First Horsey Ride

Don't forget to pack your ANGRY EYES!

Just imagine that title spoken in a Brooklyn accent by Mrs. Potato head on Toy Story 2. Why on earth is there a Mr. Potato head on our couch you ask? Did Liam's skin rash get really bad or did he have an allergic reaction and "blow up like my Aunt Roberta"... that last one was a quote from While You Were Sleeping, the single most quoted movie between Alysun and I during our college years. I'm not sure about all the movie talk here but I will get back to the point of this posting. One of our Awana/Sparks nights fell on Halloween so we thought we would reward the kids who came out with some candy. How boring would it be to just hand out candy? So, we decided it would be fun to make a pinata. The night at Sparks was also something special called 'Tator Night. All the kids are supposed to bring a potato, the weirder the better, and they get Awana bucks and then play games with the potatoes. You can probably see where I am going with this one. It just wouldn't work to have a butterfly pinata at 'Tator Night so that's how Mr. Potato Head came to be in our apartment. One balloon, lots of glue, lots of newspaper, and $30 worth of candy and tada, you have a pinata. The kids had a great time and I must admit, it was fun to put it together.

Just chillin' and watching the Riders WIN!!!

Liam doesn't get to see a lot of TV yet (and now that I look at this picture he usually doesn't sit that close to the TV either...the mother in me talking) but he did get to witness the Rider game last weekend when they beat out Calgary (sorry Sheila :) for a spot in the Western final tomorrow. Linds has been excited about these two days all week. Tonight he gets to watch the Canadiens play the Maple Leafs on Hockey Night in Canada and then tomorrow we get to watch the Rider game. We usually only get to hear the Rider games on the radio because the games are often blacked out and we have peasant vision. They play BC tomorrow and as much as I love the Leppingtons...I really hope the Riders win this one. The only bad part of all this is that it means the CFL season is coming to an end. I have learned to enjoy hockey but remind me again why it lasts so long? October to June...there should be a law against that and a longer football season. Go Riders!

Remembrance Day thoughts

I turned on the TV this morning, as I often do to watch a bit of Canada AM while I feed Liam. They had put together a special day of programming to honor the troops that are around the world and especially in Afghanistan. I didn't watch for very long but I happened to catch a family being "reunited" over the air. The mother looked not much other than myself and she was saying hi from Kandahar to her family back in Eastern Canada. You could tell that it was difficult for her to keep her composure while seeing her husband and children on the screen and hearing their voices over the line. Her husband was telling her how their son's 2nd birthday went well and how he just started stringing sentences together. I sat there on our couch, with Liam in my arms and had some trouble myself keeping the tears at bay. I don't know if it's the emotional mommy I have become or maybe I just realize a bit more that life is precious and family is often taken for granted. Here I sit in Nipawin, SK working, what I feel are long days as a mom when there are mothers and fathers serving long days for our country that aren't able to enjoy the pleasure of tucking their little ones into bed at night. My biggest concern lately is fretting that Linds isn't able to spend lots of time with us because of the busyness of ministry at NBI. It is a valid concern and we will continue to work out the balance but life was put into perspective for me this morning and I thank God for that and for the sacrifice of those that are helping the people in Afganistan. As Canadians we might have differing opinions on the fight in Afghanistan but again today I was reminded and encouraged to pray for our troops. Not just for the fight and the work there but for them as individuals who have left family and friends to be there. The special veteran license plates here remind us that we are surrounded by people that have fought and worked for the freedom we now enjoy. So much sacrifice today and in past years. If is something that I want to teach Liam and to remember myself.

Will that be cash or credit sir?

Yes, that is Liam with a credit card. It's not ours, but belongs to NBI. Linds had it with him on one of his soccer trips and Liam sniffed it out before Linds was able to take it back to work. The sneaky grin on his face may suggest that we have a spender on our hands. :) Look out Toys R Us!!

Maybe he'll be a Pepsi man

The operative word being "maybe". I hope to keep that out of his system for a while yet. A mother can dream right?

Ten Months Old!

Yep, those are four teeth you see there. His top two sprouted a couple weeks ago and just keep coming out. It really changes his appearance. This is his cool Green Bay Packer outfit that Opa and Oma Reiss gave him...he wears it and I put it on him with pride...even though they aren't having the greatest season...yet! :)

Helping Mom with the laundry...

...or is he? I think he likes to play with the laundry but it sure is fun to have him around when I do some of the little tasks. He brings a smile to my face.

Thanksgiving in Nipawin

We had a good weekend. Lindsay drove with the soccer teams down to Millar College of the Bible and spent two days in cold conditions coaching our teams. It was a good trip but they were thankful to get back. On Sunday a bunch of us got together for a Thanksgiving meal. On Monday, Mom and Dad Anderson were able to come visit for lunch and the afternoon. We had a great visit. The goal of the weekend was accomplished...we came away thanking God for the abundant blessings he has given us in family, friends, health, provision, NBI, etc. We are thankful.

Just hanging out

Having fun with Laura...

Laura Collins (her and her husband Dan live downstairs in our building) had just got her new laptop and was testing out a new program called Photobooth. As you can see, it takes more than the traditional shots. Liam thought it was great and if he could talk would probably tell us that he wants one too.

The Good Old Summertime...

These were taken this summer when my mom was babysitting one day. Liam's little friend, Nolan, belongs to our friends and my parents renters, Becky & Jason Salmond. They decided to go to the park and have some fun. We are missing the weather when all that was needed was a shirt. Sadly, it's only going to get colder, but the snow will be fun.

We're still here...

I'm going to be very boring and not add any pictures today. I'm so used to having all our pictures right on our computer but last night I did some house cleaning and saved all of them to disk. Silly me forgot to bring them along on my little trek to Linds' office. While I'm here though I wanted to send out a hello. Again, my apologies for not posting more often. I am really missing the internet at home. Life is going well here. Linds is busy getting ready to teach on Friday. He starts both classes then. Thanksgiving was quiet for us. We stayed here in Nipawin, spending time with other couples and Linds' parents came up on the Monday. It was a really nice day and a good visit. Perfect weather for the day. Cheerio until next time...

NINE MONTHS OLD TODAY!

Liam was born nine months ago, today. Wow. Can't believe it goes by so fast.

Missing Daddy

Linds is away for two days as he needs to attend a PAC (Prairie Athletic Conference) meeting in Moose Jaw today. It will be a busy week for him. He gets back late tonight and is in charge of the outdoor soccer tournament we are hosting here this weekend. Liam and I are hanging out today. Liam is either teething or is sick with a cold. His nose is a constant drip and he's had a bit of a fever 37.6 is the highest it's been. Under the armpit, they say that 36.5 is normal. It is beautiful up here today so I thought we would get some fresh air. I am currently in the student lounge using the computer so I am not able to send a picture or two along with this post. You can just picture us in your mind's eye...Liam has red cheeks, snot rolling down from his nose, his mouth open so he can breathe, and spiky hair...still. I look a little tired and my hair needs to see a brush 'cause I just realized I forgot to really look in the mirror before I went out. ahh...officially a mommy! Well, better get the munchkin back to the apartment. We are approaching nap time.

Bath time...sitting up

Labour Day Weekend

We rented a boat with Dan & Laura Collins and Kyle & Kassy Parsons on the Saturday of the long weekend. Both couples live in the four plex with us. Dan & Laura work at NBI (Enrolment Director & Exec Assistant) and Kyle is a 4th year student with Brad. Kassy works in town...the important piece of the puzzle that keeps them away from student loans. We went out to Tobin Lake that Saturday and spent 2 hours on the lake. It was really fun. We came back to the Nipawin Regional park for a BBQ supper. What a great day!

Baby Shower for Brooklyn

Ian (Linds' brother) & Danielle's little Brooklyn is such a beautiful baby and it was really neat to be able to celebrate her birth at the baby shower before we left for Nipawin. I realized after that I actually didn't get a picture of Brooklyn...silly Auntie Amanda. I'll have to make up for it the next time we're together as a family. The pictures are of Danielle opening her gifts, Liam playing with his cousin, Adrian and Ashlee (Linds' brother Andrew's girlfriend) and her mom Norma playing with Liam.

Saying Goodbye

We know that we will see them from time to time as we are only 3 hours away...but it's just not the same. Craig & Jen Glen were one of the biggest perks of living in Saskatoon. God is good and this couple is just another example of that statement. We are thankful for them as a couple not only personally but also as a pastor couple as they have followed God's leading and minister to our church family in Saskatoon. The last time we moved away our friendship grew even over the miles. We hope this trend continues. We love you two!!!

Moving to Nipawin...