God's Thoughts Toward His People

Is this you?
Are you a Child of God?

If so, these are some of God's thoughts
toward YOU!

Be
ENCOURAGED!

~ Jeremiah 29:11-14a ~

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,
saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil,
to give you an expected end.

Then shall ye call upon me,
and ye shall go and pray unto me,
and I will hearken unto you.

And ye shall seek me, and find me,
when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
And I will be found of you, saith the LORD..."

Holy Bible

Professor Noggin Games

Professor Noggin's Educational Card Games
are fun and educational at the same time.

The kids all enjoy playing from our oldest (15) to our youngest (8).
If you want to switch it up a bit for some creative learning,
why not add a couple of these to your educational supplies?
We keep them with other games for easy access...
the kids don't think of them as "school".

One word of caution ~
they are not "Christian" and therefore,
do not present the Biblical timeline for all things Scientific.

I have not found anything other than that to worry about,
but, keep in mind that we do not own all of the titles.
However, as with any resource, it is wise to review and
censor as you deem appropriate for your family.

And, of course, teach your children the reason why
we as Christians view the world the way we do!
How do we handle this?

We just honestly tell the children what is "wrong"
in how they may represent the "facts"
and direct them to the Truth found in the Word of God.

If one particular card is full of error,
I have no difficulty with throwing it away ~
it does not ruin the game to do so. :)


Have fun with your kids!  :)
Many Blessings, Camille

**Disclaimer ~ I am in no way compensated for this opinion.

Birthday Blessings

I don't count anymore.
I am THAT old ~ *wink*
I just C.E.L.E.B.R.A.T.E.

And it keeps getting better and better.
The only thing(s) missing from my day
this year were boys #1 and #2.
Austin and Calvin were at camp.
Howie had a business meeting on the Island
scheduled for "my" day.  I invited myself along.

How FUN!

Fraser and Emma joined in
to make an *almost* perfect birthday.
If Austin and Calvin had been with us,
the day would have truly been
P.E.R.F.E.C.T.

But God in His providence gives
EXACTLY what is BEST.
How precious it is to
REST in that FACT!

Here are some of my treasures enjoying the beautiful day
and scenery on the outside deck of one of B.C.'s ferries.

We go through "Active Pass" on the way to Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island.

You see MANY smaller islands along the way!

Seagulls flying alongside the ferry.

Passing another LARGE ferry in Active Pass.

It has a Vancouver 2010 mural on its side.

The children and I explored while Daddy had a meeting in Victoria.

There are MANY things to see within walking distance in the downtown area.

The Parliament Buildings are in the background here.

This is where our Provincial government meets.

Inside the Parliament Buildings there are many ornate and beautiful things to see.

The dome is shown below from the inside looking up,

first from the lower level and then from the

highest level you can go (as a tourist).

This is taken from inside the Main Entrance looking out towards the bay.

The Empress ~ A famous historical hotel in Victoria,

was the next building we did a bit of exploring in!

They even have a sitting area in the ladies public washroom

inside the Empress ~ complete with a fireplace!

The lovely sitting area behind the children here

is where afternoon tea is served for about $50 per person!

Needless to say, we did not eat there! :)

Looking out one of the ivy lined windows toward the bay.

Ahhh, FINALLY, a park to play in!

Apparently, this was the HIGHLIGHT of the day for Fraser and Emma!

We travelled back toward the Parliament Buildings (they are HUGE)

from another angle and enjoyed the water fountain.

I enjoyed photographing these two all day long...it isn't obvious, is it? ;-)

And then we discovered a place to J.U.M.P.

And so as not to be O.U.T.D.O.N.E.

Emma joined in! :)

Here we are heading back to meet up with Daddy

where his meeting was nearly done.

On the ferry ride back home Howie treated us to the

Buffet Dinner ~ which was a WONDERFUL treat!

The Birthday display Howie set up for me while I was away from the table...

complete with CANDLES! :)  ~ Thank you Sweetie! ~

The food was fabulous and the views

S.P.E.C.T.A.C.U.L.A.R.

The snow-capped mountain you may (or may not) see at

the left hand side of the photo below

is Mt. Baker ~ Isn't God's Creation MAGNIFICENT?

Many Blessings,
Camille

At Last...

The camping laundry is done!
It *only* took a few days (5 to be exact) to be able to say that!
And only TWO went camping!
When boys camp without Mum around to check up on the
"clean feet" situation BEFORE going to bed,
or on the "clean anything" for that matter,
the wisest thing (in my experience) to do is ~

W.A.S.H.
E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G.

So in the back door came the boys.
And the STUFF!

I got them to strip down and shower
REALLY WELL!

N.O.T.H.I.N.G.
Was to enter the home that night
beyond the laundry room doors!
Except, of course...THE BOYS! :)

In the photo above, you can see the last of the laundry.

What may not be readily apparent is the nature of that laundry.

It is somewhat CONTRADICTORY.

Upon closer examination, however,

you will discover a little something "special" about us.

We live in a border town.

We cross the line usually once a week.

Gasoline is cheaper.

Chickens (to cook) are cheaper.

Butter and eggs are cheaper.

Our Fraser thinks we must be "part" American!

During the recent Winter Olympic Games held here in Vancouver,

my brother drove some of the USA Olympic Committee around town.

He acquired some cool souveniers from that experience.

Each of the children were given an "official" athlete's blanket

and Howie received a gorgeous winter jacket.

Of course, we are Canadian, so we have to support "our" team too!

In this photo, you will see a sampling of the winter hats

the CANADIAN athletes wore.

We also have the "official" gloves.

We ARE patriotic, but if it's free,

well ~ I suppose you get the point! :)

671. Winter Olympics memorabilia ~ from TWO countries!

672. A brother who is generous and thoughtful

673. Living in a border town

674. The blessings of cross border shopping

675. Nexus ~ pre-approved border "fast pass"

676. My clothesline

~ it's up high and doesn't interfere with the yard

677. The smell of freshly laundered sleeping bags and pillows

678. The ability to clean said sleeping bags and pillows at home!

~ We have a tumble washer

679. The smell of freshly showered boys! :)

680. That the boys got home safe and sound!

I'm glad I wasn't aware of some of the things that *could* have gone wrong!

Many Blessings,

Camille

Afraid?

There is no need to fear.
If the LORD is for you,
who can be against you?

First, be sure HE is your LORD ~
and then you can be comforted by the verse below!

TRUST in HIM!


~ Isaiah 41:10 ~

"Fear Thou not; for I am with thee;
be not dismayed; for I am thy God;
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee;
yea, I will uphold thee with the
right hand of my righteousness."

Holy Bible

Danish Cream Squares

This is a WONDERFUL dessert for those
HOT summer days!
Nothing here to heat up the kitchen...
a good thing, right?

My Sister-in-Love gave me this recipe long ago.
I have adjusted it to fit a larger pan on occasion.
It is very easy to make smaller
or larger as the need may be.

Here is the finished cake ~
ready to be served up to some very fortunate guests.

And some of the necessary ingredients...

~ Danish Cream Squares ~

~ Ingredients ~

Graham Wafers ~
enough to line a 9 x 13 pan twice

1/4 cup Bird's Custard Powder ~
Or Vanilla Pudding Mix (6 serving size),
using the appropriate amount of milk...
Or, you could also make your own custard from scratch! :)

3 cups Milk (for the custard)

3 Tbsp. Granulated Sugar (for the custard)

2 cups Whipping Cream (measure before beating)

1 1/2 Tbsp. Sugar (for the whipped cream)

1 tsp. Vanilla (for the whipped cream)

1 cup Icing Sugar (Powdered)

3 Tbsp. Milk (for the icing)

1/3 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

1 Tbsp. Butter


~ Method ~

Line a 9 x 13 inch pan with graham wafers ~
cut exactly to fit.

Cook Custard as per the directions on the package,
using the 3 cups milk, the 1/4 cup custard powder,
and the 3 Tbsp. Sugar.
Stir constantly so as not to get lumps! :)
(Ask me how I know)... ;-)

Cool a bit and spread over the top of the first layer of graham wafers.
Cover with plastic wrap or parchment paper and set in fridge to firm up.

Whip the cream with the vanilla and sugar until stiff.

When the custard layer is cold,
remove the wrap (*smile*), and
spread the whipped cream over top.

Cover this with another layer of graham wafers ~
cut exactly to fit.

Mix icing sugar with just enough milk to make a barely pourable glaze
and spread over the top layer of graham wafers.

Melt the chocolate chips with the butter over very low heat.
When melted, drizzle over the top of the cake.
Cover, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours.

Serve and
ENJOY!!

I fear this recipe may sound a bit complicated,
but it is most definitely
NOT!!

Take this scrumptious dessert along to your next summer gathering,
and be prepared to share the recipe!
It's a hit wherever it goes. :)

Thoughts on Homeschool ~ Pt. 3

This is the third in a series of posts on homeschool.
You will find the first post here,
the second here, and the last post here.

There is also a "Why We Homeschool?"
post if you are interested.

Change...life is about change. Nothing stays the same.
When you have a "perfect" schedule you will
find that it doesn't remain static.
Tweaking and fine-tuning are always necessary.
If there is one thing I have learned from
Home educating our children it is this!

Be flexible.
Welcome change ~
it is the springboard of opportunity.
Do not get frustrated...embrace it!

Having said all that...
God IS a God of order.
We DO need schedules or time gets wasted.
But don't get DRIVEN by the schedule...
daily seek HIS guidance and grace to
do the next thing.

I was recently asked ~
What would I do the same and what would I do differently
now that I have four years of homeschooling behind me?

The same? ~

Order and routine are the things
I would most definitely keep.

Change? ~

I would keep reminding myself of the REAL
reason we live and breathe and have our being.
As it states in Spurgeon's Catechism;
which is based on the
London Baptist Confession of Faith ~
Answer to question # 1 ~
"Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy HIM forever."
I would seek to more earnestly measure
everything against this standard.

I recently acquired a copy of the book "When You Rise Up" by R.C. Sproul Jr.
and have been challenged and encouraged in this calling of homeschool.
If you are considering homeschool,
or are a "veteran" in the pursuit ~
I would HIGHLY recommend purchasing this book.
It has been SUCH a blessing to my heart!
How precious that we have been given these days with our children!
May we make the most of every moment ~
For HIS GLORY!

The following links are for you to consider as you are able.
They are all written beautifully and thoughtfully by a
lovely homeschool Mum who has many more years
of schooling behind her than I.
Ann Voskamp has provoked me to both tears and
laughter with her witty and accurate portrayal of life
"in the trenches".
She writes from the heart with a beautiful focus on the LORD,
which I greatly appreciate.
Following, you will find the links to four of her
"homeschool" posts that have been a blessing to me.
Might you find encouragement and insight within each of them!

The first is a thought provoking article on holistically homeschooling.

This one addresses the question ~ How do I begin?

Next up ~ a beautifully written and insightful post.

And finally ~ one full of wise insight!

May the LORD bless these thoughts to your heart as you look to
HIM for direction for your family.
HE is the ONE from Whom all wisdom flows.

"If any of you lack wisdom,
let him ask of God,
that giveth to all men liberally,
and upbraideth not;
and it shall be given him."
James 1:5

My Swimmers

While the boys were at camp,
Fraser and Emma took swim lessons at the
local outdoor pool.

We are so blessed to have access to this pool.
It is only a three minute walk from our home
and it's FREE!

Swim lessons, however, are not free,
but the fee charged is very reasonable.
The children have only ever taken lessons here...

It is a
TRADITION.

Here is Emma getting ready to practice a back glide. :)

And the front glide....

Fraser attempting a kneeling dive.

Going...

Splash!

Wet and cold ~
hurrying home for a hot shower! :)

My Campers

My Two Campers.
This first photo is of "the boys" on a trip to Mayne Island.
I still think of them like this.
When did they change??

~ 2003 ~
Calvin on the left and Austin on the right.
They were six and eight years old.
Oh. My. Heart.

~ 2010 ~
Austin on the left and Calvin on the right.
They are thirteen and fifteen years old.
They are still clean in this photo as they were just
beginning their journey.
I should have taken an "after"...
the laundry room floor was the most disturbing! :)

Last week, the boys were able to attend a "teen" camp
for the young people of our church.
It was the first time either of them had been away from us
for such an extended period of time.
They were gone four nights.

It was difficult...for ME!

BUT...they had such a
WONDERFUL and ENCOURAGING time!

The LORD is so good to give these
opportunities.
We are thankful for the
Youth Pastor and his wife and their
influence in the lives of the teens of our church.

Many Blessings, Camille

Keeping Our Cool

We had our first HEAT WAVE of the summer.
It came upon us suddenly.
As in...we were in the 60's one day and the 80's the next.
It went up from there...pushing 90 by the time we were
nearing the end of the week!
I am a born and bred Pacific Northwest girl.
BC, Canada to be exact.

I don't DO WELL in the
H.E.A.T.

We only have heat like this for a few weeks
out of the year.
And even then, it tends to be intermittent.
The only A/C we have is in the van.
How do we cope?

Thankful for the following blessings to help us "keep our cool"!

661. Cold showers

662. Water park...I even join in! :)

663. Kiddie pool

664. Salads for dinner

665. Crock pot cooking ~ outside

666. BBQ dinners

667. Ability to get most things done early

668. Sea breeze to cool the house off at night
and in the early morning

669. Lazy days doing nothing

670. Keeping it simple

Many Blessings,
Camille