Yesterday (the 23rd) was Joanna's birthday! Wow! I can hardly believe my little girl is already 4. I can still remember quite clearly when she was a tiny little thing, being doted on by her big brother and sisters, carried around by Sarah & Esther, sitting in the doll stroller and carrier, cute as a button. Well, she still is doted on by her big brother and sisters often and still is cute as a button, but now she is the one pushing the doll stroller and carrying the carrier and carrying her own "babies". We thank our dear Father for our precious little daughter who is growing up so fast. She loves to be big like her bigger siblings and lately has been wanting to be the daddy when they play their many variations of house.
We took lots of pictures of her yesterday opening her presents, and videos of her joyfully jumping up and down and dancing around in her excitement over the balloons and streamers that Esther so sweetly decorated the playroom with. But, when I wanted to take some pictures of her and her "cake" (a pink and green turtle made out of carrot cupcakes), the camera wouldn't work anymore. All the pictures we took were wiped out. So, you'll just have to try to picture it from the descriptions provided. :)
So, Happy Birthday Joanna! We love you!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
Aunt Christine's beautiful scarf.
Christine made this pretty scarf for Joanna. Just wanted to share these pictures. :)Saturday, January 15, 2011
Monday, December 13, 2010
A new addition to our Clan!
Welcome
Marike Grace B!
Born November 30, 2010
Two weeks ago, our youngest, Maurice, and his wife Rachel, received a precious covenant child on loan from the Lord to raise for His glory!
Though the photos are lacking, we're "proud" to show you here God's blessing to our family.
We are humbly thankful for each one and for the Lord's goodness in keeping mother & baby safe and healthy.
Pleased Mommy, 2 days after the birth looks great! What a thrill to have another daughter!
and a sister for Anneke - her great hope fulfilled! This is their first meeting and Anneke was a little reluctant to go back with us once she got baby in her arms.
We had the privilege of taking care of these 2, the oldest of 5 (now) and we really enjoyed having them. (Thanks M&R - their good training made it all that much more possible & pleasant for us to have them during that week). They seemed to enjoy themselves as well and Jo, who is still quite affectionate, announced "Its so much fun here, I don't want to go home. I want to stay."- yeah, 3 adults doting on him! To which Anneke replied, "I want to be with Daddy, Mommy & Marike" to which Jo replied after a moment's thought, "Well they can come live here too!" LOL! Not to worry, this is the same boy who, when kissing mommy "goodbye" at the end of their brief visit, decided he was going to stay home with mommy! Fickle kids,eh? ;) The younger 2 boys stayed with Chris & Maurice- and from all reports (except maybe Kenny's) that went quite well also - despite the warnings re "Willy the terror" - he quite enjoyed rough-housing with his big cousins - especially Mark.
This past Sunday (Dec.12) baby Marike was baptized and the following photos were taken by Dad & Josh after that special occassion.
Grandchild Number #21! Niece #10!
Marike, like Anneke, is a good Dutch name (actually pronounced Marijke) - and we have 2 relatives in Holland by that name: Dad's sister-in-law, and Mom's sweet cousin (who lived close by for a time and left a lasting impression on us by her life devoted to relieving the suffering & rescuing the lost).
Bright-eyed little dolly already communicating
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
45 Years as Husband & Wife!
45 years of love
Our dear parents
We praise God for His faithfulness to Dad & Mom through all these years!
We are so grateful for their love for the Lord, and their love for eachother and for us, their children & grandchildren. I can't thank them enough for all their love and care for me - especially during this very difficult year! May the Lord reward & bless them richly!
We celebrated with the family 2 weeks ahead since the actual date was already taken by our church's Kingdom Seekers banquet - which turned out to be quite a celebration too!
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Our little family celebration started with Dad & Mom's grand entrance with "Here comes the Bride" being belted out by Dad while the grandkids watched open-mouthed. LOL.
After a scrumptious meal, a Trivia Game about Dad & Mom/Opa & Oma teased our brains with questions about their wedding, their various dwelling places, and different things about their lives, and of course: "What is something that Opa says a lot?" to which the grandkids immediately & gleefully said: "Now Moo!" Yeah, Dad, you've asked for it. :) The bonus question re a character trait/gift of each that we're thankful for gave us opportunity to honour and build-up these 2 special people. And, of course, special music was performed by many of the grandkids and, surprise, Christine playing a piece on her recently acquired harp!
We've been so spoiled (& tend to take it for granted) having godly parents and siblings and being close enough to be able to get together fairly easily (compared to our parents who left their families far, far away and were lucky to have even 1 family member come to their wedding! - and the S's who just had 2 more of their kids move far away!). We did miss Heidi tho who is in the US studying hard, and Daniel (who was pretending to be a YP at RLL and doing everything but school!).
Beautiful centerpiece from Sharon.
And I must mention the cross-stitched masterpiece that Betty worked on for the past 8 years! and finished just in time to present it to Dad & Mom that day! (Its been professionally framed since and is now hanging above the fireplace!) 
"Great is Thy Faithfulness, O God my Father!"
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Local Sight-seeing with Arie & Mieke
Awesome Blossom always has such "prachtige bloemen!"
beautiful flowers and good produce
The Mill in Alton
Arie liked the interesting architecture & mill workings.
Mieke & Mom most enjoyed the art exhibits and talking with the artist
Dad's highlight was, you guessed it, the cafe!
Indian Art - if you look long/carefully at the right painting, you can see a bear's head and eagles head immerging in the sky/landscape 
Round the Bend Farm
Ook heel mooi en interestant!
What happened to Dad??
lunch break
and of course the drives, seeing all the different landscaping and 2 story houses and the brilliant fall colours - which they don't have in Holland.
Note: The first photo on the first post is from the trail just before town and was taken by Arie - as all of these were (Thanks Oom Arie, and it was good to have you both - come again!)
Arie & Mieke's visit at Thanksgiving time
"Oh, Give Thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever!"
We praise God for His mercy in not giving us what we actually deserve but instead, because of Christ, giving us what we don't deserve - grace, forgiveness and eternal life. And many temporal blessings as well. We have sooo much to be thankful for!
One of these was the opportunity to have relatives from Holland over and enjoy renewing relationships and introducing them to our families...
Mom's brother, Arie, and his wife Mieke, arrived from sister Marian's on Wed evening and stayed with us till Monday afternoon. A great time to experience a Christian Canadian Thanksgiving weekend and the beautiful fall colours.
Here we are having a delicious turkey dinner with all the fixings.
Dad & Mom took them sightseeing locally and to each of their kid's homes: Thursday for roast beef dinner to Maurice & Rachel, Friday to meet Lizzi & Mark.
Saturday we all got together at Christine & Maurice's (except M&R, our YPs, Sharon, & David who was sick). What perfect weather and great hosts - thank you!
After a yummy BBQ and pumpkin/apple pie & icecream, Maurice read from Psalm 19 and John gave thanks. We then enjoyed some singing before heading off for a hike.
Sunday it was off to church and then to Ralph & Sharon's for soup and homemade bread
then a quiet afternoon of napping, walking, reading, talking....
Monday Betty & John came and helped us give the travellers a hearty send-off with lots of hugs & kisses (Joanna trying to find a spot on Arie's face on which to place her kiss was hilarious - you had to be there)
Can you see any resemblance?
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"Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness."
Psalm 107:1, 8,9