To see my list of 26 photos for this challenge visit my Photo Blog by clicking this --> Phun with Photography AND click the icon above to see a list of other participants... and vote if you like! :) 
Last week we were on the Sunshine Coast for the purpose of celebrating the life of my Grandfather ~ he lived a long life of nearly 94 years ~ what a celebration! We spent our last day on the Coast at the Beach - right across (literally) from the home in which my Dad, my Uncles and Grandparents first lived when they lived on the Coast. This stream (or rather a river) caught my attention as it was feeding into the large Pacific Ocean. This is the passage of scripture that came to mind. 
And so I'd like to do this too for the first 5 readers that leave a comment on my blog! (PS, I know I have a lot of readers that don't have blogs, but you can just tell me you'll do this P.I.F. for 5 people of your choice too) 
In honor of Earth Day, Amy at Moms Toolbox is giving away 8 Ranger Rick magazines that her children are done with but in perfectly good condition for your Family to enjoy! click HERE to go to this post to enter to win!
you have til Thursday to head over to "We are THAT Family" blog for this giveaway provided by LaBella Jewels.
On Friday it was high time I got to take Elijah on a date. Anita, a friend of mine, once heard to plan monthly (or how ever often you want to do it in the year) dates for each of your children on their birth-date day... get it? Like IF Elijah was born on 25th (he wasn't), then I would (could/should) plan to reserve the 25th or as close to that date as possible each month for him and I (or alternate between Jason and him) to go on a date together. I thought that was a pretty cool idea! This date didn't happen to be anywhere close to the date of his birthday, but it was a special date none-the-less! With that idea, the more kids you have though the more often you are going on dates if you did it monthly... might then be considered to be 1 date/month alternating between kids. ANYWAY-
I brought books along that we read together... it was nice! We then went to HOJ to find a gift for a birthday party he is going to this coming weekend.
And well, here are all her Snappies, Large Snappies and Bows filling it up quite nicely!
Next I owe you and I'll send Erin a picture(s) of Gabi sporting her new hair-wear! :)
I've been just holding Gabi on the toilet... we hadn't had successes, but I did know she knew what she was doing as I'd watch her stomach muscles push to try... BUT then this week (April 14-16), on Tuesday Gabi peed on the toilet!!! And then on Wednesday she pooped and peed on the toilet! And then on Thursday she did these about 3x! So what do we do? The Happy Dance - here she is showing it to me so I can snap some pictures: 
here she had just brought me a whole line of TP to wipe up something - she may have dribbled, I can't remember now
Wah, my Baby isn't a Baby anymore... I will be sad to say she is two years old in a short while... for now, keep treasuring each moment! :)
this is last September when we were there for my Grandma's Memorial Service.
(this will be my Shadow Shot Sunday this weekend on my photo blog)
running to the lookout
climbing up and on big rocks
and then a walk up to the "top" for a look out a slightly different direction
when we were up at this part of the mountain, I said "I hope we don't see a bear up here" (only partly joking, mostly not - though Jason didn't think there would be any)... anyway, so on the way down, Sammy says to me "we need to look for the bear" I said "no, no we don't want to see a bear" now I can't remember how the exact conversation went, but something like he wasn't afraid to see a bear and Daddy wouldn't be even if I was afraid or didn't want to see a bear!
Here we are on future lots for not-too-much-less-than $1million houses which is overlooking another mountain that you can see, where friends of ours live
then Elijah, our rock and tree climber (Sammy is too but he's a bit too small still to maneuver like Elijah can) was off and climbing when he saw this pile of rock that exists from clearing the lots by blowing it up
a lone tree left - guess it will be in someone's backyard someday!
This morning my dear Grandpa was called Home. I haven't quite collected all my thoughts - but it is weird to think now both of my Grandparent's are not with us on earth but in Heaven where I'll meet them again - which is the HOPE we have in Him. :) This photo is from a year ago, May, when we went over for the day to visit my Grandparent's! (I think I have more to say, but not now...)
and on my fridge...
and decor like this H-O-M-E I made...
and this in my entrance way:
and this special gift I received from Alexa that is stationed above my stove to act as a reminder to have JOY always as well as remembering what J-O-Y could stand for (Jesus, Others, Yourself):
memories - scrapbooking is a hobby of mine - and my kids love to look through them
And as much as I love going on vacation, it is always good to use my own bathroom...
and sleep in my own bed
the sound of windchimes in my backyard is something I love to listen for
and the sight and scents of candles which I only tend to light when we have company over
and finally popcorn has to be on this list since it is Jason's all-time favourite snack - and is becoming a favourite of our kids too
I could add more of what make our house our home... like my kitchen and my laptop... as well as important aspects of living, laughing and loving!
I did copy and paste some of the recipes I saw... including this recipe!
8oz whole wheat pasta (I used 1 cup Orzo)
1/2 lb. asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
8 oz fresh mushrooms, sliced
3 T water
3-6oz precooked ham, cut into cubes (use as much/little ham as you'd like - or use whatever meat you like!)
1 C light whipping cream (I had in my mind that it was written "light cream" so I bought Half & Half which is "light cream", not whipping cream)
1/4-1/2 C shredded Parmesan cheese (I didn't have fresh parm. but the "bottled" worked great too)
salt and pepper, dash
garlic (optional)
Boil pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, place asparagus and 3 T water in a microwave-safe dish and steam for 2-3 minutes until asparagus is slightly tender. In a 10-inch skillet, saute mushrooms, and cubed ham until mushrooms are cooked. Add steamed asparagus and cook until desired tenderness is reached.
Drain pasta, and add pasta to veggie/ham mixture. Pour whipping cream over the pasta and veggies, and simmer to allow whipping cream to thicken. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic powder, if desired.
Remove from heat, and add Parmesan cheese. Stir in to allow cheese to melt. Serve warm and enjoy!
As for meal planning Monday - I didn't actually participate but I did try to get a good menu plan for the week. :)
Elijah was in an 8-week soccer "class" in January and February, which he really loved. Soon he will play T-Ball for the first time, which he is looking forward to.
Gabi's shirt says "I'm guaranteed to make you smile" - so true!
