Wow, two fantastic days in a row! Yesterday (Saturday, September 3) we spent the day with Ryan, Amy, Emma, and Tyler at the Salem Kroc Centre, which has an aquatic centre, lap pool, gymnasium, climbing wall, amphitheatre, 4000 sq. ft. of exercise equipment, and a spray park (which was already winterized even though it was 92 degrees out!?). It was an absolute blast - until some kid pooped in the pool... so we became pro-rock climbers! This morning we went to...

The picnic was wonderful. We reconnected with Tim's cousins, having seen them last 13 years ago. Diane, Mike and Sue, and Craig are related to the Giesbrechts as well as mom - don't ask me how... but it makes us related somehow. Diane is a wonderful woman to whom all the Smiths are indebted for all that she does for mom. Thank you Diane, you are amazing! (I'm sure mom would agree). Quote of the day: "I wish Dad would quit teasing me, he's got it bett...

"Live in the moment and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering." Fanny Crosby Another beautifully, hot, sunny day to enjoy. I was chatting with God this morning, wondering of the difference between resting and being lazy... His wisdom came so refreshingly curious it had to be Him. "Resting is an act of choice that for those who are lazy is no different than doing nothing. Resting for those who are not lazy is more difficult than being busy, and t...

Yesterday we had a most vivid and memorable history lesson. We went to the theatre with Uncle Ed, Aunt Marsha, and Cousin Amy, to watch The Help. Wow, what a moving story. As we are going to be spending some time later in the Southern States, it was an invaluable lesson for us. We have such very little understanding of the immeasurable struggles, prejudice, and lack of freedom the south tolerated and yet it has generated the present environment in which we li...

An old fashioned blackberry is one that grows wild along the roads, in the ditches, over walls, and through fences. It has many apps such as jam or jelly, cobbler, pie, and syrup. People benefit from its usage throughout the day at any given time, although, unlike the contemporary blackberries, old fashioned, original, blackberries are best not worn attached to one's belt... We picked 5 ½ gallons of fresh, delicious, wild blackberries and spent the day at G...