All The Rage

They're smelly, puffy, sticky and cheap, and my children want them OH.SO.BADLY. It's all the rage in our world. They're sticker albums, and it's the thing that makes them do their chores quickly and whip through more pages of schoolwork than ever before. Every kid wants to trade them and my sister and I have got this thing mastered. We figure it's an easy reward and even an inexpensive gift and so, we scour dollar stores and craft stores for the latest and greatest. Sticker power is in our hands and we're rolling with it! What we didn't expect, after I'd found my old album from grade seven, is that we'd join the exchange and the competition would end up being between the mommas--history repeats itself :)

serious business

 smelling the "smellies"

"I'd like this one, please."

 a few of my favourites 

Holly's son, Ben begged her to get a book to trade with him since his brother, Sam became more of a collector than a trader--AND, he was not about to trade with 2 year-old sister, Clara, who was not a "real person". Holly obliged, and thus began the sister trade. All of our kids were thrilled. While I joined the fun simply to make my kiddos happy, Holly actually has a page of "untradeables" and won't budge on them!

 Oliver and Ben became daring and traded whole pages! Wish I'd caught the laughter over those deals.

 involving Clara and trying to teach her that she has to give one in return

Emily being sweet with her little cousin

A page from my old album (31 years old!). Remember these?

Did you trade stickers as a kid? Do your kids trade or collect?

The sticker rage is growing and it has spread to our co-op group and gym class. No one can wait to get out and trade. They're learning who makes the best deals, who really is just a collector and who gives away for free. The momma-chatter is now centred around which store and which aisle and what chores did your kids do before you woke up this morning? Simple joys. 

It Is Well With My Soul

It's an unopened box and I'm shaking as I untie the strings of 2016. It's not trepidation, but excitement that quakes me. I have the certitude that my future is already covered by God, long before I was born, and I need only to know His will and walk in His ways to find success. Nothing happens to me that has not already passed through His hands. Years ago when I lay curled in fetal position in depression and heartache, I begged the Lord to heal my spirit and fast-forward me to the day I'd once again feel His joy. I knew it would come. I knew my God had me in the palm of His hand. I knew He was the lifter of my head. That's what kept me going and that's what allows me to stand on the brink of a new year and say, It is well with my soul. Where do you want to take me, Lord?

Skating at the arena my sister Hilary rented for all of us! (Even though I have no photos of her :(  Also missing from the pics are Mom and Bruce.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've exchanged "Happy New Year" about a hundred times--which is a good thing. But the sound of it becomes tiring and loses meaning after about the 37th time. What is it exactly that we are wishing? I think we desire that everyone we love or meet, who is cordial and returns the phrase, does experience happiness in the year that lies before them. But, the happiest of years are those in which one can say, It is well with my soul. They know to Whom they belong and where they are ultimately going (even if they don't know what tomorrow holds). So, Happy New Year, friends... I wish and pray that you know the peace and joy of Jesus in your heart and that 2016 is a year you look back on and see evidence of how He led you and how that made all the difference!

Where The Wild Things Are

They say there are wild things at the Safari, but WE know where there's water, children are even wilder! So my sister and I take those kiddos to one of our favourite places and let them be inspired by the creation of God and then let them loose in the water park. I LOVE watching them play, no matter what age.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day Twenty-Seven: Down By The Riverside

We like to keep it real, so when my sister and I began our unit study on rivers, of course, down by the riverside is where we took our books and pencils. If you don't mind a little crayfish swallowing and clam catching, you can peruse our photos for a wee tour of the Grand River, where we feel right at home. 

Learning about the hydrocycle's reciprocal effect on rivers.

dock balancing

This kid will eat anything ;)

Relaxing by the river.

Searching for turtles and crayfish.

Not sure who the boy is with Oliver, but somehow, wherever we go, extra kids attach themselves to us. Maybe he's homeschooled too?

delicious finds

It's a sweet thing that the "River Of God" worship song has played in my mind each morning for the past two weeks. I simply wake up with it there. Besides its life-giving flow, I think the river is a beautiful and important symbol to the Lord, wouldn't you say? 

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. Psalm 46:4