Philippians 4:6,7

It was his favourite book in the Bible; his favourite verse.  I can still hear him preach; his voice, his concern, his love.  I can still see him behind the pulpit  preaching in church; never fearing what the world may say; always preaching from God's Word.  A respected man in Canada and in other parts of the world; he has great love for missions, for God's Word to be preached to the ends of the earth.  His family is an image of love; he is a great father, "my hero" as one of his daughters would decribe him.  He is a man of God.  He is our pastor. 
And today we face a sudden loss of a great preacher.  He graduated, he is now in heaven.  Heaven is rejoicing!  We may have lost him here on earth, but he is now home and in perfect peace. 
We love you Pastor Baker. 
You will be missed.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4: 6,7

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MONDAY MATCH: White

Taken June 25, 2008

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PIC OF THE WEEK: Summer's Here!!!!

What better way to celebrate Summer than to play with water

feet away from my camera!?

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Then and Now: Beata and cousin Virginia

Then...

Taken July 5, 2006 at the Garden Bros. Circus

They both fit in just one seat.

Now...
Beata and Virginia at Jakob's piano recital.
They still fit in just one seat but I guessed they were feeling a bit bored so this is what they did while waiting for the recital to finish...
What's in your ear?...

My turn now.

 

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WEDNESDAY reWIND: "I can see you!"

Taken June 15, 2005

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Patch The Pirates Fans

This is our typical day in the van whenever the Patch The Pirate cd is playing...

Don't you love children's voices even if they are out of tune?

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PIC OF THE WEEK: Fireworks

Taken June 21, 2008

(Father's Day) @ the conclusion of Ajax Home Week

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It's a Happy Father's Day!

Raymond was feeling extra proud and extra special on Father's Day.

Not only because he got lots of hugs and kisses on Father's Day...

Not only because Jakob and Beata made a certificate and a card for him... 

Not only because he got to play bowling with his daddy and with Jakob...

But also because Jakob got a few awards that weekend!

At the last day of school, he got the "I'm A Super Star Student" certificate in his Grades 1-3 class for the schoolyear.

At his piano recital, he got the "Student Of The Year" award.

At the school's graduation and awards night, he got a certificate for being in the "A Honour Roll" and a "Stewardship Award" plaque for his good character in school. 

Raymond kept whispering, "I'm a proud daddy.  Let's make more kids!"

What wonderful gifts for him on Father's Day!

Good job, Jakob.

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Fabulous Find Friday: Bean Bag Toss

This has been a new favourite toy in our household for a few days now. 

It's a classic, fun game.

I admit, even hubby and I play with it! 

And for $1.00 at a local yard sale, who can resist?

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Thursday Then & Now: Strollers and Bikes

Then...

Now...

Our (double) stroller days are done. Sniff, sniff!

My two youngest are now riding their bikes. 

But the "pushing" part isn't gone, my kiddos still need a boost every little while.

Until then, I'll cherish every "pushing" moment before it totally disappears in the picture.

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WEDNESDAY reWIND: Papi's Team

Taken June 29, 2006

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Fun at the Fair

Every year, our town has a 2 week long celebration called Ajax Home Week.  Lots of events, freebies and amusements; free swimming at the community centre, free bouncy castle play, taste of Ajax, Ribfest, garden competition and so much more.  We embraced the frenzy by going to the Fair.  It was a very lovely day; just the right amount of sun (and the right amount of people; we were early so we did not have to line up and wait for our turn for the rides).  And because we were early, we were able to go around the Fair (my slr in tow, of course!) look and examine which ride to choose, and take pictures of the colorful setting.

They are fascinated by the dog. 

 No!  We are not getting a dog!

Aww, rubber duckies!

I love this vintage Coca-Cola bottles.

And the Fair is not complete without the carousel.

Yeehaw, Jethro!

Remember my PIC OF THE WEEK yesterday?

He was not scared.  See the smile at the end of the ride?

Tickets: $40

Family time: Priceless

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PIC OF THE WEEK: Having fun?

Having fun?  Or are you scared?

I'll tell you all about it tomorrow.

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Fabulous Find Friday: Uniform

School's almost over and uniforms are at the end of their useful lives.  I've sewn close those holes many times that the fabric around the hole is beginning to unravel.  I used old school pants, cut them and patch them inside those pants by the hole to make those pants survive till the end of school year. 

On Value Village's last 50% off sale, Raymond and I decided to drop by before the sale ended.  I was not expecting too much knowing it's two hours before closing and most likely all the best ones are gone.  But God has something special waiting for us.  I was so happy when I saw a McCarthy brand (just what they use in school), size 8 (Jakob size with room to grow in), BRAND NEW, TAGS ATTACHED for $5.00 ($9.99 less 50%) pants...and not just one but two.  You can't beat that, eh?!

I love surprises like these from my Heavenly Father!

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Thursday Then and Now: PLAY

Isn't it amazing to see how your kids are growing up?  For example, the way they play.  They play with toys that keep them occupied forever.  They can play with those for hours with so much imagination (and sound effects!). 

Take Jakob, for example in this photo.  He can spend the rest of his afternoon lining up his countless little toy soldiers, then he'll knock them down and do it all over again.

Beata can come up with the most unique wardobe ensemble, plus she can walk around the house all day with her princess slippers.

But when we went to the park last week, I saw a different side of them.  They were laughing (giggling, in Beata's case) as they played with their friends. 

 Jakob was playing catch/football with Joseph and Hudson; running here and there , climbing, jumping like little boys do

Beata doesn't have to talk to herself when she plays because she has Elisabeth.

I love watching them play.  I love listening to their exchange of stories.

  

Soon, they will let go of the little toy soldiers or princess slippers. 

I can't stop them from growing, but whatever you say they will all still be my babies.

Although Jethro was a little left out that playdate at the park... 

he entertained himself with food! 

Oh, Jethro! 

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I Am Your Piano Teacher

...says Jakob.  Jakob has been giving Beata a few piano lessons every now and then.  He has his own way of teaching.  I was expecting him to follow the outline of his piano teacher but I guessed he thinks Beata is below the beginner level.  He even has a notebook and homework for Beata to do while he is in school.  They were getting along, they were quiet, they loved each other's company even for just 10 minutes. 

Today was a different story though.  Two minutes after their lesson began, I heard Jakob's voice steaming with frustration.  He complained, "Bea is too lazy!  I am not teaching her again." 

He walked out of his first job at the age of 8. 

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WEDNESDAY reWIND: Her Pastime

Taken June 9, 2006

This used to be her favourite pastime.

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PIC OF THE WEEK: Spiderman1 & 2

Spiderman (1 & 2) saving Princess Beata :)

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Patience

According to the Oxford dictionary, patience is the capacity to tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without becoming angry or upset.   In our Bible dictionary patience is the quality of endurance under trials (attitude of heart with respect to things (or an attitude with respect to people as in longsuffering).  Patience is a virtue that God prizes highly in man and seems to be best developed under trials.

They say patience is a virtue.  It is a desirable quality.  It is self control, delaying, not wanting to get what we want when we demand it.  Such a strong quality in a man.  So easy to explain, to define but hard to live by.

Last night, I feel unworthy of what my eldest son told me.  He said they were asked in their Wednesday class in church who they think has great patience.  He proudly told me he answered, "Mom and Dad!"  I would like to disappear right away; to be invisible.  I felt so unworthy of his view of me.  He further explained that he has never seen me not being impatient.  Aaaaahhhh!  I can feel the lightning coming down, looking for me so it can hit me and die right that very moment.  It was too much to take.  Why?  Because I know that I am not the most patient mother, wife...person.  I am the one who can become upset in two seconds flat.  I am the one who would take another route when there is traffic before me.  I am the one who gets nuts when schedules are not followed or plans are changed the last minute.  I don't do well under pressure.  Hubby knows that when I need to get something done and I am running out of time, you should move aside or i'll knock you down and pass you by.  I am the one who kneels and prays to God to give me His wisdom and patience as I go through life every single day.  If there's one thing I need, it's this thing called patience.  And I don't have great patience. 

I love Jakob and I am glad he thinks of me as a mom with great patience.  But I know that God is still working on me, perfecting me everyday.  Things that come my way that are inconvenient to me are just answers to my prayer for wisdom and patience.  These trials are molding me in God's image.  Thank the Lord for trials that tries our patience.

Maybe I can also learn from Jethro as pictured here being patient in waiting for food to come at the wedding :)

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

James 1:2-4

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WEDNESDAY reWIND: 3 generations

Taken May 21, 2004

(glare on hubby's face, sorry.  I was taking the pic through a window :S)

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Cake Pops

I found this cool website with cute "cake pops" and I could not resist it, I have to give it a try. It's from Bakerella and she makes the cutest little cake pops in every imaginable design. This was my second try though. I was not so impressed with my first attempt so I did not take any pictures (Wrong, wrong, wrong...successful or not, first is still special. I will never take "firsts" for granted anymore). Delicious? Yes.

Presentable? Not as I want them to be. It looked like a Timbit donut covered in candy melts. I might have made the balls a little too big that's why I ended up with about ten cakepops that fell off the stick. Good thing my household likes sweets - perfect or reject. They were all gone the same day (okay, two made it the next day), and surprisingly, the 32 cakepops that survived the procedure were also gone in one morning. I brought them as a treat for my little girl's Sunday School class being too embarrassed to bring it to my in-laws as Mother's Day treats for kids. I guess it was a hit...for the kids anyway!

Special thanks to my ever supportive sister for giving me the cookie cutter that I desperately needed for my cakepops to actually look like cup-cakepops. I've searched everywhere. Wal-mart, Zellers, The Bay, Sears, Home Sense, Winners, Home Outfitters, Chapters, Canadian Tire, Bulk Barn, Real Canadian Superstore, Dollar Stores. Although Bakerella said you can find the best one at Williams-Sonoma, I thought being the best shopper that I claim to be, I can find it in my area. I was wrong. That's why my first cake pops are just round and boring cause I run out of time looking for this cookie cutter. (Though I saw a similar one at Michael's in Whitby, I just didn't buy it right away coz I have this there's-a-cheaper-one-closer-to-me mentality). So in desperation, I asked my sister to get one for me at Williams-Sonama downtown Toronto.

And boy, there was a huge difference...just take a look at the bottom part of these cakepops. They are starting to look like mini-cupcakes, eh?

I was so happy and excited. They really look good and taste yummy too!

Cake pops, anyone?

My daughter just adored these cake pops, specially because it's pink so she decided to make one too...in her doodle-pro :)

Awww! Hers is cute too!

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