That most dreaded phone call.

On Sunday evening, around 10pm I received a phone call letting me know that one of my best friends, 8 months pregnant, got into a terrible car accident with her husband and 2.5 year old son. Since then it has been an avalanche of prayer, phone calls, prayer, meals, and more prayer.

An hour after that first call I knew: My dear friend and her husband have been rushed to one hospital. She is in labour. Their son was air lifted to another and that is was 'really really bad'.

Later that evening: our dear little boy had been rushed into emergency surgery due to severe head trauma.

In the wee hours: The surgery had gone well. He is in ICU in critical condition. My friend is still in labour.

Over the next few days we learn that my friend's labour stopped and that unborn baby is the picture of health (praise God!) but for our precious little man there is good news and bad news and good news and bad news. Up and down. We are all told this is what one can expect. It is truly a miracle that this little one is still with us. We are praying for him. Praying that God would cause the brain swelling to go down. That the Lord would let him live. That God would heal him. That he could come and play trains with Henry soon.

As I blog over the next few days I will keep you posted on his condition. The few readers that are here PLEASE pray for a little one who is still clinging to life, all the while in God's good hands.

We have also been asked by the family to pray for the 17 year old boy who ran a red and hit their car. We don't know if he has thousands praying for him, as this precious family does, or if He knows the comfort of our heavenly Father -- so pray for him, also.

Prayer for a New Year

Discipline. Lord let this be a year of discipline. Spiritual discipline of practicing being in your presence. Soaking up your word. Praying. Studying. Memorizing. Lord let this be a year of victory. Help me to see the small victories, Lord. The small, daily victories that become great victories in time and by your grace.

Lord let this be a year of discipline. Disciplined in my speech. Disciplined in serving others. Disciplined in self sacrifice. Let me be disciplined to love others and show hospitality. Disciplined in seeking opportunity to glorify you. Disciplined in preaching the Gospel. Disciplined in health. Disciplined in my homemaking. Disciplined in loving my husband. Disciplined in loving and training my children.

Lord let this year be a year of discipline.

Because I will need to remember His mercies are new every morning

and because His love for me is not dependent on my discipline:

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end..."
Lamentations 3:22

Merry Christmas!

God. Wrapped in human flesh. Came as a baby. Born in the most humble of surroundings. So that He would live and grow to save God's people. Stop and let it weigh on you a moment. Really meditate on it. God as an infant. Leaving his Father God in glory for a young inexperienced human mother and ultimately for all people. For you. For me. PRAISE HIM for this GREAT gift!! Praying that you know Christ more deeply, and know His presence this Christmas season and into the New Year.

Merry Christmas!

Before Bedtime Sillyness and Rowdyness

Please excuse the clothes on the floor -- we were in the midst of changing boys into their jammies. Also, that terrible red carpet will be wood VERY soon! The wood is ordered! I'm hoping that over the next month I can post before and after shots of the boys updated bedrooms! :)

Thanks

(very) Messy, happy, brother play

The past couple of days have been filled with fevers, runny noses, scary coughs, doctor's appointments, a *very* early morning trip to the emerg. with a croupy boy (Henry), a sick mama, 11 dozen cookies (for a cookie exchange), a Daddy on the couch (first time ever in our marriage -- Sam was in our bed and after not getting sleep the night before due to the aforesaid emerg. trip, Cory opted for the germ and baby-kicking-feet free sofa), orange juice, a visit from Grandma who watched babies while I got caught up on cleaning, soup and soup and more soup, and a lot of phone calls and prayers.

But this morning I find myself so overwhelmed with thanks. Thanks for our health (really, croup and colds are nothing), access to healthcare, supportive family and friends, a selfless husband, and my two precious boys. It's especially my boys that I am thankful for this morning -- my house is a mess, I have had precious little sleep these past couple of days, and while I would love to rest and recover from my OWN sickness I am SO thankful that I get to be the one to comfort these boys in the night. To nurse Samuel and feed Henry his favourite sicky foods (orange jajajas). To keep them warm and cozy and dry. I am thankful for these tasks that require me to be selfless, tasks I wouldn't naturally choose but that God has seen fit to sancitfy us mama's this way.

So thankful -- that's me today.

Christmas House 2010

December fifth is Sinkterklaas. Cory and I have a lot of family around and our Christmas Eve, Day and Boxing day are filled with extended family and a lot of joy :) But sometimes we lose out on the specialness of appreciating each other within our own little family - so we decided to celebrate Sinterklaas by decorating our house and tree, eating special treats, listening to Christmas music, and watching Christmas movies.

We purchase a new Christmas movie and CD year to slowly build our collection. Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer was a BIG hit. I was worried Henry may be afraid of the abominable snowman but he really loved it. Three generations later little ones are still enjoying this film!

Henry's Advent Calendar as well as 24 Christmas books that are wrapped and waiting each morning for one to be unwrapped and read

Even the Kitchen sink needs some bling!

I have been reading to Henry about the REAL Christmas story. That we are celebrating the birth of Christ. He is starting to understand in a small way. I have collected Jesse Tree Devotionals and ornaments and am planning to start that next year. How have you taught the really little ones about Christ's birth?

Birthday Party

Sunday November 28th we had a Birthday Celebration for Cory. That Sunday at Church we also celebrated Rich Ganz's 30 years in ministry. We enjoyed a Potluck Lunch and then had van der Meer's, Mains' and married siblings back for Birthday sweets. We really appreciated both Dad's making time to come -- Cory's dad was breeding cows close to two hours away and my Dad had a huge implementation at work. It was only a couple of hours spent together, but we had a lovely afternoon!

Santa Clause Parade

Our small town hosts a Santa Clause Parade of lights every year. The parade begins at 5 and the entire main street is alight with lights. Store fronts, EVERY branch of EVERY tree, and all the magical floats. Cory and I took bundled the boys and walked to the parade, sure Henry would love it. Well. . .he did enjoy the candy. And he liked the walk there. But the Firetruck horns 5 feet in front of him were just two much. He wanted to go home. 20 minutes into the parade Cory was taking Henry home. About 15 minutes later Sam and I followed. We had met up with friends and other then having to leave earlier then anticipated, we had a great time!

My Mom and sister were in the parade collecting for the Salvation Army. They said the parade was over an hour long and is one of the longest parades in Ontario!

Afterwards we had Pizza with friends and family, and got ready for the Lord's day and Cory's Birthday celebration the next day.

Henry, Samuel and their little friend Luca

Lost Photos

Sad Eleanor, Cheerful Brenna, Concerned Henry and Teething Matty

These photos were locked in the abyss of my camera when I had forgotten my photo card one afternoon. Finally, they are free!! I can hardly believe how quickly time goes. I believe these photos are from March of 2009.

My how quickly time goes and how much these little ones have changed -- this photo was taken in May of 2010

Sepia Sam

I couldn't resist. He was just oh so charming. Never before have apples and oatmeal been such a delight!