Sledding Fun!

We have finally gotten some snow here in Wisconsin, so we finally got to go sledding.  We were hoping to do this during Christmas break, so we were happy a few of us finally got to go last week.

We're hoping to enjoy more of this.  The weather is so strange this winter~~not getting much snow at all.

Have a great day!

Blessings,

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God"
1 Corinthians 10:31

What Happens When You Don't Put It Away.....

.....where it belongs.  

 I just found this under something in a drawer it didn't belong in.  It was dated Dec. 20th.  I thought we had eaten them all up.  This is why I need to clean out the fridge more often. 

Now to go remind everyone what the "Crisper" drawer is for!! 

Have a great day!

Blessings,

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God"
1 Corinthians 10:31

The Finished Scarf!

Sweetcheeks needed a new scarf this winter as she grew a bit to big for the one she used last year.  I decided to knit her one.  I let her pick out the yarn and she choose a fun multi-colored yarn~full of pinks, yellows, and blues.

I finally got the scarf finished this week.  I am usually a crochet~er, so knitting one took me a bit longer than it would have to crochet one.  But it is finished and we are both happy with the results!

Just in time~temps are freezing this week!

Have a great day!

Blessings,

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God"
1 Corinthians 10:31

Winter Fun!

We finally got our first big snowfall last week, and are expecting more snow tomorrow.  We were pretty excited about that around here as it meant some snow fun (and some income for one child who helps out neighbors by shovelling snow!).  But now we have some frigid temps keeping us all indoors, so I had the little kiddo's do a craft and make a snowman.  We used marshmellows to make them.

First we need to plot out the snowman!

One for the paper, one for my mouth!

Team work always makes things easier!

Having a little trouble with the glue (it was closed!)

This is what Sport was doing while we were making the snowmen :(

This one spent more time doing this than making the snowman!!

Finished project.  He was so proud of his snowman~it made me smile!

Another finished snowman.  Looks great!

The finished project!

Hopefully now the weather will warm up a bit and with the snow tomorrow we'll be able to make REAL snowmen!

Blessings,

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God"
1 Corinthians 10:31

~~SIGH~~

I didn't realize how much I did it.

Spilled milk...Sigh.

Gotta go pee, Mom (for the fifth time in 30 minutes)...Sigh.

I can't find my socks.....Sigh.

Little brother is getting into my things.....Sigh.

Can you pick me up from practice tonight.....Sigh.


Until a small child made me see it through their eyes.

And it didn't look good.  It didn't look happy.  It didn't look like love. 

It looked just like it sounded.....

I am exasperated that you are requesting this of me, taking time from something else I could be doing, but I guess I will take care of this request first.

Y.U.C.K!

That is definately not the impression I want to be leaving with my children.   This was a wake up call, and I'm listening.  No more sighing!

You need mom to help...."YOU BET!"

What are your kids catching you doing?

Have a great day!

Blessings,

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God"
1 Corinthians 10:31

Goals for 2012

I have had a list of goals for the new year spinning around my head for some time now.  It is time to get them written down, as this will help to hold myself accountable.  Here's the list....

~~ Read my Bible every day.  I would like to have the goal of reading through the Bible in the year, but I know that goal would stress me out.  I have set that goal before, and I end up dissapointed that I am not doing well, feel like a failure, etc.  I just want to get better at being in God's Word daily, so I don't want to stress out over getting the entire book read in a year (although that is a goal I would like to accomplish!).

~~ Send out birthday cards.  I used to be so good at that and somewhere (probably between child 2 and 3!) I have gotten lazy about it.  So much so that I feel bad for missing so many birthday's and I stopped sending them altogether.  This is just one simple way of letting our loved ones know we care.  The first birthday of the year is my brother this weekend!

~~ Make our own bread.  I love the smell of bread baking and I love the taste of it, too!  It is so much healthier than store bought bread.  I have tried several recipe's and think I have found one that works for our family.  I like to make whole wheat bread, and sometime it ends up crumbly and difficult to use (any suggestions on this one?). 

~~ Play!  Spend more time outside or on the floor with my kiddo's instead of the things I *think* are important.  Cleaning the floors can wait, but my children don't stop growing.  I want them to know that they are more important to me than a clean house or what my agenda tells me should be done today.

~~ Eat healthier and live healthier.  Not just to loose weight, but to BE healthier.  I can't say we eat fast food or junk food often, but there is definately room for improvement in our diets.  We can also improve on exercise.

~~ Loose 20 pounds.  This goes along with the eating and living healthier, but I really need to loose weight.  I'm setting the 20 pound goal because I know that I can achieve it if I try, but I want to add more to that number by the end of the year.

~~ Stick to our budget.  I'd like to get to the point in our lives where we can bless others with our finances instead of living paycheck to paycheck.

~~ Family worship time.  We are reading the book "Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends" by Sarah, Stephen, and Grace Mally for our devotion time.  We've purchased another book just for family worship time, and am looking forward to continuing this pattern.

~~ Make as many Christmas presents as I can.  If I start now, I should have no problem with this goal!  I've already got some idea's in mind.

~~ Organize my binder.  You know the one.  The binder that should hold my recipe's, calendar, coupons, meal plans, etc.  I have one started, but it is really just papers shoved into it with no real meaning.  I really feel if I organize this, then stick to the meal and cleaning lists, I would be better organized in my life.

~~ Pray for other's more.  I've come to realize that I've become self centered in my prayer life, spending a lot of time asking for God's blessings for myself and family.  I used to have a prayer notebook, and I'd write down things to pray for for other people.  Then in  my prayer time, I'd spend time praying over problems and praises in other people's lives.  The power of prayer is amazing, and I'd like to make sure I am blessing others with my prayers.  When I say that I will pray for someone or something, I want to be sure I am doing just that.

So....here it is.  I know it looks like a lot, but really it is just a few small ways to be the woman I am intended to be.  I am sure I'll be adding more to it as the year goes on.  I hope you will write down your list of goals for the new year, then evaluate it often.  I plan to keep you updated on my progress!

Have a great day!

Blessings,

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God"
1 Corinthians 10:31

Thankful Thursday

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
I Thessalonians 5:16-18

If you read THIS post you read about how our son convicted me to take a more thankful approach to life.  Taking part in Thankful Thursday's is just a small way I can take account for my attitude.  Today I'm thankful for....

** The Snow!!  Yes, the snow!  We are expecting 4-7" by tomorrow morning.  This is the first big snowstorm we've had this season.  For Wisconsin, that is very late.  As I am typing this, I am beginning to see the first few flakes fall to the ground.  We are all anxious to get out there and hopefully build a snowman!

** Great neighbors and the opportunity to serve them.  We live on a small street connecting 2 other streets.  We only have our home and the one across the street on this street.  Those neighbors are precious to our family. They are an older couple who are so much fun and great to talk to.  We look after their home and they look after ours.  Since they are older, our family has the opportunity to serve them by helping out with yard work.  It is a great opportunity for our children to serve others.  Our son mowes their lawn in the summer.  They do pay him for it, but it gives him the opportunity to help someone in need, and learn about hard work, and saving and tithing.  We also help them with the shovelling in the winter, and our youngest daughter loves to help them rake leaves.  It is nice to show our children how to serve others, and they are very grateful for it.

** Hubby's job and employer's.  He works for Christian men (which is a huge blessing), and has good co~workers.  They are understanding if he needs to leave early or take a longer lunch, and they are generous with time off.  With a large family, it seems there is always something going on.  Plus the job is not very far away, and in the summer he can ride his bike to work.

** Great friends.  Who listen to you when you make no sense, and they don't judge you.  Enough said!

** The loss of our van.  No really!  Our van took a turn for the worse, and needed to be junked.  We are now a one vehicle family.  It is not very practical, since it is hubby's car that is working and we can't fit our family into it.  But is has made me more thankful for what we have.  It wasn't that long ago this situation would have sent me over the edge, trying to overstep God's plan, and going forth with my own agenda.  And as we look for a van that will fit our family needs, we know that God will provide it.  I have faith in that.  Even if it takes longer that what *we* want.  We know God is in control, and look forward without anxiety or trepidation to the future.  And that is something that I am greatly thankful for!

What are you thankful for?  For more thankful thoughts, please visit this month's host, Laurie, at Women Taking A Stand.

Have a great day!

Blessings,

My Verse for 2012!

A couple of years ago (or maybe it was only last year!) a lot of people I knew were trying to come up with their one word to describe what they wanted their year to be like.  I heard a lot of words like frugal, compassionate, loving, patient, diligent, etc.  I find it hard to come up with just one word (as I am a woman of many words *wink*), and I wanted something that would describe my relationships.

So.....I decided that a verse for 2012 would be appropriate for me.  I have so many favorites, and sometimes the Lord just lays one on my heart.  But I have been coming to this one many times over.

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God"

1 Corinthians 10:31

For me, this sums up all that I strive for, in almost every aspect of my life.  As a wife, mother, home educator, daughter, sister, friend....as I am parenting, keeping house, serving others, taking care of myself, educating my children, and even blogging.  My goal is that all I do would be pleasing to God and for His glory.

I heard a message during the Christmas holiday that included a statement.  If God was standing beside you right now, would you continue to do what you are now doing?  If you wouldn't, you shouldn't be doing it at all.  It is meaningless to His kingdom.  I want my work and my life to have meaning in His kingdom!  It helped me to put the things I am involved in into perspective.

So, for 2012, I am going to make copies of this verse, and plaster them all over my house.  Especially in the areas of my home and life I struggle with.  I hope you will also pour over the Bible and come up with a verse for the year. 

Blessings,

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY~January 9, 2012
Outside my window... Cloudy, dreary looking...and it's cold!
I am thinking...about too many things~my brain is swirlling already and it's early Monday morning!
From the learning room...First day back after an extended Christmas break.  We're taking it a little slow this week to get back into the swing of things.
I am thankful for...my hubby.  I don't tell him nearly enough, but I am thankful that God choose him to be my hubby and am thankful for our life together.
From the kitchen...chili and rolls
I am wearing...jean skirt and white long sleeved t~shirt
I am creating...a knitted scarf for Sweetcheeks.  She got to pick out the yarn color and she's excited for it.
I am going...to work on writing up my goals for this year to hold myself more accountable!
I am reading... Bible
I am praying...for our pastor who's leaving our church.  We had a celebration potluck for his family yesterday, and we are going to miss them.
I am hearing...Sunshine singing and playing on the floor
Around the house...almost all of the Christmas decorations are gone :( , laundry needs to be started, and the kitchen floor should be washed today.
One of my favorite things...spending time with good friends
A few plans for the rest of the week...a couple of appointments, a basketball game, piano lessons, and date night with hubby on Friday!!
Here is picture thought I am sharing...

I loved this look when you walked into our living room during Christmas~the reflection of our tree in the window.

Thanks for stopping by!  For more daybooks, please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook.  Have a great week!

Blessings,

2011 In Review

2011 has come to an end, and I thought it would be good to re-evaluate all that has occured in our lives this year.  We are indeed blessed, and reflecting on the blessings we've received this year helps me to remember that.  Here's the rundown on 2011.....

January~ We became a homeschooling family.  While this was something I had prayed for over the past few years, the realization that the Lord had finally brought our family here was a bit frightning.  Things started off well, and I can truthfully say we have found how to make things work.  We are all enjoying it, and I am thankful for this opportunity to watch our children grow.

February~ Our baby turned 2 this month.  How quickly he went from our tiniest baby to a toddler.  He is always smiling or giggling and he makes life so much fun. 

March~ Our oldest turned 14 this month.  Again...how quickly time flies!  She is becoming a beautiful young woman, and I am looking forward to how God works in her life.  She continued at the Christian School, and is involved in anything she can be.

April~ Spring is coming and with it the promise of good things to come.  We found out that we were expecting another child.  We may already have 5 children, but it is always exciting to see that + sign on the pregnancy test!

May~ 8th grade graduation for Stinkerbelle.  Reflecting on how much she has grown was a bit overwhelming for this mamma!  She loved to tell us all how she was now officially a high schooler!

June~ We were saddened at the news that our baby would not be held in our arms here on earth.  This was a difficult time, however, we knew that the Lord has a plan for this special child and we were comforted to know that Jesus was holding our sweet baby.

July~ Enjoying the warmth of summer!  We started working on the landscaping (well...truthfuly hubby is doing most of the work!) around our house.  Summer is such a great time to enjoy life.  I also made the switch to wearing skirts (something I have not regretted).

August~ We went camping for a week at a state campground.  Camping is one of our favorite things to do for vacations.  It is great to just slow down, enjoy the outdoors, swim, hike, and of course campfires!  We enjoyed Sweetcheeks 5th birthday while we were camping (a first for our family as most of our birthdays arrive when snow is present!)

September~ Back to school time!  Spud started public school to help him with some of his needs, Stinkerbelle started high school at our Christian school, and I continued to homeschool Sport and Sweetcheeks (just a few lessons).  Volleyball started for Stinkerbelle as well~a sport she loves!

October~ Stinkerbelle's surgery.  She spent the month recovering from this painful surgery.  She recovered very quickly~which we are all grateful for~ and is now doing very well.  With the exception of a few activities (mostly sports) she is back to 100%.

November~ Time to remember all we have to be thankful for.  Sweetcheeks lost her first tooth and learned to ride a bike!  We enjoyed some fall activities for school, and the smells of apples and pumpkin in the  kitchen!  We enjoyed waaay to much turkey and stuffing, and we went out for our annual Saturday-after-Thanksgiving-Christmas-tree-hunt (next year we ARE going to cut our own down!)!

December~ Celebrating the births of two of our kiddo's and our Saviour.  Sport turned 13 this month and Spud turned 9.  Lots of fun celebrations with family, baking lots of yummy goodies, Christmas cards (I love getting them!) and spent time together as a family as hubby was blessed to take some time off of work during the Christmas break.  We went back to a tradition we had lost over the past few years~a candle light dinner on Christmas Eve~a tradition I would like to take up again. 

We are excited to see what the Lord has in store for our family for 2012.  I'm working on setting some personal goals as well.  My prayer is that I would be willing to accept the Lord's will for my life and for my family, and would have a closer walk with Him.  I pray that for you, my friends, as well.

Have a wonderful year!

Blessings,