Christmas

Strikwerda Christmas at Rob's


Our First Christmas as a Family of Three


Sinterklaas Visits the DeWitt Christmas


Greatgrandchildren last Christmas - 3, Greatgrandchildren this Christmas - 7 WOW!


Christmas Presents -new booties and a canoe paddle (someone's a little eager...)

Family Time

Jude is only one week old and already has had so many visitors - including much of his extended family who were eager to meet him!



As Kurt's Aunt puts it, "Welcome to parenthood...and remember you are not an island but a tree in the thick, dense in places, but a nurturing place of growth, the forest of deWitt, touched by many other forests', Strikwerda for example, and the Nicolian forest...the list is endless...yet the rain always comes from above, a gift and the necessity and sustainer of all life.." Beautiful words to describe the world Jude has entered.



Here are just a few of the supportive family members who have turned up with lots of love and support:



Proud Pops Strikwerda


Beaming Bepps Strikwerda



Also Proud Gazendam Grandparents


Oh so proud Auntie Naomi


Getting tired from all this visiting, that's a lot of names and faces to learn!


Little tadpole fast asleep

Jude Andrew

It's a boy! At 5:45 am, Dec. 11th, weighing 9 lbs 3 oz Jude Andrew Strikwerda finally decided to arrive into this world (a little reluctantly as things got started around 9:00 am the day before!). He was totally worth the wait and Kurt and I are both in love with him.

Have patience, have patience

Have patience, have patience, don't be in such a hurry.
When you get impatient,you only start to worry.







This little tune from one of my favourite childhood records, "Music Machine" has been echoing through my mind. I always sing this song to myself when I need to be pateint. I actually used to threaten my students that I would start singing it if they were being impatient (worked like a charm, it drove them nuts when I would sing it!). But this week I find myself humming this little tune quite a bit.



Sunday morning we went to the hospital to check up on the baby, and everything was great - too great in fact. The heart rate was great, activity wonderful, fluid levels perfect. No wonder my little jelly bean is being stubborn and staying put, I have no idea where it would get stubborness from...certainly not his/her mother! While I am happy that the little bean is all healthy, I really want to meet him/her. In the meantime I will keep playing Tom Petty "the waiting is the hardest part" - thanks for the live anthology Scott!

Overdue Blues

Okay, so I am not exactly blue yet, and only two days overdue. But...mentally I had only prepared up to this point, now I don't know what to do! So, I go in for a non stress test to make sure my little jelly bean is still happy in there (obviously, otherwise he/she would have begun to arrive, unfortunately absolutely nothing is happening in that department). And so I sit and wait, well more like walk a lot and wait...

Baby Shower for Kurt

Kurt's work had a surprise baby shower for him - so cute, the cake even had his name on it! They even gave us diapers, which the women said were for Kurt specifically, to make sure that he does his fair share of the diaper changing.

RollerCoaster November

November is turning out to be a rollercoaster of emotions. I had my "big birthday" and finished things at work (with a wonderful surprise goodbye party from my class).


Then, in the midst of saying goodbyes at work, I experienced the loss of Grandpa Bakker after a couragous battle with cancer. At the funeral, it was sad to think about the loss of Grandpa, however it is always amazing to be at the celebration of someone who has lived such a fulfilling life. To sing the songs, listen to scripture, and hear stories of Grandpa who was such a hardworking and loving man of faith was insipring. I watched Grandma who seems so brave and strong in the midst of her loss, and even as she is fighting her own battle with cancer, and am again inspired by her faith and strength. I will miss Grandpa and his everpresent grin, but I know that he is in the arms of the Lord.


Also this week, my brother Peter and Devon were engaged. I couldn't be more thrilled to have Devon become part of our family, and see my big brother get married, but again, what a roller coaster. And now with baby almost here, I am ready for the next dip and turn of the roller coaster.

30 - A Very Good Year

This weekend I celebrated my 30th birthday. I always thought that I would dread turning 30, but as it turns out 30 is pretty great! Here's why in no particular order:

1. You can have a party with friends and eat your favourite foods and play your favourite games.

2. You can have a lovely dinner with your lovely husband at your favourite thai restaurant.

3. You can gather with your extended family to play a rousing game of Killer Bunnies.

4. You get really cool presents like new toilets (Didn't you know that 30 is the year of porcelin? And no I am not kidding, I almost cried when Kurt gave them to me because I hate our current toilets with more hatred than is right for an inanimate object - you have to lift the lid and fix the chain every time you flush!)

5. And, soon to come in the year of 30 is my little sweet pea - three weeks to go!

Thanks for Fall, Baby Showers, and Doors

It has been waaay too long since my last entry, but as usual I use the "back to work" excuse for my procrastination!

September brought the usual flurry of activity, putting my classroom back together (which felt odd, since I'm only there for a little while I love having the same class that I left in June (yes, I graduated from grade seven to grade eight), it's like we never left. It is so easy because I don't have to set up my expectations, rules, etc. the kids just know and are already comfortable with me (sometimes a little too comfortable though). But I still am teaching grade seven for a few subjects, so they are more work as we are just getting to know each other. Teaching grade 8 also meant I got to go on the 3 day trip to the Christian adventure camp. The kids ziplined, did all kinds of crazy high ropes stunts, rock climbed, and mountain boarded. I just waddled from group to group watching the kids have fun, and settled down to the campfire at night. Thankfully this time around I had a separate cabin to sleep in so I actually got to sleep! All in all it was a fun, freezing cold and exhausting, but still fun three days.

Thanksgiving brought us to Kingston to visit the family. Naomi also hosted a baby shower - she did such a great job! There was a cake that looked like a baby carriage, and everything was green and yellow (both to be gender neutral, and because I like those colours!). It was amazing to be surrounded by so many aunts, cousins, grandparents and friends; o see all the support that is out there for us and the baby. What a welcoming world to enter! Naomi also made a scrapbook filled with loving parenting advice she has asked everyone to bring. It was so fun reading the tidbits of advice, and even poems that the women had written for me.

This weekend Kurt began a project that I am super exited about - building an entrance into the garage. All week he was preparing the new front door he had bought (one with a window that lets in gorgeous sunlight I got to enjoy for the first time this morning while sipping my tea. It even sends little rainbows in the house). On Saturday he replaced the door and tore out the closet so we can have a door into the garage. It was a little frightening, and yet humourous watching the destruction of my home (thanks Dave for being so willing to come over to help Kurt kick holes in the wall). Anyways, the project continues (a landing to be built, shelving, stairs, etc.) but it has begun! Hooray!

Happy Birthday Kurt

We celebrated Kurt's birthday with the traditional birthday camping trip. Even though it rained from time to time, we still had a great time with no swan incidents, although they did make an appearance at our campsite with their cygnet making me very nervous (given the swan attack the last time we stayed at that very site). Early morning fishing, horseshoes, steak dinner, big campfires, and of course being surrounded by family - all some of Kurt's favourite things - made for a fabulous weekend. Here are a few pics from the weekend.

There and Back Again

Well, I survived the interior trip and live to smile about it - it was an awesome trip.

Day One Adventures: We put in on Rain Lake (not aptly named as we had no rain) around 8 a.m. and enjoyed a liesurly paddle down the long and skinny lake, it was still like glass. The first few portages weren't that bad, they did start to get really muddy though from the thunderstorm the day before. Kurt was so glad we rented a canoe that only wieghs 44 lbs!



I was glad they were short as we had to do each one twice to carry our gear. We made it across Sawyer, Jubilee, and Jaun lakes until we arrived at our campsite on Mocassin Lake. We were the only people camping here and it was so peaceful to just sit and listen to the loons and watch the beavers swim by. We set up camp, made a successful bear hang and decided to go for a paddle around the lake. Being the genius that I am I decide it would be a great idea to pump our water while Kurt paddled. So I dutifully filled our nalgene and began to remove the pump. It was not easy. Finally I was able to remove it when it when it went flying out of my hand and splashed into the lake, quickly sinking to the bottom never to return. I began to cry for two reasons; 1. how were we supposed to get drinking water? 2. the pump was not ours, but borrowed from Kurt's parents. After my short panic attack I realized we could of course boil our drinking water (we brought lots of extra fuel) and that Kurt's parents were not going to get upset with me. After calming down with a mug of hot chocolate I was able to enjoy the rest of my evening!




Day Two Adventures: Got up early, packed up, and began our trek to Misty Lake. This took us across Bandit, Wenona, and Muslim Lake. The last portage was over 1k and was muddy and hilly. Needless to say it was challenging and we were glad to finally see Mistly lake through the clearing at the end of the trail.






We found an awesome site on an island all to ourselves. We found other campers across the lake that would let us use their water pump so that we wouldn't have to boil all of ours and could save feul (we rewarded these kind people with candy we had brought on the trip). But the best part was we saw two moose. First we saw a cow because every canoe that came on our lake headed over to this one area, and the moose was just chilling. I guess this one liked the attention. But when we went for a sunset paddle, we saw a bull moose with huge antlers! He didn't let us get too close, which was okay with me!





Day Three Adventures: Today was our rest day, no new campsite to get to, so we decided to make pancakes. Kurt found blueberries nearby and made us blueberry pancakes! We took a day trip to Timberwolf Lake, saw another moose bringing our count up to three. It was hot and sunny all day, we took many opportunities to go for a swim! We found driftwood and Kurt made a huge fire that night.










Day Four Adventures: Got up early, packed up and headed to Daisy Lake. Faced our next long portage and began the first trip with our gear when we ran into a group that was heading back to get the rest of their gear. Kurt joked that they could carry our stuff back as well - I guess they took him seriously because we met them halfway on our return trip carrying our stuff for us! Once again we rewarded kindess with candy. We paddled Little Misty Lake and then the Petawawa River which was all windy and still, so cool in there. Got a soaker doing a lift over a beaver dam! Our last portage that took us to Daisy lake was really short and beside a gorgeous waterfall. We found a beatiful site, set up camp, swam, and took naps in the sun.





While we were watching the sunset that night, we heard something splashing on the other side of our campsite so we headed over to see a cow and her calf coming for supper. They were so close and we just watched them eating for about 20 min before they left through the back of our site and into the woods. We fell asleep listening to the wolves calling each other. Amazing end to a beautiful day.



Day Five Adventures: Homeward bound! I was nervous for this day becausee we had two portages that were over 1k, our longest yet. We paddled Daisy and successfully made through our first long portage. We did not see any bears, thankfully, on any of our portages because I kept singing, loudly, the "Going on a Bear Hunt" song to scare them away. We did see prints and scat though, which made me a little nervous. We paddled across Casey Lake and arrived at our last portage of the trip. It was downhill the whole way - yipee! Kurt made me rest at the end and he returned to get the last two packs. Then, I thought we would have an easy paddle back on Rain Lake to the put in. Unfortunately there was a strong headwind and we had to really work for it! We arrived at the car exhausted and ready to head home. But then the car wouldn't start! Luckily the warden who happened to be putting in there to do some trail repairs is also an expert on cars and got us on our way.




Sigh - strange to be back inside four walls again. Nice to have toilets and showers though.

We headed to Kingston to visit my family. Kurt enjoyed a water fight with Naomi while we waited for Peter and Devon to arrive.We also were able to catch some of Isaac's soccer tournament, and I was able to visit with Erin and see her PEI honemoon pics. Unfortunately Jonathan couldn't make it :(. It was awesome to see everyone but way too short and rushed of a visit!

Gearing up for Algonquin

Well, I survived one camping trip and am gearing up for my next. The first one was easy though, park the car and carry our gear down a tiny lane to the group site - piece of cake. It was really fun to camp with other families, there were about 6 families altogether, including 9 kids ages 9 to 9 months. But I got a little nervouse watching them deal with their children as they all looked at me and said "that's you next year". They're just jealous because I got to relax while they put reluctant kiddies to bed. Needless to say I took copious mental notes on camping with babies, especially as one couple have a little girl who is the age that our little jelly bean will be next summer. Key camping ingredient - giant tarp to lay on the ground. Other key tip? Do not encourage crawling unless we want our child to eat large amounts of dirt.

The few trails that Kurt and I hiked made me a little nervous about our upcoming interior trip to algonquin though. I discovered that even though I am not very big yet, there are limitations in what my body will allow me to do.

There are also many luxuries of car camping we won't have as we are paddling for 5 days which will include about 12 portages. So we won't have my wonderful air mattress, lawn chairs, an outhouse with walls and a ceiling, or a cooler. However, I am still really looking forward to getting out on a real camping trip. Hopefully we will get to see moose, I've been to algonquin twice before and both times was successful in my moose watch. Hopefully we will not see any bears. Anyways, have spent the past week getting geared up and now I am ready to hit the trails. But first another wedding to attend (glad I don't have to squeeze into a bridesmaid dress for this one, but it was totally worth it Erin to be a part of your beautiful wedding!) - that's what summer is for, right?

Sleep Baby Sleep

I finally had an ultrasound, I was getting very impatient to see my little sweet pea. Unfortunately the little stinker kept wanting to sleep so I didn't get to see very much - mostly the baby would just yawn, stretch, and then curl up to take a nap. It is so amazing to see the heart beating, and the tiny fingers and toes, and the tiny ear, so delicate. I love it!

Food Dreams

I never used to be a dreamer. And I mean dreamer as in a person who remembers her dreams, not the other kind. However, lately I have been having very vivid dreams, I read that can happen with pregnancy. What is funny is the topic of my dreams, in particular large amounts of food. The other night I dreamed that I was eating a giant mountain of stampot. Then, last night I dreamed that I was eating MacDonalds breakfast sandwiches in great quantities. Some little girl kept handing me egg sandwich after egg sandwich and I was devouring them. No surprise that I woke up starving! The funny part is that I haven't been able to stomach eggs since pregnancy. I took the dream as a sign and made a delcious egg sandwich for breakfast and had no problem eating it. Maybe there is a sign about gender in the dream too...?

Summer Time and the Living is Easy

Summer finally arrived with sunny days and plus 30 weather - yippee! Kurt keeps reminding me that I may not complain about the extremely hot weather as I griped all winter long (all six months of it) about the cold.

School ended smoothly, my kids were awesome right up until the end, their trip to Sudbury was fun and injury free, all the little things I have to do at the end of the year got done! And now it is time to relax...here is a taste of what we have been up to in this glorious season.

We had the opportunity to go to a friend's cottage - still too cold for me to swim (that was before the super hot weather set in) but warm enough to soak up the sun. Kurt hung up the hammock he got me for christmas, I have used it every day since I have been on holidays! We have been barbequing every night. We even made it to Wasaga beach for the sunset the other night - so gorgeous. Ice cream and a walk around the marina.Watching Kurt and friends play baseball in the Christian mens league at night, followed by campfires and beers, well tea for me. Now we just need to go camping, I am aiming to try interior camping at Algonquin in August, hopefully six months isn't too pregnant and Kurt's knee is totally healed. Ahhh summer, I love you.

Secret Sweet Pea

The long weekend finally arrived, but it forgot to bring the warm weather! We were able to visit Kurt's cousin and fiance in Parry Sound but boy was it cold...brrr....Finally, on monday afternoon it was warm enough to do some gardening. I split my perennials and made a brand new garden beside the lovely tulips and daffodils that have been blooming. It was so wonderful to stick my hands right in the dirt and try my hand at making things grow. When winter lasts so long (6 months!) it seems like such a miracle to watch all the plants come back to life.



Speaking of seeds and growing, I have also been so excited to finally share the news of the little sweet pea growing inside me. Today I told my staff and students that I am expecting in November, it was so wonderful to share the happy secret that I have been carrying around with me for the past few months. Ever since I heard that little heart beat a few weeks ago and it all became "real" I have just been bursting to tell the world. My students are super excited, they all cheered and clapped, and quickly offered name suggestions (their own names mainly), followed by their gender predictions (a boy), and finally sly glances at my belly to see if they could see the baby growing there. Anyways, now my secret sweet pea is no longer secret!

It Came, Spring Finally Came!

I have been eagerly racing home every day after work to check on my garden. Last fall I planted bulbs for the first time, and a magnolia tree. Then I had to patiently wait and wait and wait. Then today, my delciously fragrant magnolia bloomed! Spring is really here! Hooray, hooray, hooray!




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