HAPPY 90TH BIRTHDAY, DEAR DAD! JULY 1ST, 2019

It's my Dad's 90th birthday today.

As I type late at night, there are fireworks going off at Central Park in the distance for Canada Day, known as Dominion Day until 1982.

 I can hardly believe my Dad is 90! It's quite amazing.

We celebrated on Saturday, May 4th because Marlene and Dan couldn't make it in July.

 However, today we took him out for ice cream at Burnaby Village Museum, and he really enjoyed that.

This is a collage of photos of his young life.

 I think he was a very cute boy. Matthew reminded me of him so much. I think they have a similar nature.

 From his prairie days to his life in the big city, Dad seemed to always enjoy each day. 

 I wrote a birthday piece about him for the Renfrew Collingwood newspaper, and it was published and I picked up a few copies on Friday. Once it's online I'll post it on this blog.

 I'm so thankful and blessed to have parents who are godly and dedicated to each other and to their family. 

 It means a great deal to me in this present day and age in which we live. I'm glad my Dad valued his life and chose to follow the Lord at a young age, and live up to his full potential. He didn't have an easy life, but he never shirked his duty. 

 Dad didn't forsake his wife or desert her, and he always brought home a steady paycheck. He took us on summer holidays, and was there each weekend. He never went golfing or fishing. 

 He took us to church each Sunday, and lived an upright, Christian life, and was a good example of what a good and holy man could be even in the decadent world in which we presently live. 

 Dad was fortunate to marry a Christian woman who stuck by his side, and they have been married for nearly 64 years. I'm thankful that my Mom was a true help-meet for him.

 No, I've never taken my parents for granted, and I'm grateful for my dear Dad, Jack Williams, and his love for his family. 

Happy birthday, dear Dad, and God bless you richly.

Love always...Loretta

Happy 60th birthday, Robert!

Happy 60th birthday, dear Robert!

Happy 30th birthday, Matthew!

Today, February 9th, Matthew is 30!

Who can believe it?

It's amazing how the years have flown by.

I'm sure to Matthew they didn't seem that quick, but to me his mother they seem like a dream.

I had wanted to celebrate all three big 0 birthdays together...but it may not happen. Robert is turning 60 this year, and Dad is turning 90! The picture above is Matthew's meal; tilapia fish.

Tonight we went out for dinner at the James Street Cafe on Canada Way and Smith in Burnaby BC. It has a delicious African/East Indian cuisine. We love the flavour.

This was my dish; masala potatoes and choma chicken.

Robert had the curried prawns with Indian tea.

Last weekend we went to Chilliwack and had lunch at Dickens Sweets, meeting Margaret, Wim and Antoon there. Tuesday evening we had dinner here at home, then went to my parents home for homemade brownie cake.

So we celebrated three times!

I'll post photos of that in another entry.

I'm so glad we were blessed with dear Matthew. He has been a joy to us, and so kind and loving. He still makes me laugh. I still miss him living at home, although it now seems like a very long time ago that he did live here, as he moved away over 10 years ago now. We wish the best for him in his life ahead in his 30's. May God bless him and may Matthew find his true delight and joy in the Lord one day.

By Loretta Houben

Happy 28th birthday, dear Matthew!

28 years ago today I became a mother. We only had one child; our son Matthew. We wanted more, but it wasn't to be. Some things you just have to accept. I'm not sure where the years have gone. I tried to enjoy them all. We've had so many fun times together. 

Matthew was such a placid happy baby. At 2 months he learned how to sleep through the night, and he never bawled his eyes out for no reason. We seemed to understand each other perfectly from the first week. 

The hardest thing was I had an emergency C section as Matthew turned out to be in the breech position, and no one knew it to the last moment. But thankfully the doctors and nurses saved us both, and we've enjoyed the past 28 years of life!

 Matthew was so cute. 

He just became more cute over the years!

These are the only photos I have of his first day of life, as we had a film camera. We didn't get our first digital camera until 12 years later, in 2001.

 This is Matthew's hospital photo. I wonder if they still have those? I have so many sweet and precious memories.

I'm thankful God blessed us with at least one son!

By Loretta Houben

My 56th birthday.

Today is my 56th birthday.

Each birthday is a special gift.

I used to take them for granted, but ever since 9/11 I have accepted every day as a gift from God.

He alone is the giver of life.

I'm very blessed by Him.

Today I had a phone call from my parents who sang happy birthday to me, at least...the shortened version! Then my aunt Ruth (Dad's sister) called, and chatted for one hour!

I went out for a while to Metrotown where I had lunch, hot coffee, and a raspberry donut. I browsed in a book store and bought a genealogy magazine and a doll magazine; it doesn't get any better than that! I also bought 4 really cute items for my dolls from Build-a-Bear shop. 

I visited a favourite $ store too, then headed home. It was only 10 C this morning. That is really chilly! The sun came out in the afternoon. Matthew called and chatted for 1/2 hour, then Leona called. I spoke to my Mom again, then Robert took me out for dinner at Boston Pizza. We shared a large pizza, and a hot baked cookie for dessert. Mmmm...

It's not fancy but one of my favourite places to eat.

Robert gave me a dozen crimson roses, and a lovely card.

On the weekend my parents gave me a pretty card, and a gift of cash. This is the first year I didn't receive any cards in the mail. I'm old-fashioned and I still LOVE to get real cards, but recently Carleton cards at Metrotown closed. I didn't even know it was closing until it was gone. 

I feel like my life is changing so dramatically and swiftly, that some days I can hardly catch my breath.

Tonight we paid our property taxes ONLINE. It was tricky to set up, but easy to do. It will be really easy to do next year. My head sometimes feels exceedingly dizzy.

In the year ahead I hope to slow down even more, and not become overwhelmed with all this change around me.

One thing which never changes is the constant love of my Heavenly Father.

By Loretta Houben

"Since his days are determined, and the number of his months is with you, and you have appointed his limits that he cannot pass." Job 14:5

Happy 90th Birthday, Queen Elizabeth!

For my whole life, Elizabeth has been the Queen of Canada.

Some think she shouldn't be. But I'm rather traditional and I have British blood, so I like the monarchy. Plus someone has to be in charge.

 I'm not very fond of Prince Charles. I can't forget how he treated Lady Diana. But of course, it doesn't matter if we like them or not! I wonder when he will finally be King. Then there is Prince William who I've watched grow up, and now I'm enjoying seeing his darling little son, Prince George.

 I cheerfully saved all these images from the internet. Aren't they delightful? I also splurged and bought two items from the Royal Mail.

 This is one of the most adorable photos I've seen.

Isn't it priceless? I think Queen Elizabeth looks great for 90!

The children are:

Her youngest grandchildren on the left:

James, Viscount Severn and Lady Louise, the children of the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

Mia Tindall (holding the Queen's handbag) daughter of Zara and Mike Tindall.

Savanna and Isla Phillips, daughters of Peter and Autumn Phillips.

Prince George and his sister Charlotte in the Queen's arms.

By Loretta Houben

Happy 27th birthday, Matthew!

Happy 27th birthday, Matthew!

We wish you a wonderful day, and a fantastic year ahead.

It's unbelievable how time flies. We have such happy memories of hours, days and years spent together. You've been on your own now for 8 years.

We still miss you in our home, and wish you hadn't flown the nest quite so soon.

But you have been living your life to the full, finding your path.

You've done well, and we wish you God's blessings in the future.

Lots of love from Mom and Dad.

Today is my Mom's 82nd birthday!

Today is my Mom's 82nd birthday.

I created this card for her last week. She loves to receive real cards in the mail.

It's wonderful that Canada Post still delivers to home residences. Soon it will be fazed out.

I used a card stock base from Michael's. I buy the large packages of their cards/envelopes on sale.

I glued a pink polka dot paper to the front, and layered lace, ribbon trim, embellishments, and a printed copy of a design I created using Picmonkey photo program.

The original photo is below, showing my Mom in the corn field with her first birthday cake in 1934.

I think little Susie is so cute. 

Today I created this photo collage using a lovely free image from Wings of Whimsey, a lovely blog I subscribe to. Gunnvor Karita from Norway designs some lovely things.

This is one of my favourite hobbies!

This shows my mom as a young girl in the 1940's picking hops.

It definitely wasn't one of her favourite jobs!

Happy birthday, dearest Mom!

May you have a blessed day and year filled with God's richest blessings.

By Loretta Houben

My Mother's 80th birthday!

Little Susie Brutke

July 15, 1934

Isn't she cute? She was only one year old and today she turned 80!

We celebrated her birthday with a big bang at Griffin's Restaurant at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver on Georgia St this past Saturday. We had a grand time and I think she did too!

Many happy returns of the day, dear Mother!

May God bless all your days.

Happy 85th birthday, Tony Houben!

85 years ago, Antoon Houben, known as Tony throughout his life, was born in Limberg, Netherlands.

I don't have any baby photos of him, but here he is on top of the family car, around 3 years old.

He passed away last August 2012, so didn't get to celebrate his birthday here on earth.

I wonder if they celebrate birthdays in Heaven? I've often wondered that.

I still miss him so very much and I often think of him. It doesn't feel like he is really gone. I remember his laugh, his twinkling eyes, his warm smile, and his great bear hugs with fondness. The odd thing is that is son, Robert who is my hubby, looks and acts so much like him which I guess is why I think so much of Tony!

Tony Houben as a Scout in Nazi Germany! He put on his uniform to take the photo; he could have been sent to a concentration camp if he was caught. He had quite the pluck and courage in those WWII days. I loved the stories he told of how he sabotaged the Nazi's vehicles one time. I'll have to write the stories out some day soon. 

Dear Tony on his 80th birthday. I made him a special cake using Splenda, as he had diabetes. 

He liked it, but he enjoyed the Tim Bits donuts I'd got for the rest of the family much better. Tee hee...I'm glad I have so many fond memories of him. He was a great father-in-law.

My birthday celebration.

Today is my __st birthday. I'm 50 and holding.

Robert, Matthew and I ate at "Vancouver" Pizza last night.

We won't mention the "B" word here...they have changed their name temporarily to Vancouver Pizza until the end of the NHL Playoff season, which I am happy to say will end tonight.

Here you can see the Canuck's flag in the background, proof that once again the Playoffs have continued until my birthday. Sigh. I sure don't want a repeat of 17 years ago!

Does anyone else have a birthday on Game 7 day of the final round?

Mmm...we all shared this small piece of scrumptious birthday cake.

Matthew gave me a pretty bouquet of lillies, and a wonderful set of Folio books, written by Edith Nesbit; "Five Children and It", "The Phoenix and the Carpet" and "The Story of the Amulet". These books were written in the early 1900's and I read the first one as a child and have always enjoyed it. Nesbit also wrote "The Railway Children", another of my favourite books.

The Folio Society produces wonderful hardcover books. Matthew is a member and is stocking his ever growing library with their volumes. He is an avid reader.

And here is Robert's gift to me; an iPad! It's open to my blog page.

I just love that thing; it's amazing. I'm glad I waited for it and never bought a laptop!

Leona bought me a tiny piece of mango cake. It was delicious.

We played "Taboo", a word game Matthew had just bought.

It was mind bending and quite fun. I had an enjoyable evening.

Birthdays are wonderful when spent with family!

Kelsie's 8th birthday!

Kelsie, our Jack Russel terrier

Kelsie's 8th birthday, with yes; 8 candles on her doggie cake!
Our tradition is to make a "cake" consisting of soft dog food,
roast chicken (or the meat we used in our meal) cottage cheese,
and cheddar cheese sprinkled on top!

(Matthew is 20)

Kelsie after an exhausting day!
(with her new toy monkey)

Please scroll down to view other birthday photos.

June 24, when Kelsie came home with us!

Matthew playing with Kelsie until she fell asleep in his lap.

Kelsie's 1st birthday: April 28, 2002
(Matthew was 13)

Kelsie's 2nd birthday: April 28, 2003
(Matthew was 14)

Kelsie's 3rd birthday: April 28, 2004

(Matthew was 15)

Kelsie's 4th birthday: April 28, 2005
(Matthew was 16)

Kelsie's 5th birthday: April 28, 2006

(Matthew was 17)

Kelsie's 6th birthday: April 28, 2007 (6 candles wouldn't fit)

(Matthew was 18)

Kelsie's 7th birthday: April 28, 2008
(Matthew was 19)

Loretta Houben