A Garden Party

Kristal sent out the invitation to celebrate with appies and dessert

on the evening of her sister's party.

She also created this beautiful chalk art.

 Tehya helped me set up and scattered rose petals along the walk to the back yard ...

She poofed pom poms and we set the table under the tree.

 Kari and Kristal helped me fill up the menu:

sangria / berry punch

a charcuterie plate

a Greek veggie platter

watermelon/basil skewers drizzled with balsamic

hot pepper jelly tarts

Mexican spirals

peanut butter/chocolate cupcakes

blueberry and lemon meringue tarts

 and a vanilla Blaettertorte

It was a perfect evening outside with a beautiful combination 

of cousins, a few aunts and long time friends ...

a night to let her know how much she is loved.

 Of course I could not help but remember how I prepared for my

baby girl's first birthday ...

how my mom came to help me all day ...

and both sides of the (then small) family that came to that party.

Tehya took on the fun job using a Polaroid camera

so that everyone could participate in creating an instant memory album.

It was a night that lingered on ...

as will the memories of this day.

Happy Birthday, Julene

Forty years ago you were laid on my chest,

innocence laid bare in a tiny bundle ...

you had no idea how unprepared I felt.

Then love took over 

and filled my heart and life forever.

It was me that had no idea ...

how precious motherhood would be.

Thank you!

♡♡♡

On Top of the World

I'm referring to being on top of the world because of where our weekend ended up, 

but I also want to say that driving caravan style with the family 

 is one of my favorite things. 

That alone makes me feel on top of the world, 

the whole family in my sight ...

headed in the same direction. 

We stopped off at Rainbow Park to have our packed lunches. 

The weather was on the cool side, so there was no swimming,

but some wading, skipping rocks and Frisbee time.

The next morning, after breakfast in our room, we gathered everyone and their strollers together,.

Crossing streets with three-year-olds holding hands and skipping across the street,

we followed the beautiful bike trails around Whistler for a 5 mile walk,

Sometimes Jack does not get into the cousin group photos,
but this time he surely did.

Naptime became the perfect time for pool time

and after that we headed to the Kid's Adventure Zone in the Village 

where everyone could choose one event. 

I enjoyed seeing what one thing each one chose when they would have liked to do way more.

Sunday surprised us with beautiful sunshine and a trip up the mountain that

ended up being even better than we could have imagined.

One of the highlights was the open chair lift to the very top of Whistler.

It is a breathtaking ride that slowly takes you into the stillness of mountain tops and space.  

When you approach the peak, you see the new sky bridge that just opened this summer.

The views ...

simply amazing ...

and awe inspiring.

There is something about the mountains that directs my thoughts

to the greatness of the One who created all this! 

We took the Peak 2 Peak gondola that spans the almost two mile distance between 

Whistler and Blackcomb ...

our family filling one car and enjoying the "ride."

With this another family weekend has come and gone ...

but as the days slip by we are left with so many memories to hold. 

Cherished mountain top experiences

that bind us in the ebb and flow of how we do family life.

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

Mom's been in a home for about 6 months now.  She had no problems getting settled but I found it hard to see how quickly she went downhill. I think we expected it, but it still gave way to a whole new learning curve and many questions.

At this time I appreciate that she has grown into a good routine.  The caregivers have come to see her sweet side.  I keep wishing they could have known her how she was and pray that they will treat her with kindness when I know it must not always be easy. She has a hard time understanding simple commands, such as sit down or open your mouth etc. She needs as much care as a baby and that is a task I admire the care aides for.

The interesting thing is that not once has she asked to go "home." She has expressed joy in seeing us and a yearning or longing she's had, but mostly she accepts whatever comes. I marvel at how she does not complain and she never begs us to stay longer. It makes it easy to go for a quick visit more often.

So this is what I've done. Sometimes it's basically just a good-night hug. I appreciate that her room is tidy and clean and, if I come too late, she's been tucked in with hymns playing on her CD player. I love that they have come to know that this is the best medication for her. There are times she has surprised me by saying my name. We hold hands and sing along with the hymns. Sometimes I read through a list of her favorite Bible verses, most of which she will finish by memory, if I stop.

I can't express how good it feels to see her comfort in the words she memorized so long ago and it amazes me to see the lasting value of a faith she has clung to, not only in word, but in practice. Recently I was brave enough to ask her is she wanted to pray and without any hesitation, with eyes staring about, she went into a prayer, praising our "Almighty Heavenly Father" that He never leaves us alone ... and then her words faded ... but with that one sentence she put me to shame.

I miss who she was, but am so encouraged to still see glimpses of it and know that one day she will be whole and well again. The Lord Almighty is with her - He will never leave her.

Christmas in July

Never before have I debated whether to set the Christmas table inside or out -

but inside won over for ease of setting up the night before ...

and simple peace of mind.

Meanwhile, the next day, was a perfect summer day to enjoy the shade under the tree

where everyone helped themselves to appies ...

or Peppernuts.

The boys played ball,

excited about new soccer nets.

and the girls decorated beach bags.

 A fair amount of bubbles also got blown around.

When it was time to go in for turkey dinner

we set up fans on each side of the room

and just had to remember that many places celebrate in summer.

I'm always in a hurry when taking the table photo,

but here it is ... it's hard to see the other end of the table!

And here's one that was shared with me.

(the kids get served or helped themselves 

and then the adults get their turn ..

so here's just the kids)

It was all I could have dreamed of -
down to kids handing out painted rocks  to
go with the story in Joshua about setting up stones of remembrance.

A blessed, simple and special Christmas together
that will not be forgotten.

Special June Moments

This family picture shows how these grands have grown!

To tell the truth, one little cousin burst into tears when she saw them so grown up.

Somehow she had kept them small in her mind ..

but it did not take long to become best friends again.

One Sunday afternoon we went to see the old Othello Tunnels -

a series of train tunnels, constructed in the early 1900's,

cut through solid rock walls and

 connected by bridges to cross the Coquihalla River.

It's hard to even imagine the challenges those miners and builders took on.

Today they are not in use, the tracks have been taken out and 

some parts have been restored for safety. 

I found it beautiful how a tunnel, with the right lighting

can end up looking like a cathedral.

We went to see Oma and she surprised us all 

by saying, "of course I recognize you!" 

It was a good day.

She was delighted to see her oldest great-grand kids

whom she has prayed for, sent parcels to and even visited in Indonesia.

White Rock Beach was a fun walk, followed by fish and chips on a patio by the ocean.

The little cousins who regularly come over

had bonus fun times with the older ones here.

I took this through the sliding door - smiling - 

those nails were special.

Ten grand kids came and went that day and it hardly fazed me

with all the help I had. 

We got ready for family photos ... which also was an event.

I came out of my bedroom to see this view -

the bathroom we planned with double sinks 31 years ago -

who would have known? 

And here's a random peek at the girls in white 

the boys

 and Tehya and Natalie, growing into beautiful young ladies.

There are moments when I could just pinch myself -

not only for the fact that we can be together,

but that we are family and that we can live apart
and still be family.