Springs arrival and our collection of babies

 Spring came in beautifully this year.  We didn't think the snow would melt till August but sure enough, by late April, it was gone.  April also brought baby animals by the hands-ful and we could not have been more giddy to welcome these fur babies into the family.   A sign of God's covenant.  A token and promise that seed time and harvest will never cease.  Even though we know in our hearts the seasons will always come, this past winter was hard on us, on our minds and spirits as we had to be so often indoors, and boxed up in four square walls with a low cieling on top of our heads.
But then.... SPRING!

First off, a lamb.  Sadly only one of our three sheep made it thru the winter, and on the day she gave birth (April 3), it happened to be -21 outside so one died, but we saved one and it was thrilling and beautiful. 

Next came bunnies.  Again, we had a few batches that froze over the winter but April brought two batches, very much alive, furry and adorable.

Rowan became the luckiest boy around when he was gifted a beautiful little lab/border collie mix puppy. We named him Rocky.  A boy and his dog - heaven on earth.  Rocky belonged to a friend but was sick so they were not able to sell him so we are hoping that with all the love Rocky is receiving he will stay healthy for a very long time.  Welcome to this funny farm buddy. 

We have been here 5 winters already and not once have we been able to overwinter cats. I'm the crazy cat lady that scoops up free kittens at all the local farms. BUT this winter we kept all five adult cats that we had since last summer and lo and behold were given three kittens by one of the females.  Warm weather means lots of cat handling and cat-hair-covered clothing. But that's alright by me. I feel victorious that they lived all winter so what's a bit of cat hair between them and me? 

The kids are keeping busy, happy and healthy running from pasture to barn and back to the pasture playing with all the new life.  Andy also was busy working on fixing fences and building a containment area for the steers. Oh what carefree and happy days the children have. Blessings for sure.

 Lots of imaginative play goes on around here.  Cowboys one minute, gold miners the next.

We memorized this poem at the end of the school year to celebrate and thank God for his enduring goodness. 

 A Prayer in Spring - Robert Frost

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers to-day;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.
Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,
Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;
And make us happy in the happy bees,
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.
And make us happy in the darting bird
That suddenly above the bees is heard,
The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,
And off a blossom in mid air stands still.
For this is love and nothing else is love,
The which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends He will,
But which it only needs that we fulfil.

Marla is ONE!

 

The Birthday girl...

Our petite and simply sweet little Marla has turned one.  She has been such a joy to us this past year.  With big round eyes and a soft personality we've been smitten.  Marla is easy to have around and loves to snuggle with her Mama.  She is not a big eater though and we often have to coax her to eat anything more than a few bites.  She has been walking since 9 months and plays well on her own in her playpen but also loves playing with the Tupperware or pots and pans while I cook, throwing everything out of the cupboard and walking around with bowls on her head making for lots of laughter and messes.  We all love what she adds to the family and are so thankful to God for a healthy first year with her.  We pray for many, many more years and also she grows in grace and Truth to serve her Lord.   

The saying "Though she be little, she is fierce..."  suits her well.  💜

Snow and Ice

This year the kids were once again super lucky with a backyard ice rink. It was a bit bigger this year than last year, (50'x50'), which turned out to be an amazing size for growing boys and their friends to have hours and hours of pleasure on.  I think Andy did an amazing job of the rink once again! Hours after hour and week after week we used it this winter and I was thankful for it too since these homeschooled children needed to get outside and burn some energy several times a day! 
All three boys played on the Pond Hockey teams in Taber again (Seth and Tristan played on Friday afternoons and Rowan on Saturday mornings) and we really noticed their skill improve with the constant practice.  It's a marvel how many pucks can be lost though.  It'll be interesting to see how many I find back this Spring. 

December was cold with no snow - perfect for making smooth ice

Then came the snow...

More and more snow.  But the smooth ice remained!

I feel like the kids had very good times playing outdoors this winter.  I never knew you could acclimatize to -20.  Balaclavas (or as Abby always called them... Clavabellas) became a constant friend along with layering mittens, thin ones inside think ones, double socks and good Bog boots as well as nice warm winter coats, the kids were good to go.    

 Snow piles everywhere.

A Winter of Skiing

 We may have felt like we had more snow and cold than we bargained for this past winter but on the ski front - there were no complaints.  We were blessed to be able to head to Castle Mountain Ski Resort many times this year.  The blue skies and beautiful Canadian Rockies made for exhilarating days.  I only got to ski myself once but once was better than not at all and it was very much fun and a fantastic feeling since it had been around 6 years since I had gone last. Even though I can't ski much (someones has to take care of the babies!) it is so much fun for me just watching the menfolk go and see their happy faces and watch the improvement of them over the weeks, months, and years.  Often we go with friends but either way, it's so neat and heartwarming to see the love of the sport passed from father to sons. The beaming smiles make the long day worthwhile.  All mixed in with some frosty noses and hot chocolate of course.

As the winter progressed so did Seth and Tristan's skill. Andy went alone for a day with just them to work on more technique and of course, tree skills.  They came came home pretty pumped about all the "off roading" they had done.

We went in February for a day with the Denboers which turned out to be a trip with more excitement than we bargained for! By the time we were ready to call it quits for the day we found out there was such a storm going on outside of Castle that the highway home was closed and so we were stranded in Pincher Creek at a makeshift emergency centre. What we originally thought would be hours of delay turned into an overnight stay, with us (and many others!) sleeping on cots in a gym.  If someone ever wants to make memories, that is a way to do it!  Not like I ever want to do it again, but I must say, having friends there with us made it quite enjoyable! :)

Jelle, Ewoud, Andy, Lars and Seth

My entertaining crew in the chalet

And to end the winter with a bang, Andy's brother Willem came for a weekend, last weekend actually.  Andy jumped on this opportunity to ski one more time so off to Castle they went, this time also with the Bareman family.   Apparently the snow was epic and the joy this outing (with Uncle Willem) brought, made me all teary with joy.  There's nothing quite like showing a brother the place you love and being able to reconnect over a shared activity.  This is only the second sibling of Andy's to come over so it meant alot to us and we are so thankful you could come Willem!  We were thrilled to have you! 

Seth, Tristan and Willem

James and Willem

New Year - 2018

Christmas 2017 came and went just like that.  And soon after came 2018.

We love learning new songs with the kids and this year our favourite was In the Bleak Mid-Winter.   The words were close to our heart with the persistent bitter cold.  Its a beautiful hymn though and heart warming to hear the kids loving it and singing with fervor. 

In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan;
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter
Long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain,
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty —
Jesus Christ.

Angels and Archangels
May have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim
Thronged the air;
But only His Mother
In her maiden bliss
Worshipped the Beloved
With a kiss.

What can I give Him,
Poor as I am? —
If I were a Shepherd
I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man
I would do my part, —
Yet what I can I give Him, —
Give my heart.

We took our annual outside Christmas picture in the frigid temperatures not knowing that they would linger for months.  It was so cold we felt like we were living in the arctic and so tried our hand at blowing bubbles that would freeze - which only works when it's below -20. It did work and was actually very hilariously funny - we weren't counting on frozen noses and fingers during the process which made it alot more difficult. The things you learn. 

December 2017

I went to my blog and noticed I had some pictures uploaded but never published!
    Going back to December for a minute... :)
I always crave cleaning, change, and reorganization in the house once winter hits. Summer is a time to fix and work outdoors so once the snow falls and the temperature drops and we are stuck in the house I like to freshen up our living space. This year I had two options, either wash the walls or paint.  I hate washing walls as often you are left with a smear if the cloth isn't new which you can see once the light is a certain way, so I picked painting, as I was tired of the yellow anyways.  So one afternoon (feeling very brave) I started! And how fun it was, never mind how much work it was, and we were left with a whole new space (why stop halfway??? why yes, those are new couches and a new to us piano).   :D 

Before the redo

What have we started???

Putting things back together

So thrilled with a black piano!

And finished!  Feels so very squeeky clean and fresh. How refreshing.

Funny story behind the couches - thanks to Mom and Dad for helping. :)

Mom and Dad Oosterhoff came over in December spur of the moment to see the grandkids.  Nothing like seizing the moment for a quick visit which was very much enjoyed and appreciated. The kids so loved having you over, as did Andy and I - and obviously our livingroom did too;)

Last but not least our Abby turned 3!  She has brought this household more fun than we thought possible. Uproarious laughter, hairbows and pink cakes.  Keep your family smiling princess, we love you and pray God will hold you close forever and always.