It is a BEEEA-UTIFUL Day!!!

If there was such a thing as a perfect day...today would rank right up there! The weather is absolutely gorgeous...nice and cool in the house and shade...but if you are chilly...the sun is there to warm you up quickly! Our schooling is done for the day and the kids have finished their chores. After a lunch of tomato soup and grilled cheese, out they went to play in the fresh air! Clothes are out on the line....drying easily with the slight breeze and warm sun!

And....I found a sign of fall!!! Woooohooo! (I like to pretend that fall officially starts on September 1st...which is tomorrow!!! YAY!)

Enjoyed walking around some outside...enjoying the gorgeous weather! This is definitely one of my favorite kind of days!!! :)

Madelyn worked hard on her schoolwork today! (Yes...she is wearing a winter hat..hehe)

Last evening, we went to my aunt's house to celebrate my uncle's birthday and my cousin's 18th birthday! We had a nice time! Thought it was going to rain..but after some sprinkles, it was a beautiful evening. We made mountain pies and hotdogs and really enjoyed our time!

My mom and Chris rode horses from mom's house to my Aunt Lori's....I'm not sure how many miles it is between the two...maybe 10 or so...? Give or take? But you get the idea ;). They both love to ride and I know they both enjoyed it and having someone to ride with! Once they met us at my aunt's house...the kids wanted to ride too!

Xavier on Super, the horse....and Jaxson on Coby. Heehee, my lil cowboys!


And Madelyn on Super. My lil cowgirl! :o)

Jaxson and Madelyn loved being on the horses and wanted to go around and around...X, though, wanted to stay off of them...he feels safer on the ground! :) He got on for a minute and let me take a picture...but then wanted down soon after :).
Here's my handsome guy sitting around the fire....

I love when we can spend time talking and such with good friends and family :). Don't you? I am just so thankful for the enjoyable days God gives us. I know life isn't always *perfect* but even enjoying the little things...like dew drops on a red leaf and small voices outside...playing and laughing...make each day have a little bit of sweetness to it that makes even the seemingly "not so enjoyable" days actually end up bright! :)

Here in a couple of hours, I have to take the van to get inspected (today is the last day I have to do that...eek...good thing my dad owns a garage and can fit me in! Whew!). I also have to do my van's registration too....it runs out today....goodness! Each year, the end of August seems so crazy...with my birthday...other family birthdays, my vehicle registration and inspection always needing renewed at this time, beginning of schooling...AND..this year I had to renew my license as well! LOL Quite zaney 'round these here parts as August breathes its last for the year and September rolls in. :)

Thanks for stopping for a visit with me. I always enjoy it! :) I hope you do too! I hope you are enjoying a gorgeous day like we are in PA...and if not, I hope you are making the best of whatever weather you are experiencing. (A game, a good book or my knitting needles are best friends of mine on a rainy day!) Happy Monday!

" Education is not the filling of a pail,

...but the lighting of a fire. "
William Butler Yeats

All three kiddos have a desk now thanks to a family friend. I first mentioned the new desk HERE. Now it is in the schoolroom and being well used!
Schooling has been going super well the past few days as I have stayed in prayer about it all and felt that God is truly giving me patience and strength to make it through each day. :) I praise Him for a sense of peace I have had lately. It makes teaching with my children a pleasure! :)
Times are still difficult...there is still some whining at times and such...but with the tools God has placed in his Word...especially the verses on truly *loving* one another...I am handling things with patience instead of anger. It's a daily prayer of mine to continue the rest of my life with the peace I have felt as of late! :)

After we do our schooling in the morning...the kids get to work on their chores. I started making lists for each of them daily. I specialize it to each one of them...they each need to keep their beds made and rooms cleaned. Then I will think of things that need done during the day that they can be assigned. Such as putting away folded clothes, cleaning windows, helping to dust etc. They (so far) seem to like their individual lists. They aren't allowed to play or do anything fun till each thing is checked off by mommy. It is working really well for us! :) Sometimes....especially Xavier...they need a little prodding...but I like not having to "nag"...it's on the list..and it needs done. Period. :) (Each list only contains between 4-8 chores are so...and all things each of them can do according to their ability!) ;o) I also get most of my chores done in the morning.

This leaves the afternoon for playing, games, bike riding, reading, laughing, naps and such. :) Then when it is almost time for Chris to get home from work, along with starting supper, I do a quick tidy up around our home...just to make sure it is comfortable and relaxing for Chris when he gets home! :) Nothing better *in my opinion* than coming home to a relaxing, clean, and inviting home after a long, hard day at work!

The kids are working hard at their lessons...but doing well. I feel My Father's World is still going slow at the moment for X...but I just kinda want to stay at their pace for a bit. Maybe it will pick up and get a lil harder as time moves along! :o)

I hope you all have an absolutely lovely weekend! I am not sure what it holds for me and my family...but no matter what, we will enjoy it! My cup runneth over! ;) Warm wishes for a great Friday! :o)

A man's children and his garden...

...both reflect the amount of weeding done during the growing season.
~Author Unknown

The kids did some weeding yesterday and Oh my...they did a wonderful job! (Especially Madelyn! WOW!) I know how horrible they look right in these pics...but the weeds just got away from me. Although I don't have a pic of it right now...all the weeds are gone! Madelyn did most of it and just amazed me at her thoroughness! I praised her and thanked her abundantly! :)

Free Weeds
U Pick 'Em
~Author Unknown

I was in the kitchen, cleaning, with the windows open in there and heard the kids get super excited...they had found a toad while weeding! What a treat! He was a pretty big guy too! :)
The kids desperately wanted to keep him...but I explained to them that his home was outside...that's where he liked to be. :)

Below is a pic of a new desk for our schoolroom! I have it in there now and it looks so nice! I will be sure to update with pics sometime soon! A dear friend from church gave it to us. Isn't it absolutely fantastic?? I love it!!


And...I need to add...the past few days of homeschooling (and life at home in general) have been going really well! I have been in prayer about needing the strength, patience and peaceful spirit to be the kind of mother and teacher that I wanted to be. I have read scripture...focusing on love. 1 Corinthians 13 tells us that love is patient, kind, and hopes and believes all things. It isn't proud or rude or self seeking. I talked to the older two kiddos about this...how it applies to each of us (myself included the most) and how we should be loving each other daily...and how we accomplish this. There have still been trials and such...but so far things have been handled well and have not grown into yelling or too much frustration. I am so thankful for the strength God has given us to improve this situation. I seek Him daily. He is the reason for the peace in my home. :) It's not always *easy* to stay patient and kind...but it is possible! :)


AND....oh my goodness...look what came in the mail yesterday!! I was sooo thrilled! I had won this clothespin bag at the Prairie Flower Farm's Blog. It is soooo cute and perfect! I absolutely adore it. There were a bag of clothespins with it (attached beautifully) and also a sew travel sized kleenex holder was sent with it! (Right in my purse that went!) It was all sent with a beautiful lil note and packaged with care. HERE is a link to their store. They have such beautiful items there. Know that what you get from there is truly quality. :) I think these market totes are soo cute!

Look at the fabric on the clothespin bag I won...isn't it tooo cute? *and sooo ME, I might add!* Love, love, love it!!! Thanks Linda!!!! :o)

And just cuz it is cute....a pic of the boys playing at the "dirt pile" outside yesterday! :) *Jax's toe is doing well. It's stitched and healing and protected at all times with a sock on it!*

Thanks so much for coming by! I really appreciate it! I better get moving! Lots to accomplish today! Sending warm wishes your way!! Happy Thursday! :o)

Five Lil Stitches in One Lil Piggie...

Well...Jaxson had a trip to the ER today. That's my mom in the pic above with him. He was out playing and sliced his toe on something. (I saved you from the gory pic!)

He ended up having to get 5 stitches. He was such a trooper. He cried alot when it first happened and I was holding paper towels on it to stop the bleeding (which seemed to go on forever!). But he calmed down a bit and by the time we were at the ER...he was smiling and talking more!

The doctor and nurses were really nice :). The worst part for Jax was when they were numbing it...it hurt him so much. (the dr warned us it would)...but after that...while they stitched him up..he was fine...chatting with me and *grammie*.


The stitches are in for 7-10 days and then we will have to go have them taken out by his doctor. Jaxson's greatest worry about it all was that he can't wear his flip flops for a few days! ;) Socks and shoes for the next week! :) *Fortunately, I think he will survive!*

And...the sweetie that he is...he got 3 stickers for being such a big boy and know what he did? Gave one to me, one to my mom and then kept one. Wasn't that sweet of him? I love that boy! ;)

28 years and counting.....

“Pleas'd to look forward, pleas'd to look behind,
And count each birthday with a grateful mind.”
- Alexander Pope

Today is my 28th birthday :). I am so grateful for the years I have been given. Since my sister lives about an hour away..it was easier for her and her hubby, Cory, to come celebrate with us last night..so we had a birthday dinner at my mom's last evening. :) It was a great time...great food, great family....I am so blessed! :)

I was also fortunate to receive some really thoughtful gifts! The *not so flattering-but only one I have* pic of me below is while opening the knitting book my sister got me. And then I opened the gift from my parents and it was all the supplies to make one of the projects in the book! :) (And a gift card to JoAnn Fabrics--Be Still My Heart!!!)

So...as I am sure most of you know...the world just keeps on going...birthday or not. So we still have schooling and housework to do around the home. And...here it seems that August is the month we need vehicle registrations done, inspections of our vehicles, and other things that require my attention...including I have to renew my driver's license tomorrow...oh joy... ;).

So the day will continue with me a lil older. :) My mom called this morning (we talk every morning anyway) and asked to take me and the children to lunch. Isn't she kind? She payed for my lunch the other day and also made supper for me and everyone last evening. It's like enjoying an extended birthday! :o) See what I mean...? I am *truly* blessed.

Not sure if Chris has anything planned for this evening. Last evening, after we got home from my mom's, and the kids were in tucked in bed, he and I played a game of Yahtzee. I love playing games and enjoyed the time with him! :)

OH...and I don't know if this was a universal sale at all JoAnn Fabrics or just the one near us...but Saturday...they had a sale on Simplicity patterns! 5 for $5!! I spent under $20 at JoAnn's (to get some things to make Madelyn a skirt and top with my sister) and saved almost $80!!! Isn't that awesome??? I was so thrilled! I love a great sale, don't you?

Well....I better skee-dattle. Lots to do today and time keeps on ticking...one second at a time! I hope you all have a wonderful start to your week! :)

Homeschooling has it's bad days too....

The only way to learn strong faith is to endure great trials.
~George Muller

God loves with a great love the man whose heart is bursting with a passion for the impossible.
~William Booth

I have a confession. It's a horrible little secret I don't like to admit. Are you *sure* you are ready to hear it? It may change your whole view of me...but I need to be honest. Here it is: I think....although I try sooo hard...that I am not doing a very good job as a mother. :(

This isn't a post for me to whine...just to admit that my kids bicker sometimes, they don't clean up after themselves sometimes and quite often...have to be asked more than once to do something. I study my Bible, I pray, I cry to my mom and Chris....I am constantly trying to train them better. I strive daily to be a better wife, mother and woman....but alas...I feel as though I fail most of the time.

Today with schooling, Madelyn was difficult. Sometimes I feel like it is a battle I can't win. I try gentleness, patience, anger, stern....all to really no avail. I don't expect perfection from my children...and honestly...they are wonderful children. Very *busy* little ones...but with big hearts and a curiosity for life. But we have moments where I just cry out to God asking "What am I doing wrong?". I want to raise disciplined, loving, kind, respectful, fun, Godly children.

We spend time together, reading, playing yahtzee (a new found fave game for us) etc. Is it possible that they spend too much time with me? Am I not being firm enough....or maybe too firm with them? I can't seem to find the right balance. God has entrusted these children to me...but I truly struggle with how to teach/train them the correct way sometimes. This makes me feel like such a failure as a mother and pierces me deeply. I have such a strong desire to be a wonderful mother.

Our wonderful moments outweigh the negative ones...but I still *wish* for fewer negative things to happen. I try to watch my own behavior so that I am a good example to them....I am now at a loss on what else to do. Maybe my expectations are unrealistic? Sometimes I would just love my children to sit and be obedient like Amish children can be. I seek to train them that way....but am not quite sure how they do it??

I am a very imperfect person. I figured sometimes I need to reveal that in my blog so I don't seem as something I am not. :) Ok....that's a bit 'o my heart for you.....now onto happier things.....


**On the bright side...I do have some fun news. X lost another tooth today....(as seen in the top pic) He was so pleased! This all happened while my mom spent time with the kids as I went in town to get....a cell phone. *gasp* Yes, I have moved into the 21st century. I can hardly believe it myself! It's really pretty...hehe...and I will feel more secure if I am out with all the children in the van and we would happen to break down or something. :)

Madelyn and X both have summer birthdays...as a gift from my Aunt Nance who lives a few hours away...she sent each of them $15 to pick something out for themselves. They each got a few things....and one thing they each got was a new umbrella! Oh were they ever thrilled! They absolutely LOVE having their own umbrellas and were using them *even without rain* last evening. Jaxson had fun using X's *to shield him from the sun* while X played in the dirt pile.

I love this little area outside where the kids play. They will ask me "Mama...can we go outside and play in the dirt pile?"...and this is the place they are referring to. I will be sad when the snow flies this winter and we need to gather all the cars up till spring. They love it so much out there. :)
Earlier this year, we had to dig up our septic line thingy (I'm not so good with technical terms...but you know what I mean, right?). Well...when mowing...there was this terrible rocky/torn up area where I couldn't mow because there were rocks and the ground was so uneven where they had covered the septic line back up with dirt. So Chris got the Kubota and smoothed it all out....so once the grass grows in...it will all look pretty again over there! :)

Ahahahahehehe...Jaxson cracks me up....I went outside last night (so glad I had my camera)...and there he was, wearing Chris's boots which went up to his knees. You should have seen the poor boy trying to walk....it was terribly humorous!!! He was getting frustrated though..so I had him go in and put on a different pair of shoes...thinking he would put on flip flops or sneaks......


....nope. He just put on another pair of boots...although these were sized a lil better ;). Looking at the pic below...you would think we were getting ready for a terrible storm! lol

And here, I turned quickly to catch a quick shot of all the chickens chasing me...LOL. They are so funny. And no....I didn't have any food with me. I guess that they all just were *hoping* that I did. I was actually almost jogging and their little claws were pitter-pattering behind me....faster and faster to keep up. It was too funny!

And this pic below is random...but I wanted to show this ivy kind-of stuff that is growing over my stone wall. Technically...it's a *weed* but I kinda like it. Is that strange? I like the vines going over the wall like that. I think it has a really neat effect. What do you think?

Thank you for coming by and visiting with me. Please forgive my imperfections....they are many. I am so thankful for a loving God so full of grace and acceptance for those who choose to follow Jesus. Amen? I am praying for a better day tomorrow! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend ahead!

What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in heaven for our Lord God. We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well-pleasing to God, not on account of the position and work, but on account of the word and faith from which the obedience and the work flow.
~Martin Luther

A simple, childlike faith in a Divine Friend solves all the problems that come to us by land or sea.
~Helen Keller

Some Things That Make Me Happy...

Children, who fall asleep, all on their own, after a busy day of grocery shopping and playing hard....*X really needed the nap too. Oh he was upset and crying over everything. Bickering with his sister over even little things. I tried to have him lay down...but it wasn't till he decided to fall asleep *all on his own* that he finally succombed to the exhaustion that was over him.


Knitting is something I truly enjoy. I have been knitting away when I have a spare moment, on dishcloths to sell at my inlaws' upcoming fall festival that they host. At a recent family reunion, on Chris's side, I took my knitting to do while sitting outside at the reunion. Someone came up and said "You're knitting?"...and I smiled and simply said, "If I'm sittin'....I'm knittin'" hehe....not always..but it is nice to accomplish something even when you are having down time to rest while sitting! :) Aren't the fall colors of this yarn so pretty?

Country valances....saltbox houses,sheep & willow trees...on a pretty olive green gingham....I love them!

Sweet, feminine skirts and bare feet....(this one was made by my sister, for Madelyn)....

Shelves lined with canned food to feed my family this winter. Lots and lots of beans! :) We freeze our sweet corn. YUM! Nothing better than tasting *fresh* veggies in the middle of winter when the ground is frozen and bare of fresh food! I think it is so pretty just too look at....*is that weird?*

Sweet gifts from friends...

I won this Pearls of Wisdom jar from Lea's blog. But oh my she went above and beyond...sending me a beautiful handmade card (pictured below) and bubble gum for the kids, and other gifts and treasures! Her generosity was so appreciated and such a wonderful surprise! :)

Isn't that card gorgeous???

Of course...there are quite many more things that put a huge smile on my face and joy in my heart....but to list every thing in my life that makes me joyful...would take years! I *can* sum it all down (or should I say UP) to this....God's Abundant Blessings. My life isn't perfect and I am certainly *not* perfect...but my God is! And He loves me. He cares for me and my family. We have all we need and more.

Daily, I try to fathom and grasp the imensity of His love for me...and I can't wrap my brain around it. The One who made the entire universe....and knows each hair on my head...loves me! I am so grateful for that love and truly humbled. I hope you are growing in your relationship with God each day...and if you aren't...I encourage you to. We were created to love Him. Worship Him. Praise Him. A relationship with your Creator is what provides *true* fulfillment. :)

I hope your week is going well. :) Thanks for coming by!

"Now is our chance to choose the right side. God is holding back to give us that chance. It won't last forever. We must take it or leave it."
~C.S. Lewis

"It is in the process of being worshipped that God communicates His presence to men."
~C.S. Lewis

"God will look to every soul like its first love because He is its first love."
~C.S. Lewis