
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Meet Stu ~ The Lamb

Monday, March 29, 2010
Tax Collector Katy
The time has just flown by today. This morning, I was working on receipting taxes and doing some homeschool organization, as we are coming close to ending our year soon and I want to get things as prepared as I can to make their portfolios which we turn into the school at the end of the year. Normally, we do our schooling in the morning...but I got into what I was doing and the kids were busy straightening their rooms and fulfilling their responsibilites. It may have all gotten done sooner, however, we had a few disputes between children here and there...as well as a lil grumbling that had to be corrected. I continue to try and explain to the kids that the more they argue or complain...the longer it takes....the less time they have for fun!
So the morning just flew by quickly. Before we knew it, it was lunch and time to head to my Aunt Wendy's house. My cousin, Meghan, is going to California to do some outreach and mission work for a while...so some of us cousins and aunts were invited to my Aunt Wendy's house for lunch and to hear about Meghan's plans as well as to tell her "good-bye". :) We had a yummy lunch of salad, bread, apples and no-bake cookies (my weakness...yum!). We learned about the outreach Meghan will be participating in and had good conversation. We will be in prayer for her as she tries to spread the love of Christ to those in need! :)
After visiting there for a couple hours, we came home to get our schooling done and for me to finish receipting some taxes and getting a bank deposit ready. After schooling was finished...the kids were antsy to get some playing done, outside. It's chilly and overcast today..but luckily, no rain, so out the kiddos went. A while later, Madelyn wanted to show me a sign she made for me, for when people come to the house to pay their taxes (most people mail them, but some prefer to pay them in person).
Hehehe...isn't the sign cute?? She did such a good job with it and was so proud of herself! She nailed it together and told me how lucky I was that she loved me so much....because nailing that wood together was "really hard"!!! :) I must agree....I am a *very* lucky mama! :)
(Notice...ugly fence in background. Blech. Our neighbors, as nice and kind as they are, have that up. I would love to have a cuter fence up...but fence can be so expensive! We have a lovely privacy fence up on some of our property line...but need to still get more. For now, trees line it and more are growing. I think a nice tree property line would look much better than the ugly fence!But if the neighbors have it on *their* side...not much else we can do about it, for now!)
Soon after Madelyn showed me *her* creation, X came over and had one too. At first, I thought he had nailed together a big X, for his nickname. But, he shook his head and told me it was Jesus' cross. If you look closely, he used a red marker to put "blood" on it too...and he even put nails where his hands/wrists would have been. In a way, it may seem gory to some folks....but I know that isn't what Xavier's intentions are. He has a soft spot in his heart for the crucifixion. He asks about it a lot and why Jesus had to do it and such. It always makes for good teaching/learning moments with him. Crosses are a common thing for people to see...and even pictures of Jesus dieing on the cross...and I think X's wonder about it is a good thing. :) (You can sorta see X's shirt...it says "My God is BIG BIG BIG, His love is WIDE WIDE WIDE......"...pretty appropriate for what he made, isn't it? ;)
So now, I must get supper started and hopefully work on some knitting. It's almost 5pm already and I feel like the day has gone by in a blur! I hope you are all having an enjoyable Monday. We had the first two nights of our Easter Passion Play this weekend and it went well! I have pictures and things to share about that sometime soon! We have the next two nights of the play this Friday and Saturday night! :) I pray hearts are touched and lives are changed through the message of Jesus' love!
Thanks so much for coming by. I know everyone is busy...and I do appreciate you taking the time out of your day to stop by, rest and read of my sweet family. I also appreciate the thoughts you share with me! Thank you! :) Until next time.....
So the morning just flew by quickly. Before we knew it, it was lunch and time to head to my Aunt Wendy's house. My cousin, Meghan, is going to California to do some outreach and mission work for a while...so some of us cousins and aunts were invited to my Aunt Wendy's house for lunch and to hear about Meghan's plans as well as to tell her "good-bye". :) We had a yummy lunch of salad, bread, apples and no-bake cookies (my weakness...yum!). We learned about the outreach Meghan will be participating in and had good conversation. We will be in prayer for her as she tries to spread the love of Christ to those in need! :)
After visiting there for a couple hours, we came home to get our schooling done and for me to finish receipting some taxes and getting a bank deposit ready. After schooling was finished...the kids were antsy to get some playing done, outside. It's chilly and overcast today..but luckily, no rain, so out the kiddos went. A while later, Madelyn wanted to show me a sign she made for me, for when people come to the house to pay their taxes (most people mail them, but some prefer to pay them in person).

(Notice...ugly fence in background. Blech. Our neighbors, as nice and kind as they are, have that up. I would love to have a cuter fence up...but fence can be so expensive! We have a lovely privacy fence up on some of our property line...but need to still get more. For now, trees line it and more are growing. I think a nice tree property line would look much better than the ugly fence!But if the neighbors have it on *their* side...not much else we can do about it, for now!)
Soon after Madelyn showed me *her* creation, X came over and had one too. At first, I thought he had nailed together a big X, for his nickname. But, he shook his head and told me it was Jesus' cross. If you look closely, he used a red marker to put "blood" on it too...and he even put nails where his hands/wrists would have been. In a way, it may seem gory to some folks....but I know that isn't what Xavier's intentions are. He has a soft spot in his heart for the crucifixion. He asks about it a lot and why Jesus had to do it and such. It always makes for good teaching/learning moments with him. Crosses are a common thing for people to see...and even pictures of Jesus dieing on the cross...and I think X's wonder about it is a good thing. :) (You can sorta see X's shirt...it says "My God is BIG BIG BIG, His love is WIDE WIDE WIDE......"...pretty appropriate for what he made, isn't it? ;)
Thanks so much for coming by. I know everyone is busy...and I do appreciate you taking the time out of your day to stop by, rest and read of my sweet family. I also appreciate the thoughts you share with me! Thank you! :) Until next time.....
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Howdy Pard-ner!

And...my mom found this adorable prairie dress for Madelyn on ebay, I think! Isn't it soo cute? I think we may find a pattern and sew some ourselves as well! :)

Tonight is the first night of our church's Easter Passion Play. I pray it all goes well!!! :) God has blessed us every year with a great audience and I pray that lives will be touched...and that people will be reminded of what Jesus did for us...and his incredible, selfless love! Locals...if you are in the area and want to attend...throw me an email (left sidebar) and I will let you know time and place!
Thank you for visiting. :) I *do* appreciate it!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Weigh Down!!!
So....over the years..I have been a yo-yo dieter. I would do really well...then gain the weight back, plus some. I felt like a failure and as my relationship has grown with the Lord...I desire to be the best I *can* be. I have even told my mom before, that I feel I serve God in every area of my life except with food/eating/my weight. That made me feel so horrible. I want to fully serve God in every area. After reading scripture about temptations....such as:
...I truly feel that over-eating is sinful. Just like excessive alcohol drinking is....eating too much is bad for your body. God designed us a certain way....and carrying around too much excessive weight isn't good.

My mom had lent me, years ago, the book The Weigh Down Diet by Gwen Shamblin. I have read it before and set it aside. I like what she said...but my sinful self wanted to continue to over indulge myself. But I am truly at the point in my life that I have been broken. Not because I am completely obsessed about losing weight...but because I am sad and heartbroken that I am sinning in this way. I strive to live a life pleasing to our Creator....but I have been failing in how much I eat. So I am now re-reading the Weigh Down Diet and am turning all of my focus on Him...and have already repented and am implementing the methods in the Weigh Down Diet.
I must say...the Weigh Down Diet really isn't a diet. It's about filling your heart and life with God and watching portions. No crazy foods or counting calories. Just relying on your hunger to guide you. :) If you have weight to lose...and feel that in over-eating you have been living with that sin and are ready to let go...I invite you to join me in this! Let's gratify God and not ourselves! :) I encourage you to read HERE about the Weigh Down approach. :)
I would love to hear your thoughts about this and any encouragement and prayers are always appreciated!!! :) If you are joining me on this faith-filled walk for a lifetime....let's hold each other accountable and support each other! :) OK?
When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
~James 1:13-15 (emphasis mine)
~James 1:13-15 (emphasis mine)
...I truly feel that over-eating is sinful. Just like excessive alcohol drinking is....eating too much is bad for your body. God designed us a certain way....and carrying around too much excessive weight isn't good.

My mom had lent me, years ago, the book The Weigh Down Diet by Gwen Shamblin. I have read it before and set it aside. I like what she said...but my sinful self wanted to continue to over indulge myself. But I am truly at the point in my life that I have been broken. Not because I am completely obsessed about losing weight...but because I am sad and heartbroken that I am sinning in this way. I strive to live a life pleasing to our Creator....but I have been failing in how much I eat. So I am now re-reading the Weigh Down Diet and am turning all of my focus on Him...and have already repented and am implementing the methods in the Weigh Down Diet.
I must say...the Weigh Down Diet really isn't a diet. It's about filling your heart and life with God and watching portions. No crazy foods or counting calories. Just relying on your hunger to guide you. :) If you have weight to lose...and feel that in over-eating you have been living with that sin and are ready to let go...I invite you to join me in this! Let's gratify God and not ourselves! :) I encourage you to read HERE about the Weigh Down approach. :)
I would love to hear your thoughts about this and any encouragement and prayers are always appreciated!!! :) If you are joining me on this faith-filled walk for a lifetime....let's hold each other accountable and support each other! :) OK?
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Pizza, Rootbeer Floats & Pilgrim's Progress





***Our church's Easter Passion Play is coming up this weekend and next. There are 4 nights of shows...this Saturday and Sunday...then next Friday and Saturday before Easter. We usually have 300+ watching the play per show! :) It is a major ministry outreach for our church! :) I am in charge of the nursery for those 4 nights! :) So, we will be super busy these next two weekends! Please pray for the performances to go well and for lives to be touched. If even *one* person decides to accept Christ from these shows...then every practice and all the work is worth it!***
Thanks for visiting! Hope you are having a great week! :)
Monday, March 22, 2010
Porch Decorating
On Saturday...I was looking in our shed and found a treasure! Look at that old wooden shelf I found! Isn't it fantastic??? I just love it! I hope to plant flowers in crocks and put them on and around it! I still *really* want to find a really cool old chair to put on the other side of the porch too. I just love old chairs! You know...the ones you can't really *sit* on because they are too old...but they look really great?? :o)
And see the little wooden bear beside it on the porch? Jake, a friend from high school, made that. He does chainsaw wood carving! He makes all kinds of things!!! :)
It's raining today. I am moving at about snail-speed! After previous days of beautiful weather and getting lots accomplished...today I have slowed down. I hope to spend some time reading and knitting, reading with the kids, doing some housework and just move s-l-o-w-l-y! We had a great family night, last evening and I took pics and will be happy to post about it soon! :)
I also have a new header! What do you think? :)
Thank you for taking the time to visit today. I truly appreciate it! I hope you have a great Monday...rain or shine! :)
Sunday, March 21, 2010
The Kids' Rooms!








Friday, March 19, 2010
Egg Production Begins Again!
Below is a picture of the five squares I have knitted so far for the afghan. It's obviously not sewn together, yet. :) But I will be making four rows of five squares lined up like this and all sewn together! :) It will be the first official afghan I have ever made! :o)
Today, although still stuffed up and sniffle-y, I am feeling like I can actually function! I have clothes out on the line, blowing in the breeze. I made meatloaf, meatballs and hamburger patties and put them all in the freezer for suppers later next week. Madelyn and I have been working on rearranging her room and cleaning it out. (How does an 8 year old accumulate so much *stuff*?) I've been scrubbing bathrooms, changing trashes, checking schoolwork and doing laundry. I have some laundry to fold and some dishes to do here, soon. :) How is your day going?
Well, off I go. Still hoping for a sponsor! :) I will be sure to share if I get one...after I finish jumping up and down and squealing with delight. ;) And one last thing....sharing a verse I have written on the chalkboard vinyl I have on my fridge...it's a beautiful verse and I like reading it everytime I walk through the kitchen! :)

Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Blue Skies + Lots of Sunshine =
...A Beautiful Day Spent Outside!
Yesterday, though, turned out to be an absolutely gorgeous day (as today seems to be as well!). The skies were blue and the sun shone brightly and although it was still a bit chilly out....in the sunshine~it was the perfect temp! After finishing their responsibilities and schoolwork...the kids were outside in a flash!
I, too, took advantage of the nice weather and decided to take the flannel sheets off my bed! I put on regular sheets and washed the flannel sheets. I hung them out on the line, to be folded and put away until the brisk days of fall arrive once again.
~Psalm 139:13-16 (emphasis mine)
So, today looks like another absolutely gorgeous day....and unfortunately, I seem to have caught the cold that Madelyn had. I would love to be able to cozy up in my chair with a quilt, my knitting and a good book. But...today is grocery day...so after schooling...I need to go do that. I should have made my 2 week food menu and grocery list yesterday, but alas, I didn't. So I will need to do that today as well. Maybe the sunshine will help my cold!?! :)
I hope you are enjoying gorgeous weather where you are! :) Thanks for visiting!!!!
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.
~Psalm 139:17-18
~Psalm 139:17-18
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Responsibility Cards
I talked to Chris about the chore packs and we were going to discuss them more at some point as to determine if we would purchase them to implement in our family. I don't know *exactly* how they do the chore packs.....*but* when I was at Walmart this past weekend, picking up a prescription, I walked through the art/school supplies section and noticed the colored notecards first. Then my eye caught onto the little wrist keychains. Then...when I turned around, I found the rings that clip. The wheels in my head began turning......
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