Hey, Guess what????

What??

Really, what??

It's raining!

No, I'm not kidding.

Rain.

Here.

Now.

Again.

I think we might start building an ark.

The kids decided that if you can't have sun to play in, rain isn't so bad either.

Huh. (anyone watch Canadian TV?)


Oh, and here is what happens when they find some washable markers to entertain themselves in the rain.
Except that is stopped raining. Har-dee-har-har.
Now they're waiting for Daddy to get home to turn on the sprinkler.
Ah, youth.

We're Hitting Double Digits Today!

Ten years ago today, Sara Justine graced us with her presence at 8:25 am. It was a Tuesday morning (ten days later than expected, but hey, who's keeping track of that now anymore??).

It's been such a blessing to watch her grow from baby to toddler to oung girl to *gulp* pre-teen. Sara has a wonderful, caring, fun-loving, compassionate personality. She keeps our lives spicy. We like that. We pray for many more birthdays to celebrate together.

Happy birthday, Bear!

We love you to the moon and back!!

Love, Mommy, Daddy and Connor

Look Who's Got Glasses!

Isn't he cute??

The Blogging World

I'll admit that I've become addicted to the blogging world. I have several "bookmarked" blogs that I follow regularly. These are people I have never met, nor do I know them. But I read about their lives. Everyday.

Most of the blogs I became aware of by another blog I follow. People put links on their blogs to other blogs and ask you to think of or pray for this family because of the needs they have. So I click and follow the link and before you know it, I am involved in the stories that make up their lives. People I have never met and don't know.

Why are we so interested in those we don't know? Why such voyeuristic intentions? Do we love drama? Maybe. Like a real-life soap opera of sorts? Perhaps. But for me, I think it's just seeing how we are all the same, no matter where in Canada or the US you may live. We laugh, live, love, lose. No one is exempt from joy and pain, life and death, good times and stuggles. It really brings into perspective that in everyone's life "a little rain must fall". Sometimes it's more than rain. More like monsoons.

So I continue to be a voyeur into the lives of others. And, I feel for these people I don't know.

One family I have been reading about had a son name Ryan. He had cancer for the last 5 years. Then, saddly, his mother developed breast cancer about a year and a half ago. She passed away on Wednesday. And sadly, their son died yesterday at the age of 9, 2 days after his mom. Can you even imagine? Say a prayer for this broken family and one of thanks for the blessings you do have in your life. You can read from his blog here.

So I'm sure I will continue to peek into the lives of others. I will be encouraged by their expressions of faith through struggles, the cute photos and the day to day ramblings.

Because we are all the same.

Annette and Michael

The death and subsequent media frenzy of Michael Jackson has left me with feelings of melancholy.

Sara and I had this conversation today:

"Mom, was Michael Jackson a Christian?"

"I don't know, honey. I know his family was Christian when he was younger, but I'm not sure if he still was now."

"Oh.
'Cause I was just thinking that maybe Aunt Annette got to meet him finally in heaven".

"You know, I had the exact same thoughts the day that he died. I wondered, too, if they met up in heaven".

Then we proceded to talk about ALL the people in heaven. Quite a mix. Abraham. Noah. Aunt Annette. Oma. Maybe Elvis and Michael? One day we'll find out I guess.


Annette really liked Michael Jackson when she was a teenager. (She would probably not like me sharing this-ha!) She had the posters (I think) and the Thriller album. (I need to dig that out album from Dad's house!). We even went to see the Jackson 5 in Toronto when they were on tour. Michael was just breaking out on his own, but still touring with his brothers (hmm... I wonder if there's still a concert souvenir guide somewhere in her or Dad's stuff...).

He was a talented artist, entertainer, and dancer, no matter what you thought of him. But his death this week leaves me feeling melancholic because it brings back so many great memories of us dancing in the living room. Listening to the music. Seeing the concert. Teasing Annette for her love of Michael. Good and happy memories. Memories now tinged with sadness for a longing to share those memories with Annette first hand.

And this is exactly why there is such a communal interest and mourning when a young celebrity dies. We care so much because these people are intertwined with our lives, for better or worse. They are connected to our memories. They are a bridge to our past. We all know the phrase, "Where were you when...?". For that reason, I have felt sadness this week.

And I don't know if Michael was a Christian, but I still can't help but wonder if they met up in heaven.

An Afternoon at the Petting Zoo...

"Show Us Where You Live Friday"

One of the blogs I frequent has a feature called "Show Us Where You Live Friday" because, let's face it, we're all nosy interested in everyone's decorating ideas. Today we are looking at yards.

We love our yard. It was one of the things that we fell in love with when looking at our house last summer. We can't take much credit for it because it was all here and already done last year when we moved in. But we're doing our best to keep it up!

The front yard.
The garden is full of interesting greenery and perennials that bloom at different times. I use baskets for "pops" of colour.

Our backyard. Look at that mulch! Steve spent most of Tuesday and all day Wednesday adding mulch to the back gardens. (He still has to finish the small garden in the foreground). We love mulch. It keeps the weeds in check and helps retain the moisture in the ground. Plus, it looks nice!

Another backyard view.

The pergola came with the house and we are loving spending time outside this year. This is our first summer year, so it's nice to see what's coming up in the garden and being able to enjoy it. The weather has also been a little lot cooler so far this summer, but it makes for easy sitting outside.

Why don't you show us where you live? You know, because we're nosy interested in your decorating flair!

Happy 142nd Birthday, Canada!

I, for one, am so happy and thankful for our wonderful country and all the priveliges we enjoy here.

Stop and give thanks for the great country we share!

Have a great holiday!