Deas 2016.

Our annual gathering at Deas Island for lots of fresh air and fun was Saturday. Games and volleyball and tug o' war and good food and fellowship all happened at this cute, idyllic little spot.

Wild Life.

Some local wildlife on our morning walk yesterday. 

 

And some wildlife right here, yesterday afternoon, in our own back yard. 

Irreplaceable Loss.

Interesting how sometimes experiences are sent your way, causing you to suddenly complain less and appreciate more.

Lately all of our kitchen appliances have been showing signs of wear and tear, breaking down bit by bit, with the microwave finally giving out a couple of weeks ago. Yes, I've been frustrated. And bemoaning the timing - that replacements had to be purchased right on the tail of planning a summer vacation AND deciding on braces. Then this week I received a text early Wednesday morning, asking that I be present at work for an important staff meeting at 8:00am. 

It was a shocking announcement. A co-worker has passed away unexpectedly, only hours before. She had taught my oldest Science last year, and was currently teaching my youngest. She had just turned 50 years old. Numb at the news, we strove to hold it together for the many students so affected by her sudden absence. But it was a hard, hard day. We lost a great friend and a gifted colleague. Our students lost a teacher with a willing and loving heart, who worked daily to make them better young men and women. 

School Administration dealt with the situation so sensitively and graciously. They postponed classes where possible, and opened counselling rooms in each school building. They allowed students to gather in the teacher's classroom, where they could pause and remember, visit and grieve. Together, staff and students hugged and shared, wept and prayed.

While our school has suffered a great loss, it does not compare to that of the family. Their loss is irreplaceable. A widowed husband. Two motherless sons, one of whom will surely miss having his mom stand by his side next month, when he graduates from Grade 12. Heartbreaking.

Today, the family's words, in the midst of such grief and pain, were these:

"We are trusting God who works all things for good. He is compassionate and merciful.”

So today, I'm truly thankful for everything I have. Firstly, for my Heavenly Father, Whose compassions are new every morning. On both good days and bad. For my husband, my kids, my home. For my friends. For my job, and the amazing staff I am blessed to work with every day. For all the big things, and the little things too.

Even thankful for those half-broken appliances.

My Blogging Bandwagon.

And so it goes. I have, once again, fallen off my blogging bandwagon. Without resorting to a woeful lament about how my life has too much insane busyness, here's a photo update of what's been happening around here.

 

One sunny day last week, this little lady, who believes in having want she wants yesterday, was driven by desire to weed the pool pad and prep it for this years installation. 

 

We welcomed from afar our newest grandson, Nathan Curtis, on May 4th. (photo creds go to Ally)

Made some trendy cupcakes on Baking Wednesday with this dude... that may actually convince anyone to become a Starbucks fan! Although by the looks of it, I haven't convinced him yet!

Finally got the pool up and filled a couple of days ago. Figured it was time for a special someone to change their relentless tune!

Enjoyed gym night with a somewhat smaller group of Bible Hour kids last night, but no less fun, and some very competitive floor hockey rallies!!

And this morning, despite the mayhem that is my life, we get to enjoy these cute little people for the day. Choo-choo trains and painted nails... that's how it rolls around here with these two!

The Brace Age.

A recent diagnosis from our dentist mandated a detour to the orthodontist for us. One has some serious overbite troubles, the other has a few stubborn baby teeth that are causing her adult teeth to wander astray. Yikes. So... decision was made. Get 'em done. 

Here they are, bedded side by side, encountering yet another one of life's experiences. Together.

It was a rough few days at first, but now that it's been almost a week, I think the initial discomfort has subsided. Some dietary changes generated a few negative responses, but overall, they"re surviving.

 

One week in. Only seventy-seven more to go. Alana is counting down the days, actually. Apparently there's an app for that. Who knew?!

Earth Day.

Yesterday was officially acclaimed Earth Day. We celebrated it at school as Creation Day, with all things color and flowers, planted in beds and pots and boxes across our campus. Now, along with the loaded cherry blossoms and snow-capped mountains, this serves as a constant reminder of the One Who brought creation itself into existence.

 

And yesterday, my morning devotion was from Romans 1:20.

"For ever since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen; being understood through His workmanship (all His creation, the wonderful things that He has made); so that they (who fail to believe and trust in Him) are without excuse and without defense." (AMP)

Without excuse. Without defense.

No excuse for the apatheist. None for the agnostic. None for the atheist. 

No excuse, even, for the christian. Am I trusting in my God and His eternal power? Am I daily depending on Him to guide and provide for me? Do I tell others about Him and His saving power?

His existence cannot be denied. If it is, we will be left defenseless.

My Girl.

Annual school talent show. Stage performances. Two things I would have undoubtedly fled from at her age. Not her. She formed a little singing trio with a couple of friends. Practiced, practiced, practiced. Then they got up there. Did their thing. And it sounded amazing too. 

So proud of her. And them. They placed in the top five. Out of some 400 or so students. Wow.

I think it goes without saying that she gets her theatrical talent from her father.

Photos credits on this gem go to Cristy Thomas. 

Who Wants to Tray Bake?

I know, I know. With less than eleven weeks until we leave for our trip, tray-bakes is surely the last thing I should be thinking about.

But some of these recipes at TrayBakesAndMore are tantalizingly tasty, I'll guarantee you that. And I also grew up on many of them, so I favour preserving the memory here, in place of diets. For now, anyways!

Check out these tempting little bites of deliciousness. And go ahead and make some. You'll thank me. Disclaimer on the weight gain.

Saturday Smorgasbord.

Saturdays always seem to be days filled with mandatory chores. Ain't that a fact. But the fabulous weather... sorry to refer to that again, chilly, back-east folks... had us outside for most of the day, including morning coffee.

Yes, we have the patio furniture set up already. Unfortunately we have not yet hung the bug curtain on the back door, so some stray flies have joined us indoors. Much to Bella's chagrin. Stung by a bee a couple of summers ago, she remains quite terrified of all manner of flying, buzzing insects!

Drove by the new building construction site. Trusses are up!

A visit from the newest grandbaby came late in the afternoon, then we took off to meet friends for some fresh air and fish n' chips at the beach.

These two together... a sure guarantee you'll have a lively evening. 

And sometimes I simply ask no questions. Because I doubt I'd understand neither answer nor intent. 

 

Always happy to hang out with this friend!

And some of the most beautiful sunsets happen right here, at Whiterock Pier.

Mid-Week Update.

Just home from work. Walked the short 15-minute stroll in the warm sunshine. And I even sweated a little, despite the light cardigan I was wearing. Oh how I love springtime in Vancouver! Especially when many of my friends in other parts of this True North are still wearing toques and parkas, and/or shovelling snow. Brrr. Sorry about that, folks, and for rubbing it in... by the way, I even got a sunburn last Friday. West Coast living is divine!

So, here I am now, plunked on the couch, feet up, and Miss A is slogging away in the kitchen making dinner. Well, sort of. But good reason right there for a quick blog post. So here goes. 

Early morning walks are dreadfully pleasant these days. Birds are singing, blossoms are blooming. 

New building construction is coming along and making us all rather giddy and excited. 

Celebrated this little dude turning 2. In real life, he is even more adorable than this photo shows. Honestly.

Oohed and ahead over this pretty little 3-month old at a shower in her honour.

And still baking with this guy, every Wednesday.