Tackle it Tuesday

Today I worked on Zekaryah's Quilt- I would like to have it done by his birthday. It might have been a wonderful blessing to not finish it on time as I don't see money turning around birthday wise by Jan 30th for him. Its okay though. Honestly we never do big birthdays. We just have a family breakfast, lunch and dinner for the "person of honor". I am hoping I can finish his bedroom curtains, his quilt and also frame a beautiful painting he got for Christmas, that has an ocean theme. Maybe I can do something else to Spiff up his room. And yes I did just say Spiff. LOL
Anyway today I sewed 80 blocks into 10 rows of 8 across. Not too bad. I would like to sew all the rows together and get the quilt top done but the kids want to play Monopoly so, better wrap it up for today. It is nice to get so much done as it makes it more possible to achieve my goal and also knock something off my 10 for 2010 list come the end of the week of Unfinished projects.
Honestly I had 90% of this fabric cut into 8 in squares since January of last year. I had planned on gifting them all quilts last year but my grandfather passed away and it got placed on the back burner.
I also ordered fabric for Jakobs quilt. He wanted game themed fabric which I will cut into five inch squares and then place in a Sudoku game pattern. Thankfully I found 9 different fat quarters and they all had some color. Hopefully I can find some matching fabric for the two different sashings once I see all the fat quarters. Then he has this cool money fabric that is flannel for the back. I can't wait. It is kind of an inside joke as he is always so concerned with MONEY, so much so that it drives us nuts!
So that has been my day. Quite a tackle considering I am still under the weather health wise.
But with Christ I can do all things...cause he gives me the strength to keep on moving.
Hope you had a great Tuesday also. Pictures of the quilt- when it is done...

Menu Monday

Well this week starts out kind of with mixed emotions. We had purchased an extra ham this year to have since times are a little tough and food money is scarce, at least for now, while I still look for work or quilt sales. Paul's family decided on Christmas Eve that they would all get together for Christmas, which was wonderful, despite me being sick. They have not gotten together for many holidays in the last few years, so for me this was such a huge blessing to see unity again. I was really missing their mother, as December is the 4th year since her passing. Anyway, we were to bring the Ham. I honestly was a tad upset as that is probably the most expensive part of the meal and Paul did not even consult me. However, it was good in that I was so sick and did not have to prepare it. Paul handled it all.
The Lord had us covered as my cousin Matt and his wife brought by some gifts while we were at church Christmas Eve. They brought some clothes that had been donated to them for our children and then also a Ham, banana bread and some cookies. They did not want to cause a big fuss so they didn't call first. We had planned to go to church that afternoon with some friends, but they cancelled so instead we cleaned up the house some, and then went that evening. That is when Trisha and Matt came by. Our dog Rufus refuses to stay on the change. We continually try new hooks and nothing has worked yet. He is one smart dog. He jumped the fence while we were gone and was in the front yard when they got to our house. They debated leaving the items but then finally decided it would probably be okay. Well we were so embarrassed to learn that they had left all these items. We knew about the ham as it was half gone when we got home. The poor dog, you should have seen how big he was. While I admit we were very upset with the dog we could not really fault him either. So then I felt back to square one on our meal plans...
So this week we will divide our house some meal wise to make things work. Mekenzei went shopping with me this week to help me come up with some ideas. I think its the first time we have gone to the store without a list, just searching for ideas.
Breakfast- kids on break- hot or cold cereal
Lunches- Tuna, Mac N Cheese, Spag O's, PBJ Sandwiches
Dinners
Monday- Boiled eggs and biscuits
Tuesday- Cheese Enchiladas or Bean (n cheese) Burritos
Wednesday- Frozen fish fillets, frozen pizza and fries
Thursday- French Toast and Bacon
Friday- Waffles
Saturday- Grilled Cheese or Tuna Sandwiches
Sunday - Pancakes
I feel so blessed as this year comes to a close. We could not afford to buy gifts this year but a few people pitched in and helped with that. It is so nice to see them have some warm clothes too, as we go through a pretty cold winter. I was talking to Mekenzei today when we went shopping and I apologized for not being able to get their quilts done, or provide them a gift from us directly. She looked at me and said its okay. Then said it was the best Christmas Ever. I have to admit it was really nice. Filled with love, family and togetherness. I think it was the first year I didn't deeply miss my family either. For the first time I really felt part of the family here, outside of my children and husband I mean, part of his family. A prayer of nearly 15 years finally answered.

Merry Christmas

We Wish You a Merry♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Christmas♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪We Wish You a Merry ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪Christmas ♥ ♥ ♥We Wish You A Merry ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪Christmas ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪...And A Happy New Year!♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪..

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”- Luke 2:11-14

Menu Monday

Well this week all three kids are out from school. I really need a better plan for all our meals but this morning discovered we are out of eggs, milk and bread. That really limits what we can do. Hopefully we can pick some more up, but possibly not until Wednesday when we get paid.
I have some canned soups, and other things so we will pull from there for the next few days.
Tuesday I am at the church for the 1, 3 and 5 services, then Wednesday serving at the 7 at least, but possibly the 5 as well.
So my rough menu is as follows
Monday- cheese enchiladas for younger two Jakob on his own.
Tuesday Beans and/or rice
Wednesday Canned veggies, canned fruit and or tuna sandwiches
Thursday- Ham, mashed potatoes, broccoli, yams and rolls-no dessert planned, hope to get some eggs and milk and I can make up a boxed cake or brownies.
Friday - leftovers
Saturday - leftovers
Sunday- Spaghetti and garlic bread

Menu Monday

Wow is this week busy. It is full of school activities, me rushing to get Christmas Gifts done that my mom ordered for everyone and then hopefully just hopefully working on the kids projects for Christmas which I have no idea how at this point I will finish- well outside of Gods Help in the whole thing. I am thinking the kids might just have to wait, which I think they are really realizing at this point too.
Not sure what night is what except tonight... kind of a pick and choose as we go week

Monday-
biscuits with deer meat gravy and eggs
Tuesday-
French Toast
Wednesday-
Tuna Helper for the kids-
beans and cornbread for Paul and I
Thursday-
Waffles
Friday-
Spaghetti and garlic Bread
Saturday-
Hotdogs and hamburgers
Sunday- On your Own

Menu Monday

This week there is alot going on at the school, so menu meals with simplicity are key.

Monday-
Biscuits, deer sausage gravy and eggs
Tuesday-
Spaghetti with deer sausage meat sauce, garlic bread and brocolli
Wednesday-
Pancakes and eggs
Thursday -
Tuna Sandwiches (choir performance tonight)
Friday-
mini sausages wrapped in crescent rolls
Saturday-
Soup and Sandwiches
Sunday-
On Your Own

What am I Learning Friday

You know sometimes I find myself clueless as to what the lord wants. I know others have to feel the same at times also. I want so many things for my life. Some things are pretty normal, like being a good mom or wife or friend. I try to be one that is encouraging and loving and giving. I find myself often giving way to much of my time for things outside of our home. It is hard to balance it all isn't it?
I was sitting in church a couple Saturdays ago and I found I had this renewed deep desire to start a book that our Pastor and his wife wrote. It is called One Month to Live. It was written a while ago but I wanted to dive in. I find that often I am very discouraged in the morning or before I go to bed. Part of it I will admit is medical- the bipolar depression that lingers at times. However part of it very much is a spiritual battle too. I wanted something that would awake my system. I did get the first chapter in this week, I had hoped for the second one as well but we had a family crisis yesterday that deterred my attention. One thing that I found interesting was a question that was asked, What do you want your life to be like after reading this book.
My answers were fairly simple. Mainly a closer walk with Christ.
I find myself on my knees often in prayer more than ever as we are constantly looking for a way to pay for things, or provide certain things for our children and ourselves. I find that I have had to go out of my comfort zone and apply for jobs like being a waitress, or simply ask the Pastor for a job reference. One thing I never imagined was the love I have for volunteering at the school. How much it speaks to my spirit.
Watching these children at the book fair a couple weeks ago or at the Bulldog Store the school has shows me that we truly are not alone. That many are struggling with providing basic needs. I think in a way it is good to see that as it does not allow Satan to grab a hold of us.
This week the alternator in the truck went out and I did not know how we would pay for it, but we did. It did pull from money we had food wise but we just readjusted some things. I found it even more important to tithe.
The one thing I have learned from being out of work is that the children are really enjoying the extra time I have for them, whether it be up at the school or at home. I am grateful for this struggle because of this provision. My heart is always heavy when I have to miss something that they are in etc. For now that is not the case. I do want another job eventually but am finding myself cherish the moments I am being provided, to truly connect individually with each child. The younger two are in their last year of Elementary school. I feel God allowed this perfect timing to help me heal over the idea that I felt like a bad mom. I now recognize that is not the case at all. To have that be a lesson learned I feel will be very valuable as the world continues to press on about what the perfect mom is. I find that I am discovering what I can do to be that for myself. So while trial and tribulation may not be a joyful time, I do enjoy that I am finding the light in the midst of some of the darkness.

Thankful Thursday

We have been very busy with school, church and the holidays. With my laptop in the shop I find it hard to have time to write my blog for sure. The afternoons the kids "jockey" for the computer- either for homework or facebook games. So this post covers quite a bit and I fear I will leave quite a bit out too.
The 3 quilts that I made were just received and they were exactly what each girl will like to have. That is so wonderful as often I contemplate over quilt orders. I like the freedom in just knowing a theme and a few colors then creating what I feel will be great, but to hear that it will be liked by the person getting the gift that is amazing. Between the quilt orders and the Book fair at school and then normal activities I volunteer for I found myself sick most of last week. Partially exhaustion partially a cold. That has left me behind in some things I had hoped to have done.
The weather has really turned to winter I feel. I know this morning when I woke up I nearly froze just walking through the house to wake the younger two up. It was 50 degrees. I can't wait until this weekend when we are able to put blankets or plastic or something up over the windows to hopefully help restore some heat to the house. I am hoping to purchase Jakob a electric blanket as he is the only one without one. I think that will help the nights be a little more bearable as we continue another winter without heat in the house. One day I hope we can replace all the windows, but until then we need to be creative.
Our thanksgiving was great, we went to Paul's families house and had dinner. They took some pictures of families etc. I am still without a camera so we don't have our own copies. I am grateful for facebook as I was able to copy a few. I am hoping to get a hold of the ones with just our children soon. We did our own thanksgiving dinner Monday, a little late but it was wonderful. A friend from the kids school provided us with a turkey and a gift card so we were able to purchase the meal and then some other food. The children love a big feast. I think that will always remain our tradition as Paul and I both love to cook.
We have much to be thankful for as friends from the children's school or closer friends and their families continue to help provide for our needs. My one dear close friend had provided us with some money around our birthday and her parents just gave us a gift card which will allow for us to get groceries next week, it was a wonderful gift.
Yesterday something extraordinary happened. The weather has gotten so cold and our children did not have winter jackets. They have all grown so much, so either they did not fit or they just did not have one. I stopped in to visit a friend I had been trying to connect with yesterday and we were talking about the kids and Christmas and then the weather. Her and her husband decided that they would provide the children's winter coats. That was a huge burden lifted off our shoulders as it was a true need for them. This friend and I went shopping and after a couple of places that had none, we finally found the perfect jacket for each child. I loved just watching them try them on last night before church. I could see that they were extremely appreciative of such a kind gesture.
I am reminded so much of what this season is all about. As our everyone that has touched our lives recently I am sure. It is not about what you give but rather what we have in life through the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. Without Him we would have and be nothing. I see the news and it saddens me to see how so many families are just like us or worse. Trying to make it on one income in a time where that truly is nearly impossible. Yet with Christ all things are made possible. We continue to be faithful to our Lord and he continues to show us His provision, love and care. I feel truly blessed to have such wonderful people in my life that would take the step to allow God to provide for us through them. I do continue to pray for the Lord's Will with me finding a job, in the meantime I am at peace with the idea that He will provide for our ultimate needs, even something as simple as winter coats.