The 2 year old Jesus the Magi visit

We had our Sunday School Christmas Program last night and the three of us play Joseph, Mary and Jesus...the 2 year old version that the wise men visited. We had fun. Liam was really cute in his little bathrobe. Eating cookies and playing with his friend Jordan were the highlights of the night for him.

Thanksgiving Celebration in the 4plex

The married students that didn't go anywhere for the weekend, Jenny (the enrollment director for NBC) and the three of us got together for a potluck dinner. We had a fun time of fellowship and lots of food. We played a rousing game of Scattegories. II don't think turkey only makes you tired. I have a feel it also makes a person giddy, where things that usually wouldn't be fun, are. I definitely makes the game more fun. :) The little guy in the picture is Elijah. He and his mom and dad live just below us in the suite we used to occupy. Ivan is a second year student.

Doing the Dishes...giving Mommy a break!

Just Chillin'

I found Liam like this one day. Maybe he needed a longer nap that day. I was surprised that he managed to stay in that position while I ran for the camera.

Thanksgiving in Nipawin

With Lindsay being away for most of the weekend (soccer tourney in Swift Current), we decided not to go to Saskatoon this year. It was great to have Dad & Mom, Nanny, Ian, Adrian and Brooklyn come up for lunch and a visit. The meal was delicious, the visit was great and the kids had a blast playing together. We took the opportunity to take some pictures and they turned out well.

Bath Tub Shots - does this ever get old?

It is so neat to look back and see how much Liam has grown since he first came home from the hospital. The bath tub shots are easy to put side by side and see this transformation.

Knitted Scarf, Mittens and Hat from Oma

Soccer Tourney in September

Lindsay organized the tournament that we hosted in September. The week after school started. Yikes...didn't give the teams a lot of time to prepare. They had a lot of fun though. Lindsay coached the girls team and Matt Thiessen coached the guys. Go Royals! A highlight was watching and cheering on my cousin Taylor, who came from Wisconsin to attend NBC this year.

Our #1 Soccer Fan

Liam and I were watching soccer this last weekend. A student took this picture during the NBC men's last game. Friday was cold but Saturday was sunny and somewhat warm. The leaves are turning, the teams are playing soccer and school is in full swing. One of my favorite times of year. I was telling someone the other day that I feel so much when I watch our teams play soccer. Whether they win or loss I am just so proud of them. Not unlike how I feel when we watch them walk across the stage to receive their diplomas at grad. It is a neat feeling. Thankful to be used by God to be a part of some of their lives and excited for them as they try new things and are challenged. As I sit in the crowd at Grad or cheer from the sidelines of soccer match I feel the same pride I do when I watch Liam do something for the first time. I reminds me that in both circumstances we have been given an amazing privilege. I am so thankful for where God has placed us in ministry.

Swimming Lessons - July

Liam was in Duck and graduated into Sea Turtle for next year. He did very well. Went down the slide, did chop-chop timber, played some water games, reluctantly worked on floats and even went fully under the water a couple times. And no, that was not because I dropped him. :)

Outside with Keps and Theo - July

Tenting with Dad

In the front yard. He didn't do great. As long as Linds was in there with him it was a party and he wasn't going to sleep anytime soon. We ended up bringing him inside to fall asleep and then taking a very tired bear out to the tent when Linds was ready to go to bed.

My Garden

I put in a garden again this year. After not being able to put one in last summer because of being in the city, I was quite excited to be doing it again. The flower part is a work in progress. It is more often backed into a corner by the nagging quack grass. These pictures were taken in July. Lindsay actually got up on top of the CRV to take one shot.

Button Man

We went out to a couple garage sales last week and while looking around, Liam scored a couple buttons from a nice elderly gentleman at the money table. He's been wearing the proudly around the house this week. One is "Drink Milk. Love Life" and the other is some beaver protecting Alberta forests. I love it.

Waking up for the Fireworks

When we were in Saskatoon last week the Exhibition was on. Each night they put on a fireworks display and we were able to see them from Mom and Dad's house. The first night we were there I decided to get Liam up to watch them. He was a bit out of it but seemed to enjoy the show and went back to sleep without a fuss.

More fun at Kinsmen Park

I want to be like you someday

I love this picture my aunt took at the park last week. Kinsmen Park in Saskatoon has been a staple in our family experience. Our parents took us there when we were kids and now we're bringing Liam there. Besides this picture being cute, I love that Uncle Brad and Liam are there together and looking at something from two different perspectives. Liam is probably thinking, "wow, I really hope I get the black horse. Will Daddy and Pappy hold me up there? Look at it go round and round. Look at that cute little girl." Brad might be standing there thinking, "it sure has been a while since I last rode this thing. I wonder if it's still safe. It sure goes around a lot, hope I don't get dizzy. Hey, the girl working this thing is kinda cute." It's crazy to think how time flies. Brad used to stand there just like Liam but now he is a grown man and we're so proud of him. I pray that Liam grows up to be a man that loves God and because of that love, deeply cares for those around him, just like his Uncle Brad. Thank you Brad for being such a great uncle and a great example to Liam.

Hanging out with the Witters

Just last weeke we were able to hang out in Saskatoon at the same time that my mom's sister and her husband (Becky & Tom Witter) were visiting from Wisconsin. We had a fun time. We're looking forward to seeing them again soon when they bring their son Taylor to Nipawin to study here at the college.

What Remains...The "love chapter" for parents

I was leafing through my parents Focus on the Family magazine and came across the following. It was something that hit close to home and is a good reminder to myself that love for God and my family needs to be at the centre of my role as a mom.

If I spend my days buliding skyscrapers with blocks, assembling cool stuff out of LEGOS and creating relationships with other moms at Starbucks, but have not love, I am only the siren of the kids ride-on fire truck, annoyingly stuck on hold.
If I have the gift of knowing which child attempted to flush the Hot Wheels down the toilet and which one pushed her sister, and if I have faith that somehow we'll survive life's emergencies, but have not love, I am nothing.
If I save all my box tops for school and give outgrown clothing to the local shelter, and if I sureender my body to stretch marks and under-eye circles (without the benefit of botox, tanning salons or diet bars), but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient when someone isn't ready to use the big girl potty. It is kind when my husband has a hard day. It doesn't envy my neighbour who drives the new sport utility vehicle I can't afford.
It is not rude, snapping at my spouse or children when things don't go my way. It is not easily angered at perceived or real injustices.
It always protects the smallest, sweetest family confidences; always trusts God to provide my children's needs; always hopes in the freshness of tomorrow and the bright future of family; always perseveres amid hardship and doubt.
Where there are sleepless nights, they shall end. Where there are diapers, Little League and dioramas built from shoeboexes, they will cease. Where there is knowledge of baby-care trends, discipline strategies and boy-girl problems, it will pass away. Now there three remain: faith, lived out in my daily circumstances and instilled in my children; hope, of one day rejoicing with my family in heaven; and love, which covers over a multitude of less-than-perfect moments. But the greatest of these is love. It is what remains...long after I am gone. Written by Cindy Sigler Dagnan. Bases on 1 Corinthians 13

Update on Mom

Because her levels were good, Mom was released from the hospital on Wednesday afternoon. She is now home and trying to stay away from everyone...so it's not quite "home sweet home" yet. Due to the treatment she had on Monday she is a bit of a danger to anyone who gets too close. It will be this way for a week. She was able to start her thyroid medication yesterday and things are going okay in that area. Her doctor explained that because her body slowed down in that area for 10 weeks it will now start to speed up. This means that it might be a struggle emotionally. Please pray that God will give her peace inspite of what's going on inside. It has been good to phone her up these last few days to cheer her up. We called her during her last day in the hospital and for the first time Liam said "Love you" over the phone. It made her day. Since this is the first time he's said it I think it's another indication that God's timing is perfect.

Another Update on Mom

On Monday (23) my mom went into the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon to take a radioactive drink. After her scan they found two spots that they hope to kill with this drink. Because of the drink's potency she has been staying in a lead lined room in the hospital. Thankfully she has a great view of the river and has cable TV and a phone. Her levels seem to be good so it looks hopeful that she will be out tomorrow (Thursday). Thanks for continued thoughts and prayers.

Who's the Man?

When Liam first was introduced to a quad a few weeks ago he was very hesitant. You'd never know it now. This guy is a full out fan. Especially after we house sat for friends of ours from church. They have a regular sized quad and then this little one for their son. It's still a bit big for Liam but that didn't stop him from checking it out. We were there for a BBQ after the lake and during supper I went around looking for Liam only to find him in the garage, in the dark and on this quad. It kind of reminds me of my brother Brad when he was a kid except Liam likes quads and Brad didn't really like horses all that much. While preparing for a church family trail ride at Torch Trail one year (Brad was quite young still) we ended up misplacing Brad before we even left the stable. Mom went looking around for him and found him in the barn, in the dark and sitting on his horse who had decided the trail ride idea wasn't a good one and wandered back into his stall. Ahhh...memories!

Staying cool at Tobin Lake, SK

Tobin Lake is about 40 minutes from our place and is considered a great place to fish by many a fisherman. We don't fish that much but this summer it has also been a great place to catch a break from the heat of our apartment. Here's Liam playing around and in the lake when we went out there with some friends on Sunday. Great fun!!