Here at home (Monday)...

Mom and Dad,

The kids did school this morning. 

They actually all got up early and were done a lot of it before we even started.

We cleaned the whole house today. 

The boys played hockey with Josh afterwards.

We started potty training Eli today. He went on the potty three or four times and only had two tiny accidents. He was quite proud! :)

In the evening Josh and Rebecca, as well as Henry and Megan came over with their kids for supper. 

We showed them the videos that you put on our youtube channel. Everyone enjoyed seeing the video that you last sent. It was cool seeing the place!

I gave Silas extra squeezes for you. 

He was cute as ever… first visit to Grandma and Grandpa's house! 

Just without the grandparents :(

We are excited to hear about the adventures that you had today.

 I was thinking about you much of the day, missing you.

Brooke asked me today much longer it would be until you are home. 

The x's continue to appear over each day on the calendar on the fridge. The countdown has transformed from 'how many days until you leave' to 'how many days until you come home'.

But… of course we are still having lots of fun, and know that you are as well!

Well, I'll leave you with pictures from today. Sadly there are not many. #havingtomuchfun

Love you, miss you!

The final day of slack...

Mom and Dad,

We didn't go to church today. 

It was somewhat windy, so we decided to leave it for today and try for next Sunday instead.

The kids slept in today, so I only woke up in time to watch the Canadian Hockey team receive their gold metals. After that Ker and I watched the game beginning to end. So we did watch it! Just later then most people ;)

I don't think I have ever been so proud to be Canadian!

Today was the last of our "slack days" until next weekend.

The beginning of a new week will be the beginning got our return to routine.

This morning Bobby made french toast for us all…

In the afternoon the kids played hockey with Josh. 

Becks, Brendan and Andy came over to watch the food network with us gals.

And finally this evening we had movie night (complete with popcorn!) with the kids. 

And that was a sum of our day! We took full advantage of our day of rest.

 #onlyrelaxingallowed

Oh, I shouldn't forget to mention that today was Jaden's turn to open his gift!

He was giggling and excitedly saying "wow!" over and over again the whole time.

He watched his movie multiple times today and didn't let "dusty" out of his sight.

Love you, miss you!

Here at home….

Mom and Dad,

My morning treasure was waking up to see the emails and videos that you sent from Mexico. It was nice to be able to see where you are, to hear the sounds that you are hearing.

It was Josiah’s turn to open up a gift today. 

You should have seen the huge smile that he wore as he opened it, that same smile enveloped his face when I read the words that you wrote to your little boy.

Jaden was quite upset that his brother was getting to open a gift and he wasn’t, but he was okay again after we told him that it would be his turn after one sleep.

It was another relaxing day.

In the morning we did some cleaning and sang some songs.

Rita came over for a visit today as well as Rebecca and Andy in the afternoon, and the whole Joshua Pauls family for supper.

We played some games, ate some food and did lots of talking.

This evening Elijah was standing by the window and saying “Mommy, where are you?” over and over again. 

I told him mommy was bye bye in Mexico, his reply was “Huh? Mommy bye bye?” I think he misses you!

As do we all.

We hope that you had a MOST memorable day today!

Love you, miss you!

Here at home...

After twenty five years of married bliss, twenty four years of parenthood, and the arrival of four grandchildren, mom and dad decided that it was time.
Time for a second honeymoon.
And so, after much dreaming, saving and planning… they hopped on a plane, more in love then they were a quarter of a century afore, and flew to the very very warm country of Mexico.
Ten days of greatly deserved relaxation and rejuvenation, each with the love of their life.

And as for us who remain at home, we also shall have the time of our lives. Not only because we are able to return some of the sacrifice and love that our parents have bestowed upon us all these years, but also because we too are among our best of friends.
And we know how to have a good time!

So once again begins a series of posts of life at home whilst our parents are away.
Because we miss our parents, and because we want them to be able to know that we are okay, that we are sane, and that we are having a blast.

Mom and Dad,

The kids were super excited to hear that each day they would receive a gift from you. Reading the notes that you left as well, it will be like opening a piece of your love for us, your children, everyday.

Today was Nathan's turn. 

(From Nate)

I hope that you are having a good time.

Thank you so so so so so much for the present! 

Today we played it, and it was SO much fun!

I hope I can see you soon!

Love you very much!

Love Nathan

We decided to give ourselves a long weekend to rest up from the late night we just had, and also to watch some of the Olympics. (Go Canada!!) 

So we did no school and the minimum amount of chore time.

We babysat Andy, Makayla and Brendan. 

In the evening we cranked up some christian tunes, all the kids immediately began to dance around the room to the music while we made supper (chicken pizza!!).

It was a good first day.

At this moment your grandkids and Eli are wrestling with Bob and Zach on the floor. 

I'm about to brave the COLD Canadian weather to do chores, we'll put the kiddies to bed, then it is "big kid" party time!

When you called and I heard your voice on the phone earlier today, 

it was hard to fathom that you were so far away. 

Make sure you enjoy that ocean experience and the warm weather especially much for me.

Hope that you are having a great first day/night!

Love you miss you!

Her...

This gal is one of a kind, totally awesome and extremely amazing.

She is my sister. Yet not only my sister, but also my best friend.

The things that she has gone through in her life so far should have her depressed, disheartened and discouraged. But instead I see in her joy, faithfulness and trust. She clings to her God, relying on Him through the tough times and never doubting the path that He is taking her on.
Instead of feeling sorry for herself, she holds her head high and sings through her pain.
She is inspiring.

Ah, my Kerker. I love her to the moon and back.
Today it is her birthday. And I'm blogging to wish her the happiest of all days.
I know that you dislike being celebrated, being in the spotlight (which is one of the reasons I love you so much!)… but YOU DESERVE this day, and so much more.

I love you sweet sister.
May your day be filled with whipped cream, ice cream, music, fun and LOTS of love.

Ocean Dreams

I'll never forget that first moment in which I experienced the ocean. Walking along trails with the family in the dark, nervous laughter when we realized what kind of wild animals could be watching us as we made our way down unfamiliar paths. We had already been able to hear the ocean when we arrived at our campsite, and it continued to become louder and louder as we made our way closer.
As it was almost dark when we arrived, we couldn't see much of anything. But we could hear the beauty.
There was a sense of terrifying yet amazing power as we listened to the low tide waves rolling onto the beach.
If ever I desperately desired daylight, it was then. I wanted to see this thing that tugged and pulled at my other senses.

The next morning I woke early and on the way back from a trip for two to the washroom, Mikaya and I shared the moment of beholding this wonder for the first time.

The sun rising over the horizon of endless blue sea.
God's canvas of colors filled the sky.
Birds running back and forth in time with the waves, eating their breakfast in the wet sand.
We stood staring, listening, breathing deeply the salty air.
The sounds reminded me of thunder continuously crashing. I wrestled with feelings of an awe inspired fear and an overwhelming fascination. The knowledge of how small we are and how big God is became reality in that moment as I took in the vastness and power of the ocean in front of me.
God's power, right before my eyes.

Those three days that were spent almost continually on the beach, were among the most amazing in my entire life.
I had imagined what it would be like to run along the beach, to play in the waves, to search for treasures while wading through the swelling waters.
But the mind didn't comprehend the spiritual aspect.
Experiencing for the first time the powerful beauty that God created.
Seeing His creatures playing in the waves.
Running alongside the beach with reckless abandon, freedom flowing through my veins.
Standing in the ocean watching the waves rise above my head, then crash down and sweep my bodily self to the shore.
Power and love. So gentle, yet so strong.
God's beauty and power personified.

Since we entered back into the country that we call our home, I think often about our ocean adventure.
The experience frequents my dreams. I never did dream about the ocean until I had been there.
Whether it be running, running and running along the sandy beach, seeing a blue whale surface in the water or being bitten by a shark... I still wake up happy whenever I see, hear, or feel the ocean in my sleep's thoughts.

How I wish to be there again.

Someday.