This and that...

 Just a fun little skirt I found at a garage sale for 25 cents. The tulle was torn, so I cut it off and for $1 I bought some new tulle at JoAnn's and sewed another layer on. Love fun projects like this!

 Apples from the Tonnemaker farm nearby. Yum. Jocelynne and I made this yummy pie.

 This year we are counting down to Thanksgiving day. Each day the kids take out a little note with something to do or open a new book. I am excited this week Jocelynne has half days at school and we will be able to do some really fun things together.

 This is one of the new books they have opened already.

Thankfulness...

Yesterday marks one year that my childhood friends mother suddenly passed away. When I read her post on facebook a sadness washes over me for her loss. She was a dear lady, who was so thoughtful and caring and she was almost the same age as my mom.

There are times in life when I need a good slap of reality. Frustrations build up, two toddlers who at times make my patience wear thin, the demands that pull at me from all directions and all the daily challenges that life brings somehow clouds my mind of what really matters. I am realizing I need these reminders.

It seems like just a few short weeks ago my kids were all outside waving excitedly at a crop duster who buzzed our house multiple times while spraying the field nearby. When the pilot was done he made sure to buzz the house one more time and wave goodbye. My eyes got a bit misty as I was standing there, remembering my dear friends husband was also suddenly killed in a crop dusting accident.

I could go on telling you of different people who God weaves into my life in some way or another to constantly remind me to be grateful for each and every breath. To appreciate the precious moments with my children,slow down a little and call a friend. I may not understand this side of heaven why God chooses to take a life so soon, but I am so very thankful He does remind me with such vivid examples to seize each day. I pray that I will not need to be reminded so often.

Refocus

   I have been reading a book called, Say GOODBYE to survival mode by Crystal Paine. You may not have heard this title or the author, but I am sure you have heard of or seen her blog. http://moneysavingmom.com/  The title sure says it all, lets face it...don't we all think that the mom with a money saving blog has it all together!? I mean she has the time to actually be an active blogger! It has been so refreshing to read of her experiences and to know that as a mom I have experienced and can relate to many of the things she writes about. I love the practical advice she gives and the insight that gets me reevaluating my own journey as a wife, mother & homemaker.
    What are my priorities as a wife, mother & homemaker? Well, lets just say they have been out of whack and I am in the process of changing that! Somewhere along the way, with our family growing and life happening all around me I have let the unimportant creep in. This week I am purposing to make a few changes and I hope to blog more about them.

 

Holidays, Traditions and true meaning....

 Today I was explaining to my 7 year old about St.Patricks Day. I then realized how little I really know about the holiday or should I say the history of it and why it is celebrated. Of course there is the green, shamrocks and the silly leprechaun which I assumed were just what has been added to the holiday as a way of commercializing it. My main reason for talking about it though, was to clear up any misconceptions or ideas that there are leprechauns roaming about, which had scared her in the past. Her comment at the end of our little talk was: Oh, I know like in Kindergarten when my teacher messed up the classroom, but she just wanted us to have a little adventure!
 Adventure, of course that is what kids love at this age. I have always wanted to make holidays memorable and special times for my kids. As they are growing older and understanding more I have struggled with celebrating certain holidays, not that I am opposed to the fun they bring, but that they should have some meaning behind why we would celebrate them.
 With a little studying I found a few interesting things about St. Patrick's Day:

1.The shamrock is associated with St. Patrick, as he reportedly used the three-leafed plant as a way of
explaining the Trinity- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

2.St. Patrick was born around 387 C.E. in Scotland, and turned to God once he was kidnapped by slave traders and brought to Ireland to be a shepherd. He joined the priesthood after his escape at the age of twenty, and eventually became a bishop. Patrick was tasked with the mission of
bringing Christianity to Ireland, where he was enormously successful in converting much of the mainly Druid and pagan population.

3.Wearing the color green is a St. Patrick's Day tradition. Although Saint
Patrick wore blue, the color green is recognized as a significant color for
celebrations. Green is symbolic of the Shamrock and the green color of the
landscape of Ireland. Wearing the color green is a St. Patrick's Day tradition. Although Saint Patrick wore blue, the color green is recognized as a significant color for celebrations. Green is symbolic of the Shamrock and the green color of the landscape of Ireland.

Whether we celebrate it or not,wear green etc. is not the important thing. I want to use these moments to talk about what is true and that when my children see green,shamrocks and rainbows on St. Patrick's day, it will remind them of something that does have meaning. As my daughter said, "Mom, we should call them heart-rocks...get it?"

....share a little love this Valentines!

So, I am all about getting a deal and what is even better is getting a good deal to share!!! right?
Here are few I have found.



this is a new favorite blog of mine. If you click on FREEBIES it will take you to a page where you can subscribe, then just follow the login instructions and you can print out this cute calligraphy art.



Just print out these free chalkboard tags for sharing a hot chocolate...
http://www.yellowblissroad.com/hot-chocolate-bar-for-valentines-day-with-free-printables/

Love....

Valentines day is fast approaching. I enjoy reading other people's blogs and one thing I love is when they post links to other blogs with cute ideas. So, I decided to do that today.



Love this heart pillow, simple and sweet....
/http://jonesdesigncompany.com/decorate/valentine-touches-home/



an edible treat I want to try!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqyoB7LkagI&list=UUhgrdAdPG6yARuXwhtez1kQ&feature=c4-overview



Always some fun project tutorials here...
http://www.sewmamasew.com/2014/02/valentine-projects-we-love-peek-a-boo-heart-pouch/




This momma always has some fun things to do with your kids...
http://www.dandee-designs.com/2014/02/valentine-memory-game.html



I made my own version of this bunting...but isn't this cute!
http://shop.thepleatedpoppy.com/product/scrappy-bunting-pink

...although we are not big football fans...

WE did cheer for the Seahawks with our friends. Since we did not having any gear, mommy got to busy and made a few logos for some shirts etc. that we already had. It was a fun time and we ate way TOO many skittles!

One Word...

Last year I was challenged to pick a word to inspire me, to encourage me and to bring purpose.There are so many resolutions, goals etc. that one can aspire to. One word helped me to keep everything in focus and to accomplish those goals. God gave me the word HOPE...and He knew I would need it. There were so many situations throughout the year that God did give me HOPE. Hope for a friend who's family has a very serious heart condition. Hope for a close family friend who has suffered from a brain injury. Hope when I did not understand why God took a little one from us, before we even had a chance to meet them.  Encouragement from friends when Jay was gone on long trips to China. Hope that I will see my grandpa again someday. My heart was burdened also to pray for the youth in our community who have lost hope.  I was inspired to bring hope to others and I pray that I did.

This year I also began thinking about what word I should choose. Many came to mind, but just didn't seem right. One word kept coming up often. FAITHFUL. I heard it in the words of a familiar hymn. Great is Thy Faithfulness. Yes, He has already shown Himself faithful many, many times over the years. I will choose to focus on the ways HE IS faithful this year as well. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;Great is Your faithfulness.
 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,“Therefore I hope in Him!” Lamentations 3:22-24
When times come that are hard I will cling to this verse.
 I will also be working on this in my own life this year. To be more faithful in Bible reading on my own and with my children. I want to be more faithful at encouraging others as I have been encouraged.  It will be hanging up in my home to remind me of HIS great faithfulness!