Hey! Welcome to the Heikoop lives. I started this blog - first named "newlywedjournal" when we got married - over 8 years ago... and now that we're not quite "newlywed's" any more - but still quite in love! - and we have five kiddo's, it was time for a name change. And, since all the creative names were taken, we settled on something easy and simple - our name. :) We don't mind if you look in on our family, and see the precious people that we live with, and are close to us. Since Christ is very much a part of our lives, He is working on us to be more real and sincere in all we do. That means you'll see a lot of pretty pictures, 'cause as a growing photographer that makes me happy - but you'll also see some very normal & messy ones too. Like of crying kids, messy houses, and absolute chaos.
As I said, James and I have been married almost 9 years. I'm a country girl from Alberta, but as we live in a small city in Ontario, and definitely appreciate the conveniences that come along with that. We have five children with three in heaven - early miscarriages - souls made for heaven. We are considered a large family with five - and yes it does seem crazy at times...yet, we do hope for more if God gives them to us.
James is a Sales guy for Whitebird, a godly and amazing husband and father. He is the one who makes life fun, and is so supportive of my photography and blogging our little family history. He is creative, efficient, and the guy who will use the leaf blower in the house instead of sweeping, as it's quicker and I think he has...way more fun!!
And then there is me - learner of Jesus, wife, mom, and photographer. We home school our kiddo's, and yes, that's crazy at times. Right now I'm using the Bob Jones University Hard Drive Courses, so Katelyn actually have a teacher that goes through everything, and I work with the two that are in Kindergarten.
Katelyn is our energetic, event planner, & game organizing girl. Diligent in school, lover of music and all things creative, she helps stretch me to my limits. :) Blue is her favorite color right now, but she's stuck in a pink room with her three siblings for a bit. Yes, all four sleep in the same room.
Erik is Mr. Logistics. He needs breakfast, schedules, balls, helmets, and all things that have a motor and at least two wheels. He is all boy, melts my heart, and looks after his littlest sister with gentle love. He likes jokes, has a great sense of humor and makes all of us expend extra energy.
Laura is our Sunshine - our peacemaker, and the baby's best friend. She shares and quite often gives up her things when a little sister is demanding or sad. She loves "stuffies" - a tiger being her favorite. She loves writing out letters and names, and makes every day a bit more sweet.
Amy is Miss Determined. Spunky, stubborn and cute is what she is. She likes to get involved in what others are doing - sometimes being a pest - but she loves her baby sister, and tries to help in all sorts of ways. She is the one that will probably be the best match for play sports with Erik.
Leanne - our baby. Happy and adorable. She makes us all smile! I don't know if I've ever had such an early teether, and crawler...and now climber... she will keep us on our toes. :)
And that's our little family at this time.
This blog can be sporadic - sometimes just a whole smattering that is posted just on one day in a month, or a couple per week. I haven't kept much tabs on who actually reads this - other than my faithful mom and sister in Alberta... (one of the main reasons why I started blogging was to keep them updated...) So if you ever want to drop a comment and tell me who you are, or if the pictures or few words were an encouragement, I'd love that!
Thanks for reading, and checking into our lives every so often. Means a lot!!
