The Joy of Cows

This post is all about Natalie's love for cows!! She absolutely adores them.  I absolutely love watching her as she is feeding them one piece of hay at a time.  Here are a few pictures from her recent encounters!

Helping Grandma bottle feed a calf!

Just checking Grandpas cows.

Feeding the Bulls

Chasing cows out to the lease.  She would walk behind waving her arms and mooing!

Visiting Daddy at work!  She was SO excited to see the overload of cows.

Showing Grandpa just exactly how it is done!

It Is Well

Recently on my Creativity page I posted about a wall hanging I did with the saying It Is Well With My Soul.  I had also created a link back to the page about the history about that song.  But I feel like I have more to say about it besides than just showing how I made it!

The story behind the song is really rather remarkable.  It was written by Horatio Spafford but I am not entirely sure of the date.  This man had to go through so much in his life before he wrote it but as you read the story you can tell that is is written out of pure faith, and submission to God.  He lost five children before he wrote the song and one after.  But to still have that much faith and perseverance to serve God after all of that, WOW!  Please check out the link and read about the rest of the story.  

The lyrics make me stop and think, 'Is it really well with my soul?'

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, It is well, with my soul

It Is Well With My Soul

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Horatio Spafford

Yep I'm a Thrifter

This was my Christmas dress this year.  During the summer Mom, Kelly and I hit up Value Village in Calgary.  We found quite a few good finds but this one was extraordinary.  Mom gets the credit for finding it!  Once I tried it on, it fit perfectly and I loved the way it looked.  I added a little cover thing I had previous. 

(Our Cat just managed to sneak into this one.  Ok well her tail did!!)

This is the best part of all!  It still had the original tag on it for $215.00.  The Value Village price was $89.99.  But it doesn't stop there, it gets even better.  We went on a day they had back to school specials so everything was 50% off.  So it was $44.99!  I thought I did good!

Christmas in March

So here are the long awaited pictures from Christmas.  I know I am SUPER late adding these on here!

These are from our own family gift opening.  Ok, well Natalie's gift opening!!

Her quiet book

Her I Spy Bottle

All tired out.  This NEVER happens.

This is also a rarity.  A good long cuddle. 

It's just Dylan and I, I know but I thought it was a good picture

I made Christmas stockings for EVERYONE in my family.  It was a surprise for them and the first year of a new tradition.

Carathy opening her super awesome gift from Natalie.

Natalie in her new chair from Arinn.  It looks like she is just checking to make sure Dora wasn't actually going to get her!

I thought this was funny!  I look so surprised for her 'Little People' farm set.  I think I was mostly surprised that she was getting the hang of opening gifts.  

Dylan posing 

The grandchildren were eager to show Grandma and Grandpa all of their new gifts.

Bowling with the family! My beautiful sister.

Caleb

Mom and Jen

Katelyn

My super strong baby!

Carathy and Arinn

Bits and Pieces

Wow, once again it's been a long time.  I figured I would post some of these pictures before they got to old!  Natalie has been learning so much.  Her signing abilities are incredible and she continuously amazes us with how much she learns just from watching for listening.  She is starting to say some words but they are not really understandable.  She is only 16 months so what can you expect!!  Her greatest love right now is for the great outdoors.  You can see how she just craves to be out there.  Every trip to Grandma and Grandpas ends up with either a walk or drive out to see the cows and it usually always ends in tears when we leave.  However she really does not like to be close when cows moo.  Spencer is a bit to hyperactive to be around her still so we really have to watch.  I am not worried that he is going to hurt her purposefully but he gets so excited to see her that he gets right up in her face and tries to play.  Tess is also another constant for of entertainment.  Natalie is learning how to deal with her and how to get rid of her as well!  She is really starting to play with 'Little People'.  I love just watching her and seeing how she puts things together in her mind.

Watching the cookies baking.  Looks like she is counting them.

Shock and awe over how they are 'growing'.

At least that is what I imagine she is thinking!!

Reading books

More books!

She loves wearing this bucket as a hat.  It is pretty adorable and fits her head just right!

This is how she puts it on.

Just being silly!  She has her daddy's dimples! 

Cutest Kid Ever!!!

I couldn't wait to post these pictures so I decided to add them before I put on the Christmas pictures.  I wanted some pictures of Natalie with snow.  The problem was....where to find it.  Luckily our front ditch was full still so we took her out there.  Another problem though, she refused to touch it or walk on it.  So we placed her in spot and took a bunch.  I am SO happy with the way they turned out!!  I hope you enjoy these few!!

Update

It's been a while since I have posted anything so I thought I would just write up a quick update!

I still havn't put any Christmas pictures onto the computer but when I do, there are some good ones for you all to see!  

Natalie has been learning so much.  One of her favourite things is to sit on everything.  It is hilarious to watch her back in and get settled!  I find her sitting on everything.  Her stuffed animals, the bongos, the cat, shoes, me, pretty much anything!  Also, she LOVES wearing a bucket as a hat.  It fits her head perfectly and she has figured out how to put it on by herself!  All of a sudden she will come walking up with it on, a big grin on her face and she is being careful to walk steady!  It ALWAYS brings a smile to my face.  She has also learned more sign language.  Her newest one is help.  This is good but yet.... means I have to go help her.  Yesterday she came up to me signing help.  So I asked 'What do you need help with?'.  She proceeded to point and lead me to the laundry room (also where we lock Tess up).  Tess was meowing and Natalie had decided it was time to let her out of her time out!  So as much as Natalie tells on Tess, she still wants her out to play with!  Natalie got her own chair for Christmas.  It is one of those little soft ones.  It is a constant fight between Natalie and the cat for the rights to sit in the chair.  Trust me, Natalie gets down right mad when the cat is in there!  She also really loves to push things.  No matter what she will try to push it around.  I'm pretty sure this is a typical toddler thing though!  She tries to push the full water jugs around.  Needless to say, unsuccessfully!  

As for Dylan and myself, we are just chugging along going with the flow of life.  Busy, busy, busy.  

That's it for now I suppose.  I don't have much else to say!