Wonder Pet

If there were an award for tolerance, Lady would have picked it up long ago. She truly is a cat that allows many a hand to hold her and 'love' her in kid friendly ways. This was first thing this morning and a highlight for this rainy Saturday already! Pets are wonderful (and as our boys are learning, a commitment).

A verse that Jack wrote out in his journal this summer has been very appropriate:

"A righteous man care for the needs of his animal, the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel"

Proverbs

Sometimes pets are a lot of work, but our children are learning the value of caring for creatures!

Any cat here is a loved one, that is for sure. Sam always asks for another one!

Mommy's Yogurt Tastes Better...

As you can see the moment you turn your back, things go strangely missing like your tub of yogurt! Sara managed to take the yogurt and successfully transfer it into another plastic bowl (very well done I have to say!) and was all smiles!

Wonders of Nature

I am so thankful that curiosity pulses through the veins of children.

Psalm 145 says, " The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassionon all he has made. All you have made will praise you..."

I think of this flower and the response it created in Jack and his request to document his find with the camera. The flower so simply speaks of the beauty God intends for us to see, sometimes we just miss it. I am so thankful that I have four children to remind me of God's creation in curious ways!

Tonight Duncan and I listend to the Drew Marshall Show on Joy 1250 radio. If you google thedrewmarshalshow.com you will be able to navigate his site and find an interview with Neil Barkey. His wife Rachel just passed away of Cancer in July. His interview is so passionate and beautiful and also reminds me of the compassion God has for us and that he made us and as it says in Pslam 145, "All you have made will praise you..." Neil chooses to praise Him despite the loss of his wife, such an incredible testimony. Listen to his interview, along with the talk Rachel gave. You can see her talk on deathisnotdying.com. Life changing...

Blessings...

Psalm 127:1-2
"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchers stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for he grants sleep to the ones he loves."


....children are a reward from Him...Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them."

Six today

Today my dear darling daughter turned six and the curls in her hair, twinkle in her stunning green eyes and the bounce in her step spoke celebration. I have not shared this verse with her, but this is the verse I have for her

Deuteronomy 14:2

"The Lord has chosen you to be his treasured possession."

I was planning on giving that to her today, but the party ran itself and was not the time! I made a journal for her and will print it out and give her this life verse. Such a beautiful reminder that we are God's possession and in Him we are created new! A good thing to remind ourselves every moment!

Thanks to all that are in her life. What a blessing to be surrounded by the love of friends and family.

Happy Birthday to you my sweet and may your year be a treasure!

xoxo mom

New Driver in Town

Sara has taken over! She has taken Daddy's wheel, sunglasses and drivers seat. She literally picks up his hand and throws it when she sits on his lap in the boat. She has spunk and and sparkle!

This is the pic of the summer so far. I like to call him the 'naked fisherman'. Let me explain, he did not catch this fish with rod! Just a small net. It is called perseverance, determination and perhaps some luck! But he caught the biggest fish of the summer with no hooks, worms or gadgets. This pictures sums up Jack in so many ways - fun loving and happy!!

Here is our determined athlete. He is now on one ski and watch out Balsam Lake, he is ready! He tried many times but Daddy would not let him give up and he got up and kept skiing. As a ten year old he is doing so many things and what a treat to watch from the boat. Good thing my camera is my third arm!!

Our wee Samantha is almost six now and does not really want waterwings or a lifejacket anymore. She loves to play, swim and enjoy watching the boys do all the water sports. She is not quite there yet with all the skiing etc, but is enjoying tubing slowly with the boys.

The duck family that came to visit and the cheetos the kids gave them made the family continue to return - hmmm wonder why!

Oh Sara, what a delight! She loves to be in the centre of it all. After I finished taking a group portrait she remained on her own and here is the result, a lovely shot of a quiet refective moment!



Here we are at the point of the summer when school is just around the corner but the need for summer still lingers! We have had a whirlwind of a summer with many wonderful, special and difficult memories built in us all. The cottage provides memories that the kids will hold forever on this earth and for that we are thankful. God will continue to be faithful.

Our verse this week comes from Hebrews 3:6. Duncan had us look it up and we wrote it out in our journals.

"But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast."

We have encouraged our kids to hold on to courage and remember where we get our strength everyday. It takes courage to face the day and hurdle the obstacles that life has for us all. We can take hope because our hope is in the Lord!

Blessings to you all...