Happy, Happy Birthday, Trevor!

27 years ago today my third child was born.....where did the time go?!

Trevor has been such a blessed addition to our family....you always laugh when Trev's in the house! He adds a quirky dimension to every occasion.....

Ya, and who else would ask for an axe for his birthday??
Love you, Trev....praying for a wonderful year ahead for you!!

Art class

Grampy had art class with the boys.....Grampy's an art teacher? I don't think so?!

Island visit

We had a great visit to the Island a while ago.....I'm just late in posting. Of course, we had a wonderful time with the Princess (sorry....I didn't get even one good pic of the parental units!)

We relaxed with the kids, dinner and a movie with lots of cuddles in between; the next day we attended church together and out to lunch before we took off for Victoria for overnight.

In Victoria, we met T&L with Jamie and hung out and relaxed together.

No words required

Praise God from whom all blessings flow

Out of the past

While in Victoria, we decided to drive by our homes from when we lived there. We moved to Victoria after just a year of marriage...we owned a house in Surrey, so we rented at first until we decided whether our transfer to the Island would work out. We had Binkie, our doggie, and had a hard time finding a good placed to rent.

This was the place we found to rent in Esquimalt....it wasn't quite as run down as it is now...but still not a very good home. Okay, it was a dump....I cried the day we moved in. We actually had a 'red light' neighbour upstairs...and there was a horrific murder at the corner store across the street. Thank you, Lord for your protective hand over a young couple.

Thankfully, we moved into a nicer apartment a few months later....I didn't take a photo of it, but it was just as we had left it...plain but comfortable.

We eventually sold our Surrey home and bought this one in Sidney....it was an Engineered Home...remember, the one with the three Mediterranean arches in the front?

Fast forward to today....we were excited to see a young family is now living there, and turning the dated exterior into a gorgeous craftsman style. It is somehow comforting to see others enjoying a home you once owned.

It was fun to walk down memory lane...for a day. But living today and looking forward toward the bright future is even better.

Bob's birthday

Better late than never....this post is late....Bob's birthday was in March....oops!

We had a great day, went bowling, relaxed and had home-made cheesecake....Bob's fav dessert.

Love you tons, hon!

Easter Celebration

We had a wonderful weekend sharing with our kids and grandkids....chocolate eggs

The coolest duck-bunny....

Mmmm....yummy Paska....homemade by Shawna

We relaxed over a ham dinner....and enjoyed Dutch apple pie baked fresh by Christy.
We are blessed....and thankful.

Time together

We played together, cuddled the wee ones, talked and laughed

The kidlets enjoyed an egg hunt

Our family together

We are blessed

God is Good

All the time

Christ the Lord is risen today!

What a glorious time of year....signs of new life are bursting everywhere....a gentle reminder of the new life that Christ bought for us on the cross.

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!

Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where's thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

My heart is so full of love and thankfulness for what God has done for me.
What joy life is when in Christ!!

Be blessed my friends.

A respite

I haven't been around these parts very much lately...actually I can't believe it has been so long since my last post.
I have been having to deal with stuff.... extended family stuff. I have been spending time alone; time with the Lord; time listening to praise music; time deep in thought....trying to find my own water level in a very big pool.
Ever have times like that?
It's kinda like knowing that a plane has crashed in someone else's living room, and you would like to try and help...but they are pretending the plane isn't there so you have to just stand back and watch the fire destroy...all the while the others are expecting you to pretend the plane isn't there, too.
Am I making any sense at all?

Any who....I have come through to the other side, and God is good. I am going to attempt to post several updates of life over the past few weeks. I have missed my time spent here, and hope to find more time to set a spell and write my thoughts....there is so much to be thankful for...I am often overwhelmed with God's goodness and blessings bestowed on me.

Be blessed this Easter weekend, my friends.

The Symbol of the Cross

The symbol of the cross bears such deep significance...thank you, dear Jesus for dying for me.

I am so thankful for God's plan of salvation

My heart is full this Easter,

Full of thanksgiving for a life given,

That I may live a life filled with joy,

Abundant joy,

And know my sins are forgiven me,

What a gift was given me, Praise be to God!

My heart is full.

I pray that you will find joy this Easter.

Please pray

While I get myself organized and get some posts written.....please pray for wee baby Stellan who is in need of God's healing hand. You can follow his progress and encourage his Mama at http://www.mycharmingkids.net/

The prayers of a righteous man (woman) availeth much.

Please stay on the trail

Since this blog was created as a legacy for my kids and grandkids....please bear with me...this post is specifically for Jacob.

Life's journey can sometimes be like a desert.....vast and dry with no obvious direction or path.



But as you walk, look for an oasis....a place green and fertile; a place obviously supplied by living water. Read God's word and surround yourself with those who trust in God.

The right path will be narrow, and it may seem dark at times and even overgrown by a lack of use. But look for the signs, follow in the shadow of the cross, and you will be safe and sure.

Know that Grammie and Grampy have gone before you on this very same path....

and know too, that we have spent much time in prayer...that you would be covered by God's grace and mercy....and that God's wisdom would guide you at such a time as this.

I know that God will guide you to this very post at just the time you need it....Grammie loves you, Jay.

A weekend together

What a terrific weekend we had together! Trev and Christy came over on Friday night, so that all the guys could attend the men's breakfast at our church where Bob was sharing his testimony....what a joy for a Dad to have all his family there to support him...we are blessed.



While the boys were at the breakfast, Shawna hosted all the girls and chil'uns to a wonderful breakfast. So fun to see the kids together.
On Sunday we went to church and much to our surprise, Paul, Shawna and the boys came to our church to be with us all. Okay, this Mamma's heart was SO blessed to have my family worshipping together in one place.....and then during worship when Cole lifted his hand straight up in the air in worship (he then looked at all of us like "what's with you guys just singing, come on - PRAISE THE LORD!")...well, this Grammie wept for joy at God's goodness.

We then had lunch together roast beef, smashed potatoes, Shawna's yams (the birthday boy's request) and ice cream pie (a family tradition) with GG and Grandma there to share in the festivities.
My heart is full - MCRO - My Cup Runneth Over

Be blessed today my friends, and enjoy the moments with family

We're back!

We are back home now....thankful for a great time of R&R at my sister and BIL's home in Indio/Palm Springs.

Driving trip to Palm Springs

(click on the photos for a closer look)
Our first night on the road was in Ashland, Oregon. We stayed at the Ashland Springs Hotel...a great find! It's old but restored in a quaint , sleepy town.
FYI - This hotel is one of the Historic Hotels of America - we have stayed in several of these hotels and have never been disappointed.

I woke up early to this gorgeous sunrise....Bob and Tucker missed it...they were busy at the time.

Once in Palm Springs we met up with Bob's brother and SIL, Ron and Shirley....Bob and Ron played golf, we ate several meals together, including a fabulous dinner out at the Cheesecake Factory for Ron's birthday.

On a sunny Saturday we went the COD street fair and then to a great car show.

T & R's house is lovely, and very comfortable....we really enjoyed our time there.

The pool/clubhouse is gorgeous, surrounded by a golf course. The backyard was great for sunning and reading.

One of the best parts of our time in PS was our random meeting with our long time friends from Victoria. We first met before we all had kids and haven't seen them for years. It felt so good to re-connect with them....we just picked up where we had left off. Thanks B & B for a great time....you made our holiday!

Our drive home was so springy....the orchards were in various stages of bud and blossom. I love the seasons.....and since we came home to snow, it was a great reminder that spring will be on it's way soon.

Happy Valentine's Day

We are in Palm Desert enjoying a restful time away. We forgot to pack the thingy to download my photos...so when we get a new thingy, I'll be back with a few up-to-the-minute pics.

Hope your heart is filled with joy as you celebrate the day of love.

Be blessed, my friends and family....I love you

DIY Delay

Since my DIY project is not going to be completed for a while (I'm waiting for drapery panels I have ordered) ....I thought I would take a few photos of our bedroom. I have sandy-cream walls/drapes and in the winter months I add all things red and warm beige/taupe; then in the summer months I change it up with all things beachy blue/turquoise/sand/tan. It's amazing how with just a few accents, pillows and art the room is completely changed. I will show you the other look later in the year.

In our en suite it is painted a deep taupe with white towels/window treatments....again, I add red towels and accents, then change them to turquoise in the summer months.

Well, I hope you find pleasure in the everyday things of life.....be blessed

A day in the life at G & G's

Our day in point form:

:Cole helped me make Puppy Chow
:Jacob helped me eat it
:Grampy and Jacob put new batteries in the play computer
:Quotable quote from Grampy: "Oh, sure, bring the toy over when the batteries need replacing...all 47 of them....I guess that's what Grampy's are good for"
:Jacob had a good nap
:Cole had a better one
And a day is not complete without music and dancing with G & G....
Each boy has his favorite song....right now Jacob's is Cherie by Frankie Vallie...you know..."Cherie, Cherie Baby, Cherie, Cherie baby"
Well, if you can't remember it...just ask me...I have heard it over, and over, and over again.
And when it stops, no matter what we are doing and where we are in the house it's "Oh-oh....oh-oh" and he runs to press the replay button.
Cole's fav right now is "Walk like a Man" by the Four Seasons...thata boy!!

My favorite music and my favorite drink....does it get any better?!

Be blessed and enjoy the wee things in life.