Thursday, December 30, 2010

Christmas 2010

My tree this year . . . Doesn't it look lovely. Looks can be deceiving:)
This tree tested my patience. It started out really well and looked really good. It's always a bit of a gamble b/c the trees I often get are wrapped tightly with twine . . so who knows if they are beautiful or not. (It's sure makes it easier to take home anyway). Anyway, I got it up and strung the lights. Looking good . . .
But then the trouble began. It tipped. When I wasn't looking. Grrrr!! Needles everywhere. My theory is that it was because the treee had a crooked trunk, (though you can't tell) and was therefore unbalanced. The trunk was also very soft and so when I screwed the screws in the base towards the trunk, they just sunk right into the wood and didn't hold it up at all. I got very annoyed. Tried and tried. Got more and more annoyed. Finally, I yanked the tree outside my front door and with an axe (no tools around here . . . ahem), chopped about a foot off the bottom. I dragged the very jaggedly cut tree back in and tried again. It still wasn't working. I gave up numerous times before my stubborn streak kicked in (also numerous times) and made me try again. And again.
I finally got it up by bracing the wood with something hard, so there was no more digging in. (These descriptions of my trials probably makes no sense to most people, but I will smile at this someday, so I continue with my recording . . .)
So the tree was up by the time the boys came home from school. They loved it and started thinking presents.
A few days later, I asked Kade to water the tree. He did. It tipped. BIG MESS!!!
We got it up . . . but again I threatened to be done with it and chuck it out the door.
Then I was sitting calmly writing my Christmas letter a few days later . . . no one near the tree . . . and . . .
TIMBER . . .
Down she went again and balls went flying everywhere and of course a billion more needles. I calmly walked over, tipped it up, leaned it into the corner (on a major angle so it wouldn't attack again). This time it was Jonathan's turn to get it up.
He did. The tree never looked too pretty after that and no one really cared. It's down already. I was looking forward to my first empty post-Christmas day to be rid of the beast. I loved how it made the house so cozy, but living in as small of a space as we do, I was happy to have my living room back too.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stockings . . .
Kade put this hat on at my mom and dad's and asked if he could take it home. My mom said he could. He loves it and slept in it the first few nights. It was really cute when I came in his room the first morning to wake him up and saw him sound asleep in the hat.



We like to test our kids patience by taking a family picture before opening gifts:)
Kylie enjoying one of her gifts.
And this picture is for Anna. Kate - I'm sure you are pleased with the progress thus far. (For those who may not be able to identify this . . .it's a jawbreaker. It's big and makes even bigger messes of Kylie . . . but then that's just Kylie, so hey.) Anna liked it too.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Christmas Letter

Thought I'd copy and paste my Christmas letter here. I know a lot of people have read it, but for those who haven't and are interested . . . here it is:

Arriving at the end of yet another year always brings with it a time of reflection. There is much to reflect upon. As we think on the year gone by, we need to reiterate what we know is so true. God is faithful!! He has once again provided for us and blessed us in so many ways. Though not every day is a breeze, and though life is not without its challenges at various times, we feel the presence of the Lord every day, and know that He will provide us with the strength, patience, and endurance to walk this path we are on right now -- and a good path it is.
The biggest change for our family this year happened when it was time for “Back to School”. After 4 years of homeschooling, we made the switch to packing lunches, waking up early, and all those other changes that are involved when a child goes to school! We have always known that we wanted to send the kids to school some day. (always with the “gr 4” number in our minds) Homeschooling was a year by year experience. I loved my years of homeschooling and am thankful that we could participate in this path of education. We were part of a fantastic group and I learned a lot myself and gained a lot of experience both in the home with the kids and in the group which have helped me already in many ways. Kevin and Kade now attend Covenant Christian School. They made the transition very well. For Kade we didn’t figure it would be a big deal considering his age and really only having missed out on Kindergarten. Kevin we were a little more nervous about. But after one term of school, we couldn’t be happier. They are both doing really well and love going to school. They are mostly excited about learning and even homework gets done without complaint. They are really enjoying these snow days we have been having too though . . .

Back to school was a big change for Kevin and Kade, but equally big for Kylie and I. I adjusted quickly. Kylie (who is now three) is still working on it. She misses her brothers a lot some days and other days will play beautifully by herself. She has a busy life as well and enjoys being on the go. We go to Storytime at the Library in Springfield every week and Kylie loves it! There are stories, songs, games, and often a craft and even a snack. And we leave with a bag or two of books for the week ahead. Kylie is still a child who oozes with character and personality. I think that is a nice way to describe herJ . She is a challenge and teaches me new things all the time – things like patience and perseverance. Good things-- yet they certainly don’t always feel like pleasant lessons! But, every day without fail, she turns on the charm right around bedtime. She reminds me exactly of Kevin at her age. Somehow they can live on very little sleep. Kylie will most nights not fall asleep till after 10pm . . . and most often has to be up to go to the bus stop at 7:30am. I think it’s a short night for a three year old. But try as we may to change this pattern, so far it isn’t happening. Kylie also treated us to a do-it-yourself haircut this summer. It was not a very good one and we still live with the affects every day. She is most often looking rather disheveled and sloppy. But her hair is growing and it is getting easier to keep things kind of together. She loves her friends deeply and would love to play with them forever . . . with a few little “I’m not your friend anymore” breaks thrown in. She also loves her mom and dad and when we walk in the door after being away, we are greeted with a shriek and a hug. She also loves to sing and asks to hear Steve Green any and every time we are in the van. Lately she has even taken to wanting to snuggle – but that doesn’t usually last more than 2 minutes before she’s ready to move on.

Kade is 6 and in Grade 1. He is a laid back, mostly easy going, and a relatively easy child. He loves to read and really enjoys his “Cuddle-Up and Read” time that he is required to do every night. He started off extremely shy at school, but it didn’t last too long. At mid- term progress reports, we read that he is “occasionally too social in class and needs to focus on his work a bit more”. I volunteer each week at the school by teaching Phys.Ed to grade 1-2, so I get to see Kade in action. He is certainly no longer shyJ. Kade did two sessions of swimming lesson this year – and passed a level both times. This seems to be an area where he excels. He also played soccer again, and although we see progress each year, we also see that Kade does not have the same competitiveness that Kevin does. He just plays the game and has fun – whether he is sitting off or playing.

Kevin is 9 and in Grade 4. Kevin is an “always on the go” type of kid. His thing right now is hockey. Any spare chance he gets, he picks up his mini-stick and takes shots. Over and over. Kade is really fed up with the game, but between Jonathan and Kade, Kevin usually has someone to play with. And if they decide they don’t want to play, Kevin just carries on by himself. He announces the play-by-play the whole time too. He loves “Hockey Night in Canada’ on Saturday nights and will listen to the games on the radio throughout the week. He gets to lace up the skates once a week with all of us when we go to the arena for the hockey/skating program we go to. We all skate, practice some skills, and the boys finish the hour off with a little hockey game at the end. Kevin is also doing piano lessons and has almost finished one year. He does not really enjoy practicing – at all. But he is doing well enough and learning quite a bit, that we think it is good for him to persevere for a while. He loves his teacher and enjoys going to the lesson – it’s just the practicing that he dreads. Soccer was a highlight of the summer for Kevin. He played throughout the summer again and also went to a soccer camp for a week. He is probably even more passionate about soccer than hockey – and very competitive!! Kevin and Kade also played basketball for 8 weeks this fall. They both enjoyed that a lot too.
We took a trip to Myrtle Beach in February of this year. It ended up being a rather cool vacation considering we were south. But we had good company and we swam anyway. Most of all it was just good to be away and be together as a family. We have great memories despite the lack of intense heat.

In October Jonathan and I celebrated our 10th anniversary. Ten years have just flown by! It’s hard to believe sometimes. It’s been a great ten years. We are thankful for the marriage and friendship God has blessed us with and are looking forward to the next 50 years!
In the summer we said goodbye to our dear Oma (my dad’s mom). She had been weakening for some time physically, but she was an example to us right to the end. She was a big part of our lives and we miss her in many ways.

One of highlights of our year was Marineland. In May we went with a homeschooling group and while we were there, we took advantage of the super cheap season passes. Three of Jonathan’s sisters also bought the passes, so we met there 3 or 4 more times throughout the summer. This was great fun for the kids and a fun chance for sisters to get together too.

Total Electric continues to be a big part of our lives. I guess that’s a part of self-employment. The company is always there – work during the day and paperwork at night. Though we don’t do paperwork too many nights a week, it feels like there is always catching up to do. It makes me chuckle at the nights when we were first married and played board games, made model cars, and looked for things to do in the evenings! I’m glad we had those days and those special times. Jonathan just finished a course and exam for his masters and now, with a little more paperwork, will be Jonathan Van Dyk M.E or he says Master Jonathan will be fine too:)

Church also brings with it commitments. Jonathan is now a deacon and that fills up a few nights a month as well. Then there is the Men’s and the Ladies Bible Studies which we are both enjoying. There is always something to do. That is a blessing too. Neither of us does well with boredom . . . though sometimes we imagine we might enjoy just a tiny taste of itJ.

That brings me to the end of this update. When I ponder writing a letter, I often start with . . “Hmmmmm . . . should I even bother? Everyone knows what is going on in my life b/c they read my blog. Nothing will be new or interesting.” Then when I am told convinced that I really should write one anyway, I tell myself, “Okay. One page.” Then I start writing and have to force myself to stop. I could probably write three or four pages easily . . . but I draw the line at two. So if there is vital information missing . . .it’s because I got to the bottom of the page:).
We wish you all a very blessed Christmas and a pray for God’s continued presence in your lives in the year ahead.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Sunrise and Squash

This morning was back to school after three consecutive snow days. Back to waking up before the sun . . . and getting to see it rise. The sunrise this morning was especially beautiful with all the fresh snow . . .


The spacious firmament on high,
With all the blue ethereal sky,
And spangled heavens, a shining frame
Their great Original proclaim.
The unwearied sun, from day to day,
Does his Creator's powers display,
And publishes to every land
The work of an Almighty Hand.
~~Acapella~~

And as for the squash part of this post. I thought it was high time I get around to putting my squash in the freezer. I mean, isn't December the prime time of year to harvest your garden??? Actually, I picked my garden clean in the beginning of October (well, most of it anyway), but then put the squash in the garage for a future date - never once thinking it might be in December! Me? A procrastinator? Never!
But now the job is done.
The family will enjoy some yummy healthy vegetables throughout the next year. Kevin especially loves squash and would eat the whole pot himself if he was allowed.
As for me? Yuck. I won't eat the stuff:(

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Coniferous Forest . . . With Snow!!!

I thought I better update my blog . . .


JUST KIDDING!!!!
I've had too many people tell me I needed to update and do another post because they were getting kind of sick of my coniferous forest . . . so I just had to:)
Anyhow, there is more . . .

What's Really Up Over Here!

We are due for an update. So I've heard. So here it is:
Kevin and Kade have finished another year of basketball clinic. They both learned a lot, progressed a lot, made new friends, and had a lot of fun!
Of course the highlight to the year is always the last evening when the kids play a game against their parents, followed by pizza and gatorade! Yum. I think the kids won in Kade's group and I think the parents had no mercy in Kevin's group, and clobbered them.
A "just because we should do this every once in a while" photo of us.
I got to go with Kade's class to the Children's Museum. It was a fun afternoon and fun to watch the kids running from display to display. It was also fun to watch the teachers play a game of tag in the tunnels with their students!



Some Kylie pictures . . .



We've already started Christmas family gatherings . . .
The beautiful Meika!
My dear sisters . . .

And then the snow began to fall . . . .

The kids and I got to celebrate our first and second (so far;)) SNOW DAY!!!!!
This has got to be a wonderful advantage to school, because we sure never had snow days when we homeschooled!
The kids are loving the snow and spending quite a bit of time outside.
Kylie also really loved the snow and the hill and was a real trooper!


In other news and notes:
- speaking of snow . . . We have a tape of Snow White in our home. It is Kylie's personal favourite right now. In fact I think in the last month, we have heard it 273 times - and if that is an exaggeration, it is a "low side" exaggeration!!! We've both got it pretty much memorized.
- Kylie still has good and bad days with the boys being in school. I think that will pretty much be the norm for this little girl. She can play SOOOOO good some days and then just when you think you are making progress, she'll throw in a couple of extremely pitiful days when you wonder where she gets the energy to be so obnoxious:) She is mostly enjoying the boys being home for these snow days though!
-I made it to December the first without seeing a snowflake. I was pretty excited about that. I think that my excitement was short lived. I also think that Grandpa and Grandma who left for Florida on November 30th are very smart people:) Actually, as I sit inside and look outside it really is beautiful. And if I get inspired to venture outdoors, like I did yesterday to take the kids to the hill, I actually have a good time. In fact I outlasted them all by at least 40 minutes . . . I mean someone has to shovel the driveway!!! It feels good to be outside and moving.
-I have not yet gotten a Christmas tree, but it's on my list for this week. This was going to be the week where I accomplished a lot - b/c schedule wise it was very empty. Snow days kind of threw that for a loop, but I don't mind. It means I can procrastinate a little more:)
-We got to have Tim and Christiaan over for the weekend. I wish I had taken pictures, but I didn't. They are great kids and we all had a great (albeit busy running around) weekend together.
- I got to go with Kevin to a London Knights game in November sometime. That was a special treat for both of us though it was a little hard on our "super competitive" Kevin to have the score end up 8-2 or something . . . and NOT in the Knights favour.
-We got the kids first report cards and had our first set of parent/teacher interviews. The kids are doing really well all around and we are very thankful for that! They are still really enjoying school, though I have to say that with the coming of snow, Kevin is pretty excited to stay home!
-When Kevin is home, he has a hockey stick (mini) in his hand at least 50% of the time. He is constantly strapping on the pads, grabbing the stick and taking shots (and if you know our house, you know how VERY LITTLE space he actually has. He is a little obsessed right now. Kade doesn't always appreciate his one track mind. He will play with Kev for a bit, but when he asks Kevin to make snowflakes or something crafty with him, Kevin rarely acquiesces. C'est la vie!
- I know I had a lot more things I wanted to record here for the record, but they have momentarily slipped my mind.
Enjoy your December!

Monday, November 15, 2010

Coniferous Forest

The weather last week was AMAZING!! I liked it – A LOT!!! I didn’t get to spend the whole week outdoors, but I did get to spend at least a few days outside. And although Christmas and other things winterish were about the last thing on my mind (I was thinking more along the lines of spring!), I decided to take advantage of a moment of inspiration combined with glorious weather to accomplish something I’ve wanted to do for at least the last few winters, but never got around to, b/c it got cold too fast. (I think that was a run-on sentence, but it expressed my complete thought, so I’m leaving it:)) So . . . I went for a walk, collected all my ingredients (all found within walking distance – most on our property), and started to create. Kylie was my wonderful helper and we had a lot of fun together on this project.

I started out with my two containers by the garage, two on/in front of my front porch, and another which is on the edge of my garden for now.
(I didn't take pictures of them all (well actually I did, but I didn't post them all), b/c to anyone else - inluding my dear husband, it just looks like I've created a bit of a coniferous forest in various locations in my yard;))
But that was just way too much fun, so on Saturday, I just kept on going. I filled the window baskets on the tree house . . .
. . . filled the two pots in front of the minibarn . . .

. . . filled the window boxes on the back of the house . . .
. . . made two pots for my kitchen windowsill . . .. . . and one vase full for my table.

Now you may think this post sounds a little braggish and show-offish. It is;) Although these creations may not be everyones cup of tea, I am quite proud of them . . . and so I will brashenly brag about them too - - because you know what??? I had a blast making them and I still smile and admire them everytime I turn in my driveway.
So there. :)
p.s I forgot to mention one of the best parts! Everything was free:)!!!
p.p.s Jonathan loves to tease me about my enthusiasm for this project freqently. He thinks I'm a geek. Feel free to agree with him:o)