So Long Summer

I've been at work for 3 days now, I'm babysitting two little girls. And it has been wonderful. It's amazing how much smoother my day goes when I actually get my butt out of bed BEFORE my kids to spend some time in the bible and prayer.

I'm not very good at remembering, but I know I need to, and especially with a little more chaos added to the days.

And I have been blessed for it, already! I love how I feel and how my day flows and how it's easier for me to stop and remember to refocus on Him when I have started my day in His presence.

I long to be more disciplined when it comes to spending time in God's Word and taking the time to pray over my family and the day.

* * * * *

Troy goes back to work tomorrow, and Anthony starts school on Wednesday.

So summer is offically finished and we are into the routines of fall!

WOW!

Gotta love it when God just plops the thing you've ben praying for in your lap.
For the past 6 to 8 months on and off, sometimes more off than on (and sometimes so desperately it hurts), I have been asking God to place someone in my life who I could get to know on a deeper level, someone who I would allow to get to know ME on a deeper level. A person to pray with and maybe read the bible with. Someone to walk in faith with, to be accountable to.
Last night, out of the blue, another mom from church called to find out if I would be interested in doing the 'Jesus, the One and Only' bible study with her...just her. Honestly? I didn't even think about it, I just said yes.
It's what I've been praying for and I am so incredibly thankful that she called me. She could have called someone else, someone she knows better, someone she's done a study with before. Instead, she choose to pick up the phone and ask me.
I am very excited. The study looks great and I am even more excited to get to know her and to let her know me.
God is AWESOME!!
* * * * * * * *
Lots to share, it's been an incredible week, this week of mine. And I am beyond blessed by it.
But there are 5 kids resting in my house today instead of 3 and I think I hear one or two starting to stir!
I will share, it just might take a day or two!

Picking Peas at Poppa's

Actually, we were picking peas with Gramma, seeing as it is her garden and all! The kids had a blast. Alexandra still hadn't gotten the hang of using two hands so she would pull the plant right out of the ground...but hey, the peas came with it!

A.Busy.Weekend.

I think the pictures speak for themselves.

Enough Said...

Sweet 3 Year Old

Yesterday you turned 3 sweet daughter of mine.

Where have the years gone?

I cannot believe how big you are getting, how old you seem. We spent yesterday celebrating you Alexandra.

After swimming lessons and eye dr. visits there was lunch

(of what else but Kraft Dinner and grape pop?)

presents, playtime, naptime and daddy's ball game to watch. The look on your face as you opened each gift was priceless.

You truly treasured each one. You have spent hours playing with this dollhouse.

The squeals you let loose when one of your brothers attempts to play with you,

well sweet girl, they are getting a little irritating,

maybe you could turn down the decible level a little

because I think the glass in the windows is starting to shatter. You have blessed our lives with sunshine and smiles.

Your spontaneous singing and dancing brings joy to this momma.

I love your confidence and silliness sweet girl of mine.

May this coming year be filled with joy.

Happy Birthday Alexandra,

We love you so very very much.

At the Park

Tuesday dawned cloudy, cool and threatening to rain. The kids were stir crazy and had WAY to much energy to burn (read, if we spent the day at home there was going to be screaming, crying and the nashing of teeth).

So we headed out to Centennial for a morning of animals, logging equipment, trains and playgrounds.

It was a wonderful way to spend one of the last days of summer.

I Heart Faces: Bubbles Photo Challenge

It's been a while since I've participated in one of the challenges at i heart faces but the theme this week drew me in.
I really wanted a picture of my husband blowing a bubble gum bubble (cuz he's really good at that) but he is camera shy and refused to participate for me.
Instead I am entering this picture of my son at the Ontario Science Centre. One of the workers in the children's section was showing him that you don't need a bubble wand to blow bubbles. It was really neat.

A Fair Around Every Corner

This week has been peaceful. Filled with swimming lessons and friends and weather that has flirted with *too* hot (not that I'm complaining, it's been nice).
There have been water fights and freezes and neighbours kids who have wanted to play.
One of the highlights of the week for the kids was the cement mixer that showed up at our neighbours twice this week to lay the concrete walkway and patio that they are getting laid. It's passed HOURS of time, well, at least for Anthony and Owen (who kept repeating "truck, truck, truck" every 30 seconds the entire time we were watching!!!.
It's also the week that the *season* of fairs starts. Starting this weekend for the next 3 there's a fair in one of the little communities around here. This week was the Kakabeka Street Fair. It is the only one of the three with rides. And seeing as we (intentionally) missed the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition we figured we would take the kids to this one.
They had a blast. There was everything from the Navy and Armed Forces recruitment boothes to the volunteer fire department to chip stands and random *yard* sales.
Tons of really good food, you know like cotton candy and elephant ears, loud noises, crowds. Just the general chaos that occurs. It truly is a wonderful way to spend much of the day.

Anthony's favourite part of the day was the *archeological* dig they had set up at the falls.Even Owen got into it. Getting camo paint
(these guys were GREAT with the kids) (still working on shutter speed...can you tell where the focus was??)

This next week is going to be just as full, trying to cram every last minute of vacation into this summer.
My sweet Alexandra turns 3 very very soon and I cannot believe the time has gone by so very fast. Where oh where has it gone?!

Yesterday was just one of those days over here.

It was hot

the kids missed their nap and as a result they were cranky

mom was cranky

and those things are never a good combination. I'm pretty sure there was yelling and fit throwing and meltdowns.

and not just from the kids!

But today is a new day.

and besides, how could I stay frustrated at kids that look this cute? After yesterday, I am thankfull that His mercies are new every morning.

And I am trying to teach that same thing to my kids everyday, so they know that God is faithful and can be relied upon in every situation in their lives.

Waiting... (but then life would pass you by)

We've been waiting (and waiting) for summer to arrive here, still waiting actually although this week looks promising.
But that hasn't stopped us from enjoying every minute of this vacation.
If we waited, summer would be over and school would start and the fall routine would arrive.
It's like life, we can spend our whole life waiting for something (the promotion for the bigger pay check, the man/woman of your dreams, the perfect house, the kids to grow out of this stage or that).
The problem with that is that we miss life. We wish away the things we could be experiencing because we are so busy looking for the things that aren't there and waiting for them before life really starts.
Everyday, no matter where I am, I am trying to live in the moment, not in the waiting.
* * * * * *

Owen hanging with the fire wood, I think he's got the idea here! Enjoying the freedom of the campsite

For the record, he ate ALL the time
(and would then sleep 11 to 13 hours straight for me!)

Yummy!!

Anthony LOVES animals, he was very excited to have been able to catch this one.

Owen, Alexandra, Mikayla, William and Anthony

He was *farting*
(yes, he is ALL boy, and I love him!)

(did I mention it was cold?)

Brothers

Braving the ice water

(because they're kids and immune to that sort of thing!)

Feeding the Whiskey Jacks One landed on his head but I wasn't quick enough to catch it!