The Talens' Tales

This picture sort of sums up our recent trip to Michigan for Christmas. Lots of time in the airport. Lots of time waiting. Lots of time in the car. But looking back, even though out travels out to Michigan didn't go as planned, we can see how God was working though it all to make it as good of an experience as possible for us. We actually made it to my parents house only 9 hours later than we were supposed too and considering the circumstances, that is pretty amazing in and of itself. We were supposed to leave for Michigan on Monday, December 23 from Halifax at 7:00am. We had planned to leave our house at around 1 in the morning and just drive it and get there by 5 to check in for our flight. We could not leave the day before because Wilbert was directing the church choir for the Candlelight service which was to take place that Sunday evening. Well all week leading up this, they had been predicting pretty awful weather for Sunday. Saturday we had rain and there was freezing rai...

 Mom: Hey Mataya! You are 7 months old! M(ataya): Yes Mom! I am getting to be pretty big. Mom: You certainly are. What big things are doing lately? M: I am starting to sit up a bit, but I still prefer to be on my tummy. That way I can scoot around and get  into things. I like to eat and I will eat anything, especially paper. I like the challenge of finding the tiniest bit of paper of on the floor and then trying to eat them before you catch me. I also enjoy chewing on the cloth you use to wipe my face after I eat for a while. Cloths are very tasty. Mom: I am glad that you are such a content girl. It is so nice that you will just sit in your chair for a while after you eat. It helps Mom get some things done around meal times. How is sleep going? M: I think it is good. I like to have nap for about an hour in the morning and then another hour and a half in the afternoon. And I sleep well at night, too. Mom: You do sleep well at night and go down to sleep pretty ...

December is always a bit of crazy month. I have been busy trying to get my Christmas cards out lately because our family pictures finally came in. They all turned out so nice. Unfortunately, they are all such large files that they are not loading well into Blogger. So, you will just have to wait until you actually get a Christmas card from us! Everyone is getting very excited for our trip to the States for Christmas. Joash enjoys taking a link off of the paper chain every day. Joash is becoming quite the funny kid. Here are a few of my favorite recent quotes. Wilbert (heading out the door to work on something at the farm):We will see how far I get. Joash (to me): Why is daddy meeting us at Target? Joash (when I got him up for the day yesterday): Last night I dreamed about eggnog! (Wilbert has introduced him to eggnog and he loves it!) Another fun thing that we just did last night was reconnect with a friend of mine from Dordt who is getting ready to move his whole family to ...

Growing up in the 1960’s was tumultuous time. And that word perfectly describes Jocie Brookes life. Will she be able to navigate these treacherous waters and find the hope in love and forgiveness? Orchard of Hope by Ann H Gabhart is set in the small southern town of Hollyhill. Jocie literally runs into the Noah, son of a new family that has moved into town and quickly befriends the family, despite their colour difference. A racial divide in the town quickly forms and Jocie finds herself being ripped apart by is. Jocie begins to question why God would allow such things to happen and if there is anything she can do to help save her small town. I will admit that I am on the fence about this book. While I did certainly enjoy reading it and really could not put it down at the end, I am left feeling a little underwhelmed by the whole thing. Maybe things would be different if I had read the first book in the series. But, even so, I guess I think things turned out a little too perf...

Whoa! December, where did you come from? Well, yes, here we are again. It has been a while since a post has been made, but I am trying to squeeze one in here before the kids wake up from naps. A quick update. Mataya is doing awesome and growing like a weed. At her last doctor check up she weighed in at 16 lb 2 oz and has jumped back on her growth curve. And she is trying to sit up, but still prefers being on her tummy for most of the time and scooting and spinning around.   And since it is December, we are getting ready for Christmas. Joash is so  excited for Christmas this year, which makes it fun for everyone. We put up the Christmas tree yesterday, which was a big hit. I think today after nap time we are going to make a paper chain to help us count down the days until we get to travel to Michigan. Joash thinks this is happening a lot sooner than it really is, so I hope this visual will help him out a bit.

Faith.  Jesus said that if we have faith as small as mustard seed, we can move mountains. What would the world be like if we really believed that? That is the question that is explored in Blessed Child. In Ted Dekkers’s latest novel Blessed Child we meet a boy named Caleb who has been raised by a priest in a remote monastery in Ethiopia. When forces larger then themselves collide, Caleb is forced to leave the monastery and travel with relief worker and a Red Cross nurse to the United States. His rescuers quickly learn that he is no ordinary boy. When his extraordinary and supernatural power to heal is revealed to the world, everyone takes notice, including those who want this boy dead. Will those closest to Caleb find the faith they need to protect this child? This was a really interesting read. While at times I thought the story was a bit far-fetched and dragged on, the biggest thing that hit me was the challenge it laid out to my own faith. Am I “walking in the kingdom...

A little video of some super cuteness for your Friday! Enjoy!

Mom: Mataya! You are 6 months old already! The time went so fast and we have been just a bit busy, so that is why this interview is a few days late. M(ataya): That is okay mom. I had fun with Oma and Opa while you were selling books at the craft fair last weekend. Mom: I know. I am glad that you were a happy girl. So what is new for you? M: Oh, you know, pretty much everything. New foods, which are really yummy. New toys and things to explore with my mouth and hands. I especially like these two fingers... Mom: I know. You have them in your mouth quite often. How else do you stay busy. M: Well, I love to play, roll and scoot around to get toys, tiny pieces of paper on the ground and my brother. I love my brother. And my Dad. And you, Mom. Mom: I know, Mataya. You always look so happy when you see us. What are your favourite toys? M: I really like anything especially if it makes a crinkly noise. I also really like music and wiggling around to different songs. And I like...

Well, if feels like fall is coming to a close. It is time to get out the winter gear.  We have even had a bit of snow. Enough even that Joash and Wilbert made the firs snowman of the season. I didn't get a picture of it, but Joash was so excited to play in the snow. In other news, Mataya has started cereal and she loves it! And a little funny story for you. Wilbert most often shaves with an electric shaver. Joash has watched the process numerous times. The other day Joash comes over to me and says, "Mom, do you like my shaver?" I look and in his hands his is holding his small battery powered tow truck. It has buttons on it that play music, made various tow truck noises and ones that turn on the motor that drives the truck either forward or backward. "Your shaver?" I ask. "Yes. See?" And he proceeds to push the button that makes the truck self propel forward and holds the spinning wheels on side of his face. His shaver. Too cute!

Will technology ever reach the point that it could become almost human? Will our quest for things to make our life easy eventually lead to our downfall? Jevin Banks is an illusionist who just witnessed his friend being murdered. But who would want to harm his friend? Looking into his friend’s death leads him a steep and winding path of tricks, lies and deception. And has he digs, he finds evidence that science may be on the brink of changing what it actually means to be human. Will he ever be able to find this truth and prevent other people from finding the same fate as his friend? Singularity by Steven James is a book filled with complex layers that makes for a really exciting and engaging read. While I have not read the first book in this series, it did not really hinder my enjoyment of this book at all. It is able to stand on its own, so that was appreciated. The characters were interesting and intriguing. But there is still some mystery surrounding them, leaving room fo...

Mataya went back in to be weighed earlier this week. While she did not jump back on her growth curve, she did gain over a pound in the last month, so the doctor is not worried at all. She is just going to have a new curve, I guess. In other news, she is getting really strong and can move around. I am not really sure how she does it, but she is never where I leave her when she is laying on the floor. She uses a combination of rolling and scooting. In the picture below, she started out sort of by the red ring that is half under the blue chair. That is a pretty good distance to cover when you can't even crawl.  Thankfully she is pretty slow, so she hasn't gotten into too much trouble yet.

Sabrina thought she had her life all figured out. She thought she knew what God had called her to do. But a devastating diagnosis changed all of that. So now she is working hard at what feels like plan B to her.  Can she ever find the same hope she had in her first plan for her life? Brandy is a girl in trouble. Misunderstood. Making poor choices. But a second chance given by a judge to prevent her from ending up in jail could prove to be the chance of a life time. Sabrina comes into Brandy’s life to coach her running. While the two could hardly be more different a common ground is found in their love for running. Will this bond be enough to save both of their lives from spinning out of control? Chasing Hope was an interesting read. A good story with rather interesting characters. While some of the character development and plot line was rather predictable and left a bit to be desired, the novel was an overall engaging read. I received a copy of this book from Bethany...

Sometimes a person’s past has more of impact on themselves than even they realizes. Charlotte Graham is such a person. Being the center of a famous kidnapping case when she was only sixteen left her a changed person. But, now that her past is catching up with her, will she be able to face it and move on to finally live completely in freedom? Bryce Bishop meets Charlotte Graham when she comes to him with a huge number of coins to sell. As he slowly learns about her past, Bryce doesn't know what to make of this woman. When she shares that she is the heir to a vast fortune and wants his help to give most of it away, Bryce is faced with a choice. Can he help Charlotte Graham give away her vast fortune and help her heart to heal at the same time? Unspoken by Dee Henderson was a very intriguing book. It took a little bit to get into it, but once I was hooked, I could not put it down. It is a well crafted story where all of the little pieces fit so nicely together by the end. ...

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 po...

This cute guy is three! And the fun thing about this is that he will actually answer my interview questions now. So, here is an interview with a three year old. What is your favorite color? Orange What is your favorite toy? Tractors What is your favorite food? Snacks What is your favorite tv show? Curious George What is your favorite outfit? "Staticy" pants (sweat pants) and excavator shirt What is your favorite game? Hide and Seek   What is your favorite animal? Horses What is your favorite song? The Tractor Song (from Kindermusik) What is your favorite book? Any tractor book (do you sense a theme here?) Who is your best friend? Mommy :) What is your favorite thing to do outside? Rake leaves and jump in them and roll in them  What is your favorite drink?   Apple juice and chocolate milk (not mixed together, though) What do you like to take to bed with you at night? 3 point hitch tractor and tag ...

This fall has been just wonderful. Warmish weather. Nice sunny days. We have certainly been enjoying this season. And how can you not enjoy it when this is the view from your window? Pumpkins from our own garden.

 Mom: Mataya, you are 5 months old today! M(ataya): I know, Mom. It is great isn't it? Mom: I certainly think so. What is new in your world? M: I love being around people. I also really like music. Some of the things we do at Kindermusik make me laugh. I also like to roll around and  have started chewing on my toys. Mom: Do you have any favorite toys? M: I really like soft toys, especially my lamb and the cow with a squeaker inside. And there are lots of cool toys on my exersaucer that I like to explore. Mom: How are sleeping and eating going?  M: I like to eat and I am really hungry these days. Do you think I could try some of that big people food that you and Dad eat? I have been watching you really closely when you eat and I think I could do it. Mom: Soon Mataya, soon. And what about sleep? M: I like to sleep at night, but I am not so sure about naps, especially in the morning. But when I do nap, I like to take a nice long one. Mom: I know....

We are certainly enjoying the change of seasons here. The weather has been just lovely as of late and still warm enough to go outside without a sweater.  And Joash has been having fun playing with the leaves that are starting to drop off of the trees in our yard. He likes to make a "big stack of leaves" and then jump in them. I do a bit of raking for him, but he prefers to use his hands to pick up the leaves and make his "stack" just so before taking a big jump. So fun!

For those of you who may not know, PEI's biggest agricultural crop is potatoes. PEI is known as the Idaho of Canada. And have been enjoying watching the potato harvest from our window this year. Here is a quick crash course in potato harvesting. Potatoes are planted and then hilled  in the rows to try and prevent the potatoes from being exposed to the sun, which causes them to turn green. As you can see, the hills are pretty tall. Once the potatoes are ready for harvest, the plants are usually sprayed to "top kill" the plant that is above the ground. Then the first piece of equipment to come to the field is the windrower. . The windrower is the implement that actually "digs" the potatoes. It digs up several rows from the ground, send the majority of the plant part straight out the back while putting all of the potatoes in a nice windrow off to the side. The windrower in the machine in front. Then the potato digger comes and picks up the w...

the mice start to move in. Yesterday morning, I was awakened by the sound of my almost three-year-old crying at the top of his lungs. I knew that Wilbert was, getting ready to head out to the barn, so I thought I would let him take care of it. Then I thought I heard Joash say he had an accident in bed, so I figured I better get up and give Wilbert a hand. But, no, that wasn't the problem. Joash said he heard a "tweet" in his room when he was trying to fall back asleep. Then Wilbert said he thought he had heard a mouse while he was eating breakfast. So, I took Joash up stairs with me to bed and let Wilbert set some mouse traps. Now we rarely have kids sleep in the bed with us. I was hoping that since it was still pretty dark outside, Joash might fall back asleep and I would be able to get at least another half hour of sleep myself. But, I decided we were finished sleeping when a little almost three-year-old nose touched mine and I was asked by a very serious almost t...

So we visited our family doctor on Monday and Mataya has fallen off her growth curve for weight. My doctor wasn't too terribly concerned at this point. He said that she looks like she is healthy and thriving and if she is sleeping that well she must be feeling satisfied. He did want us to come back in month to have her weighed again, but he didn't recommend any changes in the mean time.  So we will carry on and I am really not too worried either. She will be starting solids soon enough and if she is anything like her brother, she will really fill out then. In Canada, the recommend waiting with solids until 6 months, but in the States they say you can start as early as 4 months. I started Joash at around 5 1/2 months, so we will see how long I wait with her.

Little boy plays in the rain. Catches water from the down spout in a bucket. Pours water from one bucket to another. Joy in the rain.  Little boy looks at little sisters animal blanket. "God made that, and that, and that." Looks at mama and states, "God made me because he loves me." Mama fights back tears of joy and talks about how God made and loves every person in the world.  His little bucket of a mind is filling up with things of God. This mama is so thankful for that. For a  family, a church and a community that also want to fill his bucket with things of God. Because the biggest prayer in this mama's heart is that her little boy will grow up to be a great big man who knows and loves his Creator. And that he pours the love in his bucket into others' buckets.

Mataya had her 4 month immunizations yesterday, so today I had an extra tired baby who just wanted to be near mom. Thankfully, she still slept really well, so hopefully she will be back to her normal self soon. The check up went well. She is now 12 lbs, 10 oz and 63 cm long. So she has gained two pounds and grew 6 cm. They were a little concerned about her length to weight ratio, that she may be a bit too slim. But I don't really buy it. We will see what the family doctor says at her check up with him on Monday, but as far as I can tell, she is a happy, healthy and active baby. I don't think she would be nearly as good if she was really hungry all of the time.

Sorry for all of you who have been following this saga on Facebook, but I thought the blog needed one post about the corn field. You see, this is a big deal. It is the first time in 27 years of farming on this Island that this farm has planted and harvested corn. It was the dream of my husband and this year it became a reality. Having grown up surrounded by corn fields, I never really thought one person could get so excited about a field of corn. But his excitement was contagious, both to myself and Joash.  There were many trips to check on the corn after it was planted. And then Monday was the day. The day to chop corn. While my almost three year old is usually pretty excited to get up in morning, I have never seen him as ready for a day as that morning. He ate his breakfast quickly, got dressed easily and then stood by the door and declared, "I am ready to go to the farm!" We bagged it this year and there was more corn silage there than anyone thought. We fill...