Of the Daily Life...

At last I should probably say it officially on here.... that yes, we're expecting again. :) I'm now 14 weeks along, and it's going good. I'm sick a bunch, and all the normal things that come with it, so that is good. (though at times I don't think of that as good) We're due the middle of January Lord-willing, and we are excited. It's been different for me, with losing the last one and then anticipating another one again...the excitement is not the same. (though I should clarify - it's still exciting. :) We still have to take it day by day, just as we have to take all life God gives. We have been given this moment.
James and Katelyn looking at the fish.

The other side of the glass. :)

I had been craving Chinese food for days - rattling off menu's to James as we went to sleep at night, and he blessed me by taking us to Chinese food for lunch one day. :) I got enough to satisfy my craving. Unfortunately, it didn't stay down too long.

Katelyn enjoyed the meal too.

Playing with her friend Kilmeny - or more like, stealing her toys away from her. I think it will be a wonderful thing for her to have a sibling. :)

Katelyn loves to help around the house a bit. :) And the vacuum is an interesting piece.

Dressing up. :) James bought some little glasses for the VBS skits, and Katelyn got to model it for us. This week is VBS at our church, but we're just a teeny bit involved. Just so we can get in and see how fun it is for everyone. :) Brings back the CI days.

With Auntie Deanna. :)

Snack time at VBS. Mrs. Easveld shared her cake with a very obliging girl.

The guys that are in the daily skits: Ben (Jud) James (Gpa Orber) and William (Bob - yes, he's supposed to be the techy geek) They all do such a great job acting as country hicks. :) The theme is "Gone Fishing" this week, so each day the guys go back in time to a Bible Story where water/fish/lake etc. is involved - like Jonah, Moses, and I imagine Jesus calming the storms etc.

A fuzzy picture of the guys acing out the skit. They bring in a canoe each day and make us all laugh. So there you go - a bit of an update. :)

Twelve Months!

We did it at last! A full year of smiles and giggles by the puppy! This is her last one, until Two Years old comes around.
She smiled so much better when holding her dolly. :) I couldn't resist adding this one too. Thanks to Stephanie for the puppy and lots of special memories.

Of Gifts and Smiles

Surrounded by her birthday gifts. :) Such a dolly. :)

Birthday Evening by the Grand

On the 7th, it was Ben's birthday, so we celebrated his birthday and Brad's b-day (early) by having supper by the Grand River, and then a bunch of people went water skiing, and wake-boarding. :) Katelyn modeled her new swimsuit from Ben and Deanna on top of the sea-doo. :)
Uncle William and the darling. :)

"I'm just attaching the cord to my suit in case I fall off..."

Hanging out with Uncle Mark.

Opa and others helped keep her away from the water's edge that evening - a blessing. :)

Everyone watching the water entertainment.

I think that is James driving the seadoo (with Hendrik behind him) and Mark wakeboarding behind.

Those two again.

And the birthday trifle for the two "B's". :) A lovely evening.

Canada Day!

The day began with a yummy breakfast, which Katelyn helped eat. :)

Then off to go raspberry picking. It may even become our very own Canada Day tradition. :) We'll see. The patch was about 20 minutes away from us, and we had it all to ourselves which was kinda nice.

Katelyn 'helped' by being cute.

And cuter still...

Mouth watering raspberries... we enjoyed eating away while we picked. It will be so nice to have them to freeze and use up later on this fall.

The handsome picker opposite me.

With the sidekick. Katelyn did alright out in the lonesome raspberry patch, but I should've brought some toys. (thoughtless mommy I am) She had a bit of a rest, wandered, fussed, and wanted someone to play with...but we made it work.

At last, we found a 'toy'. Elastic bands in a container... Katleyn amused herself for a while with putting the rubber bands in different containters while we furiously tried to finish up and go home,

The end product.

Then it was off to find something to eat, cause we were starved. :) Subway fit the bill and we all enjoyed it tremendously.

The proof that we shared with Katelyn.

And a special treat on the way home....it was a special day that's for sure. :)

Then we went to Toronto to celebrate Canada Day and Rob's birthday at the place where Nelly is staying - with a BBQ, and rollerblading around the botanical gardens. At least we tried to rollerblade....it was an adventure. (let's just say that the people walking with us, could go fast down the hills than those of us who wore the blades)

Then we switched to shoes and walked around for a bit more.

Just us. :) James is wearing the Canada Day shirt, and I'm at least wearing red, despite it saying Chicago. We match at least.

Katelyn and Harrison - Deanna's nephew. It is so fun to see her interacting with other children.

Then a lovely supper and small b-day bash occurred, ending with everyone (except us) watching the fireworks in Toronto. We headed home early, as James had a busy and early day with the Market the following day. But we got to see the fireworks finale in Brantford on the way home. A special little treat from God.

Sermon on the Mount Evening

We found out that Lew Sturret - from Sermon on the Mount Ministries- was going to be in the area, and were blessed to make out to one of his presentations. For those of you who haven't heard of him, he is a Christian that uses horses, and horse training to illustrate Christian principles. www.sermononthemount.com
The fairgrounds were packed - 500-600 people at least. We found a spot on the grass right by the fence which was nice. Katelyn got to see horses. :)

Lew Sturret talking...

The people starting to leave. There were some Amish people there too which was neat.

Katelyn and Daddy. She was such a good girl that night. Kind of a blessing, when the speaker is talking about parenting, obedience, being in the world but not worldy, the heart issues...etc.

And then, while we looked at the book table, Katelyn saw the big kids running up and down the grandstands, which looked so cool. So that is what she did, and boy, did she feel 'big'. It was rather hard to take her away from it. We got a few DVD's and books from him, which will be encouraging I think. One of the books, "The balance of Loving Discipline" by his wife, Melody Sturret was really good for us as we figure out how to effectively and properly discipline and capture our little girl's heart. :) A nice evening.

Evening with Friends

We went to Hamilton to spend the evening with Jared and Breanne, having a most lovely time. :) A supper picnic by the lake, with a couple mile walk with the strollers...(sometimes it was the moms pushing the empty strollers while the dads held the girls) and then back to their home for some lovely dessert. The girls hugging each other. Rather adorable.

Breanne and I with the princesses. :) A lovely time. So nice to have friends around that you've know for...almost forever. :)

Graduate Tim

Tim finished his final schooling - (to be a funeral director) and did a great job! We didn't make it to his graduation ceremony, but we met with him and William for supper in Burlington. So proud of him! The graduate and Katelyn. (because she's little, she got the ballooon. :)

Eating at the table. (the balloon tied to her leg. :)

Walking around - so glad to be free.

On the loose with Daddy. The guys went bowling afterwards, while Katelyn and I enjoyed the cool outdoors...and then back home. :)