Poor little Adelaine wasn't so happy on her 1st birthday as she had developed a fever and was not her usually cheerful self. But the party must go on!
We had a number of friends and family join us for the afternoon. There was lots of food with Tube Steaks as the main course.
Some of the boys entertained themselves with Ellie's doll house.
Ellie helped Adelaine by blowing out the candle..
and with unwrapping presents.
As Adelaine wasn't feeling well, she didn't eat much of her cake. She did manage to make quite a mess of it.
A tired and slightly ill little one year old went off for a nap while we visited each other upstairs.
Happy Birthday Adelaine! Hope you are feeling better soon.
Labels: Adelaine
12 months of Adelaine, one month at a time.
1 Comments Published on Friday, December 28, 2007 at 11:32 AM.
One year ago today, December 28, Adelaine Leigh Johnstone was born. Here is a look back at the past year of Adelaine's life, one month at a time.
Happy Birthday Adelaine!_____________________________________________
Happy Birthday Adelaine!
Labels: Adelaine
Sunrise Christmas morning and the girls were up and getting ready for the busy day!
Ellie was very excited for Christmas. For a few days beforehand we would ask her what day was coming up and she would answer "presents!" We told her that that wasn't what the day was called, and then would ask what Christmas was all about and she would then answer "Jesus is born."
Ellie hugging presents on Christmas Eve.. materialism starts early
After the men cooked a mean breakfast, the kids opened their stockings to keep them out of trouble while we prepared for the rest of the day.
We then read the Christmas story and Ellie helped place the pieces for the Nativity set.
She made her own addition with her My Little Pony that she got in her stocking.
Adelaine helped Uncle "Dew" play some Christmas songs on his guitar. Her fingering needs help.
After this we got into the business of tearing paper. Ellie was only too happy to rip stuff open..
while Adelaine needed a bit more help. She was more interested in tasting the paper strewn about the floor than opening up presents.
This was definitely a girlie Christmas for Ellie. No trucks, tractors or toy snakes.. instead she got dolls, a doll house, a toy kitchen, frilly dress shoes, and so on. Both girls got lots of books and other things to keep them busy!
I received a GPS unit from my wife and family.
Now I can keep track of where important things are.. like where we parked the van and exactly where the chip isle is in the local grocery store. Never get lost again!
After a few hours more family started to arrive. We were able to get some wonderful photos of the girls happily sitting with Great Grandma.
After a huge meal we all relaxed with family and reflected on the blessings God has sent our way, the most important one being the birth of Jesus Christ, our whole reason for celebrating this time of year. I hope you had a great Christmas too.
December 21 marks the the shortest day of the year for the northern hemisphere. Each day has slowly been getting shorter until this point. So look on the bright side (pun intended), while the days get colder for the next few months, they are getting longer too!
When I first considered moving to Olds 7 years ago to get to know Naomi better and convince her to marry me I didn't realize how far north it was compared to my home in southern New Brunswick. I packed my telescope along thinking I would be able to take advantage of the clear Alberta sky during the summer of 2001.
I arrived in late May as the sun was getting near it's highest and the days their longest. We were tired after a long drive, but we all thought that it was much too early to go to bed as the sky was still very bright. Finally someone looked at their watch and we realized that it was 10:30 and promptly headed off to bed.
I never actually used the telescope that summer as I discovered that the sky doesn't get truly dark this far north during the summer. The sun stayed up much later and even going outside at 1:00 AM the sky is still a dark blue, with the sun not far below the horizon. I could see maybe a few dozen stars..
Of course the opposite was true in the winter, but it gets much colder here too! During that winter I worked in a bakery and often would not see the sun all week. I would come to work before the sun came up and went home in the dark. My co-workers went for frequent smoke breaks, so they would see the sun, but it was also -20 C, and I didn't go outside just for fun.
Olds, AB:
Elevation 902 m
For June 21, longest day of the year
Morning twilight: 4:24 (make sure you blinds are closed!)
Sunrise: 5:14
Sunset: 10:00
Evening twilight: 10:49
Daylight hours: 16 hrs, 46 min
For Dec 21, shortest day of the year
Morning twilight: 8:01
Sunrise: 8:42
Sunset: 16:25
Evening twilight: 17:06
Daylight hours: 7 hrs, 42 min
Owen Sound, ON:
Elevation 222 m
For June 21
Morning twilight: 5:01
Sunrise: 5:38
Sunset: 9:13
Evening twilight: 9:50
Daylight hours: 15 hrs, 35 min
For Dec 21
Morning twilight: 7:25
Sunrise: 7:58
Sunset: 16:46
Evening twilight: 17:20
Daylight hours: 8 hrs, 47 min
Sackville, NB:
Elevation 24 m
For June 21
Morning twilight: 4:48
Sunrise: 5:27
Sunset: 9:13
Evening twilight: 9:52
Daylight hours: 15 hrs, 46 min
For Dec 21
Morning twilight: 7:23
Sunrise: 7:58
Sunset: 16:35
Evening twilight: 17:10
Daylight hours: 8 hrs, 37 min
During the summer Olds gets an hour more sunlight than my hometown of Sackville (good), and in the winter an hour less (bad). Gee.. I would really hate to live in a place like Yellowknife.._____________________________________________
When I first considered moving to Olds 7 years ago to get to know Naomi better and convince her to marry me I didn't realize how far north it was compared to my home in southern New Brunswick. I packed my telescope along thinking I would be able to take advantage of the clear Alberta sky during the summer of 2001.
I arrived in late May as the sun was getting near it's highest and the days their longest. We were tired after a long drive, but we all thought that it was much too early to go to bed as the sky was still very bright. Finally someone looked at their watch and we realized that it was 10:30 and promptly headed off to bed.
I never actually used the telescope that summer as I discovered that the sky doesn't get truly dark this far north during the summer. The sun stayed up much later and even going outside at 1:00 AM the sky is still a dark blue, with the sun not far below the horizon. I could see maybe a few dozen stars..
Of course the opposite was true in the winter, but it gets much colder here too! During that winter I worked in a bakery and often would not see the sun all week. I would come to work before the sun came up and went home in the dark. My co-workers went for frequent smoke breaks, so they would see the sun, but it was also -20 C, and I didn't go outside just for fun.
Olds, AB:
Elevation 902 m
For June 21, longest day of the year
Morning twilight: 4:24 (make sure you blinds are closed!)
Sunrise: 5:14
Sunset: 10:00
Evening twilight: 10:49
Daylight hours: 16 hrs, 46 min
For Dec 21, shortest day of the year
Morning twilight: 8:01
Sunrise: 8:42
Sunset: 16:25
Evening twilight: 17:06
Daylight hours: 7 hrs, 42 min
Owen Sound, ON:
Elevation 222 m
For June 21
Morning twilight: 5:01
Sunrise: 5:38
Sunset: 9:13
Evening twilight: 9:50
Daylight hours: 15 hrs, 35 min
For Dec 21
Morning twilight: 7:25
Sunrise: 7:58
Sunset: 16:46
Evening twilight: 17:20
Daylight hours: 8 hrs, 47 min
Sackville, NB:
Elevation 24 m
For June 21
Morning twilight: 4:48
Sunrise: 5:27
Sunset: 9:13
Evening twilight: 9:52
Daylight hours: 15 hrs, 46 min
For Dec 21
Morning twilight: 7:23
Sunrise: 7:58
Sunset: 16:35
Evening twilight: 17:10
Daylight hours: 8 hrs, 37 min
During the summer Olds gets an hour more sunlight than my hometown of Sackville (good), and in the winter an hour less (bad). Gee.. I would really hate to live in a place like Yellowknife..
Ministry Update :: December 18, 2007
0 Comments Published on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at 10:07 AM.
Dear friends,
I recently returned from a one week retreat for our Creative Management Team as we brainstormed and created new tools for the ministry. We focused on creating materials for our One in Sixty partnership development program, including an informational brochure, web site, and videos explaining what it means to partner with a GoodSeed missionary. You can see some of the results of our efforts at www.OneInSixty.com
Operating one of the cameras during a video shoot
Part of my role was helping with the shooting and editing of the videos one the site. I am trying to learn more about this as I will be producing many more videos like the ones on the site in a few months.
We have also defined some more roles for me at GoodSeed. In addition to creating teaching videos, I will be serving as Canadian Marketing Coordinator and Conference Coordinator. Please pray for continued wisdom as we try to share our ministry with people across the country.
Christmas is fast approaching and we are looking forward to spending time together as a family. May God bless you and yours this Christmas!
Troy & Naomi Johnstone
PS: Adelaine turns one year old on December 28. We are so thankful for our wonderful little girl whom the doctors told us would likely not even be born.
_____________________________________________
I recently returned from a one week retreat for our Creative Management Team as we brainstormed and created new tools for the ministry. We focused on creating materials for our One in Sixty partnership development program, including an informational brochure, web site, and videos explaining what it means to partner with a GoodSeed missionary. You can see some of the results of our efforts at www.OneInSixty.com
Operating one of the cameras during a video shoot
Part of my role was helping with the shooting and editing of the videos one the site. I am trying to learn more about this as I will be producing many more videos like the ones on the site in a few months.
We have also defined some more roles for me at GoodSeed. In addition to creating teaching videos, I will be serving as Canadian Marketing Coordinator and Conference Coordinator. Please pray for continued wisdom as we try to share our ministry with people across the country.
Christmas is fast approaching and we are looking forward to spending time together as a family. May God bless you and yours this Christmas!
Troy & Naomi Johnstone
PS: Adelaine turns one year old on December 28. We are so thankful for our wonderful little girl whom the doctors told us would likely not even be born.
Labels: Ministry Update
Labels: Adelaine
After eight years I finally got some new glasses.
I first started wearing glasses in grade 8 and I have had the same prescription ever since! Like all glasses at the time, they were huge. They were so big they often pressed into my cheeks when I smiled. I kept those glasses for a very long time and I liked them so much that after several years I bought new ones that were basically the same style. Thats me, always keeping up with the latest fashion.
When I was in university I went to a new, smaller style of glasses (the ones pictured on the left). They are still huge by today's standards, but in 1990 they were "in". In 1999 I again purchased new, even smaller glasses (middle picture). These ones started to affect my vision in an irritating way as the bottom of the frames were in my field of view. I soon got used to it and just tipped my head down some to see things that were lower. Last month I got a new set of glasses, and again, they are smaller still.
Now I really notice the small size. The bottom of the frame is right in the comfortable zone for reading a book, looking at my keyboard, seeing food on my plate, etc. The doctor told me that I likely will never need bifocals, but my newest glasses kinda feel like that anyway. I find myself either peering down below my glasses or tipping my head down lots more, so much so that my neck is actually getting sore. From a distance I probably appear like someone struggling with bifocals.
I recently found my 17 year old glasses and tried them on. The prescription is the same, so I can see just fine. It was kind of like an IMAX theater where the screen takes up all your field of view.. life on the big screen without any borders or frames to infringe my vision. By comparison, my last pair are like watching life on a wide screen TV. Still comfortable and acceptable, but much smaller. In contrast, my newest glasses are kinda like watching a movie on an iPod.
Oh the trials of being a slave to fashion._____________________________________________
I first started wearing glasses in grade 8 and I have had the same prescription ever since! Like all glasses at the time, they were huge. They were so big they often pressed into my cheeks when I smiled. I kept those glasses for a very long time and I liked them so much that after several years I bought new ones that were basically the same style. Thats me, always keeping up with the latest fashion.
When I was in university I went to a new, smaller style of glasses (the ones pictured on the left). They are still huge by today's standards, but in 1990 they were "in". In 1999 I again purchased new, even smaller glasses (middle picture). These ones started to affect my vision in an irritating way as the bottom of the frames were in my field of view. I soon got used to it and just tipped my head down some to see things that were lower. Last month I got a new set of glasses, and again, they are smaller still.
Now I really notice the small size. The bottom of the frame is right in the comfortable zone for reading a book, looking at my keyboard, seeing food on my plate, etc. The doctor told me that I likely will never need bifocals, but my newest glasses kinda feel like that anyway. I find myself either peering down below my glasses or tipping my head down lots more, so much so that my neck is actually getting sore. From a distance I probably appear like someone struggling with bifocals.
I recently found my 17 year old glasses and tried them on. The prescription is the same, so I can see just fine. It was kind of like an IMAX theater where the screen takes up all your field of view.. life on the big screen without any borders or frames to infringe my vision. By comparison, my last pair are like watching life on a wide screen TV. Still comfortable and acceptable, but much smaller. In contrast, my newest glasses are kinda like watching a movie on an iPod.
Oh the trials of being a slave to fashion.
Labels: ramblings
In this corner weighing twenty and one half pounds we have Adelaine The Squealer.
In the other corner, weighing 28 pounds is Ellie The Brute.
Ellie obviously has the weight advantage in this match but Adelaine makes frequent use of her special "Squeal" attack to stun her opponent. I just hope one of them doesn't use the oven rack while wresting in the ring. Let's see what happens in this match:
Whoa! Adelaine snuck a foreign object into the ring.. a sock! Biological weapons may be prohibited in warfare, but not wrestling! Looks like Ellie was able to disarm her though..
___________
The girls seem to enjoy wrestling. If I lay down on the floor Adelaine will crawl over and climb on top of my head, squealing in my ear! Fun, but sometimes painful as she is known to use that forbidden wrestling move: the Eye Gouge.
For more videos of the kids visit www.youtube.com/user/Troystone_____________________________________________
In the other corner, weighing 28 pounds is Ellie The Brute.
Ellie obviously has the weight advantage in this match but Adelaine makes frequent use of her special "Squeal" attack to stun her opponent. I just hope one of them doesn't use the oven rack while wresting in the ring. Let's see what happens in this match:
Whoa! Adelaine snuck a foreign object into the ring.. a sock! Biological weapons may be prohibited in warfare, but not wrestling! Looks like Ellie was able to disarm her though..
___________
The girls seem to enjoy wrestling. If I lay down on the floor Adelaine will crawl over and climb on top of my head, squealing in my ear! Fun, but sometimes painful as she is known to use that forbidden wrestling move: the Eye Gouge.
For more videos of the kids visit www.youtube.com/user/Troystone
I am currently in Radium, BC for six days of meetings with a number of my GoodSeed coworkers from Canada and the US. Why Radium? It is is the mid-way point (four hours drive) from both of our offices. A friend of the ministry donates the accommodations for us and we are able to get together for meetings.
For the meetings we have pulled together the members of the creative team to brainstorm and set some direction and create some new tools for the ministry. We are focusing this week on our partnership development program and are creating the tools needed to communicate the needs to our partners. Please pray for wisdom and creativity as we work on these projects that will help the ministry of GoodSeed.
Troy
View Larger Map_____________________________________________
For the meetings we have pulled together the members of the creative team to brainstorm and set some direction and create some new tools for the ministry. We are focusing this week on our partnership development program and are creating the tools needed to communicate the needs to our partners. Please pray for wisdom and creativity as we work on these projects that will help the ministry of GoodSeed.
Troy
View Larger Map
Labels: Ministry Update
