A quick note from 'the Rourkes' in wishing you and your family / friends a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
May God truly fill your hearts with His love, joy and HOPE!
"The Lord is faithful to all His promises, and loving toward all He has made" Ps. 145:13b
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
More Christmas functions
Lance's staff Christmas party was this week as well. This was the first year of me going as 'the wife' instead of 'the employee' which was a little akward, difficult and strange to say the least. But the party is always a lot of fun and this year did not disappoint. It was wonderful to see all the staff and reconnect with them throughout the evening. Oh how I've missed them :)
Yesterday evening was Lance's birthday gift from me. We went to see the VSO performing Vivaldi's Four Seasons along with other classical music. We had front row seats which was great to see the expression on the musicians faces and watch as they loved playing the music. We both have such an appreciation for classical music and this concert was like no other. There is no way to describe it except that you sit in awe of the music and let it sink in. I'm so thankful the Lord gave us ears to hear the beauty of music. WOW!!
Today we are going to the Lang Christmas party which is my Mom's side of the family. There should be around 50 people there that are ALL related. It is a highlight for my Grandpa as his ENTIRE family is there to celebrate Christmas. Grandpa has 6 kids plus spouses, 14 grandkids plus spouses, and 16 great grandchildren and 1 on the way for spring next year. What a celebration it will be. :) I'll post pics later this week.
I hope you all are enjoying every function of this wonderful season and lovin' on everyone around you as that is the true meaning of Christmas - God's incredible love!
Yesterday evening was Lance's birthday gift from me. We went to see the VSO performing Vivaldi's Four Seasons along with other classical music. We had front row seats which was great to see the expression on the musicians faces and watch as they loved playing the music. We both have such an appreciation for classical music and this concert was like no other. There is no way to describe it except that you sit in awe of the music and let it sink in. I'm so thankful the Lord gave us ears to hear the beauty of music. WOW!!
Today we are going to the Lang Christmas party which is my Mom's side of the family. There should be around 50 people there that are ALL related. It is a highlight for my Grandpa as his ENTIRE family is there to celebrate Christmas. Grandpa has 6 kids plus spouses, 14 grandkids plus spouses, and 16 great grandchildren and 1 on the way for spring next year. What a celebration it will be. :) I'll post pics later this week.
I hope you all are enjoying every function of this wonderful season and lovin' on everyone around you as that is the true meaning of Christmas - God's incredible love!
Piano Christmas Party
This fall I had to give up my Piano students due to my new position that demanded more of my time. This was a VERY hard thing to surrender but I knew the Lord was calling me to do it. There was no way I could do both jobs as much as I loved it. The Lord provided another teacher just starting out that I was able to transfer my students over and bless her with the extra income. The only students I hung onto were what I call my 'adopted nieces' and 2 of my own nieces. These 4 girls have been a blessing to teach and pour into them musically and I'm so proud of how far they have come since the fall.
This past Wednesday I had a Christmas Piano party for them and we had so much fun! It started with making individual pita pizza's, then they played their christmas song for everyone, followed by christmas games and Piano games. Prizes were won for each game and presents ended the night. It was a lot of fun. :)
Lance's birthday - part 2
The surprise party was a huge success but that was only one of the surprises for Lance. :) His brother coming from Edmonton was another surprise and we enjoyed having him spend the night at our place. Lance's actual birthday was last Sunday so we spent the morning with his Brother, had blueberry waffles & bacon for breakfast, drove him to the airport, and then went to Campbell Valley Park for a walk as the snow started to fall. It was so peaceful and calm as the beauty of nature surrounded us.
In the afternoon the surprise was for us to go to the Stanley Park Christmas Train in Vancouver with our 'adopted' family. All 8 of us headed down for dinner at the White spot on Georgia Street and then went to Stanley Park. This has been a tradition in my family since I was a little girl but each year they add more and more lights that are so spectacular to see you are speechless. If you get the chance to go, get your tickets on Ticketmaster. They are open every day (Except Christmas day) until New years day.
Lance's 40th Birthday!
This was a BIG birthday for my husband and I started planning a big SURPRISE birthday bash back in the early fall. This was an undertaking in itself as Lance is SO observant of everything and VERY SNEAKY! He LOVES to be in the 'know' so to keep secrets from him is very difficult.
Lance went to visit his brother and sister in Edmonton back in October for a weekend. I took this opportunity to meet with my family to make the plans into action and have their help to pull it off as when I'm not at work, Lance is around which makes it hard to do anything for a big party. With every one's help we did invitations, slide show, a song about Lance, a hallway of pics from his life, menu planning, music, and the best surprise - His brother was coming from Edmonton!! I have never told so many 'fibs' in my life to pull it off but it was SO worth it!! Just to see his expression on his face when we arrived at my parents place was AWESOME and then his eyes POPPED when his brother came around the corner! What a great moment!! :)
There were about 25 people in attendance (plus kids) and the evening was so much fun! Old friends, new friends, family & kids made the party a huge success.
My sister-in-law was the 1 person that worked and worked and WORKED to make it all happen. For her to do everything she did for this party, let alone be a Mom to 2 boys, was amazing. A HUGE THANK YOU to Sarah!!!! This party would NOT have happened without you!! The hours she spent on Lance's cake did not go unnoticed as that is all everyone talked about.
Overall it was a big success and Lance walked away feeling loved, valued and excited for the next 40 years! We know God has BIG things in store for this significant year in his life. There is something biblical with the #40. 40 days & nights it rained and flooded the earth. 40 years the Israelites wandered in the dessert. But after the 40 came the promise! - A beautiful rainbow and the promise land. We KNOW this will be a year full of promises coming to pass in Lance's life and we are so excited to see how God does it as it will be all HIM!! :) HAPPY BIRTHDAY LANCE!
Lance went to visit his brother and sister in Edmonton back in October for a weekend. I took this opportunity to meet with my family to make the plans into action and have their help to pull it off as when I'm not at work, Lance is around which makes it hard to do anything for a big party. With every one's help we did invitations, slide show, a song about Lance, a hallway of pics from his life, menu planning, music, and the best surprise - His brother was coming from Edmonton!! I have never told so many 'fibs' in my life to pull it off but it was SO worth it!! Just to see his expression on his face when we arrived at my parents place was AWESOME and then his eyes POPPED when his brother came around the corner! What a great moment!! :)
There were about 25 people in attendance (plus kids) and the evening was so much fun! Old friends, new friends, family & kids made the party a huge success.
My sister-in-law was the 1 person that worked and worked and WORKED to make it all happen. For her to do everything she did for this party, let alone be a Mom to 2 boys, was amazing. A HUGE THANK YOU to Sarah!!!! This party would NOT have happened without you!! The hours she spent on Lance's cake did not go unnoticed as that is all everyone talked about.
Overall it was a big success and Lance walked away feeling loved, valued and excited for the next 40 years! We know God has BIG things in store for this significant year in his life. There is something biblical with the #40. 40 days & nights it rained and flooded the earth. 40 years the Israelites wandered in the dessert. But after the 40 came the promise! - A beautiful rainbow and the promise land. We KNOW this will be a year full of promises coming to pass in Lance's life and we are so excited to see how God does it as it will be all HIM!! :) HAPPY BIRTHDAY LANCE!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Tis the season - for busyness!
Only 14 days left to Christmas and yes we have been busy, Busy, BUSY!! I must admit, last night was the first evening I had at home to relax (while multitasking of prep for my Piano Christmas Party) and thought to myself, "This is how December is supposed to be". We are enjoying every day but WOW, talk about a busy season.
Last weekend we spent taking care of my 4 nieces. This was a lot of fun but full of activity. . . as it usually is with 4 kids. :) The 2 older ones are involved in our churches Christmas production (That we are going to see this evening) and so there was a rehearsal each day for them. Then there were swimming lessons, a birthday party and Piano lessons all thrown into the mix. We also took them to the "Spirit of Christmas' at Trinity University. That was a lot of fun.
The other activity I was able to do this year was my annual date with Daddy. My Dad and I every year go for dinner and then Christmas shop for my Mom. This year went so well as we found EVERYTHING in 1 evening for her and I always enjoy the one on one time with my Dad. :)
Let's see,what else -
- Christmas shopping is almost complete - 1 more gift to buy which hopefully we can find tonight.
- Christmas cards are done, just needing the Christmas picture to be printed tonight, then stuff the cards and mail.
- House is decorated
- Christmas baking I haven't started but I hope to bake this weekend.
- I haven't started any wrapping yet but that is what Christmas Eve is for. :)
What is coming up? -
- Lance's birthday is this weekend - so I'll share more later on another post.
- My Piano students Christmas party is next week. - Always so much fun.
- Lance's staff Christmas party is also next week which should be good as well.
- Then there is the Lang Christmas party next weekend and then OH YA, CHRISTMAS!!
Tis the season for busyness :)
In the midst of it all though I have had so many moments of enjoying God's presence and being so thankful for His ultimate gift of sending Jesus to this world. I have been listening to Mercy Me Christmas CD in the car (the newest place for God time) and as tears run down my face I've been able to worship the Lord for having life through him. I can't imagine doing this life without Him and to really think upon that you truly get overwhelmed with what Christmas is all about. For Jesus to come to such a broken world that He created, how it must grieve Him to see His kids suffer - yet He provided a way - humbled Himself and came to this world to let us have eternity with Him. WOW!
Make sure to take a moment - put on some worship / Christmas music and dwell upon what Christ did in coming to this earth for us. It will make this month "How December is supposed to be."
Last weekend we spent taking care of my 4 nieces. This was a lot of fun but full of activity. . . as it usually is with 4 kids. :) The 2 older ones are involved in our churches Christmas production (That we are going to see this evening) and so there was a rehearsal each day for them. Then there were swimming lessons, a birthday party and Piano lessons all thrown into the mix. We also took them to the "Spirit of Christmas' at Trinity University. That was a lot of fun.
The other activity I was able to do this year was my annual date with Daddy. My Dad and I every year go for dinner and then Christmas shop for my Mom. This year went so well as we found EVERYTHING in 1 evening for her and I always enjoy the one on one time with my Dad. :)
Let's see,what else -
- Christmas shopping is almost complete - 1 more gift to buy which hopefully we can find tonight.
- Christmas cards are done, just needing the Christmas picture to be printed tonight, then stuff the cards and mail.
- House is decorated
- Christmas baking I haven't started but I hope to bake this weekend.
- I haven't started any wrapping yet but that is what Christmas Eve is for. :)
What is coming up? -
- Lance's birthday is this weekend - so I'll share more later on another post.
- My Piano students Christmas party is next week. - Always so much fun.
- Lance's staff Christmas party is also next week which should be good as well.
- Then there is the Lang Christmas party next weekend and then OH YA, CHRISTMAS!!
Tis the season for busyness :)
In the midst of it all though I have had so many moments of enjoying God's presence and being so thankful for His ultimate gift of sending Jesus to this world. I have been listening to Mercy Me Christmas CD in the car (the newest place for God time) and as tears run down my face I've been able to worship the Lord for having life through him. I can't imagine doing this life without Him and to really think upon that you truly get overwhelmed with what Christmas is all about. For Jesus to come to such a broken world that He created, how it must grieve Him to see His kids suffer - yet He provided a way - humbled Himself and came to this world to let us have eternity with Him. WOW!
Make sure to take a moment - put on some worship / Christmas music and dwell upon what Christ did in coming to this earth for us. It will make this month "How December is supposed to be."
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