creativity

I married a creative genius.

that may not be how he would describe himself.

he can build and create some pretty spectacular pieces of work.

i have a page on this blog dedicated to the things we make, but this piece...

I had to make sure it was seen by everyone who checked out the blog.

He made me a lamp this year.

from a tree in our back yard.

my job was to paint the lantern covers.

we're a pretty good team i'd say.

Sick Day

So, my son is home from school today - sick.

honestly he's getting over whatever he had yesterday but i kept him home to rest a little more. 

he's so tired lately.

School's a big adjustment for a little body.

well, we decided to have a party tonight
- and to have a party, one needs a cake -

so we got to work on it.

the kids donned their aprons
(hand-me-downs from my mom's kitchen)

and we got to work.

flour.. check.

sugar.. check.

milk... oh crap. 
i had maybe 2/3 a cup of milk.

i was going to go to the store this today after the girl and I went to a friend's house but my plans all changed when the boy still ran a slight fever.
(or he was just warm from his comfy bed).

into the car we piled and off we drove to Kawartha Dairy.

love the drive thru window.

after a stop at Tim Hortons,
and halloween sprinkled donuts,
 we came home to continue the cake.

we got everything else into the bowl and I mixed it.

then the kids were done.

time to enjoy their treat for helping.

i may blow up some balloons and i'll put some icing on the cake. 

it's a party for all of us,

just because we all love eachother.

name a better reason for a party.

good idea kids.

just doing some thinking today.

4 years ago I had a baby boy.

we did almost everything together.

today he is in Junior Kindergarten.

he is dressed as a soccer player.

2.5 years ago I had a baby girl

she did almost everything with me and my boy.

today she is making a tower beside me.

There is a cow standing on the tower.

don't wish the days and years of playing and learning to be gone.

cherish the children in your life.

love the children in your life.

hug and kiss the children in your life.

or they will grow up before you realize it.

they go from learning to walk on the living room floor

to walking right out your door

and into their own grown up lives

and you will wish you could have those days and years back.

(the cow is now off the tower and she has made a duplo motorboat)

for Vanessa

the following photos are for my friend, Vanessa.

She misses our Ontario Autumn.

Vanessa, I hope this helps you on the days you miss home.

(remember how much you are loved from here too)



Job 38 (partially)

1. Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm.  He said:

... ...

4. Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me if you understand.

... ... ... ... ... ... ...

12,13. Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn it's place, that it might take the earth by it's edges and shake the wicked out of it?

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

22.  Have you entered the storehouses of the snow or seen the storehouses of the hail...

...

24.  What is the way to the place where lightning is dispersed, or the place where the east winds are scattered over the earth?

25.  Who cuts a channel for the torrents of rain, and a path for the thunderstorm...

Terry Fox Run

So, on Sunday the 18th, i participated in the Terry Fox Run again.
this year my dad joined us.

it was a family affair.

My mom wasn't able to run or walk it with us so she stayed at the start/finish line cheering us all on.

Dan and the boy biked the 10km.  the boy loved it, riding his bike attached to the back of Dan's bike.

My dad pushed the girl in the jogging stroller as he ran & walked the 5km.  I was very proud of my dad for doing this with us.

I had our dog, Jack, with me as i ran (with a little walking) the 5km.

What awesome weather.

beautiful sunshine and  the temperature... so warm.

we all did it separately but we were definitely a team.

i was honored to run it again to help cancer research.

date night 2

i had date night with my daughter.

we went biking.
we brought our dog... he loves when we go biking.
we just rode to an orchard nearby and spent a little time there before having to head back to our home before the sun was down too far. 
we had a great time that night.

i love our date nights...
dan took the girl canoeing.

school

So, it's September.

Schooltime.

we made the decision to:   
wait for it.......
send our boy to Public school.
collective gasps all around.

Why public school?
don't you know homeschooling is an option?
don't you know christian schools are an option?
do you know what they teach in a public school?

i know.
we're the minority - or at least it seems as though thats the fact these days.
especially in the Christian circles.

i know great people who were homeschooled, and attended Christian, and even, public schools..
i also know weird people who did each as well.

Sure, my son may be taught things in the public school curriculum that i do not agree with or goes against our values and beliefs.

i have to remember what my husband reminds me of:
i have to trust God.
I need to give our kids into God's care as they leave our house and go out the door each day.
I need to be pro-active in knowing what our kids are learning at school.

i am their mother.
I am their caregiver.
but
i am also their teacher. 

and just because I send my kids 'to the wolves' it doesn't mean i relinquish my role as teacher too. 
i can't back off and expect them to learn everything they need to know from their teachers or friends.
i need to be involved.  I need to teach the Biblical Truths so they are able to make wise decisions and choices as they grow. 

i love my kids.
we have decided to send them to public school.

who knows, maybe homeschooling might be an option, but currently it is not.

date night

monday night was date night.

dan took his little girl canoeing.

i took my little boy biking.

he talked so much while biking.

we talked so much when we were:

walking the bike up some hills,

eating popsicles and walking to see some horses,

eating popsicles and turning home instead of going to see the horses,

playing his new 'Pop 'n Go' game.

next month we switch.

Heaven

so the other day i was sitting at the table and my, now 4 year old, little boy came and sat across from me.

Him: "mommy, i don't want to go to heaven."

he had abviously been thinking it through.

Me: "why not?"

Him: "because there might be scary things there."

M: "there aren't scary things in heaven."

Him: "Well, there might be some there and I don't want to go if there's scary things."

M: "Heaven is where God and Jesus live and they won't have scary things there.  When you're in heaven there won't be anything to scare you anymore."

Him: "there might be big dogs and big cats."

M: "honey, if God wants big dogs and big cats in heaven then you'll like them, not be scared of them.

 do you know who lives in heaven now?"

Him: "God and Jesus."

M: "Great Grandpa is also there."

Him: "Maybe when i go to heaven i can visit Great grandpa."

I think he'd like that.

Hypocrite?

**Chris Tomlin - probably my favorite writer/singer of 'worship' music.**

This song brings me chills. 

i love the words.

we sang it at church this morning.

when i sing it i believe the words,

but

today as I was singing it I got to thinking.

"do I truly believe it? do I live as though I believe what I'm singing?"

I know how songs like this can get me.

chills.

tears.

passions arise.

what do i do with all that after the song is over?

I sing these songs in church

I raise my hands

sing loud

close my eyes

cry

I feel close to God.

I feel His presence.

I stop singing.

I sit down.

 

God knows I do believe the words.

God knows i want to be Joshua,

Daniel,

Shadrach (and friends),

 Peter,

Stephen,

Mary.

God knows I also struggle daily with stepping out with confidence.

I just need to be willing.

4

Four years ago.

6:05pm

Aug 1

I met the most adorable baby boy.

the boy is now 4.

wow.

he still makes my heart melt.

he still makes me laugh.

he still makes me cry.

he still holds my hand.

he still gives the best hugs (right around my neck).

he still loves his Bear.

he still loves morning hugs.

he still loves to sing and dance.

he still loves to cuddle.

he still loves to imagine.

he asked me the other day

"mommy, when I get as big as daddy can i be a worker man"

my boy, you can be anything you set your mind to.

and if worker man is what you want to be - awesome!

happy birthday to my little worker man in training...

or are you a fireman in training today?

cupcakes for the family bday party on sat.

requested: fire truck cake

HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY MY BOY!

36 things

today is my birthday.

I turn 36.

instead of thinking how I'll be 40 in just 4 years :) 

I will spend it being thankful.

(in no particular order - just how they came to mind)

1. as a little girl I had great walks with my dad at the beach throwing stones.

2. my two beautiful children

3. cats I loved and cherished as i grew up. (especially skippy who shared my pillow haha!!)

4. opportunities to take part in dramatic productions. (many over the years)

easter performance

5. crushes who helped me see what I hoped to find in a husband... and what I hoped not to find.

6. i am a child of God.  I made a decision to accept Christ and thankfully even when I mess up He still holds onto me.

7. a husband even better than I could have ever imagined.

8. a big brother who has always made me laugh.

9. a house to call my own.

10. being there when Joe Carter hit the World Series winning home run.. and almost being thrown over the edge by my brother when he hugged me. (we were sitting on the 200 level)

11. being encouraged to pursue things I love.

12. road trips with friends/husband (arkansas, florida, wv, manitoba)

Gilbert, Arkansas: me, nog, andy, jen

13. train trips across Canada

14. worked at Camp Widjiitiwin for many years - love being a part of camp life.

15. dual citizenship

16. amazing in-laws.

17. my camp name: felix.  I love it.

18. Maple Leaf vs. Red Wings games at Maple Leaf Gardens (against the glass)

19. trip to Germany in grade 10

20. amazing trip to Northern Ireland and England (cambridge & birmingham) in grade 7.  watching my dad become like a child as he returned home.

dad, tim, mom, me

21. playing smurfs with my brother outside in our backyard.

22. a husband who can fix my car, fix everything in the house and loves to teach me how to do it all too.

23. opportunities to take care of amazing kids (dylan, luke, dallas, eden, paige, teagan to name a few)

24. being able to read.  (such a wonderful ability i never want to take for granted)

25. friends.

26. late night talks with my mom.. and I do mean late night.

27. room/housemates i've had (rusty, elisa, cheryl, jen, theresa, ak, heather 'ditto', michelle 'fugee')

Manitoba: jen, theresa, me

28. amazing nieces and nephews

29. my blanket - even though my brother lost it when he hid it on me... i still think granny stole it.

30. winter doesn't last forever.

31. a husband who encourages me through my fears.

32. trips to Mexico and Nicaragua - able to experience their world and have them share Christ's love with me as I help build there.

33. creativity

34. rain (i love it's rainy today on my birthday)

35. hot days, cool nights

36. sisters (erin, rusty, elisa, heidi.  again, to name only a few)

King Arthur's Castle

I love to create.

I love to allow my artistic side to shine.

I love to see something I have made, or been a part of, come together and truly turn out amazing.

this past weekend I was asked to come to camp and help paint the castle for the upcoming theme.

King Arthur's Court.

I jumped at the chance and was there on friday to start.

i spent from 9:30 - 2:30 Friday

then again Saturday, 9:30 - around 2ish.

painting.

creating.

loving.

happy.

then I came home, picked up dan and the kids.

we went back to camp and dan helped put the castle walls up.

there is a joy in my heart when I see it all come together.

we finished up some of the building and painting.

Around 7:30 we left camp.

2 exhausted & hot kids

2 exhuasted & hot parents

1 joy-filled heart.

***there were sme finishing touches to be put on it sunday morning, and I hope to see them soon.***

*Special shout out to: Moose, ShamWOW, Bandit, Sunshine, Yacko, Mumz, and the guys who helped put the walls up.

Thank you for all the work you did on this project.*

freckles

my little girl has some tiny freckles.

I love them.

only about 4.

miniscule, but I noticed them the other day.

look closely and you may see them.

Drilling

Whenever dan goes to make something the boy always joins him with his tool box and tools. 

the boy's tools are made of wood.

Dan just finished making a screen door and put it in.

the boy helped carry the real drill and screws up.

"Daddy i know how to do this without getting hurt"

So dan showed him how to use the drill and we watched as he drilled about 10 screws into the door.

(into previously drilled holes)

killer seatbelt drama

this saturday I had the opportunity to go to Wonderjam at Canada's Wonderland.



i'm taking the pic; these are the fun people I went with.

i wanted to see the bands...

ok, really just one band....

and of course to ride the rides too.

what a good day.

after sharing 2 XL Pizzas from Pizza Pizza

and a ride up at 301 ft

Windseeker.

it was time for my anticipated concert.
Skillet.

the guy introducing them said that 'they have a killer seatbelt drama.'

a what? 
i asked dan. 

I had no idea what a 'seatbelt drama' was, but dan heard correctly.

'they have a killer female drummer.'

(made much more sense - and they really do)

Skillet has to be one of the best live shows. 

they were amazing. 

the violin and cello.....

i don't have words to describe them.

I sat at the back, on the grass.

not the best location to film with a little olympus camera, but here's a little taste of their final song.

thank you Micaela for the tickets to go.  

you are awesome!

Changed.... yet again

Alright.

those of you who actually read this thing, no matter how often, have seen a few changes happen to the look of it.

I think i said i wouldn't change it again too soon, the last time I did it.

sorry.

i got sick of the look.

when I read other blogs I say to myself

"i like how this one looks, I need to fix the look of mine."

I'd promise i won't change it again,

but..

we all know i can't keep that promise.

currently i really like this look.

sorry if you don't.

but here's a new photo anyway :)

daddy

sunday was father's day.

any man can be a father.

i have a dad.
a daddy.

my dad:

spent time with me.  

played games with me.

teased me.

made me laugh.

loved me.

carried me up to bed when I fell asleep in front if the tv

(or when I pretended to be).

helped me with homework.

came to special events.

inspired me to be my best.

showed me when it meant to love others.

taught me the value of money.

hugged me.

never gave me reason to doubt his love.

my kids have a dad.

a daddy.

i am so thankful for my dad

and my husband (the dad of my kids)

Happy (belated) daddy's day!

my Jones

So, as you all know

I love Jones Soda!

I want to have one of my photos on a bottle.

I also want to do the My Jones and personalize some bottles for something.

So, imagine how happy I was to see the wedding favors this weekend.

love them!

by the way,

my bottle's fortune was: Donate your time.

Dan's fortune was: Call your mom. 

Faith's fortune was:

i forget what Jordan's fortune was..something about work i think.

Wedding Memories

This past weekend I had the honor of being in the wedding of two very special people.

I had been a youth leader for each of them and have watched them grow into people whose love for God surpassed everything. 

when asked to be in the wedding I was so honored and priveleged, as well as excited to know that the beautiful bride-to-be loved me as much as I loved her. 

after amazing bridal showers and chats about plans, dress buying and adjusting..

the day was finally here. 

I also had the opportunity to step behind my camera, and capture some beautiful memories for the two of them. 

these are a few of the memories.

 Faith has dreads and her hair looked absolutely spectacular!

Beautiful maid of honor, Kirsten, getting her hair done. 

the original plan was to curl and put the hair up. 

We vetoed that idea and she kept it down - gorgeous.

Faith is a spectacular pianist. 

had to have the piano in a photo somewhere.

what an amazing day!

Congratulations Faith and Jordan!!

once again, thank you for asking me to share in this day.



beach adventures

yesterday was our first trip to the beach this summer.

is it summer yet?

it sure felt like summer.

No, she isn't praying to the gods of summer..
she's drinking the lake instead.

the best thing about going to the beach on a tuesday in May

we had the beach to ourselves.

the boy wished we were at the ocean.

One day little guy, one day.