A New Home

Garnet is setting up a new blogging home for me!! It is well under way and should be ready to launch SOON!

I appreciate all those who have been nice enough to visit my site, over the years, and hope you will all enjoy our new look and location :)

Please stay tuned for the LINK!

TTFN

Thirty Something

(their beautiful sparkling young eyes)

Turning thirty did make a difference... at least for this lady... I am well over thirty now.  Looking back I had no idea it would change anything, which is a naive thought because everything changes things... every day brings change and just breathing means you are growing, changing and lets face it... aging. 

I was thrilled with the hope that I would suddenly be taken more seriously, once I left the 20s behind... ironically much the same feeling I had as I left my teens behind... now I realize the whole 'taken seriously' thing is pride and I don't want to be too serious about life or I will not age gracefully.

Age gracefully... oh... that has been my plan the whole time I was young... now I took off my glasses and could see myself clearly for the first time since childhood (thanks to contacts) and realised age had been sneaking up on me as it does everyone else... only mine had been hiding behind some dark frames...and I hadn't noticed for a long time.  The initial realisation had me teary and I was horrified at my human, and very womanly, response.  I was worried mostly that others would notice, and be as shocked at the change as me, and perhaps be unhappy with me. 

Beauty fades if it is just a skin deep thing. 

Obviously some insecurities where rubbed a little raw as I glanced, through contacts, at the over thirty me.

I alone can decide how I am going to react to aging...

Had a good look at my children.  Looking them in the eyes (their beautiful sparkling young eyes) I decided I have to be mom first.  Would I ever stand for my daughters seeing their beauty as only skin deep?  Or my boys overly worrying about their short lived handsome features?  When I behold my loved ones all I want is for them to find eternal beauty in the potters hands... so...

I remembered how I have ALWAYS had an abundance of grace toward my mothers looks, almost romanticism... she has and always will be beautiful!

Contemplated the stunning ladies who have mentored me and written on my heart.  Most where elderly when I knew them, skin deep beauty had faded to a story of life lived on their skin.  Their secret wasn't cosmetic surgery but eyes still sparkling with love, life and passion.  They had hearts ablaze for Christ and so they oozed fruits of the spirit...

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
meekness, self-control; against such there is no law.
~Galatians 5:22&23 (ASV)~

... fruits of the Spirit... something/someone that can't be bottled and sold... except perhaps bottled into our hearts... as long as we invite Christ's Spirit to flow in our lives, he will be there to transform us into true and ageless beauty!

 But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit.

~2 Corinthians 3:18 (ASV)~

TTFN

Spring Activity

Spring makes family time SO easy!  

All of a sudden our yard, front or back, is a wonderful place to be!

Readers are popping up all over the yard, following the sunny spots really.  The front step is a favorite place to sit.  Just the other day my mother (in law) and I sat upon it and enjoyed tea in the sun together.

All the sports equipment is reappearing.  It emerges from the garage and is instantly spread all around the yard.  Catch with Dad is a favorite.  In the above picture we are enjoying the front yard, during a part of the day with more sun there.  My littlest man is wearing his biking helmet, though he didn't bike much.  It just happens to be a favorite outdoor fashion accessory of his.

Our drive way takes up the whole west side of our yard.  It, the driveway, is taken up by a large collection of pine cones.  They are forever falling, thus providing forever fun.  My five year old collects them like nobodies business.  One minute they are eggs, next minute she is just the maid trying to keep this yard clean (by golly) and later they became newspapers.  She would pass them off to her older two siblings who (TRUTHFULLY) then bike up and down the block throwing a pine cone into each yard; calling at each stop 'NEWSPAPER'!  I laughed so hard and didn't want to ruin their fun but kept my fingers crossed that the neighbors would forgive us...

Speaking of bikes, you bet the bikes are out and busy!  All four of our crew are now puttering around.  The bigger two are so good at it they could motor all over the city, if they where so inclined.

(The kids working on a dinosaur excavation toy in the back yard.)

Back yard fun has included a lot of clean up, all the winter gunk seems to collect there.  But, there has been fun too.  Just today the kids where digging up dinosaur bones ( an Easter present from their grandparents).  The other day they got to dig in the backyard sandbox for the FIRST time this year and it took a lot to talk them back out.  Of course the back yard is home to the famous apple trees and my eldest is often up there pushing her monkey child limits.  She likes to go up high enough to see her friends house (two blocks up in our crescent) and then try to signal her to come over and play.

Neighborhood kids are popping up left right and center.  They zero in on our yard like puppies to bacon.  I smile, set my limits, enforce my limits and let them enjoy the yard with my children as long as they behave.

Basically I know it is spring because I have gone from demanding the kids "Get out side and get fresh air", to demanding they "Get inside ALREADY"!

TTFN

Mud Hunters

 Springtime is the land awakening.  

The March winds are the morning yawn.  

~Quoted by 

Lewis Grizzard in Kathy Sue Loudermilk, I Love You

MARCH means mud, at least this year!

My youngest two and my niece went hunting for mud and puddles.  We where impressively successful, in spite of snow and ice still being around.

While the park was dry enough they only used the slides and monkey bars a short while.  Most of the our time was spent with sticks in hand exploring the mud.  A couple times the girls worried me, almost toppling over right into the mud, but most of the time we basked in the squishy sounds of mud below our rubber boots.

A few of us went home with wet feet, those of us brave enough to wade into the deep puddles soon learned why Mama doesn't. I decided not to worry about them getting all a mess... somehow we all ended up going home in good spirits... wet feet and muddy clothing and all.

 Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush.  

~Doug Larson

TTFN

On A Quiet Day

Rough start to the day, but these chocolate drop cookies, I had whipped up last night, where a slightly sweet invite back into the world of appetite.

The recipe is from my 'Salem Church' cookbook... a book that means so much to me personally (used to be my home church). Each recipe holds a name I usually recognition, a woman I know or knew of, this makes me smile and feel like they have shared them just with me... Never do the recipes taste as good, prepared by myself, as they did at the church functions, prepared by THE holder of the recipe...
It is a not much kind of day.  My littlest guy and I are in our pj's and I am working on feeling better.  

Iron-man is keeping him company.  He is a big superhero fan and although we have cut down on most of the toys around here he sure enjoys the ones we kept.  His iron-man toy used to be his big brothers, but my bigger guy never was as into the whole superhero thing.   

So my boy and his toy have been doing everything together.  Morning cartoons, 'iron-man armored up' of course.  Breakfast was together.  They wanted oranges, yogurt and honey toast.  If I ask my little guy to come up stairs he has to fly iron-man the whole way, with sound effects and all.  Iron man has been really busy shooting the bad guys all over my house and I appreciate that, gotta clean out the riff raff.


You can't find better company then a boy and his superhero.


Such a different time of my life this is.  I choose the do nothing days, slowing things down is up to me.  Used to be with babies and toddlers all around slow and not much was the normal kind of day.  Now the nothing days are the special days.


TTFN

Showing Off My Dad's Way With Words!

A weee POEM it is then... 

Well I am greatly encouraged.. Up is still up and down is still down and last time I checked I had both feet on the ground.. I`m pullin up my collar so I can stay warm and bendin my head as I lean into the storm. Just another day, they say, as I sally forth.. with some trepidation into the Great White North... It`ll not be too long, if I stay on the track.. on the narrow straight road and I`ll soon be back. I`m done with this place and I`m headed for home .. like I said I`m encouraged cause The Lord is STILL ON HIS THRONE.. Blessings to each and all.

~~~

So, when was the last time you went through all your jeans and removed all that grayish/blueish lint that accumulates in the pockets... ever wonder how it all gets there, in the first place. The odd thing is why am thinking about this type of thing, more often than I used to.. am I becoming disengaged from life? .. To some degree I think that may be happening. I seem to spend more time now sitting in a chair at home.. with my jaw hanging, slackly open, with a distant stare , on my face. When someone breaks in I usually answer with  some wise utterance like " HUH."  Let me be the first to tell you that " The advantages of Old Age have been greatly exaggerated.  Oh well.. sometime I think we live in a very weird world ..I mean you should see some of my friends.. Let alone any of my opposer's.   Fact is most of us could all  give weird  a new definition and that in a myriad of ways..Thank God it's going to be so much better in the next.  So Do Not Lose Heart.. The Good Book says ' He that endures ALL THINGS until the end comes.. the same shall be SAVED.. and am I ever glad about that.. Hey??

Papa Munro

And Down To One Fish

 Well you never can tell with fish.  Yellow-whisker just didn't seems as healthy from the get go.  The day before she died I was starting to warn the kids she seemed ill. 

We are now down to just Nia.  Sure didn't take long for the first experience with a pets death to happen thanks to our new fish adventure.


The kids handled it well, although all differently.  Youngest two seem very unaware.  My eldest is just hoping we get a new fish; maybe a fancier one like a Beta next time.

My oldest boy, however, was the one who found her...  belly up... He looked so ash colored as he came and told me.  I took one  look at her and confirmed his suspicions.  He then looked really solemn.  I asked if he was okay and he shook his head 'no'.  I said it was okay to be upset and when he started to cry I grabbed him in a big hug.  I assured him it is always a hard lesson in life to learn... that life ends.

After we hugged for a while he asked if he could go be alone in his room.  He then asked the sweetest question, so honest, "Is it okay if I am not okay for a while?  I still feel sad".

"Absolutely okay my boy", I assured him.

For now Nia is very healthy looking so we will stick with her and when she goes we will debate trying ONE Beta or just two new goldfish again.

TTFN

Adventures in Waiting

(My fridge has become THE family organizational center of the house.  

Need to know info?!  Check the fridge.)

Audacity 

It occurred to me that all to often in our desire to follow after Christ I have been like Sarah, laughing at God's plan because it seems so beyond her, and Garnet has been more like Abraham, taking God at his word, just his word, needing nothing more.  Being the one to see everything through to the end has been a good trait as the mom in this family.  I keep on top of everyones stuff, thus need a detailed plan for my day to day, my week to week and even months ahead.  This doesn't transfer over to a healthy personality trait in the world of faith.

Steven Furtick is a young speaker from the states.  I gleamed much from a message he shared on bold faith.  Faith is audacious (showing a willingness to take bold risks).    It takes audacity to live by faith, because faith abounds when you don't have all the info.  It is risky and appears brash to step out and act on what little leading you usually get, all too often it is not enough info by worldly logic.  It involves doing our part, the only part that we limited humans are able to do, and then trusting God for the rest.  Our part is faith in Christ's call.  This doesn't mean figuring it all out, all that you are to do, and then getting to work.  It is more correctly, intimately getting to know Jesus more and digging to the depths of who you are in him. Taking steps, with out the whole picture, moves this from daydreaming to a vision.

2 KINGS 3: 16-20

The before mentioned preacher shared about the story of Elisha telling the people to fill their valley with MANY ditches so they would receive plenty of water.  They had to act and dig the ditches with no visual proof that the rain would come.  The rain was God's part.  He finishes things... we want to know it all and yet don't need to for we are not doing it all, he is... and he knows already.

Our Ditch

Garnet and I dug a ditch when we left Waldheim, turned our backs on the chance to have our dream acreage.  We felt asked by the Lord to put ourselves in a place of availability, available to be active workers in his kingdom, and that meant moving on from where we where happy and comfortable and then waiting where we where not comfortable.

With each passing year since our choice to dig that ditch we have seen growth and opportunities present themselves.  We've tried to let the Spirit do his work in us, and sought to seize all opportunities of purpose in Christ's kingdom.  All along we still feel a call; a need to not hold on to what we have and where we are at.  In prayer we strive to keep our hearts prepared for change, for more intense kingdom service.

With each year we see glimpses of clarity about this call, but still have little information on what, when or how... we still don't appear to fit the bill of your typical ministry couple...  THUS we have lots of opportunities to grow more in faith...

My Ditch

Garnet has always been very open about sharing this.  I have always huddled behind my man wishing for more faith... Today I dug another ditch and shared our call publicly at a study and now on my blog.  Now I wait.  Garnet and I wait, digging ditches as steps of faith present themselves.  It is the least we can do as we hope for opportunity to do more...in his time.



TTFN

Where I Come From

(My Dad's most faithful fishing buddy, TANK the minpin.)

We all have a story to tell.  I am working so hard at learning to REALLY listen to others and their story.  I am also learning to share mine when asked.  My kids are dragging it out of me bit by bit.  Often at bed time they ask me to tell them about 'where I come from'.

Bless their little hearts, they know I enjoy sharing crazy stories once I get into it.  I try to not brush the requests off so much, as they get great joy out of what to them seems like another world... that other world being my upbringing.  They are prairie born city kids and I was a northern bush born farm kid.  We eventually had a phone and most modern utilities; but for the first few years of my life we had no plumbing, no electricity, no phone, wood heat and a goat/rabbit/chicken/little bit of everything else farm, by a lake, with limited road access and lotsa bedrock and bush to play on.

I think I will start sharing a few of the stories I remember on here too.

(THE dog and THE Dad that took me hunting.)

Chicken hunting brought Dad and me together.  Wild chickens, spruce hens and the like, are not very clever and oh so taste-y.  Dad, Mel (the English lab) and I would camo up and hit the trails on a weekend.  Tags and shot guns in hand we would travel sandy roads through the bush till we found the prey.  We shared the shooting and often the boys (my brothers) where along too.  Mel would point and retrieve and we all enjoyed it a great deal.  The snacks where good and the conversation better.

The night we where heading home and he took my hand while I poured my heart out about how hard high school was for me I will never forget.  We had just finished a day of hunting.  It had been very joyful but my heart was heavy at the idea of school the next day.  I got very quiet going home, so he asked me about it, and with tears I poured out my heart.  I don't know what negative pressures I would have given into during those three nasty years, if it wasn't for the reliable support I got from my folks.  With patience he offered encouragement, support and a willingly present listening ear.

Dad always had time for us.  If we where willing to strap on the grubs (rough clothing) and go fishing, hunting or just lumbering through the bush with him he was very very available.

I tell my kids this story to encourage them to find something, anything, like bird hunting was for me, as a way to make the time to talk with their Dad and to BE with their Dad often.  It takes two to make it work.  Dad was available and I was not shy about taking him up on it.

TTFN

Nya and Yellow Whisker

 The kids where hanging off of the railings at the fish pond (in Market Mall) once again. Garnet and I where waiting. Myself more patiently then him. The kids can stair at the koi forever! I mentioned perhaps we should get a coffee and just let them stair while we talk.

Somehow we started talking about getting fish. I have never really been into this type of pet, mostly because they lack a lot of actual pet like advantaged... like touch and affection. Well Garnet dared me to get set up with fish for under 20 dollars because I had said it would have to be kept simple, no big tank, no more then two fish, no adding to it later. Well I marched into Zellers with his bet on my mind. Got a tank with the gravel, plant, food and conditioner for 11 dollars. Marched over to a pet shop and got two fish for 60 cents a piece. Done, only about 12 bucks!

For less money then a lot of their barely enjoyed toys cost we had a new pet. The kids where ecstatic. I don't think having their own fish had ever entered their minds before. The whole affair took up most of the day and that was intentional. We had no plans (something rare on a weekend) and so this was turned into a grand family adventure.

After we picked the fish up we went home to choose names. Everyone, even our three year old, have very very strong opinions on a name for each fish. So we decided to draw the names out of a hat. My eldest's warrior cat name 'Yellow Whisker' and then my oldest boy's Lego Ninja name 'Nya' won. I was very disappointed that my suggestions 'Jane Eyre' or 'Eeyore' didn't make it. Garnet was clever and picked spaghetti as a name and I thought meat ball would be perfect for the other in that case. No one but me liked 'tweedle dee and tweedle dum'. My five year old daughter was heart broken that her names 'cute and cutie' didn't get picked so she is refusing to stop calling them by her names. The youngest, our three year old, picked Bob the Builder and Diego... I am sure we all know where he got those ideas...

My olds daughter was sure everyone would be coming over JUST to meet our new fish. The littlest two spend a lot of time staring at them and talking about how CUTE they are. My biggest boy is hoping to teach Nya (the bigger of the two) how to do kungfu or spin-gitzu.

For now I am in charge of feeding them and we are all learning to not torment them. It they want to shake or touch something go find the dog. Eventually we hope to have the big kids feeding them too.

I am in no rush though. I find it very relaxing to feed them and watch them do their thing. Bonus is how smashing their pretty purple bowl looks in my sitting room.

Here is to new pets!

P.S. I want to put in writing though, that I draw the line at birds and rodents. I have a lot of reasons if you would like to know.

TTFN

-45 Confirms Our Weird Fall is Gone

 

Well, our prolonged fall is gone.  It was historical in its oddness and I feel also in its end.  One day we are in the plus and the next we are in the -30s, and lower, with a few feet of heavy snow!  I spent three and a half hours clearing our walk ways.  We have a nasty big driveway (note to self, next house must have short driveway).

Yesterday the school bus didn't make it, -40 will do that to a school bus.  This morning the thermometer read -45 so I hollered at my man to not get the kids up and rolled back under the covers.  SNOW DAY!  No bus, no school, no schedule!

(Introducing 'Yellow Whisker' and 'Nya')

I mozied out of bed at 10 and had a deliciously slow breakfast.  Made coffee to go with my Greek yogurt and homemade bread with jam.  Poured the remainder of the coffee over a roast, slow cooker supper.  Mixed up my weekly bread batch and finally got dressed around one.  The kids found a variety of games and insanity to entertain themselves as I puttered. Kitchen got clean and toys put away.

Lunch for the fish was followed by lunch for the crew.  Popcorn, hot chocolate, carrots and cake on the menu, a menu that at least contributed to the lack of a single complainer in the bunch (please note, fish DID get fish food)!

Riddick is in full winter rebellion gear again.  He looks at me like I am joking when I encourage him to go out for a run about and a wizz.  "Come on boy, you can't cross your legs for ever," I insist as I give him a gentle boot out.  Once back in doors we got the broom out and played broom ball dog style.  I run around with the broom and he tries to catch and destroy it.  After he was warn out the floor got washed and soon doggy gets a bath too.

So what kind of a post is this?  Well this is an itinerary to a mozie day.  I know you regulars are wondering where the long romantic descriptions of tea drinking and snuggle up time with chocolate are... no worries done that a few times today.

Excuse me while I continue to seize the day and take a nap.

TTFN

So I Read It Too

(Snapped this treasure of a photo a couple winters ago.  This is my fourth born, copying his big sister.)

My mom was (and still is) a good mom, so I don't mind stealing things I remember her doing.  Reading what literature my kids are supposed to be reading, or bringing home to read willingly, not only came from her inspiration but most definitely it comes easily to me due to my being a library technologist.

When my older two got into reading as a hobby, a few years back, I started reading along with them.  They would bring library books home from school and I would rub my hands together with anticipation and think 'oh so what did we get this time'. 

More and more I am impressed with their choices.  I wonder if they have caught on, or noticed, that I will run to the computer to do research on authors and books I am unfamiliar with, that I am thrilled when I notice they have brought home classics or award winning books, that I will make them send back dribble; that basically I am big into books.

I know they catch me devouring their books after they have gone to bed for the night.  I have actually pried a book out of my eldest's hands once she had fallen to sleep, and turned her room upside down to find it the next night so I could finish.  She knew... she wasn't so impressed with the idea of me finishing her 'biggest chapter book yet' before her.  My daughter especially really really gets into books so I feel fully with in my right to check out what she is soaking in... I also just simple adore reading.

When I am reading their book choice, at the same time as they are, I get so much energy out of talking about the book with them.  I am jumping in to a new world with them!  Whether they like it or not this Mama is cannon balling it, I know I am not subtle.  "Mom, not another book talk!"  Oh yes, I like to refer them to other literature that is similar to their current reads, and to discuss reaching out to try new genres.  I feed off of questions they have about their book, or books in general.  I AM THAT MOM who reads to them at night and acts it out, voices and all... by all I mean when the owl got knocked out by the bat throwing a large icicle upon his head, ending a magnificently tense scene, in tonight's bed time chapter, I fell on the floor to demonstrate.

Well it sure hasn't deterred them from reading, quite the opposite.  They seem to really enjoy that we have this comradery.  Can I just add how amazing it feels to be sitting on the couch in the evening reading with my oldest daughter and oldest son on either side reading too?  Three little heads bowed, noses buried in books... I have waited for moments like this!  My kids make reading more fun for me and that says a lot since it has always been a joy of mine.

TTFN

Doing More Because I Can Now

(I can nap, or sip tea in silence knowing I have earned it!)

Now that my kids are older I can:
make all our bread,
re-educate myself in the area of dessert baking,
make all our house cleaning products,
make our laundry detergent,
plant and harvest from our mini indoor greens garden (health idea and fresh food all through the winter),
shop for groceries like a deal finding magnet (cosco once a month, super store once a month, safeway weekly, health food stores, farmers markets, bulk barn, organic honey dealer),
multiple bank runs,
skate twice a week with my oldest boy,
toboggan at least once a week (if it ever snows this year)
jog each morning,
get away with insomnia because I no longer have sleep deprivation due to babies or toddlers,
own a dog and not find him to much in the mix,
NOT to mention all the hobbies I will pick up again and all the new ones I will learn...
blog ridiculously silly posts full of seriously long run on sentences!


Of course getting my thyroid meds balanced has a lot to do with my ability to do all this too.

I am thankful:)

TTFN

Selfish

(Fall 2009)

Selfish heart you never could stand up under the pain,
the brokenness,
that loving people brings.

Scoffing at pain came easily when there was no love to give,
no brokenness to face.
Avoiding naively,
the pain came,
you would deny it.
Denying,
futile.
Girding yourself with anger,
RAGGING against the brokenness...
Only to be broken more,
falling harder,
shattering.

The rage doesn't last,
it was all a desperate show,
as also the scoffing and denial held no strength.

Get shattered enough times and you learn how to bend,
how to kneel...
how to surrender to the suffering of loving beyond yourself.

With prideful selfish resistance gone,
the focus outward,
the heart is molded,
rearranged,
redefined.
Embracing the risk,
the inevitable pain,
and loving the people you're given,
you grow.
More and more people,
more and more breaking.
More and more strength found beyond you,
selfish heart.
Strength found in Jesus.

TTFN

Find Delight (Even or Especially In Winter!)

(Skating CHRISTMAS DAY! 2011)

What can I say?

I really am delighted with winter!

I guess that is why I still live here.

You can't have those sweet rosy noses and cheeks with out it.
Or wear thick sweaters and knit scarves each day without it.
Mittens and toques with pompoms are a must have and a must enjoy.

(At the neighbourhood rink with my oldest boy!)

Trips to the outdoor rink, to the toboggan hill, snow forts and snow angels and the amazing way the house feels when you freshly return from winter adventures.

(Our home, a couple winters ago.  We don't have this much snow yet this year.)

Ones house never feels so inviting in the warm months of the year!
How perfect a big hot mug of tea or hot chocolate feel whether going warmly down your throat or just being held in your chilled hands!

Such glorious domesticity blooms in ones heart as you unpack your snow covered children, rediscovering them from underneath loads of winter clothes and you place a warm cup of love in their sweet little hands.  Just standing over the pot of home made hot coco is enough to make me feel like a great mom.

(A day gone by, at the community toboggan hill will the whole crew.)

Yes winter takes a lot of work and requires effort and yet this is why the little moments feel so very good this time of year.

(My eldest son, on the way home from a winter adventure.)

Hurrah for winter!

TTFN

The Settling of Christmas Sentiment Upon My Heart

After a heavy hitter week I fell into loving my family for the weekend. We had faced scary days at school, emotions at an all time high at home and death of a YOUNG sister in the Lord. Although the whole weekend was a whimsical reminder of Christmas's approach, Sunday was particularly sparkly with special moments.

My sister performed in a jazz choir concert the day before, so I was already full to spilling with Christmas tunes in my heart when I arrived at church for a music service Sunday. With the special service all about 'hope' I must have cried and smiled the whole way through. The music was so moving and the message such a strong supportive embrace to my raw little spirit.

A cozy road trip followed as we trucked out to my before mentioned sister's place. We had three BIG reasons to celebrate with them and so stopping to get them chocolates was in order. My eldest daughter insisted on the 'joy' Christmas tree decoration for them too. Her and I agreed it was applicable in such a case, a triple celebration kinda case! Our two families shared 'non-sissy sushi', yup, the real deal! We chatted, laughed and toured their lovely new condo.

We hadn't made it back to the city when we managed to arrange a stop in to my brother's home. We had hopes of meeting his doubly expanding family and dropping off a special little someone some toy trucks. It was a blessing to find time to drop in on more family. Time that was squeezed right in and worked out just right.

What a tired crew we where as we finally arrived back home. A small cold supper and big mugs of tea where in order. I got my crew of four tucked into bed and then found the LAST shortbread cookie. Feet up, lights down, except the Christmas tree.

Sighs and tears escaped me as Christmas sentiment settled into my heart and I reflected on a week of pain and love. SO much blessing! Such a mysteriously marvellous combination of pain and love life is. Thank you Jesus for it all. For the rain and for the sunny day. Times of struggle and rejoicing educate us in such essential and different ways; giving and growing us so very very much. All that is good comes from you and you are so good to me Jesus.

TTFN

The Engagement (Marriage Monday)

Under A Tree

Two young people sit under a tree, at their favourite city park.
He is reading to her, from Galatians...
She is leaning against him.
Mid sentence he turns her around and asks 'Will you marry me?'
In shock, she threatens that this had better not be a joke.
In a demanding voice she points out he seems surprised that he asked, and had better be very very sure.
The color returns to his face and he starts to giggle while assuring her of his sincerity.
There under the tree two young people kissed, for the first time.
They both where trembling.
She cried and said yes.
He hugged her close.
The children near by, in the park, christened the event with an chorus of 'ewwwwwww'!
There was no ring, but they didn't need one to know their hearts where stuck together.
There was no bowing of the knee, no ceremony and honestly no planning, but they didn't notice.
All they saw was one another and all they would remember was the question, the answer and the kiss.

Over a month later they returned and he bent to one knee, she put on her best surprised face and he unrolled his sock and took out a ring for her. It had been their secret for a month...

And it all started under a tree in their favourite park.

~

P.s. When we renewed our vows, on our tenth anniversary, we went back to that tree and took photos together, thus the two photos at the top of this post. The first is us in 1999 and the second is us in 2010.



TTFN

First Snow

Yesterday we watched our first snow arrive... it blew and fell and gushed from the sky all day. Late this year, we made it into November. Our house hold was enchanted at its arrival and spent much of the day outside playing in it or gazing upon its decent from the front room window.This moving chapter of scripture came to mind.

"He orders the snow, 'Blanket the earth!'
and the rain, 'Soak the whole countryside!'
No one can escape the weather—it's there.
And no one can escape from God.
Wild animals take shelter,
crawling into their dens,
When blizzards roar out of the north
and freezing rain crusts the land.
It's God's breath that forms the ice,
it's God's breath that turns lakes and rivers solid.
And yes, it's God who fills clouds with rainwater
and hurls lightning from them every which way.
He puts them through their paces—first this way, then that—
commands them to do what he says all over the world.
Whether for discipline or grace or extravagant love,
he makes sure they make their mark."

~JOB 37:6-13 MSGTTFN

Is Every Body On A Blog Fast?

Here I am typing away on my 500th post on this blog I call my writing home. The home of pieces of my life, memories, and all that needs sorting in my head and heart.

I adore reading from peoples hearts and have been following many blogs for years. Just the last few months I have noticed a definite decline in the amount all my favorite blog authors are putting out. Are blogs out of style already? Am I the only one who didn't hear about the call to fast from blogging? Ah please don't see this as a complaint... if you know me as an obvious reader of yours see it as a 'I miss you' note:)

My heart is heavy tonight. Love is a ton of bricks some days. I must admit I am learning so much lately, feelings often are title-waves and yet I have been struggling with blogging it all out too...

May I type a little blog blessing out here for myself... and also for you too, if you are a blog author or feel called to be a future blog author?

May you be growing and loving in abundance this year.
May the words to describe this beauty of living be easy for you to collect and easier still to distribute upon the blog of your choice.
May you find refreshing clarity, peace of mind, soothing of the heart in putting pen to paper and may it be SOON:)

I need to take this sappy soul into the kitchen for some comfort food and a cup of tea. May we meet again soon friends!

TTFN

Autumn Whimsy

As I work hard at living in the moment, seizing the day if you will, I feel an improvement in my mothering. More patient, more attentive and especially more involved with my kids worlds.

Children find the whimsy in just about everything. By playing with them more outdoors I am becoming better at seeing each seasons whimsy. Autumn's is not very difficult to spot, even for the most serious adults. Spring has only started to be delightful for me now that I invested in pock-a-dot rubber boots and get into the muck and water willingly with my kids. Winter takes effort, but once you are out and looking there is a very intense whimsy to be found. Sitting in snow banks silently, slide down hills screaming my head off and skating under the stars, all inspired by my children's heart desires for winter fun, make the whimsy impossible to ignore. Summer has water, swimming! Summer's whimsy is vibrant and requires sunglasses and sun screen to take without burning but it too is worth embracing like a child.

Back to autumn, for that is the season that is my NOW. The gold and red trees are warm romance to my eyes. The sun is kind and happy. The wind in nippy in only a playful way and we all get to wear scarves, little mittens and cozy but not too puffy jackets of leather and wool.

Two days ago I felt the urge to do window shopping on one of my cities old school streets that is crammed full of vehicles and people. It is a tight little street and with no indoor mall centers, so you must be a hearty sort to shop it in the winter months.

My littlest fellow and I picked up his Grandma and found our way to this street and into one of its sweet flower shops. After my sister and her daughter meet us we followed our noses to one of the oldest bakeries in the city. Meringues and cinnamon twists where devoured by all in the friendly fall sun, on a red city bench. We chatted, we ate, we people watched and then we moved on. There was hat shopping and dress gazing and mostly just looking. We where more tickled with our own little group then with the 'stuff' we looked at... it was about being with one another.

Down one side of the street we went till we where stopped by a cafe and their warm frothy espresso drinks. A seat by the window was perfect for our morning and its dedication to fall. Before our morning was done we found a jewelry store to explore. As I walked in I spotted two Victorian chairs that where oozing gentle fall inspiration. As I walked out I carried one of them and my sister, Mirelle, had the other chair. No jewelry for me, but, a taste of fall and Victorian times for my sitting room. We where more then chipper as we drove home with my van a little overly snug, thanks to the gold leaf cover chairs. Rosy cheeked little ones waved farewell to their Grandma as she was dropped off. Mirelle, the children and I headed home for tea time, a perfectly suited way to wrap up a fall walk.

I am so thankful for sunny fall days, for family time, for provision. I am so thankful for the maker of the seasons and the maker of all whimsy. Thank you Christ for all that my children teach me... reminding me of what I new when I was little like them.

TTFN