Home group pool party

Mark and I are a part of a home group - it's a lovely group of about 8 couples. We meet weekly, though we alternate men meet one week, women the next, so that childcare is not an issue.

Last Sunday we met at Vern & Diane (Amber's parents)'s gorgeous home (you could even call it an estate) for a pool party. The weather was hot and sunny, and the company was delightful. All together we have 19 kids between us, with one little Judd on the way.

Unfortunately, Mark missed the gathering, as he was "gone fishing". (A few others missed it too).

This fall the women have decided to study "What Happens When Women Say Yes to God" by Lysa TerKeurst. No word yet on what the men will study, as obviously the same book may not be of interest to them.

Past topics have included: "Prayer: Does it Make a Difference" DVD series by Philip Yancey (excellent!); "Pathway to Purpose" by Katie Brazelton (also excellent). I honestly can't recall what we studied last fall... Relationships is the most important part though... supporting one another, and lifting one another up in prayer.

Carnival at NorthRidge church

This past weekend we were blessed with AMAZING weather - a warm sunshiney - clear blue sky day!
Mark was away on a fishing trip (more on that later), so after Lucy's 1st Ballet class (see pic #1), I took the kids to a free carnival hosted by NorthRidge church. A number of families from our church (many we count as friends) have planted a church 20 minutes east of us. They put on a FABULOUS carnival... my kids didn't want to leave!

Lucy was very excited to spend time with Robynn, and Josh just went from game to game, collecting prize points. He also tied in a running race and won a watermelon eating contest!

Afterwards we were given the tour of the facility they are renting - it is amazing! This talented group has put so much prayer, time, thought and effort into launching a church in their neighbourhood. I'm so excited for them! I'm especially impressed with the program for children, under the caring expertise of Tawny Douglas.
The kids even asked if we could go (no......), but we will be sure to visit!
To check out NorthRidge, visit: http://www.nrchurch.ca/

Prayer for Zoey

Our little friend Zoey (4 months old) was was born with her bladder outside of her body.

Steph's message was: "The 4 surgeons have booked Zoey for her abdominal operation on Sept 5 (this Friday). They will break her pelvis in order to close it properly in the front, and put her abdominal muscle,bladder, and reproductive organs inside. It will be a 6 hour operation and Zoey will be there (Children's Hospital) for 4-6 weeks (during this time she'll be in traction for 2-4 weeks). The biggest risks to her from the operation will be bleeding and infection. The Dr I met with this week warned me they expect her to be in "a fair amount of pain" as it is quite a major operation.

Obviously we have lots of prayer requests for Zoey:
-that the surgery would be successful and no further surgeries would be required for her bladder/reproductive organs/pelvis in upcoming years
-that she would be protected from any complications from the surgery (bleeding/infection)
-that God would comfort her and protect her from pain and the trauma of being away from her home
-that she would cope well with being in traction".

Would you please join me in praying for Zoey, and her family?
Jesus is her comforter, protector and healer.

My prayer for the family this weekend has been from Ephesians 3:16-19, that they would know God is with them, loves them, and loves Zoey very much:
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

1st day of school

Tuesday was the first day of school in our part of the world. Lulu was very excited to start kindergarten... she's a big kid now!
The day before kindergarten she (and Daddy) finished her "Summer Memories" poster (Souvenirs d'ete), which she hung proudly on our fridge.














It is so cool that both kids are in the same school now. This year Mark got to take the kids to their first day of school... though it's really only 20 minutes to check in and be counted. Lulu's class has only 6 girls and 15 boys! Wow - that will be a high-energy class!








Josh is also happy with his placement. Here's a little video of what Lulu thinks she'll learn at school:

Millie's Puppy Reunion

Yesterday was a cool day for our family... Millie's mother's family had a reunion for the litter of puppies! It was Megan, the mother dog's birthday, and her owner Aimee wanted to host a puppy party.

We did have many visits with the litter before we brought Millie Twinkletoes home, so it was pretty neat to see how the puppies have grown and changed - and some were surprising! Millie had a great time playing with her mom and her sisters.
Here's a group shot of the pups: (left to right)
Millie Twinkletoes, Frankie, Daisy, Georgia, Chloe and Megan, the honey-coloured mother dog.

The puppies even celebrated with "Pupcakes" and home-made Puppy biscuits. So fun!

Thank you Aimee & family for organizing the fun afternoon!

Cycling the trails

Last Saturday we went on a 4 hour bike ride along the trail that surrounds our city. With 3 different rivers bordering our town, it is such a beautiful trail! We saw many "Caution: Bear in area" signs, which made Josh a bit nervous, but only saw bear poop.

Mark saw a bear 2 nights previous on his bike ride... he said it was a big black bear that was watching Mark watch him!
Thankfully there was 100m and a big ditch between them!

Friends

End of August, and Lulu finally got to spend time with one of her favourite friends: Robynn! We met up by chance at a park. We were there to play with Abby and Emily, and arrived just as Robynn was finishing swimming lessons!

Then last week, Sadie, Taylor and Lucas came over to play. We hardly heard a peep out of the kids all afternoon! Staci & I got to enjoy 2 cups of tea and uninterrupted conversation... what a gift!