12 Days of Praying for our Children...

Hi Friends :)  Over the past 3 months I have led a group of ladies in praying for our children.  I was prompted by God to do this several months ago when our church was looking for Group Leaders.  When the Pastor of Connecting Ministries put the call out there all these exciting ideas ran through my head...oh I could lead a photography group...or a scrapbooking group...or how about a group of ladies to get together and work on Project Life???  Yes those were all of my initial thoughts...that this was going to be soooo fun and I would get more time doing some of the things I loooove to do.  WRONG.  In the next few days I heard about getting some moms together to pray for our children....do something with eternal value....be intentional about your faith and prayer life and share it.  I have definitely learned my lesson about not listening to God the first time he speaks to me, so I listened and I met with 3 or 4 or 5 ladies once a month to lift up our children and share as Moms.  Was the group a success?  I don't know...if it was based on number of ppl who came out then probably not.  But I don't think that is how God looks at it.  I think He was smiling down on a few ladies who carved time out of one Thursday evening a month to lift up, share and encourage our children and each other.  The results of the group, only He knows for sure.  But for me it opened my eyes to the need to pray for our children often.

My Mother-in-law Barb passed on a list that I am going to share with you over the next 12 days.  What better way to celebrate the season as we prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of His Son Jesus!

Pray for Your Children

1.  That they will know Christ early in life.  

Psalm 63:1
You, God, are my God, 
   earnestly I seek you; 
I thirst for you, 
   my whole being longs for you, 
in a dry and parched land 
   where there is no water.

Lord Jesus I lift up Aidan to you as the oldest child you have blessed us with Father.  Thank you for the 12 years of life you have given him thus far and Lord I pray that his relationship with you becomes more and more real everyday.  That your light shine through Aidan Lord, that your word become a lamp to his feet and a light to his path and that his whole being longs for only You - the divine Creator of the world.  Thank you Jesus!  AMEN

Heavenly Father I praise you for Addison, Asher and Abigail.  Thank you for blessing our family with each of their little personalities, abilities and gifts.  Each of them holds a special place in our family unit and Lord I lift them up to you now that, in their young ages, they may have a desire and yearning for only You.  That they sing your praises to the most high heavenly Father with all their hearts and beings.  That You are made real to them and they each experience your divine love and mercy each and every day of their life Lord.  Thank you Jesus.  AMEN

Our Favorite Cookie...

I am a self-proclaimed cookie monster!  I have the worst self-control when cookies are around.  It is not uncommon for me to sit down and eat 6 at a time...yes you read right....6.  I have been asked a few times for this recipe so I thought  I would share it so you can indulge with me...

Smartie Monster Cookies

1 cup margarine

1 + 1/4 cup white sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 cups crunchie peanut butter

4 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cup honey

1 - 12 oz. pkg chocolate chips

1 - 12 oz. pkg of Smarties (approx. 5 boxes)

6 beaten eggs

11-12 cups Robin Hood quick-oats

Cream margarine with white and brown sugars.  Add eggs, honey, vanilla and peanut butter. Mix well.  Add remaining ingredients.  Mix and drop by spoonful onto greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 11 minutes.  Recipe makes about 10 dozen cookies (so can cut recipe in half...or throw a bunch in the freezer.  They are delicious frozen and ready for company who unexpectedly stop in....if there is any left).  ENJOY!!

Our Treaters...

 Our little Fairy girl checking herself out in the mirror.  Yah, the ribbons in her hair only lasted about 10 minutes....and her wings are no longer recognizable they are so bent and the nylon snagged.  But...that is a fairy who has fun...

 Abigail thought the jack-o-lantern was pretty funny!  She often went and looked at it getting up real close and checking it out.  Dad and the little ones carved it on Sunday.  Addison helped with the one face, and Asher helped with the face on the back of the pumpkin.  I have a pretty creative husband let me tell you...

 Aidan was dressed up as some sort of zombie guy.  I think he actually had more fun spraying the fake blood on his shirt and shopping for his mask then he actually did wearing it.  This is the only photo he would let me take of him :(  He went out "when it was dark" with the boys in the neighbourhood to collect some treats and "scare some kids" as he told us.

 Addison the happy Police Officer!  All the little "accessories" that came with this costume really appealed to our 5 year old boy.  Even before Halloween the billy club and flashlight were misplaced and the handcuffs broke...but they definitely got played with!  As you might be able to see....I wouldn't let him removed the police badge (plastic tie still in place) as I knew that would might get misplaced too....boys oh boys....

 Asher our Astronaut!  This costume is sooo him.  He loves airplanes and rocket ships.  He loved wearing this "helmet" too and even when complaining of being so hot at his playschool class Halloween party, he would not take it off.  I love the Canada flags that adorned this costume.

 Let the treating begin....hitting up our next door neighbours first.

And...this is what the next 2 hours looked like.  Pillow cases in tow, kids running door to door.  Abigail trying to keep up with her bigger brothers.  Mom capturing the moments and dad running after the kids.  Aidan skateboarding around with us in our Close.  Then a quick drive over to Grandpa and Papa Pallisters for treats and a supper stop at McDonalds.  Back home to treat around the other side of the Close and a quick visit and treats from Grandma and Papa Giesbrecht.  Aidan and his friends hanging out next door on the road trying to get kids walking by to guess who was fake and who was real....us putting our candy bowl out on the steps so the little guys could settle and go to bed as they were so excited to give out candy.

  At bedtime Asher asked "how many more sleeps til next Halloween??"  Only 365 more sleeps son...that's all!   

Renewal

After writing on my blog yesterday...I had a great day.  I felt good...felt encouraged.  After we picked Addison up from school we picked up lunch and headed to the park to enjoy the nice Fall day.  Wes was able to meet us there and brought me and him some "real" lunch from Wok Box.  It was so amazing to be outside in the fresh air with few people around and enjoying the sun and the kids laughter.  I had a hard time doing anything "extra" before....we have kinda been doing the same thing for weeks...very routine not thinking I could "handle" any more.  I sat on the bench talking to Wes as the kids played and I commented "no wonder I thought my life was so dull before....we have been doing the same thing for weeks now."   Phil 4:13 states "I can do all things through him who gives me strength."  Yes indeed I can!!  Today I experienced that.  I would say that the rest of my day went good...I had patience...I was kind and loving and I saw my children through thankful eyes.

Last night as Wes and I watched "Heros" we exchanged a little love gaze and he said "I love seeing you smile."  That said it all.  For a woman who was searching to get her smile back and then he saw it in a genuine moment....wowie!  That was a fast renewal God....thank you!  I stand in awe....

So today I said I would get up and read His word.  Did I?  Nope...I pushed snooze on the alarm twice then hustled my butt to get ready and everyone else ready for the day.  But...in my quiet time (doing my hair and make up following my shower) I heard from God.  He told me an answer to my most ashamed question I have asked as of yet....why would you bless us with 4 children?  I have been wondering how I am supposed to handle it...and not just "get by" but "do it well."  He answered me and said that if He gave us any less children that I would not need Him.  He wants to be needed.  He wants us to tie into Him everyday and feed us daily.  "Give us this day our daily bread."  And think about the manna...He only gave them enough to eat for 1 day but was true on following through with what He promised...that it would be there for them EVERYDAY.  Again....wowie!  Thank you Lord for speaking to me today...so quickly with a response to a question I was embarrassed and ashamed to ask You.  I get it now Lord...I hear you loud and clear and I am on it!

Waiting, wanting and needing more of You and less of me.

Strength for the Weary

I have not been a very good blogger the last few months have I?  I remember one of my main goals of starting a blog was to write about my spiritual life in the hopes that someone somewhere would know they were not alone in their own walk of faith,  and I have been neglecting that.  I also wanted to share my family with you and I love sharing photos and find this format a great way for lots of family and friends to see my family rather then sending out emails.  But really I need to get back to matters of my heart....it helps me....maybe it helps you?

And lately my heart is weary.  As I wrote about in my last blog post, our family has definitely been going through a season of change.  And 1.5 months in I should be good and adjusted by now but I don't feel any better then I did at the beginning of September....maybe I even feel a bit worse.  I feel tired a lot of the time, I feel irritable with many things like lots of noise, lots of stimulation, kids talking to me at the same time, expectations not being met, feeling like I am doing this life alone, feeling like I give give give....feeling selfish....wanting quiet....wanting to be alone....wanting to sleep....and shockingly questioning God on why he blessed me with 4 children (I feel awful even admitting that).  All of those things I listed are matters of the flesh and I see that now....

I am reading 2 books right now..."Feminine Appeal" by Carolyn Mahaney (Seven virtues of a Godly Wife and Mother) and "Am I Messing Up my Kids?" by Lysa TerKuest.  As you may know I usually do my reading in the evenings before bed.  So Monday night I read Psalm 100 and was full of praise and ready to make a joyful shout to the Lord.  Yesterday I woke up and felt refreshed and encouraged as I was going to "joyfully serve my family" and it ended up being one of the worst days I can remember in terms of things going wrong.  I had to ask Wes to help me in the afternoon and I felt so defeated.  In no way, shape or form had I served my family joyfully and it was only 1:30 in the afternoon.  My thoughts: am I under attack because I want to be the woman God wants me to be...fight through Shauna...fight through!!  But I see that at the end of the day....when all is calm and quiet.  I did not fight through when I needed to....

So last night Wes and I chatted.  He has been encouraging me to exercise saying this will get me having more energy and feeling better (and probably even losing the last 15 or 20 lbs I have put on over the last few months...he didn't say that...I did).  And yes this is something I would like to do, but can't get motivated to get there and do it.  I feel like there is only so many things I can handle in a day and feel overwhelmed easily.  Is this my personality/character in being a mom with 4 children or is this my depression?  Things I ponder...

So in my reading last night I open the page and the heading is "Strength for the Weary" and the tears start to stream down my face.  I have lost my smile....I need to be renewed to joyfully and sacrificially serve and tenderly love my family.  And the paragraph says "Our only genuine source of refreshment comes from God."    I need to take time to meet with God just as Jesus modeled for us Himself.  In Luke 5 we read that people were flocking to Him with their needs:  "Crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses.  But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed"  (NIV vv.15-16).  Doesn't this sound like motherhood?  Everyone coming to Mom to get their needs met?  Now if Jesus needed to withdraw and pray, I must need the same.  I need His help and His strength to be the best Mom and wife I can be...all that He wants me to be....

In some ways I feel like I have said this all before...why does it keep coming around?  Ugh!  Because the  battle is continual I think...until the day we leave this earth and unite with our Heavenly Father we must fight on.  And the more "alone" I make myself...the more alone I feel and I am not built that way.  I am built to be encouraged and to be an encourager....to be fed and to do the feeding....to praise and to give glory to the Lord God Almighty....to give and receive tender love...to do this life along  with others who walk the same path I do.  So tomorrow morning I am going to spiritually dress myself in the morning...wake up a bit earlier and read His word and put on my armour so I will be ready.  I will let you know how it goes....fight on sisters....fight on!

God, I come to you weary and weak.  I want to be all that you want me to be and leave an amazing heritage for our children.  I want to be a wife of noble character to this man that I walk daily with in this life.  I want to be an encouraging and giving friend, sister and daughter.  You have said "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."  (2 Cor 12:9)  Well Lord, I am weak...weak and needing You.  Thank you Lord for your continual supply of grace and strength.  AMEN

Catch-Up

Hiya friends!  I am totally playing catch-up as it has been over a month since I blogged....why you might ask?  Life is busy and I honestly have not taken the time to sit at my computer and tell you about our lives.  This definitely has been a season of change for our household.

 So what is so different from August to September??  Aidan has started Grade 7 at a new school, Addison has started kindergarten and attends every morning of the week for half days, and Asher has started playschool Wednesday and Friday mornings.  So my role of being a stay-at-home mom has had to transition into "driver" and be and have everyone ready to go out of the house for 8:15am.  As this is the third week in, I feel a lot less anxious about it as I have proved I can do it.  Yes there may have been yelling and yes there has been frustration on my part.  You see I have faults....I hit snooze on my alarm at least twice (I am not the best morning person), I like to shower and put myself together (but it isn't all about me), I like to enjoy a cup of coffee (but am getting used to drinking it lukewarm and eventually cold), I like to be organized (but don't like to do the organizing), I feel anxious about being late for something, anything (am working on it), like everyone to eat a big, good breakfast to start their day off right (but am realizing the more I rush and push Addison to eat the slower he goes...I am learning he will eat a very little bit but eats better at his school snack time so I pack him 2 snacks and talked to his teacher about him and who he is...he is not a morning eater)....But I am getting it...slowly and surely.  (And Big Daddy Gies helps out as much as he can which I am ever so thankful and lovin' and he often makes and brings me a dolled-up cup of coffee to me as I do my hair and sits on the bed and we chat about God...what we are reading or learning and that is a grrrreat way to start off my day!!).  AND that is just the school stuff...our Life Group has switched to Friday evenings now so we can enjoy a family day together on Sundays.  We have some friends who have left to start their own groups (yaahh for leaders) and we have new and old friends stay with us and keep encouraging and living the lives God calls us to live.  I am thankful for couples and families who make time in their schedules to spend with us and our family for this greater purpose in community, sharing and growth in Him.

Because there is too much to catch up with from August I am just going to start anew in September and show you the boys in my life on their first days of school.

 Aidan has 3 friends in our close that go to his "new" school...so they came and picked him up and they all long-boarded to school.  No more pics for mom in front of the school, no more "mom can I get a ride".  Sigh.  Our biggest boy is growing up...

 Off the boys go to school....I don't even think I got a hug :(

 Addison started kindergarten this year at the same elementary school that Aidan attended so lots of the teachers know our family from that time.  Addison's teacher came up to me last week and has already stated that Addison is very helpful to the other kids in class and always willing to help his teacher whenever he can.  She asked if he was like this at home....heheehe!!  Yes...there are moments when Addison is a little worker - he loves to be praised and know/feel like he is doing well at whatever he is doing.  His kind, loving heart is so apparent!!

 Asher started play school a week later then his big brothers and he had a hard time waiting for his school to start.  He was very anxious to go to "his" school.  We went earlier in the week and he picked out a new school outfit...and of course the shirt has red in it (favorite color ever for him).  He is going to the same school that Addison attended last year so he is familiar with the environment and teachers.  Now he is counting down the days until he can be "helper of the day"...only 6 more days of school Ash and that special vest, leader of the line and sticker is all yours little man!!

As our children have the priviledge of attending school, I am thankful.  I pray for each one of the teachers that works with and provides instruction to each of our boys....Lord may they be blessed for the work they do investing in the lives and futures of these kids.  Lord may you fill the school facilities with Your presence so that every person that walks into those facilities knows there is something unique there and that is You and that only You deserve all the praise, honour and glory.  Work Lord in the hearts of those children so that they may get "new life" at an early age and live only for You.  In everything we do Lord, help us to reflect You....Let us listen for the guidance of Your Holy Spirit in all of our activities so that Your glory may be shown through us in all environments.  In Your most holy and precious name...AMEN!

Serious Summer Fun

We are lovin' the days of summer and the sunshine when it shines...

Fun in our yard and around the house....

 So thankful for dads who wrestle with boys...

 So thankful for our oldest boy who turns 12 this month...

 So thankful for a big brother that makes things fun...(dish soap on the trampoline makes it slippery and I saw it as an opportunity to have their bath outdoors)  all clean and a whole lotta fun too!

 Thankful for Mac's slurpees...a special treat brought home from dad when he came home from work....

 So thankful our little girl looooves the water...

All Our Imperfection...

This is us last Sunday at the park.  We met our Lifegroup down at Kin Kanyon and ate smores, sang worship songs and attempted to have some Godly discussion and catch up with each other and our lives and prayer requests.  I say "attempted" as there was some distraction with our kiddies...or mine in particular.  Asher crying because he couldn't "win" while racing another friend he made at the playground and our sweet little Abigail running around and climbing everything in site like the little wild woman that she is.

While I was watching the kids playing I saw this above...Asher's shorts on backwards.  He has been priding himself on getting himself dressed lately.  The thing is...I don't know when this even happened.  Had he been walking around all day with his shorts on like this?  Oh, he gives me a giggle sometimes!

And here is our Abigail on the swings.  Do you see her hair?  She pulled out her pony when we were driving to the park and her hair was an absolute mess....way too long, hanging in her face....something that would have drove. me. crazy. if my hair was hitting my face and hanging over my eyes.  Nope not this girl...did not slow her down a bit.  This hair-do caused me stress in being so messy...I like my kids to have neat hair...pretty hair especially for my girl.

So....in sharing with you these 2 photos this is what I am learning as a mom and follower of Christ.....

• just because something bothers me doesn't mean it will bother someone else
• shorts on backwards is OK if it promotes a persons independence and self-worth
• all our imperfections don't make us who we are....and God sees us each as a wonderful and unique creation that He has fearfully and wonderfully made
• we are to be celebrated for who we are...we will not be compared to others by the One True Judge
• the heart of worship is surrendering your life AS IT IS to God...
• God has given us each gifts and abilities to be utilized for His kingdom, don't you want to hear "Well done good and faithful servant!  You have been faithful with a few things;  I will put you in charge of many things.  Come and share your master's happiness."  (Matthew 25:21)  I sure do!

Summer time FUN!

Yesterday was a gorgeous day...I think it was around +27 so the morning was devoted to water fun with the kids.  We put the sprinkler under the trampoline for the first time this season and then they wanted to run through the sprinkler alone.  Addison was interested in playing army men, but I couldn't get Asher and Abigail away from the water!  Lots of giggles were had by all!

Canada Day

Hallo...nice to see you again.  Yes this is the second post in 2 days.  Yes I am going to tell you about our Canada Day that we celebrated 14 days ago...why?  Because for some reason I am loooovin' on this holiday.  I love to get the kids matching/coordinating t-shirts, have a picnic or bbq, hang out with family and friends and just plain enjoy the day.  Another bonus is that my husband doesn't have to work (much) so I loooove having him home and able to enjoy some family time.

I baked some Coconut Chocolate Muffins from the Taste Of Home cookbook...they were scrumptious.  Next time I make them I will bake them in parchment paper liners so they don't stick....I was pretty darn excited to use my Canadian cupcake liners though....

Jen, Colin and the kiddies stopped in for a morning visit on their way to enjoy their summer vacation in BC.  We loved having them over enjoying a coffee and muffin on the back deck and watching the kiddies play.  This set of cousins is very close in age to our kids and it is so fun to see each of their different personalities as they grow :)

Trampoline fun before our lunch guests arrive and Abigail goes down for her nap...

Hot dogs, smokies, chili, spinach salad, strawberries and more cupcakes...I made my very first chili-dog.  I think I prefer the 2 separate.  Chili.  Hot dog.  Although we did bring out some nacho chips to eat with our chili and that tasted F-I-N-E.  (I am getting hungry writing about this...)

Yes these are 2 grown men jumping on the trampoline...remember the days of "double bouncing" your friend??

Kids playing in the sand....kids playing Star-Wars...

Duane brought his guitar over and the guys belted out a few tunes.  Even had some Extreme in there...do you remember the song "More Then Words??"  My husband knows how to play that song on the guitar...and that is the only song I have ever heard him play...he is sooo cute in the most manly way possible ;)  Ginette and her kiddies came down from Calgary for a visit, as well as our wonderful friends Chad, Emma & Isaiah and Duane, Jilene, Eavan & brand spankin' new baby Elias.

Around supper time Wes, Ginette and I took our troops on the city bus to Bower Ponds and walked around there for a bit.  It was very busy with the celebration and we didn't even want the kids to play at the park there as there was seriously kids everywhere you looked.  So we sat on the grass and had a bite to eat and then headed back on the city bus home to eat ice cream with sprinkles on top :)  A very nice day with family and friends!

For Today...

Outside my window...the sun is setting and I hear the faint sound of vehicles driving somewhere in the city...our neighbourhood seems very still at this hour of 10pm

I am thinking...that my contacts are irritating my eyes...that I have laundry to put away spread out all over the couch downstairs before the kids wake up in the morning and wreck my organized piles of clean clothes...about how Aidan likes to procrastinate when he is supposed to be going to bed - he was just sitting and slowly examining every single page in our family Project Life book

I am thankful for...my husband taking the day off of work today and hanging out with us - we went swimming to the pool, he cut the grass and Mama Gies had an afternoon nap, Wes and Aidan played "Ticket to Ride" game with me this evening (and pretended to be having fun) and he is now tucking our oldest boy into bed as Aidan sucks him into his bed-time procrastination asking him questions of all sorts...my husband rocks!

From the kitchen...I want to try a new strawberry rhubarb muffin recipe I printed from the internet...need more rhubarb recipes as it is growing huge in the yard - LOVE it!

I am wearing...jeans, black tank top, flip flops, Stella & Dot earrings, and new necklace my mom bought for me at the Farmers Market for my birthday coming up...

I am creating...working on my Project Life but a bit discouraged at the moment as my computer won't let me open Photoshop Elements so I am not able to use my "brushes" for my Ali Edwards dates to place on the photos...still can print photos without it, just haven't uploaded the photos to Costco online yet

I am going...to hang out with a dear friend tomorrow morning and her 2 boys, praying our time together is full of God's peace and love - our last visit was full of children who weren't able to get a long well and needed super lots of attention which took away from our "girl time" to chat...tomorrow will be better!!  Shop for 2 little girl birthday presents tomorrow and trust that Aidan can help me pick out something his sisters will loooove...be an assistant photographer for Loni on Saturday at a wedding she is shooting...to tuck my husband into bed before I go and eat a bowl of cereal (he has been up since 5am as he went out for breakfast with the guys today)

I am reading... my bible, Gospel-Powered Parenting

I am hoping...my husband's day goes smoothly tomorrow and that he is able to enjoy the golf tournament and have fun

I am hearing...that Wes just turned the TV on in our room and I picture him crawling into bed - he can fall asleep with the TV on, I can't..."No Sweeter Name" song in my head - oh how I looove that song!!

Around the house...put laundry away, definitely clean bathrooms tomorrow (been putting them off for a couple days now), and do some baking...

One of my favorite things....the smell of the Tim Hortons coffee grounds when I open up the can for the first time - it smells up the whole kitchen for a few minutes...

A few plans for the rest of the week...visit with Jen on Friday, Ginette on Sunday, celebrate Dad G's birthday, go to Myah's birthday party, shoot wedding, see my parents because my dad is home from working in Fort Mac, church, Life Group, birthday present shop....busy busy busy


A photo for today...

Yesterday Addison came running into the house telling us he can ride a 2-wheeler...him and his friend were riding bikes in the front and we assumed he was riding his bike with his training wheels.  Wes had tried in the Spring to encourage him to ride his bike without training wheels but he always refused, he did try a couple times to please dad by doing it but always ended up in a lot of tears.  As parents we had a talk about expectations/pressures we can place on our kids to do certain things on our schedules/in our time,  and we both decided that we wouldn't bring up the issue of the training wheels any more.  (Asher is still riding a tricycle around the block...)  So as his "Hot Wheels" bike sat in the garage from last year without training wheels attached this is now the chosen bike over the past 2 days.  Addison and his friend Cooper from down the road are cruising up and down the close going up and down neighbours drive-ways.  Only 1 crash into the back of dad's truck yesterday and one little crash-up and scrape today but he is doing so well!!  You are awesome Addison - way to go!!  It is so cool to see what our kids come up with when we take a step back...lovin' it!!

Proud Mama Moment...

 Here is our biggest boy Aidan with his other mom Suzanne.  On June 18 both of them shaved their hair off for Women's Cancer.  Sue has raised money for this event before, and this is Aidan's first year with joining in with her to raise money to find a cure.  Aidan raised a total of $640 which contributed to the Shoppers Drug Mart (where Sue works) team total donation to over $4000 for this event alone.  Awesome!

 Aidan's dad Ben had the honors of shaving the dome...he knows something about it if you get a good look at his hairstyle ;)  

 Aidan's hair all over the stage floor.  Sue donated her hair to the Locks of Love foundation which is an awesome cause...so many good organizations out there willing to help...I love it!  I love the people too that are selflessly contributing to such places...way to go guys and gals!!

 I love this photo as Sue and Aidan see each other for the first time hairless, both of them feeling for what used to be there...what a great bonding opportunity for the two of them!  

Because just a "quick shave" was done at the event in Olds, Aidan asked to have his head "cleaned up" once we got home.  So here is dad Wes getting a close shave in.  I am so proud of our biggest boy for wanting to raise money for a disease that has touched people in his family. 

 I love the way that Aidan went around the neighbourhood telling people what he was going to do and why....I love that he made a commitment and stayed with it right to the end...I love that Sue and Aidan were able to do this together....I love my boys heart - wonderful job Aidan!  You are sooo loved!

Lovin' Project Life

Hi friends!  Wow am I behind with my postings...life is busy with a family of 6 but I am lovin' it!  I am really lovin' this project that I started in January developed by Becky Higgins called Project Life.  I am indeed a little behind (only 7 weeks) but not nearly as behind as I am with each one of the kids scrapbooks!

 I think what I love the most is I get to use photos that I may not do a whole scrapbook page for...this project represents our life on a very real scale.  When I look back to how our family operated 5 years from now I imagine that I will be able to remember what this was like.  You see, I have the worst memory and easily forget lots of details of our wonderful life....things I don't want to forget can now be remembered...and it is EASY!  My love of taking photos is allowing me to capture life as we know it...in this stage of life...right where we are at :)

 I have been experimenting with enlarging photos to 8x12" and then cutting 2 inches off of the sides to fit into the 6x12" page protectors I bought from American Crafts.

 I am also experimenting with putting one theme in a 3 slot - 6x12 page protector....and loving this.  For the one above I put specific photos from our trip to Build-a-Bear.

 I am also loving using brushes in Photoshop to label my photos before I print them...love Ali Edwards design style.

TADA!!  I hope you will join me for the 2012 year in completing one for your family!  I will definitely keep you posted when the new kits come on sale in Oct/November :)

Connection Through Prayer

I would love to introduce you to Israelle...here she is with her blessed parents on a recent photoshoot I did as a gift for them here in Red Deer.  This little girl and family has been in the heart of our prayers for a long while...I can't even remember when we started praying.  I know our inital prayers that were Peter and Theresa would be blessed with a baby through the adoption process...God heard, God answered, God moved!  We have seen and been part of God's wonder through a lot of their last year. 

The reason this wee girlie is so special to my heart is that she is so near to Abigails age and I have never felt a strong connection to anyone as I have to her through prayer.  I have never experienced the power of connection through prayer as she and her family faced so many hospital stays and so much medical stuff.  **I can't quote correctly all of the things that Israelle has medically had to endure and continues to live with as it is way beyond my comprehension and I know I won't get the terminology right and all that jazz**

I do this know...a miracle was had here in more way then one...Theresa and Peter have their very own little girl to tuck into bed every.single.night.  The doctors were left asking "whose heart is this?" the day before she was scheduled to have open heart surgery (for the second time) as it looked way too good to be Israelle's broken heart and they SENT.THEM.HOME.  Can you imagine?  You think your baby is going to have her chest cut open AGAIN to repair her heart AGAIN and the doctors are left wondering "what has happened here...this baby's heart looks fine"  GOD IS WHAT HAPPENED THERE.  God is what is happening there.  God is still what is going to happen there.  Amazing stuff.  I am almost in tears as I repeat the story to you from a couple of months ago.

 You just never know why certain people come into your life, or what place they will have.  All of this started as a result of Theresa finding my name on the Creative Memories Consultant finder as she and her mom were looking to buy some products.  Next thing you know we are given the opportunity to provide hope to a family who has gone through a tremendous amount of heartache and hospital stuff, and prayer to the Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty Healer, Name above all Names...our God.

The smile on this little girls face warms my heart and I am so blessed to know her and her family.  

Around here...

Around here...With the season of Spring comes new activities and lots of good times enjoying the outdoors!

 Aidan plays inline hockey 2 evenings per week (he is the yellow guy) and Big Daddy Gies is coaching his team again this year.  Last night he got 2 goals in his game...way to go Aidan!!

Is this what everyones house looks like that has boys?  The boys thought it was fun to shoot the Toy Story guys with the new Nerf gun that Asher got for his birthday....boys boys boys!  I can't help but laugh and take a photo :) 

 Serious outdoor trampoline fun!  This happens every.single.day.  Lots of jumping, smiles, laughter, backsies, hockey, flips, crack the egg...and since we have boys...even a little bit of wrestling.

The newest trampoline game that even Abigail LOVES...ring around the rosie...yup huge smiles the second everyone "falls down" and even in anticipation of the falling down...what is it about that game that kids looooove??  Well friends, it IS safe and fun for the whole  family :)

I had to share this photo...Ashers first soccer practice.  He has been asking to"play soccer" since last year when Addison played and more specifically when Addison received his orange TimBits soccer shirt.  He very much wanted his own "soccer shirt."  So finally, he gets his own soccer shirt.  He is on the red team in the U4 division (he was pretty pumped as red is his favorite color).  So the first practice was interesting to say the least...as you can see Asher is on your left in the photo...one coach is picking one child up off the field, the blue coach is trying to "push along" a little blue player who has his head down and there is our sweet Asher...standing completely opposite to the soccer ball action on the right of the photo and staring off in a different direction all together.  Oh he makes us smile.  I really feel for the coaches...they are volunteers who are introducing 10 four year old kids to the game of soccer....hopefully tonight runs a little smoother....or not.  At the end of the "practice/game" Asher was sitting beside me on the grass drinking his water bottle and he says "I good at this team mom."  Yes son, you are good...very very good :)

Stay tuned for more about Addisons soccer, swim lessons and some cool things God is revealing to us :)