The sweetest boy... and almost 2!

Hello! Here are a few photos from Josh's phone of our new home (though always highlighting Ezra:) Our camera is still missing in action! I was hoping it would turn up by now...

Here is our little cottage (Lake Huron speak) just blocks from the lake. We have many projects that we hope to do and some have started already. The fence that you see in this photo that connects to the back of the house? Josh has already moved that to the front of the house. And those windows on the side? We would like to turn that into patio doors so that we have direct access to the yard from the house. Right now we have to go down the driveway and open a gate to access the back yard. That's just one project we hope to accomplish this summer:) We now know how home owner's feel! We see how it could be possibly never ending...But we are so grateful for this little spot and love being here.

This photo was from the day we made the offer. Thanks Becky and Jerry for taking this photo. We now have some beautiful flowers (a sweet house warming gift) on the deck. Making it ours...

There is a wonderful strawberry patch next to the house, as well as many other gardens. The entire month of June, Ezra would wake up saying "strawberries!" ("rawbees" in Ezra speak) and we would trek outside to pick a juicy bowl-full. Here I had been feeling so blessed by God with this house and seeing Ezra picking one of his favorite fruits made me realize that not only was God looking out for Josh and me by providing this home, but He also stocked it full of blessings just for Ezra. He is so good! On another note, the strawberry season is over already and it's not even July! Reminds me we are not in Minnesota anymore.

The house has also come with a piano and it's free for the taking. Anyone?

Yesterday marked a big day for a big boy. A big boy bed! We'll say bye-bye to the crib for a few months before the baby arrrives to help Ezra adjust. Last night he transitioned wonderfully and tonight he did stellar once again! What a guy.

It's hard for me to believe my baby is out of his crib...

I know I've written already about the animal farm just a few blocks away, but it really is a gem. Here is Ezra and his "hee-haw."

Sweet baby girl. She's around 2 pounds now. And moving like a busy bee. Hmmm, more like "busy truck." And as for me, I am HUGE. I am not exaggerating when I tell you that every time I'm out in public, someone comes up to me to ask when am I due and when I say October either their eyes bug out, they ask if there's two in there, or they quickly give me looks of pity (usually accompanied by comments about how long the summer is going to be for me). For example, yesterday Ezra and I were at the playground when approached by a kind looking woman. She said to me, "You are the same size as my granddaughter! She's due on the 10th. When are you due?" To which I [now] laugh and tell her not for another 3 months. Her jaw dropped, just like all the others. Sigh. I will have to slow down and even out at some point. Right?

Lots of love to you all...

Lots of exciting news...

Hello dear ones,

Well, a quick update chalk full of super news.

#1) We bought a house! After 4 months, 3 moves, 2 previous offers, and 1 giant hope to have a place of our own, we found ourselves a little cottage just 2 blocks from the beach and a great park. We could not be happier about this blessing. It wasn't without some trials along the way, but those trials have served a great purpose: we are even more grateful than ever before. Now, if we could just find the camera (it's been packed a little too well).

We moved in this weekend, so we are still amidst many, many boxes. This is due in part to the fact that I am doing an art festival here in Sarnia this weekend. Always a lot going on at once these days! We moved in, unpacked the kitchen, and the rest is on hold until Monday.

#2) We are pregnant! Just weeks after moving here we discovered a little Canadian growing in my belly. Due date: October 3rd.

#3) It's a girl! This time around we opted to find out what this little bambino is made of and it looks like sugar and spice. Spice giving me heartburn and come to think of it, sugar, too. She is a mover...at 22 weeks and around 1 pound, I have to say I'm a little (a lot) nervous about the acrobatic feats she will attempt within me when she is 6 or 7 or 8 times bigger! I'm not afraid to say that I'm scared. I am.

We'll return with pictures of Grandma and Grandpa Rude's visit (so fun!), the house, growing Ezra, growing pregnant lady, and a few more just for fun, when we find that camera.

Our love to you all, Natalie + Josh + Ezra + Baby-on-the-way

March and April 2010 Update

On the shores of the Georgian Bay

Hello to our dear friends and family! Yes, it has been too long since our last post. Hope you can forgive us! We do have lots to share, but we are down to one computer and that computer goes with Josh to work. And so when it is home, that means Josh is too, and the decision of who to spend time with is an easy one!

But here we are on a Saturday afternoon, just walking into the door after a full (or empty, depending on who you are talking to) past 30 hours. Josh and the students from Lighthouse, along with another youth group in Sarnia, took part in World Vision's 30 Hour Famine. This "international youth movement to fight world hunger" asks that participants go without food for 30 hours and in turn raise money to fight hunger. A heart and eye opening event.

So, needless to say, as lock-ins usually demand, Josh was up until the wee hours of the night. Josh and Ezra have gone down for naps and I could certainly, easily, do the same, but this equation (solitude+computer+ the fact it's earlier than 10 pm= blog)

We were blessed to have Josh's brother, Micah, and his wife Cassie, come out for their spring break. We had such a great time...during which we went up to the Bruce Peninsula. "The Bruce" as locals call it, is a peninsula of land the juts between Lake Huron and the Georgian Bay (about 5 hours north of us). At the very tip of it amazing cliffs, stone arches, beaches, and 500 miles of hiking begged to be explored. And the water! A brilliant turquoise. Though it bordered on winter camping with the snow, we managed to stay warm-ish:) and had a super time. Thanks Micah and Cassie for such a wonderful, super week.

Another adventure outside of Sarnia was to the world-class city of Toronto. We had a great, albeit tiny, getaway with Glenn, Bekah and Ella. Can't wait to go back!

More fun...Imma and Grandpa Salminen came a few weeks ago. What fun we all had! I think Ezra was in true toddler heaven. We miss you guys:) Below is a photo of Ezra and Grandpa down on the St. Clair river throwing rocks. The river divides the States from Canada and opens up into Lake Huron. It's a comforting place for me, as it is very reminiscent of the Duluth harbor. 1,000 footers floating by, flocks of gulls, crowds with the sun...

Imma and Ezra getting ready for yet another outdoor adventure. "Side, side, side!" he pleads.

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And we even took a little day trip to Niagara Falls!

Playing fort. Or "hut" as Ezra calls it.

Here's a heart-breaker.

Lots coming up for us. Josh's parents come for their first visit, Josh and I take a weekend jaunt to Calgary for Canada's Covenant Annual Meeting, we will move again into some temporary housing (until we can find something more permanent), and that's all going to happen over the next week and a half! We are busy. We are doing well. Adjusting, adventuring, loving our new friends and church. Thanks for reading. xo's

Road Trip, Friends, and February in Canada

A movie about the adventures of road trips, making new friends (Ella) and oatmeal...you won't be disappointed. You might want to click on the time (11:14) that is right below the video if it doesn't seem to be loading. Then try again.

18 Months: Introduction to Tim-Bits and MIss Ella

Finally some photos :)

Here's a picture of our fantastic house right near the lake. We have loved being here and will cherish our last few months. We are currently on the hunt for a house of our own!

It has a superior back yard for a house right in town. See that little shed? Well that reminds Ezra of Grandpa Bill's chicken coop. Whenever he catches a glimpse of it he quickly makes his famous authentic chicken noises and says's "Gampa, Chich-en." It is very endearing and makes our hearts beat a longing beat for Grandpa and his many chicken adventures.


and a picture of our new home: Lighthouse Community Church

The church has been gracious enough to loan me a room to act as studio space until we find something more permanent. It's a dream come true...a sweet little room with stained glass. Ezra likes it too.
The church rented some ice time for everyone to enjoy. Canadian hospitality at it's finest.

It just happened so fast. We had only been in the country a matter of days, and already Ezra had joined in with Canada's national obsession of hockey. Here he is in his official Olympic Canadian sweatshirt wielding a hockey stick on the ice. He looks so natural, no? "Haw-hee" was also his first new word in Canada. Prophetic? (Also note Miss Ella in the background.)


Why hello there. We are pleased to introduce you to Miss Ella. Ezra's new friend. They are the same age and seem to really like one another. Ezra is currently obsessed with saying her name. Actually with saying her whole family's name. Every night, the last thing he says before we leave his room is, "Ella, Glnnn, Be-Pa" for Ella, Glenn and Bekah. We find it hilarious and wonderful that he loves this new family so much. You'll witness more Ella action in the video to come.

Isn't this darling? Ezra and cousin Josie taking a Christmas bath together just before we left MN.


Canada's favorite coffee/doughnut shop is arguably Tim Horton's. Now I mean no offense when I compare Tim Horton's to Dunkin' Doughnuts, but the similarities aren't too far off. The only difference is that Canadians actaully love their Tim Horton's, which are on just about every corner. That's the way to tell directions here in Sarnia. "Take a right by the Tim Horton's on Colbourne..." you get the picture. So when we first arrived we were delighted to have a Timmy's right down the street. And so we went. Tim-Bits, as they are so affectionately called, are their famous doughnut holes. For Ezra it was love at first sight.

CANADA!

Well, we made it! We are officially residents (in a temporary-3-year-visa-for-now-kind-of way) of Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. We arrived to a wonderful group of people from the church and to the perfect home for our family and pets to rent until May.( If only Toivo and Mankind could foot the rent! or at least split it with us) Ooo, I realize now the danger of writing this so late. Strange and worrisome humour. Forgive me.

We feel comfortable, blessed. Sometimes overwhelmed. All that you might expect from a move of this nature. The best part is that we may rest knowing God is the master-mind behind this whole thing:) I feel a bit overwhelmed as I'm not sure where to start writing. So much has transpired over the last 30 days. I find this incredible and mind-boggling just the same. I guess I'll start with the immediate. We are without permanent cell phones and consistent internet, hence why you have not heard from us! That's also the reason you won't see any photos on this update. The photos are on my computer which won't pick up the neighbourhood's (there's another something to write about! We must integrate and begin spelling all of our favourite words, colours, etc correctly:) anyway, won't pick up the floating-around wireless. So I write from Josh's computer and wait patiently for our internet to kick in. Rumour (tee hee) has it Wednesday may be the day.

And things are well! The folks at Lighthouse Community Covenant Church here in Sarnia have been absolutely wonderful to us. They have helped us unload, unpack, furnish our temporary home, they have brought us meals, gift cards to grocery stores and coffee shops (Tim Horton's, of course, where Ezra has already had his fair share of Tim Bits...photos to come), they have shown great hospitality to us in these weeks by inviting us into their homes for meals and football games (go Vikes!- at the time I write it is 28-28 O/T in the Vikes/Saints game! There are many, many Vikings fans here. Who knew?) Oh my goodness, I hope you can bear with me writing this way. Each sentence seems to remind me of something else I want to share with everyone! Yes, thank you Lighthouse. The students have wowed us already with their genuine selves and we are humbled by their graciousness as they allow us into their lives. We look forward to getting to know them better with each day. This is going to be fun! God is very good (and contrary to popular belief, He does know what He is doing)!

For all you Ezra fans out there, he is doing wonderfully. He has really grown up this month. I don't know if it's because he has almost had to with the transition and busyness, or if it's just this season of his busy 17 month old life. He has had a few more time-outs this month, but again, we are confident this is the age for the beginnings of pushing limits and testing boundaries. I guess I do have one photo. It's of Ezra on his time out stool. Seems wrong to move to another country, finally make contact with our friends and family via our blog and only post one photo of a time out. So I'm not going to. I think I'll throw it into the mix on our next post.

We miss our friends and family. We love you more than you know. We wish we did not have to leave as fast as it felt. But we are here now and it is an adventure. We leave on Saturday for my 4th annual exhibit at the Blue Mangrove Gallery on Marco Island, Florida. Though we are still getting settled, we are looking forward to hitting the road, getting some hopeful sun, visiting dear friends and showing the oil paintings I worked hard on this fall (which are now on my website). Josh and I look forward to talking about all that has transpired in the van, which he recently updated with aqua captains chairs circa 1972 for the back seat. Who says cargo vans aren't kid friendly? Ezra has an amazing view down onto all the traffic. He made the trip from Minnesota in style if you ask me. :)

Well, the Vikings just lost. Ouch. Josh will be home soon and I must comfort my weeping man. I'm looking forward to our next post! Thanks for keeping in touch...

The Ezra Show (starring Josh's shoes)

Here's the movie that I was unable to load in the previous post.

16 Months and Countdown to Canada

Ezra on the shore of Lake Huron, Sarnia, Ontario, CANADA.

Taken from the Canadian banks of Sarnia, Ontario, this photo is of the bridge that connects Sarnia with Port Huron, MI. The bridge crosses the St. Claire River at the mouth of Lake Huron. The bridge to our new life!

We are moving to Canada. We are moving to Canada? We are moving in 3 weeks. 3 weeks???!!?!?!??! Why didn't anyone tell me? That's sort of how I feel anyway. Though we've known for a few weeks now, moving in just 3 seems like we will blink and be gone. Sigh. I've so much to process: leaving camp, another move (not cross country this time, but out of country!) leaving our families and friends, and all the newness to come, which is just too much to list at the moment. Yet we are excited amidst the chaos of my painting for an exhibit in Florida the first week of February, packing our home, saying goodbye, and celebrating the holidays. ( While I think of it, this will probably be our last post state-side.) I am even more thankful for this blog and our friends' blogs when I think about moving out of the country.
Josh will be a youth pastor at Lighthouse Community Church in Sarnia, Ontario, and this brings immense joy to both of us. This "newness" as I mentioned is a gift we are thrilled to receive. So more news to come as a new adventure begins!

In Ezra news, I've been wondering where does the time go? The 4th of December marked Ezra's 16th month of life. Just in the last few weeks he has taken a giant leap in his development...things are really clicking, linguistically. He went from about a dozen words to now a new word everyday. It's an attempt, of course, and not always that accurate, but oh for the joy and hope he has discovered in his little mouth. New and exciting words like "olive" (he's working on his L's and basically just sticks his tongue out a few times during pronouncement) are repeated at every chance he gets and it just about breaks my heart for how darling and tender it is. And I'm not sure why, but this development has my mind wrapping around the fact that my baby boy is so much more than what meets the eye. This little person is a person! One whole and fully human being, one learning boy extraordinaire. I told Josh the other day, "I've never looked at a little baby this way!" To which he raised an eyebrow and said, "Oh, really?" Of course I haven't, but what I meant was that I had no idea how smart and complete babies are. Each day they simply add to their wholeness. Their minds are growing in wisdom, sense, and ability. And it is a breathtakingly beautiful thing to witness.

Over the last month I have been taking short videos of Ezra's latest accomplishments and isms. Catching what I can, when I can, at least. My thought was to assemble them together for a cute little movie. Well, in the time being, he's gotten to the place now where we can just ask him to do something and he will vs. happening to have the camera around at the right time. So, yesterday I asked him to do a few things for our viewers and this is what we came up with: Enjoy.

"The Ezra Show, starring Josh's shoes, Toivo, too"

(video upload error, will try again soon)

And some photos:

As you saw in the movie, Toivo is one PATIENT dog. He and Ezra have a great thing going as you can see. Maybe not so great for the dog, but Ezra sure has fun!

Ezra and Mankind. Think song: "I will follow him, follow him whenever he may go.."

He is a block-stacking wonder. He even got the ball to balance!
(fine, you got me. I'll play the proud mama card on this one)


Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of our friends and family!

Phots of Ezra from Kavod Photography

Rocking photos of Ezra from the talented photo-duo of Kavod Photography.


http://kavodphotography.blogspot.com/2009/10/ezra-is-rockstar.html

14 Months comes to a Joyful Close

More fun photos!

Getting behind the wheel.
Err, on top of the wheel (while Dad isn't looking).

Here Ezra and Mankind play with the log house from Christie.

More exploration everyday. Hannah, his new favorite book? Mr. Seahorse! He loves the cellophane pages that camouflage various lurking sea creatures.

No!!! It can't be over already!
(The other morning he woke me up by ever-so-not-gently-at-all hitting me over the head with it. It's his way of saying "read me this book or else.")

Trying on all the shoes he can find. Funny how this kind of picture becomes a classic. Something all little ones attempt, it seems!

And we saved a very special photo for last. Great Grandpa Keith came to visit all the way from Florida! Ezra had so much fun with him. He would run around him while he sat in this chair, pop out from behind him and giggle.

We can't wait until we see you again at Christmas, Pa:)

14 Months (13, too)

It's been too long...and Ezra grows and talks and falls and runs and we just can't believe how his little mind is growing with such speed and insight. He is a little smarty-pants. And so much fun!! And so personable! Waving and kissing and smiling and high-fiving. Melt your heart.

Last week he climbed out of his crib and fell to the floor. Josh figures we could just flip the crib upside down. Or we swap the crib for Toivo's kennel. A big boy bed may be in the works.

He is getting 4 molars all at once. He is 30" and 24 ish lbs. He climbs everything in sight. Turn around for one second and he is on top of the tallest thing to climb in the room. He says many words. "Bamama" has finally become "banana." "Sauna" and "baby" and "dy-pa" for diaper. He will attempt any word. New cousin, Kaja? "Kaja," he says with a smile. He is a crafty wordsmith already in these young years.

Here's pics of some fun things we did to wrap up the summer...and I'm working on a little movie about his newest move: the somersault. There's some refining to do, sure, but the effort is priceless. There's a few other adorable things I'll have to sneak in there, too. Some photos in the meantime-

Sticks. Still a boy's best friend.

Superior Hiking Trail or bust.

Playing in the woods. He was enthralled.

He's a natural rock climber, of course. Oh, the look of determination.

He was like a little trucker- elbow out, leaning for a better view.

Taking a nap in the tent.

He's so good at smelling the flowers:) Darling.

Hooray for Micah and Cassie! They had the BEST wedding at Blue Water. So much fun and lots of love celebrated.

LOTS of love celebrated.