Welcome Spring!

Waiting.

Patiently (and sometimes impatiently) ~ Waiting.

Welcome Spring!

**Our cherry blossom tree ~ Spring 2010**

Tanya's Turkey (or Chicken) Soup

This soup is super easy to make and yummy to eat!
It's hearty and satisfying.
The first time I ever had it the turkey wasn't even in it...and it was still good!
So good, in fact, that I requested the recipe.
I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

18 cups stock ~ you can make your own or use bouillon cubes

4 tsp salt ~ omit if using bouillon cubes

(adjust to taste at the end of cooking time)

1 cup carrots, chopped

1 cup celery, chopped

1 cup onions, chopped

28 oz tin diced tomatoes

¼ cup pearl barley

¼ cup brown lentils
2 Tbsp rice (I use brown)
¼ cup parsley flakes (or use 1 bunch fresh, chopped)
3 cups chopped turkey (or chicken)
1 cup soup noodles ~ I use small shell pasta

Put all ingredients into large pot (except the soup noodles) and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for two to three hours, stirring occasionally ~

Add soup noodles for the last 15 minutes of cooking time.

Enjoy!
Many Blessings, Camille

Little Mummy ~ Happy Birthday Emma!

Emma loves her babies.

Dressed in layers and layers of dress-up clothes...she is Mummy. Tenderly she cares for and nurtures her dollies. I tell her she is going to be the best Mummy in the whole world!

She says she will not be a better Mummy than me, but I tell her I'm sure that she will! Oh that the Lord would have her heart young and she would grow up to serve Him well.

Much better than me.

Just a little picture to demonstrate the layering involved here ~
it really is quite something! :)

Dearest Emma ~
As you turn eight years old, we pray that the Lord Jesus would have your heart and that you would be first and foremost HIS. Follow Him with all your heart and serve Him all your days and you will bring the greatest joy to your Daddy and Mummy!

Happy Birthday!

Lots of Love,
Daddy and Mummy
xoxo

Looking Unto Jesus

Hebrews 12:1-3

"Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us,
and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;
Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself,
lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds."

Holy Bible

Family Portraits

A Nice.

Orderly.

Composed.

Respectable.

Family portrait takes place...

AND then THIS happens! :)

AND more of the SAME...

Just another ORDINARY day at our house! :)

Olympic Day in the City

We had been told ~
"You must go downtown and experience the Olympic feeling up close and personal...just go!"

"Okay, okay, we will go!" And we did.
Last Tuesday was the big day for us ~ we were all happy that we took the advice kindly given, and ventured Downtown.

These buses were everywhere and we enjoyed seeing them...
they were very "Olympic-y" ~ my new word. :)

Public transportation was, of course, the only way to go ~ so we took the SkyTrain from the comfort of the suburbs to the bustling city streets ~ Fraser with Daddy.

Calvin, Emma and Austin with their "driver's" view.


The Fraser River SkyTrain bridge coming up...

The banks of False Creek were crowded with innumerable Inuksuit ~
presumably built by those who had been there before us.
Science World in the distance.

It was a very grey and drizzly day ~ the first we'd had in awhile...
but typical for our West Coast winters.

The Torch and the children in front of the Torch ~ We could have waited in a 45 minute line for a picture with no fence links in the background, but we opted for this look (below) instead.

Quatchi...up close and personal with Emma!
We watched the mascots skate on the Robson Square outdoor ice rink ~ a treat! :)

Everywhere you looked there was another banner or dressed up building ~ very fun to see.

Emma watching Russian dancers in the Russian Pavillion ~ sweet! :)

Many things were dressed up differently for the Olympics and this was one of the more dramatic ~ Science World turned Russian Pavillion. Russia is gearing up to host the Winter Olympics in 2014.

There were fabulous flags within this pavillion and the kids each stood by their favourite and had a pic taken by Mum. Unfortunately, Austin is very washed out and there was no time for a retake ~ but it's a memory. :)

We ended our excursion with a real treat ~ dinner out at White Spot...the best family style restaurant in the Lower Mainland! Mummy and Emma waited and coloured while the boys caught the end of the Hockey game being broadcast on the restaurant TV. They returned to the table just as the food was being served ~ how did they manage that? :)

Oreo Cookie Ice Cream Cake

Unfortunately, this is not something that is good for you! BUT...is it ever YUMMY!! Once again...a rare treat ~ right? It is SO simple and yet it gets rave reviews. Emma was just cleared by the allergist for milk and do you know what she requested for a birthday cake? That's right...THIS!! :)


Pour one 400g package of Oreo baking Crumbs in a bowl and mix in 1/2 cup of melted butter. Press into the bottom of a 10 x 15 inch glass baking dish. (You could also make a round cake by using a large springform pan).

Let about 3 Litres of vanilla ice cream get soft. Meanwhile, crush one 350 gram package of Oreo Cookies until the pieces are all about the same size. Mix these two ingredients together and spread into prepared pan. Cover and freeze for about 6 hours until firm.

Remove from the freezer about ten minutes before you want to cut into it and voila, dessert is served!

ENJOY (occasionally)!

The "Small" Things...

Taking notice of even the smallest of things on this "Multitude Monday" ~ continuing to count the blessings in my Journal of Thanks. When we slow down and consider all that we have, we become attuned to His many gifts.
Today's list of the small things...

296. Buds of leaves soon to be born...

297. First flowers of the season ~ Heather outside the front door

298. Sweetest little music box ~ long ago gift from my Sweetheart

299. Lego cars on windowsill ~ in boy-becoming-man's room...

300. Fraser's handiwork ~ buildings for a school project

301. Baby teeth ~ both lost in the same night

302. Two less teeth ~ and a smile that is changing...

303. Stack of Beatrix Potter books ~ treasures.

304. Chess game being played amidst "life" as they pass by the table throughout the day...

305. Birds chirping in the early hours of the morning ~ first sign of spring
306. "I love you Mum" in the voices of the children ~ large and small
307. Thoughtful gestures done in secret
308. Empty laundry hampers ~ not really a "small" thing ~ but rare! :)
309. Little toes and feet ~ not for long!
310. Baby teeth ~ fewer and fewer...cherish the moments!
311. Childish voices
312. Moments of quiet ~ but not for long!
313. Rays of sunshine across the livingroom floor
314. Lengthening days ~ another sign of spring
315. Candlelight at the table ~ with our children
316. Shared secrets
317. Snuggling with Emma in the chair and a half
318. Leftovers ~ rare around here

Many Blessings,
Camille

Count Your Blessings

Count Your Blessings


When upon life's billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.


Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings; every doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.

~ Refrain ~

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in Heaven, nor your home on high.

~ Refrain ~

So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blesings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.

~ Refrain ~


Johnson Oatman, Jr. (1856-1922)

Focus on the Family ~ Radio Theatre

Focus on the Family ~ Radio Theatre is the organization that produced all the stories you see in the picture above. They are very well done and actually make you feel as though you are living IN the story! Much better than a movie ~ they "play on the screen of your imagination" and are thoroughly captivating!

Many miles have been covered in our minivan and during some of our excursions we have enjoyed listening to these wonderful stories. They have timeless appeal ~ our family has enjoyed them over and over and over again. From the fictional world of "The Chronicles of Narnia", to true stories such as "The Hiding Place" ~ there is something for everyone. Our children range in ages from nearly 15 down to 8 and they each thoroughly enjoy these productions. On your next road trip consider taking one of these gems along ~ you won't be disappointed.

**One word of caution ~ These are very realistic and engaging...you really will feel as though you are there. Age recommendations are given on the back of each of the stories and you will find that some may not be appropriate for young children due to their intense and realistic content. Thankfully, there is no foul language to worry about, and they uphold decent living on the part of the characters.

**Disclaimer ~ The views held by the producers of these productions are not always reflective of our own. We have occasionally had to discuss important matters with the children as it pertains to spiritual things. Use discretion and seek the LORD for discernment while you listen. I would encourage you to listen along with your children to know what is being presented to them as truth.

Olympic Project Day

Last Friday was the presentation day for the children's Olympics projects. We met in the local library and the children displayed their work. Each chose a different topic within the Olympic theme. Austin wore the torch bearer suit Howie wore when he carried the torch for the Calgary 1988 Olympics. That was very special for Austin as his project was all about the Olympic Torch and its origins and history.

Grandpa and Daddy were our special visitors. You can see all four of the projects lined up here. Austin's is at the far left. Fraser's is next ~ all about the participating countries in this year's Olympics. Calvin's is third from the left ~ Alpine Skiing was his chosen topic. Emma researched the history of Figure Skating (with help from Mummy). Each of the children wrote a research paper as well.

One of the teachers was interviewing Austin in this photo.
All four children are in front of their displays.

We also had the opportunity to go skating as a family prior to the library time. All the other children involved in the day were able to participate as well.
Left to right ~ Fraser, Austin, Calvin and Emma.

Austin...

Howie with Calvin and Fraser...

Daddy and Mummy ~ see my official Olympic gloves? :)

Howie has been very busy at work this last while,
so it was extra special that he was able to join in with us! :)