A Picture Paints a Thousand Words...

I don't know that this photo represents a thousand words, but certainly many thoughts. I snapped this picture on our recent visit to the wave pool in Canada. This young pregnant mom, dressed in the full burqa of the Muslim faith, was playing with her two toddlers in the water. Watching her with her children brought many conflicting thoughts to my mind. In so many ways she was a young mom enjoying her children much like my own daughters or daughter-in-law; at the same time I felt sadness for the life of bondage that she is entrapped in; and I felt fear for the world that has embraced this religion and for the impact it will surely have on my children and grandchildren. I can only pray for her and the many more like her, that they will know the truth.

"and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8:32

More Canada Photos...

I didn't do too much picture taking on our recent trip to Canada. I guess we were busy visiting and doing projects, but here are a few photos:

 Feeding the ducks at the lake.

 The wave pool is one of our regular excursions when we go to visit my parents. It is an indoor pool with a "beach" and waves. It also has 2 long twisty waterslides, a lagoon and water play structure. Here Naomi has just been washed onto shore by the waves!

Enjoying the play structure.

 Dinner with my brother and his family.

My Uncle Henry, who lives in a care home due to a stroke he suffered 2 years ago.

Naomi and Grandma

The new Canadian $20 bill. It is made of a plastic material with a clear strip on the right side which is imbedded with holographic images. Eventually all their bills will be of this same material. Canada has also recently done away with the penny!

A very distinguished gentleman who happens to be my dad! =)

Airports...

On our recent trip to Canada, Lucas, Naomi and I had to hang out in the Seattle airport for quite a few hours. Here are some pictures to show how exciting it was!

I'll try to get up some photos from out time in Canada soon. (It was much more exciting!)

Naomi was literally "hanging out" here!

Seattle's overcast skies!

These are a couple of full size aircraft hanging overhead.

Birthday Dinner...

It was Angela's birthday just over a week ago and that was a good excuse to have everyone over for dinner & dessert. Here are a few photos from the evening:

We had a salad bar buffet with several kinds of homemade bread - Yumm!

This little guy was enjoying his dinner!

Jessica, Timothy & Baby B.

Cousins playing!

Looks like the party is over for this little guy!

The birthday girl enjoying cheesecake with her hubby!

The Wedding Chain...

We have a tradition in our family, at least I think it could be considered a tradition as this is the fourth time it has happened. When one of the kids has gotten engaged, Naomi has made a paper chain to count down the days until the wedding. The soon-to-be bride or groom gets to tear a link off each day and we all watch the chain grow shorter. This visual reminder has the ability to create joy (look how few days are left!) or anxiety (look how much we have left to do in so few days!) or discouragement ( look how looong it still is!), all depending on who is looking at it.

This tradition was born out of a practice we used with the children when they were younger and they were anticipating a big event, like a birthday or vacation, but didn't yet have a very good concept of days or weeks or months. The count down chain gave them a visual calendar of "how long" it was until the special day. So of course when Melody got engaged 4 1/2 years ago and Naomi was to be a flower girl, that was definitely an occasion for a count down chain! Thus the tradition of the wedding chain was begun. Naomi, now 10 is quite proficient at using calendars, but she still eagerly made a chain when Timothy announced his wedding date. This time she even made a matching chain for Jessica to count down at her house. We tease them, that if someone accidentally forgets to tear off a link, they may not both show up for the wedding on the same day =D

Someday I expect Naomi will be making a chain for her own wedding, and I will be the one sadly watching each link disappear!

Thirty Two Years Ago ...

Thirty two years ago today, I gave birth to my first child. She was so tiny and perfect; I had no idea that sweet, tiny little baby would grow to be such a beautiful, devoted daughter and a dear friend. We struggled through all those "firsts" together, as is the fate of all first-born children. She was stubborn, independent and tenacious, and while all those adjectives still describe her character, today she applies them with grace and wisdom. She is devoted to her husband, family and friends. She was born to organize, and there is no finer seamstress. Above all she lives to know and serve God.

In a few short months she will welcome her own first-born into the world. I pray that she will be as blessed as I have been.

Today is a reminder to me of how blessed I am!

Happy Birthday, Angela!

Sure Signs of Spring!

There are lots of signs of Spring as I look into our backyard...

The quince is in bloom...

A clump of daffodils have opened...

The plum tree is in flower...

And the garden beds are getting rototilled!