Canada

We enjoyed a long weekend away last weekend...in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada! We went with a few families from Carlisle.  Our friends the Dalys are from Ontario, so they were kind enough to plan and execute a great trip! It was so great to get to see and experience their home country! Even with little things, like different flavors of ice cream and chips, Tim Horton's donuts, piles of snow, piles of snow boots at church, etc.  To us they are little fun new things, to them they are the sites and smells and tastes if home. Certainly was fun to explore, and yet it certainly was fun to return through the border station back into the US...Until our next Canadian adventure!

Here are some of our adventures...

Ice skating (or boot skating) on the Rideau Canal. Owen ended up getting the hang of the skates on the way back, and I ended up trading in my skates for my boots to help Lucy who was not pleased that I couldn't carry her with my ice skates on! While on the canal, we enjoyed our first taste of "Beaver Tails" - a yummy fried dough with cinnamon sugar!

We went on a tour inside the Parliament building - including a ride up in the Peace Tower (right above the clock in the picture) where we could see 360degrees around. The architecture was beautiful, and inside we were warm!! It is amazing how warm you can be with lots and lots of layers on!

We went to Quebec, a short 20 minute drive away,  and enjoyed a day at "Snowflake Kingdom." Lots of snow and ice turned into huge slides. We all had fun sliding down! Lucy loved these! 

We worshipped at a great church in Ottawa on Sunday morning and evening - it was such a restful day. A good chance to rest and recharge. 

It was certainly tiring to travel to another country with three little ones, but it was so fun and they were such troopers! 

Valentines

This year Valentines day was so full - I normally don't like this day, but I think God gave me new eyes to see the many layers of love celebrated today. 

We awoke to heart shaped banana chocolate chip muffins for breakfast. Also on the table were two new traditions. A tissue paper wrapped book as a gift and a card with two special chocolate candies for each kiddo. I remember waking up to cards and candies on valentines day as a child. It is a joy to love our kids and to have a chance to tell them that!!

At school today we talked about God's love for us - and that it is the basis and foundation and power for our love of each other. Today is primarily and ultimately about His love for us shown in Christ. 

Tonight we celebrated dinner out with our sweet kiddos. Family time. 

Matt brought me a red rose to remember that I am his bride still nearly 12 years later. 

It was a full day. 

I am thankful. 

This year valentines day was more than wondering if Matt would bring home a dozen roses or not. More than wishing we had a date night. More than candy hearts. It was not full of unrealistic expectations. Instead it was full of remembering and rejoicing in God's love and enjoying those He has given me to love.