Dinner with a One Year Old

I can do this...

Oohh I like peas!

Alright...on the spoon..

Yum! I did it!

  One of my favorite things:)

The Way it Is...

I love pink...well, more rose to be exact. In fact, I named my firstborn after my two favorite things - music and pink:) Even though I have grown (or maybe just forced myself) to incorporate more color choices, my first inclination is to find a way to at least include this color, if not to make it the focal point, whether I'm painting the house, planting flowers, or just buying a new outfit. Or picking the background for my blog:) Pink. Inside and Out.
I have to admit that lately I haven't felt very pink, not completely sure why, - well I have some ideas but written down, they all sound a bit whiney lol.  Somehow the cares of life can slowly suck the life out of us if we don't allow the Lord to continually remind us who we are. 
So! I began asking Him again lately what He thought of me, and what He has in mind for me.  The first thing that came to my mind was a word He spoke to me at a leadership conference in Ottawa, 2004.  Heather Clark was singing, and as the worship was going on, I was asking the Lord why I was even there.  I didn't feel like a leader, pretty sure I didn't look like a leader, didn't feel like I had anything inside to give (not sure where these thoughts come from sometimes, even though I know leaders come in all shapes and sizes, with different mandates and different styles).  Still, I needed to know.  At that moment, Heather began to sing (to me! although she probably didn't know it) - "I was created to behold.  I was created...for worship...for friendship...for communion..." and I knew it was the Lord saying it to me.  Whatever life is supposed to look like, I know that these are some things I'm created for - first for worship to Him, friendship with Him, and communion with Him; and then secondly I am called to allow my relationship with Him draw others into this intimate walk with the Lord, to see them experience the close communion with His heart that is just so sweet and worth living for. Once you taste of His goodness and kindness and friendship, you will find there is nothing like it anywhere else. 
I think Heather sums it up nicely for me in her song "Longing for You"

"I am longing for You
I am desperate for You
And I have searched the earth far and wide
And found nothing compares with You...

So here I am, Jesus You're my answer
I look again into the eyes of Grace
And found nothing compares to the passion...
that I find in You
So I pour my vial of worship over You...yeah I pour my vial of (pink!) worship over You...

OK at Long Last..

Updating my blog. "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." Mostly what's in my heart these days are 5 little treasures, and the parents that birthed them:) I am so blessed to have these lovely granddollies in my life.

Still wondering a little why God chose us to receive pretty much the cutest babies that ever graced the planet. And yes, I know all grandparents feel this way about their own, but seriously... have you seen mine?! Far too cute for words.

This is Nummy NUMMY, Damma...:)

...prolly my favorite sentence of the whole weekend:) That was Linden's take on our big-family- last-minute-turned-casual Sunday morning breakfast. Both he and Martina love the meat portion of breakfast, whether it is bacon or sausage, or, in this case, fried ham. His daddy served him up a good helping of ham and eggs, and he sat contentedly by himself at the table, amidst the flurry of adults packing up and getting ready for the trip home.
Every once in a while he would smack his lips, and mutter "oohh this is nummy"... and then he would call out to me " this is nummy, NUMMY, Damma!". So adorable:)

Our family had it's own little mini-reunion this November long weekend, with Carmen and Jeremiah making the long trip home to show off the twins for the first time, and especially to come and meet Elliott, the newest member of our growing family. Patrick & Tamara, Martina and Linden travelled down from Pouce Coupe, and Ray & Jesse and baby Elliott made the long trek down the Hart to join us:) and we had a lovely noisy fun-filled, food-filled weekend together.

For starters, Carmen & Jeremiah surprised us by arriving a day early which was so exciting! I was busy shopping all day and came home to find the twins playing on my living room rug. Word spreads quickly around here, and before we knew it, two of the next generation doting aunts were at the door....

Zeke & Quinn are amazing. I guess because they had such an early start into this world, a lot of prayer and thought from everyone has gone into these two little treasures. To see how they've grown and are such healthy boys is a real delight. Our whole family is so in love with them. You'd think we'd invented twins or something! I loved watching Patrick and Tamara with them too. They had story time with Aunty Tamara one night, just the cutest thing! She would pause on a page for a while and then Zeke would make a funny noise and wave his arm to make her turn the page. Both the boys faithfully paid attention while she read out loud to them.
Patrick took the time to show Zeke a few new drum moves too:) Absolutely hilarious.


Patrick again...getting in some quality time with Princess Elliott:)

Thursday night Ray cooked for the family at their house, (I love when he does that:)), and then Great Aunty Liana came for a sneak preview of the babies. Of course they loved her and gave big welcoming smiles and baby coos:) We had a nice visit together, and Jesse graciously opened the Spa so some of the fam could have coiffed eyebrows for the family photo shoot.

On Friday Aunty Rebekah and Aunty Megan stopped in for a little visit and then later on we had a fancy birthday supper for Linden. It was a lovely treat to have Grandma Gail & Grandpa Bruce join us for the celebration, complete with yummy ice cream cake and an armload of gifts for the little man.

Oh yes, the other memorably cute thing Linden said to me this trip was when I gave him one of his birthday presents. I had knit him this grey hoodie with a great little kangaroo pocket. He put it on and exclaimed, "my very own sweater!" (like he's never had one. It was too cute.) And yes, he was pleased to find the 'motie-bike' and the little red car I hid in the pouch.

Three. THREE! He's getting to be such a big boy:) Even though he mostly has eyes for Grandpa, I usually get a morning snuggle or some book time in the chair together. But the bulk of his time was spent playing with all his new cars and trucks, and the famous dinosaur from C&J:)
Martina spent a lot of her time taking care of the three babies, and helping out in the kitchen here and there. I'm so proud of her! It is quite amazing to see that my first grandbaby is growing up so quickly and is so much fun to be with. I know, I know,"turn around and she's two, turn around and she's four, turn around and she's a young girl going out of the door". This I truly know because I've already experienced it a few times..." turn around and she's tiny, turn around and she's grown...turn around and she's a young wife with babes of her own..." (or his own:))

So what other exciting stuff happened...

Quinn and Zeke got to have a bath in Grandpa and Grandma's sink:)

Yes, this is two different babies lol not that we can tell... (actually I have a pic of Quinn sitting in the sink too but his facecloth was not as strategically placed. But, as identical twins go, they do look alike eh...hmmm unless that's Quinn in the sink, and Zeke's is the exhibitionist picture..uh oh...no, it's Zeke in the sink..I think..mommy? can you tell?).

Saturday was the famous Family Photo Shoot...I kinda felt for Sarah, although we were paying her money to do this, there were babies and adults going all different directions, with helpful photo suggestions from everyone and loud visiting, tears and toddlers, I'm amazed at the great group shots she managed to take. For the sake of being fair, I won't post any here, as Carmen and Tamara haven't received their disc in the mail yet:) But I'll tell ya, we're all pretty cute!

Saturday evening was Meet Zeke & Quinn for the extended family and friends. It was a great night with lots of people and food, beautiful presents and lovely memories. One of the best things about having grandchildren.. is sharing them with others, and seeing the joy and delight on other people's faces as they interact. Some of the little cousins insisted on holding the babies (because they're big enough!! yes they are! and could they have another turn please, that wasn't long enough). I loved Halle coming out to the car to pack in one of the babies in the car seats that were definitely almost as big as she is. And here's Shaelena pleased as punch to hold a baby. Rebekah got some amazing shots that y'all can check out on facebook if you haven't already seen them:)

Well, a good time was had by all:) I just wish these times weren't so few and far between eh...

We have an amazing family!

Well it's a start isn't it...

I figure at least a change in background design will give me a little kick in the blogging pants. Our year has been quite full, and frankly, if I had kept up with this, it would seem so dang overwhelming now! For the most part, I feel anything I blog here is not really news to those I care to share with anyways, but it is a good record of events...so herein I shall attempt to journal just a little more frequently:)

I've had a nasty cold this past few days, complete with head-ballooning, aches and pains, and that great water-up-the-nose feeling, so I've been trying to be responsible and block out the fact that I have a granddaughter within kissing distance! Don't want to give this to my little Elliott, but then again, I realize she was super snuffly when she was at my house, and prolly gave this to me! Heck with it, I'm calling them up tonight:) Can't wait any longer!

What a dolly:) We had a family photo shoot last week, with bedlam of the best kind happening all around her and she still slept through most of it. Looking forward to seeing how those pictures turn out and maybe we'll post a few here too! (ok, for those skeptics wondering if I'll ever get back here, I don't blame ya).

Aiight, that'll have to hold us all for now, I've got baby snuggles to collect:)

He is Risen:)

Happy New Year!

I'm already thinking about my New Year's Resolutions....




ON A MORE SERIOUS note, ...here's a letter I just received and it explains a lot, actually. I thought it was because I was getting older (this is my jubilee year after all, quite a landmark), but it is all coming clearer..

Warning - Women's Body Parts Move
Open letter from Ms Peggy Legg
This is an explanation to those friends and family who have experienced mysterious switches of their body parts. This effect is especially noticeable in January.
You may have read of the scare story about the man whose kidneys were stolen while he was passed out. Well, read on. While the kidney story was an urban myth, my story is true - it occurs to me practically every day.
My thighs were stolen from me during the night a few years ago. It was just that quick. I went to sleep in my body and woke up with someone else's thighs.
The new ones had the texture of cooked oatmeal. Who would have done such a cruel thing to legs that had been mine for years? Whose thighs were these and what happened to mine? I spent the entire summer looking for my thighs. Finally, hurt and angry, I resigned myself to living out my life in jeans and Sheer Energy pantyhose.
Then, just when my guard was down, the thieves struck again. My butt was next.
I know it was the same gang, because they took pains to match my new rear end (although badly attached at least three inches lower than my original) to the thighs they stuck me with earlier.
Now, my rear end complimented my legs, lump for lump. Frantic, I prayed that long skirts would stay in fashion.
It was two years ago when I realized my arms had been switched.
One morning I was fixing my hair and I watched horrified but fascinated as the flesh of my upper arms swung to and fro with the motion of the hairbrush.
This was really getting scary. My body was being replaced one section at a time. How clever and fiendish.
Age? Age had nothing to do with it. Age is supposed to reap, unnoticed, something like maturity.
NO, I was being attacked repeatedly and without warning. In despair I gave up my T-shirts. What could they do to me next? My poor neck disappeared more quickly than the Thanksgiving turkey it now resembled.
That's why I decided to tell my story. I can't take on the medical profession by myself.
Women of the world, wake up and smell the coffee. That really isn't plastic that those surgeons are using. You KNOW where they are getting those replacement part, don't you?
The next time you suspect someone has had a face ' lifted' , look again. Was it lifted from you? I think I finally found my thighs...and I hope Cindy Crawford paid a really good price for them!
This is not a hoax. This is happening to women in every town every night. WARN YOUR FRIENDS.
Yours alarmed
Peggy Legg

Oh, My Son-in-law Can Do That...

It doesn't really matter what it is...I'm not kidding you.

I have to say I am continually amazed at my multi-talented son in law Jeremiah:) It seems every time we're together I discover a new gift in him. Or even a new sense of appreciation of him as a young man. Our young man.

I remember when Carmen & Jeremiah first moved to Calgary. Peter and I dutifully met them there to help them move into their new place. (We still really didn't know Jeremiah that well and I am sure none of us were looking forward to awkward stranger moments, but we knew he would be ours for life, and wanted to get to know him better, and it is a big job for just two people.). At some point, the girls got their way and we went to the Sunridge Mall.

This is not startling news about Jeremiah I know. I'm getting to that. First off, we were in a lonely little cul de sac somewhere in the industrial site. Not sure how we got there, my memory is fuzzy at this point so I would have to make it up. But we handed Jeremiah the map book and within minutes he had us sailing along to our destination.

This may seem a simple task to some, but I detest those little map books that are too small to actually give you 3 square blocks, and then it says 'turn to the farthest page away from you and watch how we magically don't make the lines match up"... What was even more fascinating to me was that we were looking for a specific store . He says " it will be on the second floor, somewhere by the escalators in the center of the mall, possibly 3 stalls to the left or right..." (remember, he has never been to this mall in his life, and while I do know that many mall layouts can be similar, there is absolutely no way a normal person would remember that. Sure enough he was exactly right. And yes, he pulled the exact same stunt at Ikea for me when I wanted to go back for some item. So you see he is basically doomed to the task of escorting me shopping whenever we are in Calgary:)

Among his other giftings, (both he and Carmen love to garden together), Jeremiah is quite the creative and artistic kind of guy. He spends some of his time painting small detailed creatures - I on the other hand could never even do a paint by number as a child, inevitably coloring outside the lines, so any kind of painting impresses me. Especially the fleur de lis he painted on a vase for me one Christmas. When Carmen & Jeremiah were preparing for their wedding celebration, Jeremiah cut out several shields, designed and painted them himself, and it really made an authentic beautiful Medieval statement all across the base of the stage in front of the head table.

Not to mention, he has put together numerous costumes over the years, and even made a little kid one for a friend this year. This talent will come in handy when their own little prince or princess comes on the scene. Here's a nice pic of Jeremiah's costume for Ken & Jade's wedding.

Jeremiah is good electrician too - we reaped the benefits of that when he came for 3 days to visit and spent part of 2 of them wiring our en suite with Peter. We wanted him to rest and enjoy his holiday, but he insisted on honouring us and taking the time to do this wiring. It would have taken Peter literally 2 or 3 weeks if he would have done it on his own.

I know he takes things like this for granted but I do not. There is a certain boldness about Jeremiah that enables him to face challenges head on.

I wanted to take some time this birthday (belatedly!) to honour Jeremiah for the warm, loving son that he is to us. Jeremiah, you are a fine man and we love and appreciate you so much! You've brought your unique giftings into the family and we are richer for it. I am slowly getting used to being picked right up off the floor when you come home for a visit (my, but you're strong! lol), and while I know you have a great mother and father of your own, it always makes me smile when you occasionally address me as 'mom':)

Yep...there's Ray & Jeremiah fixing the furnace one Christmas. My son in law can do that.

This summer I discovered a couple more of Jeremiah's talents...we had the most delectable bbqued bacon-wrapped chicken ...mmhhmmm:)

And I also didn't realize he was such a great drummer lol. While we were visiting them this fall, C&J made me play Rock Band. I had managed to avoid it up to this point, but I figured what the hey:) I already knew Carmen was a beautiful singer but I didn't realize Jeremiah was good too! They also discovered how bad I am at the game. Apparently you have to actually strum the guitar to make it work? I was all about the fancy fingerwork with the red/green/blue/yellow... anyways, it was fun.

Here's to the next year, Jeremiah! May it be full of great surprises and new adventures:)

love you ~'mom'

Beauty and Grace

...that's our Kissy Face:)

I believe her Grandma Ev gave her that name originally and it's one of my favorite nicknames for her too.

And even though I'm VERY late with my bday post, I would like to honour Jesse Grace. While I'm on her name, I will say that I heard somewhere that one of the meanings for the name Jesse is "current with God" (which she is!). Couple that with Grace (the power of Jesus) and you have a beautiful recipe for a lovely girl inside and out, someone who makes an impact on the Kingdom of God just by being herself.

Although I grew up with Jesse's mom, Arlis, we seemed to go different directions after high school so our children had to discover each other for themselves. The first time I really noticed Jesse was when she visited our church with some other young people, and gave her testimony. My heart was touched by her honest story of how the Lord has been so good to her, and I could see the passion for Him inside of her as she told of the ways the Lord has rescued her, how she clearly knew it isn't because she does everything right, but it's because of His love for her, and how He pursued her, that I fell in love with her on the spot. (and I'm glad Ray did too LOL).

It was with great joy that we welcomed Jesse into our family. (At this point I didn't realize I would forevermore have beautiful eyebrows and toes as well, I just loved her for who she was and not for what she could do...but now...well let's just say money talks and we're both happy).

One of the things I love about Jesse is her deep love of family. When Ray & Jesse were first married, we had this thing of having dinner together once a week. I loved it. We should work on bringing this tradition back lol. And singing together - my favorite:) We don't get a lot of chances to do this, but I am always so filled up inside when we do!

This was an incredibly difficult year for Jesse as Peter & Areli and family moved to

New Brunswick. It was a special treat for her to go for a visit and get a good family fix! Not too sure what's going on with Jarv's eyes there, but hey... (sorry Simon, we'll have to post you later).


Enjoy your year, my dear! I am looking forward to seeing what new surprises the Lord has in store just for you.

love you lots! ~momzie