*Small Moments*

Our Western PA weather just doesn't know what it wants to do! It rains then the temperature drops and we get lots of ice and snow...then it rains again (all in the same couple days!). I will go ahead and admit it...I am *so* ready for spring weather to arrive...warmer temps where I can hang clothes on the line and get some seeds a-growin'!

Oh how this teaches me patience! Slush, mud and ice are hopefully going to soon be a distant memory! Mmmm...can you just imagine how lovely it will be ~ birds singing, flowers blooming, grass growing, warm breezes...plus getting to wear all my summer skirts! Spring can't come soon enough for me! :)

What we have been up to lately (in addition to our daily schoolwork)...

Knitting...

Reading (very important Hobbit news)...

Laundry...

 
Bible study...

Drawing pictures together (they love for me to tell them what to draw and then we all see how they each used their imagination to draw it!)...

I can't remember if I wrote about it already or not...but I am planning on running my first 5K towards the end of March! I am excited...and just hoping to finish. I'm a spinner...not a runner...but I am going to do my best! My friend, Ann, and I spin together at the Y. She mentioned she wanted to run it (as her first 5K) and I mentioned how I had considered it too...so we are going to run it together!

I have still been spinning daily and am now down 59lbs...so close to that 60lb mark! It feels so good to be healthy and energetic! I am really looking forward to summer and all the activities we can do...including swimming! I found a wonderful modest swimming suit on sale and look forward to swimming with my family this year!

I am also hoping the extra activity of the summer helps me slim down more. I still would like to lose at least another 14 lbs to get to my first goal-weight (what I weighed when I graduated high school). I still wear skirts most of the time...as I like to feel feminine...but on the more frigid days (where the cold seems to seep right into your bones) I have worn pants. I fit into a pair of khakis that I have not worn since my honeymoon (over a decade ago)! That was a *great* feeling! I praise and endlessly thank God for His strength and answering my prayers. He makes all things possible!

Well, I need to get going...I'm sorry my posts are so few and far between lately. Sometimes I just can't *think* to get the words down...does that make sense? I hope you each are doing well. I always enjoy reading your comments, emails (and sometimes *your* blog posts). I'm always so glad you have taken the time to drop by and visit me! Until next time (Lord willing)...

♥ Katy

There's Something About Home

There is such comfort in being home. It's so relaxing...and refreshing. Home doesn't have to be expensive or perfect...just *yours*. Filled with love, laughter, the occasional tears (as comes with all families), and a *warmth* you just can't get anywhere else but there. After being out and about...there is such a relief about just walking through the doorway here. My mom and I were discussing, earlier, how nice it is *especially* to come home (and sleep in your own bed) after being away for a time.

My mom took my children to my aunt's house (4 hours from here) for the past few days. They went snowboarding and had such a blast! It was awfully quiet around here while they were gone. I cried when they left...but it is good for them to go off like that for a few days. We are together constantly (which is best, in my opinion) but it's good for us all to have a break from each other from time-to-time. I enjoyed some of my quiet time on Tuesday....although it was a bit lonesome! Wednesday I babysat my nephews part of the day and helped at my dad's garage for some of the day. Thursday I babysat my nephew all day. So, I kept busy. I did have time to get some reading in...which was nice. My sister lent me a couple fiction books. I typically read theology/non-fiction books...harder reading. These books are easier reading and nice to soar through and get lost in the story. :)

The children got home last evening. I went and picked them up at my mom's house and it was so good to have them back....*except* the bit of bantering and bickering that started as soon as we piled in the van. I'll take it though...as long as it means they are close to me!

So now they are home and things have gotten back to normal. Catechism, schooling, chores, meals, playing and running errands! :) I must admit...I LOVE normal routine!

It's still really cold here...not much snow on the ground but bitterly cold (with the take-your-breath-away-biting-wind). I am *very* much looking forward to warmer days...hanging clothes out on the line, going for runs/walks, gardening and reel mowing the lawn! I know the children are antsy to get out to play too!

Making bannock bread...

Madelyn's knitting has improved with each and every project she finishes! Here is her latest finish...a dishcloth! Isn't it lovely!?

The Jax-Man...working on some schoolwork...

...then playing when he was finished....

 My three sweeties...aren't they just dolls in their hats? They have gotten compliments wherever we go about them! Yep...I love each ~ one ~ of ~ those ~ kiddos!

 Madelyn and Xavier...attending to their studies...

I will be starting supper soon...I'm looking forward to a low-key evening. After supper...maybe play a game or two, do some reading and then head to bed! Hope yours is wonderful...as well as the weekend ahead! :)

"Home is a name, a word, it is a strong one; stronger than magician ever spoke, or spirit ever answered to, in the strongest conjuration."

~Charles Dickens

♥ In loving kindness,
   Katy

A Visit with the Squeezle & the Wee One!

Last Friday, Madelyn and I took a trip to visit my sister and her girls! Eloise was so excited to see us (okay...maybe not *us*...more accurately, she was super-excited to see Madelyn!). 

They had a lot of fun playing...

...and tickling...

...riding...

....reading...

and giggling!

*I* stayed busy snuggling this little one...

I just love little Dinah to pieces! Isn't she just so incredibly sweet!? :)

She even fell asleep in my arms for a bit! Such a treat it is to snuggle a little one!

We had a nice visit. It's fun to get to talk with my sister and spend time with the girls. (Devon even made me a grilled chicken salad for lunch! *Yum!*) These are sweet little memories I don't want to forget...so here they are, to be safely tucked away into a blog book to remember again one day!

Thanks so much for coming by! :)

♥ In loving kindness,
   Katy

"Take nothing for granted...

... for whenever you do The “joy of enjoying” is lessened for you… For we rob our own lives much more than we knowWhen we fail to respond or in any way show Our thanks for the blessingsthat daily are ours… The warmth of the sun, the fragrance of flowers, The beauty of twilight, the freshness of dawn, The coolness of dew on a green velvet lawn,The kind little deeds so thoughtfully done, The favors of friends and the love that someone Unselfishly gives us in a myriad of ways, Expecting no payment and no words of praise… Oh, great is our loss when we no longer find A thankful response to things of this kind, For the Joy of Enjoying and the Fullness of Living Are found in the heart that is filled with Thanksgiving."

~Helen Steiner Rice

It's the weekend again already. My, how the time just goes by quicker and quicker with each passing day! Realizing *that* reminds me to not take moments for granted (as I often tend to do, unfortunately). Moments of children's disobedience and bickering can wane on my patience terribly. Some days, I have found myself just trying to make it through the day. Often, I look back at the days' happenings and feel so discouraged. How I long to be a mother who is completely selfless and rules over her children in a gentle, loving and firm way (How I LOVE being a mother...but oh the sadness I always feel at never being as good of a mother as I want to be!). Each and every day, I start out trying my best...and before the morning is through, I oft times have already failed. I have such sorrow over the fact that I take so much for granted (one thing being: my children won't always be young). God is teaching me though...daily. I found such encouragement in Nancy Campbell's *Reclaiming Motherhood* video HERE. It's less than 10 minutes long...but those minutes are packed full with rich, loving encouragement! 

As you embrace and mother children, you are doing what you were created to do. You live in the glory of womanhood as you embrace your nurturing anointing.

~Nancy Campbell

On another note: 

After my reveling in the fact that I hadn't gotten a cold all winter...I humbly accepted defeat...it got me. That horrible cold (sneezing, coughing etc) has gotten it's hold on me. I must admit, it's not *that* bad...but considering I have escaped it's clutches for so long, any bit of runny nose/stuffiness that I have is uncomfortable! I still went to spin class this morning...attempting to sweat out the cold as much as possible. I'll also use some of my essential oils to clean and disinfect my home of these cold germies so no one else has to get them!

Jaxson went through his key collection (lovingly acquired and given to him by Pop-Pop) and tried diligently to find a key that would work in our *new* old door! :) To his dismay, he never found one! I didn't realize it until after I took the picture, below, his determination ~ look at that tongue sticking out! ;)

Days have been filled with lots of reading, writing and 'rithmetic (along with Bible, Social Studies, Science etc.)...

Madelyn did some typing practice as well...

For Valentine's Day...I received a brand new tire for the van! Actually, it was desperately needed and we just happened to get it then. I *am* quite thankful for that new tire though! The one that was messed up really made for a bumpy, uncomfortable ride!

For supper that evening, Madelyn and I made whole-grain spaghetti and meatballs...

....with heart-shaped garlic bread! (Although I had some low calorie soup while the others ate that wonderful meal...oh, how delicious it smelled!)

That evening was spent reading and playing *24* (a game we thoroughly enjoy)...

And, although I haven't been baking as much (to keep temptations down)...I still do bake *some*...

So here I sit, sneezing and coughing from time-to-time. Chris and the children are going to go out to split and stack wood in a bit. I'll take that time to tidy the house and get it disinfected from my germs and smelling like lemon, orange and tea trea oils! We are attending the birthday party of friends' little one this evening. As long as I am feeling okay, I still hope to go...while just keeping my distance *and germs* to myself! :)

I hope your weekend is full and enjoyed. Remember ~ don't take anything for granted!

♥ In loving kindness,
   Katy

A New Door!

The schoolroom of our house is an old, enclosed front porch (that I hope to rip off and make into a *real* porch one day). It's windows are quite drafty so we have to (in the winter) hang a curtain between that room and the dining room to keep the warm air *in* and the cold air *out*. Chris's uncle knew we were looking for an old door to put there instead and found this one in his barn...

Isn't it just fantastic? It has such **character**! It doesn't close completely...it will need trimmed to fit correctly but for now, it serves it's purpose well and I just love it's rustic look!

Today we kept busy here at home. We did our schooling this morning and did some tidying and chores throughout the day. I made a meal for a beloved family from our church who has a loved one dealing with some health issues. We took that out to them a bit ago...now we are home, relaxing for a bit...supper is in the oven and I look forward to the evening ahead with my family!

My sleepy boy (last evening, waiting for supper to be ready)...

So off I go for now. I know this was quite a short-sweet and to-the-point type of post...but I need to get supper finished up! Thanks so much for visiting!

♥ In loving kindness,
    Katy

*The Weekend*

It's the weekend...and it's awfully quiet around here! The children are spending the weekend with my parents. They are having fun and Chris and I are enjoying some time together. We haven't done anything fancy...just simply *being* together is nice.

 Last evening, Chris worked late at work on my van. It needed new struts. (It also needs a few other things...argh!) So we didn't get to really be together then....but today was a different story! While Chris slept in a bit, I went to my daily spin class. Once I was home and showered, we were able to spend a nice, slow morning...joking together, having breakfast, and talking.

This afternoon we worked on stacking wood. Chris's mom even came by to help for a bit, wasn't that kind? :)  Then I spent some time watching Downton Abbey (I just love that program....I am catching up on all the episodes via Netflix videos. I have just finished up the third disc from season 2...I think I am going to be starting season 3 next! I am quite a fan of many BBC shows!)

This evening...I made Chris some burgers for supper. Now we are just relaxing under afghans with oil lamps lit. Although the quiet is nice, I sure do miss my little ones! I look forward to them coming home tomorrow!

I was hoping to get more accomplished today...some deeper cleaning and organizing...but alas, I didn't. Oh well...it will all be there later to work on! :)

Some photos from around the house...

Latest knitting projects...

Day...

 ...and night...

Even though it isn't quite Valentine's Day...I hope you are spending time with the ones you love most (*every*day!). I know I am incredibly thankful to be with my husband...such a blessing he is to me (oh! How he knows how to make me laugh and giggle...which I am doing right now...oh if you could hear him teasing me~in love...we act like kids sometimes!)!

Have a worship-filled, lovely Lord's Day!

♥ In loving kindness,
   Katy