An Unfortunate Event

An Unfortunate Event

This is how the guests redecorated!!

The Burglars came to visit....

Last Sunday we came home after our evening service to find our house had been robbed.  This was such a shock and we were thankful that although they broke things, stole things and generally caused havoc no one was hurt.  They managed to get away with some things that will have no value to them but are not replaceable to us (photo's and such). 

We are thankful that we have home and contents insurance and they have proven to be both helpful and efficient. 

We would value your prayers as we continue to deal with the issue's caused by the burglary. 

Annie!

Each year Twyford High School (Caleb & Eden's school) put on an amazing production.  This year the chosen production was Annie!  Both Caleb and Eden wanted to be part of it but in very different ways. 

Eden was an orphan, an all singing, all dancing orphan.  She loved every minute of it.  The costumes, the singing, rehearsals every bit of it.  At the end of the week she was very tired but glad to have participated.  It was hard to get good pictures during the show but we did get a couple of Eden.....

I think Eden took this one herself.....

One happy orphan!!

Caleb wasn't as keen to be part of the cast but worked endlessly on the tech crew.  He worked tirelessly, even the weekend before the production being at the school all day on both Saturday on Sunday.  He loved every minute of it and is really enjoying being part of the technical crew.   He managed to put in all these hours in alongside studying for the exams he was having during that time.  

The Broken Ankle

The Broken Ankle

Having had a wonderful, relaxing family vacation in Canada with our family over Christmas we wanted to make sure we fit as much in as we could.  Aaron, Caleb, Eden & Nathan all had to head back to London so Zachariah stayed in Ottawa to enjoy a bit more winter life...

As we were heading back to London on the Sunday it seemed fitting to have one last thing before getting on the plane.  So Saturday night included 'Night Skiing'..... or should i say 'Night Falling'!!

When I fell, I actually thought i had only hurt myself a little, i wasn't able to make it down the hill and had to go down with the Ski Patrol... my sister enjoyed this event.  She was the one standing their laughing, pointing and taking pictures.   It was all in fun and games and in reality we were all trying to laugh through it sure that it was actually just a bad sprain.  After a few hours it seemed that maybe I was wrong and a trip to the ER might be necessary.  

At the ER they confirmed that actually I had broken my inner ankle.  Tracy (my sister) and I had lots of fun waiting at the hospital for my new accessory!

The first of apparently many ankle casts...

I thought if i tried to make the picture look pretty it wouldn't seem so frustrating.

We thought this would be a short lived accessory but actually the pictures above are the first cast and I am still currently in the 2nd cast and am still not allowed to have any weight put on it.  We are praying that after the next appointment i will at the very least have a walking boot.

I am hoping in no time at all to be out walking again.  I am also thinking i might give up skiing.... 

Zachariah turns 1!

Zachariah's First Cake

Zachariah turned one on January 17th!  He celebrated it at his Auntie Tracy's house in Ottawa.  This Picture is of Zachariah enjoying his first cake..... we thought he would like his own cupcake and although he thinks he ate it all by himself, i wish i had a picture of the floor!!

Merry Christmas from A winter wonderland!

Winter snow!

Winter Wonderland!

Merry Christmas from a winter wonderland!

As we were preparing for our trip to Ottawa, Canada for Christmas we were getting a little bit worried and even a little disappointed before we even arrived.  Many of the people we were speaking to in Ottawa were shocked about how little snow there was and how strange the winter was this year.  As you can imagine our main goal for coming home for Christmas was to spend time catching up with family and friends but so much of that is just made better when snow is involved. 

The kids had been praying the snow would come.  We were pleased to hear just a couple of days before our arrival that the snow had started, it even got to far as there was a question on if we would be able to land with the level of snow that was coming in (although we were unaware of this from the plane).  It has now snowed almost consistently since we arrived and we are all loving it!

We had a wonderful snow day with family on Christmas eve at one of their homes and now again today we will be leaving in a couple of hours to have a snow day with another cousin again all of the extended family will be there....  photo's to follow i hope! 

We hope your Christmas has been wonderful and you have all enjoyed time with family and friends. 

A Look at 2012

It's funny that as they year comes close to an end we all feel the need to start looking at what we have done in the previous 12 months.  It's a funny concept to me but still I can't stop myself from joining in which the weird little tradition.  Even more amazing is in a few weeks we are all going to try to decide what will happen in our lives in the next 12 months, again as much as in makes me wonder why we do it.... I will be joining in, i just can't help myself!

In light of that thought here is a basic overview of our 2012

January:

Caleb's birthday, he turned 13 this year!

Zachariah arrives, on the 17th we welcomed his arrival. He was our surprise for the year but as I am sure you already know.... A real blessing!

February:

Aaron flew to Atlanta to spend some time with a friend who was in the end stages of cancer, Aaron was blessed to have been able to arrive in time to spend some cherished time with him and then also be at the funeral.

Grandma Renaud left us and returned to Ottawa after 4 months in London

March:

Zachariah's dedication

April:

on the 7th we welcomed Jon Yarrall into our extended family.  He married Kristina, Aaron's youngest sister. They are very happy together and already expecting their first child on July 4th. 

Caleb's Baptism, this was a wonderful day and along side him two Somali believers were also baptised.  We were very excited to see both Caleb and the other two men making a stand to make their faith public. 

May:

Eden's Birthday, she turned 11 this year!

Grandpa Gourlay, Carolyn and two of our nieces Jordan and Grace came to visit.  We had such a fun time and are already looking forward to another visit.

June:

Team Retreat

Queen's Jubilee, we had a lot of fun celebrating with the rest of the country but unfortunately the invitation to join her for a celebratory cup of tea must have been lost in the post!

July:

London 2012 Olympics

we have another nephew!!  Phoenix Amadeus Lawler is born to Luke & Andrea. 

August:

Family trip to France, we went to visit Aaron's sister Phoenicia and her family.  Another one of his sisters Joy and her family also joined us for the trip.  It was great to have so many cousins get together to spend time just being together!

London 2012 Paralympics

We meet our newest nephew. Marc Junior is born on the 16th to Marc & Debbie Lawler

September:

School restarted! 

Eden has now moved to the high school!

Eileen's birthday

House extension starts

October:

Nathan's birthday, he turned 10 this year!

House extension continues.

November:

House extension continues.

Thanksgiving, as a team we hosted a thanksgiving celebration for about 110 people.

December:

and the house extension still continues!!

We are heading to Ottawa for Christmas! we are all looking forward to it so much!

in January we are also looking forward to meeting Joy & Francois' newest little one.  Due on the 29th.  This family just keeps getting bigger!!

so, that seems to be a very basic overview of some of the things that have happened this year!

We are looking forward to see what the next year has in store.

So many LITTLE things!

Zachariah is getting bigger each day, as to be expected! The funny part about babies getting bigger is they seem to become more interested in smaller things! Zachariah still enjoys his fruit and porridge for breakfast but a real favourite part of each breakfast is when he gets his Cheerios!!! It takes him a while but he loves the process of picking each little Cheerio up.