HARD: 2013 in review

2013 was a hard year. Not in a tragic life altering way, but in an every day difficult sort of way. The days were just plain tough.
The first three and half months of the year were spent in a sleep deprived fog. We slept in 45 minute increments. Those days and nights were tough. It was hard to parent and be patient when all you wanted to do was sleep. We took the easiest possible way out when it came to discipline. It was about survival, not thriving.

When the fog slowly lifted (it took a few months to feel normal again), we found ourselves contemplating a move. The next few months were spent budgeting, packing, cleaning and subsequently moving. We enjoyed our move. And not two weeks later, Dan started a new job.
This meant we had to readjust our lives to accommodate Dan's new hours. It was an adjustment but we have felt blessed by the new schedule. It works much better for our family. But at the time, it was just another adjustment.

Joel had a lot of regression after the move. We had to re-potty train, re-introduce bedtime routines, and finally stop slacking in our discipline. It was another few months of adjustment for our family. During that time we also had a few visitors from around the world. We were busy and it was a trying time for our family. We were still tired from lack of sleep so dealing with disciplinary issues and potty training accidents just added to the chaos.

It was for about a month after the summer that we felt okay. We finally felt that we had pulled into a rest stop. Life had calmed down. We had found a new rhythm. Things were going okay. Looking back, this was a time of rest before we hit our biggest hurdle of the year.

An unexpected pregnancy, followed by an equally unexpected miscarriage.  Once again our lives where thrown into turmoil.  Certain daily life tasks became difficult as we mourned the loss of Judah. We still mourn, but the pain has lessened as time has gone on. When the sting of loss lessened, we were thrown into the Christmas season. Busyness ensued and before we knew it, 2013 was over.

It was definitely a hard year on our family. It was a hard year on our marriage. (Life lesson: Your husband looks a lot more lovable after a good night sleep. A lot of marital discord can be solved after sleeping eight...even 6...no wait, four consecutive hours). Regardless of how hard 2013 is, we can look back and see God's faithfulness. As much as this year was difficult, we have seen how God drawn us together as a family, allowing us to appreciate one another in new ways. We have been blessed with a new home and a new job, both of which were desired and prayed for. We have seen our lives evolve and change. Difficult days were well...difficult. But we have come out of this year stronger, more committed to one another and well rested. We are excited and slightly hesitant to see what 2014 will bring. But we have no choice but to move forward, anticipating the highs and lows of the coming year.

Is it 7am yet?

 

 

Literally every morning, I can find Joel staring at the clock, wondering if its 7am yet.

He knows he has to wait till the long hand goes "up, up, up to the top."

I've made this rule. No ukulele before 7am.

Its not really that big of a deal to play it before 7.

Secretly, I really just want a few minutes of silence in the morning.

That sweet, sweet half hour of silence energizes my soul.

 

Then, when the clock strikes 7, the sounds of Jingle Bells can be heard echoing the walls.

For the next twelve hours, I hear Jingle Bells. I hear, I just wanna be a sheep. I hear made up songs and multiple songs mixed together. One child or another is usually singing.

These four walls are filled with music.

But once in a while, its nice to have a few moments of silence.

Crescent Beach

A nice afternoon walk at Crescent Beach.

Micah grunts and groans EVERY time he picks up a rock. Even if its just a pebble. Super funny.

Throwing rocks in the ocean.

Joel found a shell

complete with a critter still inside!

Whiterock Beach

Friday night, we had a crazy wind/rain storm. On Saturday, we went to Whiterock Beach to watch the continued wind storm.

We happened to be there as the sun was setting. It was breathtaking.

The boys loved watching the waves roll in.

I love the colours of the sunset in this shot.

The boys together, sharing a moment, while watching the waves.

The Pier

Post-Rain Storm at Fishtrap Creek



This is right at the bottom of where the path drops you down at the lake. The water is about a foot away from the pathway. Normally, there is a steep embankment (about 4-6 feet down).

 Last Friday night brought a huge dump of rain, alongside a windstorm. (Darnell and Christina: these pictures are for you!)





 

The path around the back of the lake was completely flooded. Even the boardwalk, which was built to withstand this type of 'disaster' was underwater.

Saturday morning, I decided to take a walk around the park with Micah, while Dan did some yard work with Joel.


When I got down to the lake, I quickly realized that I probably wouldn't be able to walk around the lake in its entirety. The lake had burst its bank.

Picnic Lunch Anyone?


I went home to tell Dan and grab my camera. (Darnell and Christina, I was thinking about you guys when we took these shots). Together we walked parts of the lake. This is probably the highest water level I have seen around Fishtrap Creek in the nine years I have lived here.

Dan and the boys did a little "off-roading." Joel LOVED it. Biggest smile on his face. Micah was unimpressed. Partly because the spray from the stroller landed on his face. Poor little guy.

 

Welcome to my World

Sometimes things in life have NO explanation.

Good-bye Pink Couch

Summer Picture....a mother's view while feeding....note the ugly pink couch on the right

 It was finally time. While rearranging our living room for Christmas, we realized just how crowded the room was. So, we decided that after Christmas, if we still felt that way, that we donate the final pink couch to charity. Sure enough, after Christmas, in an effort to simplify, the couch had to go.

Luckily, we were gifted a few dollars to purchase an additional chair to even out the room.
Finally, after six and half years of marriage, we got rid of the second hand couches that belonged to our friend's deceased grandmother. We now own all of our own furniture. It kind of feels like the end of an era. Good-bye pink couch, we do not miss you.

Hey Jesus....

                                                                 (the sign says: No running)

Side note: Still not sure why there is a sign that says "no running" in the ocean. Does anyone have any ideas?

Dancing Lights

We went to VanDusen Garden to see their Festive of Lights (twice!)

They have millions of lights and every half hour, the lights "dance" to the music.

Joel LOVED the lights. He still talks about the dancing lights every day.

Yep! He's thrilled!

Micah also loves the lights that dance.

The kids were literally mesmerized by them. We went once the Saturday before Christmas with Grandma Jansen and 'regular' Grandma (as Joel calls them). It was so busy and cold, since it has snowed the day before.

We went again on New Years Day with regular Grandma. There was not nearly as many people there and we really got to enjoy the lights this time. We saw so many more things that we missed the first time.

Like brothers hold hands and enjoying the light show.

And a train display.

Oh, and a very tall Christmas tree. Apparently, we were not focused on the lights AT ALL the first time we went.

We will definitely do this again. It was a highlight of our Christmas season.

Snow Fun

Micah's first snowfall that he got to play in!
He liked it until he fell and his hands got wet through his mittens.

 

Playing in the yard

Look at those beautiful eyes!

 

 

Yes, Joel insisted on shovelling the yard. The grass needs to be kept clean.

Our solution to Micah's mitten problem. We would put on his little cotton mittens that he insisted he had to wear. Then we would put on ziploc bags to keep him dry. Then long socks to keep it all together. It made it easier to hold his hands during walks because his mittens would actually stay on.

Dan shovelling the driveway

 

Notice Micah's little pink boots! Gotta love hand-me downs!

Hanging up all the wet stuff.

Christmas Gatherings

Family Christmas at my brother's house. Micah playing with his new top (and his new friend!)

The "Christmas morning" in our new pj's picture

Micah got a new cup and maraca in his stocking. He was THRILLED. It took a lot of energy to get him to move on to something else. He just wanted to make music!

Reading new stories from Papa, Grammy and Uncle Eli

My newest little worker...

...times two!