Thanksgiving

Oh where oh where did I read it? Something about how when we do not give thanks to God, we cannot truly be happy because ... something about selfishness and unhappiness. Oh well. I will see if I can find it and write it here as eloquently as that person did (I am pretty sure it was a book I have as I have had little to no time on the computer).

We have been busy busy BUSY getting our house ready for Thanksgiving (we had a family over who also stayed the night with us) as well as ready for my mother's arrival in just a few days now!

My mom is not a Christian. Yet she has one of the most servant hearts I have ever witnessed. And since I grew up never having to do any housework, my house has sadly always shown that I do not know how to be a keeper at home. And so when my mom comes to visit, she always spend so much time cleaning my house for me. I am so thankful that I recently learned the importance of cleaning. This visit will be one where she can ENJOY us. There will still be dishes for her to do (after every meal) and laundry for her to help with (as the kids go through clothes daily), and if there wasn't, that servant spirit in her might drive her crazy. LOL!

It feels so GOOD to have the house clean! And to know that this time is different. This time it will only continue to get cleaner as we continue to declutter. I feel like I have finally been set free!

Which brings me back to thankfulness (see, I do have a point here). :)

We have been given so much. True, a lot of it is junk. We have not been very good stewards of the money God has given us. We spent money on lots of little things at garage sales and the house has become overrun with things. And so have our hearts. I especially notice it in the children (funny how our sin always seems worse on someone else). :) They have so much that they don't know what it means to be thankful.

I want to start gratitude journals for each of the girls. At the end of the day, before our family evenings start, we will write for a few minutes in our journals. Each sentence will start "I am thankful to God for..." and then they can fill in the rest. I want them to learn not just to be thankful, but WHO to be thankful to. I want them to know that EVERY good gift comes from the Father above.

Current Readings

Rethinking Christmas Traditions
This blog is one I like to visit when I have spare time and I am SO EXCITED about this new series she is doing. I am thinking this is just the first post of MANY!! Be sure to click on CHRISTMAS in my topics to find out what other great ideas there are for SAVING money this Christmas!!

Saturday Sweethearts: Keep It Clean

I was recently at a friend's house. We left and she cut our visit short saying she had to clean. I commented that her house was spotless. It was already clean. She laughed and said that she has learned after 13 years of marriage that this is what her husband NEEDS.

I found it interesting she used the word "need." You see, my husband has only recently in our last year of marriage complained of my attempt at keeping house. I never had to clean growing up, and yet, when we got married, I refused to allow my beloved to clean because I felt that was my responsibility.

Well I was (am still am in many ways) HORRIBLE at keeping house. I have piles of things here and there. I try with the best of intentions to make sure there are no dishes in the sink when I go to bed at night, but two days later there are dishes not only in the sink, but piled so high that they are overflowing onto the counter and being left at the table and piling up there too!

So I start a plan to make sure the girls keep things clean. A plan to make sure I keep things clean. But the girls and I always fall behind. And honestly, it is my fault.

But lately, I have felt convicted that I NEED to keep the house clean, for my beloved. It is something HE needs. The master bedroom is now almost all furniture and clothing and IT FEELS GREAT!!! The girls are really like the PEGS system for helping to remind them to keep things clean and when THEY keep things clean, it is easier for ME to keep things clean.

And you know what, my beloved is HAPPIER! He wants to be home. He has always wanted to be with us, his family. But now, now he wants to be HOME too. :) It is wonderful. I never would have known that a clean house would have made such a difference in my beloved. It is a motivation to keep it this way. And motivation for the kids to keep it this way too. :)

Three's Company ... Today's Doings

Since we did not have school yesterday (field trip), and my beloved has all next week off, AND we are having a family over for Thanksgiving AND my mom will be here just days afterwards .... there was no school today either in order to prepare and clean the house.

I have noticed that my children LOVE to be around others. They will talk your ear off if given the chance (thankfully the ladies at the nursing home LOVED having their ears talked off yesterday). They quite regularly talk Daddy's ear off! LOL!!

Someone mentioned a fear that they are not getting enough attention at home for them to be so needy of it from others. That was REALLY hard on me and has affected me for quite some time. I even asked a friend about it.

My children have individual date nights with Daddy and Mommy Daughter time. I spend alone time with each of the children, and they spend a LOT of time playing and enjoying each other. I do think though, that being in a larger family, they LOVE the company. They LOVE talking and interacting with others.

In fact, I noticed that they work BETTER in cleaning up when someone else is there with them. Not just Mommy supervising, but even each other, working together. They love to be social and interact with SOMEONE. :)

I know for myself, that I am a HUGE people person. I LOVE to be with and talk with others. And I especially LOVE being with my kids. I miss the NOISE when they are silent for too long. I love to hear them laughing. I love to hear them all talking at once in excitement as they each talk about what cereal they want, and would you please pass the milk. I love the clamor of everyone talking and getting dishes set on the table to start dinner. I love the business and gathering of our family. But yes, I also love seeing them SLEEP, or all sitting down reading quietly. Just don't stay quiet too long my little ones! Momma LOVES interacting with you!!!

Today's Doings

Today was a no school day. We met at a friend's house with several other girls the same age (5-8yr) and made cArds to bring to a local nursing home.

We went during the lunch time to hand out the cards. So we went from table to table talking, saying "Happy Thanksgiving" and shaking hands. Sadly, we had not made enough cards and a few went back to their room cardless. I will make sure next time to have extra cards that my girls made at home so we do NOT run out.

JJ was of course a HUGE hit with EVERYONE, even the older men! Most surprising was EE. She was SO talkative to EVERYONE! She was curtsying to all and listening and responding to everyone. She liked it so much, she wants to go back!!! I LOVE it! I think we are going to try to find a regular time to go. It was really nice for the girls to be with older women. I want them to have respect for their elders. EE was having so much fun that we were actually the last to leave! All the other moms and girls had left. LOL!!

Then it was shopping day. We got some good deals which was GREAT! But it took a long time, so by the time we got home, it was time to make dinner and head to bed. The children were all so well behaved. It was a good day today.

Merry WHAT??

It seems to come sooner and sooner every year. November barely begins and EVERYWHERE there is Christmas. Our Hobby Lobby is even in the process of marking down all fall and Thanksgiving items 60% off in order to make room for more Christmas stuff.

And yet, while every store in most every nation celebrates December 25th, more and more stores are removing the REASON. "Happy Holidays" ring through the stores with a "Don't wish anyone a Merry Christmas or lose your job!"

Wether you are a Christian or not, the reason the stores LOVES this time of year is for one and one reason alone - the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It brings the stores BILLIONS of dollars. Yet most fail to recognize WHY we celebrate at all.

Focus on the Family has started a campaign to find out which stores will wish you a Merry Christmas, which use it sparingly, and which stores are abhorrently opposed to Christmas (though will be more than happy to take your money for the season).

You can find the list here. It will be changing with updates regularly (so they said on the broadcast from Tuesday). I highly encourage you to print it out and bring it with you and not spend a dime in the stores that are so abhorrently opposed to Christmas. Spend your money and show your thanks to those stores who are willing to acknowledge what the season is about. (Be sure to watch the Merry Tossmass 2008 video while there!)

I want my children to not be afraid to wish others a Merry Christmas. I saw last year that my oldest, who is a little more observant of things, was reserved in wishing others a Merry Christmas. She even told her sister, who had just very enthusiastically wished someone a Merry Christmas, that we should not say that. OH how my heart broke. Of course I explained things to her, and we still need to talk about how we need to be a light in this ever growing darker world. But I think that this is a time for us to be a GREAT example to our children. Talking to them about WHY we are shopping at certain stores and not shopping at others. And what a great way to help our children focus on the meaning of the season by shopping at stores that acknowledge it!

Looking Forward to Christmas

It has always been tradition in our family (well, Brian and us) to not start playing Christmas carols until the day after Thanksgiving. (I believe his family is the same way, and we never played much music in our house, I cannot recall listening to Christmas carols except for Christmas morning.) But this year is different. Brian has already requested to bring out the Christmas CD's (and movies). I even notice that Christian radio stations are playing the music earlier than normal.

I cannot say why the Christian radio stations are doing it, but I know why Brian is doing it. We need something bright and hopeful to look forward to and celebrate.

The economy is in a major slump. Finances are tight for us (and everyone). Our house has depreciated so much in value that we are unsure how long we will have to live here before it gets back up to what we paid for it. We will soon have a new president who is the most pro-killing-babies (he used the word baby when talking about abortions) in history. We even got a letter from HSLDA (a legal organization which protects homeschoolers and their rights) warning of the troubles which are to come if Obama gets his way with international law (and the lose of parental rights nationwide). Not to mention what kind of laws he might try to pass regarding education.

I can see why so many people are depressed these days! I am so thankful that I have a God who is the same today as he was the day before the election, the day before the economy took a turn for the worse, the day after we bought our house. There is so much joy to be had in Him, that it seems so silly to be sad and depressed about anything.

I was reading a quote from a doctor during the late 1800's. He saw a lot of death. He was a STRONG Christian. He said that he never saw a worldly Christian pass peacefully and joyfully into death.

He went on to talk about how they clung to life. Their focus was/is in the wrong place. And I can see why the people of today are getting so depressed. Their focus is in the wrong place. Just like Peter was able to walk on water as long as he was focused on Christ. But when he took his eyes of Christ, and put it on the circumstances around him, he began to sink. Now I will admit that I can at times (most times) be a worldly Christian. I like things. I like to buy things. I hold onto things.

But God is changing me. I have learned SO MUCH in recent months. I am growing in my walk with Him (rather than being stagnant). I am learning to stop thinking things through so much and start praying things through instead. I am learning to seek God about purchases rather than frivolously spending money. And I am learning to use what I have and being a good steward of it. And I am learning, most importantly of all, to keep my eyes on Christ. I am so looking forward to Christmas this year too! :)

CUTE free crochet castle pattern

Complete with prince, princes, horse and dragon!!

Ravelry link
Link to pattern

I thought of you Rebecca when I saw this!!!

Idle Hands Be Gone (Today's Doings)

Today was a field trip. First, we bought food to bring to the local Rescue Mission (and got a free meal for every 2 cans of non-perishables we brought in). Then we went to a local Christian organization that helps end poverty in the name of Christ. It was awesome and really made an impact on the kids.

My broken toe has been hurting more than normal. I did press myself this weekend in cleaning, so that might have something to do with it. I really want to clean the house before my mom arrives in three weeks.

It has been SOOOO nice not having idle hands!!! I never realized just how much time I had been wasting on the computer until I put the computer in a room of the house that was not so easily accessible. I have been able to make more potholders (Ravelry Link). I just LOVE these potholders!!!! And my new FAVORITE thing (that I have been waiting for my camera card so I can take pictures for you, but feel I just HAVE to share with you NOW) are TAWASHIES!

So what are tawashies? TO WASHI the dishes of course!!! But seriously. These things are GREAT!! There is a VERY simple pattern out there for a spiral scrubbie (ravelry link to mine with notes, and a direct link to pdf). These things may look like they don't work, but they DO!! Incredibly well!! I love these things!! And they work up so fast and easy!! They use so little yarn! These things have been GREAT on my cast iron! I use it on my pizza stone and my one piece of coveted Le Creuset (which I got at an estate sale for $15!). ALL with FANTASTIC results! I use it on the counter, tile, and bathroom - these things are THE BEST! When they need cleaning, I throw them all (but the special one for cast iron that sometimes gets really greasy) in the washing machine! The cast iron, greasy one, I throw in the dishwasher, or because these are so fast and easy to make, I just throw it out and make a new one. They also worked GREAT on baked on grease (with little soap or water). In fact, they are so loved in Japan because they do work so well with little soap and need little water!

I am currently taking pre-orders (yes, I will be selling these beauties for those who don't want to make them) in fantastic autumn colors or Christmas green and red and gold. 3 for $8 (that includes shipping). Just let me know your color preference in the comments, how many you are wanting (in sets of three please) as well as your email. It will NOT be published. :)

I have also had time to READ! I LOVE to read!!! I am currently reading Stepping Heavenward (which I got FREE on Paperback Swap) as well as a little booklet a friend loaned me called The Tribulation and The Church. I am am also able to read my Bible more, which is WONDERFUL!!! And most importantly of all, I am enjoying my children more. We are doing even more together. And it is wonderful!

NEW Awesome way of getting GOOD Christian materials (and FREEBIES TOO!!!!)

For those of you who have not yet heard (although I am sure everyone has by now), Vision Forum has a new way to buy Christian media (books, CD's, videos, etc.). It is Behemoth and it is WONDERFUL!!!

They have new freebies EVERY DAY that they are giving away! You DO have to enter your credit card to become a member (though membership is free) and I have been a member for two weeks now (only getting the freebies thus far) and have not had a charge on my card.

So head over and get some AWESOME and good Biblical teaching, for FREE. And the prices there are AWESOME!! I just wish I had the money to spend. :) Gotta save up! There are some things I am REALLY wanting. I LOVE Vision Forums products!!

Current Web Readings

I have been so busy with my Today's Doings and not being idle with my hands, not to mention the fact that I do not have easy access to the laptop anymore (moved it out of our bedroom), I have been getting so much done and have NO READINGS! LOL!!!

Saturday Sweethearts: Snack Time

My beloved works from home. And sometimes, that means working through lunch. But that doesn't mean he doesn't get hungry. And sadly, he usually snacks on sweets.

So the other day I noticed one of those Tupperware snack trays (you know the one where you put carrot sticks, celery sticks and other veggies and then have a dip in the center). I cannot bring myself to get rid of it because we do use it prolly once a year (if that).

So I thought what better way to make sure my beloved is snacking on healthy things than to fill this up with healthy snacks!

You can also do this for your beloved if he comes home from work and has to work late, or if you are going to be gone for the day with the kids and knows he is apt to snack.

Some ideas (besides the already known veggies and dip):
Bread cubes and dip (can be olive oil and herbs or a creamy cheese dip)
Cheese squares
Olives
Pretzels
hard boiled eggs
popcorn
scones
mini muffins

Can you think of other ideas?? I want to keep this fresh for my beloved.

Today's Doings (and a bit on what I want for my children)

I hope that most of you were able to attend the second day of the Mother/Daughter conference. I know that yesterday I was incredibly blessed by the speakers!!

School: Bible, Hymn (Amazing Grace), History, Math, Reading, Writing

What I did: I added more books to my Library Thing (see left hand sidebar near the bottom), organized more books, cleared out several things from the Master Bedroom (per my plan, but I realize now that with my broken toe, I cannot do as much as I would like as quickly as I would like, so hopefully by Thanksgiving our Master Bedroom will be only furniture and clothing.) I also did two loads of laundry (hanging one to dry overnight).

It feels so good cleaning and getting things down to necessities. It also helps me realize just how much wasteful spending I have done on things that were NOT needed. It is so neat to see this rubbing off on the girls. AA told me today that when she gets married and has her own house she is only going to bring into it things that are needed. I told her a few wants were OK, but that it is good to focus mostly on needs. :) I have told all of my girls that I want so much more for them than what I have. Not material wise, but spiritually. I want them to be good keepers at home. I want them to go into marriage knowing how to keep a home and not struggle like I have (and do).

I must admit that I get so angry with moms that say "someday I hope you have a kid just like you!" They say it in frustration because their child has been a frustration to them. I think EVERY GOOD mother would want MORE for their children. That they would want the BEST for their children. I pray for my grandchildren. I pray that they will learn to follow and love the Lord from the EARLIEST age possible (which means that prayerfully, they will never have a child that gives them the grief that I sometimes get and that I KNOW I gave my own mother).

I was reading a really good article that talks about how now America has become a country in which Christians need to be missionaries. We can no longer just live and not let others know about Jesus.

I remember when I first became a Christian. I was a freshman in college. I met a most amazing man (my now husband) who, though life was treating him horribly, spoke about hope and joy. It took almost one full year of fighting (yes FIGHTING - I thought I WAS a Christian, after all, I was born in America) before I came to know the truth. God was VERY gracious to me, and I asked Brian to pray with me to accept the Lord as my God and Savior. I gave my heart and life to Him (although I know that I do not do Him justice with it, sinful creature that I am). My happiest day without the Lord is equivalent to my saddest day WITH Him. I can have joy in the sorrow and peace in storms. Do I still struggle with faith and trust.. oh yeah.

But I want MORE for my children. I want them to struggle now, in a safe environment, so that they can be strong and mighty arrows for Jesus as they grow and meet others. Others who do not know the saving grace (and peace and JOY) of a personal relationship with Jesus. I want to be a light so they can burn even BRIGHTER than I do.

This world is so lost. This past election was a huge wake-up call for both Brian and myself. And I agree with the author in the article linked above. We can no longer live like we are in a Christian country blessed by God (like it was when our founding fathers wrote and signed the constitution of the United States). While our country is not impoverished like some third world countries (at least not yet), we are living in the same spiritually impoverished circumstances.

I remember reading about missionaries who had a zeal for God. Going into third world countries and spreading the gospel and leading others to Christ. They would (and many did) die in order to save just one person. While it is not that bad here (yet), it is amazing the vileness that comes toward me for just mentioning Jesus. And it will only get worse. I want my children to be steadfast, standing on Jesus as the solid rock, so that when the nasty attitude towards Christians becomes even worse, they will be able to stand strong and firm and be a light in such a dark dark world.

I am sorry to go on and on. Although I am pretty sure that very few of you actually read all of this. My blog is for me and my children, and if there is anyone out there who is reading and blessed by anything I have to share, then to God be the glory. I just felt I needed to write this down for my children's sake. Thanks for letting me ramble.

Girlhood Conference

Well bummer of bummers. They changed from talkshoe (a format that a person with a Mac can use) to a different format that is not Mac compatible. :( So I will not be able to participate today. BUT YOU CAN (if you don't use a Mac).

Here is the url:
Mother Daughter Conference
Name of Room: Girlhood Talks
Password: chatnow  

Today's Doings

Well, today (and tomorrow) I am taking part in a teleconference on raising daughters. I will **TRY** to put up the link tomorrow morning (it starts at 9CT) if I get a hold of it (it is not the same as today's was). So today was "movie and exploration day" for school. I got movie days in public school, why can't they kids have movie day at home school? :D

But I did manage to run some errands (which includes FINALLY mailing off my mother/daughter swap package to my partner), get two loads of laundry done and organize some more books (adding them to my Library Thing (see left hand column, somewhere near the bottom). As far as wanting to get things done in the bedroom, I DID NOT FORGET!! :) I removed some of my crochet items and yarn and sewing things. I also moved the computer out of the bedroom. I think that will be a big help in getting things done AND give me less time on the computer (which I really should take). Now to goto bed and put my foot up because my toe is REALLY hurting. :(

Today's Doings

I find it difficult to just sit in front of the computer anymore. I don't like having idle hands! Even though I am reading and learning, I find so much more joy in DOING! And there is just something less idle about reading an actual book than reading blogs/articles on the computer.

School: Bible, Math, Writing, Reading (and reading and reading and ... LOL!!!)

What I did today: I have been working on trying to teach AA to crochet. She just can't do it. Knitting is no problem for her, but crocheting is a bit difficult. I did three loads of laundry. I have been listening to an audio book It's All Too Much that I believe I first heard about on The Homespun Heart. I made a plan for the Master Bedroom which I hope to start implementing tomorrow and be done by the end of the week. Of course, there will still need to be fine tuning (like getting rid of clothes that no longer fit and such), but there will be only clothing and furniture in the master bedroom by the end of the week (hopefully Friday, but maybe not until Saturday). And of course I got more crocheting in. I made and gave gifts to the closest neighbors. More on that to come. :)

Fingerless Gloves

I must say I never understood WHY people would make these things? I mean, isn't the point of making a GLOVE to keep warm?

Well, now I understand! Keeping the wrist and arm warm is so important!! It does help keep you warm!

I am SO LOVING Ravelry. If you have not signed up yet, it is FREE and SO TOTALLY WORTH the wait (yes, there is a short waiting period to get in. MUCH shorter than when I joined, I had to wait months!)

Anyways, I came across the most ADORABLE wristies (Ravelry link) for children while on there. There is a group called One Skein Crochet that has some GREAT projects! I found this one on there.

So many plans, so many CUTE projects. Now it is just a matter of DOING it. :)

Today's Doings

I hate noticed that the more I do, the more I want to do.

School: Bible, Hymn (Amazing Grace), Math, Science, Writing, Reading

What I did: 4 loads of laundry and then I 90% reorganized and 90% decluttered one room in the house - the TV room. I brought up a bookcase from the basement (umm... what to do with the massive books that WERE on there will have to be thought about later, much much later) and put the movies, CDs, DVDs and so forth on it. It was GREAT to be able to see all the DVD's we have (we have a lot of educational DVD's that we have not been able to watch because we did not know we had them). :) AND it was nice being able to see all the CD's we have (I have a lot of CD's)!

What is GREAT about having done this is that now we can see EVERYTHING and go through and declutter even more! Getting rid of DVD's and CD's we don't watch or care for any more. It will also allow us to enjoy what we DO have. ALSO, I brought up books that deal with games and FAMILY time. So that way we can have NON-TV stuff in the same area. :)

Current Web Readings

Those of you lucky (yes, I said LUCKY) enough to live near a kudzu plant, here are a few links that might be of interest to you:
Kudzu - the new biodiseal fuel
Article including how to make kudzu root starch
The Book of Kudzu
You Tube Video How to Make Kudzu Blossom Jelly
Kudzu World

I need to remember to check this out:
Mallowmallow Smores (that was an old lin, this is the new link - to ANYONE reading. I am unable to find a copy of his book for sale ANYWHERE! Can you help me find a copy?

Hadriness Zone Changes
A video showing how the hardiness zones have CHANGED (yes, your zone might not be what it was ten years ago).

Create A Thankfulness Calendar for November
I LOVE THIS IDEA!!! I just wish I had read about it sooner. But there is no time like the present to start! Maybe even continue it all the way to Christmas! I know that sometimes in the hustle of the holiday it is hard to take time to rest in Him and give thanks! :)

Today's Doings

School: Bible, Hymn (I'll Fly Away), History/Christian Biographies (George Muller), Math, Art, Home Economics, Writing, Reading

I feel bad because I did not get much done today. Because of my over-doing it yesterday (thinking because my toe felt better, I could catch up on all that had NOT been done), I have been having to take pain meds (I HATE having to take pain meds) since 2AM. :(

But I did manage to have a LOT of tying strings with the kids today!!! :D LOTS of giggles and tickles and smiles. JJ put on a puppet show (and everytime he made the cow growl, all of us girls screamed and huddled together, which only made him smile bigger and bigger). AA is making a doll house from old cereal boxes. And we are planning an old fashioned knitting bee at our house for next week on Friday.

I made my bed, caught up on some reading, folded the laundry I hung up yesterday and put it away, made dinner (all from things I already had in my pantry), and I tidied JJ's room (this HAS to be kept up because of his reactive airway disease). I also got some crocheting done and am SO EXCITED to share with you (in a future post, this project NEEDS pictures) all about what I am crocheting! These things are FABULOUS! SO quick and easy to make and SO USEFUL!!! I just love 'em!

Things I am thankful for:
How BEAUTIFUL my girls sound when they sing together! I think it is more a heart thing because I know they will never sell get any recording contracts (if you know what I mean). :D
JJ LOVES to sing. It was so cute hearing him try to sing along this morning during hymn time!!!
That I have a foot. Even though I never knew the FIERY pain of a broken toe could be so debilitating, I am thankful I still have a foot!

To Vaccinate or Not To Vaccinate

I will start by saying that I know that this is a VERY personal decision. I know several people who vaccinate out of fear because they know someone or there is someone in the family who got a horrible disease that COULD be prevented with the vaccine.

I will say that the decision to (or not to) vaccinate should NEVER be made out of fear. You need to do your research.

That being said, there is a brand new forum where people on BOTH sides calmly debate the issue. And parents were able to ask questions.

Rather than pointing you to the forum, I am point you to the post where I learned about the forum.

Where To Begin

Today's Doings

Not that I will do this EVERY day, but for now and hopefully more frequently than once I week, I want to write a short post about what I did during the day. Hopefully to come with pictures in the future.

School: Bible, hymns (I'll Fly Away), Catechism, copywork, history (election), reading
School is cut short due to MM being sick and needing LOTS of Mommy time
Encouraged the girls in cleaning kitchen (they did a REALLY good job, I am so proud of them!)
Girls wrote letters and did art
I cleaned up part of the closet, hung my clothes and organized all my sweaters, did two loads of laundry (hanging one to dry), organized the entire pantry, changed the menu for the week to fit to use what we already had in pantry, organized two sets of cupboards, did the dishes, cleaned the sink and then had to stop because I was not taking care of my broken toe and it was now hurting

Things I am thankful for:
I have four beautiful children whose smiles brighten my every day
I have a Lord who is still on the throne!
I did something today!

Doing

I have come to the conclusion that the reason that I read and read and READ so many blogs is because I fear that I cannot do it. In reading about the life that I HOPE to live (more simple, hand making more things, gardening, preserving, etc.), I wonder where the time is. Where does it go? And then I realize that I am keeping myself from having the time because I spend so much time reading about it instead of doing it. I am afraid to fail.

I keep rationalizing that I need to read more and more and MORE about it. Saturating myself with knowledge before I jump in and do it. But in doing so, I realize that there is always one more thing to read and one more thing to learn. And nothing ever gets done, and a sort of depression seeps in. Not because I envy the life of others, but because I know, deep down inside, that I am preventing myself from having that life.

It is always one more thing. I need to know more, have more, read more. Where is the contentment and PEACE in that? My God is a God of peace and contentment. Whenever those two elements are missing in my life, it should be a little... no BLARING alarm that I am NOT right with God.

Honestly HE should be my ALL IN ALL. I should be seeking Him daily as to what He would have me do today. And yet, in an effort to try to do what **I think** would please and honor Him, I do not consult Him on the matter.

And I can see the effect this is having on my kids. They are like me, really wanting to do something, but never doing it. There is lots of talk about it, and even looking through books to learn more about it. But then nothing comes of it. And I know that I can see my oldest two getting deeply frustrated when things do not go their way. And I sit them down and comfort them and talk with them. That is their blaring alarm from God that they need to stop and pray and follow Him.

I can tell that my talks are helping because I do hear them suggesting to ME that I should pray more often. LOL! But it is always easier to see the speck in someone else's eye than the log in one's own eye. They do forget to stop and pray themselves. But prayerfully in reminding me, they will learn from me, and listen when Mommy reminds THEM. :)

I need to DO more and stop worry and going over everything in my head. If I am afraid to make mistakes, my children will grow up learning to be afraid to make mistakes. And as the THINKERS I am trying to raise them to be, they have to learn to LEARN from their mistakes (which cannot happen if they never make any). And it would be SO MUCH BETTER for them to make mistakes NOW, in a safe environment where they can be trained, than to get out into the world, and make mistakes and be bashed for them.

And to place a desire in my children's hearts (and mine) to seek Him. Not just daily prayers of praise and thanks to Him. Not just prayers asking for help and protection and guidance. But prayers in which we SEEK Him. Seek His will for each one of us each day.

PLEASE GO VOTE! (Updated with video and prayer)

PLEASE do NOT forget to vote!!!!

(video below, this will really help give you peace on a day like today, I got it in the mail from a friend)



A prayer for the election.

But I think this VERY POWERFUL prayer by Daniel is so very powerful, even for today. PLEASE take time to read it:

In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the lineage of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans— in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the LORD through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.

Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made confession, and said,

“O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments, we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments. Neither have we heeded Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings and our princes, to our fathers and all the people of the land. O Lord, righteousness belongs to You, but to us shame of face, as it is this day—to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, those near and those far off in all the countries to which You have driven them, because of the unfaithfulness which they have committed against You.

“O Lord, to us belongs shame of face, to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, because we have sinned against You. To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him. We have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets. Yes, all Israel has transgressed Your law, and has departed so as not to obey Your voice; therefore the curse and the oath written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against Him. And He has confirmed His words, which He spoke against us and against our judges who judged us, by bringing upon us a great disaster; for under the whole heaven such has never been done as what has been done to Jerusalem.

“As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us; yet we have not made our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities and understand Your truth. Therefore the LORD has kept the disaster in mind, and brought it upon us; for the LORD our God is righteous in all the works which He does, though we have not obeyed His voice. And now, O Lord our God, who brought Your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and made Yourself a name, as it is this day—we have sinned, we have done wickedly!

“O Lord, according to all Your righteousness, I pray, let Your anger and Your fury be turned away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people are a reproach to all those around us. Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of Your servant, and his supplications, and for the Lord’s sake cause Your face to shine on Your sanctuary, which is desolate. O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies. O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name.”

Job Jars

I saw a post about Job Jars on Tip Junkie about a month ago and wanted to do it!

You see, I have been struggling with schedules. I cannot ever seem to make them stick.

But I was recently encouraged by Crystal with getting 5 things done, the same things done, everyday by a certain time. I CAN DO THAT! THE KIDS CAN DO THAT!

So I combined the two, and put 5 sticks into each jar with 5 things the girls were to do.

It did not work.

Firstly, the jars we used we cans and NOT see through (I am thinking that would make a BIG difference). And secondly, I am just NOT motivated/with it enough to remind them to get their things done.

We got a PEGS system which a friend found at a GARAGE SALE of all places for $10! It is the smaller board, and I am not certain it has EVERYTHING. But it has a LOT. I just need to put it all together and put it UP so the kids can SEE IT and remind THEMSELVES to do it. PLUS, this is MUCH easier for me to see and see if a child has done something.

So now I finally have the motivation to get this thing UP and working so that things will be going in time for Thanksgiving. Right before my mother is scheduled to arrive. Maybe this time the house will be so clean, she will have nothing to do but sit back, relax and enjoy her grandchildren!!! :)

Current Web Readings

Handcrafted Christmas: Signs
OK, yes, I LOVE Monica's blog! She always has great stuff on there. I have been enjoying her Handcrafted Christmas series, but REALLY liked her one on signs. SHE IS SO CREATIVE!

The Woman's Guide to herbal Medicine
This book is AMAZING! It is hailed by most in the herbal community as a must have resource. Sadly, it has been out of print. But the author has put the whole book online FOR FREE! WOO HOO!!! Go and grab it while you can!!! :)

Three Sisters Garden
We recently ate a meal called Three Sisters. It was corn, squash and beans. Add maple syrup and walnuts and YUMMO! So I tried to find the recipe online and instead found a new way of gardening! This is SO NEAT! I love the lessons as well as the how to save seeds to replant the following year.

Happy Hearts Homeschool Library
YES, you CAN homeschool for FREE! This homeschooling mom is AMAZING! She finds the BEST books that are FREE online that can be used for homeschooling! She even has categories so you can search!! WOW OH WOW!! This is a MUST have resource for the frugal homeschooling mom like me!!! :) I have already put this into my RSS feed reader!!

Making It On One Income
I am so LOVING this new blog!! (Well, new to ME!) This post is EXCELLENT and has some ideas I had not thought of before!

Tea Bag Rockets

7 steps to reducing TV time
GREAT ideas and links!

Another Month Long of Sewing

My favorite site Sew Mama Sew is hosting their annual HANDMADE HOLIDAYS: 30 DAYS OF GIFTS TO SEW.
Be sure to head over EVERY DAY (starting today) to see AWESOME gifts ideas EVERY DAY! And be sure to comment on their daily posts for your chance to WIN WIN WIN! :)
LOVE me some Sew Mama Sew!!!