Thursday, June 28, 2007

The Blessings of Blogging

This week I had the priviledge of meeting two great friends - both of whom I had never actually "met" but only knew through the wonders of Bloggerland. Heather & Amber both happened to be visiting from Manitoba with their families and this week I had the chance to meet them!

I stumbled upon Heather's blog about a year ago when I discovered that we were both due with babies in the middle of November. It was really fun to have a "pregnancy buddy" :) We both ended up being overdue and in the end, James won the race and was born one day before Keziah. I love reading Heather's blog and I have been so encouraged by it - her openness and vulnerability and the way her faith is such an integral part of her motherhood. Heather, Ryan & baby James stopped in on Tuesday afternoon as they were passing through.

James brought a gift for Keziah - a rattle from Mexico. Keziah was thrilled with it. It's so light and easy to grip. I think Fisher-Price could get a few pointers from the Mexican rattle-maker... Here they are "playing" together:


Ryan willingly snapped a picture of us with our November babies:


Micah was pretty shy during their visit but he's been quick to remind me that Keziah's rattle came from James. So, he remembers you guys!

On Wednesday night we had the chance to meet Amber, Erik, Hailey & Jayda. I've followed Amber's blog for about a year as well. We seemed to have a lot in common with our kids being similar ages - not to mention our husbands sharing the same name, ha ha! I love reading Amber's posts. She's always got so many great pictures and stories. I love that she's so real and relate-able and she is another mother who has a faith that I can admire. Amber's blog is always one of my favourites to check!

Erik & Amber were staying in Mission at the Best Western so we decided to meet them there for some playtime in the pool. My Erik was such a good sport in going with me to meet people he has not a clue about. And just as I suspected, the "Eriks" got along great! We even had to play a bit of the Mennonite Game since Erik was sure he knew them from somewhere... :)

Erik & Erik took the "older" kids into the (very chilly) pool.


Micah & Hailey took a little while to warm up to each other, but it did happen eventually.


Hailey meeting Keziah...


Keziah was trying to squirm right out of the carseat and get into the pool too...


So, I undressed her and let Erik take her into the hot-tub, which was more like a warm bath :) She loved it!


Amber & I with our baby girls (I love Jayda's big yawn!)...


Micah and Hailey decided to perform some death-defying stunts outside...


Yay! I got a picture with both of them looking!


It was a lot of fun. It's kind of strange meeting someone for the first time that you feel such a connection to, but I can honestly say that both Heather & Amber have become good friends over the last year or so. I'm sure our husbands may all think we're a little weird for claiming to have such real relationships over the internet, but I think Erik understood it a bit better after last night. Heather & I were talking about it when they were here - how, as young moms, it's such a blessing to feel connected to each other. It's easy to feel alone when you're at home all the time with kids, but now we have a network of others who we can relate to.

Heather & Amber - I had a great time with you both and I'm so happy you took the time to fit me into your BC trips!

15 comments:

Bonnie said...

I think its so neat that you have made such wonderful friends through blogging Jamie! This was such an encouraging post. I've got to say that your blog has quickly become one of my favorites and I always appreciate YOUR honesty, vulnerability and strong faith. I've enjoyed re-connecting with you through blogging and just want you to know that I think you're great!!
Have a wonderful day!
-Bonnie-

Lindsay said...

That is really neat! Thanks for posting! :)

KDees said...

very cool, jamie! it's been very neat to connect and keep in touch through the internet!

Anonymous said...

Hi Jamie! We had a great time visiting at your place. Ryan thought your kids were both super cute, and is REALLY hoping for a girl after hanging out with little Keziah. :) I think he understands where I'm coming from a little better now too. Glad you hooked up with Erik and Amber! Next time you'll have to come our way.

kelly ens said...

aren't blogger friends great? Glad you got to meet them all and that Erik was so willing to join in :)
great pictures of all of you!

The Keowns said...

i think it is so awesome how we can truely meet good friends over the internet. Steve laughs at me too, I have my goup of 15 ladies I met when pregnant with Liam and we talk/email every day. He thinks I am a little nutty since I have only met two of them!

Wenona said...

I think that is so neat how you can meet friends over the internet and feel such a connection to them from not even having ever met them. Glad that you had such a great visit with both Amber and Heather and their families.

Elissa said...

Lovin' the farmer tan Erik!

Nathan & Rosanna Toews said...

Jamie this is really cool! After the conversation last night about this whole online world - I felt encouraged by your post and by the fact that God is shaping and forming these friendships - using them to encourage and bless you. Cool!

Donna said...

Sounds so fun! I got to meet one blogger friend and then she moved away=(

Can't wait to check out their blogs!

Evonne said...

Hi jamie
my name is Evonne and you invited you to my blog.I guess i never really introduced myself to you but my name is Evonne and I am from Belize.I have been reading your blog since you were pregnant with keziah and every once in a while before that.you have an awesme family and i am always blessed when i read your blogs.keep up the good work.i have a blog too i don't have anything much on it right now but i hope to soon.If you want to see it go to

evshappyfeet.blogspot.com

blessings to you and your family.

Summer said...

Hi Jamie,

That is so great that you got to meet Heather and Amber. Looks like you guys had a really great time.

Amber said...

Awwww! What a great post Jamie (and you got the pictures up so quick!!!) You are such a sweetheart - it was so great meeting you in "real life" and you have such a beautiful family! Micah & Keziah are even more adorable (as IF that's even possible!) in person! Thanks for fitting US in to your week....too bad we live so far apart, our families really hit it off together and I could totally see us all becoming great friends! Hope you are having a great rest of the week....we have been busy with wedding stuff now towards the end of the week. E & I were talking yesterday and saying that if we are feeling up to it on Sunday we should try to find a church in the area to go to...and I said we should go to yours. I think you have mentioned before that you have an early service & a late service, right? And I assume that the link on your sidebar is your church? We'll have to see what Sunday morning brings.

Oh, and I was going to tell you, your blog is one of my favorites to check too :)

Christy said...

SO great that you got to meet Heather and Amber! I am jealous...but in a good way if that is possible? Great pics! Could Keziah get anymore adorable? I am not sure if I have ever mentioned this before but my Mother in Law lives in Mission and we might be heading there for Christmas this year!

Drea said...

awe how fun! you all look great.. I dont know many bloggers around my area... their all up north! :-)