rule your own city

Doesn't this look so fun?

 

Don't you wish you were talented enough to draw something like this? 

Me too.

Here's the good news - this paper city (which includes people, vehicles and even a helicopter!) is available for FREE on the Made by Joel's website. The best part is that he made printable templates, so even if my kidlets get too excited and rip/crumple/(insert action here), I can easily print a new one. 

YAY for imaginative play and YAY for someone who can draw better than me and YAY for sharing!

*update:

Yesterday's freezing temperatures kept us tucked away inside, so what better time to build our own city? Here are some snapshots of our building process:

iGrandpa

I just love this picture of Grandpa:

The juxtapositions capture my imagination:

• 91 year-old story-teller listening to an iPod.

• Runners on feet; and a walker beside the chair.

• Hard-working, wrinkled hands; and feet relaxed on a smooth table.

My three-year old daughter calls him Grandpa-Great...I couldn't agree more.

PS - I'm taking part in a photoplay challenge over here

be still

There's something about the freshly fallen snow that stirs the depths of my soul.

Soft stirs slowly settle me down into a rhythm that matches the fluttering fall of each God-breathed snowflake. All consuming, all trusting - my breathing matches the hallowed breaths that gently carry the specks of snow onto the drifts of white.

Soundless words are similarly placed on my heart - reminding me to be still and know that He is God...the God who created whiteness to sanctify the muddy, dirty browns; the God who refreshes my sight with blinding brilliance; the God who can take an insignificant piece of frozen water and create a landscape that muffles the cacophonous sounds of the rushed world; the God who peacefully lulls me into His embrace.

I watch the billowed skirts of the snow-ladden wind dance to its own howling song. Clouds swirl white while jigging and jagging on the frozen gable-topped roofs. I envision God's own fingers dipping down into the cold twilight to orchestrate the performance. The curves of my mouth turn heaven-ward as I beam a smile to my Father, thanking Him for His presence and love.

I am comforted by His reminders that He is always with me, eagerly waiting for me to open the gifts that He has created just for me. I unwrap His love with thanks:


983. Snowflakes falling down.
984. Winter white landscapes.
985. Soothing Christmas carols - including those sung by Sarah McLaughlin. Truly heaven-sent.
986. Home-cooked meals by my mom.
987. Breaking Free.
988. Steps to becoming well.
989. A daughter who believes me when I tell her she's beautiful.
990. A son who reads me the weather forecast every morning.
991. Waking up to a mountain view. Glory to God's creative wonder!
992. Watching my kids see the mountains for the first time.
993. Family weekend time honouring Grandpa and Grandma.
994. Hearing my daughter call him "Grandpa Great."
995. Watching my daughter's eyes flutter to sleep as I stroke her hair.
996. My five-year old son randomly asking me "how are you doing today?"
997. Husband who cuddles me in the dark night.
998. Feeling the spirit-filled urge to write.
999. Simple reminders of His love.
1000. A God who has never forsaken me. Who knows me by name and calls me His. Forever.

Join me in listing your thanks?
 I'm also joining Emily and @ imperfect prose on Thursdays

swelling with thanks

This past week has been a huge lesson in recognizing my God-given gifts and not taking them for granted. I hadn't considered myself a vain person, but God - in His ever so knowing ways - found a way to force me to pay attention to my vanity vice.

For Halloween, I wore some makeup that caused an allergic reaction. I'm not talking about a little bit of a rash, but a full-blown "what did you DO!" to your face reaction. My forehead puffed up to the extent my husband thought I was growing a horn, then my left eye swelled shut as the swelling made its way down my face. After a visit to emergency, I was reassured that my reaction wasn't life threatening. Armed with super antihistamines and dark sunglasses, I was told it would take about a week for my face to clear up. I quickly noted another injury that quickly swelled- bruised pride.

So for the week I hid under hats, sunglasses and excuses. I laughed loud (too loud) when describing my face to others on the phone...all the while desperately trying to repress my fear that my face wouldn't be restored.

And do you know what? Even on the worst day, when my eye was so very swollen, my kids didn't even seem to notice. I was still their mommy.

This is a message God hand-wrote for me, then delivered it through swelling and was read out loud by my children: Unconditional love only sees the lovely.

My face is now restored. I look around with fresh eyes to the loveliness that God has unconditionally granted me:

962. Lisps and laboured tongue rolls of my three-year old's speech. I want to memorize her tiny voice.
963.  Son who wobbley-knee skates on a rink of scratched ice - my little bambi gaining his balance and confidence. My heart bursts with pride as he flashes me his ear-to-ear grin from behind the caged helmet.
964. My blue-green feather costumed daughter whose tiny hands, flapping arms and wiggly hips made me enjoy the chicken dance song. (A huge feat, as I had this song black-listed at my wedding!)
965. Homemade pizza dough hand-rolled by my husband. And delicious pizza toppings that folded the crust just-so into my hungry mouth. Nothing is better than homemade with love.
966. A muddy, scarred and pitted front yard that my husband restored with sweated brow.
967. Son who talks excitedly about his new best friend at school.
968.Children who point to the morning sky and excitedly say that Jesus made the colours in the sky just for us.
970. Eavesdropping as my daughter sings "I will praise you God with all my heart."
971. Candlelit bedtime choruses of 'this little light of mine' between a father and his children.
972. The sound of deep-belly laughs.
973. A full bag of garden-fresh carrots.
975. Popcorn movie nights at Nana and Papa's house.
976. An adult night out with great friends and tasty food.
977. Full-strength antihistamines that alleviated my pride-busting (oh, so humbled!) allergic reaction that swelled the left side of my face.
978. Mom who waited in emergency with me - even though I insisted she stay home. XOXO.
979. Family who are always there to watch and play with our little ones.
980. Phone calls of pride from Lady Wanda to our mini hockey player and darling stage dancer.
981. Uncle who made it through major surgery and is recovering well.
982. My brother who puts up with all my crazy last minute requests.

Join me in listing your thanks?