blanket and basket crocheted for my husband's cousin's wedding gift
Patons stretch socks with pattern "Lacy socks" in the new stretch socks book! I wasn't thrilled with the way the pattern and yarn look together.... however, they are SOOOO comfortable! Absolutely wonderful!!
Since my hubby had to work, the kids and I met my mom and Aunt downtown and we walked along the river, enjoying the day, the company and the scenery. It was just delightful! The children were SO well behaved. My son later told me that his favourite part of the walk was seeing a Mother duck and her 8 little babies right up close as the swam down the river, and waddled up for a break and a snack. He walked with a camera, taking pictures and making mini movies of everything he saw. At the end of the walk we had 87 pictures.... good thing it's a digital camera!
Along with the 87 pictures.... I came back with a pretty good sunburn on my neck and arms. The children escaped with nothing, but the baby got a little tiny burn on the tops of his feet around his shoes. I forgot to reapply that sunscreen!
We did have RED foods for lunch and supper
and after our walk we enjoyed watching on tv the festivities that were going on at Capital Hill.
I AM A PROUD CANADIAN
And if the Devil doesn't like it he can sit on a TACK!
Friday morning the baby had a doctors appointment and a needle (he's been sick for about a month now). Early Saturday morning we took a sobbing 4 year old into the emergency room to discover that she has a severe double ear infection -- AGAIN. Saturday evening the baby took a tumble down cement outdoor steps, scraping his forehead and swelling all the way down his nose......
This morning we were to drive 3 1/2 hours to visit in a church for the day.
If ever there was a Sunday that I felt like staying home and not fighting with cranky kids, this was this was the one. As I looked back over the past few days I realized that if it were only ONE of these things I wouldn't think twice about going - but everything combined had left me tired, cranky and wanting to stay at home. My hubby encouraged me. Perhaps the Devil is trying to keep us home for some reason....
I am SO glad that we all went!
After an enjoyable Sunday school and service (in which the baby actually went into nursery and was willing to stay), we headed to a church members home for lunch. The family who hosted us is a homeschooling family with 8 children ages ranging from 23 down to 6. Six of them still live at home. What an Amazing family! The children were so thoughtful and kind, taking my children right away and making them feel comfortable and right at home. I felt taken in as well as I was greeted with a hug and a smile. I spent the afternoon basking in the warmth and knowledge of this experienced Mom. I hope I didn't drive her crazy with all my questions! What a wonderful, unexpected blessing!!
I left feeling energized, encouraged, blessed, and amazed again - God always knows just what I need. I'm so glad we went.
"feeling or showing satisfaction with one's possessions, status, or situation"
Am I content?
Of course I am! The Bible tells us that we should be content in our circumstances, no matter what they are... Take Paul, the apostle, for example, in Philippians stating that he is content whatever the circumstances - and he had lots of "circumstances" to deal with!
Philippians 4:11-12 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
Have you seen the rain outside? Why is it raining again? We've got so much rain already, we certainly don't need more.... and on and on and on....
ooops..... did we complain?
how about...
It's SO hot, I just hate the heat! Can't wait until it cools down! This heat makes me so miserable.... and on and on and on....
another complaint?
(don't worry, when it cools down, we'll complain about that, too)
What else do we complain about?
- kids
- job
- housework
- vehicle
- extended family
- other people's kids
- church
- those in authority over us
- our house/clothes/food/etc.
and so much more
As we tear down those around us, and complain about the things that God has provided for us, we teach our children to complain, too. How shocked we are to hear them whine and complain about the things we do for them, or the wonderful things they have! But they are simply outputting what they are hearing from us as we not-so-subtly express our frustrations and disappointments.
Do we want our children to strive for Godliness?
1 Timothy 6:6-8
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
If we want our children to strive for Godliness we much teach them to be content with what God has given them - this does not mean that they should not try to better themselves through hard work and discipline, but instead that they should be content WHILE they are striving to reach their goals.
Our best method of teaching? EXAMPLE
Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."[a
While we are teaching our children to be greatful and thankful, lets not neglect to teach them to be CONTENT and SATISFIED with the place that God has put them and the gifts that he has given.
The rain is falling all around,
It rains on fields and trees,
It rains on the umbrellas here,
And on the ships at sea!
AND it rains on our heads, and our stroller and our library books....
We wanted to head out to the library today, but the weather forecast predicted thundershowers for the morning. We decided to go AFTER the showers passed, so we waited.... and waited.... and waited. The sky was beautiful blue with wisps of fluffy white clouds. Not a rain drop in sight, and the warm air was enticing! Finally, at 2pm we decided to make the 20 min walk down to the library - seems like the rain wasn't coming after all.
Half way there and we saw one of the biggest bolts of lightening I've ever seen in my life, followed imediatly by a deffening thunder clap.... and with no preamble the rain began to pour out of the sky. There was nowhere to duck, and no where to hide. Within seconds we were drenched to the skin! Should we continue on, or turn back? The children voted to continue, so we hurried on towards the library. As we slipped into the doors we made wet tracks directly to the bathroom to wring out our hair and clothes.
What a giggle we all had! The warm air insured that we were not chilly and we dried off fairly quickly. It's always an adventure! My 4 year old daughter picked out her 5 books - 4 of which had to do with puddles and rain. What a wonderful way to learn!
Just a few pictures today.
I wanted to get a photo of my children with Jeff's Dad, and Jeff with his Dad, but in the hustle and bustle of Saturday getting ready for the wedding, and then his Dad headed to work at 8am on Sunday, it just completely slipped my mind.... so it's a goal next time we head down to visit them!
Here are my children with my Father.....
My Father and Me (do you see a resemblance?)
And Jeff with our children
In Sickness or in health.... In Cuba or in Canada!
My husband's cousin, Brianne, had a wedding reception today. The actual wedding was held in CUBA - with many of the family members present. At the reception tonight they showed a beautifully done video of the wedding - it was SO romantic! :)
We have been collecting large flat rocks for a few months - from Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, so we took the opportunity to paint some up for Father's Day.
My eldest is quite interested in the Narnia series, especially "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" since the movie has come out. As he was watching it, he asked what "turkish delight" was, since that is the treat that Edmond had requested.
An explanation seemed to fall flat, so after work Daddy came home with a very small bag of Turkish Delight for the children to sample. They were quite delighted!
I just can't believe my son turned SEVEN this week. Seven seems to be that line between "little child" and "real boy". Seven seems so OLD. I wasn't concerned when he turned Six. I could handle a six year old, but SEVEN?? Seven is questions, bugs, attitude, curiosity, and so much more.... I feel like he's really growing up. He is such a wonderful boy - generally obedient, smart, and strives to please. I pray daily for him and his future.
Below is a mantage of photos from this week. We took birthday cupcakes to share with the soccer team, we celebrated with some family and friends at at "Knight Night" which was supposed to be inside due to pending thundershowers but ended up being outside because it was SOOO hot. His only request for present and cake - KNIGHTS and CASTLE!
Jeff has joined a baseball team for the summer! It has been a VERY long time since he's played, but he was quite anxious to get out and dust the cobwebs off his glove! He did pretty well - although the children were more interested in playing with the other children, then watching the game it's self. I was thrilled to find another wife sitting and knitting while the game played out. I'll not mention who won the game, but I do think Jeff's team is going to need a little more practice....
A birthday looms this week for my almost-seven-year-old boy. As a gift for this knight-crazed grandson, my Father took him to Medieval Times - a dinner and show put on to imitate the knightly games of the middle ages.
What an incredible gift! Something he is sure to remember for the rest of his life - not to mention that the knight that represented his section (the green knight) won the tournament! He fell into bed this evening still talking about all the things he has seen and heard.
Our good friends came down for a picnic and a birthday celebration today! What a blessing :) Sharon is one of my "fiber friends". It is also Sharon who taught me the value of making time to sit down with a cup of tea and a friend in the middle of a busy day. I value her friendship, and my family values her family, too.
I was asked about my page kits today, and how I put them together, so I'm bumping up this post that I wrote last year so that it is view-able again. Hope it gives you some ideas!
I LOVE making page kits for my scrapbooking -- it makes scrapbooking SO much faster and easier for me! I wish I had been doing this from the time I started. If I had, I'd have many more pages completed!
Here's how I make my Scrapbooking PAGE KITS
I start with large ziplock bags (13in by 15inches). They perfectly fit a 12x12 sheet of cardstock, and all the accessories :) First: I take a set of photos. I lay them out on my table and decide what kind of layout I want to do for them - how I want to lay it out, etc. Check my *sources* if I'm stuck. Once I get into *layout* mode the ideas come easily. I draw a sketch of what I want the layout to look like, then list on the same paper the things that I need for that layout. The photos and the sketch/list go into a bag together...
I then do the same with SEVERAL other sets of photos. I usually do about 15 at one time.
Second, it's the papers... The right ones for each set - I only have to pull my papers out once to pick for all the sets I'm working on - talk about a time saver! If I have suitable papers, they go into the bag with the sketch and list (I cross off each list what I put in the bag).
Third I tackle embellishments - hopefully I have on-hand what I need. If not, I just don't cross it off the list!
And finally, journalling. Each set gets done -- epecially if I'm doing it on the computer (I do most of my journalling on the computer). I can just GO - each set of journalling gets done, easily and painlessly (and then dh can have the computer for a while) - I don't need to come on and off the comptuer as I put together each layout.
Now I can seperate my kits into two piles -- one pile of "complete" sets (everything ready to put together) and one set of "incomplete" (something is missing!)
And finally, a TRIP TO THE SCRAPBOOKING STORE!
I TAKE my page kits with me, my "needs" list is showing in the front of each kit, so I can easily see what I require for each layout. (The owners are used to me coming in with a bunch of bags looking for embellishments or paper to match something I already have in the bag) I don't get in often and I don't have a ton to spend, so I try to use my time and money wisely. I don't over-buy, I don't stock up (well... maybe a little). I buy what I need. I used to stock up, but now I have a TON of stuff I'll NEVER USE!! I learned my lesson.
I pick up what I need, put it into the bags, (AFTER paying, of course) but generally I lay page kit down and what I need on top of it, then the next page kit and what it needs on top, so when I pay, the papers and embellishments go RIGHT INTO the right bags - no need to sort later when I go home and it saves the store a bag, too!
When my *kits* are assembled, it's a snap to sit down and put them together, or to go to a crop! I find that this method makes much better use of my time, and I accomplish more, feel better about myself, and become more creative. I'm also able to go to a crop with ONE BAG over my shoulder instead of taking a "bunch" of things because I'm not sure what I'm going to be working on.
(this post has been bumped up from January 2008 due to some inquiry about kits I make for my own scrapbooking)
I've been putting together scrapbooking page kits over the past few days. I put pictures into a 13x15 inch ziplock bag, sorted by event. Then I choose the sketch, papers and embellishments to accompany the photos and include them in the bag. I also do my computer journalling and include it. I do several at once.
WHY do I create PAGE KITS?
1) I don't have a place to keep my scrapbooking stuff out permantly, so sometimes I feel like scrapbooking but feel overwhemed at the idea of getting everything out and then having to put it all away again.... this way, I just grab a kit (already has photos, papers, embellishments, journalling and sketch), and only take out what I need to complete it...
2) I find it faster - if I'm journalling on the computer I find it faster to do 10 at once then sitting down 10 times to pull up the program, get the paper, etc... Same with choosing sketches.... As I look through my magazines and I see things I like - I prefer to just look once for 10 layouts rather then skimming through them 10 times.... choosing paper.... pick for all 10 instead of getting out the paper 10 seperate times, then having to put it all away again....
3) I complete my layouts faster - all the elements are already there, I've already done the thinking - now I just have to put it together! GREAT for crops when I want to chat instead of THINK...
4) Less to take with me for crops - no taking extra papers, embellisments, stamps, etc, that I'm not going to use! Just take what's needed for each page kit... and that's it! (I can actually go to a crop with ONE BAG that has everything in it! That was very useful when I had to take a baby and HIS bag, too!)
5) It helps me use what I have at home before I go to the scrapbooking store (I'm a collector - I tend to buy MORE then get it home and realize I already have something similar.... page kits help!)
6) Hubby likes that it helps me spend less at the scrapbooking store - no random buying... I only buy what is needed for each kit (and it goes directly INTO the kit AT THE STORE - yup, take my kits with me to shop)
Ok, enough of my random rambling.....
Do YOU make page kits for yourself? WHY or WHY NOT?
If you don't, have I convinced you to try it yet??
My *almost 7-year-old* has shown me his heart tonight -- his great, big loving caring heart.
It was "store night" at Olympians (mid week program) this evening. The children earn "points" throughout the year that they can trade in for stuff on spacific nights. He earned what he could, as he brought his Bible and said his memory verses. When it came time to go to the store he realized that two of the children in his group had only one point each. What did he do? He gifted them each with some of his so they could get something for themselves. When it came time to pick out his own goodies, he first picked out something for his sister, and something for his brother -- then got a couple small items for himself. He thought of them FIRST.
It seems like I am constantly learning from my children -- lessons that I feel I should be teaching them!
I was chattin' with my mom on the phone this evening after supper, when I noticed the baby was a little.... um... stinky, so I took him upstairs to change him (still on the phone) leaving the older two on the main level.
About 15 mins later my eldest (son) came up to me. He was drenched from head to foot -- even his hair was wet! "Guess what, Mommy! I did the dishes for you!" He was SOOOO proud!
(you should SEE my kitchen -- it is COVERED with water!)
Since we have started support raising we have been surprised at the ways support comes. Missionary "Support" is so much more then just MONEY.
- A friend brought over two turkeys for our freezer
- Other, similar, gifts of food -- blueberries, rhubarb, jam, ground beef, etc.
- babysitting of the children for missions related events
- prayer -- so much prayer!
- Notes of encouragement, hugs, uplifting words
- hosting us for a night or for a meal (when we are traveling)
This week we were given another gift that truly blew me away - a homeschooling family gave us all the curriculum we would need (minus the workbooks) for the upcoming school year. What an amazing show of love and support! We offered to pay for them, but the humble response was simply "We can't support you financially right now, but this is what we can do".
Unknown to them, my husband and I had been praying about how we were going to be able to afford the books this year. This family has been an unexpected answer to those prayers - a need we had not expressed to them. I just love the way God works - so mysterious, and yet, so completely. Just trust. God is SO good!
We had a Mother's Day dinner for my Mom, Auntie Pauline (sisters) and special friend Andrea. My mom had to make the gravy because she's much better at it then I am, but otherwise I think the dinner was pretty acceptable. We don't often get to visit with my Auntie Pauline and Uncle Dennis as they live across the country in BC. We do take advantage when we are able! My Auntie Pauline has been a special influence in my life and I cherish her. (She taught me all about nail polish, make up and such girlie things!)
(my daughter entertains the ladies by blowing bubbles with them)
After dinner the ladies stayed home to do the dishes and the men took my soccer son to his first game. When he got home he came bursting through the door shouting "Mommy, Guess what! We got SNACK at soccer!" He was so thrilled! Turns out they won their first game, too - but that clearly wasn't the important part to him. He was just so glad to play and be a part of the team.
Here he is, breaking away from the pack with the ball - he's a fast little kid!
With the receipt of some flowers for Mothers Day (white carnations) we decided to attempt a science experiment which we had been talking about for a little while now. The carnations were cut and the children added red, blue and yellow food colouring to the water. Now they get to document and keep track of the colouring process! I love science!
I was gifted this morning by my oldest son with a cute pair of silver heart-shaped earrings. He picked them out himself and even paid for them with his own money. My daughter gave me a key chain with coloured turtles on it - again, she paid for them herself. They even went to the scrap book store and each picked out (and paid for) papers to make me a card each. What increadible gifts! I am SO touched by their thoughtfulness! I am honoured to be called "Mother" to these three amazing, beautiful children.
Thank you, children, for the blessings you are to me daily.
Just a quick update for our supporters - our support hit the half-way mark this month! We are at 50%, and so excited about it! God is just so good. Support continues to come in unexpected ways, which continuously reminds us of God's provision.
Can I tell you a little story?
We have been having problems with our computer, which we take with us, for about a year now, and we knew it was "on it's way out". We've been pricing computers, watching adds and sales, trying to figure out what is the best computer to get to suit our needs.... figured out that a mac (which neither of us knows anything about) is probably our best option... with the exception of the price! Well, about 3 weeks ago our computer crashed it's final crash, and we knew we couldn't wait any longer. We went to a local computer store and he suggested that we ask about "display model" computers -- ones that were set out for customers to play on, but no longer on display... so we asked in our city and found one for $1,300.00. (regular price 2,400.00) It was missing the main disk for programs, so if anything happened to it we'd have to repurchase all the programs because there was no cd.... we decided that it wasn't as good a deal as it sounded because of that.
meanwhile...
I had issues with my camera and returned it (under warrente) to my local camera store. They called back to say that it was fixed and ready - but it was shipped back to the wrong store (about 50 mins from where we lived). We decided to go pick it up instead of waiting the 2 weeks it would take for it to be shipped back to our city. While we were there, we stopped into the computer store in the same plaza.... we found the same computer WITH the disk... asking price of $1,000.00 (store display, discounted) We picked it up, knowing that we would need it, but not knowing how we would pay for it.... computing on faith!
Saturday we received a gift -- it is The PERFECT amount to cover the cost. God is SO good! I sit here, typing on a new computer that is NOT crashing, just totally amazed. He had to work out all the details perfectly - there is no way we could have figured it all out ourselves!
Thanks to the encouragement of my wonderful, Godly mentor and a lot of prayer I took a step today towards healing some hurts and mending some fences. Why is it so difficult to sort through differences and understand each other sometimes? I find the longer I let things "sit" the easier it is to pretend they don't exist.... I praise God for His strength both for me and the woman I met with. With His grace we parted as friends and as sisters. It is my prayer that we do not allow anything to come between us again. The LORD is GOOD, His mercy is everlasting and his truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100:5
This evening was my sons first soccer practice! He's been begging to play for about 2 years and is just so thrilled to be on a team this summer! He was delighted to receive a BLUE jersey -- with a lion on the front! The grin on his face was permanent as he sprinted onto the field with a dozen other blue clad seven year old boys. It promises to be a great season!
Seems like everyone in our house has been sick! It started with the baby - first grumpy from his teeth, then fever and coughing.... then on to my son... now me.... and my daughter has just begun. Seems like we've been sick more often in the past year then EVER before -- almost every other week some one seems to have SOMETHING. I hope the heat of the summer burns up all the germies in our house, I'm getting "sick" of people in my house being sick all the time! :)
I was asked to speak to our Ladies Bible Study group, and after much prayer, I agreed. The ladies range from young married and moms of young children all the way up to senior ladies. I felt so inadequate to stand before them this morning, but was burdened by the message God gave me to bring - it wasn't at all what I was preparing, but as I prayed about it, God changed my focus. The main message was about mentoring (discipling) and the importance of it. So often I think that we allow other believers to just "be" in the church, without the accountability or encouragment that mentoring provides. Paul implores Titus to encourage the older women to teach the younger women - not just about the Faith (though that is part of it) but also about being good mothers, wives, and keepers of the home. I am so blessed to have had a mentor growing up to encourage me to walk in Godliness, and I am even more blessed to have a mentor today who is not afraid to challenge me and ask the tough questions. Older women, teach the younger women. Younger women, teach the teens and pre-teens. Don't assume they will just "become" Godly Christian women. Help them get there!
Just finished these light lacy socks from the newest Patons sock book. (and a testiment to just hoe much traveling we've been doing lately, since I mainly just knit in the car) I love how they turned out, and so does their recipient... a very special "tea" friend of mine!
My daughter has been asking for matching dresses (one for her, one for me). I thought it would be fun to have something special for Mother's Day, so we went with SKIRTS (my choice) in PINK (her choice).
I think they turned out rather well! Mine is a little shorter then I'd prefer, so I might add something to the bottom yet, but otherwise, pretty good! (and not so bad for PINK)
My littlest one is 16 months and we've been working on teaching him TABLE MANNERS. (ask for food nicely, put your bowl on the table when you're done eating, don't throw your food on the floor -- basic stuff). Tonight at supper he gobbled down his food in his usual cave man style, not leaving a bite uneaten. Then, as I watched proudly, he lifted his bowl up the way we've taught him to show that he is done.... but to my horror (and the other children's amusement) he then pulled the bowl to his face and licked it out! When he was finished he plopped it on the table with a grin.
I sat shocked (and amused) that he had done that, wondering where he could have learned it. My husband was quick to answer my unspoken question "Look, Sweetie, he's copying you!"
I had to admit that the day before I'd done exactly the same thing when I thought no one was looking..... OOPS!
Even at this young, tender age they are taking in more then I realize!
A B C D E F G, H I J K elemenopy! Q R S T U V W X Y and Zed!
I'm so proud of my daughter! She is really learning her alphabet well and is starting to learn the sounds, too. She just loves school -- especially the poems and crafts!
My sweet 4 year old daughter has been very interested in swimming for about a year, and just loves the water, so today she started lessons for the first time. She did very well and the teacher asked me again if I was sure this was her first time in lessons! She just jumped right in and took off! I think she'll do very well in swimming, like her Uncle Paul.
baby jaquards knit accessories set
blanket and basket crocheted for my husband's cousin's wedding gift
(my daughter entertains the ladies by blowing bubbles with them)
My Children and I
My Mother with her two daughters
