Kids Corner

As winter turns to spring, we are seeing our kids grow and flower just like my garden. They are continuing to grow both physically and as people. As a result, we are learning to pray and lean on God much more!

Aris will be 7 next month! Wow! She continues to enjoy school, especially geometry and science. She will be participating in her very first science fair today. After much thought, Aris decided to do an experiment. Although we helped, she demonstrated great initiative and independence. Aris continues to make new friends both at school and at home. She is very compassionate and friendly. Unfortunately, Aris has been struggling physically, emotionally and scholastically the last several months. Please pray for complete healing for our lovely little girl.

Zane is currently upside down. At almost 5, he is a little monkey. Even in his sleep we find him experimenting with new ways of experiencing the world (sideways, upside down, etc). Zane mostly enjoys school and is excited to be reading and writing "just" like his big sister. He is also very proud of having his art work on the bulletin board at home. He has a new best friend, our new neighbor, whom he enjoys loving on. He is also enjoying riding his new bike and is looking forward to participating in this year's Ride for Refuge. Please pray for Zane as he continues to learn moderation, self-control and obedience.

Our baby is now 2 years old! Kian turned two at the end of February. Bit by bit, he is becoming a big boy. His favorite things include climbing, running (typically away from Mommy), chocolate and zerberts. Although he is very spirited, he is also very sweet with the best giggles. Kian is beginning to speak in sentences and is increasingly independent as he tries to be just like his siblings. He is also determined to be toilet-trained. So far we haven't had any success, unless peeing in the tub counts, but Kian has decided that he wants to use the toilet. We're just following his lead. Please pray for Kian as he learns patience and obedience.

Kids Korner

Our kids are continuing to grow physically, spiritually, mentally and I hope emotionally. Their growth occasionally results in conflict for us, but we are mostly enjoying their new skills and abilities.

Aris is now 6 1/2 years old and in grade one. Thankfully she was put in a class with her closest friends and continues to build friendships among her class.  Aris is apparently very quiet and a good listener at school. French is one of her favorite subjects, although I can't think of a subject she doesn't like.  Aris really likes to learn. She has taken to using French often at home. She likes to pretend that Grace is a francophone and Aris is teaching her English. Steve is greatly amused by this game, as Grace purposely pronounces English words with a strong Quebecois accent.  Aris has also taken a keen interest in her personal appearance. She has started doing her own hair. Yesterday while doing her hair, she decided to give herself bangs. Since this was in defiance of the rule "no cutting hair" Grace had to give her a lecture, but did agree that Aris did a very good job. :) Please pray that Aris will sleep well and for healing of a perpetual sore throat.

Zane is four years old and in junior kindergarten. He has the same teacher that Aris had. Mrs. Gilbert is very kind and patient.  Zane has made at least two good friends and enjoys going to school. Zane is becoming much more independent and can do up his coat without help. He loves to play videogames with his dad and likes watching and playing with transformers. He’s also become a little entrepreneur — collecting empty bottles in the woods by our house and returning them for deposit. Please pray for Zane, and ourselves as we seek to teach him balance in life, self control, and submission.

Kian is now 20 months old. He is finally walking and talking. Although Kian showed signs of doing both before 12 months, he refused to walk or speak until he was 14 and 15 months old. His first consistent word was tickle. :) Kian loves to be ticked and will try to tickle himself. Although Kian is quite spirited and has a temper, he is also very funny and sweet. He loves to give kisses and zerberts.  Unlike Aris and Zane, Kian got rid of his soother before he was a year old and instead carries around a blanket that Grace's mother made for him. He also likes playing with transformers, superheroes, cars and blocks. We are very impressed that he builds with them, instead of knocking towers down like his siblings did at that age. Please pray for endurance and patience for us as we teach Kian obedience and for Kian that he will have an obedient heart.

Ride For Refugees 2009

This year my family participating in Ride For Refugees on October 3!  Steve, Aris and Zane will be riding, while Grace and Kian volunteer.

The kids are particularly interested in getting involved this year, partly because Steve & Grace have been involved for years, but mostly because they have a refugee friend.  One of Aris's class mates last year was a refugee from Eritrea. His daddy was in jail simply because he was a pastor of a non-state-approved church. This little boy was quite fearful much of the time.  It's broken the kids heart's, and given them the desire to help refugees.

We're joining over 1000 other riders and volunteers in Australia, the USA and Canada to help raise over $1,000,000.

And we're glad we are because...

The numbers are staggering - there are 67 million refugees and internally displaced peoples according to a United Nations 2007 report. Over half are women and children, vulnerable and voiceless while they flee war, persecution and tribal violence.

The RIDE is a way that we can personally connect to this crisis, and it's a way for me to make a real difference in a refugee's life.

Please help support us by making a secure online donation using your credit card. Click on the link below:

Steve:
http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?SID=2368728

Aris:
http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?SID=2351356

Zane:
http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?SID=2351351

Of course, a pledge or gift of cash or check would be equally great! Just be sure to email me so I can send you directions, or pick it up personally.

Thanks for your support! It really encourages us!

Steve, Grace, Aris, Zane, Kian

** Follow the RIDE on Twitter and Facebook:

Twitter - http://twitter.com/Rideforrefugees

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4139343828

Christmas Thoughts

For the past week or two, I've been walking around trying to synthesize all the various Christmas messages I've heard along with what's happening in our lives.  Life has been busy and challenging recently with family illnesses, friends in crisis, more friends leaving, and yet another battle with my nemesis, depression. At my church we've been doing a series on the people involved in the Christmas story.  I heard the sessions on both Joseph ( I forgot I was helping in Sunday school, oops!) and Mary. The first Christmas threw their carefully ordered lives into chaos.  What we celebrate as a time of joy, of God's greatest gift to humanity, quite possibly felt like a cruel joke to Mary and Joseph.

Moments ago, I sat down at the computer to respond to an email with yet more troubling news, when suddenly it all connected. During this season of grief, fear, loneliness, doubt and depression, my task is to celebrate Christ. In the midst of an increasingly troubled world, Christ promises peace. Like Mary and Joseph, I don't know what God is doing, but I do know that He is worthy of my trust and worship.

And God is doing some amazing things in our lives. This year God worked a miracle in my mother's life. She has experienced such wonderful healing that she is even driving on the expressway all by herself! This only makes sense if you know my mother, but Steve and I continually praise God for the work He is doing in her.  One of our close relatives almost died twice this year, but God was faithful and he is still alive. I am making new friends which has been a balm to my soul. My friends that haven't moved away have become increasingly busy, but God has been faithful in bringing in new friendships, or revitalizing old ones. We have three healthy children. There were some complications when Kian was born, but he recovered quickly and we were home from hospital within hours. Aris and Zane are growing in the grace and knowledge of God. We were discussing family birthdays when Aris piped up and said that a member of our family has birthday in December. I kinda guessed where she was going with this, but asked "who?". She responded "Jesus! His birthday is in December and He's a part of our family!".  Zane seems a little unsure about Christmas, but he also loves to praise God through song and dance. God has and continues to bless and provide for us, even through troubled circumstances.

May you have a blessed Christmas and experience God's peace in all circumstances, Gracie:)

I'm Back!

Greetings friends!

It’s been far too long since I updated you last.  I apologize for that.


In my last update, I announced that we had a baby boy.  Well Kian is now over 7 months old, and doing quite well!

Since Kian was born, I’ve been on parental leave.  I’ve been helping and supporting my wife and building into my relationships with my kids.  It’s been exciting to be able to get to know Aris’s classmates, and other parents at her school.

While the transition to 3 kids has been an exciting, if not challenging time, I’m pleased to report that Grace has done much better than when Zane was born. (You may recall that she struggled with postpartum depression.)  Praise God for that!

I’ve also been serving my church in various ways, from putting together a new audio-visual system to doing some graphic design work as we moved from a room in another church to a local community center.


From time to time, I’ve had opportunity to do some work for International Teams as well — updates to web sites and services, etc.

As I ease back into life at the office, I’m getting back into managing some of our web sites, assisting with various aspects of this year’s Ride for Refugees, and helping our team with some back-office upgrades that will help us to more effectively serve our missionaries and the church.

I’ve recently completed a project that has significantly improved our web sites and email services in terms of speed and reliability.

Thanks so much for your continued partnership in our ministry!

Steve.

Kids: Where are they now?

Since I last sat down to write to you, we've acquired a new family member. Kian Tobias was born February 23rd, 2008. He was 11 days late. In addition to him being the child that got baked the longest, he has also been my hardest child to nurse. After he finally figured out nursing, he started cutting teeth. Kian is now 7 months old and has 4 teeth.  My older children, on the other hand, cut their first teeth at seven months. This has been a little stressful. However, Kian is also a little joy. He is very snuggly, has a beautiful smile and a wonderful giggle. He loves his siblings, even when they carry him around like a doll. Kian is also very strong. He can sit up, rolls all over the place and really likes to eat his sister's crafts. She does not appreciate this.

Aris is now in senior kindergarten. Once again, she has a wonderful teacher. We so appreciate her teacher's love for her pupils. I was concerned this year as the school board has switched from half day kindergarten to full day, alternate day classes. Thankfully Aris adapted much better than last year. She is enjoying being back in the classroom and seeing her friends again. This fall, we started Aris in dance again. We took last year off and she missed it immensely. One of her best friends is in her class and she is enjoying that as well. With her we never quite know, so we were relieved when Aris took that well. Aris is becoming a big girl. She can do up her zippers, set the table, and is very good at helping her parents and siblings when she wants to. She is also becoming much calmer than she has been. Not only that, but she has a tender heart towards God. This summer Aris got a "big girl" Bible. She loves hearing God's word. I rejoice to see God answer our prayers for her!

This summer Zane turned three. I think I got off fairly easily last year in comparison to now. At the moment, Zane is wearing my makeup because he got into it when he was supposed to be using the bathroom. At lunch he knocked over his juice because he was trying to pick it up while wearing an oven mitt. Shortly before sitting down to write this, I stopped him just as he was about to climb a stool that he had placed on a folding chair. Not surprisingly, Zane has many bumps and bruises.  Zane is also becoming a big boy. He finally potty trained this summer. He has been fairly resistant to this and when i tried to train him, he started waking up screaming in the middle of the night. We gave up and soon after he trained of his own accord. We are very proud of his diaperless status. Zane's favourite things are superheros, cars and pirates. He has a very good imagination and loves playing pretend with his big sister. Even in the midst of his temper tantrums and crazy stunts, Zane is living up to his name: God's gracious gift.

Kian's Birth: Fast and Furious

CAUTION: this is a birth story. There will be material that some may find disturbing. If so, please read other postings in this blog.

Kian Tobias was born at 12:46pm on February 23, 2008. He was due February 12th, 2008.

It's a Boy!

We're excited to announce that we have a new baby boy!Kian Tobias was born today at 12:46pm. He was 8 pounds 4.5 ounces.

Here are a few pictures. There's a bunch more to our photo gallery:
http://gallery.vanbruwaene.ca/index.php/2008/2008_02_23
You can even get the full quality ones too! More details for those of you who care about such things:

• Name: Kian Tobias Van Bruwaene


• The birth date is February 23, 2008 at 12:46pm


• He was 8 pounds 4.5 ounces


• He had some trouble breathing at first so was taken to neo natal. We got him back a couple hours later, and he's doing fine


• His first nurse went really well. He's having a bit more trouble now, but is catching on


• Kian was 11 days pas his due date, and was induced. Since we had midwives, this meant a transfer of care, so we ended up with 2 midwives, a nurse, and an OB, plus pediatrics. So we had really great care. I'm sure Grace would be happy to tell anyone who's interested more about the birth.


• Mom and baby are doing well, and looking forward to a (hopefully) good night sleep.

Thanks for your prayers.

Steve & Grace.

Kids Corner

Aris and Zane love Christmas. According to Aris, Christmas is about a little baby named Jesus, who takes care of all the people, and was born in a manger. Zane says that Christmas is about trees with lights. They are excited about presents, parties and trees. Thankfully, both children are just as excited about buying presents for people as they are about getting them.

We have been listening to Christmas music as a family since the first of December. (Although some of us started listening to it a couple weeks earlier, while Daddy was at work:) Their favorite songs are Away in a Manger and Jingle Bells. Aris is very excited about her holiday performance next week at school. At the moment, she is refusing to tell me what songs will be sung at the concert as it is a "surprise".

My children's excitement is a good reminder that Christmas is more than just a very busy time of year. As we answer their questions, we are reminded of the Christmas story so long ago. As we talk about our baby that will be born soon, Aris reminds us of a little tiny baby born in a stable and visited by shepherds. Zane and Aris wish you a merry Christmas!

Growing like a … what?

This September, Aris started kindergarten. She is absolutely loving school, and other than a minor meltdown the night before her first day, there have been no tears. At least not shed by her. Zane, however, took her absence quite hard. I haven't cried, but I am amazed at how big my children are getting. It's hard to believe that my child is old enough to go to school.

My baby isn't a baby either anymore. He talks in sentences, he answers the phone and he's also demonstrated that he has a long term memory. Yesterday as we were walking to school, Aris asked me where my watch was. My watch has been missing for many months, last seen in Zane's possession near the couch. I explained that I didn't know where it was, but that I thought Zane had hidden it. Five minutes after we returned home, Zane handed me my watch! I was amazed, both by getting my watch back and by the levels of memory and comprehension that action displayed.

Not only is Zane showing lots of growth, I have watched Aris change as well. Her motor skills have improved greatly, as evidenced both by her drawings and her computer skills. Yes, that's right...both of my children love to play on the computer. The trick is to make sure it's their games they're playing and that they aren't just randomly pushing buttons.

The kids aren't the only things growing around here. I have begun to create a beautiful garden from my patch of dirt. Although the squirrels are my enemy, I have still managed to create a space that makes me happy. One of this weeks highlights was seeing my toad lily bloom for the very first time.

As my plants have grown and blossomed, so has my belly! I'm 20 weeks, but look a lot bigger. The baby is becoming quite active. We suspect that this one is going to be spirited just based on how hard he/she kicks. Although I'm fascinated by how my children are growing up and changing, I’m looking forward to cuddling a wee one again. And now I must go make cookies… blessings, Gracie :)

Aris's Dance Camp Performance

Aris went to dance camp this summer. At the end, they had a performance. This is the first chunk of it...

Exciting New News!

Hello all!

We've got some exciting new news!  Grace and I are expecting!  The due date set for the baby is February 11, 2008.

Grace and I are quite excited about this new addition to our family. Aris is also excited to have baby to help take care of.  Zane seems kidna excited, although We're not quite sure how much he understands about this yet.

The addition of another person to our family will have some impact on our needs.  The place we are currently living in should continue to serve us well for the next few years, if not longer.  The main immediate need is in the area of transportation.  Our car only has space for 2 car seats.  As such, we're going to need to replace it with something bigger before too long. Would you pray for us in this area?

We'll try to get a newsletter out before too long with more info on where we're at, what's going on in our ministry, etc.

Thanks for your continued prayers!

Steve & Grace.

Zane Sings "Be Bold"

Zane (almost 2 years old) sings the song, "Be Bold"

Aris Sings Her Rain Song

Here's another video of Aris singing a song about Rain. She's making it up as she goes allong. Pretty tallented for a not-quite-4-year-old! I hope you enjoy it!

Aris Sings her Sun Song

Here's a video of Aris singing a song that she's making up as she sings it. It's pretty cute if I do say so myself!

The Christmas Story

Having children has forced me to see the Christmas Story in a whole different light. Part of it is that I think about it more. Last Christmas, I told the story several times a day for about a month. 

My children are fascinated by babies, which explains part of their fascination. For Aris though, it runs deeper. Jesus has two daddies, just like she does. This year we have been talking more about why Jesus came to earth, and have explained that He understands what it's like to be a child. He understands what it's like to have a blended family, what it's like to be three and how hard it is to use our words, obey, etc...I think Aris is really starting to understand that Jesus is God, and that He cares about her and is on her side.

As a mother, I see the Christmas story in a whole different light. I understand some of what Mary felt, having had a socially awkward pregnancy. I can relate to being pregnant, to having an infant, and I can only imagine what it was like to hold that helpless little baby and know that I was holding God in my arms. It's mind-blowing. At Christmas time, I look at my small children and realize that Jesus was like them once.  He was a little boy learning how to walk, eat and communicate. He was a preschooler, learning how to share and how to express his feelings. Jesus came to earth, not just to die for our sins, but to understand what it's like to be human. He understands not just what it's like to be a small child, but what it's like to be an adult. And although His life looked a lot different than ours, the underlying issues are the same. So this Christmas, I'm learning that God doesn't sit in judgment of me, wondering how I could struggle with that, but that He understands me when I feel overwhelmed, or in despair because He's been there too.

Christmas Decorations

This year we have a tree for the first time. This is a very special tree. It was my father-in-law's first artificial tree when he was a child, and then the tree that my husband grew up with. Now this tree is a part of a third generation of Van Bruwaene Christmas. 

Zane and Aris are loving having a tree. They are fascinated by the lights. Currently my tree is decorated rather uniquely as the children have been decorating the tree with the contents of their toy box. The decorations get moved around the tree many times a day, and the tree itself has been moved slightly.

This tree is a survivor which is good considering that it has fallen over twice so far this season. Fortunately, Zane was ok after tree landed on him.

Kids Corner

Grace has been quite busy lately chasing after two very active kids.

Potty training has been an adventure. Between May and August, Aris usually did No. 2 in her pull-ups, usually about 15 minutes after we put her to bed. I was beginning to fear that using the potty would never happen. But the tide changed this fall. She’s now fully trained — even at night. Aside from a couple of wet beds, we’ve had no accidents in almost a month!

Zane has been growing and learning lots too. He’s become quite a climber, and is getting into everything! Several times, Grace has found him sitting on top of our 5-foot high entertainment unit. He also seems to be fascinated with technology. It’s a wonder he hasn’t wiped out our computer yet! Recently, he managed to partially disassemble the bathroom scale. We still haven’t found some missing parts. Perhaps he’s destined for a technical field of some sort.

Zane has also been learning lots of other stuff too. He’s talking more, and we’re even starting to understand him! He has also learned to take his shirt off. While it’s exciting to see him develop, it is frustrating to see him come down the stairs with no shirt when we’re trying to hurry out the door.

Aris’s fall has been a stretching one. One of her grandmothers was quite sick, in the hospital for a couple of weeks. Aris had a really hard time with that. She’s been praying faithfully for her grandma though, and has seen those prayers answered. It’s been exciting to see her deepening interest and understanding in spiritual things.

Both kids have discipline issues ranging from tempers to trouble sharing to making messes. After seeing the kids for a few hours some days, I’m amazed Grace is still sane. She may be dealing with stuff that’s universal to motherhood, but I still think she’s amazing.

Dirt, Bugs, and Other Gross Stuff

My days are quite full with both Aris and Zane. Aris is three now (hard to believe) and Zane is ten months old. Aris can count to thirteen reliably (higher than that the numbers get mixed up). And she can spell both her name and her favorite thing — her sucky.

Today Aris pooped in her potty (a big achievement), and so she got to go to the candy store to get a reward. She wanted chocolate-covered grasshoppers, but they were all out, so instead she got flavored larvae (worms). Yes, she is strange.

Zane also enjoys putting weird and wonderful things in his mouth. This week alone, I have fished out a snail shell, magnets, stones and wiped away lots of dirt.

We are all enjoying the wonderful weather and most of Zane's enjoyment and exploration seems to be orally. Zane is now crawling and pulling himself up so he is in to everything.

Aris is learning what Zane can't eat. However she is not above helping her brother with his explorations. I was hanging out laundry when I noticed that Aris was feeding her brother dirt. :)

Life is never ever dull around here. :)

Zane, and Us

Hello all!

Now that a few weeks have gone by, and I'm able to slow down a bit, I thought I'd update you on what's going on in our family.

Zane has been a wonderful, healthy baby who continues to grow, and is doing very well.  Grace has been continuing her recovery, which is generally going well.  She is suffering from postpartum depression, so that is having an impact on various things.  She is also struggling with fatigue at times.  Praise God, she's able to see a counselor for the depression.  Pray that this helps, and she recovers quickly.

I've begun a parental leave to be able to be home to support Grace, and spend time with the kids.  It has been a blessing to all so far.  (me included).  The plan is that I begin going back to work part time as I'm able, and end the paternity leave when I'm no longer necessary at home more than normal.

During this time, we're continuing to raise support to cover various expenses, with the surplus going towards savings for a minivan.  (In a previous letter, I mentioned that we were hoping to get one.)

Thanks for your continued prayer and support.You are a`real blessing.

Attached are a few more pictures Zane and the family.

Steve & Grace.