Our Family & Our Life

One more month and we'll be celebrating Isla's 2nd birthday.... Where does the time go? This month: she has started eating all her meals by herself with a spoon or fork or both?!?  she answers "No" to just about everything, she learned to puzzle in record time; she learned pb&j  is great to eat at every meal(if she could); and she has found a new love for her teddies and blankie.  She hasn't learned too many more words and jabbers more than anything but we're able to figure out what she wants.  There is alot of grunting that I probably let her get away with and shouldn't but I know she knows loads more than she's been speaking.  Mom bought her a placemat and each meal time we review her numbers and colours.  She's done really well pointing out numbers 1 to 5 and now we're working on 6 to 10 and more colours.  Purple is apparently her favourite colour but that is OK, I like it too!

I'll never get used to it ... Colin is away for four weeks again.... Sigh... He left last evening for Brazil after his flight got delayed twice. He didn't say good-bye to Isla because she's been wigging out when he leaves the room and so far she hasn't asked for him. Good. And she spoke to him on the phone this morning and didn't get upset. Even better. But we miss him already. February 5 cannot come soon enough. He's not sure when he'll leave again when he comes home. Isla's birthday is February 17 and he's booked the day off so chances are he'll be home that week but we shall see. She's been pretty clingy to me today. She did see his suitcase yesterday and she knows it means he's leaving so maybe she's holding onto me for security. Not sure. She isn't saying. But she has a drippy nose and I have feeling molars are giving her grief as well. She napped only 45 minutes this afternoon but my consolation prize has been some se

I was reading through the blog and realized I've cut down the commentary ALOT! Not sure why, I guess it's just easier to share photos rather than words. Maybe my laziness? As I write this, Isla is finally asleep, snug-as-a-bug in her crib and Tasha has been kicked outside because she feels the need to bark at something or nothing as is usually the case. We've been in Canada almost four months now or should I say Isla and I have been in Canada for four months now. Colin is coming home for a week "vacation" now and again before heading off to the next exotic destination. No, really, it's not that exciting for him either. In fact, he's got the rotten end of the deal if you ask me and I hate that. I keep telling myself that we'll have to live like this for the next six months or as long as it takes. Our situation could be worse and we're thankful he has a job! Isla is doing well. Her new favourite word is "no" (said in a very, very sweet l

Isla has been feeding herself with a spoon or fork - it isn't pretty but it's the only way she'll eat so we let her. She loves yogurt and these photos are a fairly typical evening meal at dessert time... yum.... ... but when it's gone, watch out!

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.