The morning of present opening has come and gone, but we are still joyfully celebrating this season of remembrance in this house. I am trying my hardest to make Christmas about more than just the presents. Getting things is definitely fun, and giving things is even better, but Christmas is about something entirely different than presents. It's about God being faithful to His promise to send a Redeemer to a broken world. It's about the life of that Redeemer - that humble, sinless, world-changing life. It's about the hope we have that Christ will come again, put all to right, put an end to Satan's reign, and take us to live in His presence for ever. Presents play a minuscule part, if any part at all. We give gifts of love to each other because we have been given the greatest gift of all: the complete erasing of our sins if we believe on Jesus Christ.

That being said, all I have to show you of our Christmas is pictures of my boys getting presents. Ha! It's just so much fun to watch their faces as they explore the wonderful new things we've given them. I hope they remember the joy of these times, but when they are old enough, I hope they come to love our Saviour more than those momentary warm fuzzies.

The boys were thrilled to get a set of play food.

porcupine puppet & a play banana!

Judah is a big boy with a big boy backpack.

Benjamin gets yet ANOTHER set of toys that stack!

I think Grandma blew Judah's mind.

Benjamin is stacking things. He is in his happy place.

To infinity, and beyond! (Cheesy toddler smile photobomb).

2012 Christmas Letter

It’s time, once again, to sum up an entire year’s worth of Sawatzky happenings in one little letter. 

At the turn of the year 2012, Benjamin was just a little four month old goober. That age is easily my favourite for babies. As expected, it passed all too quickly for my liking. In three month’s time he was speed-crawling, climbing, and walking along furniture and walls with reckless abandon. Judah was a constant motivator, what with his constant aerobatics and daring. Two years old brought a few more tantrums and the development of the dreaded Opinion on All Things. Judah’s language gradually morphed into semi-intelligible words, although his own flavour of gibberish still gets its fair share of use.  

With such a mild winter as we had last year, the summer seemed to pop up out of nowhere. Soon we found ourselves settled into the rhythm of Bible camp season. Most days it was all I could do to get to the meals on time with my two active little boys. Judah struggled with containing his excitement at having so much space to run, things to touch, big people to tease. Benjamin wanted desperately to crawl everywhere and put everything in his mouth. Needless to say, my back kinked and my left hip was sore by the end of summer. Even though summer camp can make you forget the time of day or day of the week, our little family was given enough time together to feel somewhat “normal” during the busy season. I could tell that Joey did not feel the least bit burnt out by the end of summer, and going to camp everyday was a true joy. It’s a wonderful thing to see your husband truly thrive in his workplace.

The end of the summer season brought many changes to our family. One, Benjamin mastered his walking skills. We became a two-toddler family overnight. Two, we made the decision as a family to end our term at Valley View Bible Camp on a good note and start on a new adventure. It’s our desire to one day attend Bible college debt free, and we knew we needed to make a step towards this goal if it was ever going to happen. Three, God surprised us by placing another little miracle inside my womb. We have never been so surprised by a pregnancy as we were by this one, and we are so thankful. Four, a close friend of ours was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. At times I felt completely numb when I allowed my mind to dwell on motherhood/moving/packing/pregnancy/lung cancer/leaving close friends & family all at once. It was difficult to be productive during those last few days in Manitoba. We are so thankful to the friends and family that gave of their time to make this move as simple as possible for us. Manitoba will always be a special place for us.

And now, here we are in Saskatchewan. It’s been quite exciting to adjust to living so close to my parents. I cannot express how wonderful it is to have constant help raising our two rambunctious boys. We are also truly blessed by the church body we are a part of. I have been able to take my boys to a weekly ministry for moms and pre-schoolers. It has been just fantastic to get out of the house and see so many little ones interact with each other. Joey is settling into a new job cooking for some of the health care facilities in Weyburn. It’s a different type of cooking than he’s used to, but so far he is enjoying the work. He never works evenings, and for that I am grateful. The only downside is that he often works weekends. Again, I am so happy we are so close in proximity to my parents! My mom has volunteered to look after the boys so Joey and I can go to the weekly Bible study/prayer meeting on Wednesday evenings. It may not be the full Sunday experience, but it is much-needed fellowship with other Christians – what’s more, it’s without distraction! 

That brings everything more-or-less up to speed. As of right now we are living in the moment and trying not to look too far ahead. Yes, having a third child is kind of a frightening thing to us, but I know God will provide for all our needs come spring (just as He has always done!). We are so thankful for how well we have been provided for in this season of life, and can’t wait to see what 2013 brings.

In His care,

Andrea Sawatzky (on behalf of the family)

Our skating rink/street.

He is still cute and he still knows it.

Daddy worked hard at making a little surprise for the boys...

...a neat little "sleigh" for the winter season!