Ryan is 21!!!!

I figured since it had been a while sense I had posted anything, today seemed like the best time.  Our son, Ryan is 21 today.  Ryan wasn't sure he wanted to come into the world 21 years ago, but with time and some help for the Dr. he did finally come. Our family was complete, well for me anyway. 

I am sure that Todd would have wanted another little one but for me I was finished.

To say the least, we are very proud of Ryan, he recently finished

 the ISOM (international school of ministry)  certificate that our church was facilitating.  He is an honest and considerate young man.  God has been faithful in his life.  From the moment he was born there have been times of great challenges for him.  When he was born he needed oxygen to wake him up, he had the cord wrapped around his neck.  He fell down the stairs in his walker when he was only 9 months old.  He had his challenges in school, but most of all God has been faithful in is 21 years.

We believe God has some great assignments for his life, missions is a big thing for Ryan.  He went on his first missions trip a year and a half ago to the Philippines.  He loved every minute of it, and I do believe he plans to go on another one soon.

So today, I honour my son Ryan.  

Happy Birthday and may you dream big and may they all come true!!!!!!!!!

Ambitions and Dreams!!!

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart!!!!!!!!

I have had a dream for a very long time.   I wondered if it would ever come to past.  

Over and over there would be confirmations, but I still waited.  This was one of those dreams that  you take off the shelf and then put back on the shelf and wait and then wait some more.

Well, the time has come and my dream is about to come true.  I am heading to Westport, Ont. tomorrow to record my very first CD.  Yes, it's true, I can hardly believe it myself.  

God has brought some wonderful and talented people into my life that have made this truly possible.

Dan Cutrona and Andrew Martin will be producing it and of course John Wendling has been the P.R. man.  Of course, how could I forget my loving and faithful husband. God knew that I could not have done any of this on my own. Dreaming was about as close as I could come to making this a reality.  They just put it all into action. Thanks so much guys... It has all come together so quickly!!!!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don't trust in your own understanding but in everything acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.  Prov.3:5-6.  (My life verse)

Interesting Fortune cookie sayings.......

 

A while ago Shari put some fortune cookie sayings on her blog along with some interesting ones from Vicki's  too, and if we ever had any interesting ones.  Well, my husband Todd and I went out for chinese tonight for a Valentine's supper.  Here are the fortune cookie sayings that we got tonight.........

Mine was, "You can be a victor without having victims."

Todd's was "When you have no choice, mobilize the spirit of courage."

How true is that, so we always have a choice even when we think we don't, have courage when life seems to be throwing us curve balls!!!!!  

We are Victor's not Victim's!!!!!!

I must admit we have has some interesting fortune cookie sayings over the years.  

God can keep secrets!!!!

Well, here are some pictures from our vacation in Mexico.  We had a great time and the extra special surprise was that our best friends of over 20 years were there.  They were able to keep it a secret and we had absolutely no clue that they were able to come.  

I say that God can keep secrets because usually I can pick up on surprises and usually know about them and God didn't give me any insight at all.  Julie and I raised our kids together and we have been through probably every milestone together.  It was so fun to just "have fun" together.  I highly recommend it to everyone.  

I just want to thank Roger and Julie for surprising us and finally after all these years going on vacation together.    Here's to more vacations and other milestones together!!!!!

This one is for Rhonda!!!!!!

I just want to say thank you to Rhonda, she posts some great recipe's. I know their not her own but she inspires us that don't bake, to bake!!!! Me being one of them.
So in saying all that, I took the liberty of taking a picture of some muffins that I baked this morning from the recipe (banana muffins) that Rhonda posted a couple of days ago.


Yes, yes I know you're shocked. Shari, I hope you didn't fall off your chair!!!!
Don't my muffins look Great!!!!!! LOL!!!!!
Hope to do another post soon...... keep watching!!!!!!!

Home For Christmas

Well, this year is a year of Firsts for our family. First time we have a son-in-law, first time our daughter is not a home and first time we are not traveling to my parent's home for Christmas. Now to give you a better understanding of this, we have traveled every Christmas for 23 years. Yes, we are starting new traditions after all this time. It was bound to happen, with work schedules and just getting tired of driving we are staying home.


I have mixed emotions about but I know with great friends and my family around me I am sure we will make some new and wonderful memories.
From my home to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!!

** Bling n Things **

Well, here it is..... Ashley and Haley's store, Bling n Things.
It open Nov 1st. They are doing well, lots of learning curves along the way.
Such a big jump but God has given them the courage and strength to do it.


Just in case your wondering, Stirling is have a moonlight shopping Thursday and Friday. So if you haven't had a chance to go this may be a great time to go out. You even might find the gift for the person that has everything.


Blessings to them both!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Ashley!!!!!

It's hard to believe or even say it but Ashley, my oldest is 22 years old today. I can still recall the day she was born like it was yesterday. We were living in Peterborough, on Water St. Not the best location, however it was our first home together. (Todd and I) Todd had just gotten home from work and I had been punky all day. I just got up to figure out what we were having for supper and my water broke. I instantly panicked, ran to the bathroom and cried. I was not sure if I was ready but I didn't have a choice in the matter.

We had a lovely couple near by that had become our adoptive parents, she told Todd it was probably wise to get to the hospital. So away we went, I was quite uncomfortable but not in a lot of pain yet. As we made our way to the hospital we seemed to not be going very fast. Todd turned to me and said "don't panic, but we just ran out of gas". Don't panic, ok........ I yelled at him to get out of the car and find someone to take us to the hospital, so he did. This angel from heaven came to our rescue and drove us to the hospital. She was quite nervous because as she was trying to turn around she hit the curb. OUCH!!!!!!

After I got all settled in Todd then left to go get the car. So here I was all alone in the hospital, now you have to understand something I was only 17. Yes, it's true, now you know why I look so young that's because I am!!!!!! Needless to say the nurses weren't sure what to do with me, they weren't the nicest, that's all I will say about that.
Seven hours after my water broke, she was born. Ashley Kristen Pratt came into this world as a true life form of God's Grace. We were either going to name her Amanda or Ashley, and the first time I say her I knew she was Ashley
.
I could go into more of my journey but I will save that for another time. All I can say is that I am proud to the mother of Ashley even though I am sometimes mistaken for her "sister", like today. We have a relationship that is irreplaceable.

Ashley, be blessed today as you venture into new and exciting times. She also got married this past June and is opening up a business with Haley Robinson and the store's name is "Bling n things". So if your ever driving through Stirling drop in to see them. Just putting a plug in for them!!!!!

Mentality Makeover

“…Love others as you love yourself” (Galatians 5:14).

What you believe about yourself—your self-esteem, your sense of value, your sense of worth—sets the limits for your life. It sets the limits for your ability to love others the way God intends. The problem that many people have today is they don’t really even like themselves. They constantly focus on their faults and shortcomings and then wonder why they don’t enjoy life or have any enthusiasm or why their relationships aren’t working. Understand that you cannot be negative toward yourself and expect to live a positive, faith-filled life. In order to love yourself so that you can love others, you have to have a mentality makeover. If you’ll get your thinking corrected and start thinking like a champion, like a child of the Most High God, like you’ve been crowned with favor, you’ll be amazed at what will happen. When you change your mentality and allow thoughts of faith and victory to fill your heart and mind, that faith and victory will spill over onto the people around you. When you love yourself the way God loves you, that love will pour out on others as well. As you live and love the way God intends, you will find peace, joy, and victory in every area of your life!

"Joel Osteen devotional"

What a great devotional to start the new season off with. There are tons of people around us that need to know about the love of Jesus. Who better to show them His Love then us. Let's be Jesus to them!!!!!! Who knows what purpose God has for them and also for us.

Be Blessed and be a Blessing!!!!!

Pictures of Zena

Zena has a thing for shoes....












Her pretty pose!!











Pretty girl.....the Princess's

New Addition!!!!!

I thought I would send a blog out and let everyone know that we have a new addition to the family............  Tyler and Ashley have a puppy!!!!!  Her name is "Zena" the warrior princess.  And that she is, Ashley and her are battling over who is the actual princess of the home.

They got her from the Smolder's litter.  She is very cute so she has that going for her.  I will post pictures at a later date.

Yes, I have a grand-puppy!!!!  Sort of a grandma, I just love her.

Happy Birthday RYAN!!!!!

Well, this day is set apart for our son, RYAN. 20 years ago today I was in labour and finally after 20 hours of labour Ryan was born. It some what of a difficult labour, he did not want to come out. When he did decide to come the umbilical cord was around his neck and he was not conscience. Oh and also he was a nice tint of blue.
He finally came too with the help of oxygen. Needless to say it was a little stressful.
Ryan has had many challenges over the past 20 years of his life. But with the help of the Holy Spirit he has risen to the challenges over and over again. He fell down the the basement stairs when he was only nine months old. He had chronic ear problems which has resulted with hearing damage. He developed Asthma when he was 4 years old. He also was labeled in school as having learning difficulties. However, despite all the obstacles in his way he has pushed through them. He is a kind and loving young man. He works harder than any other 20 year old I know. I know God has big things planned for him, he has a growing passion for missions. And loves spending time with his friend's.
I want to say Happy Birthday to the best son ever!!!!! We are very proud of you Ryan, you've come along way baby!!!!
Blessings to you!!!!!!

Weekend with Friends!!!

Who would have thought that a weekend away with friends could be so rejuvenating. Well, it was. We went biking downtown Ottawa. The waterfront trails are gorgeous and they go on forever. We went over to Quebec and back.
Couldn't have asked for a better weekend retreat. Lots of fun, great friends and awesome food!!!!!! and some R&R.......





Here we are standing at the museum in Quebec with the parliament buildings in the background.
So I thought I would share with you a little of what we did on the weekend.

Thought for the Day!!!!!

Say this quote in one of Joyce Meyer's magazines........

It's not our circumstances that makes us so unhappy.

It's our attitude towards our circumstances.

To All My Beautiful Women Friends!!!!!!!

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.


For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.


People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.

Poem by Audrey Hepburn

THE BIG DAY!!!!!!

Well, all I can say is I can't believe it's over. All the preparation and now it's over. I think I have recouped, it took a lot out of me last week. Plus, we have a wedding to attend each Sat this month. So July I am wedding out. I have to say though I enjoyed every minute of Ashley and Tyler's wedding, all day I would look at Ashley and think she's getting married, she is married. How did we get here? I remember as a little girl asking me if she will get married, when will she get married. She has always wanted to be a wife. Well now she is.
Shari, take in every moment because it goes by so fast. Enjoy being the MOG!!! (Mother of the Groom.) It truly is one of the most incredible moments in a mother's life, except the day their born.
So without further a due, here are some pictures of this beautiful occasion.........



This car belongs to Wayne Hampton which he drove from Grimsby, Ont. Just to drive Ashley and Tyler around after they were married. Thanks again Wayne!!!!






Mother and Father of the Bride!!!!
Spectacular looking, ( if I do say so myself) :)!!!!!






Best friends for over 20 years!!!!!!
What can I say, they were there for whatever we needed.
Roger and Julie, We love you!!!!!
Here's to the beginning of another stage in our lives, marrying off our children together.





My mother, well what can I say. I don't know what I would have done if my Mother hadn't been here. She is a trooper, she cleaned, fed and kept everyone in line!!!!
Thanks Mom!!!!!!





OF course, there are soooooo many other's that made this day go off with out a hitch, well OK there were some hitches but there were people in place to take care of those things. Thank you just doesn't seem enough in those cases. However, I am so grateful to have people in my life that love and care so deeply. Like Kevin said on Sunday, we are so BLESSED!!!!! and RICH, just by the people in our lives. I love you all so very much and you mean so much to Todd and I. Our lives are fuller because you are all in it. And yes, that means YOU!!!!!!!!!
Blessings and God's best for all of you.
Shari, lets party it up!!!!!!!!!!

Three Days left!!!!!

Well, as some of you may know our daughter is getting married on Sat June 7th. Yes the time as come when we as parents transition into consultants. Let me tell you it's not a easy transition. We love to be able to tell them what is good and not because we have been there. But like ourselves we had to learn by trial and error.
We are truly blessed to be at this stage of our lives and to be able to release our child into her new life with a partner. What a change that will be. Change is never easy but it does cause us to keep moving and growing. At least for us they will be in the same town, but won't be seeing each other every day.
I decided when I became a mother that I would have a policy that the door of communications were always open. Didn't always like the topics but I knew if I ever closed that door it may never be open again. Through this whole wedding process I found out one thing about our relationship, we are best friends. Now that for me is a huge compliment, I guess I did my job with the help of the Holy Spirit. I have cried, laughed, yelled, walked through a broken heart, and rejoiced with her as she found her life partner. Truly what a blessing it has been to have Ashley has a daughter. From the moment she came into my life God has shown me Grace and Mercy through her.
Some one said to my husband this week, it's when we release them that they truly start walking into their destiny and who they are met to be. So Ashley, be released to run and dance and laugh. May you be blessed far more and go further than we have gone!!!!!!

Reno continues on the P&B home

Well, were starting to get down to the wire now on the reno. Things are coming together very nicely.
On the weekend my Dad, Tyler's Dad, Uncle Kevin (Tyler's Uncle) and Todd dry walled their back room. They all pitched in and they worked hard. I can't wait to see how everything is going to look once their in.
So as we continue to do some necessary changes I will try to keep up on the pictures. We have less than 6 weeks to go until the wedding so the next little while I may not be blogging as much, but I will try my best because this is a very exciting time and I do want to share as much as I can with you all.
The next big phase is new windows and a bathroom reno!!!!!
I will keep you posted!!!!!!!!

Sweet Fragrance

For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ which exhales unto God…” (Psalm 42:1).

Did you know that your life is a sweet fragrance to God? Think about how a wonderful aroma affects you personally. When it’s springtime and the flowers are blossoming, everything feels new again. The sweet aroma in the air is a sign that the flowers are fresh and alive. It catches your attention! It makes you want to take a deep breath and partake of the wonderful sweet fragrance. God feels the same way about you! He loves wonderful aromas and when you are living your life to please Him, it’s a beautiful fragrance that captures His attention! Just like the aroma in springtime is a sign that the flowers are alive, the aroma of your life is a sign that Christ is alive in you. It is pleasing to the Father! The next time you experience a fresh fragrance, remember that your life is a fragrance unto God. You can rest in knowing that He is pleased with a heart that seeks after Him. As you continue to seek Him, you’ll be that sweet fragrance and you’ll experience His wonderful hand of blessing in every area of your life.

**from Joel Osteen's daily devotional**

The Shack Book Club

excerpt from "The Shack"

Almost as if on cue, a blue jay landed on the kitchen windowsill and began strutting back and forth. Papa reached into a tin on the counter and sliding the window open, offered Mr. Jay a mixture of grains that she must have kept just for that purpose. Without any hesitation, and with a seeming air of humility and thankfulness, the bird walked straight to her hand and began feeding.
"Consider our little friend here," she began. "most birds were created to fly. Being grounded for them is a limitation within their ability to fly, not the other way around." She paused to let Mack think about her statement. "You, on the other hand, were created to be loved. So for you to live as if you were unloved is a limitation, not the other way around.".......
"Living unloved is like clipping a bird's wings and removing its ability to fly. Not something I want for you."
"Mack, pain has a way of clipping our wings and keeping us from being able to fly." She waited a moment, allowing her words to settle. "And if left unresolved for very long, you can almost forget that you were ever created to fly in the first place." (Pg, 97)

What an incredible analogy of how we were meant to live as God's children. How truly we are to live, to be loved and to love. But unfortunately life has sometimes clipped our wings and we don't live up to our full potential of what God has designed for us. Are there things in your life that have been unresolved? Have you forgotten how to fly?

Matt. 6:26 Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father (Papa) feeds them. Are you not much more VALUABLE then they?