:: Oi ::

:: Sorry to all of my loyal blog readers for the lack of interest I have paid into my blog. I have not purposed to neglect my beloved blog, but with all the reno's and work we are pouring into the house right now time just doesn't allow time for play! ::

:: Here is a brief review of what we have been up to ::

Our home on move in day - Paul mowing the lawn for the first time:

One of the many loads to the dump:

The ever-so-helpful Matt working in our main bath:

Paul working on sanding the stairs:

:: We headed to the Island for my Brothers 25th birthday bash - we had a great time...however Paul couldn't make it due to the reno's, but Jacob and I had a blast! ::On the ferry ride over:


Meeting the newest member to Christy's family; Chance, Jacob loved him so:
Keeping Jacob occupied on the ferry ride home by Uncle Jord blowing him bubbles: :: We also had a fabulous experience attending my brothers graduation from the Justice Institute and graduating as a Vancouver Policeman - this was a very cool experience for our family as Jordan is third generation VPD and my Dad had the honour of putting on his formal uniform and presenting Jord with his badge. A very moving day to say the least. Jordan we are so proud of you! ::

Jord waiting to march again and get his badge:

Jordan and his beauty of a wife, Lindsey post Graduation:

The Policemen and their wives:Like father, like son:

:: I think that is it for tonight, I will wait to show you before and after pictures of the house until we are completely finished! Keep my blog warm with your comments while I'm away working on the house! Thanks Y'all!!! ::

:: I must continue on ::

:: Well, this week has been a complete mix of packing, re-arranging, sorting, organizing, deciding, meetings, signing papers etc….it has been rather full and it’s only Tuesday!!!! ::

:: We are slowly but surely getting finished all of the details that go into a move. But since we are moving to my parents place for the time being it makes it even harder as we have to bring little “this ‘n that’s” to their place that normally we would just take to our new place and then set up life as we know it! However we are so blessed to be able to stay with Mom & Dad so we don’t have to be in the midst of all of the dust, paint and renovations that are happening ::

:: Anyway, I better go here I am supposed to be finishing up Paul’s tax return for the accountant (apparently I missed a few things when I submitted it to her!) ::

:: I will try and update sooner than later, but I don’t promise anything! ::

:: Here is a picture my brother sent to me from Easter Sunday ::

:: Family-Ville ::

On the impending arrival of our second child we had decided that our Nissan Sentra (also known as Sexy Sentra) was no longer going to accommodate our growing family – So, we put the Sentra up for sale and had a very serious buyer back in the early part of February, however the deal didn’t go through so we put it back in the buy&sell – with no worries, we still had plenty of time to sell.

Then one day our neighbours C & J stated that they were looking for a new car as they are expecting their first child and C will need their current car to drive into Burnaby with. With their interest they took it out for a spin and we came to an agreement on price and the Sentra is SOLD! So we had two weeks to find a vehicle (between packing, choosing carpets, paint, and designing a new kitchen – it was all a little overwhelming). However, yesterday Paul took me to see this beauty at Southgate Auto and we struck a deal and bam we’re in “Family-Ville”.

Here are the stats on our new van:
2002 FORD WINDSTAR SPORT(CAN), 88000kms, 5dr, Red, Automatic, FWD, 3.8L, Cylinder 6, Gas, Air Conditioning, Alarm, Alloy Wheels, AM/FM Stereo, Anti-Lock Brakes, Anti-Theft, Backup Sensor, Bucket Seats, Cassette, CD Changer, CD Player, Cruise Control, Dual Air Bag, Dual Climate Controls, Fog Lights, Heated Mirrors, Intermittent Wipers, Keyless Entry, Leather Interior, Power Brakes, Power Locks, Power Mirrors, Power Seat, Power Steering, Power Windows, Quad Seating, Rear Air & Heat, Rear Defroster, Roof Rack, Split Folding Rear Seats, Tilt Wheel, Tinted Glass, Tow Package, Traction Control, Local van no accidents, new BF Goodrich tires, in exc cond all around.

We have yet to pick up our new car as we are waiting to settle the money with C & J but we should have it by mid week. We are very excited because we got a great deal for a great van and truly feel that God set up the timing just perfectly (there was another couple that drove onto the lot seconds after us but we were there just in the nick of time and were thankful we didn’t stop to get a coffee on the way!).

:: C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S ::

:: A big congratulations to Jennifer (Paul's Sister) & Michael on their engagement ~ We are so delighted for you guys and pray God's richest blessing on your lives ::

:: Here is how the engagement went in Jennifer's words ::

"Well, it happened! Yesterday right after work, Michael took me to the beach so I could fly my stunt kite to ease my stress. I noticed that there were about 10 other people flying the same stunt kite as mine at the beach already (it’s a 3 meter kite) so I was happy to see that! Anyway, we went to the beach, and started to fly my kite. After about 2 hours I said to Michael that I was tired (arms hurt) and wanted to put it down for a bit and just relax. Michael went and got a blanket out but it started to sprinkle! So Michael put the blanket over our heads and kissed me. He then put my face in his hands and said, “Jen, you are my best friend. Do you remember when we were last here, I told the world (he yelled aloud…)that I would never let you go again…(then he got down on one knee) and said, Jen, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You are my soul mate, my love, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Jennifer Victoria Laderoute, will you marry me? I said a big “YES” – then he pulled out the ring box, and as soon as I caught a glimpse of it, I started crying. It was exactly like the one I had always wanted – but Michael never knew it! He had this one custom made because “it seemed the most LIKE me”.

After he asked me to marry him, we sat down on the blanket because the spitting rain had stopped. Michael brought out two personal sized champagne bottles and we toasted to each other our lives together and our future. We were crying and laughing and took so many photos of us together with the ring. And when we looked across the burrard inlet when the sun started to shine, we saw a gorgeous rainbow right above us and touched down at Stanley park. It couldn’t have been more perfect!!!! My kites flying everywhere, sitting on the beach with champagne and a rainbow overhead!!"

:: Here is a picture of the ring - I will get more pictures of the event today and upload them ::

:: Happy Planning! ::

:: Beyond Measure ::

We are blessed beyond measure and this pregnancy is a testament to that - even though this pregnancy wasn't "planned" I am so sure that God had it planned far before we even thought it could happen!

Here is what is happening inside with this amazing little life that God is forming:

Happy week 13 Baby!

(FYI: This is not our baby - but this is what our baby looks like right now)

This is your final week in the first trimester and your little weed continues to grow and grow and grow. Of the three trimesters, this one has been the most important for your little one’s development. Assuming you’ve carefully adopted a healthy diet, exercise and ample rest, your little one is set up perfectly for even more growth and development in tri two! Way to go! He or she now weighs about 2.5 ounces and is roughly 3.5” in length. Little hairs, known as lanugo, will start to cover their body this week, as their sense of taste and smell are further refined. Their cozy little amniotic sac is also increasing in size and mass, as it continues to fill with more fluid.

There are a lot of things going on this week! All twenty teeth have formed and are waiting (Teething is yet to come!). .Your baby's intestines are migrating from the umbilical cord into his or her abdomen. The villi are also forming in the intestines, these help in peristaltic movements and digestion. The pancreas of your little one is even secreting insulin!

Such an amazing miracle!

:: Another thing ::

If you don't attend our church (CLA) we had an amazing service on Sunday (Easter Sunday). I truly do not remember over the past few years having such a personal encounter with God. It was such a well balanced service that lead us to the gates of heaven. Ever since that service I have felt closer and more in communion with our Lord.

You can click on the website to check out the service - Start with the worship portion, it's well worth it in my opinion! http://christianlifeassembly.com

Praise the Lord - He has risen!

:: Boring 'ol Life ::

So here I am sitting in the office doing up our tax return - I was supposed to be out having fun with friends enjoying some Asian-Indian Food along with the first play-off game of the season. However business calls and so I am here alone, in the quiet of the house working on making us some money to do reno's with!

I sent Paul out to enjoy the food, company and game as he would just be in my space if he were here.

Just wanted to let you know that I am still here...just under a pile of packing boxes, laundry to be folded, papers to be sorted and paint to be chosen!

For all those who have written us a note to congratulate us on my pregnancy ~ thank you!!!!

Here are the answers to a few of the common questions:

Official due date: October 18, 2007 (however, Jacob was 11 days over so don't expect this one on-time either!)

Will we find out the sex: Nope - Paul doesn't believe that we should although I wouldn't mind, but I'm okay with waiting :)

Well, I better get back to work here before Paul get's home!

Happy Spring cleaning everyone, now that the sun is out it makes me want everthing to be fresh and new....good thing I'm moving into a new house!!!!

:: It's Official ::

:: We heard the heartbeat yesterday - so that's as official as we get until the end of May when we have our ultra-sound - Yes, this pregnancy came as a surprise but we couldn't be more delighted and we trust that God has worked out all the details for good. Our little boy will become a big brother when he is 17 months old ::

:: Our GOOD Friday ::

:: We spent our Good Friday with our friends Matt & Lisa and their girls Madelyne & Emma. We started off the day with a fabulous brunch and then decided that we must go outside and enjoy God's Creation! ::

:: My boys ready to walk :::: Jacob looking for his girlfriends :::: We ran into Uncle Ken & Aunty Evie removing some unwanted bushes from their front yard so we had to stop and chat...:::: The Guys & Madelyne pretended to help :) :: :: The Guys walking and Madelyne hitching a ride ::

:: Beautiful Cherry Blossoms and Blue Sky = Nothing better ::
:: Madelyne listening to Uncle Paul from on the other side of the playground ::

:: Madelyne blowing bubbles ::

:: Jacob fell asleep just before we arrived at the park - what a party pooper! :: :: Enjoying a drink @ The Wired Monk ::
:: Yes, yet another self portrait ::
:: Our little Cookie Monster ::
:: Jacob playing out on the deck once we returned home ::

:: Thanks for the great day Matt & Lisa ~ We had a blast! ::

:: Moving...Yes! ::

:: So we are moving on April 19th and up until Thursday you would not have known! I had done absolutely no packing. Until my great friend Lisa called up and said that she had a whole wack load of boxes that her Dad picked up for us from Tim Hortons (Thanks Tom!) and she said I'm going to bring them over and we're going to start packing...Oi!!! My Mom & Dad also dropped by to bring us some packing paper - Thanks Mom & Dad, you saved my china!!! ::

:: In just over 6 hours we had packed up almost all of our decorative stuff (in the whole house), our china cabinet, a portion of the kitchen, our coat closet and storage area - Not bad eh!?!?! We were also taking care of 3 kids under three at the same time! ::

:: Lisa packing up the kitchen ::
:: Our living/dining room completely bare and packed up ::
:: THANKS Lisa - I couldn't have done it without you! ::