Love and Best Wishes!

So, one reason we didn't send out one of those fantastic cards that we love to get, (thanks to everyone who sent theirs our way!) is because we didn't take a family picture until today :)

Hope you all had a wonderful day today and our prayer is God's richest blessings for each one of you for the new year!
Double Dutch - we hope you're pleased to see Steve's toque being stretched by our famously goofy Cody!
On a side note, it amazes me how many people still look and smile, somewhat incredulously, at the number of children packed so close together in our family.  One man came past in his shorts and he was definitely meeting eyes so I mentioned that I couldn't help but notice his shorts.  His reply?  and I couldn't help but notice your basketball team :)

Tonight on our way to see Auntie Shelly, Cara spoke into the darkness of the van.
"I think Auntie Shelly was crying when she left Uganda but I don't think it was whining or complaining.  I think she cried because she wishes she could give them more food..... And I think that's pleasing to God."

Love that "little Shelly" :)

Some Gooders :)

I just haven't been taking time to record the special things I know I will enjoy reading a few years down the road, so I'm going to try getting back into that again.

Super special night tonight when I realized we had a public library book that Cam hadn't seen yet and could probably read.  Steve and I sat on the couch and listened with tight throats and grinned over his head as he made his way slowly from beginning to end.  (needed a bit of help - don't want to give the impression we think we have a literary genius here)  There is something absolutely INCREDIBLE about watching your precious kids catch on to reading.  Grade 1 has got to be one of the toughest classes to teach - Cam's has 16 boys!!! But it must also be one of the most rewarding watching those eyes light up with understanding.

Anyway, Cam hadn't even shut the book yet when Cody piped up, "hey Mom, can you read it again fast?  I want to understand it this time!"  That's Cody!

Tonight after I tucked him into bed he came upstairs and sadly announced, "it's not the same anymore."  "what's not the same," I asked?  "It's not the same as sleeping in the trailer!  It's lonely in my bed."  It didn't take him 1 second to take me up on my offer that he could go crawl in bed with Cara.  He was asleep in minutes.  Good thing she was asleep already because she doesn't need the snuggling time like he does.  What she doesn't know won't hurt her :)

Took them 3 Days!

Saturday Brian showed up to help Steve install the carpet...they did a fantastic job of it.  Then Leanne showed up to help with all the little details that go into finishing something like this on a Saturday... like paint touch ups, furniture washing, etc, etc.  Brian and Steve set up the beds and yes, the beds DID have to be built into place and there is a generous 1/2 inch of wiggle room between the beds/baseboards/ walls, etc.

In fact, it was a moment of humor when I realized I was panicking about the single brace for nothing seeing as that loft bed isn't going ANYWHERE... not even to vacuum.

 

Anyway, today after school Sam and Cam took the clothes pin bucket and (SECRETLY) went to town. (I really thought they wouldn't get till Sunday night before starting on it!) They were a little distressed when Cody discovered them but by the time supper came around they were all down there playing like the best of chums.

Now I have to figure out exactly how to organize it properly so that we can empty our bedroom of everyone's dressers and clothes :)