Marla Helene Bijlsma

It's been two months already since we welcomed another baby girl into our family!  Time flies when you're having fun!

At 6:35 pm on February 6, 2017 after a quick delivery we were blessed with another beautiful little girl, who we named Marla Helene.  She was born at 41 weeks in Taber hospital so the wait was long but she came teeny tiny, weighing 6lbs 12 oz.  She is healthy
and as sweet as can be, making it easy for us all to love her intensely and adjust to another member in this family. 
I haven't been blogging since I'm too busy soaking in all that newborn preciousness. Even though this is our fifth baby it hasn't gotten old. I think I treasure it more each time actually, as you realize how quickly it's gone.  Oh the sweetness of your very own newborn!  The staring at the tiny little being that grew inside you for 9 months. Finally getting to meet that little bundle of life and to discover who it is! Babies are good for the soul, to see the goodness of God and most amazing work of His hands.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made"   Psalm 139: 13, 14.

 

Memorable moments from December

 December had some pretty cute everyday and also not-so-ordinary moments I just wanted to file away before bigger news hits the screen, like, the Lord willing the birth of this child that is still safely and quietly in utero for the time being. 
First of all Andy made the kids a skating rink.  I can't believe the feeling I got from it. I was so proud of him!  Looking out my kitchen window daily seeing the kids skate, made me feel slightly like I was constantly looking at a Norman Rockwell painting.  Backyard hockey, carefree kids, frightful cold - the epitome of a Canadian winter. 

Not a clear picture, but you get the idea below of our coffee breaks.  Due to the changing seasons we had to find some new hobbies for the winter. Chess is a hit this year.  Skills were honed and developed thanks to library books, internet games and much practice.  Seth and Tristan and Andy played more games then we can count, often leaving Andy grinning at how hard he had to try to stave off the moves of "the boys". not even always winning.  Rowan knows all the moves and is more my speed.  I'm glad we have two chess boards! Hours of fun!

Alot of book work happened here too, but a break during the holidays was very welcome.  This is how we do our Math in grade 3... :)  

We had some very tired days during the month of December as well.  Our little Lady gave up naps.  Which for me is a terrible thing.  ;)  The adjustment is hard, for the child and for the mother.  And no, she would say over and over again, "Abby is NOT tired." Oh my dear child, no not tired, just completely exhausted.  (and me too!!).  Supper time, strapped in her chair, seemed to be enough to make her nod off instantly.  But no, not tired!

We all took turns having the flu for a day as well.  Leaving more tired people.  Apparently these two didn't mean to fall asleep this time either.  I didn't mind but left them to sleep as obviously it was much needed!

By Christmas I hit 35 weeks pregnant.  Up till then, this pregnancy flew by!

And on the 23rd our baby girl turned two years old!  Where that time went, we aren't sure, but we do know we have enjoyed her immensely.  What a lot of sparkle and frills she has brought to this family. So thankful we are, for this girlee.

"Sinterklaas" didn't happen till the 24th this year - and by that time we were anxious to fit it in some evening!  Life was so busy during the month of December and the weeks (evenings), filled up faster then we could imagine.  Some say to us how is that possible as we have no family here, but you'd be surprised, it does happen!  Church functions, commitments  and hosting friends seem to keep us all booked up!  Which is a blessing too, and we enjoy helping out where needed as well. 
So back to Sinterklaas, here we are, almost ready for the fun to start.  Abby, having had a birthday a day earlier, understood the whole opening gifts thing and was thrilled to do it for a second day.

Between Christmas and New Years we had a visit from Ontario friends - the Meerstra family. It was short but sweet, and we had a great time reconnecting. 

Laura and I checking out the ice.

We went to Taber pool so had the opportunity so pose by the "famous" Taber corn with Silas.

They came with all their skating stuff! How fun!

Welcome 2017

Happy New Year from our family to yours!  

Wishing you much joy, laughter and love in 2017!
May God bless and keep you all.

I asked Seth for his take on our New Years adventures skating on the lake two roads over. Here's what he wrote for me.
"Dad, Tristan and I found Fincastle Lake. A few days before we found it there was alot of wind so the ice was clean. Dad still fit his speed skates from Holland and he brought them!  He could go fast! So fast that we got super tired super fast and dad pulled us with our hockey sticks.  We saw men ice fishing too. We also skated on a canal it was alot of fun." 

We went also as a complete family, Rowan and Abby and I didn't want to miss out on the fun.  Sadly I couldn't skate due to the big belly in the way (and I didnt' want to fall on it!) but Andy pulled me on a sled much to the extreme delight of the boys and jealousy of Abby.  ;)  Small moments of fun like this make wonderful memories of family time and holiday pleasure. 

Of Politics and Parties

Approximately six weeks ago the talk of the town was my younger brother Sam.  He's the new kid on the block when it comes to Ontario PC politics.   We could talk for hours with passion about the history being made, the news releases, the media scrums and the blood that's running hot, the Donald Trump comparisons and yes, the real live politics of it all.
The fact is, it was all incredibly interesting and I'm sure you've either read about it and heard enough already or you could just use Google and get more than enough of it. Either way, things lined up with the chicken cycle and such so perfectly that Andy and I took the opportunity handed to us to have a little get away and go to Ontario with just Abby for the day of the election. (We left on a Wednesday, come home on a Saturday).  It was a whirlwind trip and we are grateful for dear friends who so willingly and cheerfully offered to have the boys. We came home loaded with enthusiasm and energized to make a difference.
Please pray for Sam that he will receive wisdom and strength as he grapples with all that this very public job entails.  We pray that God will use him to further His kingdom and bring glory to His name. 

The morning after the election we went to the local truck stop for breakfast out on the new Member of Parliament.  Thanks a bunch!

We also spent one afternoon/evening in Elora and visited Andy's family.  All in all a very last minute trip - random and fun - sometimes it's great to just seize the moment and run!  

Our Blessings

Seth - Abby - Rowan - Tristan

Seth is now eight and a half. This oldest child is a real blessing to have around.  He's our realist, yet dreamy, responsible over his siblings yet loves nothing more then to watch the birds. Seth loves reading  and learning about almost anything he can get his hands on, map making and drawing visuals are all part of hobbies for him. He recently picked up his own Chess board and has been mastering the game with help from books from the library.  He will play anyone who dares to take him on!  We just finished a session of swimming lessons and he passed two levels at one time, showing you he tries his hardest to do well.

Tristan is seven and is absolutely the quietest and most behind the scenes boy of this family, but he makes up for that with his constant happiness and pleasant energy.  Tristan is a math whiz but reading is left for only-when-mom-makes him. He adores Abby and taking care of her and will play with anyone who will giggle at his jokes and antics.  This kids is petite but don't think he's not tough!  Tristan cannot decide what he will be when he grows up as construction, chef, bacheloring, and hiking to name a few - all interest him and choosing one thing at this stage of life is just too hard.   

 

And then we have Mr. Rowan at four and a half already. See the energy in that smile?  Another eager beaver boy.  It seems the passivity gene has left this family.  Rowan is four going on seven,  and as stubborn and comical as they come. We wonder if being the third child makes his speech less then perfect as we all know quite well what he wants without him having to articulate words.  But at his recent hearing test he excelled and charmed the pants off the technician.  Rowan has all his own school books and needs to sit down and "concentwate" with the other boys every morning.  His bunkbed is decorated with his copious amount of lovely paper crafts showing a creative mind. Rowan also is the boy that only remembers living on the farm so his goal in life is to be a chicken farmer, just like Dad.

Abby is almost two!  What a change it has been having a little girl.  All things sparkly and pretty have come into existence.  She can talk the hind leg off a donkey and already offers to help dry the dishes and vacuum the floor.  She adores chocolate and all things sweet and is so much fun to have around being almost continually happy and cheerful.  One of her favorite things to do is to find someone to read books to her and sit cozy on the couch while doing it.   Abby has just given up her daily nap and this mom isn't quite ready for that!  Slow down little girl, time is moving too fast for us!