Created to share Him with others

It's been a long time since I have posted on this blog but over the next couple weeks I am going to start updating the look of the blog, revamp the layout and start posting and see what happens. Just have to say how encouraged I have been this week to hear from my kids that they have been sharing Jesus with their friends at school. Wow! Katelyn even got laughed at which led to a great discussion. They are a great reminder to us adults to not be afraid or hesitate to share the gospel with others. That is why we are here...we were created to share the gospel message. Thank you for challenging me this week kids....I pray that I live the example you have set!

Fish Sticks

So we all went to the splash pad today while daddy headed off for his late shift. We went early this afternoon and the kids had a great time as always!! Even Katie decided to partake of the festivities.....for some reason the last year she has started to shy away from sprinklers but will dive in a pool head first. We were leaving the park to go to Grammies and passed by a man fishing in the pond just down the hill as we were driving towards the exit. Deanna said "Oh look. He's fishing." I acknowledged this and she then said "he's using his fishing stick." I said "Yes, his fishing pole." To this she replied "yes, fish stick. That's what I said!" I couldn't chuckle out loud because Deanna gets very upset if she thinks you are laughing AT her. Of course, I was just laughing because it made a whole lot of sense! Deanna, you make me smile!!!

Surprise Carribbean Vacation

So I planned a surprise anniversary trip for Dwayne and I in the Carribbean to celebrate our 10th anniversary....it was fantastic. Here are a few pics. I can't wait until we go back!

Everything really is THAT blue!!!

White sandy beaches, crystal blue waters~What's not to love?

Legacy of Love

Today our family is saddened by the loss of my grandfather. He was a wonderful man who was not only a great man of faith but a man of great faith. He lived his faith each and every day and prayed for each one of us on a daily basis. He had a profound influence on my life. This song talks about the kind of man my grandfather was.

LEGACY OF LOVE

He was the kind of man that good men talk about

The way he showed his faith was how he lived it out

His hands were rough and calloused and his shoes were old and torn

and the lines that framed his smile were lines so well and deep and worn

So what will be remembered of what he left behind. What will stand the test of time...

How to love your neighbour, how to love your wife

wrap your arms around your children and pray with him each night

Thank God for all the good times cuz the good times are enough

The ties that bind will leave behind a legacy of love

He worked a second job to make the ends all meat

and somehow managed to always be there for me

He taught me how to listen, how to stand for what is right and he showed me all the things that really matter in this life.

How to love your neighbour, how to love your wife
wrap your arms around your children and pray with him each night
Thank God for all the good times cuz the good times are enough
The ties that bind will leave behind a legacy of love

As I look into the eyes of my daughters and my son

I hope I stood for something that they'll want to carry on

Life is far too short not to finally realize, it's long enough to make a difference in someone else's life

So I'm gonna love my neighbour and I'm gonna love my wife

Wrap my arms around my children and pray with them each night

Thank God for all the good things, cuz the good things are enough

The ties that bind will leave behind a LEGACY OF LOVE

The Stripping Gorilla?

So Friday was Dwayne's birthday and I thought a little surprise would be in order. I decided to send him a singing telegram but no, not just any singing telegram. It was a two person extravaganza. The first lady came in to the dealership in a top hat with balloons and card and begins her bit. It was quite funny to see all the ladies gathered at the customer counter and all the guys gathered at the mechanics counter. When she was done, she told everyone she brought a very special guest. After queueing up some "stripper" type music, the Dancing Gorilla entered dressed as a French Maid. Now that was a sight. The gorilla(which was a "he" by the way) got right into stripping off the french maid outfit and dressing dwayne in the garments. I have never seen Dwayne so red for so long since I have known him~it was great. The guys were snapping pics with their phones. When he was done the routine, the gorilla only had red underwear left (skimpy at best) that said Happy Birthday on the backside. It was a riot!
Since Dwayne would not be impressed if I posted some of those photos, I will post the one of the two wonderful performers who made this so much fun and made Dwayne the talk of the dealership all day! Happy Birthday Honey! Hope you had a great day and I'm already planning for next year......just you wait!

Bedtime Prayers...but long enough to be a sermon

So last night Katie says: "Mommy, we forgot pwayers" and so I said okay. I traditionally start and then give Deanna the first opportunity to say what she is thankful for. Anyone who knows Deanna also knows that it's not getting her to talk that's a problem...it's getting her to stop that's the trick. She started with her usual list of things...
"Thank you for Mommy, Daddy, I love the whole world and Katie & Andrew and thank you for getting to see Grammie & Buddy and Uncle Greg & Auntie Sue, C.J. & Kai, and...I love my hair color....and my friends and oh yeah.....I really love my hair color and mommy's hair and all of nature. Amen"
I think I got everything. Needless to say, prayers are never quite short and sweet. Katie of course gets her special items in but I think she just gets tired waiting for her turn. I think Katie should start going first!

Our 2nd visit of the day

We stopped by to see Great Papa & Grammie on the way back from seeing Grandpa in Hamilton. Grandpa has not been well at all and we wanted to take the opportunity to pop in and get to visit for a while. We didn't want to stay too long and wear Great Papa out but he sat there listening to the kids play and even showed them a little trick~the kids loved it Grandpa! Katie was too shy after waking from a nap to get in this photo but we got her with Grammie. The kids sang a couple of songs and had lots of hugs and kisses for both Great Grandma & Grandpa. It was time for Grandpa to lay down and rest and us to be on our way home. We love you Grandma & Grandpa and pray for you!!! Thanks for the opportunity to spend some time with you~it was a treat!