An Evening with the Kids

I'm strange. I look at some blogs every day wondering why they haven't updated them. :) After all, a mom with 10 kids should be able to write at least a little something, for the rest of the world to see and be inspired by right...? :) (yes, I'm joking dearies) And then there is little old me. Me+ every few weeks = a few posts. Good thing I don't have a blog that the whole world sees. They would be very disappointed in me. :)

I would love to be a good blogger - have a blog that is very creative looking, write amazing posts for others to see, and of course take top of the line photography...but that is a dream which doesn't need to see reality...sigh... I'm not a writer, or a photographer, and one who barely scrapbooks. :) So this is just a little spot to keep record of our lives, for us, for our family and anyone else who wants to see a mediocre blog. :)

Just a picture of Katelyn sharing her water with James. :)
I found the little missie playing with her toys with a doll cape on her head. :) As a mom, I thought it was rather cute.

We had the nephews and nieces over for a quick supper one night, using our BBQ...oh what fun it is to BBQ. :) Micah is on our shed roof. :)

James playing soccer with the boys.

Waiting for the picnic supper. :)

And then in the evening, the boys and Julia stayed behind, and they played with our budgie (which we're trying to sell, so if anyone wants him....let us know :)

Hendrik and Sprite.

Playing "Match the Penguins". One of my favorite games.

They are pretty good at it too. Caleb and I were competing against each other. :)

So there you go, all caught up for now. :)

By Lake Ontario

Last Monday we had some things to do in the Hamilton area, and stopped by a little lakeside diner for lunch and to enjoy the gorgeous view of the lake.

"By the lake of shining waters..." Katelyn is becoming a romantic. :)
"ooooooooooo...." (her favorite expression)
The little miss adorable. Picking up rocks to throw.

Us two.

Trying to get a picture.

..."but Mommy, my hands are dirty..." nevertheless, it's a family picture. :)

Rather than being pushed, she'd rather be the one pushing. :) It was on this path that James and I decided who we wanted in our bridal party the day after we got engaged. :) Isn't that romantic? :)

My two favorites. :)

On the shoulder rides.

Heading back to the car, off o see Ben and Deanna's place (which is sooo lovely!) and then back to our little home. :) A lovely Monday.

Photos of a Sunday afternoon...

I found these on my camera today...and thought they were kinda cute. It looks like someone was using my camera a couple weekends ago. Not sure if it was some nephews or nieces or my man, but regardless, they're going to be blogged. :)

Our little angel with her dress up...oops. :)

Cousin Nathan 'pole sitting' and Katelyn peeking around.

The boys playing Mark's trumpet and trombone... :)

And Lydia cuddling with Uncle James. :) (think it was James that had the camera come to think about it:)

Dad's youngest cousin Hannah on the left, and her mother (Dad Heikoop's aunt) Tante Carin. They came from Holland for Ben's wedding and to see a bunch of the relatives. :) Hannah spoke English well, and was a translator for her mom to people like little old me, who knows only a couple stiches of Dutch. :) They're posing in the cowboy hats for us western people. :) (I have a feeling, Dutch people don't wear a ton of cowboy hats)

They came over the next morning for a visit which was lovely. They're looking at our wedding album, and since Mom Heikoop and James were also there, I had help communicating. :)

A Date Night at a Concert

James took me on a lovely date a few weekends ago - to a concert by the Collingsworth Family. It was held in Simcoe. We weren't sure what to expect, although we have enjoyed some of their recorded music so we knew what they did musically. But it was a wonderful concert. So neat to see a family seeing together, wearing appropriate clothing, seeing smiles and hearing excellent musicianship. But what James and I got out of the concert most of all, was seeing how, especially the mother and a daughter, they worshiped the Lord in sincerity, and in humility. After all that is what music is supposed to be about, right? Praising God with your whole heart; and in the congregation of the righteous, blessing the Lord.
But for some reason, though when we get together with other believers at least once weekly to worship the Lord, most of us have trouble expressing true worship with our soul: mind, will and emotions. We may be worshipping, but we don't want to show it. Pride I believe is what that's called. I'm not talking about waving your hands around, swaying back and forth - though some may choose to worship that way - but I'm talking about not looking like you wish you were somewhere else when you're singing directly to the Lord. Worship is forgetting all about us, what we look like or how we appear to look, and seeing only Jesus. It's alright if you let those tears of thankfulness come, and if when you play your instruments you do it with your whole heart instead of barely moving a stitch as you plunk out the right notes. I'm not trying to say, get others to see you - for NO, that is so wrong. Being a distraction when you're worshipping is what I've always tried to guard myself against. But when you are truly worshipping the Lord in truth and in spirit, and someone perhaps see you singing with your soul, it will often just be a mirror, causing the onlooker to re-focus and look to the Lord.

I'm not saying that this concert was a perfect concert. :) But it was one of those rare ones, where James and I were both challenged by some of the music, and to be reminded again how beautiful it is to see someone expressing their soul to God with all their might. And especially to see women do it in a pure way. So much of this so-called worship industry has sensual women on the stage, often taking the glory from God; so to see that a submissive wife can exalt the King of kings without bringing shame or distraction, was encouraging.

Anyways, just a little challenge to myself here. :) I'm not trying to promote anyone here, for maybe some of you would go to a concert like this and be very disappointed, but I'm just reminding myself and anyone who ever reads this little corner of my world to worship our God with our whole beings, and to

"...Make His Praise Glorious..."

" Worship is the point at which all of life converges, it is a fountain from which all of life emerges."

(the video below is of the two daughters playing a violin duet accomp. by their mom) A uplifting version of "The Wonderful Grace of Jesus". -and yes, seeing good musicians inspired me to keep working at...something. :)

Julie's Visit :)

A couple weeks ago, Julie came over for a visit and it was lovely. We are both expecting in January - one week a part. (she's winning. :) We walked over to see Heather and the girls for a visit as well.
Julie and the girls.

Julie and me. I guess we both were around 22-23ish weeks. It's kinda nice to have someone due around the same time as you again. :)

The End of the Wedding Photos...

The two Heikoop couples!
Nieces and nephews at the candy buffet.
At the end of the day - all tired and glad to be together again. :)

These pictures were taken by one of the bridesmaids, Shona B. as my camera was very dead by that time. :) Thanks Shona. :)

Cottage Weekend

The day after the wedding was over, we all headed over to the Carr family's home for brunch and visiting, and then James and I headed off earlier to the cottage that was being lent to us. What should have been a 30 min trip, took us 1 hour and a half, as we first went the opposite direction for half hour...then after realizing our mistake, and wrong assumed instructions, we headed back, and then spent another hour and a half trying to find the hidden cabin. There was no cell phone service, we didn't have the right cabin number or family name. :) But despite it taking forever, and another crazy thing that occurred that weekend, James and I had some well needed time together in the car with a sleeping child. So God knows. :)

Though the weekend was cold and rainy, we managed to go for a quick 2 minute seedoo ride with Katelyn. :)

I couldn't tell if Katelyn really liked it or not, but it was fun to do it. :)

Daddy and Katelyn reading by the fire.

Nel and I - during our supper on the floor. The meals were so yummy - thanks to the organization of Diane and Nelly. All of us were wisely scheduled to cook and clean up for a certain meal, which worked out really well.

Supper time. Thai Chicken and Rice.

Valerie and Uncle William. There were lots of nieces and nephews in that cottage! It was great to be with Marvin and Marlene again too - they made such a long trek for the wedding.

Sarah and Jordan relaxing together.

Sunday morning breakfast scramble.

Katelyn having cereal with milk - a first for her. She loved it...not sure if that's a great or good thing. I want to make almond milk for her as soon as I get my strainer. :)

Waiting to go to church.

We discovered that we all were wearing black and white for church...and it was not planned. :) A picture had to be taken - but you would never know how cold it was out there.

Sunday dinner - pasta. :) Our buffet table is a upside down shuffle board table on stools.

A funny view of Katelyn playing with Nevin -I think. Learning how to play with other kids is something to work on a bit. :) Sharing never comes easy.

Opa making Katelyn laugh. A few of the guys went to a different borrowed cabin, and Mom and Dad and two relatives from Holland stayed at the previous hotel. But we were all together for most of the delicious meals.

And then it all too suddenly came to an end...a good thing and a bad thing. :) I just had to take a picture of Marvin's well packed van. I want to be like him when I have a bunch more children Lord willing. :) Cool color combo with the suitcases (thanks to Oma Heikoop) and excellent coordination.

Getting ready to leave in our many cars.

Katelyn and I matching. :) Two different tops bought from two separate places, months apart. :)

Daddy sneaked in a picture, but we don't mind too much.

With our hoodies on.

Singing together on the pier/deck before we left.

Auntie Diane and Jordan

Uncle Mark and Jordan. - Cute shot. :) (thanks to Tim)

The cabin that held over 25 of us. :) The weather was rainy and cold almost the whole time that we were there, but at least there was a cozy wood fire that we could enjoy.

Katelyn sleeping. Love the hand on the head. :)

One of the bridesmaids gave me her bouquet which we have been enjoying immensely. :) Even James loved it. :)

Katelyn was such a good girl on the way home. Played with her toys, snacked, slept, sang, and made those adorable toddler noises... :) We got home really late, and went to sleep happy to be HOME.

Home is such a good word - especially when you're with the ones you love.