Ten Years Ago!

Dear Koen, 

I can hardly believe it's true, but it is ...

ten years ago we quickly made our way down to Colorado,

to meet you, our third American grandchild!

You were welcomed into a busy household,

sleeping through the noise and attention of

an excited brother and sister. 

I remember watching you sleep,

attempting to cover your tiny face with your big hands.

It was less than a year later when we had the joy

of welcoming you all to Canada,

which has been your home.

 I have at times felt like, being the third in line, you thought you had to prove yourself.

You knew what you wanted and you wouldn't give up until you got it.

 Of all the grandkids to be read to, you may just be the one who got in the least stories.

The reason? 

You'd scooch to the other couch and tell me you could read it yourself.  

And there was not much you could not do,

from playing guitar, singing at the top of your voice, 

while sliding down the stairs,

to keeping up with your older cousins at the coloring counter,

even if you had to climb across their pages to get your colors. 

 But behind your strong will, we got to know a boy with an unexpected sweetness. 

Koen, as you've grown, your tenderness towards younger family members,

your ability to relate and your kindness, has not gone unnoticed.

You have grown into a boy who asks the right questions, 

a boy who cares and is willing to learn. 

You are smart, musical, artistic, gentle, kind

and you don't mind getting your hands dirty to help where you can.

Those hands ... large and strong ... to do good.

We wish you the best year ahead!

May God bless you with health, happiness and 

a strong will to do what is right. 

We love you!

Papa and Mimi

Back to School Treats and Thoughts

In Genesis God promised that as long as the earth remains,

seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, 

summer and winter, day and night would not cease.

Despite the changes coming our way, the calendar keeps going.

September is here - 

even though we may not know exactly what it will look like.

In reality, I've been reminded that we've really never known ...

we just thought we did.

So, now we know that school has started.

Our family is still all here.

But we hold loosely to man-made plans.

Last week we had fun doing some special things with the kids.

One day I took these three, (going into Grade 9, 7 and 5) to the mall. 

We spent some time at Bath and Body Works and at Claire's.

They are such a fun age!

But I think I say that about every age.

Two days later, I picked up the three youngest girls 

(starting Kindergarten, Grade1 and Grade 3)

and the oldest beautiful one

(now settled into dorm life at Bible College) 

and we visited a local farm petting zoo, playground and corn maze.

Those littles just love their big cousin,

and I loved that she wanted to come along! 

 On Saurday Papa took the three big boys

(starting Grades 11, 7 and 5)

out for lunch and to a sports store.

When they got back they immediately started taping their new hockey sticks

 and spent some time down on the court. 

And then there's our baby, our reality check of how quickly they grow!

With him I'm never waiting for the next new thing he will do -

rather grabbing every opportunity I can to enjoy just where he's at. 

He came over while sister had her Kindergarten interview,

and we played with daddy's old toys 

and cuddled up with a pile of books. 

  My sentimental side is revealed once more -

it's what September does to me, just like January,

a blank slate, filled with hopes and dreams

amidst the changes in every child's life.

Having said that, I'm so thankful that I can put my trust  

in the One Who really knows all things -

Jesus, who loves the little children and the big ones too -

ever faithful to His promises.

The grass withers and the flower falls,

but the word of the Lord stands forever. 

Isaiah 40:8

Memory Lane

Last Sunday we packed a lunch and drove out to the Matsqui Trail for the first time.

It's an easy walk along the Fraser River on the lower trail,

and beautiful farmland views on the upper trail.

We parked near the bridge that crosses over to Mission,

the one we cross when we go to the lakehouse. 

This bridge was opened in 1972.

On our walk we came upon the old (original) bridge that was used for the CPR 

as well as for car traffic - with wooden planks between and outside the rails to make this possible.

By surprise I was taken back to my first and possibly only time of crossing it by car.

I was ten years old in 1967 when my family came from Brazil,

landed in Toronto to visit relatives (who had sponsored us)

and then took the train across the prairies to BC.

I wonder if my dad wanted us to see the vastness of this land ...

a whole new place of opportunities for us. 

A new life, language and culture. 

A country with beautiful seasons ...

some of which we saw for the first time on our trek in October. 

Our final stop was at the Mission Harbor Station

from where my great uncle and aunt picked us up.

We stayed in Abbotsford with them for about a week,

after which we moved to Vancouver where my dad had found work. 

On our walk, we stopped to watch and take pictures of 

a double stack container transport train.

It was very long, but we enjoyed watching it.

I wonder, is it just me

or does everyone feel the nostalgia and the romance 

associated with trains and train stations,

the feeling that some things never change.

Where we now live, we hear the train whistle, and I love it!

I met my H in 1973 on a church youth camping trip.

we married in 1975 and made our home in Abbotsford.

Home, sweet home ...

and I say that in wonder of life

and the things I never could have guessed about when I was ten.

August Birthdays

 I've let the birthdays slip by, 

but the memories of this month do need to be kept.
Being together during a time like this can't be taken for granted.

 Makenna came over on her mom's birthday, August 3, to bake a cake.

It was carrot cake, an old favorite.

She had a lot of fun decorating it too!

 We were invited to Shaun and Kristal's for dinner.

 A very nice evening out. 

I've cherished these times, maybe more than ever. 

 The following weekend we had our bi-anual girls' night in the city.

We shopped, ate, laughed and slept like queens

in a king, a pull-out and a cot.

 The evening we were away, the rest of the family ordered pizza

and enjoyed time in the back yard.

 Even the rain did not deter them from trying out the pickle ball court. 

A few days later we took these three out for Tehya and Paeton's birthday.

The New Cora just opened in town and the surprise was on us.

When we got the bill, we were told someone else had already paid. 

An unexpected kindness like that lingers for long after you receive it.

 We had a family dinner at the lakehouse.

The big boys took turns pushing Jack - they are so kind to him,

and he adores them.

 The Sawyer dogs are the best behaved dogs I know.

It was a nice evening around the fire pit,

while the kids played. 

Some even ventured into the weeds and muck of the lake.

 Not even a week later, it was my turn.

Dinner and family all showed up at our house.

 I was not allowed to lift a finger and

watched from the kitchen as they set up.

Random moments.

 And a great big embrace with the three littles

who don't care and don't know how old Mimi is.
They would likely say she's very old ...

and not think anything bad about it.

All of these blessings ...
with the bonus of no goodbyes this month.

My heart is full.

♥️♥️♥️

The Secret Garden

So, I'll start by saying that I don't know much about gardening.

My H is the one who keeps our yard looking nice.

I enjoy planting flower pots in May and pruning the lilac and rose bushes. 

My small contribution.

However, maybe things can change just a little bit.
This space has been a good distraction during these days
- as well as a good starting point
to do some more dead heading and exploring.
It's been fun to choose plants and to see the results
of caring for them.
Maybe I'm a late bloomer. 

The sound of the fountain has added it's own beauty and calmness.

The purple flowers are called Lily of the Nile and they are finished now

but I look forward to them coming back next year. 

These tiny roses along the patio table area have had, what seems to me, two seasons already.

They were full when they were planted in May,

Once they were done, I cut them bare and they filled up again.

This little area continues on beside the patio.

The red roses are a bush we took from the old house,

roses grown from a stick off my mom's rose bush many years ago. 

Here's a view from farther back.

The big trees are one of my favorite things about this lot,

giving it an established feel.

Since the yard had quite a slope, we had retaining walls put in.

I've learned that lavender keeps blooming when you cut off the dead flowers. 

At least, that's what's happened around here.

In the front yard, the deer take off the fresh tops. 

(sawdust from the tree house construction) 

Back to the fountain now and going the other direction ...

I didn't get a good picture of the David Austin roses,
I just cut them back and have enjoyed the bouquets inside.
Then there is the globe thistle.
I had one plant in the other house and told the landscaper that I like it.
He put in a lot of them, just because I said that.
And that's how it went.

Black eyed Susans are in full bloom now
and there's several patches of them.



Zinnias are starting late.
Most of the plants are still small.
I'll see what happens ...
next year I think I'll dump more seeds.

Sedum has a beautiful long blooming season.
I love it green, but it's changing to its fall color.

I've always admired the lupines growing wild beside the highways in BC.

Now we have them in the garden.  I'll see what they do.
They may need thinning out after some time.

And this ends our little tour for now.

I guess it's not a secret garden anymore.