Tackle It Tuesday

Well you may laugh but my tackle it Tue was not chores- it was to REST.

I was so exhausted. My back, neck and head hurt horribly and I could barely move this morning. (still very sore) Instead of driving the younger two to school I had them ride the bus and I went back to bed. It was dark and overcast, the birds are chirping and it is raining outside and even God took time to rest. So today my tackle it Tue was Sleep. Just a couple hours of uninterrupted sleep by kids or spouse sleep or dogs- even the phone.

However, when I woke up I worked on a Tag a Long Order- it was a custom request for a University of Texas Tag blanket Toy. White on the back- Orange, Black and White on the front, all orange and white Ribbons. I think it looks awesome. What makes this one special is it is double batted. I had some extra scraps so I just did a little extra for this one. It is nicely quilted- stitch in the ditch on both sides to the individual piece of batting. Its ribbons are secured by triple stitching (a selection on my machine) then they are sewn right side facing, pulled through, then stitched all around with that triple stitching selection. These ribbons are super secure!

I also need to work on a set of potholders- to be completed today so that I can drop them off to my one and only sign up on my Pay it Forward crafty made by me item- within 365 days. I am cheating on this one because I know the person and know what their kitchen theme will be. Who can't use an extra set of potholders anyway. So I can't picture them here because they have not been gifted yet. (she reads both of my blogs from time to time so...- will have to wait).

Verses on Rest and Hope

Gen 2:3 God blessed the seventh day and made it Holy, because on it he RESTED from all the work of creating He had done.

Ps 118:13-14 "I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation."

Jer 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, "They are plans for Good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Valor Concludes

1 am and the quilt was finished! This was a wonderful idea- I am very honored that my cousin and his wife thought to ask me to participate in this, and that they had enough confidence only having seen a pillowcase I made their son, to know that they would like something I created for the auction. As I worked on this quilt there were many trials, obstacles. I thought of my relationship with our Lord and Savior. At times it felt hopeless as I searched for fabric and lost an entire day of quilting, or when I cut the binding fabric wrong and then had to go out Saturday to purchase more fabric-endure more cost, endure more lost time. I found it all worthwhile though. I never wanted to just quit, I wanted to keep striving and complete it. I think at times that is how God feels with us, maybe Frustrated, maybe like He would like to shake us and say HELLO ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME?

But really, how often do you think He tries to get our attention and we are just oblivious. In this world you constantly hear of the bad- how money is disappearing, jobs are not available, houses are being foreclosed. LOSS OF HOPE seems to be the theme out there.

We as Believers in Christ know better. We know we have Hope that is Eternal. Hope that is ours for the keeping. I had given up to some degree on my quilting and this past week as I made a quilt that I had never made before. As each obstacle I encountered worked itself out, as my husband and children became very understanding this week as I had little time for them or the house I realized I had a restored Hope, a lite fire and a return of passion for something I truly Love. I had lost site of what I wanted when I started. I wanted my Quilting to be a Ministry of His Kingdom. I wanted each quilt to have love and hope sewn into it. This is what my Quilt Valor was for me.

It was like Romans 15:13 " May God, the source of hope, fill you with job and peace through your Faith in Him. Then you'll overflow with hope...

So those of you that find yourself today without hope. Maybe hope is lost due to a weakened relationship. maybe job or money loss, maybe health I say to you.

Remember the verses that follow. In these times of Hopelessness you feel- Call out to our Heavenly Father.

"I call as my heart grows faint, lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe." Psalm 61:2-3

"I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my SONG. He has become my salvation." Psalm 118 13-14

I will add some more this week.

Have a wonderful week. I pray that whatever your trials are that you Praise God in the midst, that you cry out to Him for he already knows your request, that you lean on Him for strength and have a Renewed HOPE.

Menu Monday

This week will be nice and easy. This is an amazing thing because I have several quilts to do. One to finish, one to start and several more on my To Do List due by May 2nd.

My husband found brisket on sale for $1 a lb. So he smoked it and that is what our main dish will be all week.

Menu is as follows - no specific days- this week as I will make up Salad, Beans etc ahead of time

Brisket Sandwiches

Sliced Brisket and Mashed Potatoes

Brisket and Ranch Style Beans

Brisket and Potato Salad

Charro Beans and Cornbread

Then probably a weekend of You are On Your Own.

Quilt of Valor

I have made a lot of Progress. I probably only have 2 hours maybe 3 left on this quilt. Of course it is already 8 so wow, will be a late night. I had to give up last night after I made the binding. I had a headache that was in my head, neck, shoulders and back. Then the whole female thing complicated things-a cyst burst Sat afternoon and wow was the pain unreal. So, after church while hubby made dinner- pretty easy since it was a pot of beans that just needed some fixing's added to it- but I got the binding cut, ironed and ready to go. It looks great. I am super happy with it.

This morning I got up early, made everyone smoothies and got to working on the indiv blocks. I attached (ironed) interfacing to them- sewed the Triangles of the Star portion of the block and then trimmed them all. Then sewed them into a quilt top- which is now done.(see above photo for finished quilt top)Then I worked on opening a file my mom had graciously made for me, well phooey it would not work. So Plan B - make my own Quilt label. Her's was awesome. Mine will do.

Maybe it was supposed to just be simple. I don't know. Mine will work though. So I have to wait for the label to dry- as it had Vilene (water soluble stabilizer) on top. It is really not crooked but the picture sure shows it is.

Then I can attach to the backing- yes I am cheating! and then Quilt my quilt after pinning it all.

First I want to go eat some chicken- hubby smoked a Brisket he picked up for $1 a lb Friday and some chicken. I will make beans all week to go along with the yummy meat.

Valor:The first book of Samuel tells the story of David gathering about him men (of all walks) to create the Army of God. They eventually became Men of Valor- bravery, courage- those that did what needed to be done. Much like our troops today- thus I named my Quilt Valor, in Honor of God and Man. (our troops)

Quilt of Valor Continues-Time for Bed

What I started with Wednesday Morning- I had one more block almost done, and fabric for another and I ran out of background somehow.
4.5 Charms sewn to make HSTs- that are now cut (I was short 3 blocks worth once I laid them all out tonight, thus had to make more. UGH)


Nicely Pressed, ready to all be trimmed (I think the worst part)Here is the Quilt top with all its needed blocks ready to be sewn tomorrowThis is the Quilt top- non closeup will be approx 40 by 60

Today was a very long day. I woke up just after six, to get kids ready for school, and then head to work. I did manage to get my Blogging in this morning before I left because I wanted to come straight home and work on this quilt that is due Sunday night sometime. Possibly Monday afternoon we will see.
I had lots to do as Wednesday I had run out of background fabrics, Thursday I spent nearly all day looking for the fabrics- since Wednesday we didn't have a second vehicle until my husband got it working about 9:30. So... wow, what a day.
I had 6 or so blocks completed and I now after marking lines, sewing lines, cutting lines, pressing, trimming, pressing and more sewing and pressing. I have all my completed blocks- they are not all trimmed into their final status though.
I do need to sew them all into rows- then into a quilt top, then do some minor quilting to some batting. Then I will stitch in the ditch to the backing, bind and it will be ready to go. I need to find some color sheets to wash the quilt, as NOPE- I did not prewash my fabrics. I know, I know, but Honestly there just was not time.
Trying to put a quilt like this together (for me) in a week has been an adventure I do not know that I will repeat. Next time I think I will do some Nine Patches or something to offset the Friendship Stars. This time I tried to be submissive and I made the quilt that my husband wanted me to make. Next time he will have to pitch in with the beginning process. I could have used the help. It is nearly one am. I hope to still get up early and get my day started, as quilting will take all day, and I still have binding to make, which will be time consuming. I found the perfect fabric for that though- it repeats the Pledge of Allegiance over and over in blue writing on cream fabric. This is the FIRST quilt I have ever done like this and it is going for a Silent Auction for a Wonderful Cause, so I am feel very Blessed that I am using a talent the Lord gave me in order to help someone else, possibly many.
My prayer is that the quilting goes well and I do not mess anything up. I have an entire day to quilt the top so I will take plenty of time. I don't think just stitching in the ditch will be enough. I think I need to quilt some in the actual stars. That really complicates things, so I will have to be very very careful, with such a big quilt. First I need some sleep.

What Are you Learning Friday

This week has been full of obstacles, some big some small, but all the same very tiring. It is often hard to remain cheerful, full of faith and full of hope when things keep crashing in all around you. That has been my week to some extent. Between the car being down, kids riding the bus to and from school- which is never good due to problems with some kids on the bus- homework, a donation quilt that is taking all my time, a dirty house...the septic overflowing and an overabundance of rain this week making my entire house STINK- like sewage. Well wow.

We have much to be thankful for, a house over our head, bills that somehow are still getting paid- despite savings that is depleting rapidly- my husband is working hard to fix things that keep finding trouble- he nearly falls into bed every night, to drag himself out in the morning.

I pray for direction with every quilt order, I pray for direction with my children who are each having a hard time with me not "paying attention to them."

My daughter confided in me that she didn't feel that I spent any time with her, that I was always busy. I must confide in the Lord this day that I didn't spend very much time with him this week. It seemed to be a week of rush rush rush, and not much time in Quiet. I should trust that even though I have deadlines to meet that if I remember to take those few moments a day to spend in His Word that he will give them back to be full fold. This morning there was a verse on my heart.

"Be Still, and know that I am GOD" (Psalm 46:10)

I think God was reminding me that He is here, he is just waiting for me to realize and Be Still.

Thankful For My Husband

The Lord says in Psalm 37 verse 4 that "He will grant the desires of your heart." He did not say we would not have to work for them. (or for them to have them that it would be easy)

Tonight I am so thankful to my husband. He worked hard on my car Mon, Tue and Wed. This morning he took it too work just in case his fix would not hold. I met him for lunch then preceded to hunt for fabric for the quilt I am working on because I was out of what I needed and it was not complete by a long shot. I stopped at the first place by his work, Joann's, they had a couple of selections I needed but not one. I then drove 30 min to the next Joann's, who did not have what I needed either. I did however pick up an additional fabric not at the first one- for you fabric buyers you understand.. Then I discussed with the lady about my dilemma and need for this specific fabric. She said she didn't think they were who carried it, so I headed to Hobby Lobby- the only other non Walmart fabric place near me. Stopping on the first one on my way home. They did not have the cream with blue stars either. I stopped at the one closest by the house, still the answer being no. I decided maybe I got it at Walmart- I went across the way- nope it was different altogether just as I had suspected. At this point I am pretty distraught because this quilt is a donation quilt. Something I said I would try my best to have completed Sunday at 6 pm. While on the phone my husband mentioned I might as well stop and get fruit, beans and rice, then he added milk, juice and yogurt. I drove home to him ready to go to a couple other Hobby Lobby's across town the other direction. We did stop at two more Hobby Lobby's. On the way to the second one- I saw a Joann's across the freeway- just happened to see it, it was tucked way back. He says " Honey, if Hobby Lobby doesn't have it, we will stop on the way back home, we will just go back the same way." I go into the second Hobby Lobby store- Nope! I began to pray even harder.

We go into Joann's and I didn't see it. I saw a ton of blue star fabrics but not the one I needed. I state, "Guys it is cream with Blue stars" My husband points and said I think this one. I could have kissed him right there!

Sure enough he found my fabric.

Of course several stores later I am exhausted and going on and on to the lady cutting my fabric about how the second Joann's which was 1 1/2 hours from her store told me it was not their fabric, how I had been to the other stores searching, just happened to see their store on the way and we stopped there and how grateful I was. She said I am too and smiled. I don't think she had ever met anyone so excited about 3.99 fabric like I was. I also found a matching fabric to the line I was already using, so I picked a yard of it and 4 YARDS of the cream with blue. I told my husband with fabric this hard to find I wanted lots extra because I would probably make another quilt just like this. It was 30% off so he didn't refuse.

Now the gas I spent for that fabric probably ruined that 30% but wow what a husband I have, to understand that I had been to five stores prior to seeing him, for him to have just gotten off work, and in the rain willing to drive me around town in the other direction, in work traffic to find fabric for a quilt that I am not even making money on, that in fact he is fronting the money for because I don't have it, that in fact is going to a donation for something he doesn't know anything about. Now that is a husband of Gold in my book. Tonight I am ever so much more grateful for him! Oh and if any of you have a valid Joanns coupon for 40% or so off, I could really use it this weekend. I found the perfect backing for my handprint quilt. My store will only accept ones through email. Bummer!

So what are you thankful for?

Wordless Wednesday - A Blog Award

Well today I am taking a moment to note a Blog Award that came my way from Rita at Following 31. She passed it to me on Saturday and I am just now taking the time to get it logged in. I thought Monday that it would be great for my Wednesday Post. The award is for being a Passionate Blogger. I do love to Blog. I love to do a lot of things but lately I would say Blogging, Quilting and Reading are at the top of my list. So I found today a great day to share this with you, as it is a great honor to post this on my Blog. I know a few people I would pass it to, however I don't know that they post awards on their blogs. But I enjoy their Blogs everyday- from a quilting/family standpoint, they are all three wonderful Christian Women and Mothers/Wives too.
Nikki at My7Kids
Des at 3Am Feedings
My Cousins Wife Trisha's Family Blog 123CheckOutOurFamily
I would say another passionate Blogger that I enjoy is All you have to Give- it is wonderful Christian Inspiration.
So thank you very much for the award- My Blog will wear it proudly.

A Decision is Made

Well it seems that my husband has a voice in this quilt. He says it will be done in all friendship stars. He will even purchase the fabric I need to finish them as I dont have enough. I can maybe get 12 stars but not the number I need for a 40 by 60 quilt. I still need to do the math for it, and also decide if I should put sashing between the blocks. So far for todays progress I got a total of 6 blocks compeleted. I had high hopes- For some reason I thought they would go quicker but it is okay. I would rather them look good and take my time.

I did get my sons Pie made- it will be banana cream pudding in a Oreo Cookie Crust with Cool Whip on top- once it is set. He was very excited that he finally gets some PIE!

:-)

Oh and by the way I am entering this quilting on this blog until it is done because I want to enter this in a Project of the Month thing for another group, and I have a quilty friend that reads my other blog from time to time, but not this one. :-)

Tackle it Tuesday Progress

I feel like I have sewn all day and have not gotten much accomplished. I did figure out a way to use the fabrics I actually purchased for this quilt, so that is progress. Of course like normal I should have started with a block about 1/2 in bigger for a bigger finished block, but that is okay. I can work with these. I have the HSTs done for one more set- two blocks, then I need to cut more star fabric as I am out. I still need to trim them, then I can lay them out and sew them into the star formation. So I will probably finish up the last two then call it a day. Too top it off I don't think I will have enough fabric to make the entire front of the quilt. I am praying that Paul can fix the car so we have two vehicles again, otherwise I am not quite sure what I will do.

Looks like a busy night with homework Zekaryah has a project about Thomas Edison- we have done the research but I want him to help me type it out, meaning he will dictate to me what he wants to say, so that he is doing his homework. I promised him a pie (hopefully he will choose a pudding pie) and Jakob just came in with homework- that rarely happens. The beans are already done for dinner, so it is just a matter of heating up some tortillas, at least I somewhat thought ahead. If I am lucky I will be able to fold all the wash that is piling up- I have been washing but not taking the time to fold. I don't know why I do that to myself. :-)

Tackle It Tue

Today I get to tackle something! I did a lot of tackling yesterday as I worked on my daughters room. I know she will be disappointed that I have off today and am NOT working on her curtains. Honestly I feel a little stressed- self induced- as I know that is not from GOD at all. I have quilts to make, one that I need to have finished by Sunday afternoon so that it can be washed and delivered to my cousin. His church music group- not sure how to explain that really- well they are having a Gala with a Theme Support the Troops. I have talked about it on my other blog for sure. Anyway I am donating a quilt. It is for a great cause and also I can give some business cards and such so that is good for me too.

I decided on some Patriotic fabrics from Joanns and then could not figure out what I wanted to do with them. Then I realized how little time I really had to work on this quilt and get all my other things done too, so I chose a charm set I had recently found and am working on creating some Friendship Stars to make a Quilt of Valor. I still will use my beautiful Liberty Quilt Backing that is by Debbie Mumm. I just love it! It talks about God in it which I feel so strongly about. We need our Father in our Nation to survive, without Him we are nothing!

So I do not have my whole quilt to post but I have my first block laid out, it still needs it pieces sewn together to be complete, right now it is just partially sewn. I may do a bunch of the HST's (half square triangles) and center block, then sew them all toward the end. I hope to have enough energy today to complete all the blocks. My throat is sore and my ears are yucky, but I must prevail!

I am reminded of Philippians 4:13 this morning, as this task seems greater than me!

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. "

and then from Colossians 1 :10-14

10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

May you have a wonderful Tackle It Tuesday!

Menu Planning Monday

Well this morning started out great. Kids were ready for school on time, the weather is not too cold not too warm. Slight wind but other than that really nice. I dropped them off and then things changed. The car started overheating. My husband assumed that it was just low on water Friday night when it did the same thing. He drove it a little Saturday and it didn't overheat and thankfully this morning he took the truck for some reason because last night a guy he works with called and said he would not be in because of a funeral and the girl that works with them would be out because she had court. That leaves two people to do a days work in a warehouse, not good. SO while I didn't like having to get stranded briefly, I was thankful to God that he took the truck and I had the car, better to ruin my morning then his. (grin)

I was able to call a friend- whom I woke up- and he came and got me and brought me back to my house. PRAISE GOD! The car can sit at their Fabric Shoppe in town, behind it really, until my husband gets off and retrieves me so we can figure out what is wrong.

This week we made our menu on the way to work. We have had a lot of unexpected expenses. I don't know that there is really any other kind. (grin)

We need to replace our septic system, it is overflowing into the entire side yard. EEEWWW GROSS. - Hopefully it can just be drained- that is much cheaper. Then we purchased a lot of lumber and metal wire stuff to put in a fence this weekend as we have deer/rabbit etc problems with our garden. Now the car so wow, eat cheap for a couple months is the plan, and I mean real cheap.

The menu this week is simple. BEANS BEANS and More BEANS.

I actually will have to go purchase some. We did start some bean plants to that will be nice in a few months. Hope to get them planted this week sometime. For now I need another big bag. I have some on the stove. The kids don't like anything in theirs. Zekaryah will deal with bean soup with no onion or garlic in it, I sure do miss that though.

So we will make simple things

Bean and Cheese Burritos,

Tostadas,

Beans and Chips

Bean Salad

Charro Beans

Ranch Style Beans

You get the idea. To keep things real cheap Paul and I will eat Charro Beans all week. Instead of the variety as the stuff that goes with it sure does add to the food bill. We will also eat if for lunch. In the meantime I need to get busy quilting all week so that hopefully come May we can make some money to put back into savings. With missing work this week, that depletes $40 right off for food, so it is a good thing that hubby made the menu this week and not me.

My verse for the week- which I think is so true to our time in life right now.

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”- James 1:12

Thankful Thursday

I am double posting on both of my Blogs today. I am just beat, and at the same time very thankful. Today I was able to spend the entire day with Zekaryah. He may not have always been so excited as our trip consisted of two stores with fabric in addition to other errands like lunch with Dad at a very good Diner in town, and then visiting my friend Melissa and her new baby Noah. I was able to pick up the fabric for the quilt I worked on yesterday so that was nice and I found fabric for the Patriotic Quilt I will donate to my cousin for a Gala he will attend. That is a huge relief, it was really nice because it was normally 9.99 a yard and I had a coupon for 40% off. It is the perfect backing fabric. I could not be more pleased with it. Just a true testament to what America is all about. I picked up a couple Debbie Mumm fabrics for the same quilt, I wish they had been on sale, I only got 1/3 yard cuts and it still added up. I wanted more of the line but my pocket book said otherwise, so I will try to tie in some other fabrics to complete this Lap Quilt Donation. My only other purchase today was some orange and white ribbon for a requested UT Tag A Long I will make tomorrow.
I think of all my blessings and I realize that even though sometimes there are friends in our lives that we rarely see that our friendships can really just outweigh time. That is how it was with Melissa today. I got to immediately hold her precious baby boy, who immediately decided to throw up all over my arm after she gave him some colic meds. I had to laugh because my motherly instinct was to 1) turn him so the puke went out, since he is not quite 2 months yet, and then 2) hold him over the counter I was near instead of the very clean kitchen floor. TOO FUNNY. I didn't mind. Baby puke never hurt anyone.
After she changed him, I gladly held him again - for over an hour! He just slept so soundly in my arms. I miss that feeling so much, however I do not miss the tiredness that she feels since she can't seem to reverse his schedule. He is up at night and sleeps during the day. Always a hard habit to break. I was able to give her two panel quilts and a Tag A Long while I was there. I have a very special quilt that has to wait for little Noah to have since they will have a Baby Shower get together at the end of the month.
Meanwhile I still deal with Mekenzei- I am at a loss of what to do. Her attitude is crazy insane, she is so hormonal and moody and just UGH! I decided today that her behavior warranted me taking Zekaryah instead of her, I think she figured out that she has to do something else to express herself because since I have been home she has not once got all PUFFY at me.
While I can't figure out how to handle her lately, I was reminded today how much I treasured her as I found myself looking for Blue and Green fabrics for a bed quilt, or talking with her dad over lunch about purchasing a Full Size Bed for her- as hers is musty and makes her sick, so she has been sleeping in her brothers room which is not working well. She really needs her own space.
Lastly I am just so thankful to my husband who has been amazing, as I turned our living room into a quilting studio, it is chaotic at times but he just grins and bears with me. The dishes have sometimes been left in the sink and I don't think I got the tile swept in the den once all week but he has not said anything but do you need help with?.... Truly just the words I need to hear among the busyness of this week.
While I did not get any sewing done today, I feel very content being able to just share my day with Zekaryah and talk and laugh and just have a wonderful afternoon in our new Spring Weather.

Tackle it Tuesday

Well I didn't do what I was supposed to do. Hubby is not too happy with me either. I understand. I should have worked on a customer order that I took Friday morning. I just could not get myself into it. I did finish a Baby Quilt today though- so I got something done for my Tackle it Tuesday.

I have it washing now, then will dry it and it will be ready to sale.

I love the flannel that I used on the back. It is so pretty. It has some wonderful coloring and I love the swirls. I made the binding from the same line. I have used it before on another quilt. It is so pretty. I love the shade of purple in the fabric.

I think it turned out just over 30 by 35. I might ask $45 for it. I hope that is a fair price.

This would make a great nursery quilt for sure.

I have not decided if I will list it on Etsy or just keep it for inventory for my Craft Show in May at the school. I will pray about it. I just don't know if it would sell and I feel like I have time to sell it online, then if it didn't, I could take it with me. At the same time I have so little time to make a bunch of quilts for the show too. SO I have mixed feelings. If it did sell prior it is a sell, that seems beneficial either way.

Menu Monday

This week we have the challenge of the kids being home on spring break and the increase to our menu/grocery bill. Paul and I are eating Charo Beans and Homemade Jalapeno Cornbread for dinner all week in hopes to cut the cost of the kids being home. I have allowed them to pick sandwiches- either Tuna, Ham or Peanut Butter for lunches- then cereal hot or cold for Breakfast, just to try and keep it reasonable. I might cook breakfast Tue and Thur mornings since I am off those days.

Dinners are planned as follows

Monday-

French Bread Pizza

Tuesday-

Spaghetti, Garlic Bread and Green Beans

Wednesday-

French Toast, Eggs and Bacon

Thursday-

Tostadas

Friday-

Hamburgers and Hot dogs

Saturday-

Soup and Sandwiches

Sunday-

Snack Night with a Movie

This weeks verse is 2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

Wordless Wednesday- Lunch with DAD

Malachi 4:6 He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers.

Menu Monday and a Bit on Serving

Well I must confess I have no idea what we will eat this week. I have been so busy! Friday night our church The Fellowship of the Woodlands had an activity for children in 2nd-4th grade. I picked up my daughter, middle son and their friend in 2nd grade from school, then came home real quick to talk with my oldest-make a couple phone calls. Found out I was picking up not just one of my son's friends but two. We went out got them, then drove to the church. SO I arrive with five children all but one is in 4th grade. Wow, what a car ride that was.

We all had a very good time. I got to do one of my favorite things ever- serve Children!

It was nice because I could leave my husband and oldest at home that night, and let the five children I brought blend in with the rest of the kids, worry about nothing but painting little girls fingernails all night in the Glamour Room they had set up for "Blast Off". What a joy.

It was wonderful to see them get their hair done, even some by an actual hair stylist- who us adult women might pay a fortune for. Some got some eye makeup- which I never let my daughter do- she is not even 10 yet, ugh... but nonetheless it was an event so she got to try on some blue eyeshadow. YEAH. LOL
These little girls showed the true feeling of just having fun. Talking about school, boys, home, the High School Musical 3 movie that was playing. Most asking for black nail polish, which I would have to decline and choose the darkest blue for, each time asking are you sure this is the color you want, your mom won't get mad? I was so concerned for some of them. Then I realized why i was there that night- among all these little girls.

A little girl came up, picked her polish and said I love Blast Off, I said well that is great, what have you done tonight? We preceded to talk and I found out her parents had recently divorced, she was here from Louisiana, didn't know anyone and just wanted to stay there and have fun, not go home. My heart went out to this little girl, who then enjoyed my conversation so much that about 15 min later she brought her twin sister to meet me so I could then do her nails- a similar color which her sister was thrilled with.

It reminded me of God and how often times we are displaced in our lives, maybe we are still in our home, but we move the slightest bit away from him. How we feel alone and sad and just could really use a Blast Off day. In my serving children I got to be that smile that girl needed- maybe that stranger that she could confide in, that person that could tell her how much Jesus loves her, show her by painting her nails and giving her a ray of sunshine into her life- even so brief. So maybe as she grows older and things continue to change she can look back at that moment and remember it as one not quite so bad afterall. She is in a new church, living with dad, a church that loves god so much, and loves everyone who attends. I can't wait to see that little girl another time and see where she has grown.

We are so lucky to live here in a place that can freely worship Jesus and have hope. Hope is what those two sisters left with that night, and hope can make a huge difference in those dark tunnels we face for whatever reason they come.

As for my menu- I am sure I will throw something together this week. It will be rushed between Book Fair, Special Pals Week at Lunch, Choir Practices before and after school, A Choir Performance this week on Thur... Busy busy.. Thankfully I have hamburger frozen, some eggs, stuff to make pancakes, and a fresh bag of Pinto beans for some Bean Soup. This week we might just go Menuless. I'll let you know how we made it through next Monday.

Have a Wonderful Week

And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.(Matthew 18:2-6 ESV)

What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should

perish.(Matthew 18:12-14 ESV)

And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.(Mark 10:13-16 ESV)

You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.(Deuteronomy 11:19 ESV)

What Am I Learning

This week I have been learning that emotions are not always easy to deal with, not always easy to understand, and not always easy to explain. Emotions have been high in the family this week. I worked on a quilt for my daughter which ended up not being such a good idea. See we lost "Nana", whom she was very close to back in 2005. Nana was just one of those Proverb 31 women we all aspire to be. One of a kind. Truly just a beacon of light. She never crossed someones path without impacting their day, even the check out person at Walmart was impacted. Always smiled, told you - you were loved by God. We took care of her from the time my daughter was 3 I guess until she was in 1st grade- around Christmas Time. So to Mekenzei Nana was really the world. We also had a dog for that same time period that was given to us by my birth father and his wife. Surprisingly (not really to my husband and I), Nana and the dog passed within months of each other.

Well this quilt that I was making with love sparked emotion in my daughter that I did not expect. See when she was little I had saved this box of clothing of Nana's to make several quilts with. Unfortunately things don't always go as planned so when my husbands family was going through things they just junked it all. My daughter still wants her quilt. LOL

I have had three grandfathers pass since then, one very recent and I was able to get some clothes from two of them. One I have some shirts from, the other a couple pairs of pants. My one grandmother even gave me two items that were hers, so that she won't have to worry later. I thought that was a great idea. For me it was a great way to deal with the death and I am learning that my little 10 year old is the same way.

She wants something tangible. Too often we forget when we are going through old things when someone passes on that our children might want something to. We tend to think of ourselves as adults first. I know that is what happened in our family. There were too many grandchildren on my husbands side and they just were not thought of, it was seen as a hassle.

I am praying for a solution, I am praying that I find a way to comfort my daughter through her very real emotions. Death is never easy, and even though we can preach that we will see them again, that they are in a better place, and that our children understand that, sometimes the physical part of our heart still feels a little sad.

I did have an idea late last week to do a memory quilt- using colors for heart disease, Alzheimer's, Ovarian and Cervical Cancer etc... Those all run in my family. I have had my husband mom and two grandfathers pass from Alzheimer's, my husbands mom also had a small touch of heart disease at the end, my two grandfathers were plagued with it for a lot of their adult lives. My grandmother has battled several cancers. I thought of all the quilts donated in peoples names for Initiatives and that we could make one in memory of all of them, living and past. So maybe God already knew this would arise and this is the solution. It would be very easy to involve the kids in the making of the quilt, maybe by cutting fabric- choosing some in the right colors etc.

Healing is hard that is the lesson I have really learned this week. It takes work- it doesn't just happen and everyone deals with things differently. While I can speak many bible verses to her, somehow right now that is not enough, so my answer is Prayer and possibly this quilt.

So what have you been learning this week?

Thankful Thursday

I have so much to be thankful for this week. No one in my house has been sick all week! Wow nearly a miracle I tell you. I get to go visit my friend's baby tomorrow, Noah James, I can't wait. She lost her first little boy the day before she was to have him, broke my heart as I understood the pain. However, in my situation I had one child that was still with me, where she had empty arms. I was so so happy for her when she said she was pregnant again. She will be a TERRIFIC mom. We prayed so hard for her during this pregnancy, even the kids, esp the younger two. They love my friend Melissa, even if we don't get to see her often, they ask about her a lot. So I figured everyone is well, and we will be at the church Friday night and that is near her house. I have a Beautiful Baby Snoopy Quilt for her, and I hope to make her a Tag a Long with Baby Noahs Name on it. She will just love that! So I am incredibly thankful that I have him to look forward to.
I am thankful that people are taking interest in my quilts. I do get some questions about prices and stuff, I may not get many orders but that is okay. I would much rather charge something I feel is reasonable then constantly do things for free, since I am trying to start a business. God will lead people my way, as he feels I am ready. What is nice about slow orders is I got to work on some quilting skills this week. I made my daughter a beautiful Wall hanging, I pray she treasures it.
I am thankful for the baby chicks we acquired on Saturday. I can't wait till they get a little older and we can put them outside. Would be easier to care for them. It will be a true blessing as we can use some of their droppings for our compost. It is great fertilizer for tomato plants.
I am unbelievably thankful for my husband this week. Probably my most thankful thing on my list this week. Wow was that bad grammar. Anyway, he has been wonderful. Very supportive with my quilting. Just shocked at how well things are going. He purchased me a Cutting Mat from Walmart Saturday night. Mine was bent and ragged and had no grid lines-this one is a little smaller, but wow do those grid lines help! He also helped me situate the wall for my sewing area so all of my rulers and such hang and I am organized. He even made me two templates last night. One 12.5 so I could do some Tshirt Quilt blocks- to start making those kind of quilts, seems to be the most requested quilt. I keep turning them down. He said Maybe God was Nudging me for a new direction. Maybe... Then he made me a 4.5 in by 36. Wow I don't even know if you can buy those. That does seem to be my most common size cut block for triangles, and I can do a yard of material that way. They are just as thick as what I can buy, so WONDERFUL accessory. I am truly blessed with a man that takes such great interest in something that warms my heart. I love to quilt, even with all the frustration I can get into to, I do really LOVE it. I also very much Love my hubby too.
So what are you thankful for this week?

Copy Cat Pay It Forward Giveaway

I am copying this from my cousin's wives blog. I am really that lazy. LOL, not really I did change a couple things.
Actually I have heard it called Pay it Forward on Other blogs, so this has been something I have thought to do before. Now that I have a little more time on my hands, it sounds perfect. A nice size challenge I could manage. So here it goes-

Copy Cat Give Away
The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!

2. What I create will be just for you.

3. It'll be done this year- 365 days- lets say from March 15th- to give me a chance of having 5 people

4. You have no clue what it's going to be.

Depending on who you are- depends on what you get. Since I try to be crafty it may be something crafty, it may be something biblical, like a journal or devotional. I will pray about it before I send it out. esp if you are someone I know. So take the Plunge- Sign Up, do something fun in the next 365 days.

5. The only thing you have to do to enter is re-post this on your blog and offer the same type of thing to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did, win a something specially designed by me! So Let's Play and have some Fun. One of my favorite movies is Pay it Forward so this is great.

6. Oh and you can enter on a post of someone that linked to you. So say my cousin's wife, Trisha (who I adore) would like to enter mine- that is okay.. Some of us have smaller Blog worlds then others.

Have FUN!

Wordless Wednesday

Mekenzei :"Mommy this doesn't fit"

Mommy "Mekenzei it is a Wallhanging"

Mekenzei "- so?"

Mommy- "So it is supposed to be small- of course it wont fit your not a baby anymore, you asked for a wallhanging not a lap quilt"

Mekenzei "Oh- laughing hysterically cause she finally gets it!"

Fabric Choices- Quilt one Ruined- Wash New Fabric- Pick Pattern, Cut and Sew all night, sew and quilt whole next day- Give Quilt to Daughter- Horrible Evening- Take Picture with Daughter and Finished Quilt- Moment Priceless!

Soap and Washcloth Giveaway

So if you know me at all you know that I LOVE handmade soap, esp in certain scents. My favorite is oatmeal, but I love vanilla, light smelling mints etc. There is a giveaway for a bar of soap and little washcloth (handmade) on a Blog I read called Following 31 while I would love to be selfish and increase my winning by not posting about it, the Christian thing to do is spread the GOOD NEWS about something so yummy, so... go check it out, post a comment. Look at her site if you have never been there before. She writes some very inspirational things. And who doesn't just love soap anyway. Great Giveaway- so don't miss it.