It has begun...

...coughing, hacking, sneezing and yes, I admit, even a little whining. Oh my~ it's a doozy of a cold! Madelyn started with it and shared it with me. Her and I have both been taking cough syrup...but it doesn't seem to help much. I've been using a lot of these too...

Despite feeling just dreadful, we have gotten schooling done today (although I still have some recording and such to do), dishes are done, most of the laundry is folded and some is out on the line, and the house is picked up and decently tidy. That, at least, makes me smile (with my dreadfully dry and chapped lips! ;)

Just a few pictures to share from the past week, that you may enjoy!


Chris got a new pair of boots. He wears them hard, all year, and then usually in December, goes to visit the Amish and buys a new pair...









Last Friday...my children were in a Christmas parade in our little town! My dad and some fellows at his garage got the truck all decorated and ready to go. I got my little *elves* all suited up in snowpants, boot, gloves and hats. The guys even hooked up a generator on the back of the truck to run a small heater for them!

My dad rode in the back with the children and Chris and I sat *inside* the truck...

They really enjoyed throwing out the bags we put together of candy pieces and tracts about Jesus, the *true* meaning of Christmas celebrations! Once they ran out of the bags we put together, they just started throwing candy to all the anxious youngsters who lined the streets! :)

I hope you enjoyed your weekend! If you haven't yet, and have some time, check out the previous post about my sister's baby shower! It was a wonderful success! :)

I am so grateful that you stopped by today! I hope your days are merry and bright, full of love and joy! I hope you will stop by again, soon!

Warmly,
Katy :)

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. ~Ephesians 3:16-20

A *Shower* of Blessings

After a lot of preparation and work...we celebrated my sister's pregnancy by throwing her a shower! My mom was the *mastermind* behind it all...but my aunts, Cory (my sister's husband)'s parents, cousins and myself all pitched in to make it as special as possible! My mom made the cookies pictured above...aren't they fantastic? :)

I got a few quick shots of the room before people started arriving...


Gift baskets, my mom and aunt put together, for prize drawings...

We had trays of sandwiches, veggies and crackers on the tables and then served the guests' choice of soup, broccoli cheese or vegetable. It was delicious!

The dessert table...

People began arriving and were greeted with big smiles and lots of love...

The punch...



Devon and Cory received absolutely *wonderful* gifts! They were truly blessed by many friends and family!

Opening the gifts I got the baby...a handmade quilt, bunny and wipes case (purchased from a store on etsy). Doesn't Devon just look beautiful? :)

Honestly, she looks absolutely fabulous! I would have never guessed she was over 30 weeks along! She is going to be a great mama and we are all just so thrilled to have this little one join our family in a couple months! :)

I need to go...I just need to finish a few things before heading to church this morning. I hope you all have a lovely, peaceful Sunday and week ahead. Rest and enjoy your family. Best of luck to all who go hunting tomorrow (or their husbands who do)! Thanks, so much, for stopping by!

Warmly,
Katy :)

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. ~Ephesians 3:16-20

His Gentle Love and Provisions

I am ever-grateful for the family and friends God has blessed me with...as well as His love and tender care of me and each one of those I love most. He enabled my family to enjoy good food and fellowship. So many take that for granted...but there are *so* many who don't have that. As a church, we need to remember that in our hearts as we approach this Christmas season. I pray each of you don't get caught up in the consumerism and materialism that consumes many this time of year....today especially as people are waiting in crowds to rush into stores. This isn't what Christmas is about. It's seems like everyone is thankful on Thursday...and then rushes out to get *more* stuff on Friday. It all just seems so money-driven...not a heart thing. It makes me sad.

We did have an enjoyable Thanksgiving day...I hope you did, as well. It rained (and rained and rained!)...and in some spots, was foggy and icy too! Luckily, we all made the trip to my sister's house (and back home again) safely! I was up early in the morning...making rolls, cinnamon rolls and devilled eggs...

I doubled my dinner roll recipe and used half of it to make cinnamon rolls! Nothing tastes better than cinnamon rolls...homemade and fresh from the oven! The picture above was when I set the dough to rise and here it is when it is risen...

I shaped the rolls and let them rise again...then baked them...

I used the other half of the dough to roll out and the spread on brown sugar, melted butter and cinnamon. Then I rolled them up, cut them with yarn and let them rise for their second time.

Rolls cooling, cinnamon rolls fresh from the oven and eggs hard-boiling...

The aftermath ;) ...

We started for my sister's a lil before noon. It's about an hour drive. This was the first Thanksgiving we have had at their home.

Chris-the-meat-cutter, sharpening my grandpop's knife...


...and then using it to carve the turkey...


My little bunny rabbit...


Madelyn, looking on as preperations happen in the kitchen...


Jaxson...


And X was there too! All bright and cheerful...always full of energy and silly-boy-ness!

Lots to do today...most of which includes getting ready for my sister's baby shower tomorrow! I hope you each enjoyed a truly blessed Thanksgiving with your family. :) I best get going...thank you for taking time out of *your* day to visit *me*.

Warmly,
Katy :)

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. ~Ephesians 3:16-20

Worship Him...

...in Spirit and in truth

...with gladness and joyful songs

...on your knees in reverence, humility, love and devotion to Him.

He *is* your Creator...Who loves you with a love you can't measure or comprehend!

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.
~John 4:23-24

I wish you, each, a very blessed Thanksgiving. We have *much* to be thankful for, always. Keep Him first when giving thanks. Thank Him, Love Him, Worship Him. Do it with a pure heart. I am so thankful for all of you...your prayers and words of encouragement bless me immensely. Sending smiles to you, wherever you are, friend!

Warmly,
Katy

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. ~Ephesians 3:16-20

A Time of Rest

The next few weeks...and maybe months...are going to be quite busy around our neck of the woods! Between Thanksgiving, a Christmas parade my children are in, my sister's baby shower, Jaxson's birthday, church activities, deer season (remember: my inlaws own a meat market...which means we butcher and wrap a lot of deer during this time!), schooling and Christmas...the days are going to be extremely exhausting!

So, I decided to take this week off, totally, from schooling. I had planned on at least working on it for the first half of the week with the children...but with the busyness ahead, I thought a time of *rest* would be nice before Thanksgiving and things begin. I will take this time to get ahead on laundry and get the house nice and tidy.

I will also take some time to get some knitting done...

And a bit done on my newest project, a surprise, but here is a sneak peak...


And before I go...a couple photos to share:

Xavier, on the tow-trike my dad and Chris made him, towing a car in the waiting room at my dad's garage...

And the children, this morning, with their newly decorated masks. I think they did such a great job with them! Jaxson named himself Ichabod the Reindeer! ;)

I hope that you and yours have an absolutely enjoyable Thanksgiving...full of love and gratefulness...whether you have much or little.

Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor.
~Benjamin Franklin

I'm so glad you stopped by to visit me today!
Do you have a question?...
I have thought about doing an *answering questions* post at some point. I seem to get many questions through comments and emails...I try to answer them by replying one way or another...but others may have a similar question and never hear the answer. If I can compile enough questions that have been (or are asked even now on this post)...maybe I will do a post about it! :o)

Warm wishes for an enjoyable holiday!
Katy :)

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. ~Ephesians 3:16-20