Sew Fun!

I totally enjoy sewing!  I have had many patterns turn out to be a total flop!  This is so frustrating after the money and time was invested!  So, I have a skirt pattern that is super easy, quick to sew up and is comfortable.  I have made many skirts from this one pattern.  Shorter for summer months and long, thick fabrics for winter months!  My Mom gave me bags of fabric for my rug projects, this plaid fabric was in the bag.  It's flannel so I couldn't use it on my rugs so I knew exactly what I was going to use it for!  I finally had a free Saturday yesterday and whipped it up (with two other skirts,, I never like to just do one thing at a time,, saves time and thread).  I got this sweater at a yard sale this summer and was so excited to wear it with my new skirt!  Of course,, had to have one pose with my SO cute husband with his freshly cut hair!   Isn't he cute!?!?!?

Look Mom!

I just love Saturdays because of the relaxed schedule.  This Saturday we're all home together.  Today's goal is to start a skirt for an upcoming Valentine's Dinner with church family.  I was in the middle of cutting the skirt fabric when Titus pulled a puzzle off the shelf and started doing it on the floor behind me.  I just love how they pull projects out and start doing them in the same room with me.  Always makes the room more cozy with the little fellas in it :)  I heard, "Look Mom!" shouted with glee,,, Titus had finished his puzzle and wanted me to share in his pride!   Of course, this wet his appetite for more puzzles.  I got the box of little puzzles out and started to help him with these.  So cute hearing him giggle as each piece was placed in it's spot.  Such wonderful memories with our last little fella!

Busy hands

Homeschooling is great but it creates alot of just sitting and listening.  I get so restless just sitting,,, so I've always got projects to work on while I'm schooling with the boys.  My sister Ruthie is getting married this spring and my other sister Tonya and I are giving Ruthie a bridal shower in March.  This is a terrible thing for me,, I'm already losing sleep over it.  I absolutely LOVE doing things like this but it creates a very busy mind.  I lay in bed thinking of how we'll hang the decorations, where to put the punch table, where Ruthie should sit, what I should wear, what games we should play, etc, etc, etc!!!  Last night I lay thinking about the prizes for the games (Tonya and I are both providing 10 prizes each).  I'm trying to make them nice and practical but not spend alot of money.  So I brought out my basket of scrap fabric and got creating.  I started to make 4 potholders and a set of coasters.  I plan on making 4 aprons too.  Yippee,, there's 9 prizes already,, any extra I'll give to the sweet bride-to-be.  There are many advantages to homeschooling and this is another!!! :)

Books, books, books

I love to read.  I'm always researching and looking things up but books can become quite an expense.  Our library system has a great tool,,, I can type in the title of the book I'm interested in (all from the comforts of home ) and it'll search all the local libraries to see if any of the libraries have that book and will ship it to my local library.  Every Wednesday, I go to town to take the oldest four to piano lessons, so I just add the library stop to my stops for that day (I do all our grocery shopping on Wednesdays).    This week I'm returning these books; I totally enjoyed reading Green for Life and found it VERY informative and exciting.  It's not a book I'd like to own so I can return it knowing if  I ever want to read it again,as  it's in the "system" of our libraries.  I'm also trying to learn to knit, so I am enjoying looking and trying to figure out all these new patterns.  Some day when I have oodles of time, I'm going to actually be able to just sit down and attempt some of these patterns,, but for now, I am content to read and learn about them.  What a great way to learn and save money.  I have found, if it's a book I really enjoy and would love to have to refer to, the next best way to get a book, is on Ebay or Amazon under the used books.  Yard sales in the summer are also great but I've stopped buying children's books as we just have SO many and it can add up(space and money),, so the library is great for that too.  Now,  keeping track of them, that's a post I'll have to write later when I figure out how to do that :)

Cheese and Apples

Everyday at about 10 am, either Titus or Addan comes into the "school room"/family room and asks for cheese and apples.  Usually I'm in the middle of school with Luke and Tim and can feel quite annoyed with this interruption.  I some times think boys stomachs just NEVER get filled!!!  But lately I've been trying to change my attitude about getting this for them.  They love being together and if this helps build memories of being together, the least I can do is get them their food.  

Usually when I bring it to them,, they're sitting together closely on the couch reading a book or watching a video.  I hand it to them and hear little giggles as they look into their bowls and respond,, Thankyou Mom!!!  What a small sacrifice for me to make,, get up and peel and cut the apples and slice up the cheese,, all to hear pleasant replies for two little fellas.  I pray the boys grow close and stay close friends all their lives,, what a better friend to have than someone who grew up with you and has shared SO many memories with you! 
This morning I read from Matthew 18 and the verses have been ringing through my mind all morning.  Verse 4 says, "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest  in the  kingdom of heaven. 5.  And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me."  It goes on to say if we offend a child it would be better to be drowned!  WOW,, Jesus has strong feelings towards children.  I need to keep that same feeling as I get things all day for my little ones and believe me, I hear my name called often each day!!! :) 

Praying Friends

Prayer is our way of communicating with our Savior.  I admit, at times I'm not sure how it works but I know the Lord asked us to do it and He is pleased when we come to Him with our cares and burdens.  "Cast all your care on Him, for He cares for you."   Since we've been married, I've always enjoyed having someone pray for me.  We were in churches that did "Secret Pals", and I always enjoyed knowing someone was praying for me.   A couple years ago, a man in our church preached on the importance of having someone to pray for you so that encouraged me to have a prayer partner.  I felt the Lord leading me to a lady in our church and thoroughly enjoyed doing that with her.  Due to changes in her life,, she couldn't keep the commitment any more.  Last year, I had a lady's Bible study in our home, and we ladies did prayer partners together then.  This year, I haven't had a prayer partner.  I have felt the need to have one again.  There's nothing like having a Sister in the Lord, praying for you.  Knowing I could share personal requests and feelings without her "judging" me and confiding in another lady,,, was sooo needed in my life right now.  I mentioned this to Mark,, sharing with him, not sure who to ask to be my prayer partner.  I thought of a few Face Book friends, but wanted someone who I could also fellowship with at church.  I'm so thankful for a loving, understanding, wise husband,, he suggested someone right off that was perfect for me!  Why hadn't I thought of her???  Last night, after praying all day about it, I approached her, and she was VERY excited too!  I'm so excited to have another prayer sister in my life!  I encourage all ladies to have a godly woman you can trust to be your prayer partner.  We're going to write our requests at the beginning of each month and trade requests.  What a huge blessing!!!

Simple helpers

If you can alot of your own food, you have lids and the canning rings laying around.  I was putting my rings and lids in my utensil drawer in the kitchen.  The rings quickly began to fill up my drawer (we use a jelly about every 2 days and many other canned items this time of year) and I was beginning to get annoyed at them.  While at my sister's house, I was looking at her new kitchen pantry her husband had recently built her, and noticed a bright, crocheted piece of yarn hanging from a nail.  I inquired what on earth that was?  and she told me of her canning ring hanger,, just get a ribbon or sturdy string and tie one ring on the end and a loop on the other.  The ring on the end keeps the rings from coming off.(the loop is to hang the ribbon on a nail in your pantry)  As soon as I got home,  I made one and simply LOVE it!  No more mess or running into the storage/pantry room to find the rings I put away after being so annoyed at them cluttering my utensil drawer.  I just slide it on or take one off as I need them.    It's neatly hanging in my kitchen closet and I can shut the door and my utensil drawer is nice and decluttered again!  Thanks so much Tonya!  The simple things that make my life so much more happy :)