Some Ramblings

 I haven't blogged in a while so I thought I might share what's been happening around here... in pictures.  We have been spending quite a bit of our time (3 evenings a week) at the soccer field.
Grace, Alex and Jean are playing this year and loving it!

Ian is actually coaching Alex's team this year - very exciting for Alex.  I run back and forth from Grace's field to Alex's field to make sure I can watch as much as possible.  These are busy evenings for us but good family time.

We spent a gorgeous Sunday morning at a "Fly-In Breakfast" in
early June.  Even though we stood in line for one hour for breakfast,
it was worth it.  There was a lot to see, a really good breakfast and
we had fun spending time with Sarah, Randy, Noah and Allie.

I was able to volunteer for Alex's school trip to the
Mill of Kintail and these were my two buddies for the
day.  It was a dreary, humid day but we had a
lot of fun playing in the stream and hiking through the forest.

Grace is playing with sweet Charlotte who will be turning ONE very soon!

Our children are so fortunate to be able to spend time with so  many different family
members and GA Janie and GU Bill are really special.  Here Grace practices her
headstand at their cozy little house in the bush.  Great form!

We haven't had enough time at the pool yet but we hope for many, many warm
afternoons to spend there.  This was our first swim of the year at Grandma and
Grandpa's pool and the water was chilly!

There is nothing like a Fun Fair and our school hosts the best one around!

Over the May Long Weekend we were able to spend an afternoon and evening
at the Gallivan-McGregor cottage.

We are into "Market Season" now and Grace has just been
hired by Grandpa Jim to work with him at the
Carp Farmers' Market for the summer.  Here she is on
her first day of work, all ready to go!

This picture represents what early Summer is all about here
at our home:  soccer evenings (notice the shinpads - pink!),
farm market work and having fun in between!  It can be a
tough balance these days and we are tired but we know this is
what it is all about - we work hard to we can play hard!

Finding Love Notes and Other Memories

My day was completely filled up... I don't know about you, but I find that when I'm really busy, I accomplish a lot.  I've always been this way.  The minutes are precious so I fill the moments.  After a full day, while the kids were playing in the bath, I went through my jewelry box - an old relic from my childhood (actually a present from my parents I believe).  I've carried this box with me to every home I have lived in but it is time to retire it away into a cupboard.

It is amazing how random items can just bring back memories.  I found little trinkets I had saved that had value in the memories they evoked, such as a beautiful watch Ian bought for me when we were dating, some gifts of jewelery from special people, a picture of my deceased Grandma Bloetjes, an old friendship ring from a childhood friend, a bracelet from Africa and a little note from a young romance... that was really funny to see!  Made me melt.

That was a note from him!!  I remember him clearly and we had a nice little romance until my family moved away.  I took those precious items, placed them back into my old jewelry box and tucked it nicely away in a drawer.

Here is the final product... nothing special but it works.  Despite how I was ready to put that old thing away, it was full of some nice memories and I had a few giggles and a big smile on my face as I went through it all.  It will be nice to see what ends up in this box in 25 years!