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

First Wednesday without Kelsie.

Today Robert worked from home. Yes, indeed, only one week after his surgery. It's spring break, so our normal routine is gone at the moment. Usually Robert heads off to Scout Canada meeting with his cub scouts. He's a leader and enjoys it immensely. When the weather was good, and when Kelsie felt more peppy than she has been the past 2 weeks, she would always know when he was returning home around 9 pm and she would always be anxiously waiting at the back door, looking out the sliding glass door to see if she could see him. Each night Robert would take her for a walk around the block. On nice evenings I would often go with them. Lately the walks were very slow, and just up to Wellington, across the street, up half a block, and back. That's all she could manage lately. Just a week ago, before Robert went on his trip to Victoria with the cubs, we took her for a long walk, as she seemed up to it. We walked all the way to Ann Street and back along the lane and up Ruby. Kelsie was going really slow by the time we got half way up the street. That was our very last long walk together.

 I took her for her very last walk, just by myself, last Friday March 16. Little did I know it was the last. We went up the street, to the right, and down the back lane. Kelsie seemed really happy and I'm so glad I had that last wander with her. She was a terrific walker up until last summer. I even walked all the way to my parent's home last May, although that nearly did her in. I miss my walking buddy so much. We often took afternoon rambles together, and it was really sad to see her get older. But of course it was inevitable! She didn't have any arthritis as we left the laundry room floor on for her each night. Lately I'd just kept it on full time as we've had a very cold and damp winter. The first photo above is of Paul and Matthew walking Kelsie in Oct 2001. On that day she was 6 months old. The last photo was taken Feb 20. This is the last dinner photo with Kelsie in it; she always loved to have her picture taken!

First Tuesday without Kelsie.

Little Kelsie, in June 2001.

She fit in immediately.

She was always such a good dog.

Matthew loved her too, and when he moved away in Nov 2008, Kelsie couldn't figure out where he went. Life is full of ups and downs; full of joy and heartbreak. Most of the days flow in a pattern, but then comes the time for a big upset and turmoil. It felt like that when Matthew moved out on Nov 28, 2008. I didn't want him to go; he was only 19. But he was very independent. Yet I still had Kelsie as she remained here with us. That was a big help to me, as the ache caused by Matthew leaving was very painful indeed.

Now that little Kelsie is gone, the pain has grown deeper. Tonight was the first Tuesday without Kelsie at suppertime, and the first Tuesday with Matthew here, but no Kelsie to greet him. She always seemed to know when he was coming, as I'd clean house and scrub all day. She just loved it when he was here. Up until recently, they would play energetically together, and sometimes in the evening if it was warm we'd all go for a walk together. As Kelsie got older, this happened less and less.

However last Tuesday, which we didn't know was our last one together, she sat near us at supper and whined a lot. Because she wasn't eating well, I only was giving her dog food, but that night I gave her some raw carrot which she gobbled down. She also ran to the back door when Matthew and Robert left at 10:30 pm to go do the risers, and she hadn't done that in a while. She wanted to go out too, to see them off. It was like she was saying good-bye.

The past few days I've been looking through all the photos I took of her in 2001, and I've been putting them in a special album on my Facebook page privately, so I can view them on our smart TV. I have so many lovely photos. It really helps to re-live the memories, as Kelsie now lives in our hearts.

Farewell, my sweet little Kelsie. 2001-2018

April 28, 2001 - March 17, 2018

Kelsie, the best little dog that ever lived, is now romping at the Rainbow Bridge with all the other dear little dogs who've gone before. Little Kelsie lived a good full life, and brought us all much joy, laughter and love. There will never be another dog quite like her. How I will miss her sweet affection and funny little ways. She loved her long walks together with me and Robert, her rambles in Central Park or Foreshore Park, her doggie treats, and laying in the back yard in the sun, or watching me garden. Rest in peace my dear sweet canine friend.
These were the last photos taken of her, on Feb 6 and Feb 20th.

Celebrating Year of the Dog, February 20.

I had hoped it would be a good year...

February 18, 2018: Kelsie's paw prints in the snow for the last time. Something caused me to take a picture of this. Exactly one month ago...

Farewell dear little doggie friend of mine.

It feels like my heart is breaking.

xo

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

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.

Tuesday dinners and excursions

This past Tuesday when Matthew came over I made a favourite meal of ours; honey garlic chicken drummettes. You simply layer them in a foil lined pan, and cover with soya sauce, chopped garlic, and honey. Bake for two hours in a 325 F oven. Serve with rice.

Just yummy!

Matthew still has his job every Tuesday of setting up and taking down risers for a church choir, so we see him each week and that's just fine with us!

On Saturday, January 9, we had a chiropractor appointment and after shopping at Granville Island we picked Matthew up and we browsed a few stores on Main Street. I haven't done that in a long time. I don't really need anything but it sure is fun to browse.

Matthew bought two books, and I bought four. 

Mine were the set of The Borrowers by Mary Norton. I was pleased to find them.

This was a shop on Main Street full of 1960 era stuff. It sure took me back! How very weird to see things like this, and people looking at and buying it. Ack!

It was a fun day. Amongst all my days filled with migraine pain this month, there have been many nice days.

By Loretta Houben

February 9: Family Day and Matthew's 26th birthday

Today is Matthew's 26th birthday.

We spent it together as it was a holiday, which is something new here in BC and the first time it fell on his birthday. Isn't that cool? We drove out to Fort Langley BC and browsed in the Village Antique Mall, about the only one left in this area. Matthew spent his birthday money in a hurry. Tee hee...he found a set of Bohemian style cocktail glasses, and a crystal decanter. I bought a vintage 1960's Valentine and two pretty Avon Asian style perfume bottles, suitable for 18" dolls.

We had lunch at a 1950's style diner, eating delicious homemade style hamburgers.

After having coffee sitting outside in a little cafe's courtyard under the overhang while the rain gently cascaded down, we headed to Ikea in Coquitlam, where Matthew found a few household items he needed, including pot racks for the kitchen. Later we went downtown and ate supper at the Noodle Box on 4th Avenue. It was a really nice day. 

December 1991. These few photos are about all I've scanned in so far from the 1990's.

I dislike scanning. Isn't this a cute one showing Matthew talking with his Gramps?

This is our house at 3349 Monmouth Ave. Gramps and Grama lived down the street.

Those were such happy days.

August 1991; Matthew and I at White Pine Beach in Port Moody.

I made our matching outfits. Matthew has always enjoyed beach time.

October 1991; Matthew and his little tractor and trailer set.

He enjoyed our big yard at this house.

These times seem so long ago, like some golden dream.

I'm glad God blessed us with one son. Of course I always wished for more but it just wasn't in the plan. Matthew, I wish happy days and golden dreams for you too in the years which lay ahead.

Happy birthday!

Loretta Houben

Precious memories...20 years ago.

I find it hard to believe that it was 20 years ago this September that Matthew, our one and only, started school! And now here in BC, the teachers are on strike and so many little ones will miss their first day of school. I'm glad we had the finances to send Matthew to a private Christian school. He enjoyed his elementary school days there, and did very well. 

Here he is with flowers for his new teacher.

He was so little and so cute!

Miss Tiu; she and Matthew hit it off from day one!

He loved her and he loved Kindergarten. His classroom had a neat loft with a fire pole.

He had a schedule of attending full days on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for one week, then alternating the next week. At least that's what I remember vaguely. It seems like such a very long time ago. Robert would drive him to school, and pick him up afterwards. In those days he had a flexible job! Then when Robert began to go on a lot of business trips, I would sometimes get Matthew by bus, or more often my parents would pick him up. Matthew always had a nap when he got home.

He just loved school and learning new things.

By Loretta Houben

Matthew's 25th birthday!

I find it hard to believe, but 25 years ago our son, Matthew, was born, before 8 am, in Burnaby BC, at the same hospital I was born in!

Here is his first photo, taken by my sister Marlene. Isn't he darling?

He was alert to his surroundings from the very beginning, and he loved to eat.

Here I am, exhausted after C-section surgery, totally unexpected after 10 hours of labour.

I was convinced that I'd never see Robert again, as the doctors and nurses rushed me into the emergency operating room a few hours before. Matthew was in a breech position and he was suffering some distress. Robert wasn't allowed into the operating room.

But when I woke up, and the nurses told me I'd had a baby boy, I refused to believe them.

Everything felt like a foggy dream, and my throat hurt terribly from a tube being in it.

However, when I saw Matthew for the first time, I didn't care anymore that he was a boy.

Robert holding Matthew for the first time.

Grandpa (my Dad) meeting Matthew. This was his first grandchild.

I'm not sure why my Mom isn't in the photo!

Happy 25th, dear Matthew. You've brought us so much happiness and joy.

By Loretta Houben

Looky here...

Something fun!

by Loretta Houben

A culinary chef...

This was our special treat last night, January 28, 2014.

It was superb and quite delicious.

Matthew made it for us. We didn't mind at all.

Rosemary seared lamb, Brussels Sprout casserole with sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh homemade Caesar salad with homemade dressing.

Here is a close-up photo. 

Kelsie sat nearby shaking and shivering pathetically until a few lamb pieces (but not too many) were dropped her way.

Thank you, Matthew!

By Loretta Houben

Saying farewell...

Last night I made a special roast beef dinner with baked potatoes, baked carrots, gravy and Yorkshire pudding for Matthew's farewell dinner. For the past 2 months he has been living at home in order to save on rent. He paid a little rent while here and banked the rest, as he is flying today to St. Louis to stay with his aunt Marlene and uncle Dan for a few months. He intends to explore the area and learn a few things about tailoring from uncle Dan. It should be a fun time for him. I so enjoyed having him back home again, as he always makes me laugh, and he's a good cook when he decides to cook.

Robert is ready to eat. Kelsie always loves to be in photos.

Kelsie knew something was up today. We all got up at 5 am and headed out the door at 5:30 am.

Matthew and I have no problem getting up at that early hour if we are headed out the door for a trip to the airport! Of course it's much more exciting for Matthew. I love the airport.

Posing by the famous sculpture, "The Spirit of Haida Gwaii" by Bill Reid. 

Filling out his customs form. He is flying to St. Louis today via Dallas, Texas.

He's spending time there to see the sights, visit with his aunt Marlene and Uncle Dan, and learn a few tailoring tricks in order to make his own wardrobe. I bet he will have a great adventure, but I will miss him so much.

He texted his Dad. I took a photo. Tee hee... People often stare at me when I mention what Matthew is up to now. I mean...St. Louis? Not Florida? Not Hawaii? But it's very interesting down there. I always meant to return, but my travel list is too big, and my moola too small!

Have a wonderful time, dear Matt!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all sweet moms the world over!

My son Matthew took me out for a delicious dinner last evening at a little Thai restaurant on Main Street. I'd never tried Thai cuisine before. It was very tasty and very nicely presented.

I also loved the colour of the walls; I'd like to paint our kitchen this hue. What do you think?

Yummy!

We had chicken and noodle dish, sticky rice, curry duck and red snapper.

Thanks so much, Matthew!

Last Thursday it was such a lovely warm day, I went with Matthew to his work.

He loves to get off at Main Station and walk along the S side of False Creek to Granville Island.

It's a great way to stay in shape, as Matthew doesn't really walk, he trots at a brisk pace.

We got to GI in 40 minutes.

Science World, opened in 1986 for the Expo Vancouver World's Fair, has undergone some sort of transformation and is looking quite wild these days...

The new walkway along False Creek. This would be a great place to bike, too.

That's the new BC Place roof to the right, another transformation of sorts...

My purchase at Dusa's, lovingly paid for by Matthew, my dear son.

Their cheese is divine. This time I tried garlic goat cheese with rosemary crackers. Oh my!

Walking back to the bus, look what I saw! This is the first time I've been this close to them.

Aren't they just darling?

I had a wonderful day and another nice day yesterday, and another one today with my Mom.

However, Robert has those photos in his i-Phone.