Look, Mom, a Marshmallow Field!

We do a lot of traveling and see many interesting things - here is something that caught Lady R's eye recently - a field of Marshmallows!

Shark Bait

Sir C and I were splashing in the pool. He loves to go for "rides" on my back while I swim around the pool. As we splashed and giggled and glided through the water, he shouted out "Mommy, I a SHARK!"

"Oh, no", I responded, playing fearful, "I'm afraid of sharks!"

Quickly his tone changed "Oh, it's ok, Mommy", he comforted, "I be a dolphin instead".

Sunscreen optional?

"But Mommy, I don't WANT sunscreen!", my 5-year old daughter exclaimed in a woeful voice.
I, as a proper Mommy should, stopped to explain WHY she should wear sunscreen on the beautiful sunny day as we visited with our friends at the park. But she was adament. "I'll be careful, Mommy, I won't get a sunburn!"

She honestly thought that she could STOP the sun from burning her, (ah the faith of a child!), but I insisted "No sunscreen equals no park play". She resigned herself to the stubbornness of her Mother, and allowed the application - frowning all the while. As she skipped away to join her pals on the playground I pondered all the ways we protect our children - sunscreen, baby gates, car seats, bike helmets, stranger rules, internet security, movie, tv and game censorships, outlet covers, walking with a buddy, fire detectors, locks on doors and cupboards, fences, and so much more! We protect them because we love them.

In what ways does God protect us, His beloved children?

He gives us guidelines for living, Christian friends, mentors, parents, angles, the Holy Spirit, pastors and other "protection" and warning systems!

How do we protect ourselves from the "heat" of the world?

Have you ever heard someone say about swearing "I just block it out"? While that may be true at first, when exposed to swearing we eventually become numb to the words we hear, and even though it may never come out of our mouths, we don't control our thoughts as well! Did you know that swearing in your mind is still swearing?? Oh, be careful little ears what you hear!

More and more often on television we see bed scenes, nakedness and sexually provocative dress. I hear the response "I just don't think about it" when I ask why it slips through the censorship radar.... but eventually we do - even if we think we're controlling it, slowing it grips our minds and influences the way we perceive beautiful women. We may not even notice it happening! Oh, be careful, little eyes what you see!

In regards to alcohol and drugs, I hear the phrase "I know my limit!" - and maybe you do, but it only takes one drink to begin to alter your perception and judgment. We have less control over our tongues, our actions and our moods! Oh, be careful little mouth what you taste!

Even something simple as driving over the speed limit on the roads or highways. "I know how to be safe", I hear, and maybe you do - but do all the other cars around you know, too? And it is so easy to push just a little bit more each time - until safety becomes less of a thought, and speed becomes more of one. One piece of black ice, one unexpected item on the road, one other car driving dangerously - that's all it takes to loose control.

How do you protect yourself from the dangers? What kind of sunscreens are you using to protect from the "heat"?

For Christmas last year my in-laws gave my hubby a GPS. This GPS records both the maximum posted speed for a road, and the speed the vehicle is traveling. When above the speed limit, a bell chimes, alerting of the problem. My children have become very adept at hearing the chime and expressing "slow down!". They keep us accountable for our speed - and therefore for their safety!

What other protectors can you use to help you keep your mind, tongue, ears and body holy and acceptable to the One who created you?

Protect, Protect, Protect!!

Thankful for an English Teacher!

Sometimes God just provides exactly what you need in such a surprising way! I'm working on a course that requires me to take apart sentences - something I haven't done in... years! Thankfully, I have a high school English teacher nearby who was very happy to help me tackle the problem - Thanks, Mom!

How NOT to ride a bike!

Jeff mentioned yesterday evening that he wanted to do "something really different" today to celebrate the holiday. Since very little was open, the options we had were somewhat limited, so he and our son, Sir J headed out for a bike ride this afternoon.

A short 30 mins later I received the call that a mother always dreads.... "there's been an accident"

As it turned out, it was Jeff, and not our son, who decided to do some fancy bike work and flipped himself over the front of the bike. A trip to the emergency room, a few asprin and a couple of x-rays revealed a torn ligament in his shoulder. He'll need to take it easy for 6-8 weeks -- good thing baseball season is over!

.... and next time he says he wants to do "something really different"..... hummmm!

Wearable Art

The children decided today would be a great day for painting! They found blank t-shirts in their drawers, and the paint markers (that we picked up for 75% off at Mary Maxim's tent sale - I do love a deal!), and went to work!



With a little help from his big brother, Sir C's shirt sported a train chugging along into a tunnel


Lady R painted herself standing under a rainbow...



And Sir J decided to paint the planes and buildings that we saw yesterday at the airport!

It's a bird.... it's a plane....!

We were on our way home from speaking at a church today, driving through Toronto, when the children began to spot planes - counting them. Suddenly they piped up from the back "Daddy, can we go WATCH the planes take off?"

Daddy was happy to comply, and we headed to the magic spot outside the airport to see them take flight - the children were quite thrilled, but to our surprise, it was Sir C who was most interested! He clung to the fence, shouting and jumping every time a plane came in to land or geared up to take off! All the way home his little cars in the backseat became airplanes (with sound effects)! Perhaps we have a future pilot??

Walking by the River Bluffs

Today was such a beautiful day! We enjoyed it by going for a picnic and family bike ride/walk along the river bluffs. It was lovely! It's sure hard to believe, however, that the trees are changing colours already!

Feeding the Ducks!

The Best way to Travel

The children have taken a keen interest in Mommy's main travelling past time - knitting!

They've each adopted their own version, suitable for their age, to make a fiber creation.


Sir J is using two short needles and yarn to make a scarf for one of his stuffed animals.



Lady R is using a french knitter (also known as a loom knitter or a knobby knitter) to make herself a necklace!


Sir C is using his hands to make... well, mostly just a mess! But he's having fun doing it, so we'll keep working at it!

It sure is a great way to travel - it is very quiet in the back seat as each concentrates on their own project!

Working at the Library

Final Days - Swimming!

The children have really loved swimming lessons this summer, and I've enjoyed seeing them drastically improve in so many ways! Sir J can swim lengths on his back and in front crawl position, Lady R can do deep water jump in's and tread water, Sir C is doing an assisted front crawl and back float. They are all getting so big!
Today was the last day of swimming lessons for the summer. They each received a report card with kind and encouraging remarks from their teachers!

A sweet taste of Summer!

A "Staycation"

We took a trip to the BIG TO today! We left the little two behind (having a tea party with their favourite "Grand-Aunt") and Sir J experienced his first major league baseball game! The blue Jays didn't fare very well, despite being at home - and being cheered on by a very energetic crowd. Sir J dutifully took his baseball glove in hopes of catching a home run ball.

The theme of the game was "Stitch and Pitch" - so attenders were encouraged to bring their knitting, crocheting, needle point, or any other such portable craft and work on it during the game. To Sir J's delight, although he did not catch a ball, his glove did come in handy! He caught a few of the free balls of yarn that were being thrown to the crowd! He is very excited to knit them up! Accompanied by Grandma and Grandpa and another good friend, it was such a wonderful day/evening!

Getting ready to get "back to school"!

I've been sorting out school supplies and getting things ready to get back to school! Lady R is heading into Kindergarten and and Sir J is getting ready for Grade 4!

I have to admit, I LOVE this time of year. I love going into the stores and seeing shelves full of pencils, notebooks, markers, rulers and backpacks! I love seeing children prancing down the aisles choosing their favourite colours and chattering about what they are expecting in their new classes. I love the feel of crisp new school books with no markings. It all gives me such a feeling of anticipation and excitement!

Lady R is certainly excited about what she is going to be learning over the next year. She announces every where she goes that she is in "Grade Kindergarten". Sir J isn't quite so excited to focus more on school and spend less time outside. I'm sure at his age that reaction is pretty normal!

We rearranged the bedrooms today to make work spaces (desks) for the older two, and each child received some new colouring instruments. We still need a few school books, but we will begin with out them and incorperate them when they arrive.

School is coming....!!

A Arty Day!

Despite the rainy weather, we had a lovely day, exploring the world of art! The Library hosted an art day, and we were pleased to explore various mediums of art, including watercolours, acrylics, printing, quilting, mask-making and face painting! What a fun day!

A new kind of Kinder-Art!

Take a look HERE to see some incredible art inspired by a Kindergartener! (scroll through the photos on the right) How creative can you be with school supplies??

Aunts and Uncles are the best!

To Live is Christ, to Die is Gain....

To live in Christ - with grace, through whatever circumstances befall, is my desire. Over this past year, I have been privileged to observe and pray for a family who have undergone unbearable pain and heartache - but have stepped through (and continue to) with unwavering grace and God's peace. Throughout the ordeal of helplessly watching their 19 year old son slowly loose his life to leukemia, they took the opportunities they could to reach out and encourage others along the way. I have no doubt that there are times that they questioned why, and will continue to ache and weep for whom they could not keep, but the love and and strength and humour and thankfulness that has been displayed over the past year will continue to bind them together as a family and be an incredible testimony to all those who come into contact with them, or hear of them.

I know so many people who suffer - daily physical pain or even pains of the heart, but few there are that endure their sufferings in such a giving, peaceful way - without complaint or looking for sympathy, but with true the patience and peace that can only come from personally knowing God the Father.

Just knowing them, and knowing of their lives, and of their son, Ben, has strengthened me in my prayer life and in my commitment to my family, and it teaches me to be thankful for all things - even the difficult things. As I see all that God has blessed me with, I appreciate my children - right now. Right where they are. I will be not just content, but grateful. Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to know and pray for this family.

May God be glorified through their pain,
My heart and prayers are with the Elliot family.

Welcome to the Civilization Museum!

....
Since we were in Ottawa we decided to take an educational trip to the History of Western Civilization Museum (and the Children's museum which was attached to it). What a fantastic place to go! It was perfect for the children, and they loved every bit of it! In the Childrens museum they got to learn about different cultures and do crafts and try on clothes from those areas. In the Civilization museum we learned about the history of Canada from the west coast to the east! They also enjoyed the postage museum there, and the area about imaginary creatures. We learned what the sailors actually saw when they thought they saw mermaids and unicorns in the ocean - it was facinating!

There was no way we could get through the whole place in just one day, but we did do quite a bit of it. If you're in the area, we recommend it!