We'rrrrrre Back!

Well, we had a whirlwind trip to the mountains and to pick Isaiah up from the plane and bring him home.  We left very early on Monday morning so we would have a full day of fun in Calgary.  We made a stop at Ikea (of course) more on that in another post.  Then we headed off to have lunch with our long time friends.  We so enjoyed catching up with them and seeing their beautiful home!  They are some of the most genuine and hospitable people we have ever known!  Thank you so much Heinrichs for a great lunch and taking time to catch up!
From there we checked into our hotel and the boys did some watersliding and swimming to burn off some energy!  We went to the Olive Garden for dinner which the boys loved!  It is one of our favorite places to eat when we are on vacation because there are none where we live!
Next came the highlight of the trip - picking Isaiah up from the plane!  His flight was late and it felt like for ever as the anticipation kept building.
FINALLY we saw him and it lit my heart up to see my boy return!  His brothers were SO excited to see him as well!
Monday night was an early night - straight to bed after that because it was such an early morning and Isaiah was tired from travelling.  He was able to bless a first time flyer with his window seat and "the little dude was stoked" so that made Isaiah really happy!
Tuesday we got up early and had breakfast and headed out to Johnston Canyon to do some hiking!  The scenery was just amazing!  Here are the boys at the beginning ready to hike!

I always try to take advantage of photo ops that include flowers!  I just love these close ups - look at the bee!

 There were giant boulders all along the hike - perfect for little boys that love to climb!

 Here's Benjamin taking a break and posing on this stump!

 This giant tree was about to hit us when Benjamin (Superman) saved the day by stopping it with his sheer cuteness - um I mean strength :0)

 Here is his side kick - Eli aka Indiana Jones grasping onto an exposed root in an effort to escape the impending doom of falling off the edge of the cliff dangling below his feet.

 Here are 2 of the 3 muskateers sword fighting with tre branches whilst they balance on a toppled tree trunk.

 There were SO many squirrels along the path and they were so tame!  I think each of the boys got to touch one and I was kicking myself for not bringing peanuts or something to feed them!

After our hike we were heading back to Bow Falls for the boys to be able to play in the mountain water for a while when we came across this guy:

Here he is winking at me.  I know he was thinking - "yep, I'm just laying here letting you all admire me displaying the glory of God", and that he was!

The ditches were covered in these:

Of course everytime you see a daisy, what comes to mind is He loves me, He loves me not and let me assure you - HE loves us SO much!  What a great reminder that God created all things for our pleasure and enjoyment!
We drove a little further when we ran into these characters:  a herd of mountain goats!

Its always so exciting for us when we get to see wildlife!
After a short drive we arrived at bow falls where the boys raced out of the truck to play in the water when we were hit by a very cool mountain breeze!  Nevertheless, they were determined to try out the water!  This is the view from the shore - just breathtaking!

 Jacob peeking out from behind a giant piece of drift wood.

 Isaiah!

 Bow falls - the pic really doesn't do it justice.  The amount of water that was flowing down the falls was incredible!

"Brrrrr!  Its cold out here"

 Skipping rocks!

 Now ensues a friendly game of, "I'm so throwing you in the lake"

 A boy and his Mom - LOL!

 Eli using a chalk rock to write on a slate stone!

The view of the town of Banff driving back from the falls.

Time with family is SO incredibly important.  Jesus often drew away to a quiet place or out onto the water where the crowds could not get to he and his disciples so that he had time alone with them.  Just the physiological responses that happen in your body when you have rest and relaxation are amazing.  God created us to enjoy those we love.  This world has so many amazing things to see and do - take time to enjoy them with the ones you love.
While our trip was only 1 night and two days - the time was invaluable to me.  These are the faces that make my heart smile everyday, the faces that make me so incredibly thankful for all that God has blessed my life with, the faces that make me happy every single day that I am alive.

Happy, Healthy & Together!  Never ever forget to count your blessings! Pin It

Recipes By Design

I hope you are all having a fabulous summer enjoying the beautiful weather!  Its always a great time to enjoy the company of family and friends.  Often we find ourselved grilling out, attending pot lucks and spending lots of time enjoying meals with others, collecting the recipes that we know we just HAVE to make again!  And, if you're like me, you've found a million recipes on pinterest you've tried and have become family favorites!

Based on that, I'm so excited to host a Recipes By Design workshop for you! 

You will leave with the following:  64 Recipe cards, 8 divider cards, 1 cooking tips card, 11 sheets of self adhesive die-cuts and a A unique, heavy-duty, laminated box which converts to a recipe card stand, wipes clean, and will stand up to kitchen wear; everything you need to cook in style. When you're not using it, the magnetic-close lid keeps it all together neatly.  Personalize your recipes with your own distinctive style. Makes a great wedding, or bridal shower gift, a keepsake for a daughter, daughter in law or just a functional way to store and organize your favorite recipes.  How cute is this:

Our workshop will be on August 20th at 7pm at my place!  This is a great opportunity to get together and hang out with other ladies and be productive at the same time! 

Please email me by August 6th to register for this exciting class!  The class must be prepaid by August 6th.  I'd be happy to drop by and pick up your payment or you can drop it off at my place.  I look forward to creating something fun together!  Email me or call me today!

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Knock Knock - You Still Out There?

I've decided to try to start blogging once again!  I don't think I ever made a decision to stop its just that life got busy and time got away from me and I just didn't have the time that I once did to share on cyberspace what was going on in my/our lives.
As for us all, life takes twists and turns and so I'm going to make an effort to start blogging more often, at least once a week.  The content though, may be different than what it has been in the past.  Don't worry, there will still be crafty goodness that I will share but there will also be recipes, home improvement ideas, possibly some fashion, maybe some health and fitness, and for sure more on God and our journey as a family on learning to let Him live through us.
Since I last posted, our oldest son, Isaiah, has completed his Discipleship Training School with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) in Los Angeles.  He spent 3 months in Chile on a 'skate and surf' outreach, came home for 6 weeks and returned to LA for the School of Ministry Development.  Today was his grad.
His last Sunday at church before he left, we prayed for him and the word that we felt God was saying for him was "stretching".  Well, in hindsite, he will tell you that he HAS been stretched, much more than he anticipated - for sure!  You can read more about his journey here:  Nature, Nurture, Heaven and Home.
Anyway, he is flying home on Monday!  I can't wait to squeeze him and see his face again!  I know his little brothers are more than excited to see him as well.  We are so incredibly proud of him and his faith.  While the journey has not been without struggle, he continues to yield to God and submit to His plan for his life.  Isaiah is asking God for confirmation for what he believes is God's leading to return to LA once again in September to complete the School of Biblical Studies.
Since we are travelling about 4 hours away to pick him up, we have decided to have a very quick overnight family trip of it so will be visiting some friends and doing some hiking!  I'll be back with pics midweek, and by the way, if you're still out there, thanks for hanging in with me! Pin It

Stampin' Up! - *Reason to Smile Promotion

Don't miss your opportunity to earn this sweet new stamp set for only $5.00.  You can purchase Reason to Smile until July 31st when you purchase 60.00 of merchandise of your choice from me!  Email me now with your order to add this set to your collection!

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Update On Isaiah

Hi Everyone:
I just spoke with Isaiah on skype and wanted to give you an update on how he is doing and what has been going on for him at YWAM.
Isaiah looks well and is so enjoying his time in California!  He is having alot of fun skateboarding and sight seeing.  Today his team is in Tiajuana for a leadership conference which he seems to be enjoying.  Last night they had the opportunity to visit the red light district in Tiajuana where they witnessed the tragedy of child trafficing, drug addiction, and the travesty that poverty and the lack of God create.  It is one thing to see this kind of thing on TV; it is quite another to see it with your own eyes.
Isaiah has spent time ministering in friendship to unsaved kids at the skate park and has gotten them connected to local churches and youth groups which has really excited him.
He has had the opportunity to share God and hope with ex members of the Hell's Angels and direct them to the only true source of help and freedom.
He has seen deaf ears healed, financial needs provided for both for himself and others.  He has had the opportunity to pray for others himself and see God move in their lives.
When I asked him what direction he felt the Lord leading him in he replied that since he has been there he has taken on the roll of a leader and an encourager and that that feels good to him.  He himself has had the Lord touch areas of his heart where there were areas of hurt and unforgiveness and has had the opportunity to be influenced by leaders whom he likes and respects.
Most importantly, Isaiah has had the opportunity to experience God as his own God - the personal God.  Isaiah wanted a pair of Rayban sunglasses.  He told God that he didn't care how he got them but that he would really like some Raybans.  Having no money to spend he laughed at the request and then one of the other guys on his team who has a very wealthy family and a huge brand name wardrobe approached Isaiah and said, "God has shown me that I've based my identity on these clothes and things so I'm giving them away.  I have this pair of Raybans and I'm wondering if you want them!"
LOL!  That's the God we serve, the God of more than enough, the God who fills the desires, not just the needs of our hearts!
We and Isaiah so much value all of your support.  Your financial contributions, gifts and most of all your prayers.  God is doing great things in and for Isaiah and we so look forward to sharing more with you as he continues to update us.
Tomorrow is the day that they will chose where they go for their outreach, please pray that God will show Isaiah clearly where he should be going! Pin It

Dinoroar

Benjamin's birthday is coming up and unbenounced to him we will be celebrating it on the Disney Wonder cruise ship!  OMGosh, I can hardly wait to see that sweet face light up with excitement!  I made this card tonight with some new SU supplies:

I thought this cute little dinoroar set was perfect for little boy birthday cards!  I'll post pics when I get back of the festivities! Pin It

8 Sleeps & Family Pics

Its only 8 more sleeps until we leave for vacation and Isaiah heads off to YWAM.  I have to admit that I'm starting to get a little emotional anticipating saying good-bye to him for a few months.  Doesn't matter how old they are, they're always your baby!!  I've been busy making packing lists, buying travel insurance, making sure passports are in order and doing all the online check-ins I can before we leave to make sure things run smoothly.   In keeping with that theme my new but very sweet friend and neighbor Shanna brought it to my attention that it would be good to get some family photos done before Isaiah went off to YWAM so she very generously offered her time and did some pics for us.  I am absolutely thrilled with how they turned out and just had to show them off to you here!
The one and only absolute love of my life:

Here is my young man all grown up:

I absolutely love these ones:

This is our "We did it!  He's all grown up and we're SO proud of the young man he's become." and secretly, "one down, 3 to go" he he:

A boy and his Dad:

He'll always be my baby:

Next in line for a bedroom in the basement:  Jacob, 8 years going on 17:

Eli - All boy mixed with complete sweetness:

Snips & Snails & Puppy Dog Tails - I don't care what anyone says this has got to be one of the sweetest faces ever created!!

And then there were 4:

I think being a big brother must be even better than being a super hero!

Boys will be boys!

And with being a super hero comes the "annoying little brothers"!!

Revenge:

"Ew", "get a room", "seriously?", "you guys are disgusting":

Have I mentioned how much I love my life and how I thank God for every day, every moment that I get to have these amazing 5 men in my life?  I am blessed more than I could have ever imagined.  ALL of my dreams have come true.

Thank you God for this Beautiful life you've given me and forgive me when I take it for granted.

Hug the people in your life that you never want to live without! Pin It