Just in case you're still checking...

Just in case you're still checking up on our blog, I'm sad (and kinda happy) to say that I won't be posting any more...for a while, at least. Our computer refuses to connect to the internet and we've decided we like it that way! Every month the amount of spare time we have becomes more and more limited, and quite frankly, I can't afford to spend that time on the internet anymore! So instead of the blog, I'll be sending a monthly update letter by snail mail to Rob's family so they can keep up to date with their only grandchildren. If there are any of you out there who are overwhelmed with grief by the prospect of not keeping up to date with the growth of our family and children, leave a comment....perhaps I can send you a letter, too. :) But you must be overwhelmed with grief or else I can't justify the postage.
Who knows, mybe I'll be back sooner than expected. I'll keep ya posted! Bye for now, friends!

A HOUSE FOR THE BALFOURS!!

Well I stole away to my parents' computer room so I could share our wonderful news with all our friends (our internet's still down):

As of last wednesday, we are finally home-owners!

In February of this year we began to pray for a house. And then we waited. And prayed. And waited. And then about two weeks ago we officially started looking...quite certain that God already had a house picked out for us - we just needed to find it.

On Saturday of last week we went to look at two houses. Both of them were alright, but they were over our budget, and they both needed a lot of work - two ingredients for disaster. After looking at the second house we felt a bit discouraged, wondering just how long this journey was going to take, and if there was actually anything out there in our price range.

So we went onto the yard of this house and were chatting with our real estate agent and my parents when my Uncle Ron and Aunt Jo drove past. They happen to live two doors down the street, so they waved us over to chat.

Very shortly into our conversation they shared that they had just put in an offer on a house that they loved. I eyed their house and with a hesitant hope in my heart asked, "How much are you thinking of selling your house for?" (and I was thinking much, much more than our budget.)

When they shared with us their asking price our jaws dropped - because it was EXACTLY our budget...only their house is bigger and better than anything we had imagined we could afford!

In fact, it's a 5 bedroom split level home!!

Within a few days, everything was settled...and we are the happy new owners of a home that goes above and beyond what we ever imagined. God is so faithful. Can hardly wait to have y'all over!!
p.s. We needed a washer and dryer for this house and recently began to pray about that. Today we moved our new washer and dryer - in great condition - which we paid FIFTY dollars for - to our future garage. FIFTY DOLLARS! We do serve an awesome God!

BC Trip

Wow, I must be in summer holiday mode.

It’s very rare that I have to report news from two weeks ago, but sadly, that’s the case today! It’s been two weeks now since we got back from our extremely WONDERFUL trip to Vernon, B.C. It was refreshing (as refreshing as a trip with two small kids can be), and full of family, friends and of course, fun!
The kids are blessed with two sets of wonderful grandparents. I am always amazed to watch them reconnect with their BC grandparents as though no time has passed at all. In this case, we hadn’t seen Rob’s folks for almost a year. Yet before we even left the airport on arrival, Ellie and Grandma were stuck like glue, and before bedtime that first night Joshua was asking to be held by Grandpa.
That being said, when I was sorting through the photos of our trip, I could NOT figure out how to minimize them to a number small enough to make a reasonably sized blog post. So I decided to simply post my favourite photos of the kids with their treasured BC Grandparents…two of God’s best gifts in our lives!

Thanks, Mom and Dad for a wonderful, unforgettable time.

(p.s. for those of you with Facebook accounts, I posted the rest of our holiday photos there)

Father's Day @ the Zoo

Father's day was a smashing good time this year. Due to the pajama nature of our home photos (and not much time to post this)...I'll skip straight to the zoo part of the day. We loved it so much last year, we decided to do it again this year! As always, the zoo was a great place for the kids to be cute and excited so that this mom could take a bunch of pictures. :) I think I may have forgotten to look at the animals.

Waiting for everyone to show up.

Joshua is currently the best poser in the family.

Waiting in line. They weren't quite as patient as they look. :)

Checking out the bears.

One super auntie.

Joshua shows the bear who's boss!

He relates strongly to things that growl.

It'll be a while before they get their drivers.

Hehe...they almost lost their lunches!

Nana couldn't resist renting the safari jeep. I think it paid off, Dad. :)

Regan on the camel she bailed from shortly after.

Josh trying to feed his hat to the camels.

Mr. Independent. Holding hands was not on the menu that day.

Totally captivated by the zebras. Me, captivated by their captivation.

Mr. Smiles (a.k.a. Drew)

Auntie Dana is always good for an adventure...like peacock chasing, for instance.

After the entire zoo, they still had enough energy for jumping high.

You are a wonderful Dad and Grandpa, and we love you!!

Summer Lovin'! (few words necessary)

A sunny afternoon with our friend Kiera.

Josh drinks any liquid he can find. It's a little scary at times.

Bubbles!

Josh is a super helper. :)

Snack time!

Walkin' time!

Going...going...

Gone!

Ellie dressed herself that day.

Josh washing my floors. :) And his hair.
I don't think he drank this stuff...while I was looking, anyways.

"A DAH!" (A truck)

Garage sale finds...a.k.a. 'treasures'. Nana's a bit of a sucker and buys them whatever they feast their little eyes on. :)

Cleaning a garage sale treasure.

Cleaning the front door.

Watering everything in sight!