Chewie

Our Home (The House that Mark Built)

"For every house is built by someone,
but God is the builder of everything." Hebrews 3:4

I am a Princess!

Shannon

All smiles while watching the boys play soccer

Shannon...the bouncy blond that draws attention every where she goes, has pushed and yelled her way into our lives, fighting for airtime over her brothers. She is very assertive (whether by nature or necessity) and has been known to stand on a stool in the middle of the room and shout, "All right everybody, listen to me!" She usually just wants us to join her in singing a song. She sort of lives a two faced life being the girl after two boys. I once found her walking daintily along our deck singing, "I am a princess" sporting a track from a bulldozer as her crown. (I tried to get the picture to insert here, but looks like it'll end up in a separate post.) When we went to get her picture taken she didn't want to stand still but wanted to play soccer with "my guys" (as she refers to her brothers). When the photo shoot was over and I suggested she get changed, she said she wanted to keep her skirt on so she could "twirl."(As she gracefully flexed her wrists and did a ballerina pirouette).

Brent

Over the Labour Day weekend we went with my brother Anjo and his family to a nearby provincial park. We took along my dad's boat so the boys were able to get in some serious tube rides. At one point Brent was being the spotter, and said "Whoa! Uncle Anjo, you just CATAPULTED Devin right out of the tube!" Enough knights and castle stories for him!

Brent on the soccer field was completely different from Devin. At first I was surprised he even wanted to play because just getting him outside can be a challenge. He was his true encouraging self as he would run beside his teammate with the ball yelling "Run like the wind bulls-eye! (from ToyStory) You can do it!" Ironically, it was Brent that was able to score a goal (his reaction captured in the photo)...Devin will try again next year.

Brent is also our little organizer. Since he was little he has lined up dinky cars along the floor and as he has gotten older he now sorts them by size, colour, make... I think one of the best days of his year was when I asked him to help Devin organize his desk. "So Devin, do you think you will
use this piece of paper again, or should we through it out? How about we put your rock collection in this box and put it over here. Your pens could go in here and you can put all your blank papers in this drawer..." And Devin thoroughly enjoyed having someone else do his work!

New PJ's from Grandma!

Devin

Devin, our oldest, turns 8 in February. (He's the blonde in the middle of the picture) He played soccer for the first time this summer. When the coach handed him his jersey he politely, yet very hesitantly, accepted jersey #7. Why? None of the Ottawa Senators wears #7. The coach over heard him discussing this with another teammate, who was equally disappointed, and let them choose new jerseys. They emerged #9 (Havlat) for Devin and #12 (Fisher) for his new best friend. I think it took them half the season to learn their real names! Devin played every game with all his might and practiced every day in between. What ever he does he does with all his heart. He doesn't tire and very rarely gets frustrated; just keeps trying. He'll spend hours outside shooting hoops or pucks, kicking or throwing balls or just being in perpetual motion. He plays hockey with 7-12 year olds. Some of the older ones are twice his size, but he gets right in there and digs for the puck, no fear; all the ambition in the world.

Our Three Blessings

Devin, Shannon and Brent

Welcome to Our Blog!

Our Family - April 2006

Well here it is...the only easy way I could find to show the people we love some pictures (without inappropriate banner ads...grrrr). I think I said something in my Christmas letter about loving technology. I'm glad I added "sometimes".

I have no intention of this becoming a daily blog, but who knows. Check back every now and then and see how busy I've been. (or how often I've been able to nab computer time at my friends' who have high speed!)