A day out

In many ways this summer has been uneventful.  We’ve had a couple of great days of outings, but mostly we’ve just enjoyed staying at home and hanging out each day.  I figured that after the past year the kids and I just needed some good relaxed time.  We’ve certainly enjoyed being in our new home..it has much more space and the back garden has been thoroughly used and enjoyed.

Last week I decided to take the kids out for a little walk.  I had some bread that was old so we set off to feed the ducks.  I didn’t take the stroller..this meant we went slow and didn’t really go all that far.  It was a beautiful day and the kids just enjoyed playing and enjoying God’s creation.  Here are a couple of pictures from that day.

 

Birthday present from Jason

So, I celebrated my 33rd birthday this past week.  And Jason took me out today for my present.  The pictures follow.

I got the Scottish thistle because I wanted something from our time over here in Scotland.  I love this land.  But also, it reminds me of my love of nature…and even my love of cooking and domesticity.  The design that I have is based off of a 19th century buttermold.  It was a fun day and I’m thankful to have shared it with my dear husband.  Thank you, J!

 

Family Outing

This past Saturday we had a wonderful family outing.  Thanks to the Fraser family we had a reliable car to drive.  We visited Stirling Castle and the William Wallace Monument.  The day started out cloudy and a bit chilly, and turned into a beautiful, sunny, warm day.  We all thoroughly enjoyed our time together.  Jason has been extremely busy this summer including time away to conferences, so this family day was much needed.

Some highlights: The gardens at Stirling are absolutely beautiful!  You’ll see from the pictures that I thoroughly enjoy them.  I also find myself taking pictures of flowers and such for my mother.  She has instilled a great love of nature and gardening.  This is my way of making sure that she doesn’t miss out.  The other aspect of the castle that I really enjoyed was the tapestry’s.  You’ll see pictures of them as well.  I was amazed by them when I first saw them hanging in the Chapel Royal.  I became even more impressed when I learned that they take 4 years to make…and then I even got to see one in progress.  Again..thanks to mom for teaching me the beauty of handmade things.   When we reached the William Wallace Monument we had a bit of an uphill hike in front of us, and then another 200 foot climb up a stone spiral staircase.  It was an interesting experience for us.  Charlie is terrified of heights..he made it to the top and back down.  What a trooper!

Apart from this trip we are just enjoying a quiet summer so far.  It feels good to have no real agenda and to just enjoy fairly relaxing days at home.

 

Another Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday, Charlie-Bo!!!!!  What an amazing young man you are.  Even through the difficulties this morning with your attitude I am incredibly thankful for the blessing that you are to me.  I am in awe at how much you have blossomed over the past year.  You have shown amazing strength through a very difficult move.  You’ve worked hard at school and have excelled!  You have very quickly developed a love of reading and drawing.  I’ve so enjoyed watching you at school with all your classmates.  You are such a likable and sweet boy!!!  Now if I could only get you to clean your room!

 

Date in Anstruther

On Tuesday night Jason took me out for a date.  It was very impromptu, but we wanted to go out before the car doesn’t work again (which is a whole other story).  He took me to a pub in Anstruther called The Dreel Tavern.  It is from the 17th century.  We had a nice hot meal and enjoyed sitting by the coal fire.  Then it was off for an ice cream cone and a beautiful drive home…with a few pictures taken along  the way.

 

Our Garden

There is much beauty in our own garden.  I just had to share it with you.

 

Celebrating Kendy

We enjoyed celebrating Kendra’s birthday as a family.  Another year older and getting sweeter every day.

 

The Birthday Girl is…..Kendra

Happy Birthday my angel!  My baby is three today.  She is the most independent and the funniest of them all.  Jason and I are so thankful that she is a  part of our lives.

 

Mercies are New

C.S. Lewis Song

by Brooke Fraser

If I find in myself desires nothing in this world can satisfy,
I can only conclude that I was not made for here
If the flesh that I fight is at best only light and momentary,
Then of course I’ll feel nude when to where I’m destined I’m compared

[CHORUS]
Speak to me in the light of the dawn
Mercy comes with the morning
I will sigh and with all creation groan as I wait for hope to come for me

Am I lost or just less found? On the straight or on the roundabout of the wrong way?
Is this a soul that stirs in me, is it breaking free, wanting to come alive?
‘Cos my comfort would prefer for me to be numb
An avoid the impending birth of who I was born to become

[CHORUS]

[BRIDGE]
For we, we are not long here
Our time is but a breath, so we better breathe it
And I, I was made to live, I was made to love, I was made to know you
Hope is coming for me
Hope, He’s coming

I was struck by the words of this song, this morning as I got ready for my day.  Our Lord is far better to us than we even deserve.  Are we not thankful that His mercies are new every morning?

 

Storm

Okay, okay..I know what you are all thinking.  “Really, Heidi, you hardly blog and now we’ve got two in one day?”  Yes, tis true.  I just had to show you pictures of the weather today.  Really my pictures don’t do it justice.  We have had a stormfront move in from Russia.  And believe me I can tell.  It is the starkest cold.  All day today it has been snowing, hailing, and sunny.  When I took these pictures it was hailing outside..most of the white is hail, not snow.  The clouds overhead were low and just sweeping by in the  wind.  God is amazing!!!!  Although it is not always fun to be in the cold, I am so thankful to be here, to experience this country, especially with my children.