A Peek into my Faith Journal

I thought it would be fun to show you some photos of some of the pages of my faith journal...

It's just full of thoughts, quotes and wisdom gleaned from the Bible and books I love!

My drawings were sub-par below...but I was using a pen and not trying to make them perfect. I just wanted a general sketch down to represent the Armor of God...

It has been a *long* day! Supper is in the crock pot (chicken) thankfully! We had our homeschool co-op class day today. It's an enjoyable but *long* day! I came home to do some dusting and organizing of our school stuff. Now I need to prepare to go in to teach an exercise class at the Y tonight (for anyone who wonders ~ that is a volunteer thing I do. I was trained for it but I don't get paid to do it).

We have another busy day tomorrow.....with a gym & swim planned with other homeschooling families at the Y, homeschooling for the kiddos (while I do housework) and the boys have music lessons tomorrow as well. :) Full but joy-filled days are great!

I hope you enjoyed seeing some of the pages of my faith journal. :) Thanks for visiting! I hope you had a lovely Monday (it poured here last night and this morning but thankfully it has cleared up and is nice out...although day is turning to dark quite quickly now!).

Quickly...I wanted to share this *super* sweet youtube channel I found called Sounds like Reign. They have a lot of videos there but started another channel for their vlogs called Tiny Notes from Home. You simply must check them out! You will be blessed! :)



Warmly,
Katy

What to do on a rainy day....

My old memory journal is almost filled up...and will probably *be* finished by the time I post this! I got a new sketch book to start filling up with pictures, magazine cut outs, and my children's artwork! You can find other posts about my memory journals HERE.

It's a wonderful project to do when it is cold and rainy outside (like it was in our neck of the woods last Saturday)...

I also spent time planning each of my children's upcoming school weeks...

While doing some dusting...I also did a bit of rearranging. I'm not sure if things will stay where they are or not at this point. That's the fun of homemaking...you get to move things, improve their function and try making things pleasing to the eye!

And when the rain stops, "sword" fights begin (until mama makes them stop, right after this picture was taken!)...

Schooling continues on each morning during the week...

Jaxson is wearing a hat he made on Sunday...doesn't he remind you of one of those monkeys that dance when a guy plays a music box? ;)

Jaxson, reading with Madelyn...

I hope *you* are enjoying your rainy days too! And, if you aren't enjoying them per se, I hope you are able to get a lot accomplished with your time stuck in-doors! :)

Warmly,
Katy

The First Day of Summer

Today is the official first day of summer. Temperatures in Western PA will definitely reflect that as we are to get into the 90's. I am so thankful I go to my spinning class early in the morning while it is still cool out! :) For any that may be wondering, spin class is going well and since June 1st, I have lost 6 pounds (an average of two pounds per week). Of course, I would love to speed up the process...but this is a lifestyle change, not just a quick-fix, so I need to make my eating and exercising sustainable. 

Our summer days are full...chores and housework, playing games, reading, mowing, riding bikes, gardening, swimming and on some days, even napping! I sit and do some knitting, as well, from time-to-time but not nearly as much as I knit in the colder months.

This morning, the children and I will be heading to a bible study with other ladies of the church. We are looking forward to it. The children will play with the other children in attendance while the ladies meet, study and fellowship on Titus 2. Today is the first day of the study and I am looking forward to growing and maturing in my faith through it! God's Word is the book our entire lives should be based around, as it is God-breathed from the Father to us...to teach, admonish, encourage and direct us in our lives. I am in the Word, daily, as well as glean much from our weekly church services (full of fantastic book-by-book/verse-by-verse teaching...**not topical preaching, which is, unfortunately, so common nowadays**) but having a study with other women will encourage my growth even more!

The rest of the week will keep us busy as we will have the viewing/memorial services for my grandma on Thursday and Friday and then a busy day of things planned for Saturday (I feel exhausted from it all, already!). It will be days filled to over-flowing with family, friends, tears and laughter.

I need to get going...I have a few things to do before bible study this morning. I have included some photos of my recent memory journaling, just for fun.

Thank you, so much, for taking the time to visit. I hope the rest of your week is joy-filled!

Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied,
Katy

The Simple Day to Day: Memory Keeping

I love to remember things...so I like to tuck all my day to day happenings (big and little ones) into a memory journal. I have posted about my memory journaling before (HERE). It's not my original idea at all...but anyone who makes one has their own unique way of doing it. Some are simple, others more elaborate. They are a simple way to remember the little things that happen each day. (I also have each year of my blog posts printed into books...but this little journal is a fun way to express my creativity and jot down small, seemingly unimportant things that will be fun to think back to one day!)

There are so many things to remember (that are easily forgotten). I enjoy looking back through my books to see what we were doing on different days...whether it was just homeschooling and housework, or more exciting sort-of things (you know, like cleaning out the garage or the shed...*fun* stuff like that! ;). I have gone through times where I haven't kept up journaling each day...and when I do pick it up again to start, I am disappointed that I don't have those missed days recorded (although, lucky for me, my blog has kept them safe and sound, here, on this world-wide-web...I need to get 2011 printed into a book soon!).

As I sit here, right now, Jaxson is asleep in the most uncomfortable-looking sort-of way in the chair next to mine. He's still my *little* one who benefits from a nap some days (we all do, from time-to-time, don't we?). I have been busily buzzing around the house today....schooling, organizing next year's homeschooling materials, knitting, preparing supper, laundry and dishes. I still need to sweep the floors and finish getting supper ready (a slow-cooked beef roast, carrots and homemade noodles...and oh how wonderful the house smells right now!). Although, by the time this posts, it will be tomorrow...so technically, you are *now* reading what I did *yesterday*. ;)

The Lord has been dealing mightily with me lately. Oh, the numerous ways I have fallen short and been self-focused....it's depressing to think about. He has been teaching me though. I wish I wasn't such a slow-learner...and I am so thankful that God is patient with me. He has to remind me of things over and over and even then I don't always see it. Oh, how I long to be sanctified and purified for Him. I desire to serve others *more* without ever worrying about myself (which I do too much of...the "self" thing). I want others to see Christ shine out from me. Many see my good deeds or efforts...but I know the *true* me. The one who can be jealous or impatient, unkind or selfish. What a wretch I am, in and of myself...no matter how hard I try, I just can't seem to attain the perfection I seek. I am forever grateful for the love of Jesus...that because of His shed blood, the Father can see the glorious in me. Jesus bore the wrath that was due me. How can I ever thank Him enough? His perfection and selflessness saved wretched, self-centered me. So now I live...for Him. I desire to please Him...not because I *have* to (although we *are* called to live a life worthy of our calling) but because I *want* to (as all true followers of Christ should) . This isn't legalism I write of...it's more about living out a life dedicated to the One Who created me. It's about giving all glory to Whom it is due. It's living out *His* ways since they are always better than our own! It's not always an easy task...but definitely what the children of God do! :)

I hope your days are going well...whatever may be happening. I am truly praying and striving to be content in *all* things...no matter the situation ("...for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content." ~Philippians 4:11b). 


I am knitting an oh-so-sweet sunflower hat for my little niece, J. I will give it to her on her birthday at the end of the month. I can't wait until she tries it on! I will be sure to share the hat with you as soon as I am finished! :) So look for a post on that someday soon!


Until then...
Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied,
Katy

A Long Awaited Day of Sunshine!

Oh, has this been a busy week for my family! My mother fell quite under-the-weather, starting last week. Thankfully, slowly but surely, she is getting better daily. Her illness made her extremely dizzy, exhausted and just overall, not-well. (Although she *did* have enough oomph to tease me, one day, about my over-usage of commas on my blog! ;)

My mom is a tax collector for her area and had "hours" where she was to be at her office to receive taxes (from people who choose not to mail them in). Because she was ill, I went in her place. I couldn't officially receipt her taxes, as I am not the tax collector for her area, but I could take them and assure the payers that they would receive a receipt in the mail. So I spent a lot of time at my mom's office, which is located in the office/waiting room at my dad's garage (the children thought of it as a great *treat*!)

I also spent time, at my mom's house, helping her receipt her taxes as she has her monthly report due and was just not up to all the work herself. I also did a few things for my dad's business....paperwork and such, that needed to be done. AND during this down-time for mom...the peeps arrived! (She and I ordered together...as well as some of her neighbors and my uncle....talk about zaney...making sure they were all taken care of!)

My sister, who lives an hour away, made the trip to town yesterday. She helped at mom's house, cleaning and such. She also came to clean at the garage so guess who got to care for Eloise!? Yep, yours truly! What a treat that was! I am glad she was able to come. I know it is difficult for her, being so far away (and yet, close...but with gas prices...not close enough!).

I must admit...I am thrilled to be able to help my mother who has **always** done for and been there for me. I will always do whatever I can to help her when she needs me. That being said, let me also admit that I am a planner. Everything that has gone on for a week or so has thrown me for a loop and although I tried to remain strong...I did get weepy and stressed, some. I am used to being at home, for the most part. Honestly, I probably put more miles on my car in this one week than I have in a month, at times! Of course, my mother is more-than worth it. I don't mean to complain by any means...just *being real*.

On top of this busy week...it has rained....every single day but last Sunday and, thankfully, today! Oh, how rain can just put your spirits down! Do you feel that way too? A rainy day, of itself isn't so bad, but the continual days of rain are pretty difficult to enjoy.

So, when the sun poked its head out today, I was over-joyed! Since my mom is feeling a bit better, I stayed home today to catch up on my housework and baking! I got washing going early and out on the line, soaking up some of that wonderful, warm sunshine! Bread was baked, house was tidied, floors swept, and some learning done. The children have enjoyed lots of time playing outside and Jaxson even took a nap! :)

Here are some photos I captured...


A new book I ordered long-ago but it was just released...

Time in the word is a daily, important part of my day...

And I pray thee, loving Jesus, that as Thou hast graciously given me to drink in with delight the words of Thy knowledge, so Thou wouldst mercifully grant me to attain one day to Thee, the fountain of all wisdom and to appear forever before Thy face.

Venerable Bede

Some books I love...

Memory journaling...

Laundry, out on the line...

My hosta is starting to grow! With all the rain and busyness, I haven't had much time to clean out this garden...but I will be getting my hands dirty soon!

Tulips Madelyn picked for me...

Homemade pizza for lunch, using a new RECIPE for the crust (that is delicious!)...

Bread, hot from the oven...


Littlest Jaxson, taking a much-needed nap...

Madelyn seems to be missing from these photos...but be assured, she *is* here and sweet as can be. She's clad in a flowery skirt, tan shirt and flip-flops. She is working on some schoolwork, right now, math to be exact. Her and X have spent a great amount of the day, outside. :)

I hope the sun is shining where you are *too*! I'm so glad you visited me here, today. I hope you are enjoying your week. :)

Warmly,

Katy

A couple days in photos...

Madelyn holding her cousin, Eloise, while at my mom's house for a bit, yesterday (I was quite blessed to get an ample amount of snuggle-time in with this little one too!)...

Lovely books, below, gifted to me from a dear woman at church. She found them at a library booksale and told me that when she saw them, she thought of me! She also bought me some yeast (for my bread-baking) and wrote out an absolutely beautiful card that almost brought me to tears!
Madelyn, at two different times today, knitting...

Books I found at the thrift store, yesterday (I am always so thrilled to find good books at such low prices!)...

I found this Yankee Candle at the thrift store, as well! It was burned once before, but basically brand-new. These large jar candles usually sell for well over $20. This one, I bought for $1.99! The Lilac Blossoms scent is perfect for spring, too!


The children doing some schoolwork. Each are reading...


***You may notice Jaxson is quite amiss in these photos...he was off "working" with Pop-Pop at the garage today! ;)

Memory journaling...


Proof that even the most *seasoned* bread-baker can over-cook a loaf of bread (although, it was, luckily, still edible...just a bit tough on the exterior!)...


Xavier, helping me with my bread-making, by greasing the bowl...


Ahhh....two fresh loaves of bread...

A look at a spot in the kitchen...

Flowers, picked and arranged by Madelyn...

A new-to-me lamp, from my mom, glowing softly as the rain falls outside...


Night sets in...


We are getting ready for our new peeps to arrive tomorrow! I have gotten all the things needed and Chris is preparing a spot for them to grow, in the shed. A simple supper of sandwiches, on fresh bread, tonight...and time spent together as a family! :)

So glad you had some time to drop by! I know there were *many* photos today. I like to remember my days...as time goes by, one second at a time, but still, seemingly, ever-so-fast. I will one day enjoy looking back at times spent when my children were young! :)

Rest well! Pray much!
Warmly,
Katy

He must increase, but I must decrease. ~John 3:30