Ellie and Josh both started 'school' on Wednesday this week. It was INCREDIBLE!

For those of you who don't know, we've decided to try educating our kids with a homeschool co-op. Three other moms and myself (along with our 12 kids) are embarking on this adventure together and are VERY excited to see what God has in store! So for the last couple weeks we've all been working like crazy to set up the upstairs of our church like a 'real' school, with bulletin boards, classrooms and centres, etc.. Each of us has taken a few different 'classes' (according to what we're good at and enjoy) and teach each other's children! The best part? We can pray and use God's name whenever we want to. Here's a glimpse of our first two days as a group:

Arriving at school the first day, the kids had wonderful peace over them.

After all, none of them had to leave their moms!

I was immediately amazed at how the different ages blended together no problem!

Sitting in the teaching corner for the first time.

Josh was quite pumped to be part of the action.

Learning our new routines.

Even Micah got a taste of school life!

Singing praise to Jesus!

So excited to finally be a student!

Eryn and Abigail celebrated their birthdays with sparklers...

...and with cookies!...

...which made Josh very happy.

Recess time!

We played "What's the Time, Mr. Wolf?", and again I was amazed at how all

the age groups took care of each other. What a blessing!

Josh and his preschool buddies, Ezra and Abigail, watching a DVD.

Ellie in her class with her classmate and best friend, Chloe,

and her teacher, "Mrs. Friesen" (formerly known as Auntie Michelle :) Us parents have decided to use our last names (as well as having the kids all wear golf t-shirts) to distinguish between church and school. So far they love it! And I love it too when Ellie runs up to me and says, "I love you, Mrs. Balfour!" :)

So far we are ALL having a blast (parents too)!

All I can say is thank you, thank you Lord, for this beautiful

idea you've birthed and brought to pass! Be glorified!

Joshy is at that delightful 2 year old stage where his vocabulary is bigger than his understanding. The result? He keeps us quite entertained with his commentary on life. Here's a little sample:

Josh was poking at his bum after bath time.

Mommy: "Josh, is your bum okay?"

Josh: "Yeah, it's a little bit nauseous."

Mommy: "Nauseous?"

Josh: "Yeah, it's a little bit sword." (sore) 

Hehe. Time for some bum cream!

Josh is trying to get a sense of time, but it's not working out so well for him:

"Diego is SO BIGGER than a few MINUTES!"

"I LOVE a tinkle treat a WHOLE WEEK AGOs!"

"I LOVE Madge ALL NEXT WEEK!"

Mommy: "Josh, could you please go check the time for me?" (a diversion while I changed Micah's bum)

Josh runs to the kitchen and I hear him chanting, "One, two, two, four, four, polka-dot, three."

He runs back to the living room.

Mommy, "So? What time is it?"

Josh: "Time for Micah to go to BED!"

Ellie: "Josh, you're so funny."

Josh: "No, I'm handsome."

Ellie: "Josh, you're funny AND handsome."

Josh: "NO, I'm JUST HANDSOME!"

Ellie: "Joshy, Rice Krispies say, 'Snap Crackle Pop.'"

Josh: "NOOO. They say 'snack pack HONK', Ellie!"

(This boy will argue to the death about ANY THING.)

Getting dressed one morning, I put Josh's new Nike t-shirt on.

Josh: "THANK YOU, Mommy! You found my A-tar (guitar) shirt! Good job!"

(I guess the Nike logo looks a LITTLE bit like a guitar!?)

Same conversation every single night before bed:

Mommy: "Josh, would you like me to cover you with a blanket?"

Josh: "Ummm....no thank-you. I'm not cold. Or warm."

Mommy: "Joshy, what do you want to be when you grow up?"

Josh: "Ummm...I want to be a WORKER, like Daddy. I want to be a TRAIN DRIVER, and hop on a big BIG Thomas!!"

I'll bet you do. We love you, train-loving, smiling, goofy little arguing Joshua!

Micah vs. the Camera

"Oh, there's that shiny black thing pointing at me again.

Can't a guy have a little privacy? Can't it see I'm teething here?"

"Take THAT, black thing!"

"Anger management SHMANAGEMENT. That felt AMAZING!"

3 Months of Sweetness!

Well, today marks three months since little Micah came into the world during a wild and crazy thunderstorm. So far, the storm was not an indicator of what his personality would be like! This little guy is so pleasant and fun to be around, he makes me want to have more! Micah, we already can't imagine life without you! 

Micah has just figured out the whole toy-holding thing,

and finds it quite wonderful.

He's also been introduced to the wonderful world of ExerSaucer, and finds that equally amazing...

for about five minutes or so.

We love you, little guy!

At a Wedding, Part I

At a Wedding, Part II

At a Wedding, Part III

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!