A Beautiful Journey

A New Vatcher Enters the World!

2009-02-27T14:50:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Gord and Kathy on the birth of beautiful baby Jake, born today! Here he is just minutes old.
These pictures are for Grandmaman who is in Ecuador!

Compassion Benefit Concert...Tickets go on sale Today!

2009-02-27T06:40:00.001-08:00

New SpringWidget

2009-02-23T14:19:00.001-08:00

Get this widget!

2009-02-13T11:39:00.000-08:00

I came across this Beautiful Picture of Adoption today at http://abbafund.wordpress.com/

Adoption as a Picture of the Church

Adoption is a beautiful picture of the Gospel.

It is also a beautiful picture of the Church.

Those who were once separated and having no claim to relationship are now made family.

Those who apart from adoption would have little in common now share the same heritage and together are creating a new one.

Those who the world would make enemies are now fathers and sons.

Those who would be separated not only by geography but historic prejudice are now brothers and sisters.

Those who would be indifferent to one another at best are bound by indescribable love.

Read Ephesians 2:14-21

We’re Expecting but...

2009-02-08T21:29:00.001-08:00

...I am not pregnant!

We are embarking on a beautiful journey to adopt a child. We have always wanted a large family, and at this point feel that God is calling us to love a child who needs a family! We are not exactly how things will work out, but that is okay, because God takes care of the details. I am not worried. Many of you may be wondering why...and part of me simply wants to say why not? ...we are blessed beyond belief and have love to share, so why not share it. Our child will come from Ethiopia, as we feel led to East Africa..."Nowhere on this planet do more helpless orphans exist then on the continent of Africa." (http://www.choicesadoption.ca/) A place where 1/10 children die before they are one, where 1/6 children will die before their 5th birthday...simply put we've been led.

We have begun the very lengthy process...I will post a list in the future about all they require, but man is it LONG. We've had medicals, fingerprinting, intervention checks, and are collecting a bible sized book of documents (Dossier)...we've been asked questions that we haven't even asked ourselves before, and a social worker is writing a report about us that will take her between 10-14 hours to write. I couldn't even write that much about me!! We have applied to the agency in AB- Adoption by Choice, and our coordinating agency is Imagine Adoption.

While I am not completely sure how long all of this will take- I've been told it can be anywhere from 9-24 months and basically involves a lot of waiting! So our home study is almost complete, and we hope to have it translated and sent to Ethiopia by mid-March with our Dossier. We then wait for a match proposal of a child, which is a picture, and maybe 1 page of 'sketchy' information that is looked at by a special doctor in Calgary to help us evaluate what they may or may not be telling us. We can choose to accept or decline the child depending on what info we have- what a difficult decision when that day comes. J ...Then if we accept, it then must go to court in Ethiopia- which may take up to three court days-basically waiting. Then there is more waiting for citizenship stuff, and travel dates. I think it will be a lesson in patience.

Now I know many of you are wondering what type of child this will be...well, we are putting in a request to have a child, any gender between 0-15 months...and I guess we will see!

Well that is it in a very short nutshell. If you are a praying person, please join us in prayer for this journey. I find myself torn at times at how to pray for our future child, and his or her family...because someone is going to be giving up a beautiful child for us...we don't know circumstance but there is an obvious loss. My heart breaks just thinking about it...but God is in control, and I am sooo thankful for that!

It is only fitting that we post this 'around' Annbelle's first birthday- because we announced our pregnancy with her at Adam's first birthday. Our precious little girl is one!!!! She is crawling up a storm, and I just love watching her little tush wiggle as she crawls away. She has started pulling herself up to standing, and took a nasty fall 10 minutes before our first meeting with the social worker two weeks ago. I have never seen such a large goose egg before. Thankfully the SW looked pass the goose egg.

Thanks everyone! Feel free to email us if you have questions! Love Rick and Sonya...Adam and Annabelle

More Scrapbooking

2008-07-24T15:28:00.000-07:00

It seems our life is set to scrapbooking pages... This month Adam turned 2!! We had a great birthday party for him, with trains and everything.

This was his birthday last year! A lot has changed since then.

At 20 months...he can drive anyone bananas!

These are our simple days!

Scrapbooking...

2008-04-13T20:39:00.000-07:00

When I have a moment, I love to scrapbook. I am currently taking another Jessica Sprague class and LOVE it. I am learning some new techniques for photoshop, and it makes me super excited. Here are a few of the layouts I have been working on... hopefully more to come soon too.

If you leave a toddler alone...

2008-03-06T20:53:00.000-08:00

If you leave a toddler alone- even for just a second, he will find SOMETHING to get into. I ran upstairs to get Annabelle and sure enough, Adam finds ALL the bananas and proceeds to line them up on the stairs. After playing with them, he of course wants to eat one... NOW!

Annabelle is already one month old...crazy how time flies. She is already 9 lbs...and is sleeping pretty good most nights. Definately an easier baby than Adam. Thank the Lord! We are all doing really well and Adam likes to kiss his 'baby' sometimes. Most of the time he is too busy to notice her until she makes a noise- which isn't very often.

Moja Moja 2008

2008-02-22T06:49:00.001-08:00

The time is coming near for our annual Compassion Concert. I am SOOOO excited about this year because all proceeds go to Compassion's Child Survival Project- a relatively new program that Compassion is implementing in all the countries it is invovled with. Essentially it is a prenatal program for moms and their unborn children- a way to target the most vulnerable before they enter the child sponsorship program.

Each year, 132 million babies are born and begin the journey of early childhood. Tragically, too many of these children are lost along the way -- precious little ones who do not receive the nutrition, care, protection and learning opportunities necessary to survive and thrive.
Compassion's Child Survival Program, run by our existing Christian church partners around the world, reaches out to young, vulnerable children to save their lives and set them on the path toward healthy development.

SO PLEASE come to our Concert and help our cause- it will be another great program!

It's A GIRL!

2008-02-07T14:34:00.000-08:00

After a long labour- our little bundle of joy entered the world at 12:21 pm - Jan. 30th, 2008. A mere 6 lbs 15 oz, and 20.5 inches long. Being two weeks early, she entered strong and healthy...so we present to you Annabelle Rose Marie Friesen.

Born on Great Grandma Olivier's Birthday, and named after her- Rose!

We are happy she is here, and are waiting for our other friends to enter the world too- We have 5 friends due the beginning of February!

Adam loves Santa, Ultrasound and more!

2007-12-12T08:27:00.000-08:00

Ultrasound pictures are from September...so baby is much bigger now! Any ideas on if it is a boy or a girl?

We Love December!

2007-12-05T15:28:00.001-08:00

Here is a calendar page I created for our new 2008 Calendar...It features Adam in his wonderful snow suit, which he is not too fond of.

We bought him a sled and took him around the block.

I must say...his cheeks sure are cute!

Scrappin Away...Adam of Course!

2007-11-06T15:20:00.000-08:00

Two Layouts from my Jessica Sprague Photoshop class...

1. "Dog Tackle" - Adam chasing and tackling the puppies so he can play with them.

2. "Remote Thief"- I scrapped this one because Adam is constantly stealing the remote. When he spots an unattended remote he will drop what he is doing and make a beeline for it. Many times he is sucessful and he dashes away.

This is our Family!

2007-11-01T06:30:00.000-07:00

I was looking through Rick's baby album and stumbled on this photo of him as a toddler with his dad, and totally understood why Rick is so great with Adam. . . it runs in the family! Some of my favourite moments of the day are watching those two play together...laughing...wrestling...chasing each other. It is amazing to watch!

I just had to document the similarities of the two photos, it is really quite neat! And aren't they just adorable!

I told you I was addicted..

2007-10-30T08:05:00.000-07:00

30 Minute Challenge

2007-10-28T20:30:00.000-07:00

So- my class asked me to do a 30 minute scrap challenge...from picture to page. It took a bit longer...a woman has to stop for supper, diaper changes, bed time, and of course downloading the 100s of pictures I took to get the perfect 1.! LOL!

So here it is:

Papers from the "Carnival Kit" at Sweet Shoppe Designs

Overlay by K. Pertiet- "flourished overlays" at Designer Digitals

and inspiration of the LO was from Jessica Sprague...just the most amazing scrapper around!

I'm in LOVE...

2007-10-26T10:17:00.000-07:00

I'm in LOVE with Photoshop...(and my husband & son (of course))...but photoshop is AMAZING! The applications are limitless.

So- here is the last page to my 28 page Hawaii Scrapbook. It is being uploaded to Shutterfly as I type. I am so excited to see it printed and have it in my hands.

This page is Adam on Vacation...I used 24 photos of him to document just how darn cute he was..and is. This darn cute kid is GROWING so fast...i pulled out a shirt out of his drawer today that he wore in the summer and in Hawaii...and it doesn't fit him anymore. He is wearing 18-24 month clothing....yikes!

My Wandering Son!

2007-10-24T21:25:00.000-07:00

I dedicate this page to my son who loves to wander away from me...as soon as his feet hit the ground...he's gone! Today at the park, he ran away. He always seems like he is on a mission. What a silly boy!

Digital Scrapbooking GALORE!

2007-10-22T15:32:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I have been working on tutorials from magazines, and am on course #2 with Jessica Sprague- "Now we're Running with Photoshop" and am absolutely loving it! Here are two layouts I made. The red one was before the class...and the greenish blue one is the layout from the class. Neat eh? I have soooo many ideas running through my head, and just want to scrap away...unfortunately, I must go change a stinky diaper now!

It's been a while...

2007-10-21T08:44:00.000-07:00

WOW, time has flown this fall. I am completely oblivious to the clock as it ticks, and the only thing letting me know that time is actually passing is my belly growing each day. Apparently I have 111 days until February 10th...the due date of this next beautiful babe. To answer any of the ongoing questions pregnant ladies get...no we are not finding out the sex of this child, I am not sure if i am having a c-section again, Adam and the baby will be 19 months apart...and yes, thank you I am feeling GREAT!
I think that sums it up!
As the time flies by, Adam and I enjoy numerous activities throughout the week, whether it is play dates at the park, before the weather turns nasty, or going to the pool. We have a wonderful pool on the West Side of town, that Adam can run around in. He is getting mighty fast, and my belly is starting to get in the way of chasing him. Thankfully, he doesn't get upset if he accidentally goes under. Don't worry folks, i am an ex-lifeguard!
Adam's new bedroom is coming along...his bed is set up, and he has a neat storage unit from Ikea. Grandmaman made him a beautiful quilt and it is on his bed. I am still debating when to put him in the room...there are soooo many opinions out there.
Here are a few pictures of our fall season... Adam is growing and active, and everyday amazes us with his intelligence.

More Scrapbooking!

2007-09-12T19:23:00.000-07:00

Okay, I think I am officially addicted. Is there a support group for this? Here are some more pages I have created. I am lucky to have such a great subject piece to scrapbook!

Layout

1) Tiki Boy paper by A. Victoria at Designer Digitals.

2) Groovy Boy paper by M.Teraswa at Designer Digitals.

3) Tiki Boy Paper by A. Victoria at Designer Digitals. Layout by ?

4)Groovy Boy paper by M.Teraswa at Designer Digitals.

5) Tiki Boy paper by A. Victoria- Layout by Jessica Sprague.

I love Digital Scrapbooking!

2007-08-28T19:11:00.000-07:00

Well, most of you know how I LOVE digital scrapbooking. I am taking a class online, and it is so much fun... check out Jessicasprague.com if you want help with your digital scrapbooking.

These are a few of my new pages...I am getting ahead of myself because I still have ONE page to finish for Adam's First Year Book.

Adam's First Birthday!

2007-07-20T07:40:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful birthday party for Adam- it was nice to be surrounded by our family and good friends as we reflected on what a wonderful year this past year has been with Adam in our lives. He is such a wonderful light- and Rick and I often just reflect on what a blessing he has been in our lives! We are so thankful to the Lord for bringing him into our lives- and cannot imagine him not here!

He has grown into a very silly, independent and talkative boy- by silly i mean- he is trying to bite my toe as I write, and when I hide them and say No- he runs around the room screaming- then laughing. Very Goofy!

He loves food- he loves pointing and looking for things, and absolutely loves when Windows (on the computer) boots up and makes noise. He hates getting dressed and having diaper changes. He will roll, scream and wrestle when I try change his diaper- and a few times I am left cleaning up a mess because he was just too quick for me! But even this is part of the whole experience!

So here are a few party pictures for you to enjoy!

The highlight of the party was when Adam put on his new t-shirt and walked into the living room- announcing that in February he is going to be a BIG BROTHER! So much fun!

If you go out in the woods today you're in for a big surprise!

2007-07-14T14:34:00.000-07:00

With the nice summer weather, it is hard to resist the lure of Waterton Lakes National Park. My mother, Cheryl, Lydia, Adam and I decided it was time for a hike in the park. Wall Lake would be a prefect destination for a hike with Adam on one of our backs. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining, there was no wind and the temperature was perfect. We started our hike with happy hearts, but that didn't last long. My mother had Adam on her back and was hiking about 3 m in front of the rest of us, and as we were coming around the corner a big mama bear was grazing the bushes on the right with her cub. My mother, who loves bears, however, did not notice these bears, as she was wearing a big sun hat, and she was watching her step below. Not to mention Adam was babbling in her ear. I notice this bear first, and yell... "MOOOOOMMMMMM", "MOOOOOMMMMMM" "BEAR! BEAR! BEAR!... Come Back you have my Son!" It took her a bit to hear this, and when she finally did- becuase it felt like years, she backed up . Meanwhile, Cheryl and Lydia are staring with their mouthes open... "yell at them" I said. The bears take off into the bushes, and we start, very quickly back down the trail! We look back to see the bears wandering on the trail, now to the left side of the trail, and we see now that there are TWO cubs. CRAZY! So, we make the very easy decision to go back down to townsite. As we do, we notice the weather just suddendly turned nasty- windy, cold, and very cloudly. Maybe we just weren't supposed to hike that day!
So if you are out for a hike, remember the Teddy Bear's may be having a picnic!

A Few things I love...

2007-06-22T15:15:00.000-07:00

So, life has been a little hectic at our house, now that Adam is crawling and cruising all over the place. He just recently started taking steps on his own, and very proudly walks around the room. He is up to about twenty steps now, and absolutely loves to chase the dogs, and run into the couch. This explains the lack of new posts on the blog...but really who has much time in life anyhow!

A Few Things I love...besides Rick and Adam...
1) On STAR! - On Star saved me from being stuck at Home Depot with Adam! I locked my keys in the truck right by Adam's seat, and was stuck holding him there on one of the windiest days of the year. Thankfully, I had my cell phone and called Rick, who then called On Star because I didn't have the number, and they remotely opened the truck in a matter of three minutes. HOW cool is that?? Cheryl probably wished we had this eight years ago when we were in downtown Calgary!!!

2)My Chariot! This stroller/bike trailer is amazing...not only is it equipped with shocks, but also a screen to keep the bugs out. Adam is enjoying it and we actually took our first bike ride today to Henderson and had a wonderful time. Gets us out of the house to get some exercise! Well worth the money spent.

3) Safety First Cabinet Locks...these things are amazing at keeping Adam out of the cupboards. They are magnetic so he can't even open them a bit and get his fingers caught. I wish i invented them!

I think that is it for now...just a few things that have made life as a parent pleasurable- that is everything besides my wonderful, cute little boy!

Ten Months Old!

2007-06-04T12:44:00.000-07:00

Okay, so it has been a while since I have posted a scrapbooked page, so here is Adam's 9 and 10 month ones. I just recently switched over to Photoshop CS3 and I absolutely love it. I have found so many tutorials- Jessica Sprague has amazing ones...and am slowly discovering just how GREAT digital scrapbooking is. I almost think these pages are boring because there is just SO much that can be done. Again, these pages are from Anna Aspens "Baby Daze." Only a few more pages to go and Adam's first scrapbook will be finished and he will be ONE! YIKES!

Hawaii 2007

2007-05-21T18:36:00.000-07:00

We took Adam on his first exotic vacation...well maybe not that exotic, but still nice. Adam enjoyed the wonderful island of Oahu in Hawaii. We went for 10 days, and did everything his little heart desired...even let him swim naked in the ocean. It was a wonderful time. My boys took good care of me, and treated me wonderfully on my birthday and on mother's day. And on Mother's Day we sat on the beach! For my birthday they took me to Pearl Harbor, and the USS Missouri...perfect for me because I love WWII history. The USS Missouri was the last battleship ever to be retired, and it was also the location of the Japanese surrender in WWII. Interestingly enough, Canada signed on the wrong line...I'm sure fellow soldiers weren't too proud about that. Other wonderful things we did was go to Kuola Ranch...it is a 4000 acre ranch that is used to film movies, and TV series such as LOST. We were actually on the hill where Hurley golfed. To our surprise, it was right across from the famous Jurrasic Park log, and Godzillas foot print. It was a beautiful place, and Adam travelled so very well. People who travelled beside us said he was a pleasure to sit beside. WOW...i sure hope i can say that in 5 years.

On the Catamaran right by the beach where LOST is filmed!

Adam playing in his birthday suit...yes sand was everywhere!

Adam in Godzilla's footprint! Well, they actually had to fill in the print because it was 8 feet deep and the cattle kept falling in.

Tasting the sand...not so yummy.

At Pile lookout in the wind.

On the USS Missouri in the very hot sun.

Family picture...with Diamond Head in the background.

Happy Birthday Cheryl!

2007-05-01T11:49:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to the most wonderful friend ever. Cheryl, you are amazing and such a blessing! I am soooo thankful for for your friendship. I hope you have a wonderful birthday, and I send you hugs and kisses from Adam.

9 Months old!

2007-04-18T10:07:00.000-07:00

Adam is officially as old as it took to create him in my belly! Wow how time flies! He is strong and healthy...although a bit on the small, skinny side- must get that from his father. He loves to explore new things, but is really leery of people he doesn't know. He came to the ladies' retreat with me, and WOULD NOT go to anyone. So it made the retreat a bit tough, as I had to do my coordinator duties while toting a happy 18 lbs baby around. He loves being with me and I currently cannot leave the room without hauling him with me. Just last week mom and I went to the mall and he didn't want to stay in the stroller, he just kept screaming and looking back at me- i almost thought he was going to break his neck! Crazy KID!
Despite all his quarks...and still lack of sleep because of five teeth coming in at once- we Love him more and more each day.

Adam loves to play with Toby & Shadow!

Moley, Moley, Moley

This photo captures Adam's sheer excitement for Tupperware!

New Business, New Favorite TV show, Retreat

2007-04-12T20:59:00.000-07:00

So if you haven't heard already, this is my official announcement. I am starting a business called Butterfly Kiss Designs. I will graphically design custom photo announcements- birth, wedding, save the date, chocolate bar wrappers... things like that. So if anyone is interested, I am building my portfolio and am offering a free service until the May 15. Website details to follow later.

On the baby note...the new best show is "Notes from the Underbelly"- it is hilarious!!!! A couple is trying to get pregnant...another is pregnant....stories of men being exhausted, women consumed with thoughts of baby bliss. For example a woman is trying for an hour to put on a baby sling with a doll to test it out- it brings back memories of me trying to work out my baby sling. If you haven't seen it, you are REALLY missing out- although you might not understand unless you have had a child.

The Retreat is on tomorrow- so Rick is being left home alone, as Adam and I join 70 other women at SABC. It should be good, and I am truly looking forward to it. Rick is probably going to feel lonely, as Adam will not be filling the house with his new screaching noise. He is almost crawling...but might be in this stage for a little while, because right now he is going backwards. Crazy boy... and such an incredible blessing.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

2007-04-05T14:11:00.000-07:00

To my SUPER DUPER DADDY!

I wish you a very happy birthday... and thank you for all the wonderful things you do with me...playing with the computers, and with my puppies. and for making me giggle all the time.

I love you very much... and mommy does too! You're the BEST!

Love Cheeks!

Happy Birthday Nathan!

2007-03-28T09:41:00.000-07:00

I'm Not Abnormal- Thank Goodness!

2007-03-21T20:36:00.000-07:00

You Are 8% Abnormal

You are at low risk for being a psychopath. It is unlikely that you have no soul.

You are at low risk for having a borderline personality. It is unlikely that you are a chaotic mess.

You are at low risk for having a narcissistic personality. It is unlikely that you are in love with your own reflection.

You are at low risk for having a social phobia. It is unlikely that you feel most comfortable in your mom's basement.

You are at low risk for obsessive compulsive disorder. It is unlikely that you are addicted to hand sanitizer.

How Abnormal Are You?

A Huge Success!

2007-03-19T20:18:00.000-07:00

Well the Concert was a huge success! All of our hard work paid off again. The second annual Moja Moja Concert was great...better than last year! We were able to raise over $15,000 for Compassion's HIV/AIDS Initiative for Africa, and also had almost 40 children sponsored in the last two weekends! God is great! So many lives changed. Here are a few pictures from the weekend which featured Soul Influence...an a Capella group from Africa (but live in Canada now) They were amazing!!!! Also performed- LCI Singers, U of L Steel Band, U of L African Dance & Drum Ensemble, and E Free Praise Choir. They all did a WONDERFUL Job.
Also, a great aspect of this year's concert was having the president of Compassion Canada there. He spoke and very eloquently told everyone why they should sponsor a child. For more info on Compassion visit their website... you won't be sorry. http://www.compassion.ca/
And if anyone is interested in sponsoring a child...let me know!

They Are Finally Engaged

2007-03-11T13:30:00.000-07:00

Nathan and Ashley are engaged!!! We are super happy for them... Nathan did a great job of surprising Ashley. Congrats you two!

Birthday Wishings...and the count down Begins

2007-03-06T06:46:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday to a very special gal- ASHLEY!

Looking forward to the day of when she will be called 'sister' instead of Nathan's girlfriend!

Hope you have a GREAT day!

And the count down begins... Only FOUR days until the concert, the one we've been planning for for over a year. Please pray that we sell all our tickets, because each ticket is a changed life as it all goes to support Compassion's HIV/AIDS Initiative Project in Africa.

I'm so excited!!!!

Saving the Planet- one little step at a time

2007-02-26T08:32:00.000-08:00

Recently my mother asked me what I was doing to save the planet- I wasn't able to answer. So since that conversation I have been thinking... here is my list:
1)I don't get a newspaper- I steal my parents, therefore saving the Herald from printing one more.

2) We use low flow toilets...does the fact that they are electric nullify this?

3) I just recently switched to using a permanent coffee filter- this helps save on the trees it requires to make bleached coffee filters. I have discovered I like brewing my java this way, as it makes it stronger without having to use so much grinds.

4) We fertilize our lawn with chopped up doggy do.

5) When I go to Costco, I use the same shopping bags over and over again. They are made out of recycled stuff!!!

6) Sometimes I leave Adam's diaper on a bit longer than normal- he isn't prone to diaper rashes, so don't worry - he isn't suffering. Cloth diapers- don't even ask!

As you can see, I think I need some help- got suggestions??? You must really think them through because Rick has answer for everything.

It's the End of the Month

2007-02-25T20:09:00.000-08:00

It's the end of the month and I realized I haven't taken my quota of pictures this month... so I sat Adam down-in his birthday suit and snapped away. He was very good about it- but he must of been thinking 'why am i sitting in the basement buck naked as this crazy woman shoots a thousand pictures of me??"

I love to take pictures, and buying our digital camera was the best investment this family has made. So, here is what you have all been waiting for...which one should be submitted for the Hot Babe Calendar?

Scrappin Away

2007-02-24T14:23:00.000-08:00

I love digital scrapbooking...it is a new found love. No mess, no hassel, just plain fun. Here are the recent pages I have made out of Adam's pictures- they come as templates from Baby Daze- designerdigital.com LOVE that place.

Future Mr. Right

2007-02-24T14:05:00.000-08:00

Shirts for children have come a long way... it seems anything goes...brat...diva...go ask your mother...straight pride...etc. So when I came accross this one, I had to buy it. I hope it makes him laugh when he is older because I know I will have to pull it out when he is planning his wedding.

Why Random Babblings?

2007-02-19T15:21:00.000-08:00

If you have a child, or have ever listened to a child learn a new sound- you will understand babbling! They take a new sound, such as ba, and repeat it over and over and over and over again. Adam loves to babble! At 7 months old he is a talker, and his talking increases as soon as he has a ring or toy in his mouth. Pictures to come later. So, Adam has inspired me to write the random babbling blog. I must confess that this blog may be centred around him, as any new mother knows... the baby rules the world. I will try to deviate from this norm sometimes- but I don't know how often this will occur.