Brother / Sister Moments

Sometimes brothers and sisters just can't stop fighting and there is days you want to pull out your hair, BUT some days you just want to KISS them. Here is some of those kissing moments:

Kids Birthdays

Kayleigh's 5th birthday party was a butterfly and flower theme. Everywhere in the garden we planted butterflies and flowers in the grass. The photos is really not that good but it worked very well and looked very pretty. We had great fun! As a party gift I bought little flower pots and each child planted their own flower with a butterfly decor, and each little friend promised to look after their new flowers. We forgot again to take photos of this. We get so busy that we totally forget the pictures. I also had a poster of a big butterfly and the kids got to do the 'tail on the donkey' but only at this party it was 'antenna on the butterfly.' This was also my first time I decided to bake a cake and frost it with rolled icing. I personally enjoyed the experience of doing it, but it was definitely not very professional. The cupcakes also made a great addition to the cake.

Kenan's 8th Birthday was held at Spur Chatoga in Kempton Park. Not my first choice but Kenan's. I don't really like the hustle and bustle of Spur but Kenan and his friends had such a great time. At least it is less work and no cleanup afterwards.

Kids & Cousins

Just thought I'd share some nice pictures of the kids @ their cousins' (Justin & Brendan) party.

Church Camp 2010

We had our annual church camp again at Hekpoort. It was a wonderful weekend with the weather being nice and sunny. The fellowship with our friends @ church was the best part and I did not want to go home in the end. Gerhard Van Emmenis was the quest speaker and he spoke about the first chapters of Joshua and the amazing things God did for Israel. The Jericho walls falling remains one of the most miraculous stories and Gerhard said that often we forget the great things God do for us, the miracles! We tend to ponder on what we are struggling with now and wondering how we would overcome it. When we should always trust in God for the outcome. Often thing also don't happen the way we want it to.

God does everything to His perfect will and pleasure!

THE SOCCER WORLD CUP 2010

For those of you that have not yet seen my World Cup pictures, here they are!

The kids' school organized a parade where each class had to represent a country participating in the Soccer World Cup.

They had a lot of fun and some kids went all out! They also sang all the World Cup songs...Diski Dance, Waka Waka, Wave Your Flag (Feedom song) and South Africa's National Anthem.

Kenan's class got Algeria, Kayleigh's class South Africa, Kaytlyn's (kids cousin) class got Germany, Jaydee's (kids cousin) class got France!

Here is also some pictures where we went to watch the game at a FAN PARK!

When its raining and raining!

What do you do when it rains and rains for days on end??

Striking a Pose.

The kids had a "Big Walk" at the school and afterwards they played lots of games i.e. jumping with a potato sack, running with your legs tied etc.  Kenan got to choose a toy and decided on this new hair style (hope this is not something he will ever really do with his hair). Kayleigh decided she also wanted to dress up and in the end used my hat that Judy from church modified for a women's fellowship meeting and the yellow sash (a real lady).

Hennie wanted to take a picture of me, which would normally not be an issue but, he caught me in a pose that looks weird.  Kenan says I look like I just saw a ghost....heeheheha.

My "gogga"

I call Kayleigh "Gogga" sometimes. (A cute gogga.)

Melissa Pienaar an American friend at our church does not like the fact that we use insect names for pet names... I have to laugh though because this is typical of Afrikaans people.  Just to help Melissa feel better - I do call her my "Sweetie Pie" too.

She does look a lot like Hennie and his Family.  Hennie's sister took her to the Mall one day - people thought she was her daughter.

What do you guys think? Any resemblance to me?

Ouma se 60ste Verjaarsdag!

4th April 2010 - Hennie's mother turned 60 on Easter Sunday!  Leana (Hennie's sister) did a great job organizing and creating a perfect suprize lunch for her.  Unfortunately, we forgot to take a photo of the tables.  The theme was black and pink with lots of 60 balloons and decor.  Dit was Lekker!

A poem for Bettie v.d. Merwe on her birthday: 

Youthful Grace

You walk with grace,

Humble and fun,

With youth in your eyes,

Always on the run.

Ageless beauty,

From a far off land,

Filled with stories,

More plentiful than sand.

Legendary wisdom,

Shared with us all,

We value your company,

From winter till the fall.

Today we celebrate,

Another special year,

We love you more than ever,

Your heart is always near.

Leana Kruger (Hennie's Sister)

Chris v.d. Merwe (Hennie's Brother)

Ernst v.d. Merwe (Hennie's Brother)

Anton v.d. Merwe (Hennie's Older Brother)

Grace to You: January 16 - Trust in God Transcends the Temporal

"How much time do you spend listening to the nagging complaints of worry? How much is fretting a part of your thought process? When are you most susceptible to letting anxiety rise up within you, stealing your joy and perspective? Pray for freedom from anxiety—and the faith to replace it."

Going to School!

School started again today. Kenan went to Grade 2 and Kayleigh Grade 00. Kenan really wanted to wear his new blazer because he got a scroll for Eisteddfod in Grade 1. It is way too big but we figured rather buy it big so it will last longer. Kayleigh chose her own suitcase with the flowers and was very proud of it. They had a great first day and can’t wait to learn more.

Family Sunday.

On Sunday, 10 January 2010 we visited my parents for a Sunday Lunch. This is something I enjoy tremendously and wish we could do it more frequently, but with our wonderfully busy lives we often do it only once in a while. My mother is a great cook and I always enjoy her different and exciting ideas. This Sunday she had sundried tomatoes in brown rice, pumpkin fritters (pampoenkoekies), roast and olive bread! We decided to take pictures of all the cousins together since we need one for our yearly calendar (a bit late for this year already, but better late than never). It took a few takes (and his parents with toys and gadgets) to get little Ryan (the newest member of the Van Der Westhuizen's, 4 months) to look at the camera.

We also took some family pictures, just because you could never have enough of them. The photos were all taken in my parents' garden. My parents off course avoided the camera, but don’t worry I will get them! Soon!

Vir die van julle wat verkies dat ek bietjie in my moedertaal praat: Daar is net niks beter as 'n lekker kuier saam met die mense wat die meeste vir jou beteken nie en ek is seker baie van julle voel dieselfde. Ek dank God vir hulle almal en hoop ons kan nog baie sulke kuiertjies saam deurbring.