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.

some thinking about me

so, I'm going to be 36 this summer.

not a significant age except it's the one i'm turning.

I have been doing some thinking about me lately.

i heard once that at 30 a woman knows who she is.

She has confidence in who she is.

i struggle with what others think of me.

I always have.

other people's opinions have always mattered to me.

I've had phases when I don't care what others think and truly don't care.

but that is not me on a regular basis.

I am scared of disappointing others.

I shy from confrontation.

I compare myself to others.

I compare myself to other moms.

I just wrote about dan and I going bouldering.

the first thing i said as we grabbed the crash pads and headed to the rock was

"i don't look like I should be here."

it made me stop and think.

i think that about a lot of things.

I have dreads.

(a mother of 2 shouldn't have dreads)

I wear cords, tshirts and birkenstocks.

(she has no style)

i hate makeup.

(she needs make-up, she'd be pretty)

i wear surf shorts in the summer.

(she looks like a boy)

I love spoon rings.

(ugly things)

I love drama and escaping into a character.

(She is no good at that, someone should tell her)

I have a little girl who hits and pushes anyone smaller.

(she has no control over her kid)

I love to draw.

(that doesn't look like what she thinks it is at all...i don't see it)

I love to play catch with my husband - football or baseball

(she throws like a girl - her arm sucks)

the list could go on and on...

i need to be the woman i am, with confidence. 

I need to believe i am just who God made me to be.

I know I am just who God made me.

I have gifts and talents, and am good at many things.

I worked with youth and kids for years...

my passion was making sure that they have a confidence in who they are and encouraging them. 

I didn't want them to believe the lies I sometimes believe.

but..

some days it's so easy to fall and believe the lies.

Bouldering

Victoria Day Weekend Dan and I headed south.

to West Virginia to be exact.

Why stay home with the cottagers and tourists...

when we had a long weekend to go elsewhere.

We shipped the kids and dog off to dan's parents

- whom I am very thankful to have near.

and off we went down the highway.

Country Road...

Take me home...

To the place I belong...

West Virginia.

WV has beautiful countryside.

WV has the New River Gorge

and it has Cooper's Rock State Forest.

It was at Coopers Rock that we arrived and set up camp.

we had beautiful weather all weekend to do what we enjoy,

and the reason we went.

Dan on the first climb of the weekend

Anniversary

Anniversary: 

1.the yearly occurrence of the date of a past event.

2. the celebration or commemoration of such a date.

Anniversaries are a time to remember.

a wedding anniversary is a time to look back on why you married your spouse. 

why you fell in love with him/her. 

a time to cherish the years you have had

and to look forward to the years to come.

A birthday is the anniversary of your day of birth.

to mark each year you have been alive.

a time to celebrate with friends and family.

The anniversary of the passing of a loved one

brings with it sorrow.

the sorrow and memory of losing that special person

remembering that he/she has not been with you for the past year(s).

it also brings the bittersweet memories of your life with that person.

joys, tears, laughter...

and why you love him/her so much.

remembered, not forgotten - but still painful.

people celebrate anniversaries of many aspects of life.

some people even celebrate certain 'month'iversaries..

especially in relationships. 

the one month!

the six month!

the 18 month!

sometimes people get a little carried away

(especially when an anniversary is supposed to be an annual event).

Some anniversaries are only special to the person who is remembering.

not a time for a party.

not a time for balloons or presents.

just a time for someone to remember.

to remember what happened on that day a year...or many years...ago.

a year ago a very special man passed away

while that same day another very special man survived.

i love them both so much,

and am thankful for the memories with the one,

and for the memories past and still to come with the other.

Mother's Day

When asked "What do you want to do for Mother's Day?"

I generally answer the same thing.

"Let's go for a hike."

I love hiking and being out in God's spectacular creation.

 

This year we went on a hike on the Saturday,

after a morning of yard work.

The dog didn't do so well in the car...

(let's just say he barks really loud!)

The kids did amazing -

the girl didn't need to get in the backpack at all

- her first official hike.

We hiked to a dam &  waterfall. 

Wilson's Falls.

One thing that I loved:

Dan watched the kids while he let me wander and snap some photos.

So nice to be able to do that.

Lunchtime Reading

I love to read.

I love to read quietly.

I LOVE to read out loud to anyone who will listen. 

My husband is someone who loves to listen. 

My kids love me to read to them too. 

We read to them at bedtime. 

I love those moments. 

But, my favorite time is our lunchtime reading.

We just finished reading the boy's Storytime Bible. 

We read a couple stories each lunchtime that we're home. 

Monday we finished it. 

I didn't know what to read next. 

So i went to the boy's bookshelf - it has chapter books i plan to read him one day. 

I selected one, and we began it at lunch. 

i hope they love it as I did as a kid.

Lunatic, Liar or Lord

**Alright, so I changed the look of my blog - not sure what I think.  

Oh well, I'll let it stay for a while and then tweak it to something I like.. or who knows I may begin to LOVE it.  we'll see.**

As Easter arrives, and thoughts turn to Christ, His death and resurrection - 

the reason we celebrate Good Friday and Easter.

I have been thinking about who He is, and why He did what He did.

C.S.Lewis (Clive Staples Lewis) was a fantastic Christian writer.  

He wrote wonderful kids stories (enjoyed by ALL ages) - The Chronicles of Narnia.  

But he also wrote many books about the Christian Life.

(photo from wikipedia)

This quote, from his book 'Mere Christianity', is CS Lewis talking about who Christ was/is.  

"I am trying here to prevent anyone from saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: 'I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept his claim to be God.'  That is the one thing we must not say.  A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher.  He would be either a lunatic - on the level with the man who says he's a poached egg - or else he would be the Devil of Hell.  You must make your choice.  Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse.  You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. "  *emphasis, mine.

Lunatic...Liar or Lord.  

As the Easter holiday comes and goes, take the time and think about who you truly believe Jesus to be.