Bikeathon

Well, today was the 30K Club Bikeathon which took place at Mission Creek Park in Kelowna. Me & two fellow teammates from "The Silver Bullet" rode approximately 36km's today. It was all apart of raising money for the 30K Club, which is to help end homelessness in Kelowna.
I will write more on this, as well as posting some pictures of the event.

Homelessness

If you are unaware I (Justin) am working at the Kelowna's Gospel Mission. Currently we are working on a 30K Club which will help Kelowna get some transitional housing! The current fundraiser that is taking place is the 30K Club Bikeathon. Please check out the links and see what you can do to help end homelessness in Kelowna and whatever community you are in, by bringing people the Love of Jesus!

Thank You Lord

With computer problems & a few other reasons we haven't posted anything. But we are thankful to God that Mattias is out of the hospital. We had to make one more trip in with a bad ear infection and heart rate of 196 per minute, but he is over that now. I wanted to post a song on here written by Vijay Manuel but with typing this on my iPod I am unable to so I will post the lyrics.
Thank You Lord
Thank You Lord
Thank You Lord for all that you have done
And all that You see
Find something good in me
I offer to You my Lord
Copyright Shikina Publishing
written by Vijay Manuel

Still "bugged" but home from our three day return to the hospital.

I (Justin) have never been sick like this before! The cramping in my stomach and the way that it turns! At work the last two days I was so nauseous! Finally yesterday at the hospital I was trying to go to the bathroom and realized that it was not going to happen! So I quickly turned around off the toilet and threw up like I have never thrown up before! Jen was outside the room with the nurse, and because it was a crazy time for me, I quickly pulled the help cord, Jen and the nurse were both caught off guard. It was the first time in the 10 years that Jen and I have known each other that she has seen me thrown up!

So we all are still sick. Some sort of flu virus that sure has gotten us down. Sam is on the mend and Saffron's diahrea seems to have settled. I (Jen) have been seriously sick on both ends. I haven't thrown up today which was nice. Sam and I actually were able to head out to the grocery store for some much needed sick food goodies. You know, ice cream, yogurt, popsicles, fruit...that sort of thing. Mattias threw up some powerade this morning but other then that has done quite well today. He's been eating small quantities here and there and had a couple of good naps today. You almost wouldn't recognize the poor guy, he's gotten so skinny. But boy oh boy he's still cuter then ever. And amongst all of this sickness and yuckiness we are still trying to get unpacked and settled into our new townhouse and next week Justin starts a new job at the Kelowna Gospel Mission. "When it rains, it pours" is how I feel these days. But I know it could be worse and prayerfully I am seeing light at the end of this very drawn out and dark tunnel. So as you read the end of our entry, could you please pray that we would immediately return to good health and that our season for sickness is done for a LONG time and that Mattias would recover 100% from his operation and this nasty bug. Blessings and good health to YOU!

Good News, Bad News

Well we were going to post that things are good, that Mattias is at home and that we are settling in, but last night Sam and Mattias were throwing up all night. Sam has since stopped, but Mattias has not, so he is on the way to the hospital right now!

Going Home?

Today Mattias might be heading home! He has the I.V. out and things are looking good. We'll let you know. In the meantime check out the new Photos

It's been six days and counting...

Well it will be one week tomorrow that Justin brought Mattias into the ER. The week has surprisingly gone quite quickly. Probably because I wasn't thinking much about what day it was rather just living in the moment and taking care of our dear little one. Today Mattias wasn't as active as yesterday but still he is on the mend. He kicked back quite a bit today and watched some toones. Then when his auntie Jerine came he played a little in the playroom and enjoyed some of his popsicle while watching some "Robin Hood". He's sort of whiney and just seems to be tired of it here. The sergeon said we could go home today but the pediatrition said not until he's drinking and eating more on his own and not until he's off of the IV. They said that this is his last bag for the IV. So I am guessing by morning it should be all emptied and FINALLY his IV can come out. His hand/arm is getting so smelly I will be glad to see it go. Also he doesn't need to get his blood work done everyday now. He's done with the pokes and pricks. THANKFULLY! Everyone is saying that it looks like tomorrow we will be heading home. So things are bright and I am very much looking forward to taking him home to our new house and just being with our little family. I miss laying in bed with Justin; I miss my morning snuggles and bedtime prayers with Sam; I miss my dear little Saffron's smiles and giggles; and I just miss being a mom dealing with the everday stuff. I am so thankful to the LORD that he has brought us through the uncertainty into the clear as we know it. It is a reminder that every breath, life it self is so fragile. At any moment we may be called to be with our LORD. It's a reminder to make sure we are CERTAIN of the path that we will take when we do die. There is so much hope and certainty of knowing I will go to HEAVEN. And in these hard days, I can't even IMAGINE having all of this worry and hurt and pain and unknowingness and it just weighing on my shoulders and me not being able to do anything with it. PRAISE THE LORD that I have HIM to say, "Here Lord, please take this pain away and take care of it!" and HE does. It's like a big sigh of relief everytime I take it to HIM in prayer. Seriously friends, there is no greater feeling. Well, Blessings to you all this Friday evening and weekend ahead. I will post again soon when I am able. Still keep us in your prayers, they're working! And keep up with the comments, they're very encouraging and it's nice to know someone's reading.

It's been a really good day

Well Mattias slept really well last night and hasn't had any morphine since yesterday morning and has only had tylenol once today. I walked him and his IV poll around the corner to the playroom for a change of scenery. Once he saw there was a car just like at Grandpa and Grandma's he jumped up, steadied himself and walked over and sat in it. From there he was playing with a toy kitchen cooking and mixing and then we walked down the hall where he played with a Thomas the Tank Engine train table. He has had two popsicle's and some jello. The sergeon that operated on him was just in and looked him over. He said that Mattias is recoverying really well and it looks like we might be able to head to our new home tomorrow. He's talking lots and laughing and just being his old self. The only time he fuses is when a nurse comes in. He's been poked and gabed so many times by them, who could blame him?! So we just hung out and watched "The Little House on the Prairie" together and he pointed things out and talked the whole way through. I feel a HUGE sense of relief that the hour of uncertainty has come to an end. So keep praying for our little guy to fully recover and that his health continues to get bach to 100%. Justin might post some latest picture's tonight. Not guaranteeing anything these days. Poor guy, he has been pretty stretched with work and the move and us and me and Sam and Saffron and just life. There never seems to be enough understanding for relief for the Papa's involved. Alright, I should go. I hear Mattias' Chicken broth and Jello dinner being rolled into the room. Blessings all and thanks for you prayers.

Things are looking up

Well last night Mattias had his first bowel movement since Thursday and had another one this morning. This is great news because it shows that things are once again working like they should inside. He also had his stomach tube removed from his nose this morning. And I think he has had his last dose of Morphine at six this morning. A little while ago he was sitting up in his bed (with some help of course) and was playing with his new birthday present from the Thiessens. He was quite excited to open it up and play with it. He was talking and smiling and just being more like his old self. Later on I am going to try to get him to walk with me. Now we can leave the room because the only tubes he still has attached is the IV. That will be coming out once he's eating again. I am doing surprisingly well and am really just enjoying my one on one time with dear little Tias. Justin, with some man help, is moving our stuff into our new townhouse today. There's alot going on these days but yet I have never felt such peace. I am so thankful that in any trial or just at any moment I can take my concerns and worries to the Lord in prayer. There's such peace and contentment knowing these things are not in my control but in the Lord's hands. Blessings to you all and I will post pictures once I am able. All is well...PRAISE THE LORD. (Like my Dr said to me this morning if we lived in a third world country we'd be having a funeral not celebrating his recovery. We truly are over BLESSED here in Canada and for that I am so thankful and hope to one day soon pass on that blessing to those less fortunate.)

Mattias is still sick

Mattias had his operation, 3 cm of his small bowel were taken out as it was wearing thin and close to bursting and was wrapped around his umbilical cord (inside his stomach). He is currently in recovery mode, for me it is too slow! It is very painful to watch him in this situation, he has not really said anything the whole time he has been at the hospital, we are used to him chatting alot! He had his first bowel movement tonight so that is a positive and the nurse said she could here a little bit of bowel action in his stomach (which is what we've been waiting for!).
I am uploading some photos of Tias in the hospital.
Here is the link Photos

Mattias had his first operation!

Well late lastnight they decided after many tests to opperate and take out Mattias' appendix and 3 cm of his bowel. They wheeled him into our room at 4 am and he has been sleeping pretty good since. He's on morphine and that is helping with his pain. Please be praying for a quick healing and that he would get back to his old self soon. Also that I would continue to be loving, patient and energetic with him as I will not be leaving his side until we go home which looks like saturday or sunday at the earliest. Just a quick up to date from the 4th floor here at the hospital. Blessings to you all...

Mattias is still sick

Just a quick up to date..last night Mattias was up all night throwing up. Today he didn't much improve so we decided that it's best for Justin to take him into the ER. A few hours later Justin phoned to say that Mattias is on an IV and will be staying in the hospital until his stomach is good. He had blood work done and x-ray's done and all came back good. So it looks like it's just a viral thingy. So I am on my way to spend the night with our little two year old in the hospital. Please pray for strength, energy, patience, and a quick recovery from the yucky cold/flu we all have and that Tias could come home sooner rather then later. Until then friends...Blessings.

World Vision

Just listening to the news and reading it online about Haiti...I'm not sure what you know about Haiti, but it is one of the poorest most malnourished countries in the world! Right now there is even a larger crisis happening than before, the aid agencies (including churches & World Vision) are running out and have indeed run out of food to give to the poor. The prices for products are skyrocketing and inflation is rising way faster than peoples wages. One man told a story of being so desperate to feed his children that he sold his tools that he used to make furniture with, now he is stuck working in a corn field not making enough to bring home food for his family.
CTV Story


World Vision

Birthday

It has been quite awhile since we've done any updates...we've been busy! We are in the midst of two moves, once we are through we will update you on what has been taking place. Our camera is not working, so there won't be as many photos, I took some today with my mom's camera so we can post them online.

Today was Mattias & Saffron's birthday party and then we had a birthday party for Jerine & John. There is a new photo slideshow on the side of this site as well we will post more photos once our camera is up and running.

Here is a picture of the two sickies with their birthday cake. With all that has been happening, we are all (except Sam right now) sick with the flu! Sore throats, running nose, watery eyes, achy bones, etc.

We're settling...AGAIN!

Well for those of you who don't know we have relocated to "K-Town" once again. I know most of you will laugh at this but this time is the real deal. We registered Sam for Kindergarten at a school near by and we got a really, I mean REALLY great house. It's been fun unpacking everything that has been packed up since July when we moved from Kelowna to Surrey. Justin has been working six days a week and will continue that from now on. It makes for some crazy days. Especially since he's working 1-9 monday to friday and 6am-2pm on Saturdays. Unpacking the house with three children is more then a challenge. I take one step forward, unpack a box, and take 10 steps back, the children spread everything everywhere. It's been slow and frustrating. I don't do well with being unorganized and this unpack has been taking forever. I like to get everything put away and then the fun begins, the decorating. The children's rooms are set up and so is the main floor bathroom and kitchen. But the rest of the house is still scattered. I said to Justin the other night, "I look forward to when the children are all snug in their beds and I can do something other then UNPACK and organize. Like sewing, card making, twirl and frilling, painting, or any other hobby I haven't done since before I was a mother of three."
Speaking of the three, they are all growing and changing everyday. Sam is 4 years and 3 months and as strong willed as ever. He tests me ALL THE TIME. But with that also comes alot of tenderness. He's a helper, a hugger, a snuggler, and is getting more and more creative with the simplest things. He is learning to read and is getting really quite good at it. It amazes me how quickly he picks up words and letters. He actually can read one of his books all to himself. He really excels at school work and crafts. If we do a bit of each everyday there are few confrontations with him. Mattias is almost 22 months old. He can still be easy going but is learning he has voice. He is speaking new words everyday. And no matter what words I ask him to say, he will try his hardest to say it. He is so cute when he says Sam...."sssssssAAAAA"! He hasn't gotten the MMMMM part yet but soon. And he LOVES his "baby" Saffron. Those two are so cute together. They share a room and often at nap times or in the morning I'll hear them giggling and talking to each other. They both squeal and smile when they see eachother. I often refer to them as the "twins" because they are so close in size and age and seem to have a special connection. Saffron is 9 1/2months and is finally crawling. She really wasn't interested in doing it because she had no reason to. Both boys would always bring her toys to her, so she didn't need to move anywhere. It's fun watching her "commando slither" on the floor. Like she's in the trenches or something. She just got her two front teeth which makes a total of four teeth, including her two front bottom teeth. She's so funny now when she's eating dry Cheerios. Instead of just popping them in her mouth she insists on taking the tiniest bight off and savoring each bight. She's so easygoing but lets you know when she wants something. And she's a real character, a real "ham bone" my mom would say. She's great fun and my little sweetie. She has this girly, leadership, calmness about her. I am excited to see what kind of woman she will become.
As far as us, we're good. Tomorrow Justin and I will have officially known each other for ten years. Yep, I met him Ferbruary 10, 1998 after being transfered into his "Family Management" class. He was the first person to say hi to me and called me "Becky" at first because that's what he thought my name was. Those early days of our friendship were so fresh and trying. My uncle had just died suddenly of a heart attack and I was really trying to figure this whole life and death thing out. I know I met Justin for a reason. I had questions about life and death and heaven and God and he was able to answer them as best and Biblically as he could. One month later I accepted Christ as my saviour and then knew what this whole life thing was all about. And I no longer was worried about dying because I knew exactly where I was going, heaven. Yep there has been alot of laughs and rawness over these last ten years. There is nothing Justin doesn't know about me and nothing I don't know about him. We have always, from the very beginning, shared EVERYTHING with each other. It's something that's important to us and because of that I know we won't lose that. So ten years of friendship, almost nine years of being a couple, 6 1/2 years of marriage, and close to five years, if you include the pregnancy with Sam, of being parents....TOGETHER! I am more in LOVE with him now then I was all those years ago. He's a great Papa, husband and friend. Here's to another 70+ years. Cheers!

I see light at the end of the tunnel

This past week has been tough because we have all taken turns being sick. But as far as child raring, this week has been the best it has in a very, very long time. Sam has hardly needed to be disciplined and hasn't pushed the usual buttons he likes to push. He has been more helpful then usual and is listening and obeying pretty much right away. It has been a nice, refreshing week as a mom. There are times when I feel like pulling my hair out of my head and question if I know anything about raising three children. I know what I've read in the Bible and parenting books; I know what I observe from family, friends, and out in the public; I know the good and bad from when I (and Justy) was raised. I am amazed with all of that, I still don't "know it all"! I am constantly reassessing myself as their parent. The only way I will be able to do the best that I am capable is to be constantly on my knees....giving my days to the Lord and asking for forgiveness. But these days of "light" are so great and a constant reminder why I love being a mom and so thankful the Lord has granted me these precious children.

Our baby is four!

Nine days overdue, high blood pressure, been on bed rest for two weeks and finally I am being induced....
Next day he's still in there face up and not coming down so they vacuum him and finally at 2:14pm November 8th, 2003 our little "hoover" was born in Kelowna. Some complications arose and I wasn't able to see him until 7:30 that night. From that moment on he has been in my care. Sure there's been the odd babysitter, "quiet" time for myself, or a marriage retreat for Justin and me. But since his birth, he has been apart of every single one of my days. That's about 1460 days of loving, laughing, teaching, crying, disciplining, YAWNING, praying, wondering, reading, playing, walking, rocking, climbing, SNUGGLING, cleaning, changing, touching, worrying, feeding, imagining, negotiating, listening and rubbing my hands through his beautiful "copper" hair. He has brought so much joy to us. His tenderness and sensitivity warms my heart and reminds me to be more tender and more sensitive. I pray his stubborness and determination will be used for God's glory and the kingdom of Heaven. Though these days it is mostly resulting in time-outs and me sprouting gray hairs. He is very truthful and must know every detail. He is a great helper and loves to get dirty. He LOVES to dance and listen to all kinds of music. He loves splashing in the water and uses lots of caution when trying new things. He has NEVER slept well and rarely goes to bed without a fuss. He prefers to pray at mealtime and bedtime. He is really good with electronics and has his own imac. He plays with his blocks and Hot Wheels every single day. He likes playing pretend with Mattias and dressing up. He loves meeting and greeting new people. He loves story time. He loves his Nanny and Grandma and often asks to pray for them. He can be particular about his fashion, his outfits. He doesn't like cheese but will pretty much eat anything else. He's not much of a breakfast guy but prefers a second helping at dinner. He is quite content to play by himself with one thing for a while. Once he likes something, it lasts. After more then two years, "Thomas" is still a loyal companion. He loves to hold his baby sister and tell his brother Mattias what to do. He likes shopping and going for drives. He does NOT like bugs. He does like animals. He can dress and UNdress himself. He likes watching and reading "Berenstain Bears". He is learning his alphabet and starting to read. He is often interested in the weather and what the forecast is.
He is RHTHYM.
He is fair skinned.
He has thick, corse, "copper" hair.
He has big, blue eyes.
He has several birthmarks.
He is our first born.
He is loved by many.
He is four years old!

Longtime no see!

Well I have decided to once again blog and keep you all up to date with us. So here goes....
Life is good but busy. Justin is working five days a week at Focus on the Family. The children and I drive Justin to work on Tuesday's and Thursdays so we can have the van. We drop him off and then go to our church, Cloverdale Baptist Church. Tuesdays I have a mom's Bible study (Which I am really, really enjoying!) and Thursday's there's a mom and tot's thing called "Busy Bees" that we go to. Each thing is about two hours but there's alot more driving and rushing around early in the morning in order to get there on time. But its worth it. The children and I really like going, visiting and meeting new people, and just getting out of the house makes things smoother and the week go quicker. Speaking of the house, we are still here in Surrey housesitting Justin's grandma's place. We are enjoying it here very much. It looks like as of late that we'll be here until April '08. Then we are praying to find a townhouse near either our church in Cloverdale or Justin's work in Langley. That way one of us can walk and the other have the van. Also I am praying that it will be close to a Sam's future school so Tias, Saffron, and myself can walk him to it. And then maybe I'll take in some school kids who also need to be walked and picked up and looked after til dinner just to make some extra cash. We'll see though, three children keeps my arms full and patience maxed out. Speaking of children, they are all getting so old. Well not really but it seems like yesterday Sam was just a little guy and a week today he's going to be four. I can't believe how time is flying. In some ways it seems like forever ago and in other's it seems like yesterday. He's grown like a weed these last few months. In one month he grew too tall for all of his pants. He's doing really good at his alphabet and counting. And he's learning how to read and write. It's so fascinating watching him learn how to read words for the very first time. I've never experienced learning in such a raw and fresh way. Mattias is 18 months old and trying really hard to say everything. He says hi, bye, ball, p-ees(please), mo(more), mama, papa, and his words for everything else. Lately he has taken to Sam's stuffed Monkey named "Flap Jack". Tias calls him "fap fap" and doesn't go anywhere without him. He takes him to bed, church, playroom, in the van, everywhere. It's really cute. He's still a great sleeper having his two-three hour nap after lunch and going to sleep by 7:30pm. He's up earlier these days though, about 7:30am. Saffron is 6 months old and is starting to eat solids. She's had vegetables, fruit and cereal. Nothing too complex but seems to like it all. She really saviour's every bit. It's actually quite hilarious how she sucks her lips in and makes funny noises with every bite. She's sort of "crawling" around. She lays on her back, looks upside down and scooches with her head and feet. She loves her jolly jumper and exersaucer. She's quite easy going but has her opinion about things too. She jibber jabber's constantly and often sounds like "ET" or "Darth Vader". She's quite the character and the boys love her to bits. Lots of hugs and kisses and scrape and bruises. Tias likes to swap soother's with her which she's not too keen on having a bigger soother shoved in her mouth by an 18 month old. Her and Tias are both in size 3 diaper and not far off in length. Saffron is quite long and lean. Just enough chub to be cute and to fit her pants properly. Tias is a bit of a picky eater and is thinning out quite a bit. Not that we don't try to feed him, he's just not that interested in food these days. Well that's the up to dates on us as of now. I will be blogging more often from now on.

Beautiful Evening

Original Post Date: Wednesday, July 11, 2007.
This is Justin: Out in Surrey it was warm, but when I got to Abbotsford for school, it was HOT! It was so hot in the shade, and pretty much at the temperature when you breath through your nose it is a warm sensation the opposite of when you are in minus 29 degree weather and your nose hair freezes, and your insides are cold when you take a deep breath.
Inside the school of course was air conditioned, but when I returned to the outdoors...WOW. I had purchased a loft bed on my journey down here by myself (I don’t think Jen has told that story yet), and so I had to load that into the van...it was so hot to be doing things.
But the evening was grand as we went to Crescent Beach, where the wind was blowing...not the whole time though, but it was nice being close to the water like that (take a look in the July photos).