Grateful for the journey 2018

Many reflections this fine night... and I come up grateful.

"I am forced outside myself to
mount the light and ride joined with Hope."   ~ Maya Angelou

Yes, she is sunshine on a rainy day

I went to see Fantastic Beasts 2 with this one... which I really enjoyed, especially swooning over the sets of 1920's Paris, cobblestones, antiques and Newt amazing basement. Sublime.

Special things

This makes my morning time all the sweeter.  My mother made a new cover (and may I say rather pretty) for my oldest bible, given to me by my mother-in-law before I was married to her son.

Taking time

There is always one more thing that needs doing, a call to make, email to reply to, dinner to cook, clothes to wash, and on it goes.

We can be busy burning out.  Our souls can be weary.  I am definitely someone who likes the whole list ticked off but over the last few years I realized that there is always another item to add anyway and the 'big' business of life is loving well, really listening, kindness, time for others.  This can get lost in the need to do the 'smaller' things that can usually wait another half hour and won't even be remembered in a week. 
It is important to do our work well but we know that our priorities and time must be in godly order  What good does it do to gain the whole world and lose your soul? 
So have coffee with a loved one and do it slowly.  Have a long play date with your child. This time is never wasted.

Lunch with my favourite 15 year old

This beauty is almost 16 years old... what a privilege motherhood is!  It makes you want to be the best version of yourself.  She is my constant inspiration to come up higher and holier by the grace of God.

Weekend togeeetherr

Together again!! We have enjoyed a long weekend of family time... it's been so relaxing and fun.  Wayne was away for a few weeks and it's just bliss to be face to face with my people.

Sunday thoughts

Sunday bowls... sweet morning time with my girl. 

Food for the body and food for the soul.

"Lift your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord" Ps 134.2

What a beautiful, profound night at church.

A school dance and a little more growing

Just before Easter was her first senior dance.  She did her make up and I did her hair.  The minutes flew... she was radiant.  And I keep thinking that we were again crossing over a threshold.  A little letting go.  And also a distinct emerging of something new.

The baby becomes a noisy toddler... the winnie-the-pooh cot gives way to the proud first night in a bed.  Pre-school is charged with all the zeal she can muster. Then she looks adorable in her school uniform and the baby things are boxed in the garage... then all the playing on the floor with endless families of Sylvanians comes to a slow end and so on it goes.  This beautiful cycle of growing up.

Every precious day is full of wonder, of growing and becoming...

and it is all a privilege, witnessing the gentle unfurling of each new phase.

June blessings

These two are special... one had a birthday on Sunday (my sister) and

one has a birthday in two weeks time (my baby... not so baby anymore).

Life is sweeter with them in it!

Together

My fathers flowers

My dad bought all the ladies in his life red roses this past week.

What a thoughful gesture! They look so vibrant and full of life. 

"I must have flowers, always and always"

Claude Monet

Mothers Day

Happiness is... waking up to this poster made by my sweet girl. 

Then breakfast with my mother. And a long lazy afternoon where I actually

napped (the greatest of gifts) while Rebecca finished studying.

Love her!

My girl

Vitamin for the soul

Weekend beauty - the intoxicating smell of sea air, a outdoor fire to warm up to 

and card games into the night 

Restorative moments

We enjoyed a lovely long weekend and we took time to heal from the rush and build, laugh and love...

Stunning view of Hermanus 

Nature - Steep walks - Picnic - Giggles

these two were too much - so many beautiful moments

Family time

Family time over Easter days...

A morning with these two little beauties... so many giggles.

Easter Sunday brekkie... Sourdough french toast with maple syrup and berries.

This bread made the best French toast.

Happy Wednesday

We had an impromptu fun night yesterday!! Mexican for the win!!

Beach babe

After a very long and energetic walk along the beach... ice cream was a fitting end.

Our beautiful God-daughter

Born cute!! Caitlin Siubahn

Life in pictures

We have been enjoying the last few weeks of summer and trying to get outdoors as much as possible...

This is my favourite part of our late afternoon/evening walk (sometimes Wayne is 

on a bike) - the path through the pine trees

At our favourite market in the sunshine... good good good

 

We have grown the most beautiful and tasty tomatoes ever this summer. 

Some of which got turned into puree... yes!

Cycling in Meerendal

and food, food, food... we have been trying out different places lately.

Its such an adventure as Cape Town has so much to offer.