Happy 14th Chris!

 

 

 

'Blue Mist'

photo by Chris

 

'Alvin'

photo by Chris

 

Katie and Chris

 

 

 

 

Father and Son

 

 

 

 

Brothers that dig and create - always!!!

 

 

 

 

Mom and Son

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family time

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

aaah the sound of the piano keys.....

 

 

 

 

These are just some moments for you Chris!

 

We love you and celebrate your 14 yrs of life today!

 

Have fun...you know where you are going!!!!

love from all of us

xoxoox

 

I'm back....

Too often I beat myself up inside because I have not remembered a moment. I have not photographed the scene. I have not added it to my journal or blog. Take notice of the NOT word piling up! Instead of this post completely leaning toward the negative, I have been living it out. I have not felt compelled to make note of everything as I normally do. I do not want media to become an idol for my kids, why do I want that for myself? Blogging was not entirely an idol, but the idol was becoming what I am NOT. I love blogging. I love photography, I love writing. I let it go.

It was never completely missing, just away. I needed to move away and live out what I write. Simple as that.

However, I can't take it anymore. I must write. It is my therapy! Anyone hear me!!!? I also love it so much when  one of the kids casually picks up a blog book and just sits and enjoys remembering our moments, our days.....

I have read many books. I have talked with so many people. I have prayed constantly. I have been living like I was without the blog world. But I have also realized that this connection is such a gift. I learn so much from others and am thankful that when I can I read blogs and posts on FB. Many are meaningful, resourceful and inspiring. That is what moves me.

I have many memories to add to my blog so my kids can cozy up and recall the past. I better get busy. I have many days to post about, too many really. That overwhelms me, but I pick the moments that matter the most I guess!?

 

Lately, the book by Stormie Omartian, "The Power of a Praying Parent" has altered my prayer life in wonderful ways. I am so thankful for the themes and verses and prayers. I have made this my morning routine and am staring the book of Isaiah as my summer reading plan. I am also beginning Stormie's book "The Power of a Praying Wife". I just have so much to be thankful for with my husband and praying for him is a gift I can give.

 

 

 

Here is the first of many pictures to come...Katie in Bahamas on our trip to the Exumas.

Now diapers are close to gone, soothers too. Bryn thanks for taking this picture! I love it! I will always treasure this moment. Water wings and lizards, what a mix.

 

 

 

 

 

 

He hasn't even seen the show Chips......

 

                 Oh Sara, she just couldn't get enough of feeding these lizards grapes!







All photos thanks to Bryn....

some days

 

 

 

Some days are full of water parks and chorine (Great Wolf Fun!)

 

Some nights are full of making memories with friends and brothers at hockey games

 

Some Sundays are full of a special visitor, our beautiful Belgian Horses across the road!! 

 

Some days are full of trades of the past resurrected to present day - horse logging

 

 

Some days can be Sundays with surprises!

 

 

 

 

 

So many books to cover!

I will begin with just a few that I have finished and partially as well!

Age of Opportunity by Paul Tripp

I am close to the middle and I keep going back to points he has made at the beginning to remind myself of the warnings and encouragement. Warnings may seem a harsh word, but what that makes me do is ACT. Do not become angry. Don't shut them out. Don't give up and walk away. Talk, but more importantly listen. Love unconditionally, spend time in simple ways. Ask questions that create answers other than just yes and no! Be prepared to stop what you are doing and live the moment for them. But remind them that every moment is God's moment. "There is never a moment in which God is absent or inactive. There is never a situation, location, or relationship that he does not rule." (p.56)

My blog title is our moments, our days. So for me this quote was a reminder as to why I am blogging our moments. Really, it is a way to look back and reflect on the simple moments and that God  is right there in that moment.

Paul Tripp has written such a meaningful perscription almost for enabling me to see this new season upon our home as an opportunity, God's way, not mine.

Keep you posted! Half way there....

Twelve years today!

 

Hard not to have a jungle theme with a young man that just wants a monkey for a pet!

Who knows, maybe he will!!!?

 

Spending time with friends and cousins proves to be a fantastic way to celebrate birthdays!

Today, my Jack turned 12. I am so proud of the many ways he chooses to serve others, create an atmosphere of fun-loving play, display and attitude of gratitude, laugh and make others laugh too, adore his family and pitch in (even when it is his birthday!)

 

Snow, burgers, cake, healthy goodies too all add to the fun of the day. Who needs a plan for the kids. All 17 knew exactly what to do....play and come when you are called for food and loot! The boys played a wild game of nerf guns, girls made earrings played games, little ones wandered and joined in where they wanted to, toddlers toddled and attempted naps and all went outside to enjoy yet another snowy day

 

 

To top it off, we surprised him with a night out! His big bro, a very good friend and Daddio. Off to a game in Toronto. Leafs vs Canadiens. Well Daddy came home with a very big smile! Nice win! He was so surprised and just had FUN!

I am so thankful we can celebrate life with family and friends.

 

Jack, you are a young man on his way toward and adventure that only God can map out. We pray for you diligently. We adore you, we love you and we are so thankful that God gave us such a precious gift to love, raise and pray for. May you see the hand of God on your life. Give him your moments, your days my son.

 

Proverbs 3

snow days

 Wonders of snow!

 

take a peek

 

 

 

 

wrestle a best friend

 

 

 

take your camera outside

 



 

get close enough....

 

but far enough away to catch a moment

(they are watching a fox walk across frozen stream)



 

enjoy the noise so the rink is cleared

 

 

 

 

thoughtful moments of rest from play

 

 

 

super slide

 

 

Even a dangling weed looks unique

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snow days.....

 

 

 

 

Making our days...memories

 

 

 

creating 3-D puzzles of the CN Tower and the Parliament buidings! Hours of almost sculpting mini replicas! Wow, what a wonderful thing to watch unfold over time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Early morning sun and snow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sewing time with friends

 

Amazing sewing teachers and role models for my girlies!

 

 

 

He woke early to accomplish this task alone! The CN tower was his project!

 

Almost done!

 

 

Aaah the cutting of the golden hair! She asked for ages to give her hair away to little girls with cancer. She grew it long and then....

 

 

It was given as a gift! She was thrilled!!

 

 

I will always rememeber her desire to serve!

 

 

Katie waited patiently while the hair was trimmed!

 

 

Again, waking to the glo of a gorgious morning....Narnia!?

 

 

More of our days!