Ellie Ballerina

I just know one day 20 years from now I'm going to look at these and a tear (or maybe several) will roll down my cheek as I remember the little girl that was! I love you, Sweet Dancing Girl in Rubber Boots!

Cheers to eight years!

Monday of this week marked eight years since I said 'yes' to marrying my best friend!
I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

These eight years have been joyful and wonderful...and painful and difficult.
Lots of laughter, lots of tears.
Full of surprises, full of the ordinary.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
Every day I become more aware of how blessed I am to be married to Rob. Every day I become more aware that God intends marriage to be a tool to grow us into His likeness...and that isn't always pleasant.

Rob Balfour, I love and respect you! And here are eight reasons why:

1. You make me feel special and beautiful every day.
2. You love the Lord and work hard at becoming the man, husband and father He intended you to be, even when it's not easy.
3. Our kids have a dad who loves them enough to "date" them, discipline them, and to die for them.
4. You and I parent as a team. I wouldn't trade that for millions of dollars.
5. You pray for me.
6. You're great at things I'm rotten at (finances, digging up nasty over-grown plants, killing spiders, bath time with the kids, preaching, listening before you speak, etc.) We balance each other.
7. You work hard at your job and have earned the respect and trust of your employers.
8. After all these years, I still have more fun with you than anyone else in the world!

Thank you, Lord, for holding our marriage in the palm of your hand!

Double Trouble and the Museum

Last week we were super blessed to have Rob's twin, Tom visit us for 3 days. We had fun the entire time he was here (Children's Museum, splash park, the mall, wiener roast, games night, etc.), but I think visiting our local Mennonite Heritage Museum was the highlight for everybody!

Who's hand are they holding, folks? Rob's, or Tom's?

Ellie and Josh running to see the donkeys.

Who doesn't break into a run at a donkey sighting, really?

Mesmerized by the donkeys.

They spotted something more exciting than donkeys.

Rob and Josh smiling big, even though the pigs smelled worse than awful.

If you look closely, I'm sure you can see beads of sweat! It was HOT.

Some cool windmill thing-a-ma-bob.

The goat was a real hit!

"HE TOUCHED ME!" (Josh doing the happy dance nearby.)

"Mom, he touched me!"

Ellie churning something.

School Marm Balfour.

Attentive student.

School Master Balfour.

We walked through some grass to get to this bench, stirring up the mosquitoes. We took this shot super quick before being eaten alive!!

The windmill.

He looks innocent, but he's totally the boy who'd dip a girl's braids in the inkwell. :)

Their idea of posing for my picture.

By the end of our visit, Ellie had totally gotten into character, playing 'house' in every building we entered. :) Josh played right along.

We should have named this kid 'Trooper'! Overtired and overheated, we heard not one peep out of him.

Tom, it was so great to have you...come again!!

2 Months...Already!

Well it's official: I can't help myself. Any month milestone for a baby is reason enough for me to torture them endlessly with the camera. Here is sweet Micah, 2 months old today. He is such a blessing and delight. Enjoy!

He has no clue how much we enjoy him...

We spontaneously took these pictures one quiet Sunday afternoon so that Micah could see he really did have a mom and dad when he was little. Anyone else out there tend to forget to take pictures of themselves because it's awkward and annoying? Oh what I would give to have more photos of my mom, who passed away when I was 10. Do your kids a favour and take some pictures with YOU in them today!