Home: Organization & Projects

We keep busy around this home of ours... there is always something to organize, clean or make improvements to. I feel that as a homemaker I am in charge of keeping my home tidy, comfortable, cozy, and enjoyable for all that live or visit here ~ all to the glory of God. I struggle with perfectionism ~ which can wreak havoc on my being content (as frustrations can boil within me as walls aren't done, home improvement projects happen slowly and sometimes there just isn't the money to get it all done). But the truth is that all that we have is truly a gift from God...whether it be little or a lot. I constantly go to Him in prayers of gratitude ~ always striving to keep my heart right. It is so easy to see other homes (especially online) of people who have everything new, improved and *perfect*. It's not that I need or desire everything to be new and fancy...it's more of a struggle with the unkempt look of a fixer-upper house. No matter how clean and neat and organized it is, there is still parts of it that are unfinished and appear unkempt. *That* is what drives me bonkers.

Here is what I have been up to lately...

Writing thank-yous (which I feel are very important) for Christmas presents we received...

A corner of my home...

Planning in my planner (a *must* in my life. I am a planner junkie! I love planners, planning, stickers and organization! The stickers you see here can be found in my SHOP)...

Isn't this planner cover great? I have had it for a while now. It is just fantastic because it keeps my planner closed and it protects my cover from getting damaged. If you have an Erin Condren Life Planner and are interested in one of these you can find them HERE...

A knitted dishcloth finish (it's a tulip)...

Keeping my papers organized in binders...

I have been keeping the boys' finished school papers organized in this large file keeper. Madelyn keeps track of all her own papers. The boys can't always be trusted to put the right papers in the right folders *neatly*. Since I will use some of these worksheets/lapbooks in their portfolios at the end of the year, I like to keep them neat...

I always keep my purse neat and tidy. I don't like for it to be any other way. You won't find loose papers, trash or anything really floating around in my purse. I like having it clean. I have always been this way with my purses. Do you feel similarly or is your bag a black hole?

A candle can make any old place look (and smell) pretty as it glows! The photo below is the addition on our house. It has served as a large mudroom for many years (as time and money aren't always in abundance) but Chris is really working to get it done for me this year! That was the only thing I wanted from him for Christmas! :) It will make a great mudroom and living room when it is finished...

This is how I store my dish towels. I use them often. I love to keep anything in baskets!

In the kitchen (although we have a dishwasher, I still end up washing a lot of dishes by hand. I wash all our knives, cast iron, wooden items, most plastic items and pots and pans ~ thus the dishes drying that you can see there)...

I painted our bathroom door in a "cottage white" color...

I've spent time ripping down wallpaper (oh a tedious chore that is!). We have plaster walls in our home. They chip and crumble easy. Before I can paint them they have to be repaired with mud and then sanded etc...

Jaxson's goldfish (which you can read about how we acquired them HERE)...just swimmin' around...

As more things happen in the addition to our home, I'll be sure to take pictures and update! I am *very* excited for a larger living room and a mudroom! :)

We have been back to homeschooling this week and our normal routine. I've been back on track with my eating (and it feels wonderful) and teaching spin often! I've been trying to squeeze in some knitting and reading as well lately. I have knitting projects I want to try and many books I want to read. I am not sure that I can fit it all in though with the other responsibilities I have!

That's what has been happening here in my neck of the woods! I'm so glad you came to visit! I have some other posts formulating in my head for another day, Lord willing. I hope you will stop back again soon!

Warmly,
Katy

Motherhood and The Way Home

"Firmly and lovingly, parents needs to take back the care of our little plants. Mother needs to be home so her children can be home. Then, when they are ready to leave the greenhouse, they will be mature. They will be really independent. They will have strong characters formed by saturation in God's Word and the sight of it in your life. You will have given them roots and wings!"

~Mary Pride, The Way Home

If you haven't read The Way Home *beyond feminism back to reality* by Mary Pride, you definitely need to. It is a *great* read. It is convicting, encouraging and biblical. If you have read my blog for any length of time, you know that I believe, biblically, women are to be home raising their children. I am also a huge advocate for homeschooling.

I *do* understand there are situations where mothers must work...not because they want to but because they have to (single parent situations, husband unable to work etc.). I also know there are a lot of pressures (and desires) with women to want more stuff and even go to work to give their children more "stuff". Then there are women who want their career and put their children with babysitters or daycare without thinking twice about it.

Situations vary....but the truth of the matter is this: if you have children, God has given the job to *you* to raise them. When children spend most of their waking hours under the care of another then *you* are not raising them...someone else is ~ and that is a shame. Raising souls is one of the greatest responsibilities you will ever have. Nothing is more important. Mothers have the *best* job and so many (unfortunately) hand the reins to someone else. I'm not here to judge but rather encourage...that if this is *you*...sit down and crunch the  numbers... you may have to take off the *extras* but you may be able to make it work. It is truly worth it to find out!

Tending the home is not drudgery. It's not always blissful fun of course, it's work...but it is the woman's ministry. Think of how a society will improve or decline according to the family home! Mothers at home, tending to her husband, the house and the children ~ nowadays it sounds old fashioned and too-good-to-be-true. Now women are almost expected to go to college, join the workforce and earn money, money, money. But this need not be so!

"Homeworking is more than a dirty chore. It is a ministry. Humble, yes. But she who humbles herself will be exalted."

"God intended women to spend their whole lives serving other people. Young women serve their children, their mothers, their husbands, and the community at large. Older women train and assist the younger women, and in some cases become church helpers. Women are not called to pursue motherhood for five years, get a career, and thereafter live for themselves. We are responsible for keeping society healthy and human. And for this, we get respect. Charity at home? What an opportunity! What a ministry!"

~Mary Pride

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Lately, here at home...

Above and below are pictures of my latest knitting finish.

Candle-lover here...(always bought on sale though!)  ;)

Making caramels for the guys (my husband, FIL, BIL, and others) at the meat market who have been working tirelessly processing deer meat after this past deer season (I made them one year and now it has become a bit of a tradition. It's a bit of a pick-me-up for them after a busy couple weeks)...

I am such an apron-lover! Isn't this one so pretty?

Cutting caramels is *not* an easy job!

Here is a portion of the ones I made, cut and wrapped for the guys. I made a double batch (completely unintentionally...but found I used double the brown sugar in my first batch so had to double everything and just make a double batch)...and gave some to my Pastor and his wife for Christmas...

Please know ~ I desire good for others...and I *know* that you will thrive when serving your family in love and glorifying God in the process! This is why I post things such as this....because I desire women to follow our biblical roles and watch society improve and the gospel spread as we are obedient to the Word! We, as sinful people, always try to do things our own way. If we would stick to God's Word...how much better life would be! I can understand unbelievers not abiding His Word...but if we claim Christ as our Savior then there really is *no* excuse for us as believers. We simply *must* be obedient (not out of legalism...but out of a pure love for God and because we know His ways are always best!).

I leave you with this admonition and encouragement:

"Be a homeworker. Work to build up your husband, and help him attain an elder's qualities. Exercise hospitality. Serve people in your home. Be creative. Worship and praise the Lord, first with your family, then with others the Lord will bring. Seek further knowledge and the example of older women who have successfully raised godly children. Become the kind of woman who is now more rare than diamonds, and who has always been more precious than rubies (Prov. 31:10)." 

~Mary Pride

Please, if you can, get the book that I linked to at the beginning of this post (or see if your library or a good friend has it for you to borrow). It's wonderful! Also, I just finished reading "The Holiness of God" by R.C. Sproul. I think I have read it before but it was great the second time reading it too! So much truth and not difficult to understand! I highly recommend it!

Find your way home...it'll be the best decision you ever make. Not always the easiest choice, but so worth it, truly. Your husband, children and home *need* you!

Warmly,
Katy

Linked to: The Art of Homemaking Mondays

The Need for Prayer

My eyes are extremely tired right now (and it isn't even 8pm yet!). It has been a busy week...of course all the normal work of a wife and mama (which I am *thankful* to do because it is the role God gave me!) but this past week I have also taught spin class a lot (which I enjoy...but it is still exhausting) due to one of the spin teachers needing a sub because she had her tonsils out, and we have been in prayer a lot for family friends of ours.

Prayer girds human weakness with divine strength, turns human folly into heavenly wisdom, and gives to troubled mortals the peace of God. We know not what prayer can do. 

- Charles Spurgeon

If you are local, I'm sure you have heard of Seth (Xavier's friend from our homeschool co-op) and the terrible accident that happened with him. You can read about it HERE (it's been all over the news). We love their beautiful family (with six children) and were in complete shock when we heard about what happened. We were praying fervently and the Lord (He is SO good) spared Seth's life. If you read in the article I linked above, you'll know that they saved Seth's arm and have reattached it. The doctors have restored blood flow and now, we are praying for no infection. He's been having surgeries and truly staying strong through it all. In the name of Christ, friends and family have banded together to help take care of the family in the wake of all this (money, food, splitting and stacking wood for them etc.). It is truly beautiful to see the church be the hands and feet of Christ! 

Life can change in an instant, can't it? I know the feeling as it happened to us when Jaxson almost lost his eye. Long-time readers here probably remember that time with me ~ HERE is the post where I explained what happened. It was such a scary time but the Lord saw us through it and provided for us in SO many ways. We are forever grateful...as I know our family friends I mentioned above are as well. (I feel as though I may burst in to tears just thinking about it all...it is all so overwhelming...sad and GOOD ~ all at the same time!). 

You will observe that the desire to commune with God is intensified by the failure of all other sources of consolation.

 - Charles Spurgeon

If the Lord brings Seth (and his family as this is a strenuous and difficult time for them *all*) to mind I hope you will pray for him/them. God hears the prayers of His children. And may I, quickly, also ask for your prayers for a friend of mine, Marion. She lost her young son (only in his 20's) recently. I have been praying for her so much but just can't get over the grief and sadness she must feel. I want to fix it...make it better. But I can't. Nothing I can do will help her at this time except prayer. I will pray and intercede for her because our God is the ultimate Comforter. Only He can supply the salve her heart desires. Will you join me in remembering her as well? I truly appreciate it. 

Because so much has been going on (battling a cold at the beginning of the week, schooling, housework, cooking, teaching spin classes, sticker making etc.) I haven't taken an abundance of photos from this week. But here are a few to share...

Below are new winter hats I made for my nieces (Eloise's is the top one and Dinah's the bottom). I made Audra a new hat previously too! You can see that HERE. 

My silly cats make me smile. Pets are good for the heart. Chris found them both laying in the bathroom on the folded towels and told me to grab the camera...

Had a visit with my nieces today. My sister's Father-in-Love isn't doing well so her husband has been busy running to be with his dad and work and home....so I went over to their house so my sister could go do the grocery shopping while I watched the girls...

Audra was sleeping when I got there...so El, Dinah and I played Legos for a bit. When I got out the camera Dinah gave me a sweet smile without even being asked! :) A little later, Audra-girl woke up and joined the fun...

It is *so* sweet to watch these girls play together. They use their imaginations and play, play, play! It is really fantastic! I am so glad they have each other! What memories they are making!

Oh how I love this wee one. She loves to smile (with her cheesy-toothy grin...it's just perfect!) and loves her Aunt TiTi (which brings me such joy!)...

And finally, Eloise was being quite the acrobat...so I caught her doing one of her "moves"...

I am still selling stickers and things are going well. It's not quite as busy as some shops are...but I am thankful for the business I get. My printer is being a bit of a stinker and leaving specks of color sometimes. I have cleaned the toner drums and tried to make everything right...but I'm still having issues. They are tiny defects but I reduce the price a bit since they aren't *perfect*. Thankfully, it doesn't do it all the time. I hope if you enjoy stickers, scrapbooking or planning (or maybe you have friends and family that do?) that you will take a look through my SHOP. I try to keep prices low and shipping prices low as well. I ship super fast too! It's something that I try to do from home just to help bring in a little income. :) I appreciate your support!

With Christmas coming up...for the planner/list maker in your life...an Erin Condren Life Planner (If you use my LINK you will get $10 off!) would make a GREAT gift....along with some stickers from my shop! ;)  Okay, okay....I'm done now! :)

Thanks so much for visiting. I truly appreciate your prayers for the friends I mentioned in the beginning of this post...and I know some of you remember me in your prayers and that blesses me. *Thank-you* friends! I pray your week has gone well...and that the Lord was glorified in all you did (as that is the prayer of my heart for my week as well...and *every* day). May your Lord's day be full of worship and rest!

Lovingly,
Katy

P.S. ~ My sister is having a giveaway for a pair of her custom-made baby shoes! They are so cute!! You should definitely go and enter HERE. She also reviews a milk bag in that post! :)

"A great wind blowing, raging sea...

...And rowers toiling wearily,

Far from the land where they would be.

And then One coming, drawing nigh; 

They care not now for starless sky.

The Light of life says It is I.

They care not now for toil of oar, 

For lo, the ship is at the shore, 

And their Beloved they adore.

Lord of the Lake of Galilee,

Who long ago walked on the sea,

My heart is comforted in Thee.

~Amy Carmichael

I read that quote above in Toward Jerusalem by Amy Carmichael and loved it. I felt it was definitely worth sharing! I have recently finished the book Jesus Unmasked by Todd Friel. It is *great* It's not a difficult read as some theology books can be. I highly recommend it! :) 

We have been enjoying warm temperatures this week! It has been truly glorious! Highs in the 60's and 70's in November (in Pennsylvania)!? I'll take it! I say hold off the snow and frigid temps as long as possible! It also means our wood supply lasts longer because we don't need to start up the wood stove yet! 

I've been staying busy (but a good-sort-of-busyness....the stuff a mama should be doing!). Homeschooling, housework, homeschool co-op, church, sticker making, teaching spin (group cycling) classes and visiting with friends and family takes up my time. I have been able to get some knitting done (as you will see at the bottom of this post) and manage (most days) to take a nap. With the time change, my body wakes me even earlier than normal and a bit of a nap is a must most days. 

Some photos from the past week...

My boys each tried on Pa's hat...so of course, mama had to take a photo!

Stella-the-cat found a home inside of one of Jaxson's cardboard contraptions...

She was actually laying outside of it like pictured above and then eventually she backed inside again and layed down! Doesn't she look comfy in there?....

I've been organizing in some of the cupboards...It always feels so good to have something tidy and organized...

 My Stella Cat makes me smile. Here she is, all tucked up and cozy in a basket. You will often find her laying in a basket (as I seem to have them in different places all through the house). She will even *make* herself fit into a tiny little basket. It always makes me chuckle!

The sun sets earlier and earlier...

My mom's birthday is next week but due to busy schedules, we decided to celebrate today! We all met at my dad's garage. My sister brought her girls! They were super sweet! I always love seeing them! I got to snuggle Audra to sleep. It was heavenly for this auntie!

I knit up a new winter hat for Audra and was so glad to find it fits perfectly...

Madelyn and I are self-proclaimed baby hogs. If Audra wasn't running around, then you would most likely find her in my or Mad's arms!

El, Dinah and Jaxson playing blocks...

Xavier the goof-ball...

I don't read a lot of fiction. I enjoy it from time to time but try to focus on reading my Bible and theology books (I desire to know God more)...that being said, I just finished reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I had seen the movie years ago but didn't remember most of it. I really enjoyed the book. Have you read it (or watched the movie)? If so, I would love to hear your thoughts!

I have begun reading The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul. I hope to grow in my sanctification and ability to even *begin* to fathom the holiness of our Father! I'll let you know more about it after I am deeper into it! I'm hoping I haven't read it before...but even if I have, I don't remember it so another read through won't hurt!


I hope your week is going well. Thanks so much for visiting!
I hope your weekend ahead is more-than-wonderful and God-glorifying!

Warmly,
Katy