Happy Birthday, Joash!

Well, we had a lot of fun celebrating Joash's birthday! It was so fun this year because he really got the idea of a birthday. This was his special day, his time to shine. The day started out with Joash waking up (early, of course) to find the kitchen all decorated and a balloon on his chair. We looked at the e-card sent from Iowa and opened a card from California. Oma and Opa came over for coffee and cake and of course there were presents. During coffee time there were phone calls from Joash from California and Uganda. And in the mail there was a card from Halifax and Michigan

The requested "farm cake." I was glad he wanted a chocolate cake because then I had some "dirt" for the field and drive way. The barn is cake, too.

After lunch, the family headed to the pool for an afternoon swim, which was lots of fun. Joash is getting more independent in the pool and even went down the water slide with Wilbert. Mataya enjoyed hanging out in the toddler pool, which is nice warm. Then we came home and gave Joash the presents from us.

Wooden round bales, a combine (with two headers!) and some books.

Then we had a supper of pancakes, bacon and eggs, one of Joash's favourite meals. After supper there was a Skype call from Michigan and then an rather early bed time.

The celebrations continued today with a Skype call from Grandma and Grandpa in Michigan. They got to watch Joash open the gifts they had sent, which was really fun. He loves being 3!

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A Perspective

I have already mentioned my "Word of the Day" screen saver that I have on my laptop that is hooked up to the projector in my room. I am learning that the words go in cycles a bit, so the same word will pop up in several classes during the day. Today's popular word was "entitlement." A fantastic word to share with teenagers who often think they are entitled to a whole lot of stuff. In fact, we as humans often think we are entitled to a whole lot of stuff when really we are fallen people who deserve nothing but death. We so often miss how wonderful and blessed our life really is and we get caught up on the little things. This video sort of puts that in perspective in a rather humorous way. I am by no means promoting this comedian, but if you take what he says to heart, it is so true. We live in an amazing world, created by an amazing God. We really should be happy with the blessing we have been given.

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The Talens' Tales

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