Me and baby!

I'm not usually the kind of person that likes to have one's profile picture taken, but because there's more than just me to be considered now, I'll do it. :) (Baby - Hammy - likes to be in the occasional photo as well - just like Uncle Andrew) :) This is mostly for my mommy, so she can see how grown up I'm getting. :)
Mommy and baby - January 30, 2009

January Life in Mt. Pleasant

Everything is going really well here, and it's starting to feel more like home. Work has slowed down, which has given me more time at home, which I love. I've done a bunch of organizing around the house, and finally got my wedding pictures 'published' in a 'coffee table' type of book through http://www.mypublisher.com/ which turned out so well! I was so glad to get that done, and now have most of my honeymoon pictures developed so I can start scrapbooking them. I haven't been as homesick, and James and I are having such a wonderful life together. He is so perfect for me - balances me out, is super patient with me, and loves me just the way I am. God has blessed us so much. I look around and think - 'are newlywed's supposed to be so comfortable'? The Lord has provided everything we need, and more. I love cooking meals for us, and having others over every once in a while is fun too.

Hammy, our little one, is doing well, and next week I have another checkup, and FINALLY get to hear the heartbeat. It's neat to see the baby get bigger, and thus me get bigger...and we're getting more and more excited all the time to think that in 5 more months Lord willing, we'll have our little one to raise.

We've had lots of snow lately, with a whole lot more to come, making it a beautiful winter wonderland around here. We have a kind neighbor, that often will take his bobcat/or pickup with a 'pusher' (whatever you call those things in front -the shovel) :) and take a couple sweeps and clean our driveway off.

Lydia and James decorating fruit cakes in the bakery a couple days ago. Every once in a while some of the nieces will come over to help for a while, and James gets to show them something in the bakery. I'm glad that they can get some uncle - niece time.

Yesterday was such fun, as I caught up on a bunch of things, and did one of my first more 'creative' activites since being married I think. :) Putting pictures and verses in our CD holder... :) One side I did of our wedding/and marriage verses, the other of our honeymoon, and other favorite verses, and the other one, an 'anniversary' picture, siblings and dad pictures. :) It is a lot of fun to have a printer again, and to be able to fun projects like this, that makes our house our home. :)

So there you go...I'm caught up with pictures, and now you know what's going on with us. :)

Windmill Christmas Party

The Windmill's Christmas Party was such fun - hosted at the home of the Toeman's. First of all there was hockey/skating time on their pond...first hockey I've played for a long time. I was careful and didn't fall on Hammy or get smucked, but it was good to be a bit more active again. :) James and I tried to be gracious figure skaters...which was quite fun and romantic, as a few girls tried serenading us with "Winter Wonderland". :)
Then there was a dinner - a feast of sausage or roast beef on a bun, with delectable sides, and fun and fellowship had by all.

Rachel Toman (the girl on the right of this picture - in pink) started off the dinner by singing "Immanuel" and then Mr. Kenyon gave a few thoughts, then we ate, and then James headed up the games, (with a few ideas from Nelly) and I headed up the prizes. James did such a great job of leading the evening and it was so much fun.

Nelly and I... :)

The games James had were mostly trivia - like "How many parking spaces does the Windmill have?" (answer - 32-33) and how much does a 7 oz jar of Smuk's Sauerkaut cost? and so forth...there were other games too, like this one...you and your team had to build a paper tower of six pieces of paper, in so many minutes, and whoever built the highest one, won.

The Toman/Keah team.... (the Toman's played music for our second reception in Brantford - and Rachel and Janelle work at the Windmill - dear friends)

Krista and Marie-Claire and Lydia, working on their tower.

The winning team...although you wouln't guess it as you see it here, the guys - James, Gavin and Ben got the highest tower.

Mr. Kenyon, Rob and Diane...

Then there was an arm wrestling match between James and Mark - and everyone voted who would beat the other, and on which arm. They both won one, so I was happy, and the others were happy. :) Then after prizes and dessert we went home....and to sleep.

Heikoop Gift Exchange

Our "Christmas gifts" lasted longer than usual, as we finally exchanged gifts on the Heikoop side. There was a contest to see who could wrap the most uniquely, who bought their gift first...etc. We had a lot of fun, and everyone ended with some really neat and pratical gifts.

During the gifts...little Nathan enjoyed a box.

We had Sarah on webcam from the Philippines, so she could see the presents we got, and we all sang some songs to her, and talked etc. :) They had her voice hooked up to the loudspeakers all over the house, so we could hear her everywhere.

Henry and Nathan's puppy.

Hannah and me....all the nieces got a present for their aunties....with some really useful items it it - cotton balls, nail polish, lip gloss, a bracelet that one of them had made, and some other girl cosmetic items in it. So sweet of them.

James and I....My present was really neat - a black and lime green plaid carry on bag - and it will match my lime green suitcase from James for my birthday. :) It was filled with handy items, like a planner, toothbrushes, post it notes,etc. James' gift was really special - a charcoal picture that Nelly drew that morning of Bonnie. The picture of the picture isn't that great - so sorry about that, but at least it gives you an idea of what it looks like. We have it in our office right now.

And our 'holiday' time was almost over...just one more Christmas event coming up a few days later...the Windmill Christmas party. :) And we're only in mid-January. :)

Trip to London :)

A couple Monday's ago, James and I spent our day off in London. We went shopping for maternity clothes, and praise the Lord! we found some. :) So now I have a denim skirt, and a couple tops which I was quite excited about. It's been a whole lot easier to move around lately. :)
Then to top off our wonderful day, we had supper with Paul and Suzanne Faris (HSLDA) - It was so good to see them again, and catch up, and hear how Alberta to Ontario changes were for Suzanne, and hearing how HSLDA was doing etc. Special times.... Abigal is their little girl's name.
We also finally got our Christmas shopping done for the "Heikoop" gift exchange which was very nescessary. :)

Mr. Langemann's Legacy

On January 10th, our dear friend Mr. Albert Langemann passed away of a heart attack while hiking one of Colorado's mountains, Long Peak. It was a huge shock, to all friends, and to his dear family. It was his daughter Angela's birthday - we're 5 days a part - and she wanted to go hiking for her birthday, which was a regualar sport for the Langemanns, when at 10,000 feet elevation, 2.5 miles up the trail, he dropped and went to Jesus. Angie and her friends, and her younger brother (who was the only one right with him when he fell) tried CPR, and then Angie went for the nearest ranger. The rest of the family drove the two hours to join them at the rangers station.
Albert Cornelio Langemann 1953-2009

I've known Mr. Langemann every since I can remember. Our families met 24 years ago, when Mrs. Langemann and my mom were in the nursery with Angie and I at a conference, and we became close friends over the years. Our families had similar ages between the children, and our lives similar - homeschooling, bigger family, love of music, loved the Lord, etc. At least once a year usually, we'd get together, and a lot more in the last 10 years. They were like extended family to us. Mr. Langemann helped give my older brother his present job, as well as provided woodworking opportunites to another brother in the same company. He was always encouraging, and a man of vision for his family, and supportive of those around.

Him and his family did the main music for our wedding which was so wonderful. We never dreamed that that would be the last time that they would play together at a wedding, where it was all recorded, and we never thought that saying goodbye to him, it would be the last time here on earth to see Mr. Langemann. He left an incredible godly legacy...one I'm so thankful that I have been imapcted by.

His homegoing celebration is on Saturday - Jan 17th in Denver, CO - His online obituary is here: http://www.newcomernet.com/obituaries/obituary.asp?src=value&obitid=30958

My 24th birthday!

We started 'celebrating' my birthday with having everyone over to our place on Sunday night for snacks, so we could celebrate Micah's, and Julia's birthday with mine. I'm sandwhiched right between them both. Julia's is on the 4th, and Micah's is on hte 6th. So James put candles for all three of us on a trifle we had made, and we enjoyed an evening of just food and visiting together. Erin Coates came over, which was so sweet of her.

My birthay breakfast in bed made by my dear husband. I was really hoping for this tradition on my birthday, and he comes in with this lovely meal for me. It didn't stay down long, but it was great while it lasted. :)

We met with Rob, Nelly and Mark for lunch at Cora's. :) Nel and Rob had just flown in from Matitoba that morning, so it was very nice of them to get together. The resturant gave me a fancy apple for my birthday. :)

My siblings...in law. :)

My birthday present from James - a lime green suitcase! (like it Sarah? :) So I'm ready to travel now if I need to...which I don't need to for a while so in the meantime it holds clothes that I can't wear right now.

For the rest of the day, we did some shopping, went out for supper with brother Ben, and then headed to the Toman's for skating on their pond. I hadn't skated for over a year, and with expecting, I felt unsure on the ice, but I'm getting back to it a bit...a little more carefully though. :) Then home to sleep.

It was a different birthday, and at times hard, but I'm surrounded by my new family who I love, and my amazing husband who has given me so much. I'm blessed and now 24. :)

New Years Eve 2008!

Our New Years Eve was a special and quiet one, which I loved. :) After work, we went to Waterford (about 15 minutes away) and got takeout Chinese food, which we ate with our fingers (forgot our utensils!) as we drove to Simcoe, (another town a bit more down the road) and walked in their Christmas Lights Park together. It was lovely, cold, and romantic. Similar to the idea of Kin Coulee's Light Display in Medicine Hat, except you walk around, and it's more lit up displays.
With our yummy food.

Walking around the park.

Some of the lights...

James with the "Butcher, the BAKER, and the Candlestick Maker" displayer. :)

After the lovely walk we went to Mom and Dad's, and visited with the two of them for a few hours, until 2009 came in. Mark and another friend joined us for the last bit, so it was quiet and lovely...and then my family called to wish us a Happy New Year - and then we went home and to bed. A new year...with the hope of our little one joining us in June!

A couple more...

Just a couple more Christmas pictures of my dear grandparents... :) We stopped in to see their place as we drove to back to Calgary.

I'll be Home for Christmas...

Flying back to Mom and Dad's for Christmas was really special, and both James and I had a lot of fun being back with everyone again. Our flight from Hamilton was an hour late, but so thankful to the Lord that it wasn't cancelled. We made it to Calgary by 10 p.m., and mom and dad picked us up, and we arrived home at 3 a.m. Christmas morning. I couldn't wait to get up the next morning to see everyone - some of who I hadn't seen since the wedding.....so it was a pretty special morning.

Then came the presents, which was a lot of fun to unwrap...So thankful to spend another Christmas with our dear grandparents...every day is a blessing. Lisa gave us both matching sleepers for our new little ones. :) So if I have a big baby, and Rebecca has a tiny one, we maybe could have our children wearing them at the same time. :) Whatever the case, they'll be cuddled in them.

Samuel made James and I our first Nativity, which we had up with the rest of our Christmas decorations until last week. :) Thanks Sam.The boys posing with their new books.

The Fehr Children's Choir singing so beautifully! I love seeing how Heather and James are training them to sing for the Lord.

Alanna reading a story to the cousins.

And then my turn. I miss reading the kids their bedtime story every so often. Treasure it while I can, and pretty soon, James and I'll be reading stories to our own little one.

My baby cakes, Cassey, who I love dearly. :)

On the sledding hill one afternoon. James and I. :)

My amazing elder sister Anne-Marie....love you lots. Us sisters all recieved matching 'Gortex' earmuffs from Tim. :)

Little Karina being adorable. :)

The newest little Fehrs - Cadence and Olivia. So neat to finally get to know these little ones.

Felicity and Alanna were such cute girl cousins and the best playmates.

Decorating Christmas cookies, coordinated and prepped by Anne-Marie.

Three little snow angels.

Three of the four couples and Rebecca pulling a face as always, Lisa looking calm and serene as always, and Liz looking dopey as always. :)

The girls tea party.

James and Olivia.

James and I...so blessed with that man of mine.

Megan looking so winsome as always.

The four married guys looking at pictures.

The brown and orange side of the dinner table.

Rebecca and Karina - doesn't that picture make you smile! :)
Beautiful Heather on her birthday - love ya sis!James pulling a face - sorry brother, but you had to make it on looking goofy once. :)
And the lovely couple on dear Heather's birthday.

And what time together would be complete without playing games? :)

So it was an awesome time as a family, and then came the hard part: saying goodbye to our family knowing that for some of us, we won't see each other until after our baby is born Lord willing. Despite the hard parting, it reminds me that we are so blessed to come from such a loving and close family, and it reminds that we're all in God's hands, and that heaven will be even sweeter because no goodbyes will have to be said...