update:

It was made clear this past week that the potty training post was premature. Although he is perfect at home, he was far from perfect when we were at the cottage. sob. Ah, well, the time spent at that fabulous place was well worth a little regression. It was also good for my pride, I was too proud of him. :)

FURTHER UPDATE:

"perfect at home" appears to have been a bit of a stretch. sigh. well, he was perfect for over a week but we are struggling through a bit of regression. He and I are both determined to be through with diapers, though, so we are not giving up on account of a few accidents. :)

POTTY TRAINED!!

Just had to share this little news flash since I am SO INCREDIBLY PROUD of my baby. Such a determined little guy, and SO independent, that he has been wanting to be done with diapers for some time. It was I who wasn't ready to go through the potty training nightmare again so soon. :) But he basically potty trained himself, and has been diaper-free with no accidents since Sunday. What sweet, blessed relief!! :)

http://www.joshharris.com/2010/09/christian_biographies_for_kids.php

we have lots of these, thanks to the wonderful people at Christian Focus. I think Ashleigh agrees with Josh Harris on this. :)

our last day of summer...

Otherwise entitled, how many visits can one squeeze into one 24hour period?

First of all, thanks for the birthday wishes. I hesitate to post on here any more after Kev's post being called something like "the best blog post ever" (he was quite tickled to receive so many compliments on his blogging abilities and seriously contemplated taking the blog over himself...although if he were the only one to contribute I think it would die pretty quick.) I have to say that I am very undeserving of all of the kind words. But thank you!

So this was our busy Labour Day Monday. It followed the post-Tamarack festivities at our place on Friday, the farewell BBQ for our pastor's family on Saturday, and sweet Isaiah's baptism on Sunday (which was one of the most incredible services I remember witnessing in my life. The end of the sermon was cut off the cd, very sadly, however I will still post it for you once I get access to it.) So then, on Sunday evening we took in a Migrant Worker Ministry service in Jordan. It was great to visit, although we don't understand any Spanish (yet!), and wonderful to see Wilf bringing God's Word to so many people.

We spent the night at Erik & Rachel's, which is always great times and so sweet to see them with their beautiful children. :)

After a leisurely breakfast we were off in the morning to visit new baby Ezra. I don't know if I have ever seen such a tiny baby in real life. He was absolutely perfect and precious.

Congratulations Mike & Victoria, we are so happy with you!

off to visit this dear family for lunch, in their beautiful new home!! So wonderful to see how God provided for them, their house is amazing! We're thrilled for them, even if we do miss them terribly and wish that they still lived here. :( I will hold out hope that someday they will move back!!

such a beautiful couple, inside and out. :)

Josh was a little cranky at first but finally broke into a smile. :)
and off to Brian & Holly's for dinner with Greg & Charity & fam...so FUN!!
these kids had a riot on the trampoline! And loved having their picture taken.

Josh, who is the expert at cheesy smiles, happy to show the others how it is done :)

my apologies, Holl, if Justin never smiles properly for pics anymore...

the kids had great times together...it is wonderful to have friends who are great examples of godly parenting, and to see their beautiful children already loving the Lord, too. Very encouraging to Kev & I, sometimes parenting is hard!!

such a great couple, and fabulous hosts..thanks so much Brian & Holly!
a total blast!! We have been blessed with some very amazing friends, and we are so thankful to God for them!
tuckered right out, quite understandably...
and look who was at our doorstep bright and early the next morning... not that we were up bright and early to welcome them in, thankfully Mom was. :) Our school year started a bit late (and admittedly rough, with VERY cranky children) on Tuesday after a very busy weekend but we are all caught up and looking forward to (and praying for!!) a great year ahead!!
so many blessings that we certainly don't deserve!! Hope you're all having a great first week of school!!

Happy Birthday Carole!!

Well... it is now officially September 2nd and we all know what that means.... Carole is another year wiser!

We've had this blog up and running (between thesearethedayz 1 and 2) for over five years and, believe it or not, this is my very first post (though I have made my share of editorial comments that have made their way on to other posts)! But what better occasion to post than on the 31st birthday of my sweet wife! She has been such a blessing to me (and the kids) over the last 10-plus years and we are all so thankful for her. I sometimes feel for her as she has been called to be the helpmate for a fellow in need of so much help, but she is always up to the task... and for that I am most grateful.

Carole, may the Lord bless you with many more years of health and happiness as you serve Him. I pray that you will continue to share your joyful spirit (and the many talents that God has blessed you with) with others inside and outside of our home in the years to come.

The heart of her husband safely trusts her;

So he will have no lack of gain.

She does him good and not evil

All the days of her life.

Her children rise up and call her blessed;

Her husband also, and he praises her:

I LOVE MY WIFE!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR CAROLE!!