Remembering

Sunday was Remembrance Day, this year we did not make it to a ceremony.  Church ended and there was not much time to get to one in time, and well after the morning service its usually pretty urgent to get kids home and fed and down for naps.  And so we talked about it.  Remembered in our own way.

This day is pretty important to us, to teach the kids to honour the memories of soldiers lost long ago, and to remember the soldiers that still fight.  To be reminded of war and the sacrifice so many make so that we can live free.  All of our Grandparents immigrated to Canada from Holland, post-war.  The stories that we have been given are glimpses of what they went through, but even then its hard to fathom.  And so we remember in the only way we can, we remember without fully understanding the horrors of what so many have seen and what so many have experienced, and still do experience.  And we pray for soldiers, for the men and women who gave and who give their lives in the past, and in the present. We pray for the countries that are constantly at war, we pray for the countries that are at peace. 

The fourth verse (not often sung anymore) of our anthem always gives me shivers, the words so strong and clear to the One who is in control.  Sometimes I wonder how long it will be before they change these words, for the God we sing of is the God who is also forgotten and pushed away.  On Sunday after church our congregation stood for a moment of silence and sung these words. 

O Canada!

Our home and native land!

True patriot love in all they sons command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise,

The True North strong and free!

From far and wide,

Chorus

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land glorious and free!

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

Ruler supreme, who hearest humble prayer,

Hold our Dominion in they loving care;

Help us to find, O God, in thee

A lasting, rich reward,

As waiting for the better Day, 

We ever stand on guard.

Chorus

And although this poem is so well known, I find myself reading it over and over every year at this time.
Its beautiful.

IN FLANDERS FIELDS POEM
By Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead: Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved: and now we lie
In Flanders fields!

Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw
The torch: be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields

Composed at the battlefront on 
May 3, 1915
during the second battle of Ypres, Belgium

(picture taken from www.picsearch.com)

Cupcakes and Outings

We've jumped into school with both foot and have landed after a rather shaky start. No longer is it SCHOOL but simply, school.  Another part of the week.  A happy part, for which I am very thankful.  The trauma that the bus caused seems to have died down. Although I do drive in the mornings, in the afternoon the bus is used.  A win-win for us, the anxiety of going to school is removed and in the afternoon she walks with her friends and gets on the bus without a worry.  I'm finding drawings of little girls, some with straight hair, some with curly or long or short jumping on and off the bus.  With little faces squished into the windows all waving and smiling.  This picture has made its way into my Bible and makes my momma heart happy.  I'll share, I promise, once I figure out my scanner. 

We baked cupcakes last week for school, an incentive for students who met their book-reading goals.  I'm rather enjoying being a school mom.

I spent some time a few weeks ago with my newest niece, a niece whose dark dark eyes reminded me so much of Kaylin's when she was a baby.  Holding a newborn will never cease to amaze me.  Their precious little bodies, their intent gazes, the smell of baby.

There was a girls night squished in there somewhere.  Where Drew came home and took charge of the dinner hour and I went out.  Lingering over a dinner with good conversation and no interruptions.  My favorite part of going out, the way the kids run to me before I leave for just "one more hug".  I was reminded that even though it can be difficult to arrange, it really is important to get away, even for just a few hours.  And that it had been far to long since I have done so.

The girls night was nothing fancy, just a simple dinner, followed by browsing through a book shop and then ending with coffee.  And in its simplicity it was perfectly wonderful.

Jacob asked me yesterday why Maddie had blue eyes when we were "obviously a brown family". It took me a moment to explain and before I had a chance he peered in my eyes and shouted, "hey!  you have blue eyes too".  And unlike him, this little one notices everything and everybody.

And with that I must go and tend to the children that are tumbling out of their rooms.  I'm being reminded that I can only stretch this quiet time so long, and so,

Adios!

Lindsey

Monday Randoms

I have a few moments squished between my daycare baby napping and the other two playing with trains.  Trains that were handed over to me by a sweet friend in our church, a bag full of wooden tracks, bridges and wooden trees and buildings.  The gift of handing over precious toys that are no longer being used is such a blessing.  And fun, and has kept a normally grumpy monday into a nice morning of quiet play.  

My camera was left behind two weeks ago at my sister-in law's and while I just got it back today is going to be a morning of randoms, pictures that have been sitting on my computer. 

I have finally completely my kid's table project.  Which took me oh, 6 months+.  It is now a cheerful yellow and cream and makes me happy every time I walk past Kaylin's room.

An empty laundry baskets make us all smile, I'm sure.

From last year's pumpkin carving extravaganza. This year the Halloween was low-key but a happy fairy, a tough fireman and a fierce tiger made their way to our neighbors houses.  Hard to believe that just a year ago Maddie was crawling and chomping on every pumpkin she could find.  And Drew and I are overdoing our parental duty by making sure some of the halloween treats disappear over night, such a rough job we have:)

Me and two of mine and 3 nieces.  Family time is always fun.

This only from September, my little girl is growing fast!

Linking up with Lowercase Letters this morning.