Monday, July 30, 2012

Toronto Trip Pics...Finally!!

Our first stop was Niagara Falls!  Jesse was thrilled because he didn't think we were going to be able to see the Falls!!

Hard to imagine how much water actually goes over the Falls per minute!  Impressive!!

US side at dusk.  The sky was beautiful, but the Falls not quite as impressive as the Canadian side! ;O)

The Canadian side at dusk...just starting to be illuminated with back lights!

The home I grew up in my whole childhood!  The people who bought it from my parents still live there and they invited us in to tour the ENTIRE house!  Such an incredible experience to be able to reminisce!!!

We were there for Canada Day (Canadian equivalent of July 4th) and this was the huge flag hanging in the Eaton Centre.

The view of the Toronto Harbour from our hotel room!!  So beautiful!!!

Out for the evening at Harbour Front!

CN Tower lit up for Canada Day!

Some of the buildings downtown on our city tour.

Clock Tower at old City Hall.

Roots Canada...where we did some shopping!

The front of the Royal Ontario Museum...pretty cool!

The web of street car wires in Chinatown.  Not sure how they keep them all straight, but it seems to work.

Jesse on the double-decker bus tour sporting his new Blue Jays cap!

Just as impressive during the day!!

A sizeable plane landing at the Island Airport in the Toronto Harbour.  We could watch planes landing and taking off all day from our hotel room!

The Toronto skyline from a boat in the harbour.  I always get a rush from this scene!

Harbourfront from the water...

The Skydome open for the game between the Blue Jays and the Royals.  We were definitely the minority pulling for the Royals!!

Jesse and my brother, David, at the game.  We had seats right behind the Royals dugout and Jesse even had one of the Royals players throw him a game ball, but he gave it to the little kid in front of us.

The CN Tower from our seat in the stadium...very cool!!

Interesting architecture in downtown!

Union Station!

Lisa and Christian!  Lisa was "my first baby" and I loved her like she was mine!  She's a Mama now!! Am I old? ;O)

Jesse at the Scarborough Bluffs!

I was surprised by how emotional I got visiting the Bluffs.  It was here that I would go to think and pray!  It was here that I decided I was "all in" in my walk with the Lord!!  The decision I made here affected who I married, where I live, how many children I have and, most importantly, the purpose with which I live my life!!  Kinda felt like sacred ground!!!

The view from "my rocks"!

We both sat and thought for quite a while.  This was one of the most special parts of the trip for me!!

Sailboat off the Bluffs!

Flowers nestled amongst the rocks...what a view they have each day!!

These are just a few glimpses into our trip.  It was a special time of being alone with Jesse and helping weave the story of my early years into what he knows of his Mama!!! So thankful we got to experience what we did together!!!

Monday, July 23, 2012

Simple Words...

Sometimes profound truths come clothed in simple reminders.  Truths from the potter's hands straight to my heart...meant to mold me ever so gently, just a little bit more, into His image.

Whispers of grace...


reminders of love...


with nudges to pray...


for faith to remain strong...


And in the midst of it all, the heart of the matter, a need to remain still...


in order to hear the words, spoken by the Original Potter, and crafted by an apprentice's hands...



Simple words, set by a favourite chair, for quiet moments to ponder their intricate and complex truth!



Home!

Well, while we arrived home from vacation mid-week last week, I am just now getting around to posting.  Even though we were home, Tim was still off and we were still in shut-down mode.  I sure do enjoy shut-down mode once in a while! ;O)


Our travels were amazing!  Jesse and I had such a great time in Toronto and the time we all had in Indiana with friends (who are family) was very special.  We were pampered and spoiled and allowed to rest and be refreshed.  That was an invaluable gift we were given and one we do not take lightly!!!


3 weeks is a long time to be gone, though, and I was so happy to get back home.  Might have had to do with being back in my our own bed since Tim and I normally share a King and were in Queens while gone.  I love my hubby, but I love my space when I sleep, too! ;O)  I was also happy to get back in my home, cook for my family and enjoy being able to putter around in familiar surroundings.  


As all good things that must eventually come to an end, vacation for Tim ended this morning when he left for the church.  I must admit it was tough to watch him go.  He did a great job of disengaging during his time off and I truly enjoyed not sharing him with too many other people than the 5 offspring we have between us!!  


His departure left me with the opportunity/task of getting myself back in a routine of sorts.  So far so good!  I cleaned, vacuumed, did laundry and paid bills.  I am so proud of my efforts that I am going to allow myself to play the rest of the day.  A true routine will involve enough to fill a whole day, but I decided I would take this week to "ease into it"! ;O)


I have some things I want to blog about so I will get back to you more this week!


Enjoy what little is left of your summer!  I know I will be doing the same thing!!!