Life at 'REZ'

I enjoyed last weekend (January 25-27) at Heritage College & Seminary in Cambridge, living in residence with Krystle. Since I never went to post-secondary school I missed out on the whole dorm life experience. We had alot of fun together, we watched movies, chatted, went to Starbucks, chatted, went shopping, ordered Chinese food, chatted, watched more movies, took the bus to church, and on and on it went. We stayed up later then I am used to, slept in longer, and just hung out and had a GREAT time together.

This is the kitchen.


The bedroom, I slept on the lower bunk.


The view from her window. She is very fortunate to have a 1st floor apartment. (Made it alot easier on move-in day)


We had a 'vonderful gut' time playing many games.


And even had a time for just being silly.


My weekend with Krystle sure gave me a closer view into her world at school. It was neat to see how she has developed into her own person.
way to go kryssi ~~ I am so proud of you!!

While I enjoyed my time at 'rez', I learned that I am not cut out for dorm life. The constant busyness of coming & going with floor-mates, and room-mates would be something to get used too. It has helped me to understand, on weekends that she is home, why Krystle thinks it is so quiet out here on the farm.

Blessings

Birthday Boy

We celebrated Wayne's birthday on January 17. We enjoyed a lasagna & garlic bread dinner (one of his more favourite meals). I made cupcakes instead of a cake so I put only 1 candle in, it would have been pretty hard to try to cram all those candles into a cupcake. LOL
I got Wayne a couple DVD's "Speed" & "Million Dollar Baby" for his birthday. We also celebrated by going out to eat on Friday, just us.

I didn't take a picture of his actual birthday so this one that was taken at Chrstmas will have to do.


Wayne turned 49 this year. He is 9 years older than I am. We met when I was 17 & he was 26. There have been times when we feel like the 9 year age gap doesn't seem like it's that big of a deal. Other times it's huge. I use a storybook analogy to describe this. We're both reading the same book, but sometimes we're just not on the same page. Right now the age gap feels huge. But because this happens quite regularly I can re-assure myself that eventually I will turn the page and catch up, and then it won't feel like big deal again.

Blessings

Christmas Memories

My Mom & Dad.
Grant & Sharon Kaufman.

We had a wonderful time celebrating Christmas with the Kaufman family on Boxing Day.
After a delicious turkey dinner with all the trimmings (one that I did not have to make) we had wonderful time playing many games and opening presents.

Krystle, Kyle, Darcy & Gerard all got gift cards.

We took this picture of mom & dad with all their grandchildren.

In back - my dad, Braden & Tyler
second row - Justin, my mom, Aaron, Darcy & Kyle
from row - Krystle & Gerard

What a blessing family is.

w.h.a.t.

In August of 2006, God laid it on my heart to start a group for women to share their joys/sorrows, and their life experiences so we can support each other in the situations that life gives us. I called it w.h.a.t. which is an acronym for women's hearts always together.

We started last January with 9 women from various stages of life. We have a couple of women who have young children, a few grandmothers, and others that are in the same stage of life as I am. We met weekly on Mondays and studied the book 'Queen of the Castle'. I had a wonderful time developing these new friendships. We went through quite a bit this year, and while not everything was pleasant we were able support, pray for, encourage, and help each other through the tough times.

We finished our year with a day retreat together at one of the ladies houses. We finished the book, chatted, ate together, chatted, spent time in the hot tub, chatted, made a journal, and of course chatted some more. It was a GREAT day! (I made this journal for Krystle.)
The new book we are planning to study is called 'What Happens When Women Walk in Faith.'.

I am excited to see where God will lead us with it.

Blessings

"K" is for Kyle

Kyle Wayne Gingerich was born September 1, 1988. He just celebrated his 19th birthday last September. At 6' 3" Kyle towers over me, and he looks pretty intimidating, but once you know him, you know that he has such a gentle soul. Ever since he a little boy he was always and still is willing to lend a hand and help out whenever needed.


He came home from work today after getting his haircut into a Mohawk.


Side View.


Back View.


His arm tattoo - a crown of thorns over a cross.


His leg tattoo - an icthus fish.

I read a book that really helped me put things into perspective on dealing with isues. It has three simple steps to follow and can make life a lot easier to live.
Step 1. Avoid conflict battles at all cost.
Step 2. Choose carefully the conflict battles you want to fight.
Step 3. Win the battles you choose.

These are not battles that I am willing or wanting to fight over with my son. When Kyle was about 13 he accepted Jesus as his Lord & personal Saviour. These outward displays in know way affect his inner decision.

Some people might be thinking that he's a 'rebel' , and knowing me, you would know that I too was rebel in my own time. (still am a little)
In fact if you read the Bible you would also know that in His time Jesus was a rebel of sorts too. So I guess it runs in the family. ^.^

Blessings

Year in Review

New Years' Eve

The final day of 2007, a good time to review the year.

January - I 'officially' started my new job as Office Administrator for the Zurich Mennonite Church. I say 'officially' because I did actually start in Dec/07 but for some reason, I didn't start on the payroll until the new year. I absolutely love my job. It fits me to a "T". It allows me to use the God-given gifts to glorify HIS kingdom. I work 5 1/2 hours a day from Monday - Friday which is such a good balance, for work & home. What could be more perfect!

February - we celebrated my Dad's 65th birthday by taking the whole family to the states, and Krystle received her 'promise' ring from Gerard.

March - I started blogging, a dear friend thought I would be good at it so I started sharing my thoughts. (I am glad I did) Darcy also started his first job at the Little Inn of Bayfield.

April - Wayne & Kyle took a father-son trip to Cuba They had a wonderful time together.

May - We celebrated Darcy's 17th

& Krystle's 20th birthday.


June - Wayne finished another year of driving bus for St. Anne's Catholic Highschool.


July & August - we enjoyed our summer sitting by the pool.

September - Krystle moved back to Cambridge for her 2nd yr at Heritage. Darcy started GR 12 at Central Huron Secondary School. Wayne & I celebrated our 21st anniversary, and last but definitely not least Kyle celebrated his 19th birthday.


October - I celebrated my 40th birthday, with a delicious turkey dinner and all the trimmings. Got red roses from Wayne, a digital camera from my kids,


and got myself a tattoo.

Here is a close-up.


November - Wayne & I enjoyed a week of holidays in the Bahamas.


December - I celebrated the 1st anniversary of my job.
We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas season with our family.


Jeremiah 29:11 says 'For I know the plans I have for you' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans for a hope and a future'.
Now, while I may not know what the future holds, I do know the ONE how holds my future.

Blessings

Christmas Joy

We had a wonderful Christmas, the whole day was filled with such joy. We ate a delicious breakfast of fresh fruit & dip, cinnamon rolls, muffins, cheese & hashbrown potatoes.
We opened stockings and the kids took turns giving out their gifts.

I got a new friend, her name is 'Bella'.


I got a plaque that has my favourite scripture verse from Jeremiah 29:11 on it.

This one won the 'crying' present. Each year the kids "compete" to see who can make me cry over their gift. And Kyle has won three years running.

I also got slippers, they are very warm & fuzzy.


Wayne got his chocolates.


And a new sweater from Heritage.


After Wayne & I opened our gifts we gave out ours.

My Mom & Dad came up and Gerard came over too. We played games ate oodles of munchies (nacho dip, tortilla wraps or "spudge rolls" as Kyle likes to call them, veggie pizza, cheese ball or salmon ball & crackers, and more fruit & dip.)

Krystle & Gerard had to leave a little early because they were going to the Zielman's to enjoy a delicious turkey dinner.

And of course before Mom & Dad left we ate our ever so yummy Christmas supper tradition of Limburger Cheese & Spanish Onion sandwiches.

Blessings