Eleven

How did it happen?

How did my baby girl get to be this old?

Eleven ~ tell me it isn't true! 

The day began with balloons and a birthday breakfast.
It's a tradition in our home to put balloons on the 
child's bed while they are sleeping.
That way, on their birthday morning they wake up to them.
One balloon for each year old they are is placed...
up to a maximum of sixteen.  :) 

After breakfast, which consisted of bacon,
eggs, hash-browned potatoes, and Sugar Crisp ~
Monopoly was continued (it's an ongoing game that takes days to complete).

While the children were occupied,
I decorated the cake.
Emma's request ~ Angel Food Cake with frosting, 
heart sprinkles, and Princesses.

Emma still enjoys the *little girl* things.

She is not growing up too quickly.

For that, I am thankful.

We like to do something special together as a family
on each child's birthday.
Emma chose to ride bikes over to a 
nearby park and play tennis.

 We all joined in on the fun ~
Calvin and Emma in the photo above...
Daddy and Fraser in the photo below.

 Austin and Emma.

L to R ~ Fraser, Austin, Emma, and Calvin.

 The bikes of the parents ~
MANY miles have been logged on these *old* mountain bikes over the years.  :)

The Birthday Girl!
  

 Handmade cards are the best, don't you think?

Emma enjoys the arts of home.

She is learning to sew and bake and clean.

She even comforts those who feel sick.

For these things, I am thankful.

Most of all ~ she loves the LORD.

HE is her Saviour.

For this, I am overjoyed.

Sweet Emma ~

We all love you so very much.

We could not imagine life in our family without you.

God loaned you to us.  May He help us to give you back to Him.

May your heart be full of love for Him always.

And, may you follow Him all your days.

He is Faithful.  He alone is worthy.

All our Love,

Your Daddy and Mummy

XOXO

Entering In

Howie came up with a
great idea awhile back.
The idea?

To allow the children
each a twenty-minute block
of time to share with the rest of us
whatever they wanted to.

A family version of
"Show and Tell".

It went over well.
An understatement. :)

Fraser is our resident
atlas/languages/professor sort.

His pick?

Google Earth.

We visited places I had never
heard of and discovered new things.
What an adventurer!

Calvin is our budding photographer.
Some of you may have noticed
that I feature some of his work
here on this blog.
He's serious about it.

We enjoyed looking through
a photo album that he put together
last year after a family vacation.

Happy Memories!

Austin has been learning
a little about programming.
He has created little games
and question and answer sorts
of programs to tickle the funny bone.

He's even opened up a
you-tube channel as an avenue to
showcase his virtual rollercoasters.

Under that serious-looking
exterior there lurks a sense of humour.
Wonder where he got that from?

Emma has a serious love for
all things *Nancy Drew* ~
She shared an excerpt from
the book she was reading at the time.

The *original* series of novels are
being devoured at a rapid rate.
We have most of the earlier set
of books...what fun! :)

She then showed us her collection
of shells that were acquired
on our recent trip to visit with
Auntie Beverley.

God's Glorious Handiwork!

And the boys entered in.

It was an enjoyable time
spent learning just
a little bit more about
the unique individuals God
has entrusted us with.

What an honour it is to
seek to raise them for HIM
and for HIS glory!

Many Blessings,
Camille

Just Us Girls

Auntie Beverley invited us
to come for a visit.
She lives three to four hours
away from us ~
depending on the ferry traffic.

We went.

We are so
thankful that we did!

Just us girls.
Just the three of us.
Auntie Beverley stayed all cozy
in her place across the lawn.

And we stayed within view
in her sweet guest house.
Isn't it just
A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E.??

We arrived in time for a
wonderful home-cooked meal
last Thursday evening.

Then we ventured up to
*our place* and my girl and
I snuggled in the big bed
and watched "Sarah Plain and Tall"
on a little portable DVD player.

We ate popcorn.

Friday morning we got up
and prepped for the day.
We had quiet time together.
We packed the van.

We took a few *self-timed* photos.

And then...
We headed across the lawn to
have breakfast with our precious Auntie.
How lovely it was to be able
to spend some special time with her!

Here we are...
Just the three of us
in Auntie Beverley's sweet sitting area
just off the kitchen.

The view from the lower level
of the main house...
isn't it AMAZING??

Auntie Beverley lives on a cliff
and...
she has beach access.
A little walk along the beach
was in order.

Good thing I packed boots
for my girl! :)

Emma enjoyed exploring.
We found some amazing shells!
This beach is relatively untouched ~
A wonderful sampling of
God's glorious creation.

Back up the bulkhead...

We went into town
and shopped.
We visited a lovely
little bakery for lunch.
And then...

We travelled home!

It was a
W.O.N.D.E.R.F.U.L.
31-hour retreat.
Thank you so much for
having us stay with you
Auntie Beverley!

Lots of Love,
Emma and Camille
XOXO

Laughter ~ The Good Medicine

Fraser and Emma have been
collaborating and creating some
*shows* together lately ~

Complete with tickets.

Waiting for the show to begin...

The *announcer*...

The show!

We have enjoyed some laughs
together over this.

May the LORD bless
each one of you with laughter
in your homes this day.

Many blessings,
Camille

Lightening Up

I don't *DO* art with our children
as often as I *should*.

But...they are always drawing
or sketching or creating.

A.L.W.A.Y.S.

Recently, my Mom gifted a paint/art
set to each child for his/her birthday.

J.O.Y.

It really is MUCH easier
to keep it all contained now that they are older.
Interpretation ~ I don't go crazy in the process.

Or...maybe I have learned (a little)
to lighten up?

I surely do hope so!

And now...to continue on with my list.
Which (mostly) has nothing
to do with painting ~
But everything to do with
L.I.F.E.

1336. Watching Austin patiently
teach Emma to roller blade

1337. Spring showers, turned hail, then the
sky breaking to reveal blue and sunshine...
all in one beach walk!

1338. Puffy white clouds lit by the sun
from behind ~ Glorious!

1339. Distant islands blue on the horizon

1340. Beginning the day with #'s 1337 to 1339 ~
W.O.N.D.E.R.F.U.L.

1341. Thankful that I survived my first 30
minutes of driving with Austin at the wheel ~ LOL!

1342. Finding new suppliers for new supplies

1343. Most of my short list for groceries was on sale ~
by *chance*...again, nothing is by chance! :)

1344. Lunch out...and Supper out ~
On the same day...what a treat!
Thank you so much T & S and L & S! :)

1345. The acceptance and good attitude
that the LORD has given
to our child with Crohn's ~
God's grace!

1346. New freezer containers to use

1347. A whole batch of
chicken stock frozen for future use ~
Yippee!

1348. Rain pelting down and
none of it coming inside ~
It used to!!

1349. Wonderful sermons

1350. God's Word expounded faithfully ~
A blessing!

1351. Richness of the Doctrines of Grace

1352. The Resurrection ~ HE IS ALIVE!!

1353. A quiet morning all by myself

1354. Thankful that it's not always that way

1355. Children to welcome home

1356. French Cream ~ Oh. Dear. Me!

1357. My yogurt maker ~
Practically working for me 'round the clock!

1358. Homemade yogurt ~ YUM!

1359. Colour returning to our
sick child's cheeks ~ JOY!

1360. Painting supplies for the children

It's easy to count.
It begins with noticing the *little* things.
Noticing the moments.
Entering into them and writing them down.
It's as simple as that.

My journal sits on my counter.

I list as events unfold.
Sometimes many all at once,
and other times in a trickle.

Would you like to begin?
Just grab a pen and a journal,
set them out on the counter,
and list out your blessings.
Find the joy in the moments ~
As they arrive.

Enjoy the journey!

Many Blessings,
Camille

Skating on Plastic?

Now, this was something new for us!
The children went skating outdoors
on a balmy, sunny day...
on some sort of plastic stuff!

It made the boys' skates
V.E.R.Y. dull.

But, they did enjoy the experience.

I liked it because it was close by.
And, best of all...
it was F.R.E.E.

Is it obvious that they had a great time?

Many blessings,
Camille