cool links

it isn't very often in this space that i veer too far from our own family happenings.  cuz' all of that is just so riveting all by itself that it's hard to detour. right?  wrong...but still....

there is this organization in Haiti, however, that has me doing just that on this particular week.  Heartline Ministries is doing so much right there within that country that we love...  i wish i had piles and piles of money to write them one of those big ol' checks you see people standing with when they've received a large sum of money....Heartline is true and effective orphan care in the sense that it strives to prevent an orphan crisis from happening in the first place.  it is educating, training, supporting, empowering woman to love and care for themselves and their babies both in utero and once born.  it is coming along side a pregnant woman before, during and after birth.  plus, it is so much more, and it is changing lives for many who may have experienced an entirely different outcome if not for Heartline's loving investment.  cool to see and read about them and the work they do....
anyway, the Livesay's are a family i don't really know personally, but feel like i do.  i've read their blog for years.  (i'd be that creepy person who'd recognize them at a mall one day and run up and hug them, without them having any clue who i was.  for their sake, i hope it never happens...) back to their blog~ i love following their open and honest conversations about life in Haiti and parenting many kids and being followers of Christ....they are slogging it out in Haiti at Heartline Ministries, doing the day-in-day-out hard stuff that is making a real difference~ a difference that is not always easy to measure or see.  this two-part story i've linked to below is a small window into their experiences there, and it moved me.  hope it does you as well...

Part 1

Part 2

summer lovin'

a few summertime favourites.  morsels and moments that make me smile.  thankful for lavish blessings...

fresh strawberry pie.  definitely on my top ten list...

snakes~ not so much.  but AJ's reaction was pretty priceless...

fireworks in July...

ice cream runs....oh how i love my moosetracks in a waffle cone....bring along these six and it's extra fun. 

garden beauty...

pool antics with cherished friends....

ahhh, yes....so far so good...

backpack gems

so. a few weeks ago the youngest kids and i went through end of school remnants, emptying backpacks and keeping and tossing items as needed.  Layla brought home some beautiful art projects that she'd made this past year in grade 6....

 

 

 

this was one of Hudson's~ so sweet...

 

 

and then there was this in AJ's backpack...

 

 

oh dear.  talk about mixed bags...

 

the graduates

yep, two graduates in one year...

 

 

grade eight and grade twelve...

 

these two are growing up at mach speed.  one entering highschool in the fall~ all done with elementary school and indoor shoes and recess and hot lunch days, and moving on to new beginnings in grade nine with semesters, exams, and more freedom to choose the layout of his highschool days.  the other returning for a fifth year of highschool to hopefully solidify her post-secondary intentions at a time when the options feel vastly overwhelming and daunting. 

 

 

 their graduations threw me a wee bit.  not like they were a surprise event or anything like that.  i knew the back-to-back nights were coming where i'd see them receive their diplomas and walk the stage, shaking hands with the very ones who had invested so much into providing a solid education to them in their journey to this point.  even still, i was feeling the emotions bubbling up at random moments catching me somewhat unaware.  i cannot fathom where the time has gone so quickly.  i remember pre-school graduation clearly with its cute songs and the green and blue caps and gowns, and i stand in awe of the merciless passage of time.  it stops for nothing.  it trucks along and my babies have grown into unique individuals who are carving their own way, discovering who they are, what they love, where they are gifted, etc...i always remember back to my college days and what my nursing instructor told me while we spent a rotation up in the newborn nursery....she said "someday when you have babies, very consciously enjoy, enjoy, enjoy because it goes sooooo very fast..."  she wasn't kidding.  i appreciated that advice and for some reason i've never forgotten those words...i'm not always perfect at "conscious enjoyment" every single day~ but i'm aware that i should be striving for this always, because the reality is that this is a crazy dash from newborn to adulthood.

 

 

so, my two graduates...as i said to you already~ you are deeply and unconditionally loved, forever.  period.  we are here, cheering you on and praying for your future~ specifically that you will seek God's will for your life.  since you were tiny we've told you~ God has BIG things planned for your life, and you are uniquely designed for that very specific purpose.  we hope you discover that path and walk it with joy and confidence in the perfect plan chosen just for you.  can't wait to see where that takes you. 

much love to you both from this sappy mom as we celebrate new chapters.

summer!!!!

well, clearly summer is here~ well, not so much the amazing hot weather, but more because i'm late getting to the blog!  as usual, computer/screen time is hard to find.  i think that is probably a good thing.  there are kids home, which is always a bit of a juggling act the first week or two.  we are into play dates, sleepovers, wrestling camps, swimming lessons, chores~ yuck, backyard swimming, tuning up bikes, baseball, etc....a new groove is taking shape and summer of 2015 is underway. 

 

 

oh...apparently for some, summer also includes front yard back flips.  you know, because they can.  and even better when they are synchronized with a super athletic friend.

 

 

june was a whirlwind month.  two graduations.  somehow that really happened.  :) will back track a bit soon with pictures to follow.

 

for now, happy July to all!  soak up some sun, eat some cherries, drink some lemonade on ice, hit the beach, stop and capture the moment and be thankful for this amazing country where so much of our daily life is free to enjoy leisure and fun and family and friends and the Maker of all the blessings that come our way.  so blessed....