Abby's snowman declares victory in the front yard.

Snow Day

Schoolwork can wait. The teacher just called for a morning holiday.

The older one becomes, the more one understands how little power or control we have over life, circumstances and relationships, and so the understanding of fighting and scrambling for the things of this world, the seeking to make life tame its raging storms, the shaking the fist at heaven, becomes futile to one who is focusing more on eternity.

The gift of aging is humility and gentleness and patience: humility, because of a realization of how finite we are and how much we need and depend on God’s grace for our very life; gentleness, because we are ourselves in such need of gentle compassion and love from others in our own frailty; and patience, because we have learned that nothing happens on our time schedule, but that in the end God is good.

- Sally Clarkson

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Hiking (With Abby Behind The Camera)

This last one is my favorite. He's leaving childhood behind forever and entering young adulthood. And this picture expresses that beautifully. Thanks, Abby.

They Fixed Each Other's Hair This Morning

With Abby being the clear loser in this arrangement.

Pie Night

If an Awana Clubber said 12 sections in the first couple of months of club, they earned a "pie" to throw at the leader of their choice.

Both Abby and Jacob had several pies thrown at them. Hope threw her pie at Brian, and it happened so fast that I only got one blurry picture.

Hope's group leader asked her why she didn't throw her pie at Jacob, since here was her chance to throw something at him and *get away with it*!

Whipped cream - the newest hair gel. Not so great around bees and other flying insects, however.

You Never Know What Photos Have Been Taken Till You Check Your Computer...

Busy day today. Another orthodontist consultation (one last week, too). AWANA later on. School and work. A good friend of mine is having a nervous breakdown and needs Abby to stay with her for a few days since she is too frightened to stay by herself. She wants Abby for a couple of weeks, but I am thinking three to four days is as much as Abby could handle since she has never been away from home by herself before. Lots of laundry and the car broke down and was in the shop all day yesterday. In other words, everyday life.

Because Purple Was Her Favorite Color

A sweet memorial for the one year anniversary of little Sarah's arrival in heaven. How wonderful that our church could share in this tribute to her short life and hear thoughts and reflections from her mother.

Can you guess where we are?

Hannah At School

Fall Trees

I thought this looked like two old people or scary mouths from "The Dark Crystal" (that's one for you, Dad. And no matter what you say, that is one strange movie from the 80's).

The parking lot :).

Hannah Behind The Camera

A few frames from her "stop motion" photography.

Saturday

A little of that.

And a whole lot of this.

Friday

Interesting looking caterpillar on the door post.

Lucy once again thinking she's a human. And wanting something more than the dry dog food she normally gets.

Not sure how long these flowers will last inside, but it will be longer than they would last outside now.

I thought this book would be another "what to wear" book that I usually thumb through and return to the library the next day. However, it is nothing of the kind and I am enjoying it immensely. I love books that pleasantly surprise and make me look at the world differently. Bravo!

Cold, windy day today. We brought some of the flowers in from outside, expecting out first frost tonight. So glad we have flannel sheets on the beds!

Some favorite Canadians