Mitten Mission well underway!

I am so incredibly excited!!!!! My Grandma had spread the word to others in her community about our special mission to collect knit goods which I will then send to the orphanage. The buildings often are without heat, and the children are well bundled. Although where Mara-Grace was from is known as being like Eternal Spring, when we travelled (Jan.) it was still quite cold! Spring like yes, but still requiring some good bundling. Anyway, it is my little way of sending some love and warmth!

An angel by the name of Anne sent a large bag of the most gorgeous, handmade sweaters, hats, booties, mittens for our mission. I am touched by her generosity beyond words. What a walking angel! Much love and appreciation for her kindness. xo

Some Picture updates!

Spring has sprung!

Mara-Grace and I typically go to our beloved Ecomuseum once a week/year round. We love it there and I cannot help but think of the different seasons and changes we witness there and also in how WE are when we are there! I used to take Mara in her stroller, through the snow, ice etc... and then came the little sled. Now, Mara can make the entire visit on foot! It is quite a walk and she loves every minute of it. She calls all of the animals there her friends.

Over the winter, we noticed that sadly, our friend, "Mr. Lynx" passed away due to old age. He was one of our favorites and he is missed dearly. Actually, Mara remembers him daily in her bedtime prayers.

Anyway, we have missed many of "our friends" this winter as they are either huddled up and out of view or hibernating.

A lovely surprise greeted us this week on our visit. It was very clear that Spring had indeed Sprung! With the warm sunshine of Spring came our friends the racoons (all 5!), the porcupines were out and about eating their apples, and when we first arrived we were told that they are going to open the doors and see if the bears come out at 11 Am! Needless to say, we stayed until 11 and waited (along with the local newspaper crews). Sure enough, at 11 AM they opened their doors and out came 2 of the 3 bears. The Mama came slowly behind. They were curious and happy to be out in the sunshine and I swear, one looked right at us as if to say, "Hello, it has been awhile". Mara-Grace immediately waved at her and blew her a kiss.

Ahhh Spring!!!!!!!

xo Jen

P.S. On a side note, Froggy is STILL Froggy. When introduced to the parents of Tori's friend this week, when asked what her name is, she replied, "Froggy!". Also, she occasionally lays frog eggs and jumps on lily pads (her floating facecloth in the bath tub, or a pillow in her room). Hmmmmm

Spring is coming!

We have all been enjoying the early glimpses of Spring. Victoria has been wearing her new Spring coat any chance she gets! Mara-Grace has made excellent use of her splash pants and I bought a second pair of rubber boots this morning for her. I promised her that when it warms up a little more, we will get dressed for it and go jumping in every puddle we can find. It really is such fun!

Lately, we have all been thinking and talking a great deal about Hannah Faith. Let's hope we soon have some news...

Some funny little things Mara-Grace has said lately:

-while walking home from the park with me, some boys were playing street hockey and as she is walking, balancing on the curb she says, " Who is making all that racket?!". :))

-She pronounces rabbits like Rabby. "This is such a cute l'il rabby"...

-One of her many bedtime routine rituals is that after she helps Ick (racoon) 'climb' (sounds like clam) into her bed, she then climbs on and goes to the bottom. While standing there, she counts, usually to 6 and then says , "Blast ON!". Indeed! After blasting on, she springs with a huge jump to the other end of her bed, onto her pillow.

I suppose I should blast on now and get some work done while Mara-Grace naps. We are going to decorate when she gets up for Easter! Whoohoooo!!!!!

xoxo Jen

Little updates....

I only have a few minutes to type, but wanted to write a quick little update.

Thankfully, my Gran is home from the hospital! She has a ways to go, but is doing quite well. So happy that she is home...

Victoria is on March break and having a great one! She went shopping today with two of her close friends.

Kev is working from home today as we had a drain back up into our basement and were waiting on the city.... Long story short, they will have to open up our front lawn in April and replace some of the pipes. ChaChing! It will be a good thing to have fixed once and for all though....

Mara-Grace (Still Froggy) is in the WHY stage lately. She talks NON stop and although at times I find myself in a bit of a blur trying to concentrate and answer her VERY MANY questions, it is truly music to my ears to hear her little voice. She is very curious about everything and everyone! Today she is on a Hannah Faith mission. She talks constantly about her little sister in China and when she will come home. Today she pointed out about 30 things in her room and mentioned that we will need to have this and that for Hannah, and then she said, "I will share my Ick (her favorite stuffy-racoon) with Hannah." She seems eager to share with her sister and she is very excited to get some news of her little sister.

Supper time!!!!!! Lots of love,

xo J

As I look out my window I see two Cardinal birds in my backyard (I am getting more and more like my dad every day:) and snow softly falling. It makes me think of that Sarah McLachlan song.... "Song for a Winter's night"

Things here have been a little slow. We have all had some type of flu. Fever, aches, cough, cold. Lovely..... Thankfully we are all well on the mend. Both girls are A-Ok now. Kevin and I are getting over the cough gradually.

My poor Gran has been in the hospital for the last week due to fluid on her lungs. They are doing all they can to help clear that.... Please keep her in your thoughts/prayers. May she soon be well and home again!!!

Tonight is Oscar Night!!!!! Whooohooooo! We have made our picks and Tori and I will be all set up on the couch for a girls night. I LOVE watching the Academy Awards!

Sorry this is such a short post. Btw, please check out my new captions on the right (mitten mission & wishes needed). xoxoxox