Birthdays, First Day of School and More!

 Hello friends! :)

It has been a wonderful August. We've had super hot days as well as lovely comfortable days (like today....it's in the 70's with sunshine!). We've enjoyed slowness and busyness! Each day is different!

One exciting thing is that Xavier turned 16 in the middle of August! He had a cookout with some friends and had a really nice time! Chris grilled hamburgers and hotdogs and it was overall just an enjoyable evening! X is now anxiously awaiting me to take him to get his driver's permit! Ack! I feel like I was just doing this with Madelyn yesterday! Someone slow down the clock!

My sister, her husband and children moved to a bigger house this month as well. My mom was over there a lot to help....I drove over a few times when I could to help as well (She lives 45 minutes or so away...so it takes quite a chunk of the day to travel there and back....so I couldn't get there all the time). They are settling in well and I think this new house is just great for them! I am really happy for them!

While a lot of area public schools started today....my children actually began schooling last week. It is Madelyn's senior year. I'm not quite sure how to fathom that....as I feel like I just graduated (although we had our 20 year class reunion a week or two ago already! haha! Class of '99). Xavier is a sophomore and Jaxson is in 8th grade. As you can see below...Madelyn didn't want her picture taken on the first day of school....(don't all my children just looked thrilled to be back to the books? haha)

My birthday was this past weekend. I had a glorious day! Truly! I started out with a workout (as usual) but it was even better because Chris came in to lift with me. We try to lift together most Saturdays. I sure love my man! I workout every day....but getting to workout with your other half is *the best*!

We got some home projects done that day, the weather was amazing....then he took me to the next town over where we got supper, shopped at TJ Maxx for a little bit and then he took me to look for a bicycle at Walmart! I've been wanting a bike...not a mountain bike....but a road bike that I can go long distances on if I want and maybe compete with. We couldn't find one that was sized right for me or that I liked...so we'll keep looking. Honestly, the cruiser bikes are *so* cute and I would LOVE one of those...they have them in cute colors and a basket on the front! But I want something I can really move on...so those won't work for me, unfortunately!

38 doesn't feel too bad, I must admit. I thought getting older would be depressing....but it's really not! It's bittersweet to realize how the time passes quickly and my children grow and change so fast...but at the same time, I love how the Lord teaches me things as I age....I love to grow in wisdom and knowledge. Plus, Chris and I are so perfectly matched....I honestly praise God for him every.single.day. Our relationship grows and intertwines us so beautifully. I have been with him over half my life. There isn't anyone else I'd rather be with. *swoon*

The little cupboard in our kitchen that we have been using as an island for years worked well...but it always felt too low to me. I asked Chris if we could get a butcher block to put on top. Low and behold...he found the top to our old island in the garage. He sanded it down really well and it fits perfectly on top of our cupboard island! I am over the moon about it! It makes for a much nicer island! :) You can also see, in the background there, flowers and a gift certificate from my children (for my birthday). They all chipped in together and got me a gift certificate to get my nails done. I never spend money on that sort of thing...so they wanted to treat me! It'll be fun to get a little pampered!

Yesterday, we had a lovely time worshiping the Lord at church in the morning. Came home to have lunch and a nice nap. I got up and ran and did some ab work and then showered so we could head out to a game night with family friends of ours! We had such a great time! Lots of laughter, talking and fun (and the guys had a good time target shooting with their bows). So, so grateful for the brothers and sisters in Christ the Lord has put in our lives....it's so nice to have great friends with so much in common! :)

Today I have gotten my workout in this morning...now I need to go out and work on mowing the back yard....(Kids are working on their schooling right now!)...but quickly, I wanted to share a few of the new sticker listings in my shop! They are great for use in your planner, on your calendar and more! Since we are basically a single income family...this just helps me to earn a little extra to add to the budget each month. :o)

Thank you for visiting! I pray your August has been wonderful as well....although that's not meaning every day is perfect and glorious...but trying to find the joy in each day the Lord gives us makes for happier days, weeks, months and years!

I hope you will visit again soon!
Joyfully,
Katy

Committed to the Pursuit of Holiness

Holiness, Day by Day by Jerry Bridges is an absolutely fantastic book to read devotionally. I read it alongside of my daily Bible reading. I wanted to share something with you that I read the other day. I pray it convicts your heart as it did mine!

"...When we commit ourselves to the pursuit of holiness, we need to ensure that our commitment is actually to God, not simply to a holy lifestyle or a set of moral values. The people of my parent's generation were generally honest, chaste, sober, and thrifty. They were committed to those values, but they were not necessarily committed to God. Many of them were outstanding moralists and even church people, but they were not committed to God. They were committed to their values, not to God. 

As believers we need to be careful that we don't make a similar mistake. We can be committed to a set of Christian values or to a lifestyle of discipleship without being committed to God Himself. But Paul said to offer yourselves to God, and in doing that commit yourselves to the pursuit of holiness in order to please Him."

~Jerry Bridges p.115 Holiness, Day by Day

(emphasis mine!)

How easy is it to try to live "right" but not being doing it truly for the Lord and His glory? We can be wonderfully moral people but if we aren't pursuing holiness to please Christ....then that "moral living" has done nothing for us. Let's make sure we are living a life pleasing to God...all for Him and not just to be *good*. Because without Him, even all our good deeds are as filthy rags.

Thanks for stopping by friends. I know my readership has gone down a lot because of my lack of posting...but unlike a lot of people...I don't use my blog as a money maker. I don't have ads on my blog and don't earn money when people visit me here. So, it's just a simple online journal that sometimes I just lack the time to address. I always intend to do better....but just don't post as much as I would like. :) I pray you found encouragement here if the Lord brought you by today! I'd love to hear from you if you want to leave a comment! 

I gotta get going! Xavier has a physical in less than an hour (so he can get his driver's permit....but we also have to reapply for a social security card for him...argh...we have all of our family's except his for some reason. It has gotten itself lost. So...trying to get things done so he can take the test asap. He's so excited! He turns 16 next week!). 

Have a lovely rest of your week! 

Cheerfully,

Katy

Linked up at: A Wise Woman Builds Her Home

"Fairest of the months...

...Ripe summer's queen

The hey-day of the year

With robes that gleam with sunny sheen

Sweet August doth appear."

~R. Combe Miller

Oh, how horrible I am at blogging now. It's a shame really...but to be honest, life is just a different sort of *busy* now that it wasn't when the children were smaller. Now my children are young adults and doing adult-like things....working, driving etc! I am still busy at home....mowing, keeping up with housework and cooking....as well as working out at the Y every day. I took the summer off from teaching spin (as the classes dwindle when the weather is nice) and will pick it back up again at the end of August. I have been personal training people at the Y through the summer....that has been going well. My 20 year class reunion is coming up this month and I've been trying to help get that ready and organized as well.

That top picture is one of my favorites. I don't even know who took it and how I came to have it....but it shows Chris and me...and my dad on the right. The year was 2000 (and look how cute my then-boyfriend ~ now/husband was!). We were at the public school to see my sister at her prom. I guess I love to look at that picture because I like seeing us young...and knowing that the Lord brought us together and has given me a lovely life with this man!

My Madelyn turned 18 last month! Yes, 18! If you have followed my blog from the beginning....you have watched her grow up! I still struggle to wrap my head around the fact that my little girl...my curly-haired sweetie is now 18 years old! The days turn into weeks...which turn into months and then years! Ack! Time just keeps rolling by ~ Xavier turns 16 this month and is eager to get his driver's permit! I'm quite glad Jaxson is still 13...I'm trying to keep him young! Not sure I can make that happen though! ;)

 Speaking of Jaxson....he has made this awesome gnome garden (by himself...I had nothing in this!)...

The little gnome items are so cute! He used sand dollars they got at the shore in Massachusetts (when the kids went there with my mom and my aunt) to make the paths. His flowers have been blooming and looking beautiful! 

Life hasn't been all work and no play...we have enjoyed fellowship with friends, picnics, swimming, and the like on the weekends! :)

We've been cleaning out our shed. It was in a terrible state of disarray and disorganization. Chris and I (with help from the children) worked hard to fix the roof, and go through stuff inside the shed (I have no pictures of it...but it is not exciting anyway!). It's a shed/work space. It's a great size so I will be using it when I make wreaths for the Cancer Society. Remember how I made them last year as a sort of apprentice? Well, the lady gave me the business so I will be *quite* busy this fall! I'm so nervous! I've ordered trees and supplies and feel like I am on top of things but it's still a bit nerve-racking!

As you can see in the pic above and the one below...my boys and I painted our garage! I got paint that was created to match the siding of our house. It looks so much better than the orange block it used to be (don't worry...I had Chris's "OK" to do it!). It was a lot of work but I'm so glad we did it. I repainted the trim white too. I also painted our front porch as you can see a couple pictures below...

I have been slowly getting ready for our new homeschool year as well...trying to make sure Madelyn will have all the credits she needs to graduate (as she is a senior this year)....and getting Xavier's credits straight as he enters his sophomore year. Jaxson is entering 8th grade so we don't have to worry about credits with his schooling yet. We'll probably start a year in the middle of this month.

AND....last but not least...I have some new script stickers in my etsy shop...(there are others in my shop as well ~ and planning more to come)...

 

I am still seeking to honor the Lord and glorify Him in everything I do. He is my all in all and He is always first and foremost in my life. He is so good.

I pray you are well! Thank you for visiting me here. I do always plan on blogging more....but the time just slips by much quicker than I expect. Until next time, Lord willing...

Katy