"Trust in the Lord and do good...

...dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture."

Psalm 37:3

May I recommend, if you feel a burdened heart and heaviness in your spirit because of the chaos in the world today....read Psalm 37. I read it last night and found it so encouraging. Our Lord is sovereign...which means He is in control. We can rest in that! 

The Lord makes firm the steps

 of the one who delights in Him; 

though he may stumble, he will not fall, 

for the Lord upholds him with His hand.

Psalm 37: 23-24

Our garden is growing well. I'm really excited about the corn! It's growing quickly...these pics were taken a few days ago and already the corn is taller! It will only be enough for a couple meals....nothing to can or freeze...but that's ok. It will still be fantastic to eat something we grew! We've already eaten some of the green beans from our garden and they were delicious! How is your garden growing? 

This picture is from my phone...so it's not the best quality...but Chris made us a dutch door for between our living room and kitchen! We still have to figure out how we want to do the latch for the door...but for now, here it is! I love it! :)

I love this walkway when the hosta is grown and in bloom...

Just a quick picture of Jaxson (he's 14 now!). He has had to get glasses....you can see them on the top of his head below ;) ....

Xavier did 4H this year...it wasn't too thrilling though considering all the COVID lockdowns and restrictions...but he raised his sheep (he named him Stymie). He is showing him tonight and the auction is tomorrow! I hope it goes well!

I have been busy today with laundry, washing bedding, feeding the chickens, etc. I need to get to the gym soon and a friend is dropping off cookies for our homeschool co-op's formal we're having on Saturday. Many moms have offered to make cookies to donate which is fantastic. (My mom and I are doing the rest of the food and decorations. Some of the moms have offered to come help me iron tablecloths too! That sounds so boring...but oh, what a help that is! We are hoping to make it a nice time for the kids!) ....later today I have to get food to prepare for the formal and then have Xavier's 4H show this evening! I wanted to pop on and try to keep up with posting though! :)

Madelyn turned 19 earlier this week! She had the day off work so I took her to lunch and we had a nice time! It was nice just to visit together...sometimes I feel like we miss each other since she works a lot now. Xavier works a lot too....and Jaxson has been helping a lot at my dad's garage as well. He likes working on VWs and my dad has some in there that need attention. I feel like I'm starting to already suffer from empty nest syndrome! Ack! I love watching my children grow...but oh how I miss when they were little! I feel incredibly blessed to have watched them grow into teenagers/young adults. I know this is how it goes....God intends for us to grow and mature! But, I sure do miss them being wee and playing make believe! All seasons of life are such a gift.

I need to get going! I have much to get done today! I hope you are well! Thank you for stopping to visit! I hope you have a lovely weekend ahead!

Warmly,
Katy

Madelyn's Graduation Party

From my camera...a few pictures from graduation and then some from Madelyn's graduation party! Above, that was Madelyn's little display for her reception after the graduation ceremony! Below...my girl on stage...

Madelyn and my parents...

A few quick pictures of the graduation party before a bunch of people arrived (that's Madelyn's little blue truck in the background)...

Food tables...we had a taco bar (per Mad's request)...

It was an absolutely gorgeous day...but super hot. Thankfully, my mom had a couple pop up tents to provide some shade. People sat in the shade of the trees and on the porch as well...

My mom made the cupcakes (we had more than this...she made 75!! We just kept bringing more out as the number got lower on the table!

 I made this little sign...

My sister and our family trying to find some shade under the trees...

It was a busy and exhausting day....replenishing food, greeting guests, running in and out of the house...you know the drill ~ being a busy hostess! But it was great! Madelyn had a great time....she and a lot of her friends played Frisbee out in the yard. I wish I would have gotten some pictures...but honestly, I snapped some...then put my phone and camera down and kept busy managing the celebration! :) We had a lot of people in and out through the 4 or 5 hours. It was a good day! Now that it is past though....I am in charge of our homeschool co-op's formal this year. Normally it is held in May or June...but due to COVID, we moved it to January 18th. I have been busy preparing for that. I have helped for the past couple years with decorations and food etc....but this year, I'm in charge of it all. I pray it goes well and the kiddos have fun!

We will be celebrating my nephew's birthday this weekend. He turned THREE this week! He is the cutest thing. His smile (quite the cheese-y grin) lights up a room! You can see a pic of him on my sister's blog HERE but he had just turned 2 then. That's the latest she has updated!

Time keeps on ticking by....but I *am* trying to be a better blogger again!
Thanks for stopping by! I pray your week has been enjoyable!
Warmly,
Katy

...And She Graduated! Plus...Catching Up!

Madelyn has graduated from high school! As a homeschooler, I graduated her in May but in June we had a lovely graduation ceremony with our homeschool co-op! She turns 19 next month and I am still trying to process how she is almost the age I was when I got married! The past 20 years have gone by much quicker than I expected them to! A song we had played at Chris and my wedding has a part that says "time is a wheel in constant motion...always pulling us along...tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone?" ~ how true that is! (I'm sorry for the blurry photo. It's from my phone and sometimes those pics just aren't that crisp).

I am so sorry for anyone who has come here to see how we are doing...and I haven't posted. I don't know what it is....but my posting has just slowed down so much over the years. When the children were little...they were doing such cute things and it was so fun to keep a record of that here on the blog! But things have changed as the children have gotten older. They are all working at jobs each day. We are in such a different season of life as my children grow to be more independent.

We *are* doing well though! Chris and I celebrate 20 years of marriage this year! Hard to believe that! I've been with him longer than I was without him! We're still in the honeymoon stage of our marriage...maybe we'll never get out of it!? :o) I have been a busy bee at home....keeping things clean, organizing, mowing, cooking and also exercising (at home during COVID....and now I am back at the gym) daily. Chris has been getting so many projects done around the house outside and in lately! It's fantastic! I'll have to snap some pictures to share!

Xavier turns 17 this summer. He recently got his license to drive. He could have gotten it months ago but everything shut down because of COVID...that definitely taught him patience! He has a truck he bought and he paid for his year of insurance up front and is learning responsibility and maturity! Jaxson is 14 and has kept busy this summer working on VW beetles and buses at my dad's garage! He's learning a lot and he loves it! He also started a bee hive (which he keeps at my parents' house since I am allergic to the bees). He's so cute when he puts on his bee suit and goes over to it. He has researched and learned a ton through reading, youtube videos, and my uncle (who also has hives). This is another reason I am so passionate about homeschooling...they learn to research and study what they love! Jaxson has told me SO many things I never knew about bees/hives/honey!

So...that's kinda what we have been up to, in a nutshell. With all the chaos in the world right now....I am so thankful to live in a small town. I rest in my sovereign Lord and keep my eyes focused on Him. I know nothing is out of His control and I find my solace there. I have contemplated sharing my thoughts on everything going on right here on my blog....but then I refrain.

If you are interested...I encourage you to watch (or listen in podcast form) to THIS video by Apologia Studios. It is fully biblical and definitely a must-hear! And if you want to listen to THIS little snippet I tweeted of Voddie Baucham speaking...that would be great too! I will tell you I do *not* support the BLM organization or what they stand for. If you wonder why ~ (other than the fact that they are marxists which is totally anti-Christian) you can look at their webpage to see all the things they stand for and affirm.

Anyway....I gotta run. I need to eat a quick bite of lunch and continue to get things done around the house. I hope you all are well and I thank you for dropping by today. Hopefully I can get back to a more routine blogging schedule. I make no promises though! ;)

Warmly,
Katy

Pictures of Home, Field Trips and Life Lately!

 Hello and happy last day of September to you! I don't know where the month went! Life has been busy with homeschooling, a field trip, the start of our homeschool co-op class days, working out and teaching classes at the Y and more! Chris and the boys have kept busy in the evenings and on Saturdays working at filling our wood shed for winter (I have helped stack as well. Madelyn works a lot, as well as does her schoolwork and babysitting....so she's quite the busy girl lately!).

Some field trip pics:

Madelyn was there too...but she wouldn't let me take her picture (typical of an 18 year old, eh?)...but here is one she took of us (and obviously used a filter on..haha ~ I look so young and fresh-faced!)...

The photos below are from in my dining room. The doily runner along my table was made by my grandpop's mother, Sheena. I never knew her but I love the runner and am glad to have it! We use our dining room table a lot so the runner gets folded up and moved often...but when the table isn't in use, I like to see it out and displayed! The candlestick holders are from that side of the family as well. I forget who they are from...although my grammie would know. Although her body has slowed down with age, her memory is amazing! She can tell stories and recall details of things that surprise me!!

Here are some photos from the living room. The flash on the camera makes the room seem quite bright....but this room in actuality is usually pretty dark...only getting sun as it sets in the evening through the west window. Although I do love a bright, sunny, cheerful room....I like this relaxed, soft, dimmed room too. It is a nice place of respite! The dog bed isn't exactly a lovely piece...but our dogs need a place of rest too, right? And this one serves them well!

This is the window that the sun comes in as it is setting in the later afternoon/evening time...

Chris and I tried square dancing the other night at a local community gathering. It was hot, I got dizzy twirling so many times and I couldn't figure out where to put my hands quite often. I got anxious and overwhelmed easily and gave up. I should have watched videos prior to going so I could learn some of it. Madelyn and Xavier go quite often and have a grand time! They know what they are doing. They make it look fun! :o) I didn't love having to twirl and hold hands with men other than my husband either...it just felt a little uncomfortable even though they were men I knew.

So, for me, that night was a disappointing fail. *But*...I had a fun time yesterday. Rarely do I miss our worship service at church. But yesterday I did since I was invited to go with some girl friends to a Pirates baseball game in Pittsburgh. That sounds silly and frivolous of a reason for me to miss church...but Chris and my children encouraged me to go since I don't really ever go out with girl friends and just enjoy time away. So four of us went....unfortunately I got terribly car sick on the almost 2 hr drive down (and also on the way back). I even sat in the front seat....but the road was wind-y and I wasn't used to my friend's driving. Thankfully, while we were actually at the game, I felt ok! We had awesome seats....just behind home plate! We could see everything so well! I don't like watching baseball on television...but in person, it was enjoyable! If I can go again, I definitely want Chris and I to go together! He would like it too....we would enjoy it together! :)

Speaking of Chris...we celebrated 19 years of marriage a week ago! I tried to get a few pics together...and Chris kept being goofy...so this is what I got:

I made a Chicken Pot Pie Casserole earlier this week...Here is a picture of it and the recipe below if you would like to try it!

I'm still trying to recuperate after being so car sick last night. I still just feel *off* a bit....but I teach spin tonight and need to get a good workout in...so I'm gonna have to just suck it up! ;) Maybe I need a bit of a nap and that will help? I don't know...we'll see!

And quickly...I wanted to share this photo...Jaxson saved up his money and bought a digital drawing tablet that hooks up to the computer. He drew these awesome housework/chore drawings and I made them into stickers! They are in my shop if you are interested! I think he did awesome with them!! :)

Thanks so much for coming by! I hope you have enjoyed your time here as I caught up a bit.
I hope your week is going well and that your moments honor our Lord each and every day. That is my own prayer daily....knowing that I always fall short....but thankful for His grace!

Warmly,
Katy

Birthdays, First Day of School and More!

 Hello friends! :)

It has been a wonderful August. We've had super hot days as well as lovely comfortable days (like today....it's in the 70's with sunshine!). We've enjoyed slowness and busyness! Each day is different!

One exciting thing is that Xavier turned 16 in the middle of August! He had a cookout with some friends and had a really nice time! Chris grilled hamburgers and hotdogs and it was overall just an enjoyable evening! X is now anxiously awaiting me to take him to get his driver's permit! Ack! I feel like I was just doing this with Madelyn yesterday! Someone slow down the clock!

My sister, her husband and children moved to a bigger house this month as well. My mom was over there a lot to help....I drove over a few times when I could to help as well (She lives 45 minutes or so away...so it takes quite a chunk of the day to travel there and back....so I couldn't get there all the time). They are settling in well and I think this new house is just great for them! I am really happy for them!

While a lot of area public schools started today....my children actually began schooling last week. It is Madelyn's senior year. I'm not quite sure how to fathom that....as I feel like I just graduated (although we had our 20 year class reunion a week or two ago already! haha! Class of '99). Xavier is a sophomore and Jaxson is in 8th grade. As you can see below...Madelyn didn't want her picture taken on the first day of school....(don't all my children just looked thrilled to be back to the books? haha)

My birthday was this past weekend. I had a glorious day! Truly! I started out with a workout (as usual) but it was even better because Chris came in to lift with me. We try to lift together most Saturdays. I sure love my man! I workout every day....but getting to workout with your other half is *the best*!

We got some home projects done that day, the weather was amazing....then he took me to the next town over where we got supper, shopped at TJ Maxx for a little bit and then he took me to look for a bicycle at Walmart! I've been wanting a bike...not a mountain bike....but a road bike that I can go long distances on if I want and maybe compete with. We couldn't find one that was sized right for me or that I liked...so we'll keep looking. Honestly, the cruiser bikes are *so* cute and I would LOVE one of those...they have them in cute colors and a basket on the front! But I want something I can really move on...so those won't work for me, unfortunately!

38 doesn't feel too bad, I must admit. I thought getting older would be depressing....but it's really not! It's bittersweet to realize how the time passes quickly and my children grow and change so fast...but at the same time, I love how the Lord teaches me things as I age....I love to grow in wisdom and knowledge. Plus, Chris and I are so perfectly matched....I honestly praise God for him every.single.day. Our relationship grows and intertwines us so beautifully. I have been with him over half my life. There isn't anyone else I'd rather be with. *swoon*

The little cupboard in our kitchen that we have been using as an island for years worked well...but it always felt too low to me. I asked Chris if we could get a butcher block to put on top. Low and behold...he found the top to our old island in the garage. He sanded it down really well and it fits perfectly on top of our cupboard island! I am over the moon about it! It makes for a much nicer island! :) You can also see, in the background there, flowers and a gift certificate from my children (for my birthday). They all chipped in together and got me a gift certificate to get my nails done. I never spend money on that sort of thing...so they wanted to treat me! It'll be fun to get a little pampered!

Yesterday, we had a lovely time worshiping the Lord at church in the morning. Came home to have lunch and a nice nap. I got up and ran and did some ab work and then showered so we could head out to a game night with family friends of ours! We had such a great time! Lots of laughter, talking and fun (and the guys had a good time target shooting with their bows). So, so grateful for the brothers and sisters in Christ the Lord has put in our lives....it's so nice to have great friends with so much in common! :)

Today I have gotten my workout in this morning...now I need to go out and work on mowing the back yard....(Kids are working on their schooling right now!)...but quickly, I wanted to share a few of the new sticker listings in my shop! They are great for use in your planner, on your calendar and more! Since we are basically a single income family...this just helps me to earn a little extra to add to the budget each month. :o)

Thank you for visiting! I pray your August has been wonderful as well....although that's not meaning every day is perfect and glorious...but trying to find the joy in each day the Lord gives us makes for happier days, weeks, months and years!

I hope you will visit again soon!
Joyfully,
Katy