Little Things...

There were a few times on our trip when traffic looked like this, and we moved maybe an inch or two a minute: It was at those times that I was very thankful that:
we WEREN'T caught in tons of traffic (especially considering the amount of driving we did)
the kids are 'addicted' to tv and would watch the portable dvd player we brought with us
that I had my zoom lens in the van so I could pass the time:

More importantly though, I was also very thankful that our family, for all the kilometers we have racked up driving over the years, have never been the reason behind the stalling of traffic.
God has most definately had His hand of protection around us as we have travelled.
It's not something I take for granted.
At. All.
In fact, I realize just how blessed we have been. Especially on this trip: Things went so smoothly. There were a number of times (like rain pouring down hard enough you couldn't see two car lengths in front of you, having a car go flying past to pass, only to slam on it's brakes 30 seconds later or watching a transport come flying down a really steep hill with its brakes smoking) when things could have gone differently for us.
It's times like those that I truly feel God's protection upon us and I am thankful (although that is not a strong enough word) that we have been kept safe.
I found it hard to get frustrated when we were *stuck*. Even when it did take us 2 hours to drive what should have taken maybe 45mins. We were at least moving and safe.
Thankful just doesn't cut it.

On a 'hot' summer day in July. . .

On one of the few days that was actually warm enough to be in the water, I was feeling very very sick so, my parents had taken the kids (minus Owen) to one of the beaches in Toronto for the morning and we spent the afternoon lounging in the frontyard playing in the pool.

Yes, my son IS wearing a pink hat!

Hunting bugs

(because what else do you do when Mom wont let you point the guns at people?)

Friends

It has been two years since we last saw two of the families we visited on this trip. Two years is a really long time. A lot changes in two years, like the fact that Anthony and Emma now get along GREAT (they used to fight like cats and dogs!).

But at the same time, these are the types of friendship that the passage of time (and distance) doesn't really seem to bother. We can pick up almost exactly where we left off. One family, Alexandra had no recollection of meeting their oldest daughter, as we were leaving, Alexandra was calling out the window of the van "Goodbye my friend. My friend, my friend, goodbye." and waving franticly!

Our friends in Barrie

Just Owen and I visited with my best friend and her family.

Declan (on the right) and Owen are 2 months apart.

(Naked, pasty, babies. Aren't they the cutest!!)

I LOVE this picture of Cath and Declan.

Our last friend stop on the way home.

There were many more friends we had hoped to be able to see. But distance and time didn't work in our favour this year, especailly when most of them have little ones or are expecting (twins!).

I love how friends fill our life with happiness and a belonging. A place where you can fall or dance and still be accepted and loved and cared for. Even if those friends happen to live miles and miles (and miles) away from you and you rarely see (or even talk with) them. Those types of friendships are truly a gift and a treasue them. For I know just how rare they can be.

Family

"Love doesn't make the world go 'round. It is what makes the ride worthwhile.""Time present and time past are both perhaps present in time future, and time future contained in time past."
T.S Elliot
"The greatest thing you can ever learn is just to love and be loved in return."

"From what we get we make a living. What we give however, makes a life."
Arthur Ashe

" People who influence you are the people who believe in you."
Henry Drummond

Family.

There is nothing like going *home*.

Although Toronto is no longer home (at least in the sense of where I am raising my family), I still feel very much like I am going home when we visit.

There's just something about being around your Mom and Dad (and in my case brothers), that make it feel like I never left, like I'm allowed to be the *kid* again.

I was spoiled on this trip. I didn't cook or clean, heck, I barely even looked after the kids! There was always someone else who was willing to play with them and entertain them and make them fell extra special. And that is the blessing of home for me. There is nothing to worry about.

The kids got to visit Deda and Grandma (my mom and dad), Uncle Stefan and Uncle Eric, Gigi (my grandmother) and various other aunts and uncles and cousins of mine. And they soaked up every minute of it.

I love family. I am super blessed to have such a wonderful one. And that is why we drive 1600ish km every (almost) summer to visit them. Because they are SO very worth it, and we never come away from it feeling empty, but so full.

I spy. . .

Peaceful childrenConstruction along the way,
A moose across the street from us

and a long straight stretch of road.

The end of a long day of travelling.

Home Sweet Home

We made it.
We are home.
Actually, we were home yesterday. The fog, pouring rain, freezing cold and, kids happy to sit in the car for hours on end without stopping, made the trip a day shorter than planned.
Tired, happy, unpacked, blessed with wonderful memories of a fantastic trip *home*.
It was a *great* 3 weeks.
There are pictures coming, that I promise. Just need to sort through them and find the time between running loads of laundry to my sister-in-laws house and packing for our camping trip next week!
Our trip was full, in such a very good way.
And truly, I couldn't have asked for better little travellers to have made the trip with. They were SO SO SO very good in the van. And that, made the trip home that much sweeter.

Just a quick one...

I know, I know, I've been away from blogland for a while but I am enjoying every single mintue of this vacation and truly not feeling the desire to write about it right now, just want to live it!!
BUT, that being said....Owen WALKS!!!!!!! My baby is not so much a baby anymore, he took about 7 steps yesterday. I am so proud of my little boy.
Our weeks have been filled with fun and laughter and GREAT times with my family.
Today I am headed off to London,ON area to visit a very very good friend for three days. And only Owen is coming with me. I am really looking forward to it.
Off to get ready, but will most definately post stories and pictures for this wonderful, blessing-filled holiday when we are settled back at home in a week.

Safe and Sound

What an incredibly blessed, peaceful, amazing car-ride down to Southern Ontario. The kids were awesome, we saw 2 deer, 2 moose and 1 black bear ,(unfortunately I was driving and Troy was in the back of the van with Alexandra so there is no picture of the bear...but there is of the moose...once i can get the pictures uploaded!). Watched a beautiful sunset, played in the hotel swimming pool, ate WAY too much fast food,sat in traffic in Barrie (cuz it was Sunday and we were in cottage country) and are now enjoying life with my parents.
I am filled with awe at how smoothly the trip down here went. I was a little worried, but turns out there was no reason to be...(yay God!)
My favourite conversation of the trip? It was held with Anthony while we were taking a break at the Canadian Carver (a tourist trap just outside of Sault Saint Marie). The conversation went something like this:
"Mom, what's that?" (pointing to anatomy on a lifesized moose statue)
"Well, do you think it's a boy moose or a girl moose?"
"Hmmm...."(well looking and pointing and attempting to lick) "I think it's a boy mom."
"So, what do you think that is?"
"IT'S A PENIS MOM!" (I think the whole parking lot heard him!)
Troy is working for the next 4 days (marking math tests) and the kids and I are soaking up all the attention from my mom and dad.
Off to enjoy the sunshine and breeze (and counting down the days till I get to see my best friend......soon, so very very soon!!!!!!)

5,4,3,2,1......

Off to follow the yellow dotted line on a LOOOOOOOOOONG black-top road!
YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEE it's holiday time!!!!!!!
Sigh.
Peace.
Happy.
Joy.
Excitement.
8 hours in a car.
8+ MORE hours in a car.
Portable DVD players.
Snacks.
Toys.
Books.
It's gonna be FUN and I cannot wait!!!!!!!

Canada Day

Sleepy kiddos waiting for the fireworks to start, whilw watching Nemo

What a great (!) Canada Day. The weather held and we took the kids to Old Fort William in the morning and then had a bbq at a friend's house for dinner and to watch the fireworks they set off at the marina.

The kids had a blast, running and eating and enjoying every minute of the sunshine that appeared!

It was a perfect day spent celebrating Canada's 142nd birthday.

Happy Independance Day weekend to my American friends, may it be filled with fun and sunshine.

Now it's off to finish packing the van! (and making sure my camera batteries are charged for the wedding tomorrow!)