A Little Time Off

Just taking a little time off ~

a little time away from this space.

Perhaps for a week or two?

I do want to take this opportunity, however,

to thank each and every one of you for leaving kind words

of encouragement here and for praying for us.

You have blessed us abundantly.

We sense the LORD carrying us and giving us His grace

in the midst of these difficult days.

He is Good and Gracious and Merciful.

Where would we be without Him?

"The LORD is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusteth in Him, and I am helped:

therefore, my heart greatly rejoiceth;

and with my song will I praise Him."

~ Psalm 28:7 ~

May the LORD bless you all!

With Love,

Camille

**Photo courtesy of Calvin ~

Thank you my love!  XO

Of Curls, Weddings, and Beginnings

Our niece was married last Friday.
Nearly 21 years ago, she was our flower girl.
Emma was given the privilege
of doing the same for her.

Full circle.
A tradition.

Emma read while I curled her hair.
It took over an hour!
The style had to hold for more than five hours ~
the photos were being taken prior to the ceremony.

Emma was sent off with instructions
not to move her head!
Poor thing. :)

The ceremony was beautiful.
The bride was lovely.
(I haven't had permission to
post photos yet, so I will leave you
to your imagination).

The vows and rings were exchanged.
The documents were signed.
The kiss was given and received. :)

The unity candle was lit.

The couple were introduced as Mr. and Mrs.
And there was joy all around!
As it should be.

Austin and Fraser had the honour of
playing the background music at the reception
as guests found their seats.

Calvin was our photographer.
We forgot to get a family picture.
I am so sad.
But, as I told Emma prior to the big day ~
"It's not all about us!"

And it really isn't.

The bride and groom were sent off in style
under a tunnel of love.
We were so happy to have been able to witness
the beginning of their lives together
as husband and wife.

It's such a joy to witness two young people who
love the LORD as they are united in marriage.
May the LORD be glorified in and through them ~
And may HE bless them abundantly
in the years to come.

Blessings to each of you as well!
With Love,
Camille

**Last three photos in this post courtesy of Calvin ~
Thank you my love! XO

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

All That's Required

Sometimes the *extras*
must be abandoned.
Just the *basics*
can be managed.

And that is okay.

How we need wisdom to know
what those *basics* really are!

We all, on occasion,
need to take a step back.
Assess what it is we are doing.

Ask our husband.
Ask our children.
Ask a trusted friend.

Most importantly...
Ask the LORD.

What does HE require of us?
So often I have found it is
not the same as what
I have required of me!

Maybe it's time to
let those *extra* things GO!


How Gracious and Loving and Kind
our Precious Saviour is!

HE is to be praised!
To be glorified.
To be honoured.
To be followed.

Try to get a time alone.
In the quiet.
Early in the morning is best.
Night-time will work too.

When the house is silent.
When the children sleep.

"Be still, and know that I am God..."
~ Psalm 46:10 ~


Ask Him.

It might help to have pen and paper handy.
Jot down things that you believe
MUST be accomplished on a daily basis.

Pray over that list.

Who is requiring
these things of you?

The LORD?
Is it a command from
HIS Word?

If so, obey.

If not, take stock.

Prayerfully consider what
is best for your family at this time.

"If any of you lack wisdom,
let him ask of God,
that giveth to all men liberally,
and upbraideth not;
and it shall be given him."
~ James 1:5 ~

Last year's model may not be a fit.
It may be time to...

Revamp.
Refresh.
Release.


And really Live!

All for HIM!
And for HIS Glory!

"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed,
do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God and the Father by him."
~ Colossians 3:17 ~

May the LORD bless you
as you seek to follow HIM
with all your heart.

In HIS Love,
Camille


**All photos in this post
courtesy of Calvin ~ Thanks so much! xo

Special Delivery

Birthday Roses...

Hand Delivered...

With Love...

Thank you Dad! xo

Day Unto Day

New Life.

S.P.R.I.N.G.

Each year it comes at its appointed time.
Ordered by God the Creator.

Each year it amazes us with its beauty.

"The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament sheweth his handiwork."
~ Psalm 19:1 ~

"Day unto day uttereth speech,
and night unto night sheweth knowledge."
~ Psalm 19:2 ~

"There is no speech nor language,
where their voice is not heard."
~ Psalm 19:3 ~

All the seasons declare the
GLORY of our Great God!
Praise HIM with all your being!

Blessings,
Camille

Sunrise at the Beach

We live near the beach.
We walk along the promenade for exercise.
What a blessing it is!
We do not know how long we will have this privilege.
Our times are in HIS hands.
I trust we do not take it for granted.

One morning in January we were there very early ~
Before the sunrise.
Calvin brought his camera along ~
He captured all these amazing shots!

A big thank you to our budding photographer
for letting me post these pictures!
Love you! xo

Deck the Halls!

Come on in!
Would you like a mug of hot cocoa
or hot apple cider?
Sit by the fire and I will
be right there. :)

I *love* candles ~
so warm and welcoming.
This candle is at the top of the stairs
as you enter our home.

The table candle ~
cheery and fun!

I just had to include a photo of the
upstairs bathroom ~
there are candles in there too.
Maybe I should tell you why.

My story about candles goes like this ~
A precious Aunt who has a *way* of making everything
beautiful, had us over to visit one evening long ago.

There were candles
E.V.E.R.Y.W.H.E.R.E.

It made such an impression on me!
I have not been the same ever since.
No matter how you decorate ~
fancy or simple...
Candles lit throughout the home will
make it very welcoming and cozy.

Enjoy these precious days as we remember the
Saviour's first coming.
HE is the Real Reason we celebrate!
I'm so glad you stopped by for a visit ~
come again soon!

Blessings,
Camille

Climbing the Walls

Recently, we had the opportunity to
go on a field trip with other local
homeschool families to an
indoor rock climbing gym.

What an experience!

The children were all harnessed properly
by *real* rock climbers
in *real* gear.

They were prepped on the
*how to's* and the
*do not's* ~
and then they were set loose to climb!
Each child that opted to climb higher than
12 feet was linked to an instructor
by a rope through their harness.

Would I like to see my boys,
or Emma, for that matter,
do this for real...out in the *wild*?

No.

But this *seemed* safe.
And it was Fun!

This Mum truly hopes with all her heart that
her children don't get bitten by this bug!

Here's Austin at the tippy top of one of the walls...
see the instructor waaay below holding the ropes?

Fraser at the top of the *beginner's* wall...
it was a gradual slope.

Calvin...going straight up!

Fraser *free-climbing*...
they were allowed to climb without the ropes
up to 12 feet off the floor.

This wall required a little muscle...
it sloped backward ~ Austin really had to grip with
his fingers and toes to climb it!

Emma getting a ride!

Fraser ~ smile for Mummy! :)

Emma repelling back down ~ Wheee!

A serious climber...

Austin and Calvin doing a little *free-climbing*...

Notice that there are no photos of me?
LOL!

I kept my feet firmly planted on the ground
and enjoyed it very much.

Thankful this Monday for many things ~
some of which are listed below.

#1001 to #1022 on my list of endless gifts...the list of endless thanks ~

~ Homeschool families to do fun outings with

~ That most of the things I worry about never come to pass

~ That the children get to do field trips together!

~ New experiences for our family

~ Reading "A Christmas Carol" by Dickens aloud to the children...
and them asking me to "please, read just a little bit more!"

~ Slowly, but surely, getting things done

~ Most of the family is better from our recent illness

~ Howie is no longer needing to be in bed (sickest he's been in years)!

~ Howie is gaining back the weight he lost...
he didn't need to lose any!

~ For dry and clear roads for our recent journey South for a
Christmas gathering with family

~ For the border guard waving us through without requiring us to pay duty

~ For cheaper gas to fill up just before coming back into Canada

~ For a day of rest

~ For sweet Soren
(my cousin's one year old baby boy...adorable)

~ That Soren reached for me and gave me a BIG hug...
wonderful!

~ Aunts and cousins and a Grandpa who value family times

~ Clear skies and fresh snow on the mountains

~ Getting to the bottom of the laundry pile

~ Getting to the bottom of the ironing pile

~ Sorting out clothes to give away

~ New clothes to put away

~ Provisions...God is so good!