LAST BLOG; SEE HERE FOR MOVE

turns out, i'm not so good with the updates. i think i'm going to amalgamate the blogs.

i figure it must increase the volume by at least 50%??? from now on, please see me at

www.freshphotos.blogspot.com

because family is work and work is family

cute things

. lately, 3yr old Ryder's fave saying: "Hey Mum, youthinkinwhatIthinkin?"
"No Ryder, I can guarantee I'm not!"

. this morning, Anais motioned to my bed-head, saying "I don't like this so much". "I like it much better when you get up and your hair's already pri-tty for me."

. when I asked Anais if she would just stay home with me rather than go off to school, she hugged me consolingly, saying "no Mummy, I have to go and learn now!"

images of summer

fishing was a reoccuring theme of summer o9























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hiking KCridge w/ Nova Scotian g'parents























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first Anais turned 5 on the Ranch!

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then it was Ryder's turn for a Cow-theme;

we celebrated summer b'days in Winthrop

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Jim & I escaped for a RARE couple of days

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Of course we did Winthrop as per usual

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Anais' 1st family portrait

Click on any collection of images to enlarge and/or right click to copy (group)

i am closer to getting it...

grace, that is.

having grown up in church culture, i have been conditioned to do things deemed "necessary" (teaching, studies, kids' programs, general volunteering - you name it), feeling eternally indebted, if i can say that.

but i have been challenged to question (inspired by the reading of yet another provocative book) whether these programs provide spiritual inspiration or whether they are yet another thing i feel guilty about. since we either live in freedom or we do not.

because i believe jesus when he says "we do", i have had to re-think the way i live my life, church included. i'm still in the process - if you figure it out, let me know.

are you still with me?

did i go to church this morning, yes; i was teaching sunday school:)
but last week i thanked god for my children as i pushed them on the swings at the park.

(ps - the author is jake colson - but he's brought me back thee author and perfector of my faith.)

There's just so much I want to post. It'll settle my mind just to make a running tally, even it doesn't include photos at the moment. OK, maybe never:(
. Anais' pre-school wrap-up & thank you to Ilo. Picture of her sunflowers towering over her.
. Fun party @ friends' log home. Millinda's games kept the kids entertained.
. Winthrop 08: could we ever tire of this place? I'll have to make a slideshow here show you how the families have grown.
. newest FRESHwork - just check the site www.freshphotos.ca

Wedding season is in full swing. I still don't employ child-care. And did I mention the in-laws are coming next week? BTW, I'm thrilled about all of the above because it means our life is full of action, adventure and love.

a bear was just making its way down my front steps - how civil to take the stairs! - and i chased it away. this is not the life i imagined!

I pause, to share the most important part of my trip - words on a page - but perhaps the most important shift in thinking I've experienced in years. From my perspective, the critiques & flaws (yes, I thought an element or two was a little hippy-dippy-trippy) take a back seat to the power of "Sarayu".
I have been changed.
I invite you to fight through the "difficult parts" (you know I can't handle gore) to get at the essence of "The Shack". I hope it leads you where it did me - back to my Papa (or, as I prefer "Abba") for I am beloved!
And he is "especially fond of you!"