So much for my no-more-last-minute, oh-so-very-sad 365 pictures…
I HAVE however, eaten a Michelina’s after 9pm, every single night this week. Good thing Scott knows what he’s doing and stocked up on them. You’d think he’s been through this before… ;)
And tonight, I threw in a cheese bagel, with cream cheese on it just for good measure. Cause you know, the Michelina’s didn’t have enough saturated trans fat on it’s own…
A pathetic 365 picture…
But this is what I spent the day doing. Preparing all of the Sunday school curriculum for the fall months. I’m looking forward to teaching the 2-4 year olds. I couldn’t ask for a better age group! But the crafts… so many crafts…
I have really been slacking at this whole blogging thing lately. I have had zero time for my hobby. So the only photos that I have been taking and editing- are for other people! My plan is to renew my zeal for this 365 project and finish the year off strong! :) Only 129 days to go?…
Ella on the couch watching treehouse…
The kids don’t watch TV much. MAYBE once a week I’ll turn on treehouse or Little House on the Prairie for them. I don’t know why we even pay for cable… Though sadly, the only time I do turn it on- is to use it as a babysitter! They say don’t do that, right?
Anyhow, I don’t know how I used to sit through all of these shows with Keona. Some of them are cute- I love Backyardigans! Others… like “Judy and David” ugh…. What is the point? I shall not continue with my rant. Because seriously, who cares? And what would be the point?
Sunflowers…
My sister took this picture with her brand new Nikon D90! And my 50mm 1.8 lens… ;)
The boys brought these flowers home for me from their friends’ house today. I told Jeddy to make sure he was good, and that he listened, and didn’t make a mess, didn’t cause any trouble…. you know- all those things you say when you’re afraid your child will be a little terror… Well, as soon as we got to “The Brown’s” house- Jeddy ran inside and locked Mrs. Brown out. He was off to a great start! Luckily for him- he opened it right away. Then, we had another little chat before I left. By the time I was pulling out of the driveway, one of the girls was taking him around back to hunt for toads. :)
Enjoying a funny movie together…
I love to watch my kids laugh.
All the girls are at camp- so the boys were more than happy to have control of the TV for the week!
I’m not usually a creeper. Honest…
Scott and I were able to go to London today, for an annual Bible conference. A Pastor that had a big influence on Scott as a teenager was there preaching, and Scott was looking forward to seeing him again. On the way home, we stopped at Tim Horton’s for ice caps, and when Scott came back out, he handed me the stuff and walked over to this guy sitting on the curb having a smoke. He gave him a gospel tract, and they started up a conversation. Well, I was just sitting in the car waiting anyways so I went to take a picture of them talking- it wasn’t until after I took the picture, that I noticed they were praying. This young man, listened to the gospel and knew that he needed Jesus Christ as his Saviour. He prayed right there with Scott in the parking lot. I don’t think either of them noticed the older man standing behind them listening. God is so good! And faithful! And forgiving! I’m so thankful that He was willing to save me. And anyone else for that matter…
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
-Acts 4:12
Seeing the girls off to camp…
Keona, spent last week at camp all by herself in the 10-12 year old age group. This week, (ages 7-9) we decided to let her go again with her sisters. Hopefully, there are no incidents of children falling out of canoes, or such like… Though, that may be better than what happened this year! Keona is an extremely restless sleeper. I don’t know what possessed her to sleep on a top bunk with NO rails- but she did. For about 10 minutes anyways. Until she woke up falling to the ground! She said that she had a headache for the next two days. Then, she told me about how they went “tobogganing” down the stairs in their sleeping bags. Here’s how the conversation went…
Keona: So Clara hopped in her sleeping bag and said, “Who’s coming with me!?” I said, “My mom would KILL ME if I did this!”
Me: And…?
Keona: Clara said, “It’s OK. Come on!” So, I did! I hurt my back- so I only did it once.
Me: Why would you do something that you thought I would kill you for??? If your friend told you to jump off a cliff, would you do it??? (Yup, I actually said that…) Not that I mind you sliding down the stairs at camp in a sleeping bag… but really, never do something that you don’t think is a good idea just because a friend tells you to!
Keona: Mom, Clara’s not my friend. She’s the counsellor.
Me: Oh…
Gotta love camp!
Western round-up…
Our church had a “Round-up” theme this past Sunday evening. The kids LOVED it! I think I spent a total of $12 at the dollarstore. The lady working there thought I was throwing a cowboy themed birthday party. Nope… just dressing up my kids for church… ha! I figure that this will be one of those really corny pictures that we’ll look back on 20 years from now, and have a good laugh. We even got Scott to participate! Though, he’s missing his bandana/necktie thingy in this picture. The girls bugged me to wear braids like them- apparently, I looked more like Pocahontas than a cowgirl… And Ella kept pointing to her shirt saying, “Boy’s. Shirt….” She was the only one who didn’t have a plaid shirt, and we couldn’t find any for little girls! So, we bought hers in the toddler boys’ section. Hey… it was only $6! It did the job.
Thanks to Nadine for the picture! :)
Dreams are expensive, and yet, they are free. They are for you alone, and yet they are for everyone. They can be for an instant, or they can last until the end of time. They can be common placed, or never before seen by man. Dreams are special, and dreams are gifts.
Partake as you wish and bask in the place of your choice as you dream. See the future, or past, or present as you would. Consider things from your perspective, in your mind, in your own way, if you choose. Your dreams can ensnare you forever, they can deceive you, and they can even rob you of you.
Dreams can reveal who you are. Your dreams, filled with what you are and think, show the deepest part of you; the part you may have wished to hide, or the part you may have thought you could never be. Perhaps in your dreams you are a hero, or a king. Maybe you are a moral and giving leader, or an immoral and selfish coveter. Perhaps your dream is a warning of what you may become if you do not change your state of mind or change what you put in your mind. Any which way you dream, pay attention, for each dream is worthy of consideration.
Through dreams nations have been built. Dreams turned to idea, churned into policy and preached until revolution, have led countless billions from freedom to atheist utopia’s deception, or from tyranny to democracy’s release. A dream of freedom is the spark that causes the effort required to reach it. No pen was ever breached by a captive creature until they realized their desire to be freed. Imagine if you were no longer a slave, and dream of life accountable to only God, and you will feel the fuel of the dream that has changed the world in the past centuries. Dream of release from that authority of God, and you will be bound by the fetters that have enslaved the world since the day it began. In dreams there is power to free and to bind. Be cautious whose dreams you take for your own, for in dreams is the power to take captive the faith and the souls of men.
Dreams inspire. Simply state, “I have a dream!” and some will listen. Have a dream that others can share and they will even share it. Give that dream to them in full and you could just change the planet. Dream big, dream loudly, or dream alone.
Dreams are gifts. Perhaps enjoyed for a lifetime, and then passed gently upon the minds of the next generation are our dreams. Remember, the Pyramids were once dreams. The Great Wall was once a dream. Space shuttles were once dreams. Even automatic doors were once just a dream. The first car was a dream. A new world of plenty, and a passage to China by sea were once dreams. The photograph, or today, the digital photo were dreams. The Panama Canal was a dream. An airplane was a dream. The ability to talk to someone directly and electronically on the other side of the planet instantly was a dream just recently realized. What will be next? Dreams are a power given by God, but sometimes, and often, misused by man. For a Godless society was a dream, a Godless evolution was a dream, the Nuclear bomb was a dream, and the gun, and nerve gas, and such like. Man has taken the power given by God to evolve within our limits and used such a gift to dominate and own each other. You have no right before God to use your dreams to harm.
Dream according to truth. The imagination can run wild, literally, taking us to the carnal, natural, animal-like nature that we must, by truth, bring into captivity. The battle of the world is a battle for the mind. The one who can possess your dreams and desires can control your destiny. Be careful whom you allow into your dreams. The world today sells countless fictional imaginations, so much so, that an entire generation can live and die and never even consider the truth. Imagine a world that is only half viewed, and slightly known, because it’s viewers are too busy viewing something that is simply imagination. We can only spend so much time in our dreams before we must face reality. Don’t die without ever opening your eyes to see what’s actually here.
This entire universe was once a dream. Captive in the mind of the Creator, and spoken into existence, all that we enjoy, and in fact, even all that we are was a dream brought to life. It is His nature to dream and create. He planned it all and formed it thus. The exact distance from the exact temperature of the sun, for this exact sized planet moving at the exact speed in space, with its exactly needed axis tilt and rotation speed, with its exactly balanced water and air and earth, to support this exact echo system was all planned and made by the very hands of the One who dreamt it. And, might I say in truth, it runs quite well. For all the thousands of years that we have recorded, the Pyramids still echo back the accuracy of the dream that is the creation of God. To close your eyes and dream of a Godless creation is to simply live in a dream world that could never exist.
So dream, little man, and copy your Creator. Use what He has provided to subdue the earth, and better your productivity and profit. It is His nature you copy. But to take that which has been given to spite and spit in His face and harm those, whom He loves, is to copy that nature which is exactly contrary to Him. Dream to help.
So then go ahead, dream of your children, and grand children, and your dream house, and your desired destiny in life. Have a vision, and a plan, and go after it with your might, according to His desires. Be a dreamer, and dare to go beyond the normal dreamless life. Have a purpose and seek it, and if so be, dream again and go after that. The life without a dream is no life at all.
Dream of the future for a moment, for only God can know it. Consider what He revealed to those prophets passed that foretold of our days. Imagine with that insight provided the world system that evolves before us. It is exactly as they had dreamt. So many times over, a world that had but one place to end up, and but one dark destiny to uphold. Awaiting their dream, of a one who can give them peace without truth, and a world without the true God, and blessing without the Blesser, they dream to one end. That end is sure, foreseen, and simply in waiting. My friend, through God’s eyes you can dream of the future, and turn to His truth for the answer, salvation in Christ.
“The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.” - Jeremiah 23:28
Um…. Excuse me sir, but I think you may have some ice cream in your moustache…
Oh, the fun that we can find at the dollar store! Earlier this week, we went to the dollar store to grab some
pencil boxes (which we actually $1.50) and some Crayola crayons (which were $1.25) and even some pencils and a few binders… (which were $2.00)
Problem was- we didn’t get Ella a pencil box. So all week, she was stealing everyone’s pencils and crayons and trying to sharpen them herself. Prayer was not impressed when Ella tried to sharpen all of her sketching pencils and charcoals… So today, we got Ella her very own princess pencil box, filled with Crayola crayons.
But seriously, there is barely anything for $1.00 at the dollar store anymore. I remember going to a dollar store when I was a kid and things were 3 for $1.00 or 5 cents, 25 cents, and 50 cents. When I told the kids this, they were quite impressed thinking about all the things they could buy at a store like that!
I didn’t bother explaining inflation to them…
But those glasses on Elijah up there- got those for $1.00! ;)
That’s Jeddy’s newest word.
As in, “Whobody wants to come play Wii with me!?”
This child continuously amazes me with his made-up vocabulary.
Though, I do know where he gets it from.
Just ask anyone who has played Scrabble with Scott…
Elijah, has a new obsession with Robin Hood…
We were at Value Village book-hunting a few weeks ago, when I saw an old children’s version of Robin Hood. I picked it up thinking that Elijah would enjoy it a few years from now. He read the entire book by the next day. Scott picked it up and started reading it out loud to me… it was quite a graphic version. Kinda like the old Little Red Riding Hood book, where grandma actually got eaten by the wolf! Not like the newer ones where the wolf just stuffs her in a closet. It was written for children… it just had a lot of war detail in it. Like at the end of the book, where he goes to this lady (who’s name I can’t remember) and she’s going to “bleed him” in order to save his life (or so he thinks anyways) and she locks him in a room, and leaves him there to bleed to death. Then, Little John breaks down the door, but it’s too late. Robin Hood requests his bow and arrow one last time. He shoots an arrow out the window, and where it lands, marks the place he was buried.
Yeah, my 6 year old read this. He just told me today, that he plans to read it again next week.
I can’t complain.
Atleast he enjoys reading…
I guess?
*Oh, and don’t forget to check out Nadine and John’s engagement pictures!
“Say Cheeese!”
OK… so I don’t really ask them to say cheese anymore- but I did ask Ella to give me a big smile. This is what I got…
When I said, “That’s not a smile! I want a real smile!” She replied with. “I is smilin’ Mom!” And then repeated this cheesy, half-smile.
Yesterday in the van, Charity asked me a question and before I had time to think about my answer- Ella shouts up, “Mom! Mom! Charity talkin’ you!”
Apparently, Ella doesn’t believe in “ing”- everything ends with “in’”…
My sweet little Ellie has become pretty argumentative. Especially when it comes to her brothers. I hear, “No! I isn’t!!!” Atleast 50 times a day…
She can also give a mean cut-eye.
Oh well, atleast she uses her pronouns properly.
Sort of…
With Jed, everything was “me”…
“Me isn’t going.”
“Me doesn’t want to.”
Etc…
What can I say?
Girls are just smarter.
I can take a hint…
I thought that Scott put her up to it, but apparently not.
Click the picture to enlarge and read her note- as long as you promise to ignore all the sticky finger prints on my mixer…
And down he goes…
I must admit that it was my bright idea, for Robbie to try and pick up both the boys for a picture… but he was laughing so hard that he could keep his grip, and here is Jeddy about to hit the ground. Don’t worry- he got up laughing!
Robbie has been such a huge help to have around this summer! When I took all the kids to the mall, and Jeddy had to go to the bathroom- Robbie took him, and made what would normally turn into a 20minute-everyone-decides-they-have-to-go trip into about 2 minutes. (He’s good at hurrying them along!) Plus, I kept shopping while he took the boys… Bonus! He carries water bottles upstairs and puts them on the cooler for me. He helps the kids with their chores. He always asks me what he can do to help out. He helps us find the lost library books. He runs back to the house to get stuff we forgot. He plays sports with the kids outside so that I don’t have to! ;) He unlocks stuff for us on Mario Kart! Plus, he doesn’t let bossy-Bessy Keona be so bossy! (By the way, I’m missing my bossy-Bessy right about now! She’s at camp all week!) Other than when he makes fun of how “healthy” we eat… he’s the perfect little (big) brother!
P.S. Robbie, you better not tell anyone about how we’ve broken our healthy streak with hamburgers and french fries! Or about how I ate an entire box of Lofthouse cookies by myself this week. Only noticing that they were 180 calories each when there was one left!
I begged Scott to eat it, that last one- but he refused. So I was forced to finish it off… What’s 180 calories x 10 cookies? Ugh… it’s depressing. That’s what it is…
“Happy face!”
Ella is not quite as obsessed with happy faces as Jeddy was. Every time that I sat with him to draw, he would ask me to draw a happy face- and then he would insist on colouring it in green! Her obsession is with hands. Hands, and monsters… Yep… she is forever asking me to draw her monsters! I think she quite enjoyed the Monsters Inc. movie. She does kind of sound like “Boo”…
We bought everyone pencil boxes and some back-to-school supplies- she keeps stealing Jeddy’s stuff. To which he replies, “This is mine, Ella! Por kindergarden!” (I do know how to spell- that’s just how he says it!) Then she argues, “No! My pencil!” while she pushes his face away and knocks him off the chair. Yeah, she has no problem defending herself against her big brothers! ha! Then she feels bad and says, “Oh! This yours Jeddy! Here…” I think I’ll be buying her a pencil box all of her own. So that in between teaching lessons- I can trace hands and draw monsters. :)
All Things Bright and Beautiful
~Cecil Frances Alexander
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.
Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors,
He made their tiny wings.
The purple-headed mountain,
The river running by,
The sunset, and the morning,
That brightens up the sky;
The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.
He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell,
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.
(The kids all had to memorize this poem in grade 2, and this picture reminded me of it…)
“Happy”
This is the bracelet that the bride wore at the wedding I shot on Saturday. I LOVED it- and when she gets back from her honeymoon, I’m going to ask her where she bought it.
A wedding, is definitely one of those “happy” days. But I have to remind myself on those normal, force-the-kids-to-clean-their-rooms, count-down-the-minutes-to-nap, and then count-down-the-minutes-to-bedtime days… that “Happiness is based on happenings- but joy cometh from the Lord!”
I’m so thankful that I can find the joy, even in those not-so-happy days!
“Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”
-1 Peter 1:8-9
Beth and Neal coming outside to see their car…
Their car that the groomsmen had “decorated” before the reception. When I say “decorated” I mean they wrote on a black car with white shoe polish, they filled the trunk with gumballs and toilet paper, with his cell phone buried underneath it all, the stacked twinkies on the antennae, filled the car with balloons, and put sardines on the engine. Oh yes, and they wrote, “How’s my driving?” on the back of the car, with their cell phone number underneath it. Oh boy…
Scott at the hotel
We drove out to London on Thursday afternoon, and decided to stay at the Hampton Inn. We decided to go walk around the mall while we waited to go to the wedding rehearsal and I noticed that Scott’s jeans were frayed, and he had on an Old Navy golf shirt… Not to say that he isn’t a good dresser- he is! He just doesn't shop for himself very often. Like once a year… SO, I asked if we could go buy him a new dress-casual outfit. He agreed, and let me pick something out at Tip Top. :) I think he looked pretty sharp!
That night, after the rehearsal dinner, he went to play xbox with the guys, while I slept at our hotel room. Here he was bringing me some ice before he left…
And a few random photos. Just for fun…
Are these two not the cutest little three-legged race team you’ve ever seen!?
Jeddy is starting to get over the whole, “Well, then I’ll just…” stage.
Example:
Me: Jed, you are too short to ride the ghoster coaster at Wonderland.
Jeddy: Well, then I’ll just go on anyways.
Me: Jed, the people who work there will stop you. They won’t let you passed the gate.
Jeddy: Well, then I’ll just climb over the gate and jump on the ride!
Me: Then they will call security and the police will make you leave the park.
Jeddy: Well, then I’ll just fight the police with my lightsaber and go back in the park.
Me: Jed, police have guns. Do you really think you can fight a gun with a plastic light saber?
Jeddy: Well, then I’ll just block all the bullets!
…and so on.
You get the point. We had a different conversation that followed this same pattern almost every day.
I’m relieved that it’s over. :)
Keona came to me with a Star Wars book that they borrowed from the library today and said, “Um… I don’t think you should let anyone read this. It’s about cannibals. It’s really disgusting. They cut people’s arms off and make stew out of them and stuff. Elijah will definitely have nightmares.” Ugh… and I thought these Star Wars books were safe. Cannibals!? At least she came and told me about it. Back to skimming every book before they read them…
Elijah told me tonight, “Mom, I am so excited about going to Nana and Papa’s house! Whenever I get so excited like this, my head feels like it will explode!” Wow. That’s pretty excited, hun… :)
I was looking at wedding pictures this week and there was a shot of the bride and groom kissing with some nice bokeh in the background. Charity asked if it was fireworks, and I said, “No, hun. Just lights.” So she continued on, “Well, when I get married, and my husband and I have our first kiss- I want big fireworks to go off over top of us!” I decided that I better make note of this so that I can remind her one day.
Jeddy’s plans: to have all boys when he grows up, and to name ALL of them “Robbie!”
Just had to post this picture because I love the expressions. The little boy in the front is Elijah’s new buddy at church. They always sit together in Sunday School. The boy behind him is his brother, and he’s in Jed’s class. But Jeddy would rather sit with Jessica…
“GO HUNNY!”
(He actually won the race, too!)
Today, we are headed off to London together for a wedding. I am very much looking forward to spending the weekend away with him. He’s in the wedding, and I’m doing hair for the wedding, so it should be fun! Then on Saturday, I’m shooting another outdoor wedding- one that I am incredibly excited about! Hopefully my head doesn’t “explode” from all the excitement! ;)
Oh, and I just remembered this and had to share. I was measuring the girls for their dresses for Nadine’s wedding- and Keona and Ella have the same waist measurement! Is that crazy? I mean, I know Ella has that cute little pudgy belly and all… but they were BOTH 21 inches!
The very first thing he does with his new magnifying glass….
If you look real close- you can see smoke.
Why am I not surprised? For some reason, I can totally picture Scott doing this as a kid…
Notice the sweat on his forehead? He had been outside for like 5 minutes! So thankful for my central air, set at a perfect 24 degrees!
One of my new wall quotes…
A HUGE thank you to my amazingly talented friend, Stef!
I had been debating for a long time about getting some vinyl wall quotes for our home. I couldn’t decide where I would put them, or how big I would want them… you know how indecisive I can be! When Stef made one as a graduation gift for Scott. It was a bit smaller, and it now hangs in our kitchen! I decided to ask her about doing a larger one (16x20) for the frames in my livingroom. I am in LOVE. (You can click to enlarge the picture) The details are awesome, and so personal! :) My favourite part would have to be- the toad! ha… It makes me smile every time I look at it!
Check out her blog and more of her fabulous artwork HERE!
Meet “Charlie”…
This morning, when Eve took the garbage out- Charlie ran over to her and jumped up on her arm. She was convinced that he was hungry, so the kids decided to take him some Cheese Nibs. He sat and ate out of their hands for the next 15 minutes. Am I the only one who has never seen a squirrel eat out of people’s hands??? It seems so absurd to me. But he sure is cute!
Windows Live Writer…
And I thought that the summer would be LESS busy! And I would have MORE time to blog… HA! Praise the Lord we’ve been busy.
Good news- we sold our old van!
Bad news- our Wii died.
Good news- my camera isn’t actually broken.
Bad news- we didn’t find that out until Scott had gone to purchase a new one so I’d be covered for my upcoming shoots. Good news- my sister is getting a really good deal on a camera.
That kind of sums up the last week and a half.. a roller coaster of “good news!” and “Bad news…”
I would love to stick around and write more, but I’m going to catch up on all my 365 blog posts. I have a whole desktop full of pictures waiting to be posted! :)
Prayer napping with Papa on a Sunday afternoon.
Chubby bunny…
I knew you had a big mouth… but even i was impressed!
So glad I have never had to play this game in public!
*More photos from the church picnic to come….
My best friend from grade school vs. my 10 year old brother…
To protect a certain friend’s pride, and self-image of a strong, independent woman… I will not reveal the winner of this contest. Nor will I comment on the cheating that took place soon after this photo was taken… :)
You know that book, “I’ll Love You Forever”?
Sometimes, I feel like that Mom. There are many nights, that I sneak into my kids’ rooms, and just sit there and watch them sleep. I don’t actually pick them up to rock them and sing… but I admire their sweet, peaceful little faces, pray over them, and wonder how they grew so quickly. Amazed by how blessed I am, and how loved I feel on a daily basis.
That book will always be a favourite of mine.
I took my bathroom sink for granted…
Have I mentioned how thankful I am for my hubby lately? He works hard at work, and still has time to fix the things that need fixing around the house. I am also incredibly thankful for my unclogged bathroom sink. :) Thanks for cleaning out all the gunk that the kids stuffed down there. Ok… and maybe some of my hair too…. LOVE YOU! ;)
Gotta love PJ days…
We look forward to holidays. Mostly, because we can wear pyjamas all day long! :) Today, we got up early, cleaned up from the weekend, had a tea and coffee while the kids played. We played Wii together, ate together, and then cuddled up and watched a movie and ate popcorn with all the kids. It was the perfect day off…
my baby…
Passed out in her swing-dancing dress. About 30 seconds after this picture, Scott honked our crazy loud truck horn at me as I walked in front of the van. I must have jumped 3 feet in the air! He laughed his guts out. I walked around the back of the van when I came out of the store….
