The NorMel House

Had this beautiful boy been born on his due date he would have turned two yesterday. How different our lives would be. Today we celebrate fathers. Most of us are hugging and smiling and saying "Happy Father's Day!" to more than one person. I'm thankful for the many wonderful fathers in my life, but part of me mourns. We often remember the women who grieve on mother's day, but what about the fathers with empty arms? I look at my dearest love and I know he would be an amazing parent. Despite being a father of 7 he doesn't have the blessing of being a parent. Most guys probably wouldn't talk about this but I think they deserve to be remembered too. So while I say happy Father's day to the many amazing parents in my life I think of those who may not find this day so happy. Those who have lost a father or fathers who have lost their child (or children). May you find comfort in the best Father there is, our Heavenly Father.    #FathersDay   #emptyarms #reme...

How could you feel anything but peace reading this? It repeats in my mind as I drift off and I know my Redeemer lives. I know that angels surround me, ready to do God's bidding, and He will watch over me through the night. How comforting! The bedtime prayer my mother taught me so often seems the right way to end my conversations with my Heavenly Father; Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep Guard me through the starry night And wake me with the morning light. Thank You God for all Your love Thank You for Your Son above Thank You for Your precious gifts Thank You God for everything!

The NorMel House instagram so much beauty... So much beauty. So incredibly delicate yet tough. So much more than a simple flower. It reminds me of hope. It reminds me of God's consistency in creation. It reminds me of mercy new every morning. It reminds me of who is really in control of life and to stop and appreciate it. It reminds me that beauty can exist in the middle of this marred and broken world. It reminds me that the great Giver indeed does give us our daily needs. I'm not a plant person, I don't remember to water the plants inside my house and I do absolutely nothing for the ones outside. Still these reflections of work by the Great Artist come back ever year to remind me that even though we may have a bleak and cold season beauty and warmth will return. #Godissogreat #NoartistlikeTheArtist #Godrenews #Godgivesusallweneed #HopeinHim #Bestill #ChildofGod

Today was a good day. In fact, I think I'd call it a great day! I woke up this morning, rolled over and snuggled my sweetheart. It's not often that he sleeps in so it was kinda nice to wake up with him actually beside me. Saturdays are usually set for getting things done around the NorMel House, but today we just stayed and chatted and took our time. It was so nice, but eventually our 3 suckies let us know it was time to get up. I think this is the first time I've gotten out of bed on the "right" side in a while cuz I decided I wanted to feel pretty today. So I put on something that made me feel good and for the first time in a long time I actually put makeup on! After enjoying coffee with my wonderful hubby I decided to get some boutique work done and shot out an invite for people to come shop my stock today. It was a rather productive day; if I do say so myself. So I took my good feeling even farther. I decided I needed a change and got a haircut.  The glo...

The wind is currently whipping hard drops of rain around my house (I'm feeling rather thankful for the solid brick walls and firm foundation this home has!). The ground outside is covered in layers of snow and ice, and now rain too. Welcome to April in Ontario Canada. Nope, I'm not complaining, it could be worse! And while a lot of people are asking where spring is I feel I must point out that they've obviously forgotten where they live! (I say this with a smile on my face as this weather really isn't abnormal for Southern Ontario in April).  Nevertheless, I do understand the desire for spring. This brisk, wet and cold weather makes us appreciate the sunny days even more. The cold and flu season drags on and those of us blessed with the ability to stay home on a day like today are grateful for the warmth indoors. I'm curling up in bed with my coffee, my 3 sleeping and content four-legged babies (one of which is snoring loudly - ahem, Roxie!), and a stack...

My heart feels heavy when I see the pain of my #infertilitywarriors . When someone is struggling through a hard time I wish I had the right words of wisdom to help them through, but I don't. I only know that even in our darkest hours we are not alone. God is bigger than any hurt we feel; Jesus suffered more than anything we'll ever go through, and the Spirit groans on our behalf before the Father. When I feel like there's nothing left in me to give, like I've no idea or clue what my purpose is or why I continue to go through the trenches I hold on to one thing. Though this world is full of the devastating results of sin God has a plan, though we endure hardships God will turn all things to the good of those who love Him. (Read Romans 8, the Bible does promise this!) God doesn't promise us an easy life, but He gave us directions to a new one. He guides us and protects us in the journey towards that new life. "Yay though I walk through the valley of the shadow ...