...is one in which the family may be most completely sheltered to develop in love, graciousness and individuality, and which is at the same time most accessible to friends, toward whom hospitality is as unconscious and spontaneous as it is abundant. Emerson says that the ornament of a house in the friends who frequent in."
~Charles Keeler, The Simple Home
"Homemaking is one of the sacred tasks of life, for the home is the family temple, consecrated to the service of parents and offspring. As the strength of the state is founded upon family life, so is the strength of society based upon the home. The building of the home should be an event of profound importance."
~Charles Keeler

Each day at my home is another day where I attempt to make it more comfortable for my family and anyone who stops by. I truly enjoy homemaking and being home with my children. Although...I do find that sometimes I lack really "playing" with my children. Sure we read and play games at times...and of course we homeschool...I am
with my children often...however...I think sometimes I forget to focus on
enjoying these young years. The time passes by so quickly. Even though I know this....I still find myself just trying to get through each day....of course, I enjoy my life....but we all have struggles in some way or another. Some days the kids argue and bicker so much that I don't know if I could stand it! Some days go super well and I internally criticize myself for ever feeling flustered on the bad days. Does/has anyone else ever feel/felt that way?
I *do* really try to constantly remind myself that our lives are but a vapor. In the blink of an eye...kids grow and change....babies are born, people die. There is a season to every purpose under Heaven. I don't want to just make it through my days....I want to *enjoy* them. I would love to hear if anyone else struggles with this....and if anyone has ideas on how they stay focused on the simple things and make each moment count.
I do try to homemake and decorate my home in a simple....yet enjoyable way. I can sit and really just relax in my home or in my yard. Of course, there are many things that are still a *work in progress* or aren't even started yet....but I do attempt daily to just look at my surroundings and enjoy the blessings provided...the flowers in bloom...my children playing outside....the look of a neat yard (I just love when a yard is neat and pretty)....etc. I will prayerfully thank God for the blessings I am given....but like I said previously....when the children start fighting or I have one of "those" days where everything goes wrong etc....I just try and make it through the day. I guess I shouldn't expect each day to be
perfect...but I do want to change my way of thinking...that whether it is a good or bad day....it
IS a day that the Lord has made.....Let me rejoice and be
GLAD in it!
Below is a picture of the walkway I have been putting together with stones from my mom. She had them but the decided to do a different look with her garden areas...and let me have the square stones.....so I have been working on this....a way for guests to get to our back door. :)

On a more serious note....my FIL (father in law) had a heart attack the other night. Chris and I were out working on the walkway pictured above when he got a call from his dad on the cell phone. His dad wasn't feeling well and needed Chris to come right down (we live only a quarter mile or so away from them). Chris's dad has had heart troubles previously...so Chris new this wasn't good and hurried down.....long story short...they took him to a local hospital and then transferred him to another hospital with a good heart specialty dept. He had to have a catheritization done and 3 stents put in. He is still in the hospital now. I worked at the family meat market yesterday....as did Chris and his brother. Chris's sister and mom went to the hospital to be with my FIL and wait while tests and the cath was done. We have a busy weekend coming up too...with the wagon train coming that I mentioned previously in another post. Prayers are much appreciated. I am already so thankful for the prayers and loving concern of many family and friends. We continue to pray that he will heal well and not suffer any problems because of this.
Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts with me. :)