Fall Days.

The days of Fall are flying by, but I've managed to snap a few mini-moments.

Raking up the leaves and rolling around in them still provides plenty of fun for these two pre-teens.

Girlies loved having the "Big Sister" come from PEI for a visit. For five days she showered them with undivided attention and endless patience. And gifts galore.

Now they're going through withdrawal.

Got to see lots of this little darling over the Thanksgiving weekend. She's growing up fast.

Love her... and her lively little personality!

Been cooking up lots of soups... the comfort food that is Fall. Stole this one from the Pioneer Woman... stole her photo too. Cauliflower soup. Go on her site and make a pot.

You'll thank me for sharing.

Miss Her.

Too many miles separate us. So does the time difference and her bed schedule.

Oh how I wish you lived closer, Miss Beautiful Blue Eyes.

Candy Pizza.

When you live in our house, having a sweet tooth is a part of the DNA, so candy pizza should really come as no surprise.

Miss Lannie had fun preparing (and eating) this lovely concoction.

Busy little fingers adding some "green peppers" and "pepperoni".

Chocolate chip "olives" complete the deal.

Very proud of her handiwork. Eh... me too. Proud.

The Tree of Life.

Been reading about the "overcomers" in Revelation. Translated the "ones who conquer", in the ESV. In the first letter, to Ephesus, the promise to the overcomer, "... I will give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God."

Genesis 2:9 has the first mention of the tree of life. It was centrally located in the garden of Eden, and would likely have been one of the trees from which Adam and Eve freely took and ate. Its fruit may even have been part of their daily diet, as we know from Genesis 3:22 that it gave them a special quality of life (... they take of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever). Revelation 22 tells us that this tree also has the ability to bear 12 different kinds of fruit, with a fresh bounty very month! Could you imagine? Daily food from the tree of life, daily communion with the Creator... life for man in the Garden of Eden was perfection.

Then sin came. One act of disobedience by Adam brought immediate separation between God and mankind. That tree of life, once so accessible, was now out of reach. Protected by heavenly beings. Guarded with a flaming sword.

So how, then, can this tree of life be promised again in Revelation?

It is reserved for the overcomers. For those who have obeyed the word of God. Turned from their sin and trusted the One who died for them. And, against all evil, have committed to live for Christ. In total devotion to Him.

This tree of life is located in heaven, in the centre of God's paradise. Laden with a dozen types of fruit, ripe and ready for those who are faithful to Him.

I want to be that overcomer.

You're Invited!

We all like to receive invitations, don't we... to a baby shower, a wedding, a birthday party. All of those invitations, however, mandate the purchase and contribution of a gift. Or sometimes cash.

Here is a personal invitation you won't want to miss! Come hear a message about a Saviour who can change your life! Nothing to pay, nothing to bring... eternal life is the free gift of God for you!

School's Back.

Summer livin' was sure good this year, and I loved havin' my kiddies home with me. But today this shouts out my sentiments, exactly.

 

My Thoughts. My Life.

Do you ever surf on Pinterest? Definitely a place where you can unknowingly waste endless hours of time. Uh-huh. And um, yeah... I admit to spending a little more than my fair share of summer vacation, eh... pinteresting.

Wanted to share this, though. Browsing the latest pins last week, I came across...

A modern-day phrase, with a catching choice of words, obviously written with the intention of inspiring you to assume the power of positive thinking.

Scrolling on, a few pages later, I came across a direct quote from the Bible (NCV).

Interestingly enough, the two immediately drew an amazing parallel. I paused briefly when I read the initial pin, then casually passed over it. But the challenge from Proverbs 4:23 stopped me in my tracks. One, the words of a mere man. The other, the inspired word of God.

Only a fool will choose to ignore what God has to say.

My thoughts. How've they been? Hmm. Have I been careful and guarded with my thinking? In those quiet moments are my thoughts clean and pure? Or do I harbour bitterness? Anger? Because God says all this will affect my behaviour.

The wicked man thinks with pride in his heart, and has absolutely no room in his thoughts for God (Psalm 10:4) But the devoted christian will mirror Philippians 4:8, "...whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report... think on these things."

@Menchies.

Yesterday was date day with Miss Lannie. We dined at the latest and greatest in frozen yogurt hang-outs. Where you pour and scoop your own concoction. Then they weigh, and you pay.

  

I love this girl. Love our bonding times together. Glad we make the time to talk. Catch up. Share. Solve all the world's problems. ;) Of course, there's usually a little counselling-from-mama thrown into the conversation at some point, too!

She's growing up. Have to pinch myself sometimes when I realize just how much, and how fast. At the beginning of summer she was a mere ONE inch shorter than me in height. I haven't succumbed to the end-of-summer measurement yet, and I'm not sure if I even want to keep you posted on that!

She's much smarter than I was at her age, although I've yet to admit that to her. Actually, it's probably a good idea to hold off on that piece of information. Until it becomes obvious, at least. Which might just be sooner than I think.

She can be impatient. Notions that spring into her little head demand to be accomplished without delay. Well, I guess on that one, the apple doesn't fall very far from the tree.

She's analytical. Always wanting to know more than she should. Questioning all the whys and the wherefores. Which makes her quite confident when it comes to drawing her own conclusions.

She's funny. Sarcastic for the most part, but I guess the majority relate to that type of humour. She drops random lines out of no-where that crack me up. She's pretty up on the latest slang, and will remind me it's bestie not friend, nice ride not nice car. And peace out, definitely not cheerio.

She's stubborn. Same apple same tree, unfortunately, although I'd take the liberty of saying I'm the softer Gala type and she's the Granny Smith. When she was a toddler, I read and re-read Dobson on "The Strong-Willed Child". Probably worried and fretted more than I should have, but you can never correct or rein-in too much. That stubborn streak will always be a part of her personality, yet it's different from a few years ago. Maybe a little more cultivated. Oh, she's still opinionated, yes, but she's learning to listen, and respect the choices of others. Just don't count on her always agreeing with you!

She has a big heart. Loves little people. It delights me to watch her being so kind and gentle with them. Definitely a lot of inbred maternal instincts going on there.

She talks a lot about growing up. As in... learning to drive, where she'll go when she graduates, what she'll do eventually. Like all 12-year-olds, she can't get there fast enough. I know the teen years will come and go far too quickly, so I just want to savour my moments with her. Enjoy her being the blessing that she is. Watch her grow. Help her make wise choices.

Pray for her every single day. And entrust the rest to the Lord, to work His will in her life.

Water Crazies.

It's been hot. Tres chaud. No complainin' from moi, though. And since the kids were not permitted to file complaints either, they had to become creative with ways to stay cool.

The kind neighbours loaned us their pool. A kiddie one. From several years ago. Dug out from the deep recesses of their garden shed, and hauled up-street to our backyard. Filled with a little bit of eau froide... and five little girlies had so much fun in that thing!

 

They came up with some funky hair and water tricks.

 

One quick demonstration... and they were all into it.

 

 

 My two even proved their sisterly amour with their synchronized heart-shaped design.

 

While Miss Bella stayed cool sans the water antics, watching from the sidelines in the shade.

Chiot mignon.

Deck Breakfast.

Possibly the only time I ever really eat breakfast. During the summer. What I mean by breakfast, of course, is from-scratch, cooked-up, sit-down-and-eat-it type of dining. As opposed to grabbing a bar with my coffee on the run, and flying out the door to work.

So here's the evidence. First meal of the day. On the backyard patio. Which would it be for you? The traditional waffle with strawberries and cream, or one loaded with bananas and caramel?