Abby's 8!

Yesterday was Abby's 8th birthday.  One of our traditions on birthday's is that the birthday girl (or Art) gets to choose what they want for breakfast and dinner.  Abby, after much discussion, decided on homemade cinnamon buns, so before church, we ate breakfast and celebrated her birthday as a family.  Later, after church and alone time, we headed over to some friends for dinner and a fun night of trick-or-treating....but more of that on another post....

I am so blessed by our #2. She continues to amaze me as we continue to see God work in her life. This year marked the year she was baptized, which was a huge milestone in her life. She is a very happy, extremely CHATTY, spiritually sensitive little lady whom I am so proud of. She loves her sisters and friends (and us!), and usually is the one to linger over a hug or a cuddle. Love you, Abby!

"...What it means to be a woman..."

Last night, I went with a few friends to see the movie, "Secretariat".  Wow....loved it!  There was so much to pull out of that movie....many things that I will ponder over the next few weeks.

One of the lines I loved was when the main character, Penny, was reunited with her hubby after being apart for some time (she was with the horse, going to different races, and he was at home with the kids and his job).  He said something to the effect of, "You have taught our daughters things I could've never taught them.  You've taught them what it means to be a woman..."

I love that!  As I am raising my own daughters, I find myself thinking (often at inopportune times!) what it is I want to impart to them.  What it is I what them to know...about themselves, about what being a woman means, about who God is.  All of these things play into the daily interactions that I have with these four little ladies.  I want them to know that they are loved - both by their Mom and Dad and by God.  I want them to know that God has given each of them different dreams and aspirations...He's created them to be unique.  I want them to be confident in who they are in Christ.  This, ultimately, is the most important thing that I can teach them, because, I believe, if they know that....really know it, then who they are will stem from that.  Behaviors can be altered, but it's these things that are so important to get into their spirits.

I have so many more thoughts on this, and could go on and on, but my glamorous life of being a woman is calling..."Dinner is ready!"

The Prairies

I got in touch with an old friend this week who is moving with his family to Saskatoon.  From the coast.  That's a big move....we've done it (well, we only made it to Alberta, but you know what I mean!).  As I was writing back an update to him, telling him that's we've made the move to the prairies as well, I was reminded, once again, of how I love it here! 

Growing up in the Vancouver area, we were used to beauty.  We had the Rocky Mountains (beautiful!), the Pacific Ocean (beautiful!), and could never image leaving our family and friends (beautiful!).  However, God had other plans for us.... and here we sit.  In Alberta.  Small(er) town Alberta, none the less.  I must admit, when we did the deed, and moved here, I felt like I had finally come home.  For years, Art and I had dreamed about living in a smaller town, where the pace of life was a little less hectic.  In fact, we used to have a "mantra" that we would chant when driving around Abbotsford... "Small town mentality...small town mentality..." to keep us from going crazy with those drivers.  We moved here, and fell in love with the beauty of this part of our vast country.  Seeing the sunrises and sunsets....the northern lights....acres and acres of wheat and hay and canola fields...pastures of cows...and hay bales.   We had the opportunity to move back to the coast numerous times, but we just couldn't bear to leave this land we love.  It's like it was in our blood!   We felt like we had moved to Eden.  We would find stuff on the side of the road ALL the time (a bungee strap is a bungee strap, people!), we build some amazing relationships with people that accepted us and loved us (which, after now knowing us for 10 yrs., some of them still love us!), we bought a home in the country, with a shop....something that we could only dream of, at that point.... I don't know....it was just right. 

Even now, after we've been away from home, when we drive back into Alberta, I always have a big sigh, and think, "I'm so thankful to be home!".  Enjoy some pictures of the place I call "home".

Ah, the Smell....

....of poo.... Yup, it's true.  I said it.  Poo.  Otherwise known as manure.  Yesterday was a beautiful fall day.  I had some errands to run in the city, so off we went, wasting the beautiful fall day.  When we arrived home, in the country, it smelled like....poo.  And you know what?  I kinda liked it.  Let me explain...

I always talk about how great it is living in the country. And really, it is. I wouldn't have it any other way. However, there are realities of living in the country. Like having to go to the dump to take your garbage. And, when the power goes out, we have no water. And, in the spring and fall, for a few days, it smells like poo. But that's alright....if it means that I live in the country and the farmers are working their land, and it's not my septic tank which has overflowed into my basement. We have to take the good with the bad, people.  So we smell poo.

Being Quiet

I find myself being quiet these days.  Taking some time to reflect.  Pray.  Be.  I must say, I have been enjoying it.  For being the extrovert that I am, the older I am getting, the more I find myself craving these times of quiet.  I go for a walk up our "holy hill", and sit in the chair that my husband carried up there for me.  I watch the sunset.  I sit in the dark.  I go for a drive.

It's so easy to get caught up in the doing....keeping the house clean, laundry done, meals cooked, keeping up relationships.  But I find, that in this quiet place, I am happy just to sit.  To not have the phone ringing off the hook.  To realign the things that I want to invest my time and energy in.

I woke up this morning, and during my shower, watched the sunrise....and a coyote rummaging around the base of the apple tree...until Moses was let out!  I couldn't bear to turn on the lights, it was so beautiful!  Each of the girls came in at one point during the shower, and stopped short, taking a moment to gaze upon the beauty of the moment.   I am so thankful this day, for having the time and space to stop.  And take a look around.  And be quiet.

The Love...

...of my life. Here he is. I love this man...with my whole heart...

Finally!

For about 2 years, I have been looking for a square cake plate.  And this week, I finally found....two!  Of course, I HAD to buy them!  And they can be stacked to be two-tiered....love it!