Treasuring the blessings, one by one...

Monday, July 02, 2012

An Ode To Micah (on what could be his last week as baby of the family!)

I missed the boat on your birthday post, Micah, but it's not for lack of love. :)
It's a month late, but HAPPY BEING 2 - Here's what we LOVE ABOUT YOU!
You make life extremely interesting, hilarious and busy - every day! You do things like press the key fob for the van from your sunday school class during church, setting off our van alarm outside the sanctuary in the middle of the sermon. :) You hang your body out the door with the garage opener and open and close, open and close the garage door until someone stops you. You use your hair as a napkin and your shirt as a kleenex.  No minute is dull with you around! 


 You hate waking up (always yelling out in anger) but you LOVE being in your bed. You stay there for at least an hour extra every morning, singing and playing. You are always and forever running, jumping, spinning and climbing, but will sit still for a good book or as many songs as you can get us to sing. You LOVE singing your ABCs...and yelling, "ORR TURN!" (your turn!). If we try to take a turn you shout, "NO NO NO NO NO!" with a big smile, happy to be 2 and in charge of something. Your favourite worship song is Chris Tomlin's "Yahweh" which you belt out at the most random times...often when I need to be reminded who is Lord. :) You ask us to play it over and over in the van.
You sing all the time.
And play air guitar while jumping.
You drum on everything.
You make us smile.

Nana and Bapa arrive!
You like to call your tummy freckle, "Nor button" (more belly button), you're a gifted cuddler even with my huge belly in the way, and you adore sticking your blankies in between your toes and fingers when you fall asleep. (But if a hair or a thread accidentally makes its way between those toes and fingers, WATCH OUT - you will yell and panic!)
When we ask if you have a poop in your diaper you always reply, "No sanks!" (no thanks).  If you want something from a stranger you will hold your hands behind your back, give them big eyes, and say, "Peeeeez?"...especially if you know it might not be allowed. :)


You still call out "Mommy! Mommy!" (tattling on yourself) if you're about to do something naughty - which has spared us many wall drawings, broken limbs, and vacuum jobs. If you're proud of yourself you chant, "Ook ME, Mommy!" (Look at me, Mommy) or "ATCH THIS, Mommy!" (watch this, Mommy). You're learning to cut with scissors, and try to cut my finger off for giggles. Sometimes, you wind up and hit Ellie or Josh just for fun. Yesterday I watched from a distance as you snuck up behind a boy you didn't know WITH A BIG STICK and whacked his bum!! Thankfully you are just as generous with your apologies and gentle kisses. We'll get this one sorted out. :)


You squish ants and bring them to me.
You love holding babies, even if they are as big as you.
You and I love talking about colours - but you call EVERYTHING yellow first, just for a joke. Every time. 
You say 'hi' to everyone you meet or see...often as you run past them on your way to another destination, or as you run into their arms for another big hug.
When you're bored you turn into a puppy, squish yourself between our legs and bark and refuse to leave. 

(Micah was a bit hypnotized by his candles. :)
Because of you, I find toys cars EVERYWHERE. Hiding behind picture frames, parked on the piano keys, in your bed, you name it. You concentrate so hard as you watch the wheels spin, driving cars up and down stacks of books and into nooks and crannies. Every time I find a car when you're asleep, I smile. Micah is in my house.


There's so much life and joy and sweetness inside of you and Jesus uses you to spread it to so many people, everywhere we go.
We are so blessed that God thought you up and trusted us with your little life.
We love you, Mr. Micah, and are glad you were born!

Cupcake with drool flecks, anyone?
Blowing bubbles!
Friend Owen.
Friend Taylor
Friend Eryn

"Uncle" Greg, one of Micah's favourite people, demonstrating the proper way to blow bubbles.
Greg also became the hero of the party when he chased down a butterfly...
...and caught it!
In awe!

Best big sister. 
Always-good-for-a-scream-or-laugh big brother.
"Gampa Daze" (Dave), another one of Micah's top people.
Good decorating job, Ellie!
Happy Birthday, Micah!

Monday, May 28, 2012


Spring is absolutely, 100% my favourite season!  Even though I can hardly move (less than 6 weeks to go, folks!) and when I do, I look like a lumbering elephant, I am elated that AT LEAST I am in this physical state IN SPRING. 

I don't know about you, but I find it easiest to have a heart like a child in spring...everything seems to have an element of wonder, of anticipation attached to it. So mostly for the sake of having a theme, (because I like themes) here are a few of the things that have brought wonder into the Balfour home this spring. Enjoy!

1. The wonders of a preschool visit to the dairy farm...


This baby made the poop and stink all worth it. :)

2. The wonder of EASTER and that feeling of newness that comes with it:
New clothes, and more importantly,
a new heart,
because our powerful loving Saviour Jesus rose from the dead!


3. The wonder of celebrating with family!

He could care less about candy. Give him a BALL and life is gooood.
Nana sure knows how to throw an Easter hunt!!



4. The wonders of a new-found hat. Really. Feeling glum? Put a colander on your head.


5. The wonder of having learned to ride a two-wheeler at last...
...and feeling so accomplished!!

6. The wonder of a trip to the mailbox. Seriously. Life can be so simple.
Micah's hoping the neighbour will notice him and say 'hi'. He didn't. 

The mail ain't really got till someone hides and peeks through the mailboxes.
This half a block stroll takes Micah a very. long. time.
Especially if there's any trace of puddles left over.

7.The wonder of a great neighbourhood friend and a teddy bear tea party:
The best part is that Sean-Robert's reindeer's name is "Kevin". :)

8. The wonder of hours upon hours...upon hours...spent on bikes:



8. The wonder of slides:
I don't need to say anything more about that.
9. The wonder of a boy and his trusty magnifying glass:


10. The wonder of LADYBUGS!


It got away!!!




11. The wonder of a good snuggle or two:


He's looking a little big for that bottle, isn't he. :)
12. The wonder of a first piano recital and a brave girl who NAILED IT!


13. The wonder of a dad and daughter team canvassing the neighbourhood for cancer:
Almost no one said no to that pink bunny and her owner. :)
14. The wonder of bed head and a great fake camera smile:

15. The wonder of family yard work nights:

Josh kinda helped...

16. The wonder of a little girl suddenly dressing up in a boy costume...
or is that a boy with a girl stuffy?

17. The wonder of learning to play Pictionary!
(and realizing your four year old can draw a better "Lowly Worm" than you can!!)

Micah mostly played "smear the camera with little finger prints"...

18. The wonder of a little guy sneaking his own pencil and paper on a sunny morning:
(and feeling extremely pleased with himself!)
19. The wonder of getting a brand new stack of chapter books in the school book order! 
She IS her father's daughter - stacking those shiny new books just so.
She is also her mother's daughter...let's get a cheer for Little House on the PRAIRIE!

20.The wonder of two little boys lost in play!
Just in case there was any disallusionment about the daily tidiness of my house :)
21. The wonder of cheap Garage Sale treasures! One of the best parts of spring!

22. The wonder of a major face plant that didn't end in a hospital visit.
I'm so thankful God created little faces to heal quickly!
And finally,
23. The wonder of a little girl who loves to work hard...



And her little brother who loves to play hard...


And hopefully, in a few weeks...the wonder of a garden that actually grows. :) 

Stay tuned for the wonder of a boy's 2nd birthday (it's today!) and the wonder of a basement dungeon turned beautiful. :)

So thankful to Jesus today for the gift of children and their unique ability to bring wonder and amazement into almost anything and really, into any season at all. Oh to have a heart like a child...all year long!