Roller blading

Joel loves his roller blades, most of the time. I think he was getting a little tired by the end.

Half way there

On Wednesday was the 20 week mark of my pregnancy which means I am now over half way!! This makes me happy as I am getting anxious to meet this baby! I feel like I've been pregnant for so long with this one and I still have the whole summer to go! That is if summer ever comes.... Brad said it was snowing in Langley today. This weather is just crazy. Anyway, we have not found out if the baby is a boy or girl and I'm still not sure I want to know. I change my mind every day. I have to have another ultrasound next week so they could tell me then. I think maybe I should just let it be God's surprise for us. Some things are meant to be revealed in their own time. But it would be nice to know if it's another boy. Right now I want to know.

I know, Easter was a long time ago....

The Schunter's threw a little egg hunt together for the little kids on Good Friday. Joel, Katie and Tyler all caught on very quickly and gathered all the chocolates from the around the backyard. I think we are still working on eating them! We all had lots of fun! Thanks guys!

Cousins

I've realized it's been a long time since I have posted any pictures. Here are Joel and Rachel, at Easter in their Easter clothes and roller skates. Aren't they cool!

A gloomy day with bright spots!

Today is one of those days. I woke up this morning, still alone as Brad is away but returning this evening, with a massive headache/bodyache. Everything hurt. I get up eventually, after giving Joel his milk and plopping him in front of Dora and look out the window and it's raining. We didn't really have much planned today, just a trip to the grocery store and then home for lunch. I decided to make soup for lunch and had the pot on high when Joel tells me he has to go potty. So I take him - yay for Joel!!! - and come back to the kitchen to my pot overflowing with boiling soup. I freaked out a bit and Joel disappeared upstairs. A few minutes later he returned to the kitchen with a box of Kleenex for me! Isn't that the sweetest thing? I asked him if they were to clean up the mess and he says "Uh-huh". He is being such a little ray of light today. After lunch I told him it was time for a nap and he says okay and heads up to his bed. Sometimes he just amazes me. It has been such a joy to see him grow and change over the past two years. We definitely have our days when things don't go so well but I am thankful for days like today. But now I think I hear him running around upstairs. The little monkey.....

Such a big boy

Last week Joel "helped" Daddy put together his new big boy bed. He was able to really try out his new tool set from Katie! He loves it and is sleeping well. Now we have to figure out where to store the crib until we need it again in September! Hannah will be happy to hear that we have a new due date of Sept. 3! I am officially 15 weeks today.

Watching the planes come in.

A little party for my two guys...

Joel turns 2 (a few weeks ago....)

Changed by this tiny boy

Four weeks ago Brad and I had the pleasure of meeting baby Noah. I feel like I can't blog anything else until I pay tribute to his life and to the way that God has used him. He has been an answer to so many prayers in his short life and even now in his passing. We are thankful for a God who cares, a God who knows our every need yet listens to the cry of our hearts. We are thankful that Noah never had to suffer and that he is in the arms of his maker. What an amazing life. He has shown me what it is to have faith in God and to truly place ourselves in His good and perfect will. Noah had a purpose and his legacy will live on in his parents, his brother and all of us who love him. What a beautiful little boy, what a precious gift to all who have known him, what an honour to have held him. Thank you Melissa and Jonathan for letting us be a part of his life.

Catching Up....

We had an awesome time up in Big White. Joel even learned to appreciate the snow! Here are a bunch of pics from the week. Can't wait to do it all again next year!

Buddies on the gondola

Mmmm, Ribs....

These pictures totally gross me out but a little someone really enjoyed the ribs that Matt and Shawna made one night at Big White. We recently spent a fabulous week up in the snow and have come home to the crocusses blooming. The one thing I love about where I live, spring comes early!! I think it was up to 12 degrees today! I'll post more picures soon. These ones just crack me up!

The end of a decade

Today marks the last the last day of my twenties. I'm not sure really how I feel about it. I guess I don't really care. A birthday is a birthday and I'm pretty sure that I'll feel the same way tomorrow as I did today. Part of me is looking forward to my 30's. I am happy with my life. I have a wonderful husband, an active, healthy 2 year old boy and a crazy cat that keeps me on my toes. I feel happy and am looking forward to a year of growth and maturity and a deepening of my relationship with God. I am going to embrace 30 and live it to the fullest.

Our Family

If you don't know who we are you shouldn't be reading this! : )

Christmas!!

Christmas was a busy, fun, crazy time! Joel loved opening gifts - had a few meltdowns when there weren't any left! We had a wonderful time with all the family together! The family just keeps growing. As you can see Mom and Dad have 6 grandkids now.
Since we weren't staying for New Year's we celebrated a day early with a Raclette feast and games night. I don't think Brad is very welcome to play anymore - he tends to win a lot much to everyone's annoyance! We miss you guys. We miss your snow. Thank you for everything!

Ushers in training....

Winter Fun

What can I say? It was gorgeous. I would take that snow over our rain, sun, slush any day of the week! There's definitely something to be said for snow that lasts for more than a few days! It took a little while for Joel to get used to it. At first every time his boots touched the white stuff he would let out a little whimper. But eventually his northern blood started flowing (once he got on the GT) and he couldn't get enough!

Christmas already!

Last night we celebrated Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa B and Auntie Karen, Uncle Ty, Duncan, Ethan and Rachel. We had a great time with them - the kids sure loved opening presents! The best reaction was Rachel to her new Barbie - "She's beautiful!" We'll miss you guys this year but we're glad we could celebrate with you regardless!

My new orchid

I hope I don't kill this one. Brad brought this home the other day from one of his customers. It is a rich burgundy color and has a very strong gardenia-like smell. It's so pretty but the flower is fading - I'll have to be sure the other buds bloom by the time Mom and Dad come for their next visit.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Last week Joel participated in his first Christmas pageant. I guess you can say he sat through it. He was a good boy, dressed up as a child from back then, holding a camel - he didn't move through the whole thing. It was a cute pageant put on by the preschool department. I can't say I'll be ordering the DVD of it this year though! I'll wait until he has some lines or at least does the actions to the songs (he can do them, just chose not to that day).
By the way, has anybody else read that book "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever"? Mom, do we still have it somewhere??

Joel and Katie - so cute together!

Setting up the tree

On Sunday night I caved and we set up the tree. Joel was a great "help" and seemed to enjoy it! I think he enjoyed the popcorn snack a little more. Cooper is just happy to have his "happy place" again. This cat lives for Christmas and artificial trees.