Happy Birthday Grandpa Horrex

It was grandpa's 75th birthday this weekend and we all got together to celebrate. I think he really enjoyed himself. Family came from all over to celebrate the wonderful man that grandpa is. The picture above is of grandpa and Jaclyn, she is wear a sweater that Anne made for Jaclyn's birthday. Her birthday just happens to be on the same day.

Here is Jana, Mike and Jaclyn enjoying good times and laughs together.

The boys had a great time together. The younger two in the picture, Ben and Adrian, are starting to play together and had so much fun under the table. They lasted so long and never got upset with each other. I'm so exited to see how their friendship grows.

Here is grandpa with his kids. Mom (Julie), Lisa, grandpa and Steve. It was a really nice day and I hope that everyone had a good time.

Update

Sorry but I don't having any pictures to go with this update. We are all doing our best to get through the end of Mike's school year. I have finally found a job. It starts March 16th more or less. I am doing daycare out of my home. The person that I was going to have watch Ben wanted me to watch her daughter and the other girl that she was watching. Now Ben will have two girlfriends because Gabby and Ava will be around almost everyday.

This week has been Mike's reading break, some break I think I may have seen him less during this week than any other week. Mike was busy with a spiritual retreat, getting homework done and preparing for a youth night that ended up being snow out.

We did get to spend sometime together, we went swimming twice as a family. That meant we found out that Ben is no longer fond of the water. He freaked out the first time and the second time was going not to bad when he fell into the water. I did discover that Gabby, who came with us the second time, loves to drink pool water. I will feel really bad if she's not feeling well tonight.

Please pray for us as Mike and I are looking into both working @ a camp this summer. We are both passionate about doing it and would love to give my parents a little break from having such a full house.

Thank you everyone for you love, support and prayers.

P.S. Ben is still not sleeping although his breathing is better. Please continue to pray for our sanity.

Benard and The Doctor

Here is my little guy a week ago. For over a week now he has had a had time breathing. At first I thought he was having a hard time sleeping because he was teething (he is teething), but it seemed to be his breathing that was keeping him away the most. I took him to the doctor finally yesterday and Ben might have allergies or it might be his abnoyds (I totally spelt that wrong but I hope you understand what I mean, something in his throat). Anyway he now has an inhaler and that is no fun.

The reason for this little blurb is that I'm looking for pray. Benard and I are not getting enough sleep these days and it is getting hard to go on. I want my little guy to get better for him and for my sanity.

Thank you everyone and God Bless.

The things we learn.

So these days Benard and I are learning to communicate with each other. What a challenge that is. I tell him things and he doesn't understand me, then he will want something and I don't understand him. All phases of his life so far seem soooooo long and hard to adjust to, but really how many phases has he gone through in his short little life, many. Remember when I thought he would never drink from a bottle, now we are almost ready for him to give up his bottles. It all seems in the moment forever long and then when you look back, he was just a new born @ this time last year.

That is something else that I've been realizing lately, I do not have a baby anymore, Benard is a toddler. He is a motivated young guy that wants to learn about everything and be involved in everything. He is started to speack more and he laungage of choice is what I call 'izzies'. That is because he talks like what I can remember my second cousin Isabella Friesen talking like. Ben really wants to be involved when an adult is doing something. When cooking he wants to be held by the cook and he learned to shovel the driveway of snow a couple of weeks ago. Really if you let him, he will try to do everything an adult can.

It is an interesting phase more for me than for him, because I miss my little baby, but am so exited for the new things he is learning every day.

New Years Day

My Dad's extended family got together on New Years Day as what is becoming a little bit of a tradition. We eat, play games and get to see people we see little to non of during the year. So here are just a few pictures to capture that special time.

Here is Mike with Molly and Ben. Playing a game of chase, I think.

This is Brett, he is one of the newest members of our family.

Here Rachel and I are playing a game of SkipBo with Grandma and Jean. Rachel and Jean won, Grandma and I are having an off year with cards. We really shouldn't play together anymore we always loose.

Here is a picture with his second cousin Andrew. Andrew is much better @ playing with others, I guess we need to work on that.

Hockey Boy

Here is Benard with grandpa Friesen playing hockey. Last week Ben went into grandpa's workshop to see what he was doing and found a hockey stick. It was a really old hockey stick that Rachel and I played with when we were kids so it was short, but not short enough. Grandpa had to custumize it for Ben and made it even shorter. It was already late, so the first day they just played inside. I think it was the day after it was nice enough to finally go outside and Ben and his grandpa played hockey. Bellow is the first night and you can see what he one is above.

Ben now loves to play hockey and wants everyone to play as long as he gets both hockey sticks.

Thank you for the good times grandpa.

Ben & Daddy Day

Benard and I have had the chance to spend a few days together lately. Just the two of us, the men of the family. Ben has recently had ear infections in both ears, so he's stayed home with Grandma & Grandpa, and me.

I've loved having my little buddy out with me. It's been lots of fun to just hang out and run errands with him...though he was sometimes tired.

On Friday we were at the mall visiting Grandma & Grandpa Friesen when they suggested we hop in line for Santa. After waiting with some other couples who were quite impressed at Ben's size, we got his picture taken. It turned out awesome, and my friend who works as Santa's helper said that Benard was one of the best kids through there. I think it helps that Santa looks a little like Grandad does with the beard and all.
Ben had a wonderful smile and was all excited to play with all of the toys and Christmas trees. We waited for the photo and Ben walked around trying to grab everything from the trees to the ornaments, and even the fence surrounding the place. Enjoy the picture, we sure do!