Where is time going??

Oh my goodness, I can't believe it is the 17th of November!
Thanksgiving in a week & I have no clue what I am making.
I also can't believe that Ben is turning 5 in little over a week.  I finally mailed invitations yesterday.
Where is the time going???  I feel behind on everything and just want to take a few days to catch up.  Can i stop time for a bit?  Christmas is around the corner and I will host family here Christmas Day. 
I just want everything to move a little slower so I can enjoy it more.  Right now I feel like I just go go go all the time.  I don't get enough time to savour the little things.  Trying very hard to enjoy the moments. 

Happy November 9th!

Only a day late but I had to mark the occassion on my blog.

It was on November 9th, 1993 that Timmy & I first started "dating" even if our first real date was not until about 7 months later.

So it's been 18 years since we first got together.  Here we are into our 12th year of marriage and have 3 kids.  We might be adding 2 cats to the mix soon!  It's been full of ups & downs, praise & sorrow.

To many many more years together!

Rest in Peace Tante Esther

My tante Esther died today after a 15 month battle with pancreatic cancer.

She will be dearly missed even if I only got to see her a handful of times since moving to the US.
It is a tough loss for my Simon side of the family.  She is the 4th of 6 siblings to go at a very young age.  My Dad went first in 2000 (age 53), my aunt Sandra (2001 ~ I believe), then my Uncle Roy (2003 also age 53), then my Oma Lily (June 2005) & then Opa Jos (December 2006).  Now Tante Esther (i believe she was 54 ~ she just had a b-day in Sept).  My Opa & Oma burried 3 kids.  Everyone has died so young...(Sandra was in her 30's).  I feel the distance today.  It is so real that I need $ & time to go over there...I can't just go at will.  It's rough.  Tante Esther will be burried with my Dad & sister.  My Uncle, Grandparents, & Sandra are all in the same area.  Tough Stuff.  God please give me what I need to understand what is happening. Help me mourn in a constructive way.  Make the distance seem less.  Please hold my family when I can't.  Amen.

just a song today...

Garden by Needtobreathe.

Won't you take this cup from me
Cause fear has stolen all my sleep
If tomorrow means my death
Pray you'll save their souls with it


Let the songs I sing bring joy to you
Let the words I say confess my love
Let the notes I choose be your favorite tune
Father let my heart be after you

In this hour of doubt I see
Who I am is not just me
So give me strength to die myself
So love can live to tell the tale

Let the songs I sing bring joy to you
Let the words I say confess my love
Let the notes I choose be your favorite tune
Father let my heart be after you

Father let my heart be
For you
For you
For you
For you

Winter in October

Last weekend we were hit with a very unseasonable snowstorm.
It started snowing around noon on Saturday, October 30th.  All the trees still have their leaves & my annuals were still blooming & making a good show.  Then the snow came...bye bye annuals.  Hello fallen trees.
The damage from the snow (anywhere from 6 - 24 inches depending on where you live) was unreal.  We were very blessed to only loose power for 2 thirty minute increments.  Over 70 % of our town lost power and people were without power for up to 6 days.  There are still a few who will have to wait a bit longer to have it restored.  Our town cancelled trick or treating because it was too dangerous to go out.  To many branches still falling & a lot of powerlines were down.  We lost a dogwood tree & some big branches to the storm but over all feel very blessed to have been kept safe, warm, dry, & healthy.

Here are some pictures from our yard.  It was such an unreal experience.  I had to keep looking & staring at the snow & looking at the calendar.  There should not be snow on the ground for halloween.  I remember one year when Cassie went trick-or-treating in short sleeves.