Week 48 ~ November 25-December 1, 2016

We started this week with Savannah's school volleyball tournament, with Carsten and Jordan coming to cheer the team on because they had a PD Day. Logan and Kim were there to watch Savannah play too...lots of support. Savannah did a great job setting...the girls played hard all day...they fought hard against Aylmer in the finals...and came away as Champions!!

 

Savannah had a few build a bears stuffies that she thought could use a new home and she found some really happy recipients...

The boys went off to the pancake breakfast at church while Kim and I took Savannah, Andrew and Olivia to the St. Jacob's Farmers Market. It was a lot of fun to explore the market, the Lego Outlet and to walk the streets of the village. I love the hats that Olivia and Andrew won from the Pook booth's 12 Days of Giveaway. We all especially loved the toy store we found in the village. 

Logan loves visiting Oma and Oma loves her boy, Logan. After sitting with Oma for a bit, Logan wanted to sit with Mark and Mark was happy to oblige. I think Mark's mom started to feel a wee bit possessive and wanted Logan back. 

I love making puzzles and I picked out a puzzle with Savannah at the toy store in St. Jacob's that she said she would help me make...we (I was) excited to start when we got home...Savannah helped for a bit and then came back to put the last couple pieces in.

Usually I try out many of the card options when I order our Christmas cards but I think I picked the second one I tried out...I love them!

Mark took a business trip to Kentucky for the work week and we continued on with the regular day to day activities...basketball practice, babysitting, meetings, etc. I also accomplished some Christmas shopping and wrapping...I love the Ikea wrapping paper that I found this year!! Everyone got a different paper so I could tell whose present was whose.

We also celebrated Kim's birthday this week...although she doesn't like for us to make a big deal about it. We have adopted you into our family and since you're often asked if you're my daughter 🤔 ... I just wanted to let you know that "Family isn't always blood. It's the people in your life who want you in theirs; the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what." Since I didn't get a picture of Kim...I'll just add this...

Many people have asked about Logan and what his diagnosis is...Logan has SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) and this week he is tried a promising new drug called nusinersen that we pray will help him with his symptoms. Here is an article that explains the new drug a bit better than I could  http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/new-drug-could-be-lifesaver-for-children-with-spinal-muscular-atrophy-1.3172703

Week 47 ~ November 18-24, 2016

The weekend started with Carsten visiting Collin so they could play in a fundraiser volleyball tournament...Hope came to visit Alex and they went to an escape room with the young peoples from church. I think they all had a good time. 

Saturday morning brought lots of Christmas markets and bazaars for us to visit. Savannah even won a Guinness Book of World Records book at the one. It was neat to browse all the crafts, treats, and decorating ideas. 

It was very fun to try Pomegranate seeds...Hope showed us how to get them out easily and we all gave them a try...they were actually pretty good. 

Our church is currently without a pastor and our church service times vary based on when works for visiting pastors. Our church time got changed again and the YPS had to cancel their singing at Valleyview...The residents really look forward to the singing and so we made our own service for them, playing music for 1-1.5 hours, with people singing when they knew the songs. I think one of my favourite parts was when a lady exclaimed "Praise the Lord" amongst the clapping. 

We also decorated for Christmas...we love putting up the tree and placing all the ornaments on the tree...ok not everyone actually loves to put the tree up and fluff it, but we love putting on our ornaments and the finished look :)

I love our new Scentsy warmer too :) 

Savannah had a volleyball game against Aylmer to practice this week along with practice. It was fun to watch. 

The end of this week had Carsten's friend Jordan visiting and Alex went to visit with Hope and her family. Mark and I enjoyed a dinner date before parent teacher interviews as well. 

I also finished this puzzle and decided it was one I did not really want to do again...so off to the thrift store it went. As a 1500 piece puzzle, I guess the extra 500 pieces really made it harder. 

I also wanted to share Jordan's story again in hopes that it can create opportunities for those who are struggling to find a way to get help. Thank you Chris and Christy for being so honest and intentional in sharing your heartbreaking story http://www.oacs.org/2016/sharing-jordans-story/