A Canadian Tradition

It's a Canadian tradition.

However, it's a rare treat in this part of Canada.

It has to be cold enough (which it often isn't),

and the conditions have to be perfect (which they often aren't).

Fraser, Howie, and Calvin ~ on a local pond.

The boys took advantage of the great conditions and
played a total of about nine hours over three days last week.
Howie, on the other hand, had to work and was feeling his age.
He spent about an hour on the ice.

Today, it is raining and the ice is melting.
By all accounts, they had fun, and great memories were made.
Which is a good thing, because it may be a few years 
before it happens again.

Happy Monday!
With Love, Camille

Flashback Friday ~ Newlyweds

Flashback to 1991...

...newlyweds.

Happy Friday!

With Love, Camille

On This Day...

Life is a journey, and so is marriage.
Some things we've learned along the way have been profound.

Other things have been too obvious to qualify for that category.

But, it's all been necessary.  And, it's all been good.

On this day, twenty-five years ago,
Howie and I said our vows and pledged our love to each other.

It's too incredible to think of it.  

We cannot even be old enough, can we?
When I look at the face looking back at me in the mirror,
I know I am old enough.  It kinda snuck up on me.

Howie, next to our Saviour, you are the best gift He has blessed me with.
I am so thankful for your steadfast love and perseverance throughout
this journey He has us on.  The Lord is so very good to us, isn't He?

"Every good and every perfect gift is from above,
and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom there is
no variableness, neither shadow of turning."  James 1:17

Happy Anniversary, Sweetie!

All my love forever,
Your Camille xoxo

Snip. Snip. Snip.

It's all because of Howie.
And, I love him for it.  Just one of the reasons.

If it were left up to me, our children might never grow up.

I can tend to mother them beyond what's reasonable.
The temptation to tie them too tightly with my apron strings tugs at my heart.

Howie brings a wonderful balance to these tendencies of mine.

He encourages a methodical and age appropriate cutting of those strings.
I won't lie.  At times it's a little bit painful.  But, it's all for the best.

Our boys have gone camping.  Without us.  A few times.  

On one occasion, they travelled clear across the Province.  Into the heart of bear country.
If it had been up to me I am sure I would not have let them go.  Well, maybe at 30.
They not only survived, but, they thrived.  The timing was right.

They seemed to grow a little taller on that trip.
I am quite sure they must have.  Inwardly, at the very least.

 ~ From the above mentioned trip in 2014 ~

Just the other day, they took Miss M and Emma up to Grouse Mountain.
The very next day, they loaded up the van with bikes and Calvin drove to the ferry.
Once there, they unloaded those bikes and rode onto the ferry
along with the cars in order to spend the day on Mayne Island.

Howie and I stayed home.  Alone.
Snip. Snip. Snip.  Slowly, but, surely.

 ~ Just before they made the trek up Grouse Mountain ~

None of these things would have happened if I hadn't had assurance from
my better half that it was a good thing for them to do.  Without us.
It feels strange to make room for their wings to spread and give them the liberty to fly.
I cannot think about it too much, however.  I've even been known to leave when they do.

I'm always thankful when they arrive back home.
Safe and sound.  But then, off they go again.  I cannot tie them down.

~ After their day on Mayne Island ~

What a blessing it is to know that they are in the Lord's hands.
And, He loves them so much more than we ever could.
It truly is such a comforting thought.  So, I rest my heart there.
By His grace and in His strength.  Seeking Him for wisdom each step of the way.

What about you?  What are some of the ways in which you are
encouraging your children to soar?  What ages and stages are you currently in?
If your children are grown, what did you do to foster a healthy independence in them?
Please share your wisdom and experiences....I'm all ears.  :)

Many Blessings, Camille

**Grouse Mountain photo courtesy of Miss M ~
Thank you so much for sharing!  :)

While We Were Gone

I don't know if I've mentioned it here before, but, 
our home falls into the *older* category.  At least, here in Canada it does.

We've tweaked and rearranged and updated along the way.

Long ago, I had the bright idea to do our master bedroom in wallpaper.

The wallpaper was put up as well as the curtain rod.  And, that was it.

I hit a brick wall when it came to decorating the space.

Nothing went with that paper.  Nothing.
It was a mistake.  I mostly closed the door on it all.
It stayed like that for ten years.  And, we lived life.
We let it slide.  And chatted about what we would one day do.

While we were gone, Howie implemented those plans.  Perfectly.

He worked 'round the clock ~ keeping the business going and renovating in the off hours.

He didn't take much time for much else.  I had no idea.

Actually, I had an inkling.  When he asked how to remove wallpaper

and what the codes were for the paint colours before we left.  Those were clues.

However, I had no idea that he would tackle the entire project in one fell swoop.

But, he did.  And, I am so thankful.

When our plane landed and we were waiting to be picked up at the airport,
I didn't realise there was a surprise being finalised for us at home.
Calvin arrived driving the van and informed us that
we were under strict orders not to go directly home.
We were banished from the house for a couple of hours.

Another one of those clues.

Howie was madly finishing up.  When we did arrive home,
he opened the door to greet us with caulking all over his jeans and paint on his shirt.
The house smelled very strongly of fresh paint and newly applied caulk.
The walls were still tacky in places and the supplies were still on the bathroom floor.

But, it was done.  And it is beautiful.

The beginnings of stripping off all that paper.  True love.
Howie used a fabric softener solution which worked beautifully.

However, it all took time and a mess was made in the process.
A word to the wise ~ think long and hard before installing wallpaper.
In some cases I still believe it is the best thing to do.  In this case, it wasn't.
Live and learn.  Oh, and leave when the job is being tackled!  ;-)

My Sweetheart carefully planned and measured and implemented.

He worked diligently to get it all done while we were gone.
(And, he even took photos to document it all...wasn't that sweet?)

This is how the bathroom looked with all the supplies lined up neatly on the floor
and on the counters.  Apparently, this was his work station.  I'm glad I didn't know.

Moulding was purchased....

...and installed.

My Dad came by to lend a helping hand ~ thanks so much Dad!

The level was employed....

...as was the caulking gun.

Howie really did work 'round the clock.

The poor neighbours.  :)

But, he completed the project, and I am so thankful.

Now, I am busy making curtains and dressing the room ~ finally!
Before and after photos coming soon...I hope.

Happy Monday Y'all!
With Love, Camille

Just Like That

It was Howie's birthday yesterday.  He's another year older.
I know, that's how it works.  But, it always surprises me.
It kinda sneaks up and then, there it is ~ just like that.

My *little* brother invited us to have a date night at his home.
He always does things so nicely, and, he makes the most wonderful food.  

How could I refuse?  I couldn't.  So, I didn't.

If your little brother invited you for dinner
and offered to cook, would you go?  Well...maybe not.
However, in my case, it's always a wise move to say yes.

The table was pushed right up to the windows.
The candle was lit and the room was cosy.

The food was absolutely amazing ~ as per usual.
It's his hobby to create yumminess in the kitchen.
And, sometimes, we get to be the fortunate taste testers.

Want to know what was on the menu?  Yes?  Okay, I'll tell you.
We were served sparkling apple juice, gourmet burgers with some sort of 
hand-crafted herbed butter tucked inside ~ stacked high with avocado slices,
roasted elephant garlic, bacon and feta cheese...all on a fancy grilled bun.
And, for dessert?  Individual pecan pies (from the bakery) complete
with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on top were set before us.  Dear me!

We were spoiled rotten.  And, thoroughly satisfied.

Now...don't you wish you had a little brother like mine?
Sorry, he's already taken (as a brother, that is). 
And, I only have to share with one sister.
We've learned to share nicely, by the way.  At least, we try.  :)

But, I digress.  The point of all this is that it was Howie's birthday.
It was such a treat ~ we thoroughly enjoyed our night out.

Thank you so much Nathan!  You spoiled us both. 
You are the best ~ most of the time.  ;-)

With Love,
Camille

Thankful Thursday ~ Choosing to See!

On this Thursday, I give thanks.

The LORD truly does all things well.

He gives and gives and gives again.

It's such a blessing to remember that 

all things come from His hand.
And, if we belong to Him, we are in His hand!
Isn't that an incredible thought?

Today, I am choosing to see the blessings of...

~ Outings as a family

~ Growing old together...what a privilege
(No, I am not looking at an airplane...Calvin and Emma were both snapping
photos, and I didn't know which of them to look at!)

~ Impromptu games of chess played on the floor

 ~ Books from long ago making their way into the children's hands

 ~ Thoughtful boys who wanted to give their Mum a break...
thank you Calvin and Fraser  XO

 ~ Friends within the family, and games of tennis

enjoyed at the park just a bike-ride away

~ Two independent (and yet, dependent) young men...

how quickly they grow!

 ~ My bookends and their special time together...

Austin helped Emma choose a tennis racket at the store

 ~ Family times and birthdays to celebrate!

~ My precious family...

Howie's birthday celebration at home

It's good to remember all that the LORD has done.

It's refreshing to recount the many ways in which He blesses.
It's a good thing to give Him thanks.

May you know His blessings upon you this day!

With Love, Camille

**First two images in this post courtesy of Calvin ~
Thank you my love!  XO

T.W.E.N.T.Y.

It's not REALLY possible
that we have been married for 20 years...is it??
Time marches on.
We are growing old together.

On our wedding day we sang Steve Green's song

"I Cherish the Treasure of You" to one another.

Little did we know that in

the midst of our joys and blessings,

there would be trials.  Difficult days.

Heartache and sorrow.

And through it all, we would grow to love more.

Deeper.  Stronger.  Little did we know.

 Oh how FAITHFUL our Great God is!!

HE is the ONE Who keeps us.

HE is the ONE Who sustains us.

HE is the ONE Who gives us life.

All praise and glory to HIS Great Name!

If I'd known then what I know now,

I would have married my Sweetheart MUCH sooner.

AND I wouldn't have given him as

much trouble as I did! :)

Psalm 91 is our Life-Psalm together.

It has been a great source of comfort and blessing over the years.

We are so thankful to belong to the LORD!

HE alone is worthy of all our praise.

Many blessings,

Camille

Error...Beware!

A little over a year ago,
a childhood friend and I had a discussion regarding the
paths we have taken in our Spiritual lives.
We hadn't been in touch with one another for many years.
I had no idea what had transpired in the years we were apart.
I was grieved to discover that she had abandoned her faith.

Through that conversation, I was exposed to some
very disturbing heresies put forward as truth by this friend
who had "grown up" and was "trained up" in the church.
We had gone to Sunday School together as children.
Her "testimony" began where the
Bible Believing Christian's would remain ~
with the Lord.

After abandoning that "fairy tale"
(her words...not mine)
there was more enlightenment and
"truth" reportedly discovered.
Unfortunately, this story is not unique ~
many have fallen away from the Truth.

How does this happen?
Were they ever really saved?
Can a true believer of the Lord Jesus Christ
ever be snatched away by the Evil One?
According to God's Word,
the answer is an emphatic NO!

"My sheep hear my voice,
and I know them and they follow me:
And I give unto them eternal life;
and they shall never perish,
neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
My Father, which gave them me,
is greater than all:
and no man is able to pluck them out of
my Father's hand."
~ John 10:27-29 ~


We are all sheep.

Who or what are we following?

I am so thankful that my husband patiently walked
with me through this process and
directed me to portions of Scripture that
settled and calmed my soul.

What a blessing that God's Word is "quick and powerful"!
That word "quick" could also be translated living.
God's Word is Living ~
the only book in the Universe of it's kind!

The verses to follow are what my
Precious Saviour used to minister to my heart.

"But there were false prophets also among the people,
even as there shall be false teachers among you,
who privily shall bring in damnable heresies,
even denying the Lord that bought them,
and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
And many shalll follow their pernicious ways;
by reason of whom
the way of the truth shall be evil spoken of."
~ II Peter 2:1-2 ~

"While they promise them liberty,
they themselves are the
servants of corruption:
for of whom a man is overcome,
of the same is he brought in bondage.
For if after they have escaped the pollutions
of the world through the knowledge of the
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
they are again entangled therein, and overcome,
the latter end is worse with them
than the beginning.
For it had been better for them not to have
known the way of righteousness,
than, after they have known it,
to turn from the holy commandment
delivered unto them."
~ II Peter 2:19-21 ~


And, regarding the infallability of the Bible,
(which was another attack made),
the following verses were a comfort ~
They address the inspiration of both
the Old and New Testaments.

"That ye may be mindful of the words which
were spoken before by the holy prophets,
and the commandment of us the
apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
Knowing this first,
that there shall come in the last days scoffers,
walking after their own lusts."
~ II Peter 3:2-3 ~

And regarding the apparent "contradictions"
among the writings of Paul and even the Gospels,
the following verses were a comfort ~

"And account that the longsuffering of
our Lord is salvation;
even as our beloved brother Paul also
according to the wisdom given unto him
hath written unto you;
As also in all his epistles,
speaking of them of these things;
in which are some things hard to be understood,
which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest,
as they do also the other scriptures,
unto their own destruction.
Ye, therefore, beloved,
seeing ye know these things before,
beware lest ye also,
being led away with the error of the wicked,
fall from your own steadfastness."
~ II Peter 3:15-17 ~

**In all the Scripture quoted above,
the emphasis is mine.**


My husband began writing his blog as a direct result of these
charges brought forward against God's infallible Word.
He patiently and graciously worked through this knotty subject
with me and my precious childhood friend.
What a blessing!

Are you interested in reading more?
His posts are much more *in depth* and thorough
than my treatment of the subject here.

Click here
to get to the series he
diligently laboured over.
Scroll to the bottom of the page to get to the first post
and read up ~ typical blogger style.

May the LORD guide you each one to
HIS perfect and infallible TRUTH.
And those of us that belong to HIM ~
May we boldly proclaim the LORD Jesus Christ
as the ONLY Way of Salvation
for this lost and dying world.


Many Blessings,
Camille



**Sheep photo in this post is
courtesy of my friend Christa @
Country Hearts at Home
Thank you so much!

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