Our Spring Story Continues...

Lydia's 2nd Birthday happened April 9th.  We had a family birthday this year as Mommy wasn't up to a big party.  Mommy is expecting baby #9 and she was feeling rather tired and nauseous.

Anyways, we had a special time with her and she thoroughly enjoyed all the attention, cards, and prezzies. (Not to mention Cadbury's chocolate eggs - yuck!) She received a special "baby" from the Grandparents which she mothered instantly.  She is such a talker now and loves to dance to worship music and even make up her own songs.  (Out of the mouths of babes He will bring forth praise)  Lydia, may the Holy Spirit continue to increase this gift of worship in you even in your infancy!

Here I am!

Wow! It's been a while since I wrote in this last... a lot has happened in our neck of the woods.  Let's see... We celebrated Timothy's 13th Birthday during the May long weekend and what a celebration it was! First, we went to Sunshine to get in some sun on the slopes and then we met Grandma and Grandpa at our favorite place to eat in Canmore (Rocky Mountain Flatbread Company).  On Sunday afternoon we went to the theatre to see the new Narnia movie, Prince Caspian, and headed over to the Wood's place for a barbeque to celebrate Natalie, Katie, and Timothy's birthdays. Monday was a full day with some guys coming over in the evening to bless and honor Timothy as he enters into the "province of men ". It was a privilege to have Uncle Craig, Benjamin and David here from Lethbridge as well as Grampa and Gramma Harder. We love and bless you, Timothy for who you are, what you bring to our family and for what God desires to express through you in these special years.

The Season of Birthdays!

On March 28, we celebrated Samuel's 14th Birthday.  I feel like I am getting old.  My parents commented that THEY feel old!  We had another family birthday celebration as we just had Lowell's parents here for Easter as well as celebrating Auntie Olive's 93rd birthday in Airdrie.

Samuel wanted mud pie and burgers.  Dad and the oldest got to watch a war movie Samuel has been asking to watch for some time. We have appreciated watching Samuel grow from a little boy to a lovely, mature young man.  He has been soooo careful lately so as to not be admitted into the emergency room.  For that we are grateful! I have been blessed seeing his faithfulness and tenacity he portrays. Often, I will walk into the living room rubbing the duck butter out of my eyes and there is Samuel, all dressed and reading his Bible and writing down his thoughts.  He has been faithful in his responsibilities and often asks, "okay, what can I do mom". In his training for his triathlon and running race series, he has shown commitment and determination (often dragging his younger brother out with him so he can have a running partner).  He has displayed his creativity in making several swords and daggers for his brothers for birthdays and is designing his own brochure to begin to sell them.  He also has taken the challenge in designing and making a willow chair and bench.  I can't wait to put a lovely flower container on it in the spring. Despite his changing voice (he he) Samuel has recently written and composed a worship song.  It has blessed us to watch him develop this gift of worship.  We love you, Samuel and look forward to all God has for you in the year ahead.  

(something is goofy with the "uploading pictures" so I will post the pictures in the next one)

Our Little Man

On March 5,  we celebrated Malachi's 4th Birthday!  It doesn't seem that long ago that he arrived as a healthy bundle in our arms.  He has grown up so much this past year with learning to ride his two wheeler without training wheels (he may need a refresher course once it stops snowing and it all melts away!), not sleeping with a soother,he dresses himself when he wants to, he loves to read his Bible especially the part when Jesus died on the cross and rose again, he is such a kind big brother to Lydia and he loves to help Lowell and I with whatever we are doing, he just started memorizing Psalm 23 and  He even asked Jesus to live in his heart!  We love him so much and know that God has amazing things in store for him.

We had our kind neighbors, the Neufeld's over for ice cream cake and to play with his new Thomas The Tank characters, Bill & Ben and Bolstrode.  Samuel made him a beautiful dagger and he even got his own armour. Gramma and Grampa Harder gave him a cool sleeping bag which he opened before his birthday and slept in it at night time for two weeks on Elyse and Lydia's floor.

We love you Malachi!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MALACHI

On March 5th Sir  Malachi  had his 5th birthday and on this great day Sir Malachi received his first set of armor. We had the Neufeld's over for  lots of chips, cake and punch. He got Bill and Ben, Bulstorode, a sleeping bag and a sword from Samuel.

Malachi had many accomplishments this year. Most importantly, he asked Jesus to reign in his heart.  He also can just about ride his bike without training wheels, he doesn't need a soother at bedtime anymore (he has a camo watch to prove it), he can dress himself (when he feels like it!) , he can do a flip on the trampoline and he enjoys reading his Bible with Daddy in the mornings.

Samuel appreciates Malachi's desire for justice. (He has very loud lungs!)

Timothy appreciates Malachi's forgiveness.(when Jesse apparently did something to bug him)

Jesse appreciates Malachi's strength in his arms.

Levi, Joel and Elyse like Malachi's funny ways.

Lydia likes Malachi because he is a good big brother and likes to play with her.

(This post was written by Jesse)

Zacharias and McDonalds?

So, what does Zacharias and McDonalds have in common?  According to Elyse, who was narrating a part of the movie, The Nativity, Zacharias "super- sizes" his baby son, John. Wow!

Hubby's Away

So Lowell has been away since yesterday and arrives home tomorrow at suppertime.  Yay!  I forgot what it was like when he would travel all the time.  I have been doing a lot of driving this week and not getting a lot accomplished on the home front and I'm exhausted!  I can't imagine if the children were in a lot of outside activities. Samuel and Timothy have still been insulating our friend's basement and are almost done.  They put a full day in today and they feel rather proud of themselves for it (and so am I).

I was just talking to Lowell and he is now coming home at noon!  I think I will let him surprise the children.  Elyse wants to make a big "Welcome Home" poster for him.  We are so pathetic. We miss our daddy/husband even when he goes into town for a few hours.  Usually, Levi has to phone him a couple of times and ask him when he is getting home.  When he does eventually get home some of the children will get into the sprinting position in the entry way and tackle him as soon as he enters the door. 

 I must admit I am not always eagerly rushing to him as soon as he enters the door.  Sometimes, I have been frustrated because the day had not gone according to plan, the children weren't all  that cooperative, something else broke, and I have not been able to go for my walk/run.  My attitude has been "thank goodness your home"and then proceed to "tell on the kids".  Ladies,  how often have we had this attitude?  Our home should be a haven for our families and especially our husbands as they retreat from the pressures and demands of the work world.  We have in our capacity the ability to create a peaceful atmosphere with the resources given to us.  But  it doesn't end there. If the presence of the Holy Spirit is not welcome, it doesn't matter how beautiful and clean your home is.  When He abides with us we can experience His peace which surpasses all understanding.  God promises in His word, "Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusts in Thee." (Is 26:3-4)  Our attitude affects everyone around us.  May we have joyful hearts and countenances!  When we are exhausted may our anthem be "The joy of the Lord is my strength"!  May we have His active living Word in our hearts and minds throughout the day. 

 I'll leave you all with a quote from Nancy Campbell from her book, The Power of Motherhood: "Self pity drains all your energy! The joy of the Lord fills you with strength!" I pray for myself and for you that we would declare Exodus 15:2 "He is my God , and I will prepare Him a habitation".