Summer in the City

Okay, looks like I can manage to find time to blog after all! Last weekend our city had its annual summer kick-off event called 'Summer in the City'. Although we were planning on going Saturday, we took a sneak peak on Friday and couldn't resist getting Ellie and Josh each a pony ride. Ellie and I have been reading a chapter book series together called, "Pony Crazed Princess" which has ignited a passion in Ellie for all things pony, as you can tell by her face here:

So the next day we went back without Micah (who had tried to jump out of the tractor train ride the day before). We had an agreement with the kids that we weren't going to go on any rides that cost money, because they wanted to save up for Tinker Town, an amusement park not far from here. There was still PLENTY to do.

Here's Josh in the shades Ellie made him wear, enamoured with a street hockey game:

We obviously couldn't pass by the ponies without another smiley riding moment!

Josh thought it was just as cool, just in a more cowboyish way:

We spent quite a while at what was probably the best petting zoo I've ever been to.
All the animals were super tame and easy to interact with:

Our friends TJ and Amanda from Penner Pumpkins provided everyone with rubber duck water races:

Ellie won! (Rob and I raced, too. I lost and got a weird burning sensation in my chest. Perhaps I should exercise one day.)

Amanda is a seriously talented face painter!

While waiting for Josh to get his face painted, this guy came and gave Ellie a handshake. I thought for a moment she would either bawl or bolt, but she managed to stand her ground and give him a shaky smile...kinda scary, if you ask me!

Josh's turn!

Much to Ellie's delight, there was a huge board with buckets of paint for the kids to have free reign with:

Rob made friends with the Funny Loud Knife-Throwing Guy and got some juggling tips:

Ellie and Josh leaning on one another for moral support during the Knife-Throwing Guy's act:

Josh's version of looking at the camera and smiling:

Can't forget the good times to be had on the bouncy castle!

And Josh's highlight of the day - the bouncy slide. I totally thought he'd be timid. NOT a chance...the higher he bounced and flipped down that slide, the better! Look at the wild euphoria in those eyes:

Stay tuned for more summer hoopla!

(Next up - a visit to the cabin that my mom and dad are renting.

I'm going alone with the kids. It should be...interesting. Prayer always welcome. :)

Why Blogging Ain't a Priority No More!

In case there's 2 or 3 of you out there who are wondering why I'm not blogging much anymore, I was thinking that perhaps I owe you an explanation.

Let me first tell you what it's NOT.

It's not that THESE TWO have left me without material to blog about:

No, the material is still flowing regularly. They make me smile and laugh as much as they ever did.

No, the reason I'm not blogging these days is because of this Cute face:

 Look closely...right into those baby blues...can you see it?? Can you see the

MISCHIEF?!?

 So on Micah's first birthday he decided to pull out a whole new bag of tricks. Within one day he learned to 1. pull up on furniture 2. pull to sitting from lying down 3. climb stairs 4. do a REAL crawl (not army) SUPER fast 5. crash down from furniture and 6. say 'wow' and 'hi'.

It was a busy day.

And it is now a busy life!!

 These two little legs are at least 50% busier than either Ellie or Josh's ever were.
I find myself rotating from surprise to fear to dismay to amusement all day long.
(But mostly amusement because after all, Micah is Child Number 3. I think Number 3's tend to be this way. )
So Micah has this little circuit he likes to do around the house.
First and best stop: the DVD player. We've mostly blocked it off now, because this mom felt sad seeing this reaction:

 ...every time she said 'no no Micah!'. Poor little peanut. Life is tough.

Next stop: the stairs. Keep in mind, we live in a split level with stairs everywhere. We thankfully have doors blocking off every level, but with two other children, they don't always stay closed.

 I try to let him practice several times a day, since the sooner he learns the better. Going up, no problem. Going down...not so graceful. Once he's at the top, next stop is

Ellie's CD player:

 Two days ago he discovered the eject button on the bottom and now is determined to rip the CD drawer out of the player. Unplugging this during the days is alleviating this problem.

Back in the living room Micah resigns himself to pulling off un-nailed baseboards and smashing air vents. I don't usually stop him, because he is a boy, after all, and by this time it feels as though I should let him do SOMETHING. 

 Then it's off to the kitchen where, if it's a nice day, we appreciate a breeze flowing in through our screen door...which doesn't latch properly...which Micah LOVES.

 And before long, his hand is pinched, again. 

 He also has a tendency to loose his balance by the door. And by the coffee tables. And pretty much everywhere else. The marks were already faded by today (don't show up well in the photo) but he definitely wins the record in our home for multiple face wounds within 24 hours:

So that, my friends, is why I'm not blogging.

During the day, I am chasing (among many other things).

During the evening, I am recovering.

(Which begs the question: When am I posting this blog? During "quiet time". Rob's home. Kids are sleeping. All is well.)

p.s. It being summer, we also have yard work to do. Thanks to our friends Tim and Rachel for lending us this sweet JAIL cell for our little adventurer:

Which works for a little while. But Micah's learning to climb it. And eat it.

 p.p.s. Rob and I like to speculate what God might do in Micah's lifetime if he remains unafraid and adventurous...plant churches? Reach a people group for God? Change the world?

We pray it might be so!! 

Christmas in May - Thanks Tom and Farzad!! :)

Micah Celebrates 1 Year of Livin'!

 So this Saturday marks 1 year since Micah Daniel Jacob made his entrance into the world during a crazy May rainstorm. I will never forget that moment for a few reasons: 1. It really was a CRAZY rainstorm - in fact, awesome would be a good word to describe it! 2. I really don't like surprises, and I knew I was having a boy, so I was extra excited to meet him! and 3. The presence of Jesus was so incredibly strong in the delivery room. Talk about experiencing peace in the middle of pain! It still takes my breathe away.

 This year, like all baby's first years, has had it's ups and downs, but mostly ups. Micah is a

joy and a delight

and has all of us madly in love with him. He is peaceful and independent and when crossed, has a temper like the rainstorm mentioned earlier. :) He enjoys pulling our un-nailed baseboards off the wall, throwing food on the floor and poking Joshy's eyes. He still army crawls, and it's impossible to lose Micah because he grunts wherever he goes (quite the workout). He gives the best hugs ever, and very occasionally regales us with his few words, 'Dada', 'Mama', 'wow' and 'ba' (balloon). He loves to dance, clap, laugh and WRESTLE!

 But most of all Micah likes to watch.
And around here, there's plenty of action!

Needless to say, Micah's life is worth celebrating, so this past weekend, that's what we did! (however, I will sheepishly admit that with every birthday party I plan, the less effort I put in. This particular party didn't even have a THEME. WHAT is HAPPENING to me?!)

 The weather cleared up right when my family arrived, so we hung out outside for a while. Here's Josh and his best chair/uncle, Jon:

My, they're in tune with one another!

 Josh will steal a snuggle whenever he gets the chance!

 My nephew Drew showing off his belly button. This kid makes me giggle!

Micah's friend Emily didn't want to leave her mom's lap for fear of bugs. That's what these long winters do to the poor children: they forget what bugs are.

 Ellie and Regan sharing some secret cousin humour:

 Those freckles make me want to kiss her!

We all shared a quick and easy 'faspa' type supper:

 And opened presents:

 Micah's stunned tissue-paper-heaven face:

 As always, the big kids had the most fun!

 And lastly, introducing Micah to the excellent world of cupcakes. He was too entranced by the singing to notice at first, though:

 "Hey, what is this? Feels gross."

 "Ewwww...."

 "Ma, are you sure I'm supposed to EAT this stuff?"

 "Yeah, okay, you've convinced me!!!"

 Micah, I love you more than words can say!

I am so looking forward to the ups (and downs) your second year will bring.

xoxo

Mommy

Happy Mother's Day, Grandma!

We wish you were closer so we could hug you! Instead we threw together this little song and dance to let you know how special you are to us! Hope you have a wonderful, joyful Mother's Day!!

A(nother) Season of Change

Well, this week marks exactly five years since we moved back to Manitoba from B.C... and for those of you who don't already know, God has decided that it's time to mix things up a little in our lives. Our close friend and pastor Andrew has decided to take on the job of Principal at a Christian School in a nearby city. It was a complete shock to him and to all of us...but sometimes that's just how God does things. :) So last week Rob said goodbye to his long-time desk job at Valeant, and on Sunday he had his first day as

team-leading

PASTOR

of our church, Calvary Chapel.

We feel so blessed and excited (along with a fair share of fear and trembling) to embark on this adventure together and with our much-loved church family. We are very aware that we are not able, but He is more than able!!

Our good friends Greg (and his wife Michelle) have been hired on at the same time (Greg as administrative pastor. We've never had one of those before!)  and our associate pastor Dave is also staying on staff...so we both feel surrounded and encouraged and well, quite stoked.

To all our praying friends and family, please join with us in praying that God would accomplish everything He wants to in our church and in our city as Rob learns to love and lead this congregation of quite amazing people. Our desire is to be faithful, to run this race well, and to see Jesus glorified!!

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!" 

Ephesians 3:20, 21