Laura Jane Marie

I'm learning about scanning, these got done, but there was difficulty with increasing the sizes. Oh well, enjoy these anyway.
Laura would have been 31 years old today! And yes, I shed a few tears today between my pictures and Aunt Trish's and Aunt Gwenda's - all on FaceBook... I thought I'd add mine here as well.
The above picture was taken when Laura was baptized; it was also the day that she first started smiling. We know that John/Opa is pretty special to his girls - well, it started with Laura!

This picture was taken during a camping trip to Kilbear Provincial Park.

She was so pleased to have babies in the house - here she looks so proud to be a big sister!

This is one of my favourites of a lively little girl - she enjoyed life so much!

All kids love Christmas and presents - Laura was no different!

And here she is on her 4th birthday - she's actually on her feet here, wanting to get at that cake!

Date Night

About a month ago, we were asked which restaurant would be really nice to have dinner at: Stevin apparently wanted to surprise Katrina with a night out, and we were also asked if we would babysit. Imagine our surprise when we received tickets for a special show the same night that he was planning for!
Turns out they wanted to guarantee our availability for that night! We also received a gift certificate for the restaurant we recommended: The Mill in downtown Brockville.
We were awake very early Saturday morning - summer daylight has that effect on us. And we worked outside all day. John had a good nap in the afternoon, I caught about 20 minutes. Imagine, a nap before you go out on the town!!
We had a lovely and delicious dinner: John had the prime rib special, I chose maple-glazed salmon. Had a bottle of Chardonnay. And lemon cheese cake with blueberries for dessert. And yes, daughters-in-law, we did talk!
After dinner, we strolled over to the Brockville Arts Centre. We've lived in this area for the last 15 years, and this was our first time there! It's a very nice concert hall, constructed way back in the mid-1800's, and recently renovated. Our seats were second row from the front on the west side of the hall, in front of the speakers.
Attraction for the evening:

The Stuart McLean Show! The first half featured Patrick Watson and his band from Montreal, and Dave's week with dog-sitting. The second half was spent in Stuart's diary and music featuring his musicians, with songs according to the era. Although the show was 2 hours long, the time flew by, and we could have listened to the stories for much longer! We'll have to make sure we find a couple more of his cd's for our trip east in July!

Thanks to all of our kids and grand-kids for the gift of a very enjoyable evening! You're the best!

an attitude of gratitude

We take so much for granted, that it's hard to have an ATTITUDE of GRATITUDE. The sun rises EVERY morning. A roof over our heads. Food to fill our tummies. Family and friends who loves us in spite of us. Wedding anniversaries and birthdays. Kids and Grand-Kids. Work to occupy us for money OR for pleasure OR just because it's there!
I'm trying to keep up this attitude in spite of what's going on in our lives right now, but it's not easy. Having my income cut to zilch without the benefits of EI is a hard pill to swallow.
However, IT IS SPRING-TIME and spring brings new LIFE, and where there is life there is HOPE!

a sunny day

Today is Dad and Mom's 60th anniversary and they had a great day! The secret was out yesterday afternoon when a friend told them he and his wife were coming to the party, and Mom did make herself busy, but I don't think she lost too much sleep over it.
The sunroom was filled with bright sunshine and a group of 23 people!!
We were surprised with Trish's arrival with Amanda, and Dad and Mom were surprised again when Gwenda and Tanya arrived with Josina, Devin, Brent, Shannon and Lisa.
I was grateful for their help! Thankyou ladies, and gents!

listening?

If you have sound on your 'puter, turn it up for some fun listening. I've been looking for some fun oldies for grown-ups and kids.
One person I couldn't add is Anna Russell. Google her name and click onto her videos on u-tube. Anna was a former opera singer who changed the focus of her singing and music - fun and funny.
The other music - - ah, hope you enjoy! Memories, if nothing else!! :)

more blessings, more pleasures!!

Hurray! We're allowed to tell now!! Click on to David and Stephanie's blogsite to find out what our latest news is!!

Sweet Hunting

Happy Easter everyone! Even though the weekend has come and gone, Resurrection Day continues forever!!! May Jesus give you His peace!
We had a Sweet Hunt on Good Friday, when Stevin and Katrina came over with their girls. Here are a few photos:
Stevin and Naomi following the instructions to hop up Great-Grandma's sidewalk to the porch -

Petra running around the sandbox 3 times!

Looking for chocolate eggs in the garden:

Looking for chocolate eggs in the little girl's basket -
Oh, Rachel! Two Easter chocolate letters is much better than one, isn't it?!

Busy to Busier... and Dreaming

Life is busy - and sometimes it just gets busier!
Tomorrow, I hope it stays dry long enough for the two pre-employment road tests I'll be conducting.
The presentation of the second half of round two of a Discover Your Gifts workshop is tomorrow night.
Wednesday I go to Toronto to give a "motivational speech" to a women's class at Microskills that afternoon, and home again in the evening.
Thursday, I'll be in a day-long meeting.
My Mom was here last weekend, and will be coming again for Easter weekend.
And I'm fighting a cold - some days it's better, then it's a little worse.
Maple sap/syrup season is about done, so that will help.
But then it's spring-cleaning time - wash away the stickiness of the syrup!
- - I think I need to pay attention to the end of the speech I'm giving Wednesday - take time for self - do some dreaming!

March Break

March Break this year means a real break in the weather! Robins, cardinals, redwings, and Canada geese are all heralding the new season! Crocuses and primroses are lending their hue! The sap is going up and down according to night-time temperatures. And children are discovering what happens when dirt and water meet...
David and Stephanie have just left after a 3-day stay; Martin and Emily, and Stevin and Katrina, and all the little girls are attempting afternoon naps although the tv is on for the hockey game....
It's been a busy but enjoyable few days with the kids. John got a couple of projects done with the help of his boys; we women just keep on doing what we always do. I'm just hoping that everyone got just enough of a break away from usual routines!

Spring and Offspring!

Spring is in the air! The trees are tapped, we have our first quart of syrup, the sun is beautiful, but today the wind is cold, the smell of mud hit me yesterday, or shall I put it more poetically - the sun is warming the earth - and the birds are announcing spring!
And, a certain Grandma and a certain Oma are getting pretty excited about seeing certain members of their offspring!