3 Little Pumpkins

What better way to spend the day then making pumpkins? The kids had a blast and I was reminded just how much fun crafting with kids is!

(Just click to see them better)

Who Doesn't Love a Bubble Bath?

Out on a Limb

I've debated writing this post. Wondered at the words to use, how it might *sound*... lots of different reasons really.

There are time, sometimes more often than others, when I wodner what other people think of me, how they *see* me. Do they see me as I see myself (because that would be not so cool), do they see the person I am trying, through Christ, to become (even despite the stumblings and shortcomings) or is it some combination of the two?

And do I really want to know?

Occassionally I wish it were appropriate to come right out and ask. But starting a conversation with "Hey, what do you think of me?", apart from being scary, just seems like I'm fishing for a compliment (which I'm not).

I know that I will never see myself as others do and that's alright. Most days I don't even really care how they see me.

It is much more important (most days at least) for me to see myself in light of who I am being made to be through God and how He sees me.

* * * * * *

There are days when something reminds me just how far I need to go in the being vunerable department. A friend made a comment the other night about how she really has no idea about what's going on because (and these are her words) "you don't say anything." And its true.

Why? sometimes it is because I don't have the words to explain (words that seem to flow so freely through a pen (or keyboard) are often evasive when face to face, sometimes I worry that it will sound like I am complaining (which isn't my intention) or that my selfishness will show, sometimes I worry about what others will think (which is silly, becuase when people talk to me I rejoice at being able to pray for or celebrate with them, and I *know* that they aren't any different from me in that). . .

* * * *

Wordless Wednesday - Seriously??

My Little Beaver

Anthony is offically a member of Scouting now.

He is saying his motto, law and promise. He has his Investitures and Tail Ceremony this morning.

He got his tie and tail for his hat.

Waiting to *swim* up the river to get his tail.

Getting his tail.

Welcome, Winter??

It snowed last night. Not lots, just a light dusting, enough to gently cover the ground and the roofs. It wont stay long, just until the sun reaches its peak in the sky. But it snowed. I love Northern Ontario where it snows Thanksgiving weekend!

It is great for the hunters, who are allowed to head out (I believe it is) 30 minutes before sunrise. The snow will show tracks and they will at least be able to tell if there are deer and moose in the area they are hunting.

This weekend I am being intentional about giving thanks. About remembering all the blessings that all filling my life and have filled my life over the past little while.

I am thankful for the incredibly fast changing weather we get here.

For the fall colours on the trees the way the sun seems to reflect off the leaves and sparkle back into the sky

For friends

For a wonderful husband

and kids who are so unique and different from eachother.

For the fact that we have clean water, (more than enough) food and live in a *safe* country.

I have been blessed with joy in my life because of my Saviour and even though the list could go on (and on and on), that really sums it up. For He is the One who provides and blesses and fills my life with the wonderful things I have to be thankful for.

* * * * * *

I started paining our kitchen last night (wedding silk white and golden wheat), because what else do I do when Troy is away? I think I have painted a room every Thanksgiving weekend for the last 3 years!

* * * * * *

This past week has been long and I've been struggling, mostly because I've been making it about me, when it's not.

Not even remotely.

But sometimes I forget that, I get frustrated and tired and feel hurt by the actions (or inactions) of those around me and think that that somehow gives me the right to be crabby.

It doesn't.

Been praying for more of Him and LESS of me this week. Praying that I'll *get* it this weekend, that I wont make it about finishing the kitchen or getting my sleep but that it will be about Him and the things that bring Glory to Him.

That it will be about my kids and showing them Jesus. Not just through my words but through my actions. Letting them know that they are so deeply loved and treasured. Praying that this weekend will be *fun* for all of us.

I am thankful Troy has the knowledge/ability to hunt, and I don't resent it (well, at least most of the time I don't). That meat provides for us and saves us lots. There are parts of his hunting that I don't like, but we aren't going to go there. Trying to remember that it IS a good thing. Being thankful that he CAN spend the whole weekend with his brother-in-law so I can at least have the car to get the kids to the various things that are happening this weekend.

Today is busy and I should probably go wake sleeping kids so there isn't a huge rush out the door 10 minutes before swimming lessons!

Here's hoping your weekends are filled with thankful praise and the wonder and beauty of creation.

A Day at the Park

Beavers

We decided to put Anthony in Beavers this year.
He's not a real sport person (read, he's not gonna be the jock in highschool) and I'm totally fine by that. He is who he is. But we were struggling to find something that he would enjoy while at the same time running off some of that never ending energy!

Beavers is the perfect solution. He's only been 3 times and he LOVES it!!! Unfortunately, we didn't make it all the way to the waterfalls.

We had a big windstorm here on Monday and there was a whole lot of blow-down!

Yes, that would be the trees roots....It was WINDY! The leader is awesome, Anthony has fun and is eager to learn and there are enough boys in the group to make it exciting!

Mommy, Noooooooo!

At least, that's what he would of said,
if he could talk!

I just sat, took pictures and laughed.
Then put the hat back on and the hood up so he couldn't get it off :P

Welcome Autumn!

Girls and Boys

I sat in the backyard Tuesday, watching kids play. And it struck me that even though they are all friends, they are so vastly different from one another.

The girls, well they will be girls... and girly ones at that!

And the boys? Well, they will be boys!
They spent their time making faces, climbing the slide and sliding backwards.
Calling eachother *names* and using baseball bats and t-ball stands as swords. I serisouly do NOT understand these little boys!!

Yet they are friends, and incredibly protective of their siblings.

I love watching them grow and their personalities shine. God has made them each such indiviaduals yet there are enough similarities that they bond and become friends. It is so cool to watch.

I pray for good friends in the lives of these kids. Friends that will hold them up when they stumble, friends that will pray for them and show them the way, friends they are *safe* with. Friends that are friends no matter what the world tells them is cool or popular or *right*.