Some Things Can Wait...

What's up with the renos? We're at a bit of a standstill waiting on a few things....but that's ok...there are more important things, for sure!!

Had a bit of a rough day at work the other day, but if there's one way to cheer me up, it's seeing one special little boy's smiley face. He always runs to greet me when they come to visit, and I get the most wonderful hug (second to nothing!!). Thursday night is Rowan's and my "date night" since Mom and Daddy are busy with the Youth. This week we played some soccer and had fun on the trampoline (don't worry - only gentle 'nana' bounces). Rowan thought it was a little strange that my hair was standing on end from the static and he tried to smooth it down. Afterwards we went for a walk and found a playground on the way home that we couldn't wait to try out...cheating bedtime a little :) Mom and Daddy found us still reading when they came home! Oh well, I'm sure he slept like an angel as usual.

Thanks for the fun evening Rowan!!!

GOT A SUGGESTION??

Ok...I'm a little frustrated right now not knowing exactly which direction we should go with these renovations. We have a few options for bathrooms, etc., but nothing is quite hitting the mark yet. Anyone know of someone local who likes figuring out renovation floor plans?

What oh what are we doing!!???

So, the day has finally come. The walls are coming down. Literally. I mean the old walls in the room that is to become our new bathroom. How exciting!! The plans are being set into motion. OH HELP!! What have we gotten ourselves into!! Here's the first pictures of our momentous occasion. Enjoy.

I left my heart in Texas....

...well, not actually, although we did enjoy the warm weather and a great Conference in Dallas. Certainly a highlight was being able to spend some much anticipated time with our old friends, Ron & Gail.
The drive there was quite intense with the highways being covered with ice clear through to Nebraska. Our first day was 14 crazy long 'white-knuckled' hours and I have to say I don't know when I've been so stressed for so long, nor so happy to get out of the vehicle. There were hundreds of cars, truck & transports in the ditch up to that point. We stayed put in Nebraska for a couple of days at friends of Mike & Renee's - Charlie & Alvena Adams - they were wonderful hosts. We left Nebraska in the wee morning hours on Monday in order to get to Dallas on time for the first session....thankfully the roads were good from this point.
As far as the Conference, my favorite speakers were Bob Wilkin, James Bond (yes, really!) and Tony Evans. You can check out the Grace website at www.faithalone.org, click on Annual Conference and you may even find me/us in the pictures during Charlie Bing's session. It was standing room only when he spoke. There were so many good speakers during the afternoon workshops, but you had to pick and choose between several going on at once, which meant you were missing other good speakers! The important thing is that the message of Free Grace came through loud & clear.
The hotel was gorgeous and after sleeping in a king-size bed for a few days I was ready to knock out walls to make room for one of those in our bedroom!!! The elevator was glass on one side and the entire hotel had an open concept, with the rooms all overlooking the main floor lobby, balcony-style, no long closed-in hallways. We could talk (more like yell) to Mike & Renee across the courtyard from our room even though we were on different floors.
It was also great to re-connect with our friends Ron & Gail. They live in Dallas and we managed to spend some time together. Gail was even able to join us for a couple of sessions. Thanks guys for taking time for us!
Anyway, I'll let you enjoy a few pictures now. It's is good to be home, but sure would have liked to bring those 20's (C) temps home with us. I guess our turn is coming, right!?
Oh, did I mention I really don't care to drive in Texas anytime soon - the drivers are crazy!! (Sorry Ron, you actually drove pretty nice and thank you so much for the tour) :) The George W. Bush turnpike had Renee closing her eyes TIGHT, and although I was a little freaked too, I tried to capture it with my camera.

Sara

Ok...looks like blogger doesn't want me posting pictures right now, so we'll try that again tomorrow.

So what's on your mind?

A few things on mine this week....

~ it's finally Friday ~ I'm wearin' jeans!!
~ I've been working full-time lately - thankful I don't have to do this all the time, but happy I can help out a friend in need right now.
~ crazy weather - if you don't have to be on the roads....DON'T....I'm glad I don't have to, yet!
~ a young "old friend" died this week - no warnings! How does one cope when a loved one just slips away? I'm so thankful she loved the Lord.
~ we're supposed to leave for Texas early tomorrow morning - the weather's been bad on much of the route we need to take. I don't do great on long drives and this brings a little added stress. Are there some extra prayers out there?
~ I'm trying desparately to get used to my new glasses....who called this "progressive" anyway!!???
~ two people died on the slippery highway yesterday....how sad...wondering~ pray for loved ones left behind.
~ how do people cope when someone they love doesn't recognize them anymore?
~ I'm thankful my family is home safe - in more ways than one :)
~ understanding God's grace is a new experience every day!! We are loved unconditionally...loved eternally...loved individually.. WOW...does that really reach to my core?!
~ am I committed to finding out what makes God smile and then doing it...even if it doesn't feel comfortable for me...even if things don't turn out as I'd hoped?

Ok...it's your turn!
Sara

Good Stuff...

Ok so, hope you didn't have to be out on the highways this weekend - they weren't very friendly. The freezing rain and then snow was a bit much for some motorists who found themselves attracted to the ditches. I have to say though, it sure feels good to be out of our deep freeze! Couldn't keep from going for a walk today in the fresh snow - quite refreshing after being cooped up for so long - made for a pretty good workout too :) "Bring back the springtime!"
The kids came over and we made a pizza feast for supper....good stuff indeed!! Afterwards we all
went over to K&S's to watch "Flyboys", a war movie based on a true story. It was a good movie, but couldn't help but feel thankful for all the freedoms we have today - some don't share that luxury.

Sara

This is as close as I get...

So, did a little "Hawaian"-themed Pampered Chef party for a friend the other night. I brought a bunch of leis so each lady could 'imagine' being somewhere in the tropics - 'cause that's as close as some of us will ever get :) We drank mock pina colada's and I made Aloha pizza with fresh pineapple salsa - delicious!! Purchased some hawaian music from itunes to add to the atmosphere of the evening and thought all was set until the songs wouldn't download properly...arghh! Gotta get #1 son over here to figure out what went wrong so I can try this again.
Anyway, for anyone reading this, if you need/want stoneware - it's 20% off this month....60% off if you're a host....give me a call!
Sara

Our Little Sunshine

Seems we haven't seen as much of Rowan lately (because we've been busy) and can't believe how fast he's changing. He used to get upset if I tried to take his picture because he wanted to be the one holding the camera. The other day I asked if I could take his picture and he popped his head up high and smiled for me. Had to be quick though! :) He was also full of stories to tell, if only I could understand - he looked at me so seriously and just kept talking. When I asked him about it he smiled, nodded and said, "ahuh". His favorite words lately...button, book, door, kick (loves to kick a ball around), Joe & Bob (from Veggie Tales), Mom and Dad and many we're not sure about :)

After Stacey changed his diaper he quickly crawled away wanting to snuggle up in the guest bed. I asked if he wanted to have his nap at Grandma's and he said, "uhuh". Now if only mommy had brought along his little napping buddy!

Got to babysit Thursday evening while his mommy and daddy worked with the Youth. We had such a blast doing all the fun things he likes to do, and then more excitement when we had to pick up Uncle Dustin from work. He absolutely adores his uncles and aunties.
At bedtime he's got a little routine that, if you forget a step, he'll remind you - get into pj's, turn on his night light, his little fan and his music. Then we sit in the rocking chair for a story and a little singing. After that you pray with him and he gives a long hug before lying down to sleep. He must have felt I didn't pray enough or forgot someone/something because he lifted his hand for me to pray again. I melted!! Could he be any sweeter? I just wanted to pick him up and hold him....well, I got my chance! After a few minutes he called me back but I didn't know what I had forgotten. So, we re-did the routine and I laid him in his bed again and all was well. It was only after about 10 minutes of him being asleep that I realized what I had forgotten - his cup of milk!! I felt sooo bad, even moreso that he was gracious and let me off the hook.

For Old Times Sake

So we finally managed to find a date that worked for us to visit with our dear friends, Sam & Melody. They invited us over a few Sundays back (ok...I'm know I'm a little behind, but life has been busy) , along with our 'entire crew'. We spent some time at the aquatic centre and then went back to their place for some good eatin' and 'catch-up'. Sam & Melody had never met our kids' spouses, nor Rowan, so that was very special! Sariel and Rowan hit it off right off the hop and she really laid on the charm by letting him play with her cell phone.

Then, this past Sunday they were giving a presentation in our morning service, so we were able to enjoy their company once more. Again our kids joined us for lunch so the house was full, but we still managed to get in some good conversation and reminiscing. In the evening we all headed over to our church for an International Dinner where we enjoyed some fabulous food from different countries (China, Russia, Germany, Greece, Mexico/El Salvador - did I miss any?) - yummmm! You can check out more pictures on Warren's blog http://warrenandliane.blogspot.com/





So, it was great to re-connect with friends and laugh over old times, but I can't help but feel a touch of sadness as I realize it may be some time before we'll be able to get together again. Their plan is to go back to the Philippines for another year and then hopefully moving toThailand where they will begin a new ministry. Maybe we'll have to plan a trip or something.

Apparently Red Makes People Hungry!

Alright, so it's been a little crazy at our house lately - challenging to navigate in the kit/dining area since the piano, fridge, table and microwave stand are all huddled in the middle of the room - but all is well. We only got the first coat on so far, but the kids like it. Rowan seemed to enjoy the fact that the walls were 'coloured'. Hopefully next week everything will be back in place.

I've been busy painting at the Coop as well - I know bad timing, but that's just how it worked out.

So...if this makes you think of food... give us a call - we'd be glad to come on by :)

Sara

How many people read this trivia

Watching paint dry is considered to be one of the most boring things possible but people get pretty excited about paint colours. There must be more interesting things.

This renovating thing has gone a little over board too. Our house seems to be in a shambles because of it and now at work we are experiencing the same thing. We plan to move the Co-op offices to a new location in the same building. Right now our office looks like we have been bombed. All the interior doors and windows have been removed and it looks pretty bad. Because the door into the grocery store has been removed we also get a cold breeze from the dairy cooler.

Enough complaining I have to go and study. I'm teaching a Bible class tomorrow on I Chronicles. I have been teaching Old Testament Survey since September. I lost a student just before Christmas when Beth went to Austria.

Rowan came over for supper while Keith took Stacey out for supper. We had a great time and Rowan discovered that he really likes raisins.

That's all for now

Les

Here's the latest

I have been checking this Blog and there are never any new posts! Someone told me we have to do that ourselves, so we will try this thing.

We have had a real cold blustery day and riding my bike into the north wind was a bit extreme. Dustin thinks his ride to the high school was colder. Mike (our pastor) is in Haiti this week and I hope he enjoys the relief from winter.

I have men's prayer time in an hour and then at 9 we have an entire staff meeting at the Heartland Inn. I have to give a 5-10 minute speech and it is supposed be very uplifting. It was not really called a staff meeting but a 'Rah Rah' meeting! Can you imagine an accountant trying to be motivational? Any way it should be easier than preaching on Sunday.

Let the renovations begin!! That's right...finally. So far we have painted the living room and changed the carpet (I know, kinda backwards when you think that we'll be doing some removing of walls and plastering, etc., but the old LR carpet was sooo worn it had to go first). We scraped the stipple off the ceiling in the kitchen/dining room/hallways. (That was an ugly discouraging job!!) Then there was lots of plastering to be done before any painting could happen. Undercoating is now done and it's time to pick colors. Sara wants to paint the kitchen sundried tomato - sounds interesting - what do you think? We'll try to post some pictures as we go along.

I hope this shows up where it is supposed to.

John (Les)

The First Post....

So, the kids decided we needed to have a blog, even if only to post pictures; so here it is. Now, since we haven't learned how to navigate this thing 100%, they also got us started with this post. Hopefully we'll be able to keep it up.

Our growing family consists of Dad, Mom, Warren (& Liane), Stacey (& Keith), Ashleigh, Heather (& Bruce), Dustin, and Rowan (Keith & Stacey's son, the first grandchild). Here's a little preview:

Grandpa & Rowan

Grandma & Rowan

Warren & Liane

Keith & Stacey

Mom, Dad, & Ashleigh - it was a VERY windy day in SK!

Bruce & Heather

Dustin (the pro drummer)

Rowan & Monkey - his very special buddy.

Rowan just loved the snow.