Our Family & Our Life

Some food for thought from Ann Landers ~ Let this coming year be better than all the others. Vow to do some of the things you've always wanted to do but couldn't find the time. Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories. Vow not to make a promise you don't think you can keep. Walk tall, and smile more. You'll look ten years younger. Don't be afraid to say, 'I love you'. Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world. From our family to yours ~ Happy 2010 and wishing you all God's blessings in the new year!

Christmas Eve The Santa hat didn't stay on very long... ... so Mommy wore it instead! We have three traditions - This is the 1st tradition. I used to buy a keepsake ornament for Colin and I but now I buy one for Isla to collect... This is her 2009 keepsake - it says "Baby's 2nd Christmas 2009 - "Sure to be sweet and you can take that to the bank" - it's a piggy bank! The discussion was whether it was a sheep or cow?!? The 2nd tradition is new pj's for everyone - even Oma got new ones together with slippers this year... I bought Isla's a few months ago and they are a bit tight already. Christmas Morning My 'lil Monkey! Trying to look sweet in the new outfit daddy bought her but Mommy put that silly hat back on. Poor girl but still looking adorable! Our darlin' She loves "pee-ple".. great toys, highly recommended for toddlers. This is the 3rd tradition - a Christmas family photo. Her main gift was a

Luke 2:14 ~ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Our family wishes you a blessed Christmas as we celebrate the birth of the promised Son. Colin, Heather & Isla

With all the goings on last week, Isla's 22 month "birthday" was overshadowed. That's OK, it wasn't that important compared to the life-altering events of last week. I have to say I'm doing this post but it almost feels irreverent as we just buried dad on Friday. My intention with these posts is more for her in the future and myself as I use these posts as a way of tracking her progress. I'll eventually print them off and put them in her keepsake box. This months edition is the Reader's Digest version. Her 22 month birthday was the day of visitation at the funeral home. In the afternoon she stayed with my niece and nephew, Emily and Benjamin, at my brothers house and did amazingly well. In the evening she went to bed early and Emily and Benjamin stayed here at the house with her while she slept. This is a BIG step. When we left N. Ireland she was only 3 months old and Colin and I never went away together because at that time there was loads going on

First of all, thank you to everyone for your prayers, notes of sympathy, phone calls, visits etc. these past few days. I think I can say on behalf of the family that we have been blessed with wonderful family and friends and we have been encouraged through our grief. When my dad passed away Tuesday morning he was ready to go Home. He knew he was leaving his frail earthly frame to be with his Lord and Saviour, free of cancer, heart disease and painful joints and muscles. Just a few weeks ago he told a doctor that he was a covenant child and wasn't afraid of the future. What a comfort and blessing! We noticed when we arrived home in Canada last September he was much more frail than when we last saw him. He has battled a dilbilated disease for about five years causing him much pain and discomfort but never did we think he would leave us just three short months later. We see God's providence knowing that despite being disappointed when the visa's we're denied, we were a

April 3, 1936 - December 15, 2009 Peacefully on Tuesday, December 15, 2009, the Lord called home to Himself, Ike Vandenberg at the age of 73 years. Beloved husband of Ann (nee Huizinga) and loved father of George and Loretta, Margaret and John Schoon, Albert and Christina, and Heather and Colin Black. Predeceased by his son John (1965) and daughter Jennifer (1991). Dear Opa of 13 grandchildren. Loved son-in-law of Grace Huizinga, brother of Jake, Jane and John Hutten, and Henk and Ria and brother-in-law of Aafke and Dan VanNeutegem, Wietse and Renee Huizinga, Liz Mueller, and Trudy and Ray Jewers. Friends may visit with the family at KITCHING, STEEPE & LUDWIG FUNERAL HOME, 146 Mill Street North, Waterdown on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at FLAMBOROUGH CANADIAN REFORMED CHURCH, 1225 Dundas Street, Burlington (west of Brant Street) on Friday, December 18, 2009 at 10 a.m., Rev. J. deGelder officiating. Interment to follow at Burlington Memorial Gardens.

All ready to go Isn't the first snowfall of the season exciting? What is this stuff mom? It came during the night, not alot, just a few centimetres and it was very wet. In fact it rained alot this morning so it made for heavy work as I shovelled the walkways. Oh well, it was fun to walk in nonetheless. I took Isla out this afternoon. We didn't try to make a snowman because it was so wet underneath. I'll save that for the first decent snowfall. She had fun, that's all that matters.

... but not in our area of Ontario, at least not yet... The forecasters are calling for snow on Wednesday and lake effect snow on Thursday so I think it's safe to say we'll have an accumulation by the end of the week. Isla is excited about it too. I told her this morning it was going to snow this morning and she yelled "Snow, snow!". She has no idea what it is but I'm sure the first time we go out to play in it she'll quickly learn. In the meantime, it's c-o-l-d and the rain water bucket is frozen along with a few ponds in the area. Brrrrrrr.... .... but she is keeping warm in her new pink snowsuit. This is the second suit I bought her. I bought her a snow jacket and pants on sale at the end of last winter but it's sized 24 months and w-a-a-y to big for her at the moment. A few months ago I saw this one at Once Upon a Child, the kids consignment store and bought it for her. It's sized 18 months and as you can see, plenty big on her and

I apologize for the video quality or if you have seen this on FB already but I had to share...

I've taken the notion to post on the blog! I'm sure you've noticed I'm way off pace that I was up too during the summer but we're still in the transition period with regards to living arrangements and settling back in Canada. Quite frankly, blogging isn't top of my list or even possible. Sooner but probably a bit later, I will be back on track. We're temporarily living with my parents and we hope to be in our own apartment by Christmas. The arrangement is as soon as possible since some work has to be done so if it's before Christmas, that's great and if it's afterwards, that's OK too. Once details are confirmed, I'll talk more about it. Isla is doing well. She doesn't walk anymore, she only runs. YAY ! Her speech is getting better all the time too and just today we learned that she knows some letters as well. She was "reading" the newspaper at breakfast and pointed out "O", "A" and "E"

Have you ever seen a sweeter face?

Where has the time gone? My baby is 21 (months) today!!! Isla's sense of humour and silliness has certainly been shining through this month. Colin has already warned me that she has inherited his (toilet) humour! Oh help! ... and she still loves hats although we are having a bit of trouble with winter hats. I think it's because they are tight to her head whereas the summer hats are much looser. Anyways, this is Canada and she has to wear one and thankfully I did find one at Old Navy that she'll keep on without crying. Her level of speech is getting better all the time. She can say her name when asked, she can say she's one (and hold up her index finger), "all done" and she says other words when you don't expect her too. The other night I brought her to her room to go to bed and she said "Dark" or should I say she shouted "DARK". She's also starting to count and she knows the colours purple and sometimes blue. We count as we

I honestly don't know what I'm going to be typing about. Nothing exciting has happened, going to happen, that I know about anyways, but here I go.... The big and best news is that Colin is home tomorrow morning at 5:45 A.M. - that's right A.M.!!! Why anyone would book a flight that lands before the sun comes up is beyond me!? Guess who's picking him up? I love him, what can I say, I can't wait to see him... The leaves are falling, little one is rolling in them. Yup, she loves them, I rake them but it's not a bad job, or at least not yet. Maybe next week after a few more trips to the yard will I be fed up with them.. I tell ya, mom and dad have ALOT of trees, the kind of trees that drop ALOT of leaves.... Maple, Oak, Elm and more... But they look pretty at this time of year. I wonder how many leaves I'll rake up this year? 1000's!!!! Isla loves the yard and she loves to come out with me while I rake. If it wasn't for the unkid-friendly dog tha

Look who discovered leaves! Yes, we will be back out there this afternoon to play in them... Having to go for a nap at 20 months old is such a drag, isn't it? So, what is she up to lately? Well the "experts" say this: Most toddlers should be able to . . . Take off clothes without help Pretend to help toys; imitates, such as feeding a doll Know when something is wrong Run well Some toddlers will probably be able to . . . Say 20 to 50 words Start to learn words, possible 5 or more per day Enjoy helping with things around the house Start setting small goals Some toddlers could possibly be able to . . . Show better signs of bladder control Walk up and possible down stairs with some assistance Start to learn up to 10 new words per day Umm, it looks like alot of emphasis on speech which is something we need to work on. She repeats alot of what we say but isn't saying new words on a regular basis or stringing many words together. I'll give her time, I'm no

... just like her daddy!

This Thanksgiving I am thankful for many people and things . One of the people I am very thankful for is away in Brazil the entire month of October so I will post photos of the other person I am very thankful for, just for him... James 1:17 - Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

I write this the evening of our return home. Colin and I left Isla overnight with Mom and Dad and we escaped to "cottage country" for a very short break but as short as it was, I was happy to see my baby again. This was the first time I have left her and the first time she spent the night away from us. She did very well with Mom and Dad and they were able to keep up with 19 month old. Thank you! We didn't go to far, just to Gravenhurst and we stayed in the brand-new Residence Inn Marriott . It was lovely and we had a small kitchenette in our room but trust me, we didn't cook, we needed a break! Our afternoon drive took us to Gull Lake just outside Gravenhurst. The weather was great both days, sunny and dry but today (Friday) was a bit cool especially on the boat. This weekend there is an antique boat show and boaters from all over N. America have taken over the hotel and the marina. Our "cruise ship" - The Segwun - is 120 years old so appropr