Morrison Lake 2012

A number of years ago, a wise friend of mine (whose children are mostly older than ours) was talking to me about the treasured times that she had going on a (cottage) vacation with just her husband and children.   I pondered that.   In the early part of our marriage, all of our holiday weeks were spent mostly on plane trips (or long road trips) to visit family, which included staying with family.   Now I love going away with family and friends.  It's all about balance, I think.    For example, we would not want to give up our week up North in September with friends, but there is something about being away with "just" the nine of us......away from home.....with lots of time to really just sleep, eat...and PLAY!  

Of course, we didn't leave our sinful natures back in Niagara (and there was still the odd squabble), BUT there is just something that warms a mother's heart to see the 14 year old taking the 4 year old out in the canoe, or the 7 year coming to his sister's rescue and removing a fish from the hook, or everyone playing games (including the "non" game players), etc.......

 Last year we rented a cottage we found on-line and this year we picked a different one, as pictured above.   We thought it was a gem and plan to go back next year!     

Lounging while blowing bubbles.....what a life!

The five oldest off on an adventure.  Note the "leader".....always has to be a bit different.  Love it!

Eric catching a fish off the dock.  A whole family affair!  A bunch of fish even made it to the frying pan! 

We were blessed with HOT weather!  Malachi spent most of the time in just a diaper......and when he really started to "overheat" he got a dip in the lake!

Lots of reading..... 

 Searching for treasures....or crayfish!

The children found a mud hole.....and what else do you do with mud?

LOTS of fun in the water!

And s'mores!  It's even better when your shirt is on backwards, so you have the other side to get dirty the next day!

And another family photo!

Wonderful memories!

(I've been experiments with different editing techniques with some of these photos.

   Any preferences?)

No words and random ramblings.

We just got back from a week up North at a cottage.

This photo nicely describes it!
No additional words needed.

(More photos to follow.....)

In other news.......

Macayla turned 13 this month.  Wow.  Where do the years go?  Such a blessing to our family.

Malachi is such a delight.   5 months old.  

We stopped at Bass Pro Store on the way home (how can you not with 6 sons?....the girls like the store too!).   Gideon got a little utility tool with various options to "flip and use."  As we were driving he pointed out to me that he had a file.  I asked him what a file was for. 

Without missing a beat he replied, "...to escape from prison."   All righty then!

Jacob has been blessed with about 5 weeks of (part-time) spring work, going to Toronto market with his dad selling product from a local greenhouse.  Other odd jobs here and there as well.   However we have really been praying for more (summer) work for him.  He needs to be busy!  Last fall he filled out an application for the local library (that has two branches).   The application remained on file.  The week before we left Jacob was called for an interview.   The next day we were told that there were many more applicants than positions, and that while they enjoyed the interview, he did not get the job.  Disappointment.  We continued to rest on the Lord.  While we were away, this mom decided to check out home phone messages (with the cell phone).   The library CEO left a message!

Jacob called back.....and he now had a job!

GOD IS GOOD!

It is part time, so he is still able to then do some volunteering at a local Bible Day Camp for children (Agape Valley), as well we go on holidays with the family!

The job also extends into the school year, getting him about 10 hours a week. Ideal!

Jacob is SO like his mother!   Wants ALL the ducks in a row!   A good thing....at times! 

This has taught him (and me!) that we so easily want what we want WHEN we want it....and to rest in God's plan!

We are so proud of Jacob!

On June 2, our family participated in the Word & Deed 52km Bike-A-Thon.  A wonderful family day....for an even better cause of helping the suffering in an Aids clinic in Africa with both physical needs AND spiritual needs.   Our family came in 3rd for the most money raised.  We added $2466.00 to the total amount of over $54,000!  May God be praised!

About eight more baby geckos in the house.

We are all happy to "shelf" the books for a time and enjoy the lazy hazy days of summer.

A friend had her ninth baby the week before we left.   We had their 8 year over for a few days.  A friend for Levi.   He has dark hair (and skin).  I took all eight of them to Bulk Barn.  I felt like singing that song from Sesame Street.  "One these 'things' is not like the others..."   Good fun!  (Before you run out to buy me a medal for doing errands with 8 children....we did the "Cottage Bulk Barn run" and then I dropped them ALL off at a nearby park, while I did the rest of my errands!)

We all really like Jolly Ranchers.   There are these new ones that are hard on the outside and soft on the inside.  Yum-O!

I really need to get back to my mountain of laundry.

Toodles.

Quote.

"If I throw out a boathook from the boat and catch hold of the shore and pull, do I pull the shore to me, or do I pull myself to the shore?

Prayer is not pulling God to my will, but the aligning of my will to the will of God."

(E. Stanley Jones)