A Better Way

About 10 years ago the group Downhere were just starting out and did a concert at our church. We were able to open our home to a couple of them and gave our youngest the choice whom he would have come stay at our house. At his young age he had quite an attraction to music and was already playing some guitar, so we were sure he'd ask the "guitar guys" to come. We were somewhat surprised when he said, "the drummer". But then again, he was born after a concert and I believe he was imitating kicking the drum pedal when he broke my water!

It was a pleasure to have Jeremy Thiessen (the drummer) and Cory Doak (guitarist, now on his own), come for night. We got to know a little about them, but one little boy truly took to heart a new love for drumming (he played on anything that he could find).

(Cory, Dustin, Jeremy)

But, this post is really about Downhere, a very... no very talented and sincere group of guys who spread God's love through their music. One of their songs, written by Jason Germaine, that has become another favourite of mine is called "A Better Way". So, if you get a chance to hear them, don't pass it up (though they live in Nashville now and unfortunately don't get to Canada often enough). Listen to the words...just beautiful. Oh, and notice how Jeremy improvises here in the studio.




With Easter upon us...I hope you know how much God loves you. I hope you realize what was sacrificed on your/our behalf. Truly, there could be no better way than what Christ did for us on Calvary's cross...he paid it all!

"Because You redeem, I know what's to come
Everything I could lose here, You've already won
So You have my surrender, with passion obey
"I love you" could not be said
A better way" (final verse)

GIVING HONOUR

Wanting somehow to express my love for my mom on this special day, a Mom who was always giving... I started writing a poem, but soon realized...I'm not a poet (at least not without spending a ridiculous amount of time trying :)

So...I called my sister who seems to be able to do so with little effort. I read to her the few words that I came up with and literally within one minute she put these words together...

Today is to honour A Lady of Faith
our Mother, Caregiver, and Hostess with grace

Your arms always wide open and not only for us,
but all those who came knocking in need of your touch

Whether a cup of coffee or a place to lay their head
no one was ever turned away from your homestead

You're the most generous person we all know
time has not changed you as the years did unfold

Today is your birthday to this we attest
With God as your stronghold, may you be richly blessed

Thanks for not giving up when the hard times did come
Your more than a number (79) You are the best MOM!

So, thanks Susanne for helping me with my thoughts. I know these few words hardly do justice to the woman who did the best she could with a family of 12... and then a few more...

Hope you have a precious birthday, Mom...and though Dad can't be here to celebrate with us, he's got the angels singing for you today!!

We love you,

Just when...

We're hanging on...

with the promise of spring,

almost beyond our imagination at this point.

The snow is melting...
the garden is covered in water.

I'm enjoying looking out and seeing rain drops (can't believe I said that)
and on the radio I hear...

"Winter Storm Watch"...WHAT?!!!

Please tell me this is April 1st!

A sweet cup of tea

Not so long ago I received a little package.

It was from a very special someone who had
no idea I wasn't feeling up to par,
but she thought of me and sent this ... how sweet!


I don't know about you, but I don't usually get packages
in the mail....especially ones that I haven't ordered!

The last time we visited them (which isn't often enough
due to the distance between us)
she took note of the fact that we shared a love for good tea.
The day before we left she decided we
really should see one more little place, and
introduced me to ...
STEEPS

She especially noticed my fondness for Rooibos tea,
and this place is loaded with every kind you can imagine!
Apparently there are only 4 locations in Canada,
and she's lucky enough to live near one of them.

So, I get this package including one of my favourites,
"Strawberries and Cream"
and a new one to try - "Blueberry Blitz"
which may well become a new favourite!

She also noticed dh loves radishes
so she sent him two special seed packets for us
to plant in the spring...he smiled!

Would you just look at those ... radish watermelon?!
Very intriguing...now, won't those look pretty
in a salad!

And the last thing she included...
besides a good handful of chocolates (most of which
were gone before I snapped these pictures :)

... was this recipe for cookies she had brought
to share with us the last time they visited.
They were absolutely delicious and I consumed
wayyyy more than I should have.



Thank you, Lori, for your sweet thoughtfulness.
I really shouldn't have been surprised,
because you're always thinking of others!

We are blessed to have you in our family!

Anti-Aging program

(I just realized none of my subtitles showed up on the video...
but you get the idea.. did you notice you can hide under couch
pillows?)

Thursday evenings are play night at our house.

When the mommy and daddy go have fun with the Youth...

the munschkins come to play... and keep Nana and Papa young!

Hide 'n seek has been declared a favorite sport at our house now...
good thing we know all the hiding places!

I think g'pa has the most fun... but we all reap the benefits!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Motivated Monday?

Not sure where to start today...there's so much I'd like to do, and
since I don't have wheels yet and it's too cold to walk anywhere...
well, you get the picture.

Every year I declare March 1st the launch date for spring cleaning....
however, it doesn't always happen that way!

I don't know why it's so difficult to tackle certain projects. Problem
is.... when I'm motivated.... I usually come up with an unrealistic list
of things to do. Today I'd like to bake AND begin spring cleaning.
In reality, I should know that just tackling my (our) bedroom closet
could potentially take the entire day! Maybe it's my way of avoiding
the undesirable once again! (I actually took a picture of my closet
and found it sure doesn't look that bad on film... so, didn't post it.)

But...the sun is shining and I feel like giving it my best shot. I usually
don't wake up feeling rested so it takes me a while to get started in
my day...but I'm determined today.

So, if you're walkin' by and hear the walls rattling, don't worry....
I've got the music cranked up good and loud and ... stuff is gonna fly!

So, what's your secret to sticking to it 'til it's done?

New wheels and memories

It seems the time has finally come to say farewell to our minivan... it just up and quit on us...well, actually the transmission 'broke'...and it's getting too old for any more surgery! We had been thinking it was time for something more suitable since we usually aren't transporting a large family any more. I've enjoyed our old minivan...it was roomy and comfortable and got us (and others) to where we needed to go for the last 9 years, including a number of longer trips...not to mention being used as a 'cargo' van moving people, bikes (can't forget Howardville), sound systems, and drums hither and yon. It could always be counted on.

Howardville (click on picture for larger view)

We may have a little difficulty agreeing on what our next wheels should look like... I've quite enjoyed the higher ride and never worrying if there'd be enough room for passengers and 'stuff'. Hubby, on the other hand, is thinking he'd like to have a car. Oh no... Sonshine just came to mind... how could we possibly do Sonshine again without a van! We're tenters, people...that means hauling a lot of camping stuff! Then again, maybe we're getting too old for the whole tenting scene (sigh) - fun, but a lot of work!

So, any good suggestions out there for us? The scary thing is, we just licensed our old family car...I mean OLD... Pontiac Parisienne for our son to get around with. It left our driveway for a few years while our oldest enjoyed it...but somehow found it's way back to our yard when he needed something better :) It's banged up, rusty, and falling apart ...but loved (by some)! I, on the other hand, would rather not be seen in it, but for now we'll have to get around somehow whilst on our search.

So, if you see a BIG red boat sailing down the road with a little lady in it (seemingly little as she crouches down low - actually the seats are practically on the ground!)...be sure to wave! I'm just making a few more memories!!

Make mine chocolate!

Well...I thought if nothing else, I could post about the wonderful

chocolate dessert I made for Valentine's dinner.
Yes, we stayed home since I wasn't up to much....
but also, everything was booked here in our little city!
I had planned all along to make a nice candlelight dinner
for the three of us - but alas, my man tried once more to see if
he could take me out...
somehow incessant coughing fits and 'romantic dinner out'
don't go well together.
So...we whipped up some Indian butter chicken and brown rice,
some herbed bread and salad - it was wonderful....
but the best part was... these...

Individual German chocolate cakes

They were delicious and I will definitely make them again.
They look like a bit of work, but really not at all - well worth any effort!
I found the recipe a while back on a website for flour....
at the moment, the name escapes me...
but the recipe doesn't - I'll post it in the kitchen !

Oh, another bonus...they taste even better on day two...
I won't tell you how many I ate!

Running on empty - time to reflect

As I sit here convalescing, it came to me how this might be something I needed to go through... in fact, maybe it's good for me! Before you think I'm crazy or I think I'm losing it myself, I better continue. I have been busy 'doing' for so long that I guess my body needed a break... ok, it's more like a 'crash'. I rarely get this sick and I have no choice but to lay low right now. I sure do miss seeing some special little people, but it certainly has given time for reflection... always a good thing.

I wonder....do we sometimes allow things to creep up on us in our spiritual lives? We go and go, keeping busy with all sorts of 'good' things... but perhaps neglecting our spiritual nourishment and quiet rest with God ...running on empty. We need to stay connected to our life-sustainer - our tank-filler! Our creator longs to know us in a personal way... too often we only give Him what's left of our time. If we'd only realize how much we gain from getting to know Him more intimately... how our lives and relationships would benefit and perspectives would likely change.

I'm ashamed to admit that I have been neglecting my quiet times, I mean...the alone time with God where it's just He and I. The times when He hears my heart...not just my prayers... where I get to learn what brings Him joy and what saddens Him. There will always be good things to keep busy with... but more importantly, we need to be filled and that takes a different kind of doing... do it with purpose! Thinking back to when my husband and I were dating - I wanted to spend every minute possible with him and our times together always ended too soon. There wasn't much I wouldn't have done for him and I would have been pretty put off if there was no effort made on his part... if he was content just knowing me...

There is yet another component to this... there are/will be times where we need to be the one helping and doing, even if we don't feel we have it to give, or our own health may suffer for it. However, there is one thing I am confident of... God understands and He will be our sustenance ...we can trust Him to bring us through... so don't grow weary.

"And let us not grow wear while doing good,
for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Therefore, as we have opportunity,
let us do good to all,
especially to those who are of the household of faith." Gal. 6:9, 10

Now... there's another relationship I'm thinking about right now...one that deserves more than what's left over. This being Valentine's week I encourage all you ladies (it is only ladies that read this, right?) to love your special people with all you've got. Talking to my niece only minutes ago about Valentine's plans she said to me, "We celebrate our love every day". If she could have seen the smile she brought to my face!

We are never guaranteed how much time we'll have together, so make it count. Showing love doesn't have to cost money, but should cost you something... your undivided attention for starters. Go for it - get creative - make your someone feel special!

Thank you, God, for giving me this time to reflect! I would, however, love to feel a little better for my Valentine :)

Feelin' a little waterlogged

(a sampling of what I've been drinking a lot of lately)

I've had this terrible sore throat and cough (don't they go hand in hand?) since Saturday.
As soon as the symptoms started (although I wasn't home at the time)... ok, as soon as I got home, I made myself some tea and kept my mug filled. I'm a believer in drinking lots of fluids to flush out those nasty bugs. Well, I've been doing my part... but don't seem to get relief. I've since lost my voice and communicating has become a little challenging right now, not to mention I'm exhausted from lack of sleep (4 hours tops at night - between coughing, throat too sore to swallow, and getting up to, well, you know... get rid of the tea!).

Right now I'm drinking some tea made with a good chunk of ginger and 1 tsp honey.... very soothing, hopefully it helps keep the tickle away, but I was thinking... and maybe I'll be sorry for asking...but there must be some good home remedies out there.

Please do share... I really need to sleep!

p.s. the chicken noodle soup is on

More than a glimpse

Show Me Your Glory

I caught a glimpse of Your splendor
In the corner of my eye
The most beautiful thing I've ever seen
And it was like a flash of lightning
Reflected off the sky
And I know I'll never be the same

Show me Your glory
Send down Your presence
I want to see Your face
Show me Your glory
Majesty shines about You
I can't go on without You, Lord

When I climb down the mountain
And get back to my life
I won't settle for ordinary things
I'm gonna follow You forever
And for all of my days
I won't rest 'til I see You again

Show me Your glory
Show me Your glory
I can't live without You

~ Third Day ~

This is the song that actually inspired my blog name (back then it was 'ours') and seemed to constantly come to mind then. I remember singing these words as I reflected on the joy of being a Nana and having the privilege to share in loving and nurturing God's most precious creation! At the same time I realized how immeasurably more that joy will be when we stand in His presence and behold His majesty! There will be no mortal words to describe it!!

This song once again plays over in my mind since Dad left us. I know he prayed in earnest to meet his redeemer, longing to be absent from his body and free from pain. I imagine now, as my mind relentlessly plays back the images of those last moments - him gasping at the sight of Jesus holding out His hand and saying, "Come to me, my son...I'm taking all your burdens now - don't be afraid!

I don't know when my heart will stop aching, but I'm thankful Dad is experiencing more than just a glimpse...he's beholding unfathomable glory!

Little angels, "Big Grandpa"

It's very late (actually it's early tomorrow) and I should be in bed, but I'm not able to settle my thoughts in order to allow sleep to come...so I'll just try to put down some words.

I had wanted to talk about our little angels since we recently learned that our littlest unborn grandchild needed to go meet Jesus and play with his/her cousins. I just didn't know how to put my thoughts into words (and still don't) and so I put it off. What I do know is it's heartbreaking to watch your children go through such pain...and you pray more than ever for God to bring comfort. My niece commented, "Heaven seems a little closer when a child goes home early". How true.

What I didn't know then was that today would be the day that my Dad would finally be able to meet those little angels. Although we all knew it could be soon, I wasn't quite prepared for this day. I had hoped we'd have time to gather around him as his children, to tell him one last time how much we loved him. I am thankful that I was here and could be with him as he was drawing his last breaths, but it was so painful knowing I couldn't do any more for him. As I desperately tried to help him and get a response from him, I also knew that this was the day he was waiting for. He so longed to be out of the body that was causing him so much pain. He prayed for Jesus to take him home. Now he's there, and it's somehow a comfort knowing our little ones were there to welcome him, unafraid. I say that because our oldest grandchild was sometimes a little afraid of "Big Grandpa". He looked a little 'worn' and wasn't able to get up and play as his other grandpa could...but he would have given anything to be able to, and he so loved the little ones!

I'll just leave you with one of the very few more recent pictures I have of my dad. You can't see them here because they're full of pain, but he had the most striking baby blue eyes!!

Love you and miss you so much already, Dad!! Thanks for taking care of our little angels.

something has to give

I think there may be a few of you who might relate a little with this post. I came home from grocery shopping the other day only to find that there was no room in my fridge. Oh I managed to get a jug of milk in but soon realized I needed to do some serious cleaning before I could even put away my groceries.

Here's what didn't make the cut:
~ left-over donut glaze (couldn't remember when I last made donuts)
~ 1/2 jar of salsa (ever throw something out just because you didn't want to taste and make sure?)
~ a mushy pepper
~ out-dated yogurt (let's just say I've switched loyalties in yogurt)
~ a sandwich bag with a variety of stale cubed cheese (left-overs from a Christmas party)
~ shriveled cranberries (I meant to make one more yummy recipe with these)
~ 3 overly soft apples
~ 1/2 lemon (it was the wrong colour for a lemon)

Wait! There's more...these next items weren't bad at all...just couldn't see a reason to let them take up space anymore:
~ coleslaw dressing (purchased for those rare occasions when I make coleslaw - from now on I'll make my own)
~ raspberry vinaigrette (another item bought for trying a new recipe - poor reviews)
~ 2 opened bottles of Worcestershire sauce (I tried to combine them, but this particular lid is not combiner-friendly)
~ almost empty bottle of Olive Oil Sundried Tomato dressing (yummy, but not enough for one more salad)
~ empty ketchup bottle (but it was a nice size)
~ a beautiful jar of jalapeno jelly (I discovered purchased doesn't hold a candle to homemade)
~ 4 varieties of mustard (the family really didn't take well to these)

So, now I'm ahead of my chores for today - have a nice clean fridge with no surprises (for now!)

Oh, and the jalapeno jelly - the flavour was ok, but it was thick as paste. A good jelly's gotta melt in your mouth - shouldn't have to chew it! Do you understand now? The jar was really cute though (it didn't go into recycling) and you gotta give it points for colour!



The recycling boys are gonna love me this week!

All things good

This post is a little late in coming since we had guests and blogging

wasn't a priority....you understand I'm sure.

Hard to believe Christmas is now past and other than having eaten

way too much good food, we're trying to get back into a routine....
like going to bed at a decent hour again :)
Our house guests have all come and gone... everyone arrived back
to their homes safe and sound. Thank you Lord for journey mercies!!

We tried something new this year... the kids stayed overnight Christmas Eve
(we found room for everyone), and so far the reviews are good!
The babies went down without complaint while the "bigger boys"
decided to make the fun last until well into Christmas morning.

It was fun waking to the sound of happy little ones and
watching them wander around in their pj's, excited to be
at Nana & Papa's still,
surrounded by aunties and uncles, getting their fill of all things good.

Christmas morning brunch was definitely a hit, although
the wonderful smells made it difficult for some of us to wait
until all the goodness was ready!
Liane surprised us with her bruschetta

(here's the recipe)...
and, I almost didn't serve the cranberry scones I made since
they took longer to bake than I realized...but oh my
they were worth waiting for! I'll share that recipe soon.

We enjoyed the various gatherings and visits from out-of-town
friends and family members...played a few new games,
and discovered that watching men do hula hoops is very therapeutic!

Seriously, it was good to see some faces we rarely get to see,
to meet the newest and cutest little grand niece,
and to witness the work of God's hand in people's lives.

Thank you God for blessings more than we deserve, and for allowing
us to see just a glimpse of your handiwork and answers to
the littlest and greatest of prayers :) Thank you for hope!

Wishing you all a wonderful and blessed 2009!!

It's Time!

Ok....sorry for making you wait, but we

were having such a wonderful Christmas Eve,
which we didn't want to end....

Sooo...I decided to make the draw this morning.

One little helper was more than eager to assist,
so, you all have him to thank!!

The first winner is... drum roll please

isn't my little helper just too cute..
don't mind he's still in his pj's
Oh right...he says pj's are too hot!
(sorry, he's not available!!!!)

Ok...on with it - the first winner is...

LINDSEY!

Lindsey...you've won the rice cooker, which will be hand delivered
to you this week, since I happen to know some very special
people who are coming up your way today!!
(but you can't keep them either)

And...our next winner will be...

DIANA!

AND... since this was so much fun,
I decided to draw one more name...

da-da-de-dummmm

BRENDA!

Diana and Brenda, you've both won a cookbook
and some PC tools, which includes
a mini spatula and mini whipper and either
a silicone basting brush or a skinny scraper
Contact me with your choices and I'll get those out to you.
(email address is in my profile)

So, thanks to everyone who entered my contest...I think I'll
have to do this again!
I enjoyed hearing about your brunch favourites and
look forward to telling you what we actually had!

Merry Christmas!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

We'll be back later to announce the PC winners ;)

Goodbyes and Giveaways

First of all, there are some old friends we need to say farewell to...

They've been residing here for many years
and it's now time to send them on to a new home.

Maybe some little one will be more than happy to take them in,
for they've been good here - made many a little one happy!

Hope we don't miss them too much...

Here they are...all cleaned up and ready to go
Thanks for the memories!



Now in the spirit of giving....
I want to give away a few Pampered Chef products.
I love my Pampered Chef....ALL of it, I do!
And, since my time of selling it is coming to an end,
and my house is feeling smaller all the time...
I have some stock to give away!


First, a rice cooker


...now I haven't actually
used mine to cook rice yet, but those who bought it for it's intended use,
say it's wonderful.... ME? I make a pretty
awesome chocolate macadamia cake in it!
What can I say...I love chocolate!


The second is one cookbook (4 for you to choose from)
along with some of my favourite PC tools
(my choice...but will include a mini whipper
and mini serving spatula - two must-haves)



Now...all you have to do to enter is tell me....

What would be a must-have on your
Christmas morn brunch menu?

Come on now...I'm looking to add something new and wonderful
to our Christmas morning brunch.

I'll announce the winners on Christmas Eve!

Happy Birthday Smiley!!

Well, December brings with it a few birthdays in our family.

It wasn't necessarily our plan, but nonetheless,
three...yes...three
of our children arrived in the snowy winter.

Today, the one everyone called 'smiley'
gets her turn to celebrate.

Having birthdays at Christmastime
can be a bit challenging.
20 years ago, I forgot this very important day!
With the hustle and bustle of the season
we skipped right on by the 20th....but not today!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEATHER


May God bless you and your little family
and may you always have a smile
and warm heart to share :)

We Love You,
Mom & Dad

Message for a Sweetheart!

We've been so blessed with our extended "little" family (the grandkiddies),
and TODAY, the littlest of our princesses turns ONE!!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY JILLI !


And what a sweetheart she is...always ready with a smile and a
BIG WET KISS!!

We got to celebrate yesterday since her mommy and daddy are busy
hosting a Youth Christmas Party tonight....so that means...
we get to have the little ones all to ourselves ~ YES!!

Hope you've remembered to count your blessings.

Nana & Papa

So Confusing!

Ok...have to appologize...my computer has been down - 

it's been acting up for a while and we're working on some issues....and,

though I've finally figured out how to get into my blogger account,

the setup is all off!

Anyone else have a love/hate relationship with their PC??

However, it won't stop me from

SOON posting with that giveaway - so stay tuned!