One Year Old!

Look who's one! :)

And yes, he's been one for more than a month already.

But he's still one, and that's what matters!

 And he's still so cute.

"Am I really cute mommy? Or are you just saying that?"

" Okay, I'm cute"

 "But I am sooo done with this bear. 12 months of sitting by a stuffed bear will do something to any guy."

With his birthday gifts. :) Blessed boy!

Erik's latest and greatest:

-Going down the stairs at last. (first time he tried was at the Windmill (home) stairs.)

-Twirling around

-Gives kisses

-Gets SO excited when he sees his snowsuit come out of the closet

-Is all weaned (at 12.5 months)

-Points to what he wants

-Gets the cheerios out of the cupboard when he is hungry.

Two Peas in a Pod

Now, didn't that make you smile?

1st Floral Arrangement

Auntie Nel, had Katelyn do a foral arrangement with her a couple weeks back.

This is what she came home with. :)

 Cute. :)

 (just so you know, the streamers around her hand are just leftover party decorations. Not a bandage. :)

Re-arranging. :)

I look forward to seeing what kind of creativity she'll continue with as she grows up.

A little Mommy

I brought up my old doll cradle a few days ago. I do that every so often; bring up a different toy from the basement for a couple weeks, and then when they've lost interest, down it goes, only to be a "new" toy a month later. :) She loved it.

 What a smirk. :)

 Being such a good little mommy. She wanted her babies to have a pillow in it too.

 My good shot of her was blurry - oh well. :)

We celebrated Rachel T's. birthday here last week. Just her, Jenelle and us. We had a nice evening, played a game of "Match the Penguins" which Katelyn started to get into. :)

Here's Jenelle reading a book to the kidlets. :)

The next morning, I heard the little pitter patter from Katy going to the bathroom. I waited for her to call me to help her, but there was no call. So I waited. Then the feet went downstairs, and I heard "Jenelle, where are you." Awww... Katelyn thought that she was still here, and was all excited to see her. So cute!

She Has Seen Jesus

A few hours ago, my Grandma saw the most Incredible sight a person will ever see.

The One she was looking forward to seeing for many years.

The One about Whom she read of, for so many faithful years.

She saw Jesus.

"I can only imagine..."

 My Great Aunt Ruth (left) and her sister, (my Grandma) Esther Charlotte Jost.

Both of them have seen Jesus now, and are again, together.

What joy they have. Even if we're cyring abit down here.

But it's what we've prayed for, and I'm thankful.

I've been told that Grandma has been unresponsive since last night, in a kind of coma I'm guessing. She had oxygen, but as far as we know, no pain medication, so she was hopefully pain-free.

 My sweet sisters, Anne-Marie and Charissa, were with her for the afternoon, while mom was in a nearby city and couldn't get home in time. Shortly after my sisters returned home, they were called - Grandma had gone.

It seems so final.

Especially, since I'm so far away from them all, it almost seems surreal.

Everytime I saw them, (the last time was last February 2011) I would have tears, as I said goodbye. This could be the last time, I'd think, as we drove away. And eventually it was the last time I'd see Grandma here.

But it isn't the last.

My Grandparents 

Together for over 60 years (I think 65?)

Now my Grandpa is a widower.

He was strong today, I heard through that blessed telephone wire.

He's thankful that his Esther is home, and totally whole.

{picture taken at Christmas 2011}

My mommy, with her mommy.

{You never stop being a mom, or loving your mommy}

I have had the privilege, the honor, the legacy, of having two grandmothers who loved Jesus.

I didn't know my dad's mom that well, as she met Jesus when I was 8.

But Grandma Jost and I had lots of memories together.

Grandpa and Grandma came to our home for Christmas every year. I don't remember a Christmas without them. They would visit often. We would sing together.

I remember once, in my teens, Grandma and I danced together in our living room. That was fun! We have a dark blurry picture to prove it. (me in my misfit outfits)

I have so many memories, times spent with them when they lived in Medicine Hat, break-fast with them, helping them move a few times, playing Rook, laughing with Grandma...watching her read her Bible. She was so faithful to do that.

Grandma was soo excited when I came home from Ontario with the family in Nov. 2007 with a ring on my finger. She was thrilled for me. I loved having her share that excitement with me.

And then they moved again - to our house. :) Kinda of a cute - together picture. :)

They lived with us for a while, and that was during my wedding planning time, so I didn't spend very much time with them - Anne-Marie and Charissa served them much better than I. But I am glad for the times Grandma had me paint her nails. She made sure I did get a bit of time with her, other than family meals. :)

Grandma loved her grandchildren. (Andrew and Rebecca showing off their darling baby. - Don't even ask me which one...I think it's Karina...? :)

 And then I got married to the love of my life - June 7th, 2008, and I moved away....

 Sharing a laugh together.

 Holding Katelyn for the first time.

At a friend's wedding.

 Meeting our little boy Erik

And this was the last time I saw her.

Already a year ago. It doesn't seem that long. I've talked to her on the phone, even though she can't hear me. (Grandpa relays the message :)

So now, no more pictures of Grandma and me. But I'm thankful for the ones we have.

I am blessed to have such a godly loving Grandmother, who cared for us, and took part in our joys.

Now, I'll just look forward to heaven even more, as more people that I love, are waiting and enjoying Jesus.

Love you Grandma!

What Little People Can Do

Katelyn has started painting. And loving it.

While Erik does the work. :)

He loves brooms, balls, cars...

...and vaccuming. :)

Orange Night

We had orange night.

Everything was orange, we wore orange, we drank orange.

For James. :) Kinda of a "i love you" night.

 About to eat our meal. 

 Katy with her very special orange drink.

 My man looks great in orange. 

 Menu:

Orange glazed Chicken

Rice

Sweet Potatoes

Cheese buns

Cauliflower with Cheese

Peach Ice-Cream

It was kinda fun to do a themed (well color centered) meal.

Maybe we'll have to do it again. :)

Our Valentines as a Family

Another Valentine's Day.

We didn't do a lot different, other than a nice meal and evening, since our weekend away was our special treat. :) Instead, I made little "love" hearts like my mom does for her family every year.

Just saying how much she loves us, and what she appreciates about us - and alongside is a chocolate pile. :)

James' pile - quite small, but it worked in a pinch.

Kate's candy.

Our little table.

She was quite excited to get this candy. :)

Little chubbers with his paper heart.

Menu for the night:

Chicken Cordon Blue

Apricot Glazed Asparagus

Sweet Potato mixed with normal potatoes

Greens with Strawberries, Pecans and Feta Cheese

and

Ice-Cream with freshly made Strawberry Sauce

(now, that wasn't to make you hungry. :) Just for a little memory...)

And a fuzzy picture of all of us to end the night.

(cause, when you're hungy, and you don't have a zoom lens, and you don't take the time to really focus, you get fuzziness. :)

But lots of love. :)

After the children were in bed, James and I watched "Fireproof" which was special.

So thankful for love of God, and the love of my life.

Snow Day...at last

We finally got some snow - enough to play in. And since it was a Monday, and Daddy was home, that was perfect.

Our finished product...but before that happened...

...these two were hard at work.

While I was with this little man, who fell, headfirst into the snow. He didn't really care for that. So I pulled him around the yard with the sled, and then we sat on the steps to watch these two make this little snowman.

Then it was time to make an angel.

And to look at it.

And then get a group shot of the snowman and company.

Then Katelyn wanted to make another one.

So this little snow child was born.

And then we went inside.

Here's our new-to-us, and now dirty van. :)

We were able to get this from a dealer auction - thanks to brother Rob. It has been so great to have a mini van of our own. :) I was excited!! Hopefully it will be a tool used well for the Lord.