it was a lot of fun and tonnes of great food! She got so many clothes--I think everyone loves shopping for little girls!


6) Email to keep in touch with friends all over the world (even though I am horrible at it lately). I got this nice little picture in my email box a bit ago and it made me smile and wish that we lived closer!


7) My inlaws who spent just over a week with us. We had a great visit and Zech was so happy to see his "Gaga" and "Nanny"! They helped me out so much with dishes, cooking, and looking after Zech! We were sad to see them go!

8) My grandparents and a chance to have a great visit and celebrate my Grandma's 85th birthday. When asked what her secret is, her response made me chuckle. She told us that we just need to stay "cool and collective". So there you have it, to live to 85 just stay "cool and collective"!! :o) (She cracks me up)!



9) Date nights with my dear husband. My inlaws graciously offered to look after Zech so we could go out for a couple of date nights while they were with us. It was so nice for just the two of us to get out. We don't get these opportunities often and it was funny because we both felt like we were dating again!! :o)

10) A nice, safe first Halloween for Zech. He went as a horse (thanks Missy for the costume). We took him to the mall for a bit and then had supper and then we stopped in at Halloween Alley. Zech didn't know what to make of this whole trick or treating thing until we let him have a treat, well them he was full bore!



11) Uncle Cor, Aunty Mel and Baby Joe as Zech calls them! We had a nice visit with them on Friday and then yesterday they looked after Zech for a few hours while we went to a friend's surprise birthday.

12) Lunch with the Nenasheffs! We have some great times with the Nenasheffs and we are so blessed to have these wonderful friends in our lives.


13) Finally securing a job. I got my old job back and start on Wednesday! What a huge relief! Lots of changes about to happen in our little family, but it will be good. John is excited to be able to look after Zech and focus on his schooling. I know that Zech and him are going to have a blast together. For some reason my truck and tractor sounds just aren't as good as Daddies! ;o)

Long Overdue...

I know this blog of mine has been so neglected lately, it's pathetic! I do have a lot to share and write about, and record, but never seem to have the time or energy to do anything lately!

So I will play a little catch-up.

At the end of September, right before we moved back here to Edmonton, we had a little birthday party for Zech. I just wanted to share a few pictures. He is obsessed with Choo choo trains, so hence the idea for the cake. I still can't believe that my little boy is two and what a two year old he is.

The boys trying to pick off all of the goodies---okay they were actually discussing which piece of the train they wanted!

I do have to give credit to my wonderful hubby and nephew Cody for helping me decorate the cake! It was a little challenging making a cake when half your kitchen was in boxes! Zech really liked his cake and was so excited about his "choo, choo tain"!

We also had a little get together with my side of the family once we arrived here in Edmonton, but I was on a picture taking strike for some crazy reason and never got one single picture. I am not too overly impressed about that, not very smart on my part!

Now for the next birthday celebration.....my Grandma Halwa turned 85 on Oct. 27. John, Zech and I drove out to Leduc to visit her and bring her some birthday loving! Last time I saw her in September, she couldn't remember who I was, but this time she did! I think it helped that I was with Zech and John-John. She calls John, John-John! As soon as I told her that John-John was with me, it seemed to click and she knew who we were.

Zech was really good and was giving Grandma lots of hugs and kisses. He was "full of beans" as Grandma said and she wasn't joking. It was like we had loaded him up on caffeine or sugar (which we hadn't) and he was just going 100 miles an hour the whole time. My poor Grandma looked like her head was spinning from his flurry of activity, but she really enjoyed the visit. Trying to get some decent pictures was a difficult task, as you can see!

Then we went and visited Grandpa. Zech thankfully calmed down a little and was full of hugs and kisses for Grandpa too. However, he was really interested in rocking Grandpa in his chair and we had to really watch him so he didn't rock poor Grandpa right out of his chair. Even though Grandpa has alzheimer's he is really good at holding a conversation and he laughs at all of John's jokes and even jokes back. When we were leaving Zech and I said goodbye and then John shook his hand and Grandpa grabbed on to it and wouldn't let go. So John kept talking and thanked Gramps for the visit and Grandpa stated that "it was his pleasure and to come anytime"! It was pretty funny and touching!

Free Class

I am so excited for this class from Jessica Sprague. I just registered and can't wait until it starts. I struggle so much with journalling and telling the stories about the photos I take. I can't wait to learn what she is going to teach us and to start journalling better!! The best part is that it is FREE!!

GrEIGHTful!!

So I have changed my Grateful Eight title to Greightful at the suggestion of my Aunt Elaine! You know it took me a while to come up with "Grateful Eight" and then my Aunt gives me the great idea for an even better title! Why didn't I think of that??

This week I am GrEightful for:

1. A pleasantly warm October.

2. The Keg. We went for supper last weekend and we usually never go to the Keg (due to the price and the portions), however we decided to try it again. They were awesome! They brought Zech a plate full of veggies, crackers and fruit while we waited for our meal (and never charged us for it). What a life saver. He was hungry and when he gets hungry he gets restless and really fussy. He was so good, and he had all of the waitresses stopping by to say hi--little flirt!

3. My husband. I haven't been feeling that great. Zech is just coming off his flew and maybe I got it. However, John is so great with Zech and lets me sleep in when I most need it! He is the best!

4. A two year old and his many ramblings! This morning he was downstairs playing and he was repeating over and over ..... "I'm a good boy, I'm a good boy, I'm a good boy"! It was so funny! He was in trouble this morning and I told him he wasn't being a good boy, so maybe he was trying to convince himself to change! :o)

5. Time to do some digital scrap booking. Even if it was only one layout, that is one more I have to put in my album!

6. Catching up with good friends. We met with Dave and Jeanette and got to see their little Princess for the first time. She is so gorgeous and such a good baby! It was so nice to catch up with some really great friends of ours! We really did miss them!

7. Chatting on the phone with the Vianello's! Even though they are in Europe, they are just a phone call away! They are doing great and adjusting to their new roles. It has been really interesting to learn about Holland and their medical system through Mari. They are very hands off throughout the whole pregnancy. The midwives deliver the baby at the hospital and if baby and mom are fine, they send them home 3-5 hours after the baby is born. However, (this is the best part) they get their own personal nurse for 8 days after the baby is born. This nurse is there to help you and you can consult with her at any time. Mari and Tony's nurse has been cooking, doing laundry, helping out with the baby, and cleaning! I think that is great! The after care is so important, especially when you are a first time parent!

8. Reading the Bible and learning more and more about God's character.

Grateful Eight

I haven't felt much like writing, taking pictures or even blogging lately. All three things that I really do love to do. I haven't touched my camera for two weeks! Can you believe that and I have missed a few moments that I can't get back (although Mel says that I can re-create them--haha--still not the same), so it is time to get out of that rutt and get on with doing what I do enjoy doing!

So I am back with my Grateful Eight!

1. Yes we made the move back to Edmonton thinking that it would be the best move for me to get a job. We are open to God's provision and plan and if that means moving to Calgary we will go there, but for now we are here in Edmonton. I have extended my prioirty to include both Edmonton and Calgary and so far have got only referrals for positions in Calgary which completely caught me off guard (we decided we will go wherever the first position comes up). This has been a hard move, as we really loved Kelowna and the lifestyle in Lake country and moutain bike/hiking country, but we have to do what is best for our family. I am grateful to be close to my family again, but do really miss John's family! Bittersweet!

2. My beautiful little boy, who has been a little sick lately, but still melts my heart and makes me smile. I thank God every day for him and know what a miracle he is!

3. Beautiful baby girls. Trish and Trevor had their first beautiful little girl on Oct.2nd and then Mari and Tony had their beautiful little girl on Oct. 13th. We are so happy for them.

Baby Isabelle Pearl

(Trish and Trev's little angel)

Baby Ruby Matilda Vianello

(Mari and Tony's little Gem)

4. University of Athabasca. John has started and I think he will do really well. He is so excited and just wants to get his degree done--keep him in your prayers please!! I admire his faith, persisitance and courage to do what he feels that God is calling him to do, even in the midst of so much negativity and lack of support and encouragement that he has had to face from certain people. He is such a remarkable, wonderful man of God and I challenge those people to truly get to know him instead of constantly passing judegment on him! God loves us all!!

5. The Bible--need I say more! I am continuously amazed at this Master piece and that God can speak to us (if we allow him to) so clearly and precisely through the Word, the Truth! I am also saddened by the continuous attack on the Bible's validity by both non-christians and Christians alike. The evidence for its validity is both INTERNAL (contained within its text) and EXTERNAL (verified by ancient Bible manuscripts, archaeological discoveries, early Christian and non-Christian writers, etc.). Some of the most recent archaeological discoveries once again proving the Bible's validity are so exciting and mind boggling! God is so amazing!!

6. The freedom to Vote. Some days I look at this country of ours and I see all of the things that are failing,corrupt and immoral and it just seems to be getting worse. I want to see this great country of ours be the best it can possibly be and as Canadians we need to start standing up, speaking out and taking some pride in our country. So yay for everyone that went out and voted.

7. My Dad and all of the wonderful times we did have with him! On Tuesday it would have been his 65th birthday (how fitting that an election was held on his birthday--he really did like politics)! I miss him and think about him often. I really wish that he could have met his grandsons. He loved kids so much and would have been beside himself with his little boys! Zech does have certain personality traits that really remind me of my Dad (I guess that was inevitable since I have a lot of the same personalities traits as my Dad too)! I think about my Mom a lot too. I know it has not been easy for her!

8. My Aunty Elaine. I have been praying and thinking about my Aunt so much lately as she battles breast cancer. She is an amazing woman, with so much to offer and such a warm, caring, loving heart! She is probably the friendliest, chattiest person you will ever meet. So please keep her in your prayers.

Still Here...

We are still here, just been a little busy and well things have been chaotic lately. Still trying to figure stuff out, but am constantly reminded that no matter how crazy, stressful, chaotic, unsure life is, the one thing I am always sure of is God's love and my amazing husband and wonderful little boy.

Also, I can't believe that my baby was two last Friday!! Where has the time went! He is growing way too fast!! We have been practising his age for a bit now, so the other day we went in to "vote" and the lady asked him how old he was and he smiled and said "twooo"--just as we practised! We are still working on his name. If you ask him what his name is he replies very confidently and boldy "me". He isn't completely wrong, but we are working on it and he will say "me" and then "ech". I guess the "Z" is a little hard to say! The long version of his name will have to wait a bit! :o)

I do have some pictures to share of the b-day parties, but am really behind and disorganized lately. So please bare with me as I try and get things together!

HAVE A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING and take time to reflect on all of the wonderful things we have to be thankful for! God Bless!