Super Duper Liam

Oh dear...it's been a while since I've posted.  My blog appears to be dying a slow death.
Here's a sweet email that Liam's teacher sent me last week.  Sure made us proud!

Rachel and Keith,

 

I just need to tell you that I am continually blown away by Liam's manners and kindness.

 

He CONSISTENTLY responds to different situations in respectful, polite, and often with very mature responses. You have raised a wonderful boy who makes my job as special as it is. He has strong character.

 

Thankful for the Dyck family :)

 

Donut Imposters

I was very intrigued about baked donuts after seeing them on Pinterest.  I bought a 'not so cheap' donut pan from the local  specialty kitchen store and set out to make a few batches.  I made chocolate, sour cream and cinnamon spice.  My verdict is that they are tasty but absolutely do not qualify as donuts.  There's no getting around it.  Donuts need yeast and deep frying!

Triple Birthday Party

 

We had three October birthdays to celebrate this week!  My mom, Sarah and William. 

 Mom was happy to receive a big bag of bulbs for her garden and a new hoodie.  She rarely buys herself anything so she is really easy to shop for!  That is good because I am not a fan of birthday present shopping!

 

 My mom quilted Sarah a little table runner to take back to Thailand made with Canadian colors.

 

 Liam showed off his new reading skills.

 

And of course an obligatory back tickle from Grandad was had. 

Pumpkin Picking

You'll have to trust me that I had a wonderful Thanksgiving because I haven't any pictures to prove it.  I was too busy cooking and eating!  But I did manage to get some pictures of our visit to Willow View Farms. 

 

Catching Up

In the past few weeks we've had lots of activities! 

Liam had his first 'friends' birthday party.  I abhor doing kids parties but this meant so much to him.  I figured we could do it this once.  Keith planned the entire party and activities...I give ALL credit to him.  He's a birthday party rock star.

It was a Star Wars theme as you can see!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then we had the obligatory family party.  This is more my speed.  No activities to plan!

 

 

 

Liam was spoiled with lots of Lego and Star Wars paraphernalia!  It's his current fascination.

 

 

 

And this past weekend we took our annual pilgrimage to the Abbey.  This hike was awesome especially because Liam did the entire thing at our pace and didn't complain.  It helped that Auntie Kori engaged him in conversation the entire way up.  Distraction works wonders.

 

The monks have a beautiful garden.

 

 

Shaggy little mushroom!

It was SO warm and beautiful.

 

 

 The peaceful sanctuary.  I love it here.

 

 

Sadly, I have come down with strep throat but should be feeling good again in a few days.  I am so thankful for antibiotics! 

Birthday Boy!

Liam is six today!  He is determined, persistent, affectionate, inquisitive, smart, eager and VERY talkative.  He's a unique little creature and he keeps our lives very busy.  We love him and are excited to wish him a very happy 6th birthday!

 

 

A Very Full 20 Years

 On a very warm, sunny day 20 years ago at the top of a mountain in Celista, BC, we said ' I do'!

We were kids.  We had no idea what the road ahead looked like...we grew up together.  It's been hard and yet wonderful.

Fast forward 20 years and here we stand a top another mountain.  There have been many valleys between but we ride them out knowing that our commitment to each other is top priority.  We love each other and challenge each other but above all know that Christ has ordained marriage to make us more Christ-like...not purely for our own selfish gains.  This is a high calling. 

Happy 20th Anniversary to us!

We look forward to celebrating tonight at Restaurant 62 and then coming up in  spring a very special vacation!

A Gift to Us

Keith went up in size and I went down.  Now we have lovely, shiny rings that fit properly!  I'm very sentimental.  I'm sure some people would like a new set for their 20th but I wouldn't part with mine. 

Don't Let the Bears Eat You

Should I be concerned?  My beloved first born is setting off into the wilderness mountains for four days with his Outdoor Rec class.

Why this would appeal to anyone is beyond my understanding.  He was so excited!  Is this really my child?

My parting words were: 'Be safe and don't let the bears eat you'.

Can't wait to see him again on Saturday!

Mt Baker Bliss

Point your car south east and drive 90 minutes.  Then you get a taste of mountain splendour!  We spend the day at Mt Baker recreation area and as you can see from these pictures had a feast for the eyes.

 

 

 

 

 

 Oh thank you mom for the delicious blackberry pie!  What a treat.

 

 The fam.

 Mt. Shuksan

 Picking and eating wild blueberries is a highlight.  Such an intense flavour!

 This picture is now my screensaver.  Utter gorgeousness. 

God is one fantastic artist!

Outward Growth and Back Again

I've always struggled with weight.  Always!  I love food and enjoy eating vast quantities of it.  Learning self-control is an on-going endeavour.

I have been all over the scale all the way from a high of 215 lbs (before I was pregnant with Nate) down to my current weight and I am not embarrassed to tell.  I weigh 151 lbs.

I lost a ton of weight after Nathan was born simply because my focus turned from eating to taking care of Nathan (and we didn't have a second car...had to walk everywhere!). 

My weight has gone up and down over the years since but had generally stayed between 170 and 180lbs.  Several months before our cruise I decided that I wanted to look svelte on our holiday and was a very determined woman with calorie counting (MyFitnessPal app is awesome for that) and brisk walking most days of the week.  It was successful...I lost a good chunk of weight in six months.  Maintaining the weight loss has been mostly easy because my eating habits  changed.  I enjoyed being physically active most days of the week.  I still love food and will never deprive myself of treats!

Recently, Keith and I embarked on a fairly unheard of eating plan called the 5:2 diet.  The basic premise is that by giving your body a rest from food any two days of the week and eating normally the other five you can achieve great health benefits.  And a side effect of that is weight loss.  On the two days you can eat 500 calories.  It wasn't impossible but a challenge and I gave it three months.  It reshaped my body.  My waist whittled down and my legs got leaner...my wedding rings are slipping off but I only lost 5 lbs.  Keith on the other hand has dropped close to 20 lbs and is looking amazing!  He's got a way to go but I am moving toward just maintaining instead of this crazy struggle to achieve more.  I'm not where I want to be but I feel very healthy, consider myself leaner and have a very great awareness of what true hunger is. 

If I lose another few pounds....great.  If I do not....that's okay too.  And the end of the day I want to be healthy and strong and think I am there.

So, if you see me eating a piece of cheesecake....join me :)

 2012

 

2014

Rapid Upward Growth

The boys are getting huge!  Here we have a new grade 1, 8 and 11 student.

All of them have been growing and gaining weight like crazy in the last year.  And I have the receipts from Superstore and Costco to prove it.

Party on Nootka

It was our annual block party this evening which also called for taking our annual group photo!  I think we live in the very nicest neighborhood.  Our neighbors are a wonderful mix of lovely people and we are thankful.

Lindeman & Chilliwack Lake

We have this great Japanese student for two weeks named Nozomu.  He's very athletic and likes to be active so we have been on the go!  Today we took him and the Jones/Unrau families to Lindeman Lake for a little BC beauty!
Here are some photos...