James and Elizabeth Heikoop

Morning Hugs

My kiddos. On Mommy's bed in the morning.

When I don't always want to get up - especially after these long nights we've been having with the four youngest. So many times, James and I have been alternately getting up - since we switched the bedroom situation around (oldest two downstairs, and Leanne moved from the crib to the girls room) we never had any problems...but now we'll often have all four moving into our room from bad dreams, can't sleep, not feeling well... to feeding, to loneliness. :) But - as of when I'm writing this (and a whole month since I took these shots - we had the first night in weeks, where everyone slept through the night - praise God! May it continue...

Leanne put her own arm around Jason when she saw I was taking pictures - little poser. :) She knows how I love connection... :)

Such sweetness

Then the other girls climbed in for a picture too.

Part of my precious tribe.

Family Day - Alexander Bell Graham Homestead

For our Family day in February, we all went swimming at the Wayne Gretzky Centre - which was great fun. Jason and I just sat in one of the warmer pools, while he splashed and laughed. I loved it. Just a time when I could focus on his joy, and share it with him with no other kiddos to distract.

I wrote this in my instagram about that time:

Our Family Day on Monday- we had a full & fun day- going swimming at the Gretzky Centre, then to the Alexander Graham Bell homestead as they had “loonie” day... cost our crew $4! We were a little tour on our own. 😊 Them home for some Olympics... everyone enjoyed it... though we were all so tired by the end. We forgot Jason’s swim trunks which I ended up being thankful for, as he just splashed in his onesie... and ya glad I didn’t have to explain his large stomach scars to everyone... we were already an eyeful as we went between pools with 6 kids in tow. 😆 some days you just don’t feel like explaining... and Jason and I were just too busy laughing as he splashed in the water. So cute and so much fun. Katie was in her glory watching as kids in costume explained what happened in the Bell home- and all about the family. Through many trials, like Alex’s mother hearing problems, losing two sons and a grandson, they moved to Canada- where eventually Alexander invented the telephone. The family also taught their servants - usually orphan children, to read and write- also employing a deaf boy. A lot of heartache they faced, but all those trials brought about greater reward... may we see troubles as greater opportunity- even if it’s hard. And yes, that may be explaining some scars the next time we go swimming- at least if we remember Jason’s adorable swimming trunks. 😍

The homestead

This was the first "voice to text" (actually Morse code) invention.

We were our own little tour - as a family of 8 - a lady asked us as we trooped up the stairs, "are you all brothers and sisters"? And for some reason it threw me off - maybe cause there were many people watching, and I just wanted to fade into the background... but yes, we are - and you could tell that she thought we were kinda interesting to observe... :) Oh, to be a good testimony - in sincerity and humility - just be who we are, and may that be a light.

Those boxes on top were the phones you could rent for a month - in our currency today, it would like be $200 a month for one of those...with very few people to even ring up!

Different phone models through the years.

Daddy and Daughter

This little girl was supposed to be eating at the table, but she saw James eating his cereal standing, so off she went and copied him - earlier even putting her feet like him... feeling all big. :)

My Mini Date

My little date.-who is such a precious gift, and my other heart throb!

And yeah - finally an excuse to use the red lipstick. :)

Doesn't he make you smile too?

Valentines Day

Our Valentine's Day was simple - the kiddo's gave us some pictures/cards they either made at Evening service or at home...I gave James a bunch of snacks for his car :), and he got me a pretty silver chain. :)

Laura - excited to give out her Valentine pictures she drew for us.

Such a flattering shot - :) but it's most of us -showing off the cards and such we got from the kiddos.

Skip the fancy supper for us - we had crazy night - where the kids set the table using whatever pots, pans, utensils, and kitchen items for plates and all... :) It was fun. :)

Our February in Pieces

Laura's artwork of many different houses.

Andrea was over in our area for a month - helping us different aunties out - I know....amazing eh?! And one of the times she was over here - playing the piano with Jason. :)

Watching the Olympics I believe... or something entertaining. All six kiddos.

I thought Leanne was ready to be potty-trained - so for three weeks, me and my helper Emily stuck it out - but though she got close, it appears it wasn't meant to be. Like only three successess in that time...fairly exhausting. :)

But she did get in a nice dose of Peppa Pig.

As did the other kids when they'd sneak nearby. :)

Cuddles

Looking after her babe on the the mini potty. :)

Laura doing some clay art.

Dressup Time

The kiddos were using a whole bunch of pretty fabric from their "Imagination Station" box - given by an older woman - and we had some fun with it for the camera. :)