A few blogs back, I mentioned that James had an interview, and we were excited to see what doors God would have us walk through in the near future. Well, that's not one of them--- but while this fall does not see James working at the Redeemer lab, it might see us dipping our fingers in missions overseas. I say "dipping" because it would be short term (to start), and I say "overseas" because it's vague enough to get the point across, without having to know where "overseas" actually is.

But it's exciting! Especially for me, because when Jesse entered our lives, I sort of reformed my ideas of what our future would look like, and missions sort of picked up and parked in the nosebleeds-- almost out of sight, but not quite.

And now it's back on the table.

So, we are praying, and searching, and discussing different options. And while we do that, if anyone out there knows of any missionaries/teachers/principals that we could possibly contact, we'd love to hear about them!

Other updates: It's very warm now. Warm enough that open windows no longer cut it, and the AC is effectively turned on full blast to keep this place livable.

Our flower gardens are thriving, and so are our veggies.

We had some of my old friends over for dinner, and James made a couple new friends :)

Yesterday evening was an evening for a walk to DQ with the boys from Bold.

Jesse fussed his face off for an overwhelmingly long stretch of time, but Matty B got him to sleep.

I am now on my way to meet Katrina at the Bread Bar for some hang out time, and I'm really looking forward to it.

Me and my boy.
Yesterday, my sister, her kids, and some childhood "sister's" of mine made the trip to Marineland. I love Marineland. Any amusement park that boasts a kid's section that actually gets an adult's adrenaline pumping is doing a very good thing. I would even say that a few of the kids rides were legitimately more appealing than those in the adult section. I mean, how lame was that octopus? Anyways, we went for the kids. Joc and I just happened to abandon ours on occasion to ride the dragon, and the coaster :)

On that note, it was so fun to see the "kid" come out of everyone. Mine didn't need much coaxing, but I have a feeling that some had been repressed over the years, and I'm glad they got a chance to play.

The last time I've been to an amusement park with this crowd was in grade 6 or so, when the Brouwer girls took Michelle and I with them to Florida. Bush Gardens. My first ever amusement park. Marineland, obviously, can't compare to that day, but it was cool that 15 years later, we could relive those memories.

Anyways, here are some whales. A lousy photo, but proof of our daytrip.
Levi, being swarmed by "goats".
Our entourage. A lot of strollers, a lot of fun.
Joc and I, living up to the "Sky Screamers" name, and screaming our heads off.
Shannon. The baby whisperer. Morgan on a leash, double fisting some babies, and no doubt planning to capture Levi, who has managed to escape Michelle's iron grip. The day wouldn't have been the same without her :)

Me and Talaina, with co-ordinated outfits.

Jesse. Oblivious to everything but being fed-- every 2.5-3 hours. Thank goodness he can down a bottle. He might have held us up :) Giving the old "pouty lip". Definitely gets that one from James.
And that's it for Marineland. An awesome day, that will hopefully be repeated. At least, it better, because we all paid the extra $5 for a summer pass.

But the May 24 weekend leading up to Marineland is worth mentioning. Back home in Hamilton, I discovered the Royal Botanical Gardens, and James, Jesse, Ryan and I spent our Saturday morning exploring it. Gorgeous. Later on in the day, James and I grabbed some vegetables, turned over our plot, and planted. This summer we hope to bring in beans, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, kale, zucchini, and cucumbers. Already anticipating free produce.

I also tackled the front garden of our house. Even though I hand selected the perennials for the garden last summer, I still managed to mistake some for weeds, and out they came. The result? A very empty flower bed.

I was able to snag a few replacements from Maple Leaf, and after about an hour of sweat and toil, the garden was planted. It definitely felt good to get out and get to work. Now we just need to figure out a watering system that doesn't involve a rain barrel and a couple lousy buckets. I was under the impression that we lived in the 21st century...

But anyways, the idea was also to get out of James' hair so he could get some thesis writing done. He didn't, thanks to Jesse. Speaking of which, that's us, at RBG. The rest of the weekend was packed. Crepe breaky with the house, bbq at the HAAA, bbq at Kristina's, bbq at Doug and Vanessa's-- exactly how a weekend ought to look when you are on the verge of summer.

Tummy time with pops. And the rest are random photos of James and Jesse, because that's who I take pictures of these days.

Classic. Tuckered out after a night of sleeping :)

A month and change

It's been a memorable month.

Jesse was born, and I learned a thing or too about caring for him.

James got sick, and I learned a few more things about caring for him.

James went to San Diego, and mom took us in for the week, and we were cared for.

Jesse got a throat infection and thrush, and still, we were cared for.

There were three weddings this month, all very different, but all involving the same promise-- that partners would care for eachother, and we, the church, would do likewise.

This month I have experienced the care of God.

We have had to turn away meals because our mouths cannot keep up and the freezer is full.

Our son is thriving-- packing on pounds-- and learning to smile.

James had an opportunity to try out for a job at Redeemer, and I'm excited to see what other doors God may want us to walk through in the next couple months.

I just went to a baby shower, thrown by a church we are not yet members of, and received gifts from people whose names I don't even fully know yet.

I have reconnected with old friends because we share a "mom bond"

I have reconnected with friends that don't have kids, because I crave conversation that doesn't revolve around kids.

Letters and gift cards come spilling through our mail slot-- providing no shortage of date nights, and teaching me a thing or two about generosity.

This past Sunday was Jesse's baptism.

As a kid, I didn't quite get it. I snored through the forms, watched the awkward hand-off from grandma to dad, and hoped the baby would scream or something to spice things up. Then I grew up a little, and it began to mean something. Then I became a mom and it really hit me. The forms took on fresh meaning, I hoped James wouldn't drop Jesse during the awkward hand-off, and I really hoped Jesse wouldn't ball his eyes out. Standing there, making a promise to care for Jesse, hearing the church make the same promise, and watching the water pour over Jesse's head and into his eyes, I felt the powerful, inconceivable love of God. God cares.So much so, that He chose to make a covenant with a handful of grimy sinners, a covenant that we can't even keep, so He keeps it all. Jesse has a Parent that knows his needs more than I ever will-- it's a humbling and a reassuring thought.

And so it has been a memorable month.

But not everything has been peachy, rosy rainbows. A more rounded picture of the month would include Ree getting pooped on, multiple times.

Pulling out her back-- also not so great.

Coping with the insecurities of being a mom who can't make her kid stop crying.

Figuring out what a date should look like with the backdrop of a squeeling, squawking infant. Feeling unproductive, despite the full time work of keeping my son alive.

Learning some unpleasant things about myself-- and not liking the learning curve.

The list goes on, but I'd rather end on a high note.

Although it's been raining for about 2 months straight, the sun will come out eventually.

Although Jesse is a "fuss-butt" he smiles for his daddy ( who has coined that term of endearment :)

I just finished an amazing book, "The Good Earth" by Pearl S. Buck. A must read.

Although I'm home alone, I am cared for. This family is cared for.

God is teaching me things, and I am ready to learn.