Happy Easter!

Our home was full of loved ones,

our yard was bathed in sunshine, 

our table was heavy with food,

our grandchildren were busy collecting eggs,

and

our hearts rejoiced because He lives in us!!

Happy Easter!

Lists of 2011 - #16

Listography #16  - 10 Things I Want My Kids to Know

1.  God is always with you.

2.  He has a plan for your life - it's better than you or I can even imagine.

3.  I love you - to the moon and back - and am so very proud of you!

4.  Keep in touch with those you love.

5.  People all over the world are more alike than they are different - they have goals and dreams and want the best for their children.

6.  I am so thankful that God has found you the perfect mate.

7.  Manners matter.

8.  Read, read, read!

9.  Have fun preparing and eating food.

10.  Travel is the best way to enjoy the world and learn more.

Wordless Wednesday

Drawing by Meadow (4)

Sunset by Emily (10)

Creating

Leigh always inspires me with her scrapbook layouts and when I saw this, I knew right away that I wanted to use the design with a picture that had been on my desk for a long time.  I am so happy with what I created - thanks so much for the inspiration, Leigh!

This is a picture of Bob's mom (2nd from the right) and her sister and brother, all with their spouses.

Gratitude Gifts Today

We have been blessed in so many ways over the past few weeks.  Being able to hold a new little one and marvel at her tiny fingers,  strong neck, soft little sounds and all round perfection definitely reminds us that everything God creates is good.  We pray that Maëlle's life will be a reflection of God's love as He works in her.   It is so amazing to see the ways in which God is working in our lives and in those of our families.   It's been quite a week!



#2366 - #2391

- apple branches greening in the house

- apple blossoms forming in the house

- a new granddaughter to love

- safe labor for Naomi and delivery for Maëlle

- the love of a big sister

- Resurrection Buns

- games of dominoes

- more subbing

- excellent admin support

- a gorgeous new camera strap (thanks, H!)

- lunch in the fridge

- sun shining

- a message to contemplate as this holiest and hardest of weeks begins

- lunch with a good friend

- book club friends

- discussion and different points of view

- hearing about my favourite conference

- our income which means that we can participate in paying taxes and benefit from the resulting services

- fresh daffodils on the table

- joy shared as our friends and family hear of Maëlle's birth

- photos of our new granddaughter

- successful surgery for a friend

- anticipation of family gathering at Easter

- the reminder that He paid for all my sins

- the love that God has for me - such an amazing, all-encompassing love, no matter what I do

She's Here!!

Our newest granddaughter, 

Maëlle (My-el) Marie, 

weighing 7 lbs. 5 ozs.,  

arrived on Friday, April 15!

She is just perfect!!  So very beautiful, a tiny bundle of God's goodness and love,  a joy to hold and cuddle.   Naomi and Maëlle are both fine, getting used to life with a newborn again.   If you are wondering where I am, chances are it's over at her house - holding her or playing with big sister, Meadow or big brother, Blake!   

Lists of 2011 - #15

Listography #15 - Books I Could Read Over and Over

The key word in this title is "could" because I've really only read a few of these books more than once.  But I love all of them and if there were no other books to read on that deserted island, I would be thrilled to read these again!

1.  the Bible

2.  The Silver Chalice by Thomas Costain

3.  Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

4.  The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon

5.  Children of the Earth series by Jean M. Auel

6.  Heidi

7.  Black Beauty

8.  any Harry Potter books by J. K. Rowling

9.  Winter Garden by Kristen Hannah

10.  any books that my grandchildren request!

Wordless Wednesday

Sewing Links

My goal to sew something every week has taken a backseat to life these last 6 weeks.  Sigh - - -
But I have still been watching lots of other people sew and so I thought you might like to see a few amazing projects today.  These are definitely bookmarked for my future!

1.  Rachel at Stitched in Color is doing an amazing project called Bottled Rainbow.  I love how she's using scraps within colour families and doing it one block at a time.  I would need to collect alot more scraps to be able to do this.

(photo from Stitched in Color blog)

2. This beautiful Sweet Divinity Diamond Quilt by Amanda at The Quilted Fish is wonderful.  I love the angles and the white sashing.

3.  Colorful and bright flowers make Dahlia just perfect for spring, I think.    Sherri over at A Quilting Life does beautiful custom quilting - so intricate and original.

I love looking at fabric art - it's so beautiful and always makes me want to jump up and get sewing.  Thanks for looking!

Gratitude Gifts Today

Amidst a long day of travel, questions, waiting and watching, I am struck again by the myriad blessings He  places in my life.  And the thanks I have for His grace and His arms surrounding me, adds up to peace and quiet rest in Him.  For His ways are better than anything I can plan or imagine and I count on Him to see us through this time.




#2334 - #2366
- waking to thoughts of Him
- whispering a prayer of thanks for night rest and opportunities waiting
- birthday celebrated
- little voices singing over the phone line and in video to me
- little ones blowing candles out for me

- cards and messages
- finishing a week of subbing
- organized colleagues
- students with energy and smiles
- fresh watermelon
- oatmeal with bananas and walnuts
- sun shining bright
- no more snow on the path to the garden
- sharing in the celebration of 80 years
- a good health care system
- caring doctor
- spending the day with Naomi
- safe travels
- streams running full with water
- geese swimming in the creek
- seeds sprouting

- a dishwasher
- laundry soap
- naps
- prayer throughout the day
- hearing good news
- pictures shared (thanks, L!)
- plans for tomorrow
- chicken noodle soup
- journal with gratitudes written down
- trusting that His will shall be done
- leaving the worrying to Him

Another Year

- 365 days

- memories made

- photos taken

- smiles shared

- hugs given

- hugs received

- kisses planted

- dreams hatched

- work done

- books read

- nature enjoyed

- friendships nourished

- roads travelled

- posts written

- gratitudes recorded

- Word read

- blessings poured

- birthday comes

- I'm Blessed!

Lists of 2011 - #14

Listography #14 - Things I Collect

1.  Thoughts of gratitude (inspired by Ann and her book)

2.  Photographs

3.  Old Country Roses china

4.  Favourite greeting cards that others have sent me

5.  An small original painting from each country that we have visited

6.  Scarves

7.  A few favourite books like Jean Auel's "The Earth's Children" series

8.  Cookbooks

Really I am not a true collector.  Rather, I have a few favourites here and there - treasured things that have been collected over time that make me very happy.

Wordless Wednesday

Sharing the trail on my first walk 

of the season at the lake

Right Now

Right Now, I am ...

moving towards bed after a day of subbing in grade one but I have to fold a load of laundry and finish my lunch first

appreciating the sunshine and warm temperatures of spring

planning to pull the tomato and cantaloupe plants that have sprouted out from under their plastic tents

falling behind on dishes and household tasks this week

anticipating the arrival of our sixth grandchild any day now

laughing at how absolutely soaking wet students can get outside at recess

feeling so thankful to have this week of subbing

enjoying a dessert dish full of Liberte' Mediterranean lemon yogurt - yummy, thick and smooth

remembering my friend's dad who passed away last week and how excited Helayna was when the little lamb sucked on her baby finger :)

hoping to get through tomorrow's lesson plans and student presentations on their home building projects

Thanks to Heather and Amanda Soule for this post idea and inspiration today!

Gratitude Gifts Today

Spring is trying hard to break through here and I am loving the sunshine, the melting banks, the puddles, and the warmer temperatures.  With the changes that come as the seasons move on, I see some differences in me too.   And I count those as gifts - the opened eyes to see, the ears to hear, and the heart to acknowledge that all the goodness in my life comes as a result of His love and sacrifice for me.  Wow!!  Grace abounds and the eucharisteo flows deeps and wide here!



#2297 - #2334

- messages written straight to my heart

- hearing the same message in Sunday lessons, Sunday sermon, small group Bible study and while reading during the week.  Strong messages indeed!

- clean spaces

- empty sink, full cupboard

- watching someone being surprised on a birthday

- lunch bag packed and ready to grab

- smooth mornings

- curiousity

(by all 3 of them!)

- excellent lesson plans left for me

- the concern of grade ones as their teacher says good-bye to her father who went Home

- how well they are trained and know the routines

- new books from the school library

- shining eyes

- great listeners

- reading picture books

- egg basket hanging in the chicken house

- new jacket

- finishing a kind thoughts book to give to this week's student

- them sharing their baby pictures

- sunshine

- plastic bags to put inside leaking boots

- a soft chair to sit in

- discussions around the table

- goals for the next year for our health advisory council

- support staff

- butter tart squares

- knowing that I can help a friend best by being in her classroom this week

- stick men drawn by little ones

- daffodils on the table

- a boy and a dog

- reminders of our son at that age

- a little book to record the gifts

- apple branches in the house

- resting in His plans

- not knowing what the plans are but trusting the One who made them

- knowing that hard times refine my character and grow my faith

- that He sent His son for me!!

Cleaning

Cleaning -

- up the greenhouse

- out the deep freeze

- inside the garage

- under the bed

- off the low branches on the apple tree

 to welcome spring!!

Today

Today I -

- finished reading a Kristin Hannah book

- was inspired by the latest issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine

- did 5 loads of laundry

- mended my jeans

- put away stamps and inkpads

- took the empty bottles to the bottle depot

- pocketed $20.65 for the bottle refund

- discussed mother-of-the groom dress shopping with my friend

- baked Banana Chocolate Chip and Carrot Coconut muffins

- delivered muffins to my friend's house

- discussed substitute teaching plans for next week

- received happy mail!  5 fabric charm packs from Robert Kaufman fabrics as part of a giveaway I won on the Sew, Mama, Sew blog - 257 5" pieces of solid color in 5 different lines - makes me want to start sewing!

- made Fettucini Alfredo for supper

- discussed Abraham and Sarah, heroes of the faith,  at our small group Bible study

- laughed

- ate a delicious lunch

- prayed that God will continue to fill my life with His grace

- was totally blessed!

Lists of 2011 - #13

Listography #13 - Guiltiest Pleasures

1.  Starbuck's Chai Lattes

2.  Pepsi with Lime

3.  Chocolate covered almonds

4.  Reading in bed in the morning

5.  Using beautiful writing papers for lists and letters

6.  Fresh cut flowers in the middle of winter

7.  Long visits after school with teacher friends

8.  Phone calls to family

9.  Reliving our travels through photos

10. Fresh baked bread with butter

Wordless Wednesday

Gratitude Gifts Today

Our daughter and her two little ones are here for a few days and we are having a very good time!  We are busy every minute of the day and all five of us fall into bed exhausted at night.  We are so very blessed to spend time with our children and grandchildren and we treasure every smile, every hug and every conversation  - every single time we see any of them.

And I am reminded again of how God uses the little children to show us how we should live.  Believing, whole heartedly, trusting, full of joy and laughter, pausing to smile and share hugs,  bouncing right along through turmoil and even discipline, and always welcome at Jesus' feet.  Oh, that I would be more like that!

I see blessings and I count them.  And then I forget to pause and notice and record and my eyes are glazed over.  But when I am reminded and He surprises me again, I see only myriad gifts and my heart soars!



#2264 - #2296

- little ones snuggled in bed first thing in the morning

- long, clear icicles hanging off the eaves

- a daughter in the house

- text messages that let me know the ones farther away are having fun

- time to create

- their enthusiasm to make music

- bacon on cheez whiz and toast - and Helaya's comments

- splashing in the swimming pool

- hot tub, also at the pool

- dish soap

- a full day of shopping and visiting with Naomi and her little ones

- new-to-me tops

- playing in the snow with Helayna

- snowmen

- imagination!

- snacks

- kids music in the CD player

- safe driving for the whole week

- lots of days of subbing

- visiting with friends over coffee

- climbing snowbank mountains

- her little hand tucked into mine

- all of Silas' words and long sentences

- their laughter when Grampa chases them

- hands full of little vehicles

- warmer temperatures

- new (to us) bed set up in the guest room

- sinking and shrinking snowbanks

- late night discussions while sitting on the bed

- leaving it in His hands

- leaning hard into His arms

- not questioning Him - just trusting