a wednesday walk

walking calms my heart, something about exploring creation even in small ways that draws me a little closer to our Lord. having gone from finding the majesty of God on the tops of mountains, looking across an early morning horizon through snow covered peaks, to finding His gentleness in the dew drops and spider webs. a piece of my heart is to see care taken for this magnificent creation, which means that even our daily walks and interactions teach us to respect and care for all that we have been given.

this walk i carried my camera and documented the way we saw God in the things that were around us.

-my little partners in crime-

-how sophie sees her world-

-pennys view point-

so beautiful the way a season can change. leaves on the ground are just as impressive as those still hanging onto their branches. the sun streaming through the trees and the color that surrounds us, we give thanks. i miss my days in the mountains, but i am thankful for the little adventurers who travel by my side and explore the twigs and rocks with me now.

adventure day

adventures have always looked a little different for scott and i. we aren't really big on resorts or crazy get aways, maybe because we can't afford them, maybe because we have never tried them. we do find much joy in small adventures though. things that take a little effort, a little spontaneity, and a little creativity. we had a conversation the other day about the friendship that we have been blessed with, the ease at which we are able to do life together with, and the fact that we so enjoy being together. it can be a challenge to be unique with a little family, but we promised each other that we wouldn't change the way we experienced our days even when our family changed our lives. so yesterday we headed to whistler. simple, beautiful and wonderful. we packed muffins and hot chocolate for lunch, grabbed our winter jackets and headed out. the drive was spectacular. the colors of the trees and the snow covered mountains made for thankful hearts. we talked about the different seasons, listened to real and princess music, read books and held hands. when we arrived the air changed our cheeks and noses red. our hands quickly found a way into our pockets and sophie stole my mittens and then announced that she wiped her boogers on them! we found a playground, and a trail, walked through neighborhoods and marveled at the handy work, we came across a yard sale and then made our way to the village strip. the lights in the village came on and we strolled, ran, chased, and danced our way from shop to shop. we bought sophie her own pair of mittens and then poked around some more. we made train noises and blew our breath like a smoke stack. the air was crisp and clean, there was a smell - tree smell. everyone had their wood fireplaces burning. we bought a tea for the drive home. the girls fell asleep five minutes into the drive. we were quite as usual, then i broke the silence and said thank you. these are the days that i love. days together, days that are simple but thoughtful, days that took a little bit of effort but create memories. i have no pictures, only words to document this adventure day. i am so thankful for our little family and the pace at which we have chosen to do life with. when we got home we tucked the girls into bed and then looked at properties in whilstler on mls. we found a beauty for just over two million dollars, we laughed and went to bed ourselves.

November 11

i found a large part of my day being thankful today. thankful for the people and places around me, thankful for the family i have and the freedoms we enjoy. thankful for a day of remembering, thankful for people like my grandpa and grandma.

norman george alexander anderson, that's my grandpa. he was born in the district of clayoquot bc, tofino on november the seventh 1922. by 1934 he had joined the rainbow sea cadet corps, in the january of 1940 he joined the navy. he married my grandma in 1947 and by 1957 he had a family of two and was promoted to lieutenant with seniority. on september 12th of 1964 he was promoted to lieutenant commander with seniority. in november of 1972 he retired from the royal canadian navy. his journey during these years has been documented, read, re-read and some stories have been told. hard to imagine the life he has lead, the adventures he undertook and the hardship he and his beautiful wife endured. hard to know what to write to honor him and those who battled with him, to honor those who stayed behind to grow families and bless their children. what words do you use to say thank you, thank you for; the years of service, your willingness, your passion and drive, your attitude and courage. thank you for standing strong no matter what adversities you faced, for holding each others hands when you had the chance, for choosing to fight for that which you believed in - both abroad and at home. thank you from the bottom of my heart for the journey you took and though i have no idea, no understanding of all that was seen, heard, touched and suffered, thank you. thank you that i don't have to know. thank you for the tears you have shed apart and together, thank you for raising your family well and teaching us through example.

my prayer this day, that those who lost would feel loved, that those who suffered would know hope, that those who fight would find peace. may our actions today both big and small demand peace, may we make choices every day that would result in shalom.

thank you to my grandparents. thank you with all that i have.