Madelyn's Room

Yesterday morning...I worked on rearranging and organizing Madelyn's room. My kids make their beds in the morning (except Jaxson who is 3 and can barely reach :) and because their bedrooms are so small...we had their beds pushed against the wall. With one side pushed against the wall...it makes making your bed more difficult! So I moved Madelyn's more into the center of the room...and it makes it alot easier for her to make her bed...and still gives her room to move around! :)


Notice the Mary Engelbreit picture hanging on the wall below.... :) That used to hang in my bedroom at my parent's home when I was younger. I love it! Maybe that is why I have such a love for M.E. things now? :)

And below...is Madelyn's "stuff"...each girl has her own stuff...you know? Books, babies, art supplies, etc. I organized it as best as I could! I try to go through the things and give away some things and throw some things out...but I love her imagination and I don't want to take everything away.

Anyway...I just wanted to share with you some of what I did yesterday! :) Is it "perfect"?...no. Is it better..yes! :)
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! :)

An Old Watch....A New Idea

Ok, I know this watch looks kinda silly...BUT...let me explain. This was part of my husband's old watch that he didn't like. The band was horrible. I got him a new watch a while back and this one....with the clock part still working....was just kinda hanging around. I don't wear a watch....and I thought it would be nice to have something in my purse so I can know what time it is...(without having to turn on my cell ~ which I rarely use). So...I ripped off the icky old band and knitted a little holder for it and attached it to the watch! So yes...the watch itself is ugly...but it will be perfect to grab out of my purse when needing to know the time! :)

Other than that.....just normal days here....schooling, playing, cleaning etc. Today we are working on cleaning up the kids' rooms. For some reason...it takes my kids (the boys especially) a whole day or more to do what I could clean up in their rooms in an hour. It is hard for them to stay focused at the task at hand (cleaning). So, I am going to go in and help. Not *do* it *for* them...but help move things along! :)

I will also keep working on knitting dishcloths and the patchwork throw I am working on. Nothing overly exciting...but things I enjoy nonetheless.

"Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so."
-Iron, Mary Jean

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. So glad you stopped by!!! :)
I wish you all happy, normal days like mine! :)

Snow Storms and Cozies....

It has been snowing and snowing and snowing here. Lots of ice everywhere too. It is beautiful to look at but very dangerous to travel on...so the children and I have been staying home. I had no place to "go" really anyway....so it is totally fine with me! I do need to get a few things at the grocery store at some point....hopefully... :o) Thankfully we still have our electric and are staying quite warm and all in our home. Although many are without electric across the country right now and have no alternative way to keep warm. If you think of it today....send a prayer up for those people! God does answer prayers! :)


Tuesday night I worked on half of this little camera cozy! I finished it up yesterday and it works so well! I am so excited! I wish I could have taken a pic of it with my camera in it...but that wouldn't work as my camera would be in the bag then and not able to be taking pictures....right? ;)
I knit and purled to get the look I have there. I made ties on it so you can tie a bow to secure it shut. My camera has a loop handle already on it...so when I put it in the cozy...I just let the handle for my camera stick out from the top corner and tie the cozy shut and voila! A carryable camera cozy! :)

I hope you all are having a really splendid week! :) I need to get in gear....I gotta get coffee made for Chris and also pack his bucket (lunch) for work today! Then I need to get breakfast going! :) Thanks so much for dropping by and for all of you who are dealing with this cold, snow and ice like we are ~ stay warm!!!!

"Life is a succession of lessons.....

which must be lived to be understood."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Yesterday was a full day of learning....schooling, playing, cooking. Above is a picture of Madelyn in her "shawl" reading from her Bible Reader. (I have a shawl then I love to wear when it is chilly and so Madelyn tied this blanket on to be her shawl...hehe!) Below is Xavier...doing some coloring!


I have learned that each child learns and does things at different times....it doesn't mean one is better than the other...they are each individuals and do things at their own pace. I am sure all you mothers know this as well! :) Madelyn was able to write her name and all her letters at the age of 4. Xavier was closer to 5 when he learned....at first, it had me worried....and then I realized what's the rush? He is doing wonderful at just the pace he is. I know there seems to be a lot of competition between mothers...using their children's accomplishments. Why is that? Each child is unique and special and loved....no matter how fast or slow they learn or accomplish something! Life isn't about being first or the best....it's about being who God created you to be...just as you are. Each child has talents and abilities special of their own....unique to the way God created them to be. I think that is fascinating! Don't you? :)


Some chalkboard decorating by the boys...... ;)

Some math for Madleyn.....

Later in the day....while I was moving around the house doing housework, I kept noticing the two older kids always somewhere around me....whispering. It was so weird....finally I stopped them and asked what they were doing....apparently they were "spying" on me and I was ruining their "spy" plans by talking to them....ahahahaha! So before they continued on their spy plans...I had to get a picture of them all dressed up in their "spy" outfits that they put together.....

Ahahahahaha! Madelyn is trying to look tough...and I think X is too...but look at that face....ROFL! Isn't it toooooo funny????

Later on in the day....I started dinner. (X got to go have a sleepover at Grammie's house) Madelyn worked at their little kitchen spot on some "cooking" of her own......

And Jaxson helped me.....


Madelyn took a picture of my lil helper and me! :)

Oh my goodness...thank you all for your sweet comments on my last post! It is wonderful to "meet" all the new ones who commented and as always...I truly enjoy all the comments from those who comment often! Thank you all for stopping by! Your words are all so kind and I appreciate each one!!!

We are in the midst of an ice/winter storm right now...so I look forward to staying home...as cozy and warm as possible! I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday!!! :)

My Lil Cottage in the Snow!

Wanna guess who got a hold of my camera again? Jaxson took a self potrait.....hehe! Chris says we need to get that one printed and framed! ;)


I ended up having to run to the post office yesterday and since my van was not running...and my mom already stopped to visit...she let me use her car while she stayed with my kids! :)
Here is a pic of our home...a work in progress. Our home is small...and I consider it our little cottage! I love that word...cottage. ;o) Hopefully this spring it will be finished being sided (the whole thing...even over the blocks) and there are a few more windows we need to replace. Someday in the future, I would like to tear the very front room of the house off and make it a real, open porch! :) We did have big icicles hanging off the roof along the edges...they were really beautiful but Chris knocked them all down. They aren't good for our roof! :)

Below is a picture of our house from the other side....see how we have been redoing it? It's truly exciting to see it blossom into the picture we have in our minds for it to be! Chris has done almost all the work (with some help from his brother and other friends!)! I am so excited for the siding to be all up!
Scenery on my way to the post office.....isn't the sky beautiful??? :)


Supper last evening was wonderful. We had some violin music playing in the background, quietly. It was beautiful and put a sort of calm over the whole meal. Of course, the kids had lots to talk about and all though! :) After supper was cleaned up....I sat and knitted while watching Chris and the kids play and wrestle! :) It was really nice! I know the kids enjoy spending time with their daddy! I love being able to take it all in. I kinda felt like a fly on the wall....just watching and smiling. When daddy is home...the kids love to get his attention. Of course, they love their mama.....but there is something about a daddy coming home that the kids love!!! :)

We had a yummy dinner of stuffed chicken breasts, mashed potatoes and corn (frozen from the cob from corn we grew this past summer....YUM!). Madelyn was a wonderful help with setting the table and helping to clear it as well while I did the dishes! :)

We had a really nice day yesterday! :) There is a winter storm watch here for this evening and tomorrow. Hopefully it doesn't get too bad out! Maybe it will miss us completely, as it is just a watch?? :)

And here is Sir Stinks-a-lot....(ok..that's not his name...but I think it should be! lol)...our dog, Cash(after Johnny Cash). Actually my husband's dog. I don't claim ownership because this dog drives me bonkers! The above pic is of him as a pup. Wasn't he soooo sweet? He was the runt of the litter and soooooo tiny! And below is the pic of him all grown up....after a good bath yesterday! (So...now I guess I can nickname him Sir Doesn't-Stink-Alot, right?) Look how he has grown! I miss him being wee....he was much less chaotic then!!! hehe!

Just out of plain curiosity....I know I have many readers who don't comment and that's OK....but I would just love to hear from you! Even if it is just to say "hello!". It's always fun seeing who stops by! You don't have to be a blogger to leave a comment! You can leave an anonymous comment...but just sign your first name on it so I get an idea of who you are! I would love to "meet" you all! I about fell off my chair when I realized I have 97 people "following" on the sidebar! I am truly appreciative that you all enjoy coming by! It means a lot!

I hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday...I totally plan to!!! (Btw....my van is fixed! YIPPEE!)

Being Held

I absolutely love the song Held by Natalie Grant. I have it playing on my music player on my sidebar. No matter what our struggles....as difficult though they may seem....we are being held in the arms of our Savior! He loves us! He will carry us....He wants our fears and burdens! It is truly difficult to give them all to Him...but imagine the peace of giving it all to Him and trusting in Him to take care of it! The One who holds the whole universe in His hands wants us to let Him care for us.

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Matthew 6:31-34

Today, I encourage you to worry not, stress not, and let God take care of it. He will do a much better (the *best*) job than we would...and does worrying and stressing about things actually improve anything?? This is an area of my life I have been working on and really want to encourage any of you...who may have these same difficulties...to work on as well. Just let it go!

When we feel the urge to worry or stress....let's pray and then sing (whether aloud or in thought)....

Seek ye first the kingdom of God
And his righteousness
And all these things shall be added unto you
Allelu..alleluia
Man shall not live by bread alone
but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God
Allelu..alleluia
Ask and it shall be given unto you
Seek and ye shall find
Knock and it shall be opened unto you
Allelu, allleluia

I will be in prayer over this for myself...and for any of you that want me to pray for you as well! Drop me a line, whether in the comments or my email (link in the sidebar), and I will be happy to pray for you in this as well!

My van is acting up...and won't start. Luckily, my sweet husband should know how to fix it at some point. But for now, I am home. (I had no plans to go out today anyway!) A day of schooling, playing, housework and projects!
My mom is coming out for a visit later as well! It's always so nice to talk with her! My mom and I are very close! :) The kids adore her as well so they will be excited when she pops over too!



Below is one of my favorite spots in my home. I just love it and wanted to share. I may have shared it before...but I know I have new readers who drop by and I wanted to share it with them as well! :) I want to thank you all for stopping by to read! I know that some comment...and many others do not...but I know that you DO stop and I truly appreciate it!


It's still cold here in PA....Temps in the single digits and teens. Brrrr! There is something about looking out at the wood stove, though, that makes me feel cozy! The smoke coming out of the top looks so warm against the bare trees in the background. Oh...and my clothesline...I am really looking forward to spring...hanging clothes out again...the kids playing outside and riding their bikes...gardening...reading in the sun....cookouts out back...the chickens running to me in the yard, hoping I have food scraps for them ;) ....I will struggle to enjoy each season happily until it passes, but I must admit that with winter...the word struggle needs emphasized! ;)

I must run...as there is much to do...but quickly, before I go....I have a blog friend, Rosie, who makes beautiful things right here in good ole PA! :) She is quite the talented lady and if you have a love for handmade bags and clothes (especially for wee ones)...I encourage you to check out her shops. You can find them HERE and HERE and HERE. I just wanted to share it with you all....for no profit of my own...just sharing sites I love! :) She actually made me an adorable pouch a while back...I think close to when I started this blog and I just love it! She is a lovely person and seamstress and I think you will all love her stuff! THIS is totally my favorite bag that she is selling!!! I absolutely LOVE the cows and the CHICKENS!!! And the colors are fantastic as well! Ok....I am done, hehe....off I go to continue my day! xoxo

Heartwarming Days of Play

Good morning!!! I am so glad you dropped by!!! It is Saturday....and snowing. Another perfect day for indoor play and fun! Watching my children use their imaginations makes my heart warm. The warmth of my heart could melt all the snow outside if it were allowed to. ;o)

Playing kitchen....
And sweet drawings using the imagination.....

Madelyn informed me that this is a bee-caterpillar. It's long like a caterpillar...but is colored and has a stinger like a bee! :) I love how imaginations soar at this age!!!

"The world is but a canvas to our imaginations." ~Henry David Thoreau

Today I will work on knitting, housework and other projects around the house! :) Although it may seem like those are the only things I do....my life is full and happy and I truly love being a wife and mother and keeper of the home! Although at times, the laundry seems never ending and the floors seem to need swept again...only moments after I have already done so, I truly enjoy making my home tidy for my family. Keeping your home is so much more than that though...it is a warmth you generate through love and nurturing of your family and how you take care of them! :) I enjoy being the woman God created me to be!! Life isn't "easy"...but are we not truly blessed to be women created by a loving God who wants to carry our burdens for us? I am so thankful for the life I have been given! I hope you are too! :o)

Last night, I taught my cousin to knit! It went so well and she really caught on! I was so impressed! Hopefully it will be something she holds on to and enjoys to do in her down time!

Below is another dishcloth I finished. I know I seem to be making a lot of them...but I have had to make some for other people and I am also trying to make enough to have for myself! :) This one reminds me of mint chocolate chip icecream...hehe!

I wish you all a wonderful and joyful weekend! I hope love and happiness abound and that you enjoy each moment! xoxo

Occasionally in life there are those moments of unutterable fulfillment which cannot be completely explained by those symbols called words. Their meanings can only be articulated by the inaudible language of the heart. ~Martin Luther King Jr.