Kid Adventures and Romantic Surprises

My 39th birthday began with a cinnamon toast and fruit breakfast created by my children. I was led like a cowgirl, in my pyjamas to my place at the "saloon" where I read several signs along the way. One in particular stood out to me. It read, "You should see the drinks WE have!" Well! Whoa, is all I could say to that! Where do they get this stuff!? :) They lavished me with gifts that were their very own trinkets from their bedrooms, wrapped in love--and homemade cards. My favourite kind.

Our day continued and we opened our school books.

At noon, my husband came home and announced he was taking me out for lunch. Meg put out sandwich things for her siblings and off I went. Terry drove me to a trail/park outside of town and said he wanted to go for a little walk before lunch. I wondered how much time he had!

The breeze was gentle, the birds sang and grasshoppers jumped across the path. We came upon a shelter along the path and, much to my surprise, there sat my sister-in-law guarding a picnic lunch he had prepared. She hugged me and went back to work. And there, with the picnic was a brand new bike with a big bow and flowers attached. Oh the glee :) After much gushing and hugging and kissing, we sat down and ate our lunch and talked in quiet solitude (rare for us at this time of the day).

Just when I thought my day was memorable, my husband stood, then crept around the side of the shelter and pulled out his own old bike. "Let's go for a ride!" he smiled. Could it get any better?

We rode with the wind in our hair, sometimes racing, sometimes enjoying the scenery. The only shame was that we had to use his Blackberry phone to take photos. If you know me, that is a tragedy. The memory of the moment will last and the phone pics... well, they're adequate :)

Upon arriving back at the shelter, we packed up our lunch and my bouquet and headed home. A glorious birthday it has been. Praise God for his blessings.

Warrior Weekend

It's a guy thing. They go away with a bunch of men and their boys for the weekend... this was the second annual. My boy came home with the warrior name of Nubuck. It has something to do with being the youngest boy but also "made of strong material". Tubing, archery, swimming and campfires, the list goes on as to what they experience together... not to mention, peeing outside the tent and other guy stuff. But the most important thing these boys are picking up is that the men in their lives love Jesus and are training their sons to be strong men of God.

And because this boy's daddy was changed so incredibly by God's love and mercy, Oliver will know all about a big Creator who adores him and has a very special purpose for him.

Never Pass A Lemonade Stand

Someone once said, "Never pass a lemonade stand". I've searched and cannot find the author of this quote but

I love it.

My children begged me to allow them to sell lemonade at the end of the driveway and although they had done it a couple of years ago, I wasn't really in the mood to manage the whole thing. Somehow it happened anyway (ever have those times?) and the purity and sweetness of their activity blew me away. Being just that much older made them independent little entrepreneurs, and as it turned out, I hardly lifted a finger.

When they began to attract several passers-by, I thought it might be a good idea to have a worthy cause for the money, rather than filling their pockets. They agreed, and since we had just viewed photos online of the devastating damage that a tornado had left in a nearby city, we decided to help a family rebuild.

Of course, with $36.63 in the end, it wasn't much of a rebuilding fund, but in this family, we believe in

God's multiplication abilities :)

Biker Babes :) and Stunt Riders

Making the most of the wee last days of Summer and looking forward to a bike-able Fall :)

Hugging Home

We turn into the driveway and my children release a cheer. Jumping from the carseats they've been adhered to for the few hours it takes to return from our vacation spot, they race toward the house. The girls are eager to get inside to maul our long-missed pets but Oliver goes straight for the garage. I grab some loose items from the van and follow them and I notice my boy has attached himself to the brick beside the garage. I stand for a moment staring and finally ask what he's doing with his leg up and his arms wrapped around the corner of the house. He replies, "I'm hugging home, Mommy."

Nine days of glorious family time left us closer to each other and... longing for home. I didn't quite realize how much :)

Peely Eggs and Mud Bikes

He rubs his sleepy eyes and pulls up a stool to the kitchen counter. I ask him what kind of egg he would like this morning and he dozily replies, "Peely egg... no, melty egg, please." I smile and turn to the frying pan to make an egg for my boy that drips just right, not too squishy, not a peely egg, which is hard-boiled. I think about prayer time last night when I stroked his stubbly buzz cut and listened to his words as he began, "Dear Jesus-God-Lord..." I love this boy's terminology for things and I never correct them (although he's quite correct in his prayer address :) I want them to last and last.

A few days ago, my husband took him down to the nursery parking lot and showed him how to ride his two-wheeler, which is a "dirt bike" given by his grandparents. Terry had barely a minute holding onto the back of that seat before that boy took off at high-speed, as though he'd always known how. His face was beaming and he happily declared to me that now he can ride his mud bike :)

Wanna Wiggle My Tooth?

She'd been saying those words for months, thrusting her jaw toward any finger that would oblige. But when that tiny pearl finally broke free from her mouth, Emily was more delighted than I've ever seen her.

Another baby, another milestone. On her way to a full mouth of adult teeth that will change her appearance forever. I'm determined to willingly release this wee one to more delights that mark her journey as signposts in growing up. You go, Girl!

Summer Lovin' and Blog Neglect

Like a wool blanket, the humidity drapes over us and we ride the heat waves of summer at a slow speed through very eventful days. It's been quite busy around here, like we've been trying to squeeze every possible joy out of the season. Come August, I'll be ready for some rest and relaxation... and perhaps even some blogging :)

Celebrating Canada

So grateful to live in a country where we can worship our God and home educate our children.

God keep our land glorious and free!