Thanksgiving Break 2014

We were fortunate enough to have Jakob home for thanksgiving. I could tell everyone deeply missed him~

This girly was one happy camper to have her brother home for a few days

They always crack me up

I am so thankful to have time together with everyone. I love laughter in our home.

Lots of yummy dinners

We even spent some nights with friends. 

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SuperBowl and Missing Daddy

Today was kind of strange. You wouldn't have known it was SuperBowl day in our house. It was pretty quiet, it was full of movies and good food. There wasn't a game on at all, no yelling at the TV, we had a pretty important guy missing from our picture this SuperBowl day. We still made the best of it though. We had some yummy food for sure!

Every birthday I try to dedicate the entire week to the child or adult for menu items. It used to be three meals a day but we have gotten pretty busy as they hit teenage years so its mainly dinners. We had to extend Zekaryah's into next week because with the cold weather the younger two stayed at friends houses a couple of nights to weather out the storm there were they could be much warmer- in houses with central heating. I made the best enchiladas for myself. They were three chicken tenders, a can of green chilis, a bag of spinach and a half package of mushrooms. I cooked that all down in a skillet and added about 1 1/2 tbsp of cheese to my rolled corn tortilla. Then I topped it with green enchilada sauce and some colby jack shredded cheese. Its nice at times that the kids don't like food items like this one, it means I have a few days of meals for lunch. I will be looking forward to that.

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Taking out time to Show Love

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
1 Corinthians 13:4-7

This morning I thought about how to show love to one another in our household. I wanted to think of each family member and do something for each of them. After setting up for a Tasty Tuesday at school where I brought Scarecrow Crunch for teachers and staff, I realized listening to these teachers thank us over and over for the yummy food items everyone brought, that this was more important then ever in my house.

"Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality."

Romans 12:9-13

This morning I went out and fed the quail again for my husband. I really don't like to do this, but I know that it shows him love.
I also made each of my childrens beds. I put new sheets on them and picked up their rooms just a little bit. They have been doing a great job at keeping their rooms tidy, but making their beds often is last on their list, since they get up at 5 to start their mornings. I know for me I like to have a nicely made bed when I climb in at night. I know many mothers would chastise me for not expecting my children to make their own beds. I find that it is something that I can do for them occasionally so I see it more as helping them rather than a nuisance.

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate."

Psalm 127:3-5

I am also going to make pancakes, bacon and sausage for dinner tonight and we will watch some tv together after dinner and homework too. If I can make it to the store before they get home I plan on making pumpkin cheesecake again for dessert, otherwise I will have to make due with the graham cracker crust I already have and make a mock pumpkin pie with what I have.
This season starts the holiday blues and I want to always remind them how much they are loved and cared for. That far outweighs all the things they do not get that their friends do for Christmas and Birthdays.
None of those physical items will matter at all later in life. They will remember the little things like made beds, desserts and family dinners over toys that are here today gone tomorrow.

What can you do for your loved ones today?

"

 

Life and Moments

Today I found a little bit of myself back in line with where I wanted to be. I didn't get motivation to clean the house, more because I know my husband wanted me to rest, wanted my oldest to rest because he wants this cold bug ridden from our home. I did find myself thinking about patterns to do some quilts, watching a movie with my oldest, who was home from school, and fussing at the kids to make sure they got their chores done, which they have not done in forever.
I also found myself completely thankful that I had the day off.
I didn't have to run to work this morning and leave a sick child at home alone- which he is 12 so he can manage a few hours while I work, but I hate that torn feeling as a mom. I also got to enjoy his company too. My oldest rarely ever gets sick. It has been a few years since he has stayed home from school. It was nice to be able to just lay back and watch a movie and just have some one on one time. What I felt silly about is, why does it take them getting sick for my world to stop for them?
I am fairly busy, yet you would never know by the condition of my house, because I am not busy with housework- it is a wreck right now. I do work part time outside the house caring for a woman, I do make quilts to sell online and to people that order from me outside of Etsy or Ebay. Yet there are times where it seems like life doesn't slow down enough to spend a few precious moments with them. Real moments where I am not on the laptop blogging or responding to emails, where I am not cutting fabric, or folding clothes while a movie is on.
So in a way I was given this sick day of his to remind myself that I need to still set time aside for them on my schedule during the week, not just on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays. Take a few moments and connect, maybe even in the same style that I do when my husband gets home. As they have gotten older it is harder to remember to ask about their day, or what they are learning in school. It is rush rush, they get home, get a snack, do a chore, do their homework, we eat dinner-as a family typically, then it is shower time and bedtime. Once in a while we might get a movie in or a 30 min show but yet just rush rush rush rush rush.
Sometimes my time with God can be the same way. I quickly read and am off and going to start whatever the day holds, so now I start my week with a refocused heart. To take time in ALL my Relationships- family, friends and most importantly God. I know I am not currently doing a devotional right now, or a bible study, my schedule has not permitted me to participate in anything right now. I may just find something I can do by myself at home though just for that added inspiration to stay focused and where my heart would like to be in trying to be that Proverbs 31 woman.
My verse for today:
Psalm 33:22May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.