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'The Parkins' For Dummies


Sunday, October 28, 2007

Prayer Retreat

This weekend we went up to Lake Simcoe (about 3 hours drive) to stay in a lakeside cottage and spend some time with our friends, chatting, eating together, praying for each other and worshiping.
The weather was typical autumn and we even spent an hour or two out in the yard picking up the leaves and cutting the grass.

Auntie Jenn with Gabe and Jer

Making more mess with the leaf-blower!

Josh and Dan...armed and ready for raking!

Let's throw leaves at Jenn and Gabe...
..it'll make a great photo!!!

The '614 London' Crew

Monday, October 22, 2007

Thank You Everyone

Thank You Nan and Pops for my trendy new coat!


Thank You Grandma and Grandad for my play tunnel!


Thank You Granny and Grandpa for my exciting books!


Thank You Auntie Helen and Uncle Mike for my tasty Elephlump!


Thank You to everyone who bought me gifts! Mummy and Daddy haven't taken enough photos yet, but I've played with every toy and book I was given and had lots of fun. I feel very special and very loved.

Lots of Love and cuddles from me,
Gabriel Ian Parkin
(age 1 year and 9 days)
xxx

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Gabriel says thank you!

"1 year later"

I'm sure if Gabriel spoke the English language as well as the rest of us he would be saying thank you all very much for the wonderful presents! Thank you to everyone who could come to his party and helped us feel like we celebrated his first birthday properly, we had a great time and we hope you all did too. I am personally very grateful to put away some of his older toys that I'm bored of seeing (and hearing) around the house.
It's great to get so many books, he loves to read albeit in his own weird way but I'm sure he'll get lots of enjoyment out of them over the months and years to come. He's also been driving the little trucks around this afternoon and "counting" the circles on the activity toy. He was a little shy about crawling through the tunnel Grandma gave him but after a "Daddy test run" he got right in there!
"Well if Daddy can do it so can I!"

"Watch out here we come!"

"I can see you in there cheeky monkey!"

His bath balls and fish have gone down a treat and he was most upset to have to leave them in bathroom when bath time was over. Daddy built his big truck this morning and he really enjoyed carting it around the house and riding around the living room on it while the veggie tales played in the background. After all that playing and experimenting he's all tuckered out and will be holding off further play until tomorrow!

God Bless!

Friday, October 12, 2007

Birthday Party

We had a great birthday party tonight with way too many presents and probably too much cake too! Despite being tired, Gabe was very well behaved and seemed to enjoy the whole experience. He didn't quite grasp the concept of opening presents, but we had fun helping him.


Sunday, October 07, 2007

Life and Thanksgiving

It's thanksgiving in Canada tomorrow and I just wanted to put a post up about it because I'm not very good at vocalising it. I hate to sound cheesy or fake but I do want to be earnest.
  • I am genuinely thankful that I have a loving family and though we've been through trials we have been strengthened as a unit because of them.
  • I am grateful that I found some meaningful work just at the right time.
  • I am happy Gabriel enjoys his day care and that he is thriving and growing.
  • I am happy that my family at home (and abroad) are doing well, that they are happy and successful.
  • I am overjoyed to hear that my mother in law is now in much better health.
  • I praise God for good friends who are so open in their faith and shameless in their walk.
  • I love being in a community that cares for its fellow man - no matter what.
  • I was so encouraged that the Army as a worldwide community prayed in unison against human trafficking last weekend.
  • I am thankful for fun and games with friends.
  • I am so grateful to have had Gabriel in my life for the last year, I have learnt so much from him and I believe I will always learn from him.
  • I am thankful for my home and that I can step out my door without fear.
Here are a couple of pictures of my two favourite people:
Cheese anyone?

Proud DIY-er

Jail Break!!

There is so much more, but these are things I had on my heart today.
May God bless you in your walk.

p.s. Gabriel just started walking this evening after I made this post! - Please see video clips below.