summer days

Yesterday we spent the entire day outside.

We played. 

We swam in the lake.

We ate dinner on the deck.

All with our dear friends, the Braggs.

After dinner we gathered up our blankets and folding chairs. 

We popped some corn and packed some treats. 

We bottled some water, put on our sweat shirts, piled into 2 vehicles and headed into town for a outdoor showing of The Lorax.

Mike and Katie met us there.

While we waited we -

 played with our food. 

(Good thing our mothers weren't there)

and danced to the music.

Show time.

The environment was so safe and family friendly. 

Even though it made for a late night, we had the best time. 

I cannot remember the last time I had such fun at a community event!

I hope they do it again and more often. We will go back.

family night

rock climbing 

{for kids}

ice cream cones and a walk in Cowichan Bay

You would never guess what Darren was saying to Tate in this picture.

And I will never tell.

For you wouldn't want to know.

But I will never forget!

The memory will live in my mind forever.

Captured on camera.

How grateful I am for the memories pictures provide.

Through the filters on my phone I can make images look the way I want them to. 

Such is life. 

These windows into ones world - they are viewed through a filter, the individual one we each possess.

Appearing unique to the beholder.

Things look picturesque through lenses and filters.

This is how I must learn to view my life. 

Letting go of the bad, the fighting one cannot see behind the scenes.

Remember the good.

Viewed through rose colored glasses. 

This life I live, this imperfect life, is pretty perfect.

It is perfect because it teaches me that there is sad and bad and lots of ugly.

But there is also so much good.

I need the contrast so that I may know the difference.

I must learn to look for, search out, and remember the good.

I hope when my wee ones are grown they will be blessed with a filter.

One that will give them eyes to see a mom that tried so hard.

A mom who loved imperfectly, but one who loved completely.

Please, dear God, bless them with this. 

Filter my mistakes.

How grateful I am that there is such a thing as family.

art classes with grandma

My mother-in-law is quite the artist, as is my own mother. 

It is a talent they have passed down to their children and their grandchildren.

 Lately, My mother-in-law has been doing some art classes with my wee ones. 

I watch in wonder as their talents emerge. 

Last time they learned how to paint with watercolors.

Today they sketched outside in the sunshine!

Thank you Grandma McCullough for taking this time to spend with the children. 

We all appreciate it very much.