"I'm mothering young children who some day will fill important and useful spheres in life, and washing clothes is part of my grand task in caring for these souls who shall live forever."
Welcome to a small yet meaningful piece of my life. If you want to know who I am, you should hang around for awhile, since I am still learning more everyday the answer to that question! For now, I am happily:
*Married to my best friend
*Homeschooling my 3 awesome kids
*Learning more about God and who I am in Him and how to trust Him more
*Cooking lots of yummy food
*Trying to be the best mommy, wife, friend, Christian I can be
This is the journey of my life where I want to make every moment count - come on the journey with me!
His mercies are new everyday. I have the most amazing friends - Jesus knew just who I needed. I am able to learn from my children and see God reflected in them. My Thursday night Ladies Prayer Group - these are some of the most amazing, inspiring, sensitive women on the planet. Peace that passes all understanding. God's touch and His presence in prayer tonight. KC starts in a week and a half! Coupons and sales. My puppy. Laundry hanging on the line - there is nothing like the smell of clothes that have been hung out. Workouts. Church leadership. People who lovingly and willingly invest their lives in my children - just because they can.
Hopefully you are at least half as blessed as I am!
An amazing Pastor who continues to teach us the truth of God's Word. The never changing, forever settled Word of God that is as alive today as it was 2000 years ago. A great checkup for my dad at his Heart appointment today. Provision. An on time God. Homeschooling. Family. Leftovers. Great deals. Homemade bread and the yummy smell that fills the house while it is baking.
It's funny - the more you think about gratitude, the more that it just kind of finds you everywhere you turn! I never want to cease to be thankful everyday - not just one set aside day a year. If we are to enter into His courts with Thanksgiving, shouldn't we want to be thankful everyday, all day?
Ok, I have come to the conclusion that coming up with one thing each day is so not going to work for me! How do I limit my thankfulness when it is bubbling up inside of me??!! And, for that matter, why should I? So, in no particular order, here are the things I am thankful for today:
My 3 amazing children. Awesome friends. Overall good news at the kids dentist appointments today. Lunch with my kids at Chick Fil A (for almost free). Going to Publix and spending $33 while saving $85. Christmas songs. Seeing my husband do what he does best as reported in the Orlando Sentinel. Homecooked dinners. The presence of God at the end of choir practice tonight. Great deals at the thrift store. Ice cream.
Well, I truly could go on, but those are on my mind right now as the tops for today! I shall continue tomorrow.
Contentment is a notion that has truly become foreign in our culture. I know how to be content and grateful when things are going well, the bills are all paid, the freezer is well stocked, etc. But is that what true contentment is? Or, is it as Paul said in Philippians 4:12 – “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. In whatever state you find yourself be ye content.” True contentment is not affected by circumstances - it means simply that we know Who is in control even when everything around us seems to be spiraling out of control - and trusting Him with the outcome.
I have decided to try my best to post something each day between now and Thanksgiving that I am truly thankful for as a way to keep me focused on the truly important things. We are coming into a very busy season and my calendar is already full of so many things that my family and I treasure doing to celebrate. While these things are good and meaningful, so often they too can crowd out our ability to be thankful - in all things! Before I start out (and catch up for yesterday!), I want to start with this little poem that helps put things in perspective:
I am thankful for...
bills to pay because it means I have financial provision.
dirty dishes because it means I have food to eat.
taxes because it means I am employed.
dirty laundry because it means I have clothes to wear.
the mess to clean up after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.
the pool pump that needs fixing and the lawn that needs mowing, because it means I have a home.
for this bathroom, complete with all the splattered mirrors, soggy, grimy towels and dirty lavatory - they are so convenient.
the power bill, because it means I am warm .
the space I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I can walk.
the person who sings off-key behind me in church, because it means I can hear.
our government, because it means we have freedom of speech.
the alarm that goes off in the morning because it means I am alive.
unmade beds - they were so warm and comfortable last night.
even for that slamming screen door. My kids are healthy and able to run and play.
a loving Savior who forgives my sins and makes me whole!
He has richly blessed my family.
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thess. 5:16-18 (ESV)
Sometimes, just looking at things from a different perspective makes all the difference!
So, Day 1. I am thankful to know that if I fear God, I do not need to fear anything else because:
1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be singing of praises to God.
6. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
7. There will still be room at the Cross.
8. Jesus will still love you.
9. Jesus will still save the lost.
It is so good to know the goodness of God and His blessings. Nothing that happens in this world can change that!
Day 2 - The blessing of my husband. Through good and bad, ups and downs, twists and turns, we make each other laugh, comfort each other, forgive each other, and love each other through it all. God truly provided that man that He knew was just right for me.
Anyone interested in coming along on this journey with me? Let's celebrate the season by truly expressing our gratitude and learning to be content - no matter what life throws at us!
14 years ago, I gave birth to an amazing and beautiful girl who has grown to become a special blessing from God - MaKenna! It was such a sweet thing to see Holly become a big sister and watch their relationship begin. Today, they are best friends! Much has happened in her 14 years of life and we had a lot to celebrate for her special day.
Then:
Now:
As our family normally does, on your birthday you get to choose all the meals for the day, plus you choose the dessert! So, MaKenna began her day with Cinnamon Ripple Muffins - homemade by Marmee (that's me!) Lunch was "Gourmet Grilled Cheese sandwiches" - made with turkey, various cheeses like parmesan, colby jack and provolone, tomato, mayo, and basil - mmmmmmm!!! For dinner, we made Dinner in a Pumpkin. For info on how to make this, check out my post here. For an extra special blessing, she got to share all of this with our dear, dear friends - Aunt Kimi and her 3 awesome children! How great is that!!!!
For dessert, MaKenna chose something different for us to try - Homemade Fried Ice Cream! Oh boy - it was amazing. Here is how we made it:
First, let the ice cream soften enough to scoop it out into balls. Place on cookie sheets and freeze until firm, about one hour. Next, beat 3 egg whites in a bowl. In another bowl, combine 3 cups crushed cornflakes with 1 tsp. cinnamon. Roll ice cream balls in the egg whites, then in the cornflakes mix. Repeat to make it awesomer! Freeze these again at least 3 hours. When ready, heat oil (we used coconut) to about 375 degrees. Use a slotted spoon and fry the balls one at a time for about 10-15 seconds only. Take them out and place on a paper towel. Serve immediately. We served with caramel sauce, whipped cream and marachino cherries! Oh my goodness - these were amazing!
We didn't do any sort of party this year, but instead, she asked for me to take her and Holly to a tea room in Mt. Dora, so that is just what we did! We started her special day at the flea market in Mt. Dora - just walking around and looking at everything, enjoying a beautiful crisp day and each other. Then, we headed to Mt. Dora and the Windsor Rose Tea Room. Here are the girls at our table:
For lunch, we ordered the Tea for 2 - for all 3 of us! There was so much food. We had a variety of tea sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, lemon curd pastries and shortbread. Plus, we had 2 pots of tea. (We even had leftovers!)
Outside the tea room:
After lunch, we enjoyed the rest of our day walking around downtown Mt. Dora window shopping. The day we went was so pretty here - cool, but not cold, clear sky and sunny. What a beautiful day to spend with my 2 favorite girls in the whole universe!
September here did not bring cooler weather, but it did bring some fun, though hot, field trips. For starters, The Smithsonian offered FREE admission to museums on the 26th! We looked over the options we had nearby and chose 2 - The Waterhouse Residence Museum in Maitland and the Orlando History Museum downtown.
The Waterhouse Residence is located on beautiful Lake Lilly in Maitland. It was built by one of the original settlers of Maitland and has been there since the 1800's. I didn't take any pictures inside (not sure why??!!), but here are a couple of the lake:
Unfortunately, due to some circumstances, I didn't get any of the outside either, but will next time!
On to the history center - a perfect compliment to Caleb's study of Florida History. Outside the center, there are some fake alligators that always entertain the kids:
MaKenna, who loves Germany, was so excited to see the prototype for the Disney Cinderella Castle, Neuschwanstein, in the Disney room. Does she look happy or what?!
Soon after this eventful day, we headed to St. Augustine for the Colonial Spanish Quarter Homeschool Day. We passed by the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse:
Once inside the Spanish Quarter, the kids learned many things about the way people lived back when Florida was occupied by Spain. For instance, they learned about some tools used, including this pump drill that Caleb is trying out:
They observed as a "sailor" explained why it was so important to have pulleys when shipments came and went:
They each were able to try for themselves to feel how heavy this bucket was if you just tried to lift it yourself:
Then, they tried again using the pulley system - boy was that easier!
Another important demonstration involved the preparation of their militia. This gentleman did an excellent job of explaining it in such a way that you felt as if you were there and you couldn't help but focus on everything he said:
Didn't I say they were focused??!!!
Holly checks out the "kitchen stove":
As if that weren't enough for one day (and I didn't cover EVERY detail!), we decided to take on the fort, too. The kids paused for a moment to pose on the wall:
We walked along the wall around the whole outside of the fort - another great compliment to Caleb's Florida study, btw!
The group about to enter the actual fort:
Holly and MaKenna on the top of the fort:
The moms:
We had a few great days of field trips and learned so much. I am always overwhelmed with thankfulness for the ability to homeschool and the flexibility to take advantage of great, inexpensive opportunities! Not only did we learn a lot, but we got to spend quality time with awesome people - what a blessing!
