Teddy is Five!

Our beautiful eighth grandchild arrived on February 3, 2012

It is the only photo file with her birth name on it, Tessa-Lynn Dior.

Since then she has been affectionately called Teddy.

Quite a while back, we started the tradition to celebrate each grandchild's fifth birthday 

at Build-a-Bear. This weekend it was Teddy's turn.

We almost postponed our plans due to road conditions with record snow falling this weekend.

But, mid afternoon on Saturday, Papa decided to pick up his girl

and see how far we get. 

We crossed the Port Mann Bridge into Vancouver and

found that the closer we got the better the roads got.

At Build-a-Bear she had a choice of which stuffy to fill.

She chose a cat and helped the lady stuff it with cotton and a beating heart.

It was fun to see how she carefully laid out pieces of clothing to see how each would look on her cat.

There were so many options.

In the end she chose a sparkly pink dress.

At the computer she was registered as Dior.

Dear Teddy,

As I looked through the photos over the last five years, 

there were many that I would have liked to share, 

because each one tells of a special memory.

You were just a few months old when you moved to Saskatoon . . .

but every visit with you just grew more special.

I saw early on how you and Papa had a special connection,

never lost with the distance, but quickly reconnecting

through tickles, teasing and story times.

 But now we are so glad that you have moved back

and that we get to be part of your day to day life.

You are a very dear girl, with a pure and honest heart.

We love your sense of humor and fun and how you express yourself.

Sometimes I just want to keep you just how you speak right now . . .

you is kind

you is funny

you is smart 

you is beautiful!

Love, Papa and Mimi

Happy Birthdays

It's been birthday season at this house.

By the end of this week we'll have celebrated eight in seven weeks.

We began with mom on December 18 and today is Monika's day!

I love this photo of these two special women in my life.
Mom was very happy here and she looked so good.
 We had no idea how her health would go down in the weeks that followed.

In the in-between Jack was born.

 and in January all four Friesen girls had their turn.
One morning we had a ladies breakfast for Kari.
Too bad I have no photo.

We included Teddy's February 3rd Birthday at the above family dinner

and Abe's birthday dinner is tomorrow.

I love that we get to celebrate each and every 

beautiful and unique person.

That's what birthdays are for ...

an excuse to get flowers . . .

 to set a pretty table

to blow up balloons

to make cupcakes.

or soup and bread

or waffles

or rouladen

or a pie

or anything favorite!

Happy Birthday . . . anyone else?

When you see Yourself

When you see yourself in a grandchild . . .

it might be a look

a dimple

or the way he or she walks . . .

It could be a personality trait,

a natural inclination,

a fear or a strength . . .

Sometimes you see childhood opportunities you missed

and how life has shaped you with your own experiences.

Sometimes you see yourself possibly making different choices 

had you been born some fifty years later.

It's another chance, in a different context

yet being grateful for the things that stay the same . . .

the beauty of character 

and the familiarity of family 

unaffected by time.

The Frozen Pond

On Sunday we went for a walk mid day . . .

the sun was shining and skaters were enjoying the ice.

It felt like we were part of an old fashioned Christmas card scene.

Walking in the morning, however, 

my focus has been on the ducks, 

tough mallards who stick around for the winter.

I've read that they have a thick layer of fat on them

and that their feathers are water-repellent -

giving them natural insulation.

But it still surprises me to see them walking on the ice

or chilling in small pools on the edge. 

Not the most romantic type of courtship season, if you ask me.

.

The funniest is when they fly and land with a huge slide on the ice

skidding like a bad plane landing.

At this time of year you will also see a raft of them exiting onto the walking path

if they see someone willing to share some food.

They appear to be a lot friendlier, not so quick to scoot away,

when they are cold and hungry.

I'm looking forward to warmer waters for them

and showing off their little broods come Spring.

Baby Jack

Although his sisters have been in and out of the house,  

Jack Benjamin only had his first visit to Papa and Mimi's

at two weeks old. 

We had family dinner . . . fourteen here now, 

but for some reason he was the only one who had his picture taken.

It was the first time I got to hold him for longer than a few minutes . . .

like maybe almost the whole evening?

And he slept through most of it.

Jack . . . meaning God is gracious

befits the special gift he is

Benjamin . . . youngest and dearly loved

just like his dad.

Dear Jack . . . as we have prayed for you long before you came to be,

we will continue to ask God to bless you 

and to make you a blessing. 

May you always know His love for you.

Love, Papa and Mimi

Snowy Day Sentiments

January has hit us with a sense of beauty and wonder all its own.

The front door still gets opened many times, but not for long,

especially when you get hit with a gust of wind. 

From the back windows, I can't get enough of the lit up bushes,

the evergreen branches bowing to the ground

or the mighty maple tree showing off every little twig

that is totally hidden in summer.

And as I marvel at the beauty of snow covered landscapes

I'm reminded of how fitting it is to begin a new year

with the look of a new page,

a reminder of the One who makes all things new.

Christmas has been a time to remember the gift of hope we have been given.

And now we go on to practice . . .

life as it comes with its challenges of caring for aging parents,

while welcoming the sound of a new baby's cry and

a line up of small, wet boots by the door.

Hope is here . . . even as joy and sadness walk hand in hand.

The comfort of warmth and lights in the face of a cold blast of wind - 

maybe that is why I'm hanging on to these scenes.

Let me finish with just one of this week's smiles.

(I hope you can figure out the last sentence - where one important word

came out unclear)