Signs of Autumn

This week one of my children said "I smell fall!" and the others agreed. We have definitely seen some signs that summer is coming to a close. The temperature this morning when I got up to have some quiet time and coffee with Bob was a crisp 13 degrees Celsius and tonight it is getting even cooler!

I love, love, love this time of year! It makes me want to bake lots and lots of pumpkin bread and apple cakes or muffins. I also love slowly getting out a sweater or two, just to have handy for those chilly nights or early mornings.

I'm sure summer is not quite over yet, but I am enjoying these early signs that fall is on its way!

Our first trip to the apple farm with our Christine...

Emma has already made two apple pies for the freezer and has plans for more! We look forward to having warm, delicious pie in the cold of winter!

Blessings!

School Time

Today was our first day of the new school year! I have not been prepared for this year AT ALL! It just seems different. I have one starting high school and one starting junior kindergarten, plus three in between. We haven't had extra funds for buying our usual books and curricula. Planning has come in bits and spurts. I told Bob a few days ago that I do not know why this year is so different, that I just cannot put my finger on it. I have been a little stressed, as I know myself and that things get accomplished much better and more often when I have a plan.

So, I have continued to pray and commit this year to the Lord and am just going with the flow. The younger ones have our beloved Five In A Row plus a few leftover workbooks for math and phonics. I am also doing a composer study as well as an artist study with all five of the children together this year. And I do have a plan for Emma, although I still need to make one big purchase for her history curriculum.

Today was a good start and I trust that the Lord will direct our steps, one day at a time.

Blessings in Jesus!

Birthday Girl!

Emma will turn turn 14 this coming weekend, but because we have a wedding that we are involved in, we celebrated her a week early!




She isn't sure but she thinks this gift means a cell phone!?! What!?!





The recipe for the phenomenal cake can be found in Molly Wizenberg's A Homemade Life.



We also went to the absolutely adorable Ramona and Beezus! Then to the lake...

See the faint colours?



We held off for awhile, but she is now the proud owner of a cell phone!
We love you, beautiful girl! Happy 14th Birthday just a bit early!

Many blessings.

Summer Fun

This is from last week. We had a fun playdate with friends. The boys had recently been to a fishing derby and are VERY into fishing now, so we decided to go with our friends the Maretzki's, plus Christine and Jessie. It was a beautiful day for a picnic and being by the water!












Many blessings!

Josh and Nina Day!

What a joy it was to celebrate the wedding of our beautiful friends Josh and Nina today! The Father gave us a wonderful day (no rain!) for a lovely outdoor ceremony at the beautiful Liuna Gardens. The ceremony was precious and the entire celebration was absolutely centered on Christ. Nina and Josh are so dear to our family and it was very special to have our children there to join in the party!


















As you can see, we it was quite the party!

Josh and Nina, we love you guys and know that God is going to bless your marriage in incredible ways. Stay anchored in Him, fall in love with Him and each other more every day, and we look forward to continuing to walk this Kingdom journey with you! XOXO

Many blessings!

How He Loves Us!!!!

Crankin' up the volume this morning!



May His love blow you away today!

Summer Morning

We're trying to squeeze the last bit of wonderful-ness out of summer and this is how we spent our time this morning!

Be blessed!