Onto 161

Today, I will add pictures to the gifts in my life.

161) Eyes - guess whose these are.
162) Moments of complete and utter cuteness. Here Peter has placed his Pooh bear Grandma B. made him in a bed of cloths beside his bed

163) Bunk beds are great inventions. Can you tell which pair of brown eyes are peeking out?

164) The moon - it's so pretty.

165) Helmets for go-getters like this young man - the perfect protection

166) Big warm parkas for outdoor skating (accompanied by bright smiles)

167) I do not believe I have mentioned strollers yet. Very handy on outdoor ice.

168) Hum...here I am putting on my 50 year old skates from my Mom. They still work very well. I am thankful for hand me downs.

169) This is Matthew's ginger bread house he made at school. I was thankful that I could help out that day.

170) Hosea and Mae from the Philippines. They taught us alot about being gracious and hospitable. They opened their hearts to us and we were blessed.

171) Here are their children Han and Amos - they played with our children despite language barriers (at the end of their visit, their English was coming along) and will be missed.

172) The gingerbread house the children received from Grandma F. - they had fun decorating it and eating it!!

173) I love gifts - and because that is what this list is all about - I am thankful for them.

174) Long rolls of newsprint paper that was donated to us. The boys made wrapping paper for us.

175) I am not sure who drew this anymore (no one is home to ask) but it's really cute and for the art work I am thankful. Don't you wish you could have been in the stable?

176) For ears to hear the preaching

177) For a nose to stop and smell the roses

178) For a tongue to taste sweet things

179) For the sense of touch to enjoy hugs and kisses

180) For hair that covers my head from the cold (who knows how long I will have it?)

140+ - of 1000 gifts

The oldest male in the house and the youngest male.

As promised, here are 20 organizations that we appreciate and support in some way or another:

I am thankful for the work of...(not in order of importance)

141) Bethesda

142) Rehoboth (same organization as Bethesda but different name and different province - AB)

143) Manoah Manor - can't wait to live there!

144) Creation Science Association of AB and BC.

145) William of Orange Christian School

146) CRWRF - Canadian Reformed World Relief Foundation

147) Focus on the Family

148) Union Gospel Mission - doing a great job of caring for the homeless in Vancouver.

149) Salvation Army

150) Prolife BC

151) Canadian Reformed Theological College

152) Mission Brazil

153) Mission Aid Brazil

154) Vacation Bible School - Maranatha Can R.C.

155) Gems and Cadets - Cloverdale Can R.C.

156) Middle East Reformed Fellowship

157) Eirana

158) Cascade Christian Counselling

159) Family Life Today

160) A Rocha

Happy New Year!!

Today, I don't have any pictures. I do feel that I have some explaining to do. I have not been on here for awhile because I had a goal that I was trying to reach. Alas, I have now realized that my goal is unattainable. I had wanted to publish my blog into an albumn for our family BEFORE I started up my blog for 2010. Ha!! That was wishful thinking. I was hoping that this project would be finished in oh, say, one hour. Ha!!! Another burst to my wishful thinking bubble.

First the cheery, bright and bold company that I wanted to use was no longer in existence - which I didn't realize until it took over an hour to attempt to download everything, and then my technical support agent (AKA Will) showed me that there was no "communication" going on in that down load - ARGGGHHH. Next step - find another company. Not hard because I had one already picked out. Only problem with this one is that the editting is labourious.

Honestly, I don't mind that - it's enjoyable - but I want it done before next Christmas. So that's my project and I figure if I stuck to my orginal goal I would never get on here again - good thing I'm older and less stubborn than in times past and I realize that goals can change. Oh yah, I am moving up in the world (pat on the back!!). For those that don't know me as well as my zany sister - I am ONLY being funny. Problem is not alot of people get my sense of humor. Wow this is really sounding junior highish - I think I'm going to bed!!

One last thing about my zany sister - next time you see her - get her to tell you a funny story because she is really good at that. She makes me laugh - thanks sis - I love you!!

So have a blessed New Year, and I'll continue my gratitude journal tomorrow. Stay tuned - it's about organizations I am thankful for!! Which ones do you appreciate?
My number one organization is God's church. I already used that in another 20 so I will be starting with something else. Til then, Shalom.

120+ About Good Food

Today I am going to be silly and remember all my favorite food that I am thankful for...
The good LORD created food for us and I am thankful that we can enjoy it.
1) Olliebollen
2) Croqueten
3) Chocolate
4) The smell of coffee but not the taste
5) Nachos with cheese and veggies!!
6) Almonds
7) Oats - anything with oats - cookies, oatmeal, or muffins
8) Salsa
9) Homemade jam!!
10) Pumpkin - tastes great in spaghetti sauce!
11) Sushi
12) All sorts of teas
13) Blueberries - so yummy and cheap at Costco!!
14) Smoothies - plain yogurt, honey, blueberries, almond butter and soy milk = blue mustache
15) Eggs - totally appreciate their protein value
16) Lasagna - beef and chicken!!
17) Brodenkol - spelt wrong I'm sure - potatoes, kale and sausage
18) Stuffing - forget the turkey!!!
19) Brownies - I will take over cake anyday
20) Last but not least...fish - so healthy and so many different kinds!!!

Hint: If you want a protein to go with your breakfast and don't want it to be meat, try cottage cheese with some berries. Cottage cheese has 15g of protein whereas yogurt has about 4-8g.

Been Done Before

Twas three days before Christmas

And all through the house

Not a creature was stirring (yah right!)

Not even a mouse.



The Moms were ready to
tackle the job
of making oliebollen
in big heaping globs.

It sizzled and crackled
it cooked and stank.
But soon it was ready to
fill up boys' tanks.

We lined them up pretty

on tables all done

We fretted and scurried to
ensure we had one.

Oh what joy and bliss to have family

That loves to chip in

to sit and watch

or lie down and grin!!!

100 and counting

There are many gifts that I am thankful for!! This has been a very good exercise in showing me this. Gifts are not always wrapped and they are not always obvious - but they are there. Such as...

1) Patience - that comes from experience and over time. I am so thankful for this gift!!!
2) Love shown by my family such as when one makes dinner - thanks Ethan!!!
3) Joy - of life, even amidst sadness
4) Peace - that passes all understanding. To me it means accepting God's Will
5) Goodness - of friends who encourage all of us
6) Kindness - to be able to give kindness and recieve kindness is a gift that pride can harm
7) Faithfulness - to our Father in heaven and to others is a security blanket like no other
8) Gentleness - can calm an anxious heart
9) Self-control - of those around you will bring peace and peace always wins over power
10) Prayer - better than instant messaging!!
11) God's guidance during tough decisions
12) Quiet moments - what a treasure!!
13) Remembering the poor and needy amongst us
14) The communion of Saints
15) Being a child of God's covenant - such reassurance
16) Clarity of mind - the Lord will take care of the gray areas!!
17) Daily work to keep the hands busy
18) Dreams that give us hope
19) Hope for a better day - when Jesus returns
20) Perseverance to work for Him until we see the new heaven and earth!!! Oh how I long for it

Merry Christmas!!!! Enjoy time with family and friends, read the good book, read a good book and relax so you can resume your tasks in 2010 - to His honor and glory!!

Onto 90

Today I am thankful for:
1) Jesus
2) That we have a holiday to celebrate his incarnation
3) Safety on slippery roads - Will had a little fender bender today - everyone is fine :)
4) HOT TEA!!! - yummy
5) yummy Cornbread - ummm I'm feeling hungry
6) snowy landscapes that brighten the world
7) frozen ponds that we can skate on
8) receiving Christmas cards - I love staying in touch!
9) only small colds that everyone has
10) small colds that make certain 2 year olds sleep for three hours
11) linen (maybe I mentioned it already) for warm beds
12) the ability to clean part of the laundry room out
13) that I even have a laundry room
14) that we could see Greg and InHee yesterday after a year and a half
15) baking soda - has many uses
16) vinegar - even more useful
17) My Curves club - the owner is knowledgeable and willing to spend time with everyone
18) how strong my back has become - I remember when I couldn't stand for more than an hour
19) that I don't have asthma - had the test last week
20) that I made it through the asthma test without stressing - so thankful LORD!

Can you Guess? - answers

Thanks to everyone who played!!
1) The Eiffel Tower - tower of Babel was a very good guess
2) That's in the Peace Portal Border crossing line up - going into Blaine, WA
3) That's the Brand Spanking New Canadian Customs Building at the Peace Portal Border, going back into Canada.
4) This was a hard one and you both had good guesses -but it was the intersection of 176ST and 8th Ave I do believe - turning left onto 176st.
5) Yup that's our Sweet Pete.
6) That's just a brown leaf on the grass.
7) That's in our kitchen
8) We put up our Christmas tree - good guesses though!!
Sorry I don't have any prizes but we'll play again sometime soon!!

Can You Guess?

Guess what is this tower called. Good guess - I don't know either.
Guess where this is. Hint: Are those railway tracks I see?

We love the architecture of this building - can you guess where this is?

This is about 4pm on the way home - from where?

Can you guess who this cheery little feller is?

Can you guess what this is? Hint: taken in our backyard.

Another winter shot - no guesses here.

If you've ever been to our house - you may guess. If not - well you can still take a wild guess.
What room is this picture taken in?

Can you guess what these happy children are hyper about?

Onto 70

I am thankful to the LORD...
1) For the sun!!
2) For ice - crystals in the mud are scientifically surreal
3) For the sound rocks make when you skip them on ice- ping ping ping
4) For dogs - some are just so friendly!
5) For the warmth from the sun
6) For cool, fresh winter sunny days (okay enough of that, but it's just so great)
7) For colorful Christmas lights going up everywhere to brighten this dark season
8) For the police who protect us (I have many stories to tell about how much we love the police!)
9) For a family who are doing dishes for me right now :)
10) For the ability to buy groceries every week
11) For the ability to pay the bills
12) For our house that keeps us warm and safe
13) For our van that hasn't broken down in a long time
14) For the fact that my visit to the allergist is OVER and in the PAST
15) For the fact that I will never have to go through it again - enough said
16) For the fact that in January I may have an idea of what to do about my cough
17) For naps that are snuggy, peaceful and relaxing
18) That the LORD continues to give edurance, strength and patience to our friends who are ministering to the grieving - amazing grace
19) That tomorrow is Sunday
20) That Will was able to finish his last assignment for the semester today!! Way to go Will and Praise the LORD for His blessings!!