Mothers Day Photoshoot contest. Read Jolene's Story

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My Mom (Verna Friesen) has always, always been there for me. When I was younger I didn’t recognize that as much but as I grew up I became more aware of how wonderfully amazing my Mom is.

To me one of the ways she showed me that I was loved was by putting our needs first and then her own. Mom bought most of her clothing second hand so that she could buy us new clothes and other things that we needed. When I was growing up she was always supportive in my life decisions and still is, she always does what she can to help me achieve them. She is always there for me to talk to when I need it which is a lot sometimes

While I was planning my wedding we found out that my Grandma Penner (age 62) had stage 4 liver cancer. My mom inspired me so much through that time as she helped me sooo much with wedding plans in her grief and all the while going to take care of her mother in Steinbach. I don’t know what I would do if I lost my mom and she was loosing hers all the while still being there 100% for me.

A few years down the road I was expecting my first child, her first Grandchild, we were all so excited! At our first ultrasound we found out that our baby had a Genetic condition and he was not going to live very long if at all, it was devastating. She was there for me so much I can’t even put into words how wonderful she was. She helped me emotionally, physically and with planning my first funeral for my little baby. 5 months later we found out I was expecting again and she was so supportive as we waited for our first ultrasound at 12 weeks to see if this baby had the same genetic condition. He was healthy! And a few months later we were blessed with a health baby. My mom is an amazing Nana and role model to Zander. I always know that when he is there she takes great care of him and teaches him so much, and I never have to worry about anything when he is there. Last year we were expecting again and this baby boy had the same condition Noah had. She was there at the ultrasound with us as we found out, and was so loving and caring. She was there for the birth of Quinton taking video for us while he was alive, she took a week off work to help us with Zander and all the funeral planning that we had to do all over again.

I am so thankful that God blessed me with the best mom in the world! She inspires me to be a better woman of God, mother, wife, sister, in-law etc. I Love You Mom!

Jolene

Happy 2nd Birthday Zander

These pictures were taken last Saturday, we had Z for 6 hours while his Mommy was pampered at Spa Euphoria 36.
Dave made a makeshift ramp and balls and tractors had some nice rides! In one pic you can see Papa's head in the mirror!
Our toy box is not finished yet but Z already has made himself at home in it!
We love this little boy so very much!
My Birthday prayer for you little man is that you will grow up to love and serve the LORD with all your heart and soul and mind...give your whole heart to Jesus.
Love forever and always, Nana & Papa

Riu Palace Pacifico

In one week this is where Dave and I and 7 other friends
will be relaxing and enjoying our vacation!
Really looking forward to some sun and just taking a break!
I will post about our time there when we get back!

Missing Noah, Quinton and my Mom and Dad this Christmas season.

Christmas In Heaven

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Qinton Oliver Wall

Quinton Oliver Wall

From Jolene Friesen Wall

Quinton Oliver was born Tuesday September 20th at 6:39 pm weighing 5lbs and 8oz. He lived for 27 wonderful minutes during which he had one eye open, sneezed quite a few times ( apparently just like me:) and cuddled into me to get closer, it was amazing! Then peacefully went to be with the Lord and his big brother Noah. Thank you for all the prayers they really helped!

The Will of God will never take you
Where the Grace of God cannot keep you
Where the Arms of God cannot support you
Where the Riches of God cannot support your needs
Where the Power of God cannot endow you.

The Will of God will never take you
Where the Spirit of God cannot work through you
Where the Wisdom of God cannot teach you
Where the Army of God cannot protect you
Where the Hands of God cannot mold you.

The Will of God will never take you
Where the Love of God cannot enfold you
Where the Mercies of God cannot sustain you
Where the Peace of God cannot calm your fears
Where the Authority of God cannot overrule you.

The Will of God will never take you
Where the Comfort of God cannot dry your tears
Where the Word of God cannot feed you
Where the Miracles of God cannot be done for you
Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you.

~ author unknown ~

Hillsong - still

Wedding Day

So as sad as it may seem, this is the only picture I have of Vikk & Chris' wedding!
Waiting on one of Vikk's friends to show us the ones she took. In this day and age of digital cameras I cannot believe that I am starving for pics!

They wedding was wonderful, a little cold but that is to be expected in March.
Vikk was a gorgeous bride! I know she would be!

More pics to come when I see some!

From Jolene and Hank

Thank you to everyone who has prayed, loved and supported us as we waited for the ultrasound today. Unfortunately God has chosen to take this little one home to him when the time comes. The baby for sure has Meckel Gruber and will not make it much past delivery. This is so hard. Please continue to pray for us as we walk through this valley all over again... And we continue to pray for healing for our little one

Zander is One!

Zander and Papa...a great team!

Hank, Jo and Zander in the Mayan Riviera Dec 23, 2010

Zander and Auntie Vikk relaxing at the resort

Z snuggling with Uncle Chris

Feb 7th was Zander's first birthday! time has really gone by so fast.
I had forgotten how much babies change every single day.
Life has been really great since this little guy was born. Holding him for the first time was an amazing miracle but little did I know that every day with him would be just that!
I love being a Nana and I hope Z feels the love.
Zander LOVES his Papa...I knew he would, how can a kid help but love a guy who will spend the whole day on the floor with him, playing!
It has been a joy to watch how he learns to interact with different people. Z would always cry with Vikki's fiance Chris and I kept telling Chris...just wait, in time he will be your best friend. Well, now he is always playing games with Chris across the supper table and can often be found sitting on his lap.
Even Uncle Pierre was able to hold him the other day!
Mostly he is not shy at all, just needs a few minutes to warm up to some people.
He is toddling around everywhere, done with nursing, getting teeth all the time it seems!
He was awesome in Mexico, everybody loved him!
The expressions that he has are priceless! I love watching him find new things in the house and just seeing what he will do with them!

Oh, and the personality that is coming through!
the other day Jo had us over for supper and I got ready to leave, Z crawls after me and waves and says "ta-ta"...but then Dave opened the door and walked out---Zander howled! He held out him hand and cried so hard his whole body shook! wow...he did not want Papa to leave!

I am really looking forward to going for walks with him this summer. He will not just sleep the whole time, I hope he loves the outdoors as much as he did last year!
Well that is a long rambling post, see you next time!

Noah's 2nd Birthday

Today we remember our first Grandson Noah's birth.
He would be 2 and I wonder what he would be up to if he was with us!
This year for his birthday we got him a Living Gift.
500 little fishes will be sent to India for the mothers to tend to till they
are grown enough to feed their families.
I love the thought of little bellies being full because of our little Noah.
Our thoughts go out to all families who have Angles in Heaven...may the LORD comfort you all
on your special days and in the Christmas season.

the dress

Today we picked up Vikk's wedding gown!
It fit her like it was sewn just for her! Beautiful!
Now to finish all the other plans!!

Snap Fitness

So I finally did it, I started my free trial week at Snap.
I have gone 3 days and I do believe I will really enjoy it.
I just have to make sure that I go right after work.
Jo might join me and I am hoping Vikki will want to as well!
That gives me exactly 1 month and 1 day before we leave for Mexico!
I have been walking all summer and also using my elliptical at home since April 11th and I have lost a total of 11 lbs...slowly but surely!
I am not starving myself...just trying to be smart about what and how much I eat!
Feel free to keep me accountable with my working out!

Vikk's Shower

Saturday the 13th of November we had a Tupperware shower for Vikk.
What a wonderful turnout! I think there were 26 ladies present!
Once all order, specials and bonuses and bookings were in place Vikk will have over 1400.00 in Tupperware! How cool is that!
I do not have pics yet:(

8 months

He has learned to clap and does that when Daddy comes home from work

and when he is happy, which is most of the time!

oh and how he drools! his shirt is halfway soaked and he was over maybe 2 hours!

See the tiny tooth beside the turtle??

Thank you Lord for this blessing we call Zander David Wall!

Fender Bender Friday!

Yes that is me standing by the Black Ford Edge!

I had a feeling before I even got into the Edge at work that I needed

to talk to God about safety!

I prayed that he would keep me safe and that I would not have an accident.

All the way on the drive to the Credit Union my thoughts were

"what would I do if I had an accident with a Meridian vehicle"

Well now I know. And God answered half of my prayer, whiplash is all I have.

I was waiting to turn left onto Mountain when I was schmucked from behind,

I never saw it coming! Apparently she did not see me on time either.

What a sweet girl, I felt so bad for her. English is not her first language, French is.

She did not understand half of what was said.

I am thankful I got to meet this young girl.

After Bernie picked me up and brought me back to work I went to fill

out a police report, she was still there waiting for a taxi.

I asked her if I could give her a ride home, she was so distraught.

She accepted and I brought her home.

After my chiro appointment today I feel much better, hope it stays that way!

God is Good, All the time!

Summer 2010

It has been a while since I have posted...not really good at this!
Summer...almost gone again but it has been great!
What have been the highlights?
Vikk & Chris' engagement and planning of the wedding.
Spending time with the best Grandson ever, being able to walk, bike and just feeling better in general!
Jo has begun working for Constelation a few evenings and we have the pleasure of having Zander time! I LOVE sitting outside with him and just watching him...he loves being outside!
We went to Facon Lake for a Penner Campout. I love getting together with family! It makes me feel closer to my parents.
Harvest Festival was spent the best way possible...watching Zander so his Mom & Dad could enjoy the festival!
So, while that is not much, it has been a full summer. Thank you Jesus for that!

anniversaries & engagements!

Today marks 25 years of marriage for Dave & I.

We did not do anything special today and that is the norm for us and we like it that way.

We are however going to Mexico in December and that is how we chose to celebrate!

Sunday night Christopher Patrick Andrusiek asked our daughter,

Victoria Danielle to be his wife and she said yes!

Guess what I did today...

I booked us a vacation to Mexico for my cousin Jac & Jarret's wedding in December!

We will be celebrating Dave's 50th birthday and our 25th Anniversary as well!

Chris and Vikk will be going as well.

The only sad part is that Hank & Jo and Zander will not be able to go

as of right now, who knows...maybe it will work out somehow!

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