A few things I am loving at present -

Hearing of other's blessings -   we know this AWESOME family of God - dad is a Pastor, mom is a Proverbs 31 lady, the children are blessings to be around - a wonderful family.  Well, their two vehicles were on their LAST - and I mean last legs, and finally died recently.  There was no fix in sight.  They were told with one of the vehicles that it never should have been on the road...well, people began to pray, and blessings began to happen.  In the end, over $8000 was given to this family to help with the purchase of a newer, more reliable vehicle!  $8000!   Can you imagine what a blessing that was!  It humbles me to hear things like this - to know for sure, without a doubt, that our God DOES know our needs, AND, He provides for us in ways we could never understand or expect!

Dancing with my baby - little Sarah is one now, and LOVES to spin around and around when music is on.  She even tries to sing along...what a joy to scoop her up in my arms and dance with her!

Witnessing God move in my son - Coy is 10 now, still a boy, but quickly growing into a man.  I am seeing him take on more initiative and responsibility.  He is developing a gentle sweetness when he plays with the girls, and leading his brother.

Seeing how loving Garret's heart is - there are times he is tried to the end with his little sister Isabella, and then there are times when he just plays so well with her.  It is touching to see him 'take her fishing' as they throw the stuffed fish around and scoop them up, or 'take her hunting' as they stalk the stuffed deer and bear in our living room!  And yes, there are times when he plays with the baby dolls with her.

Watching the total excitement and awe in Isabella's eyes as she grows - Like when she sees a bird - who knew a crow could cause such excitement!  Or hearing her play quietly with her dolls, tucking them in my fabric boxes and feeding them.

Knowing that I can count on my husband - whom is such a blessing to me.  He is a hardworking and loving man.  It is mid September, and all of our wood is cut, corded, and ready for the long, cold winter.  He is instilling in the boys a strong work ethic, not allowing them to play or watch TV while he tended the wood.  He took them with him for every load, supervising as Coy ran the skitter, guiding them as they piled the wood, working beside them, not watching them work. 

Canning and Preserving - I am really getting the hang of this.  We have been blessed with much produce this summer, all of which has been eaten or preserved in some way or another. 

What are you loving today?

Blessings,
Hope

I spent most of yesterday at a park watching around 20 other homeschool children play together, while us mothers enjoyed the friendship of kindred spirits.

This morning, I am still rejoicing in the blessing of friends.  It was a true joy to see all these children gather together and play.

I recently had a lady on ETSY create a variety pack of Christian cards for me.  Though I haven't received them as of yet, she shared photos of the cards with me, and I am so anxious to receive them.  Her Etsy store is Coasters and Cards.  She has some really great Father's Day cards listed right now!

This morning, I began reading her blog, and I am very quiet.  I have been touched in more ways than I can express in words.  For you to better understand why I am feeling as I am, I wish for you to read her blog as well.  She has been through some trials I have never endured, and I sense no bitterness about her.  

When you are finished there, I encourage you to visit one of the blogs she follows, To Write Their Names In Sand, you will be deeply touched upon visiting.  Please remember to keep this family, the Burgess's, and the families represented on To Write Their Names in Sand in your prayers.

God Bless you,
Hope

Happy Mother's Day to all....I hope everyone is enjoying their blessings, big and small. 

This Mother's Day, I find myself humbled by my many blessings....and gifts I have received.  Here's a brief list:

• 2 Lilac Bushes (Calvin and kids)
• 1 Gardenia and 1 hardy Azalea (Mom and Dad)
•  A collection of white rocks (Coy)
•  A bucket full of dirt with a smiley face made of rocks and ferns used as the hair (Garrett)
• lots of Happy Mother's Day well wishes (friends and family)
• Carmel chocolates and a card (Calvin)
• AND the greatest gift of all, my son Garrett is being Baptized today.  He accepted the Lord as his Savior last year, and recently began to feel the need to be Baptized. 

A few months ago, I was blessed with a used 2000ATS White Serger.  Tha kind lady who gave it to me had all these accessory feet, and had only used the serger a time or two....so, she posted it on freecycle...I emailed her telling her how I would love to have it, and it WOULD be a blessing to me, and she gave it to me!!!   I was so excited....

Then when I went to plug it in, there was no power to it...so my Pastor offered to look at it for me.  He found the cord was cut and he spliced it together, taping it with electrical tape.  I thought I was good to go, but when I serged with it the first time, I bent a needle and it scared the heck out of me!   So, not knowing anything about sergers, I set it on my sewing table...and it sat...and it sat...until this week.  I finally decided to just roll my sleves up and work on it. 

I replaced the needle which broke, and attempted to serge.  I was able to serge a few inches until the thread coming from the needles would break....UGH!   Upon watching closer, I could see that the lower looper was rubbing the needles on the up and down stroke.  I tried everything I could think of to fix it, and nothing worked.  I googled, asked for advice, found a few helpful threads.  Someone said my needles could be too big (using size 90/14).   Another said the timing could be off...or there could be burrs on the loopers. 

I was searching for a repair manual (I even emailed the White company and asked for one - haven't heard back from them yet).  While searching, I stumbled upon this site:
http://www.fixsewingmachines.com/How-to-Adjust-the-Needle-Bar-Height.html which gave me the ide of adjusting the needle height.  As I was looking the machine over, I noticed that the lower looper wasn't all the way down where it screws in.  I loosened the screw, and secured the looper down where it should be, and VOILA - the needles aren't hitting it anymore:)  I was able to serge about 10 inches, and make the notorious chain.

I also stumbled upon an interesting pdf, which is a repair manual - not sure if it is for the  White ATS 2000 or not though:
http://www.pegasus-europa.de/TechManuals/EX(T)51_maintenance%20manual.pdf

So, now that school is done, and as soon as I clean up the mess little Miss I'm up from my nap and playing dress up made (AKA Isabella), I hope to throw some potatoes in the oven for baked taters, wash a load of diapers, and Serge!

Blessings,
Hope

http://www.cpsc.gov/
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 6, 2009
Release #09-120 CPSC

Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

CPSC Spells Out Enforcement Policy For New Lead Limits In Children's Products Effective February 10

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Starting on February 10, 2009, consumer products intended for children 12 and under cannot have more than 600 parts per million of lead in any accessible part. This new safety requirement is a key component of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) aimed at further reducing children's exposure to lead.

In an effort to provide clear and reasonable guidance to those impacted by this important law, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is announcing its enforcement policy on the lead limits established by the CPSIA.

Manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers should also be aware that CPSC will:

*Not impose penalties against anyone for making, importing, distributing, or selling

**a children's product to the extent that it is made of certain natural materials, such as wood, cotton, wool, or certain metals and alloys which the Commission has recognized rarely, if ever, contain lead;

**an ordinary children's book printed after 1985; or

**dyed or undyed textiles (not including leather, vinyl or PVC) and non-metallic thread and trim used in children's apparel and other fabric products, such as baby blankets.

(The Commission generally will not prosecute someone for making, selling or distributing items in these categories even if it turns out that such an item actually contains more than 600 ppm lead.)
Sellers will not be immune from prosecution if CPSC's Office of Compliance finds that someone had actual knowledge that one of these children's products contained more than 600 ppm lead or continued to make, import, distribute or sell such a product after being put on notice. Agency staff will seek recalls of violative children's products or other corrective actions, where appropriate.

*Issue an interim final rule effective February 10, 2009, which establishes alternative lead limits for certain electronic devices, in order to prevent unnecessary removal of certain children's products from store shelves.

*Accept a manufacturer's determination that a lead-containing part on their product is inaccessible to a child and not subject to the new lead limits, if it is consistent with the Commission's proposed guidance or is based on a reasonable reading of the inaccessibility requirement. Paint and other coatings or electroplating are not considered barriers that make a component inaccessible.

This enforcement policy will remain in effect until superseded by action of the Commission.

CPSC still expects companies to meet their reporting obligation under federal law and immediately tell the Commission if they learn of a children's product that exceeds the new lead limits starting on February 10, 2009. Companies also should know that the CPSIA generally prohibits the export for sale of children's products that exceed the new lead limits.

As announced on January 30, 2009, the Commission approved a one year stay of enforcement for certain testing and certification requirements for manufacturers and importers. Significant to makers of children's products, the 'stay' provides limited relief from the testing and certification for total lead content limits, phthalates limits for certain products and mandatory toy standards. Manufacturers and importers - large and small - of children's products will not need to test or certify to these new requirements, but will still need to meet the lead and phthalates limits, mandatory toy standards and other requirements. Certification based on testing by an accredited laboratory is still required for painted children's products and soon will be required for children's metal jewelry, as well as certain other products for non-lead issues.


What a Blessing....please be in prayer as to the direction the CPSA will continue to take in regards to protecting our children from harm while making wise decisions in doing so!

Blessings,
Hope

This afternoon my heart was filled with joy.  After school was finished, Coy and Garrett dressed in their snow gear and went outside to play.  Coy came back in shortly and asked if they could shovel the neighbor's driveway.  I assured him he could, and I reminded him that if he starts a job, he must finish it.  After about 3 hours of work mixed with play, the two little boys have completed their task.  Now, this  driveway is very small and narrow, would probably have taken an adult under 30 minutes to complete.

Our neighbor is a single mother who is a local school teacher.  Her little boy is about my boy's age, 7 or 8.  When she isn't teaching, she is coaching cheerleading or taking a college course.  They aren't home often.

I was absolutely delighted that the boys allowed God to use them to be a blessing to her.  Surely she would have eventually gotten to shoveling the drive, but now she doesn't have to.

Blessings,

Hope

Ever hear of one?  Ever been to one?   I have, and they can be alot of fun.  Our church, Sebec Corner Baptist Church in Sebec Maine, does one every year.  The kids bring a kid's gift, the ladies a lady gift, the men a men's gift, and so on.

The rules are simple:

Everyone brings a wrapped present. 

Random numbers are drawn (we just went around in a circle)

The person with #1 picks a gift and opens it.  Continue to pick and open gifts in numerical order.  Once everyone has opened a gift, you go around in a circle in the same order you opened gifts and if you decide you would rather have someone else's gift, you can swap - but if you forget to say Thank You, they get their gift back.  (The 'official' rules are a little different, and can be viewed here: http://www.yankee-swap.net/yankee_swap_rules_official.PDF )

This can be alot of fun, with lots of swapping going on! 

A word of warning, you may not want young children to swap - they won't find it as fun when Johnny takes Jimmy's gift.  But the adults, they love it! 

Setting a price limit before your Yankee Swap helps (we keep ours between $5 - $10).

Some great gift ideas:

Food items - Chocolate covered cherries, homemade fudge or jams, sausage and cheese kits, potholders, lotions, bath soaps, book markers, stationary sets, coffee mugs, gloces, flashlights, pocket knives, popouri, the list can be endless!

This year, I ended up with a banner that reads John 3:16, and a potholder/kitchen towel set.  I think Calvin ended up with a set of work gloves.  Isabella now has 3 new puppets, while Coy has a soccer ball and Garrett has a football.

Blessings,

Hope

I have a dear friend back in Mississippi, Ms Wanda.   I  met her when attending church in Richton MS, but my husband has known her since he was a child...his mother and Ms Wanda were good friends, and Calvin went to school with one of her daughters, Wendy.  This past year has been spent in prayer for her daughter, Wendy, to concieve a child.  Wendy has struggled so with infertility treatments, and then with loosing a baby after conception.  My heart has broken for Wendy on many occasions. 

But now I am overfilled with Joy.  God has blessed Wendy with a daughter, Isabella.  She was born 11-15 and weighed 6 lb. 9 oz. 

As I was reading the email from Ms Wanda telling me about her new Granddaughter, my heart sang and tears filled my eyes!  I called my boys over and read it to them, and their eyes lit up.  Garrett began jumping around singing "Ms Wendy has a baby, Ms Wendy has a baby!!!"   What a reward to see God bless someone, to hear an answer to our prayers!

Blessings,

Hope

We began our 'schoolyear' about 2 weeks after little Sarah was born, so around the first of September.  I was surprised with how easy the family flowed together this year.  This is the first year we have not done schooling through the summer, and I think the boys were ready fro some structure. 

We have  made a few changes to our schooling.  One of the biggest changes is:  I have a new attitude about it....a better attitude.  I have always known God intends for me to homeschool our children.  Not once have I wanted to put them in public school, or even in private school.  But, I have not always done it with a postive attitude.  I have viewed it as a dreaded job, nothing I looked forward to.  My mind would wander with all the chores I needed to accomplish within our home.  I would dread the fights that would ensue between me and our STRONG WILLED child, Coy. 

This year though, I have done what I should have done a long time ago. I have given our schooling COMPLETELY over to the Lord.  I know I cannot do this on my own.  I cannot even attempt to accomplish this without God's hands covering us. 

And I am reaping the rewards of God's blessings!   I am seeing dramatic improvement in myself, and my children.  I am seeing how God is working to help me be a better mother, a better teacher.  How God is changing my son's hearts to look forward to school, to accomplish their tasks. 

I am already seeing amazing growth in their learning abilities.  Areas they were weak in a month ago, they have now mastered.  I am watching in amazement as God works on my family!

Blessings,

Hope

On Wednesday, August 20th, we welcomed our newest blessing into our homes - she had been in our hearts from day one....

Sarah Elisabeth was born via csection without complications.  She weighed 7 pounds and 7 ounces with a length of 19 inches.  She has dark hair and as best we can tell, dark eyes. 

None of her clothing or diapers fit her!  She is rather petite.  And she nurses so well.  Her brothers are so happy with her, and big sister Isabella won't let her cry without screaming "MOMMA!  BABY!"  

God Bless,

Hope

Tomorrow morning at 730, our newest Blessing should be here...Sarah Elisabeth.... 

The family is so excited!  I am not sure I'll sleep tonight....but I bet I will in the end.  I plan on taking a few tylenol and calling it a night!  At least, until 0400 when hubby wakes me to tell me it is time to go! 

My  mom and dad have come down for the event, and will be keeping the other three children for us.  Calvin will be staying at the hospital with us.  I feel like I have everything in place..the carseat, childcare, baby and momma items.....my goodness am I excited!  this is the first time we've ever known 'what' we're having...all the other times, we've waited until the baby arrived to find out.  Except Coy - with him being adopted, we knew he was a boy.

Garrett is I think the most excited...because his new archery bow is supposed to arrive tomorrow also!  I asked him which was more important and he said they both were...but funny how he keep talking about his bow coming tomorrow!

Please pray that Sarah and I have no complications, that all goes well, and that we are able to come home soon!  I am hoping to be home no later than Friday, but we'll see.  I won't rush out if I feel I need to stay, but at the same time, I don't want to be in the hospital any longer than I have to be!

Blessings to you all,

Hope

My father went and picked green beans for me at Pastor's house, and he came home with three 5 gallon buckets full....mom washed up the canning jars and began filling them while dad, Coy, Garrett, and I snapped them........

And we ended up with................................................

FORTY TWO QUARTS!!!!

What a blessing....to have that all given to us, and to have someone help with the work.

God Bless,

Hope

I've had so many contractions, and they even get regular - the closest they've been is 12 minutes for nearly an hour, enough to make me think this is it...but alas, a shower and nap stopped that!   My csection is now scheduled for Aug 20th, Wednesday....so please remember us in prayer.

This is a really good time for us.  God is blessing us much more than we deserve.  I opened a few online stores and placed some wool diaper covers on ebay, and they are selling so well!  I am really amazed at it....I figured I could sell a few, but God has blessed more than I anticipated.  I sold enough diapers this week to purchase a new archery bow for Garrett (and he is super excited about it).

I have found some really good deals at thrift stores and garage sales lateley...foudn a Gap dress for Isabella, with the tags still on it, for $2.50 at  a thrift store, another dress for .50 cents, a pair of Ralph Lauren (or maybe Polo) slacks for Calvin for $2.00....which is great b/c his slacks have seen better days.

Despite all the rain we've been having, Calvina dn the boys have been able to bring home and cord 3 truckloads of wood.  And it appears this week is going to be absolutely beautiful, so they should be able to get more wood put away.

Our pig has doubled in size it seems!  He is so silly.  Snorts and grunts when you walk out there.  The boys, especially Garrett, are doing a great job keeping him fed and watered.

These are just a few of the blessings God has given us lately.  I am feeling really overwhelmed by His goodness!

Blessings to you all!

Hope

Sometimes you touch someone's heart more than you know, and they reward or recognize you in some way for it. 

A few months ago, I was invited by a friend to join a small yahoo gourp of Chirstian women.  Immediately upon joining I was showered with welcoming love.  I have been amazed at how this group of strangers whom the Lord has brought together has become so close.  Years ago, this would not have happened...but with 'modern technology', we are able to talk every day and share our blessings and burdens with each other. 

One of these wonderful women, Rhonnie, gave me a blog award.  This isn't something I deserve, but she felt I did, so she blessed me with it.

These are the rules:
1. The recipient must link back the the award's creator (http://www.thebabblingsofmere.blogspot.com/)
2. You must post these rules if you recieve the award.
3. You must chose 5 people to recieve the award after recieving it yourself
4. You must fit the characteristics of the recipient of the award, as posted by Mere.
5. You must post the characteristics of a recipient.
6. You must create a post sharing your win with others.
7. You must thank your giver.

Characteristics for the Smile Award:
1. Must display a cheerful attitude. (not necessarily at all times--we are all human)
2. Must love one another
3. Must make mistakes
4. Must learn from others
5. Must be a positive contributor to blog world
6. Must love life
7. Must love kids

Here are my 5 choices for award recipients:

Trisha whose blog resides here: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mainehsmom Trisha and I met a few years ago at church and she has become a good friend of mine.  She has inspired me in many ways, including in the kitchen!  She is the one I go to with questions about cooking bread and frugal recipes.  Her mothering abilities have helped me be more aware of my own abilities, and her wisdom in handling tough situations is awesome...the behavior of her son and daughter gives me hope that one day my sons and daughters will behave in a manner much as hers do...

My second choice is Peggy over at http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/ .  I began reading her blog this spring, and have found such pleasure in her admiration of simple things. 

Third is OldPathsMom http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/OldPathsMom/ I have enjoyed watching her and her family as they muddle through their homeschooling adventures.  She often shares with her readers what God has laid on her heart.

That leaves number four and five open, and  my choices for these two have already been awarded.  I will mention them here as well. 

Terri, over at http://justaflipflopmom.blogspot.com/ is the lady who invited me to our little group. She is a fellow New Englander and aspires to live frugally!  though I've only known Terri for a little while now, she has been a blessing to me through the many ways I have seen her uplift our friends.  She has a sweet gentleness in her responses to other people. 

And Rhonnie, the lady who gave me the award.....she is quickly becoming a Titus 2 woman for me!  Her loving attitude to others makes her one of those women you wish you could just sit and enjoy tea with every day.  http://whatchadotoday.blogspot.com/   Thank you Rhonnie for thinking so kindly of me.

Blessings,

Hope

Once a month for about a year now, the Ladies at our church have been gathering at alternating homes for a luncheon - this time of fellowship and food is simply called Ladies Luncheon.  It is the host's responsibiblity to provide a devotion for the group.  There is a sign up sheet in the back of the church for the ladies to choose a date.

Today I am hosting the Ladies Luncheon.  After prayer, the Lord has given me the following devotion to share:

Isn't God good when we least expect it! We don't deserve his grace,
but yet He gives it to us.

First off, I have had a really good day. The boys have behaved,
school was done, I found out my brother's girlfriend wants to come
down the first week of August for a visit and to help me around the
house so I'll have everything done when Sarai comes!!!

Then, Calvin comes home and tells me his raise FINALLY came through!
It is a about $89 every two weeks, but hey, that's more than we had!
And like he said...in the last few weeks, we've basically been given
$300 more a month...he's figuring in the carpool savings!


THEN, this morning I had found some more of his college textbooks
upstairs and listed them on Amazon...we sold another one...so,
instead of these books sitting around collecting dust and taking up
room, they're bringing us money little by little...so far we've sold
4 with a total of about $100!!! PRAISE GOD...Isn't he good?!

God Bless and I hope you are having as good an evening as I am!

Hope

I am enjoying this weather so much!  It is gorgeous outside, and inside....there is a gentle breeze, a few clouds, and it is NOT humid and muggy like it was!  There are birds tweeting all over, and flowers blooming. 

The boys and I went garage sailing earlier, and on the way home, we stopped and picked some Black-eyed Susans.  They are so pretty!

I am thanking God for the peace and beauty of today!

Blessings,

Hope

We have been blessed with a visit by my Mother and Father in law, so I won't be into blogging as much as usual, plus we have Neighborhood Bible Time at church, and the boys activities are getting busy! 

God Bless,

Hope