The latest

We are having a quiet Sunday afternoon and a good time to update the blog.
It has been a busy time for us and a lot has been happening.

First of all, Ted has been very, very tired lately. He began to get a tremor in his right hand which has become more severe over the last couple of months. It took a long time for him to get an appointment with a specialist. Who concluded that Ted has Parkinson's. He could tell by the various test he performed.
Ted is now taking medication for it. There are as with most medications certain side affects. The following discribes Parkinson's:

In Parkinson's, cells are destroyed in part of the brain stem - the substantia nigra, which sends out fibers to the corpus stratia, gray and white bands of tissue in both sides of the brain. Cells there release dopamine, one of three major neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) which help the body respond to stress. By the time symptoms develop, patients have lost 80 to 90 percent of their dopamine-producing cells. Symptoms include tremors, slowed movement and postural instability. Patients can experience depression, sleep disturbances, dizziness and problems with speech.

The bold are some of the symptoms Ted has manifested as well.
We would appreciate prayers.

Secondly, my (big) sister Berty in Holland had an open heart surgery. She is recovering remarkebly well. The operation took place three weeks ago. It was a very risky operation, so we are thankful she is doing so well. She has experienced a "peace that passes all understanding."
She is looking forward to us coming in January, it has given her something to look forward to.

In times of sickness there is nothing more important than the love of family. Since all of our family lives in Holland except for my brother in Ontario and me, she has experienced a lot of love.

Sisters

Listening to music together!

Last week Ted and I were looking after the girls while Jason and Yvonne took a trip out to Kansas City. I figured to surprise them I would try potty training Aila (as I have more time than Yvonne.) I tried and tried, coaching even blackmailing her!

The answer remained, no,no, no. Even a sucker did not do it.

Anneka was part of the training of course, what are big sisters for?

So finally after a few days Anneka said to Aila: "Come into the bathroom, we need to have a talk! Aila follows Anneka into the bathroom.Now Aila, you have to do what Oma says and at least try (throwing up her hands in the air) to go on this toilet (pointing at it) and Oma will give you a sucker."(and may be me too she probably was thinking!)

Well, we did not succeed!

Sorry Yvonne!

Babysitting & snow

My appreciation for young mother's has gone to a new level.
I have been babysitting the last few days.
While Anneka and Aila are a delight to have around, I was in dire need of a nap this afternoon.
Today was a perfect day to go outside to do some horsing around in the snow. From the picture you can tell we made a snow man. It was a lot of fun.

Snow, snow go away!

Taken from our livingroom window

This is what we woke up to yesterday morning. I could not go to work. A good thing I can work at least a bit from home.

It took me two hours to dig our car out to be able to drive, well sort of, out of our parking lot. I went at it again for an hour or so later on in the day. I felt tired but very proud of myself.

I did have my exercise for the day.

Healthy choices

As you know Yvonne has been on a health kick lately (good for her, her heart will love her for it!)
It is rubbing off, yes on Anneka.

Yesterday we had a Birthday Party for Evan. I showed the pictures to prove it on yesterday's blog
.
Anyways, yesterday Anneka whispered in my ears, as she does so often, when she feels I have forgotten to give her a treat or rather treats, in this case it was smarties.

We went up to the kitchen and I got out five small containers. She said: "Who are those for Oma?" I said: "Well there are five of you, Hudson, Aila, Evan, Logan and you." That all made perfect sense to her. Now besides the smarties I wanted to add a few chocolate chips and some graham Teddy Bears.

When she said: "Not for me Oma, I'll just have the smarties, I want to make some healthy choices."

This was after the homemade cinnamon buns, cheese'n crackers and Birthday cake etc.

Kids can be so cute.

Happy Birthday Evan!

Should I come out?

















I am already for the party to begin!


















Okay Evan, hurry up, there is more!


















May be I should help, it's taking forever!

Just like Opa, I can do this, yes I can!

All this partying, I am pooped!