Sixteen!

It seems to have happened overnight.

While I was looking the other way....

...Fraser went from a three-foot-nothing cutie pie....

...to a six-foot-one-inch young man!!

How quickly the time flies by!

(Don't we all say the same thing when it comes to our children?)

We are so very thankful for the years the Lord has graciously given us

with our third son.  We feel incredibly blessed!!

Fraser's all set for another camping excursion.
He looks happy about it, doesn't he?
Don't even ask what my thoughts are about it all.
However, I am not planning to run away like I did last time.  :)

Fraser, we are so thankful that the Lord gave us YOU!!

What a precious addition to our family you were and are.
It would just not be the same without you.

Our prayer is that you will always follow the Lord 
with all of your heart for all your days.

He alone is worthy of all your praise and dedication.

He is faithful and will never leave nor forsake you. 

Our greatest desire is that He will be the One you live for.  Always.

All our love to you, precious son.

Your Dad and Mum XOXO

Sister Time!

I only have one sister.

And, as it happens, one brother as well.

Just the three of us.  And, since my sister lives in California,

we don't have much (in the flesh) sister time.

We chat on the phone and text, but, it's not the same thing
as an in-person visit.  Definitely not quite as good.

My brother lives only five minutes away.

Brother time is easier to orchestrate.  And, it is a good thing.

But, this post is not about that.  :)
The three of us together is an extremely rare treat.

My sister has hosted us multiple times in her home.

Click here and here and here and here and here for proof of that.

So, a little reciprocal hospitality was in order.

First, their girl arrived.  Ahead of her parents.  On a plane.  Alone.

The rest of her family followed behind a little over a week later by car.

They stayed with us for a total of nine nights.

The days and nights were full of activity.

Some of that activity involved us, and some didn't.

Since my sister and her hubby both grew up here,

they had many people to see.  Many people to catch up with.

A few nights, we were already in bed when they arrived home.
They didn't wake us up on their way in ~ so quiet and considerate.

They left exhausted.

But, happy.  I think?  ;-)

We are looking forward to another visit soon.

The house has gotten strangely quiet in their absence.

Family truly is a blessing from the Lord.

With Love,
Camille

**Photos in this post courtesy of Calvin ~
Thank you, my love  xoxo

The Quotidian (27. 7. 15)

Quotidian: daily, usual, or customary;

everyday; ordinary; commonplace. 

My baker.

Her product.

Her customer.

My window cleaner ~ he used to get paid for jobs like this.

Now, he just gets a happy wife.  :)

My deck scrubber.

Happy Monday!

With Love, Camille

On the Topic of Books

My friend was over for a quick visit a few weeks back.

We got chatting about a number of things, as we mamas often do.
One of the topics involved book recommendations for her youngest two.

It's no secret that we love books around these here parts.

I informally promised a post on the topic of books. (Here it is!)

This list has been organised in order of age-appropriateness.
The following recommendations are for approximately ages eight to twelve.

Any novels by Enid Blyton are always a treat.
Our boys as well as Emma have enjoyed her writing extensively.

I've posted about some of her work here before ~ click here to see.

Another series of books involve a talking/witty pig named Freddy.
Again, these books have been enjoyed by all of our children.

Click here to read the post on those books.

Bobbsey Twins novels were a hit with Emma when she was younger.
These are wonderful beginner novels with stories that are age appropriate.
They are great for both boys and girls due to the fact that there are two boys
and two girls in this family of adventurers.

Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter ~ a wonderful read from my childhood days.
I remember squirrelling myself away one summer to read this in a quiet place.
The author does a lovely job of transporting her reader into another time and place.

Little House on the Prairie series of nine books by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
These classic books are written in an easy to read and quietly entertaining way.

Our boys all enjoyed the "Shadow" and "Scout" series of books by Piet Prins.
Even our non-readers were held captive by these stories.
Click here to read my previous post on them.

These next books listed are appropriate for approximately twelve and up.
However, I made Emma wait a little longer for the "Anne" titles which
involve marriage and mothering.  As always, it's important for you as the parent
to gauge the reading experiences of your children accordingly.
The following books may require parental involvement and discussion.

Anne of Green Gables series of eight books by Lucy Maude Montgomery.
Anne is a feisty orphan with red hair who wins the hearts of all those who meet her.

The Chronicles of Narnia is a set of seven books by C.S. Lewis.
These are classics that can be read aloud or enjoyed alone.
I remember wanting to create a world through words just like Mr. Lewis had done.
Enchanting and enthralling.  Of course, they have since been made into movies.
But, the books, they paint pictures in the imagination that the screen is unable to do.

All our children loved Little Pilgrim's Progress by Helen L. Taylor.
It's a faithful adaptation of the original classic by John Bunyan.
We've read it over and over again in our family.

Any more to add to this list?
Classics to recommend?  Favourites from your childhood?
Please do share.  We're all ears.

Happy Reading!
With Love, Camille

**I am not in any way compensated for my opinions.
It has always been my policy to recommend what we use and enjoy.

Cousin Time!

My sister's girl came to see us.  All the way from California.

Last time she was here, happy memories were made.

We've been to her home a few times in the last year and a half.

So, it was high time she came here!

She fit right in and became of one of the gang.  :)

I even put her to work like one of my own.

The motto around here is, if you don't work, you don't eat.  ;-)

And, we did lots of eating....evidently, she earned her keep.

Emma loved having one on one girl time with her cousin.

They went swimming....

....and coloured....

...side by side.

This is such a gorgeous book ~ the girls each have one.

The requisite group shot was taken ~
but, not without some shenanigans first.  Here's proof.

Oh, well.  It is what it is.
We wouldn't trade any of them for the world!
But, perhaps we should make them work just a little bit harder.  ;-)

Happy Wednesday!
With Love, Camille

The Quotidian (20. 7. 15)

Quotidian: daily, usual, or customary;

everyday; ordinary; commonplace. 

Abundant supply.

Flowers from a friend ~ Thank you SO much!  :)

Flowers from the same friend's little girl ~ Thank you, Miss R!

Family portrait on my birthday.

Birthday outing ~ cycling around Stanley Park.
(We just did the Stanley Park seawall this time.)

Some of my treasures.

Sometimes it pays to be a lady ~ note the location of the boys.

Cake and candles.

Growing old together.  :)

An attempt at preserving their beauty.

Unfortunately, they have wilted since this photo was taken.
I've read up on how to achieve better results next time.

Summer's bounty ~ from a tree that normally gives us three or four a season!!
Click here to see it in full bloom from just a few months ago.

Two shirts and one pair of pants took 45 minutes.  :)

Switching things up ~ again!

The old-new-again school room.

More organizing!

Happy Monday Y'all!

With Love, Camille

We Have a Winner!

All the names of those who signed up on my last post

were printed on small pieces of paper, folded up, and put into a bowl.
Emma and I prayed together prior to drawing one of those papers out of that bowl.
We know that our Great God is sovereign over every single thing.  What a thought!
  

So, Emma pulled out a name.
And, we have a winner!

"I remember reading the book Through Gates of Splendor many years ago.
A tragic but inspiring story and one I will now read again.
Thank you for offering such a great giveaway.  Fingers crossed to win as
the 13th is my birthday. :)  Be Blessed!  Angela"

Happy Birthday, Angela!  You won!!
I know that nothing is by chance.  This book was meant for you.
It makes me smile to think of it.  :)

Please email me at flowersinhisgarden@gmail.com
with your complete mailing address so that I can send your book to you!
Your address will be kept private and will not be published.

Many Blessings,
Camille

Time For a Giveaway!

Time for a giveaway!  It's been awhile.

And, as per usual, it's a book.  :)  Surprised?  No, didn't think so.

I was heading out for a day at the water park with Fraser and Emma, and,

since I had no intention of getting wet, a book was chosen from our shelves.

Not sure why I had never picked this one up before, but, I hadn't.

It is a gem!  A treasure.

Elisabeth Elliot has long been a favourite of mine.

Years ago, I had the opportunity to hear her speak at a ladies meeting.
I remember her as being a gracious and soft-spoken woman of God.
She could be heard on radio and through taped series of talks.  Always a blessing.

For many years, she wrote a newsletter.  My Mum-in-Love had it sent to my mailbox.
I collected them up and squirrelled them away.  In the end, there were dozens in my file.

It seems that Elisabeth Elliot has always been known for her words of wisdom
and no-nonsense approach to life.

Just recently, she was called home to heaven.

In honour of her memory, I'd like to share Keep a Quiet Heart with one of you.

All you have to do to enter this giveaway is leave a comment and tell me

anything you'd like to about Elisabeth Elliot. 

If you didn't know her before now, you could just tell me that.

This book is a collection of some of the best excerpts from her 

wonderful newsletter.  They are short (usually two pages or less) nuggets of gold.

So much truth, encouragement, exhortation, and wisdom is packed into such small packages!
In a recent post, I shared a quote from my copy of her book.

The book you will receive will have a different cover.
Since my copy was published, a fresh look has been applied.
However, the contents are the same.

I plan to pull a name from the hat on Monday, July 13th at Noon, PST.
You have until then to add your name to the list.
Anyone may enter...from anywhere.  :)

Happy Weekend, Y'all!
With Love, Camille

**Update ~ This giveaway is closed.

The Quotidian (6. 7. 15)

Quotidian: daily, usual, or customary;

everyday; ordinary; commonplace. 

Project for school.

All hands on deck (or, in the yard, as the case may be).

Prompting with cue cards.

The big clear-out of 2015.

One down.  Too many more to go.

The contents of the corner cupboard.  Whose idea was that, anyway?

Wallpaper scraped from the shelves.  And again, whose idea?

This salad!  Make it.  You won't be sorry.  Promise.

Heat wave.  It's been crazy hot here.
We're doing our best to keep our growing things green.

Happy Monday!
With Love, Camille