10 February 2009

Blessedly Busy Days

Things are busy as always around here...I have been so blessed with having help in cleaning the house, and this has given me so much more time to do things that were always falling down further on my to-do list, and for this I am very thankful!

I am also so excited to have a new laptop, which my husband surprised me with this weekend! I am really enjoying being able to take my computer around the house to work on things, I am having to adjust to it a bit, but I do really like having it. :)

This afternoon I think I might work on organizing my sewing things in the cabinet in our room. Somehow it has become quite a mess. It seems like there are always so many sewing projects going at once, and never quite enough time to keep it all organized properly. This is really something that I need to work on.

Next week I am going over to one of the other ladies houses to work on coverings, and to look through her baby patterns. I have been looking for plain baby patterns to sew for Joseph, and she said she had a box of patterns for me to look through.

We have been liking the switch to "real" milk. Now my Jacob wants nothing but that, and Joshua refuses to drink store bought milk. Even Joseph seems to prefer the real thing. We have been buying our eggs from the same place as our milk. What amazes me is that we can purchase these things fresh for so much less than what they cost at the grocery store! Not to mention that they are fresh...really fresh, as in usually the same day! There is something about buying Saturday's eggs on Saturday,lol.

Well, I must close for now, and get back to work :), but I will post a few pictures of the children, as I know it has been a while.

May God's Blessings Be Upon You!

01 February 2009

The Lord's Day

Joseph was very good at church this morning, I was even able to stay in for quite a bit of the service. Several of the ladies commented on how he seems to be full of joy and sunshine. He does have one of those smiles that brings joy to everyone around.

We decided to begin a new devotional book for our morning devotionals, My Utmost For His Highest. I always enjoy starting a new book, something about it reminds me of Spring time.

We also got our new schedule written out, and I look forward to starting it tomorrow.

31 January 2009

A Day of Errands

Today is Saturday, and we had a bit of running around to do. We had headed out to the Eicher's farm to pick up our milk and eggs when we realized that we did not have any cash, so we headed back towards town. On the way as we were passing one of the other family's home we saw that one of their cows was out. We stopped in to let them know, but they were not home. So we went to the Garber's to tell them. One of the young men came to help my husband get the cow back in the fence. After all of that we went back to the Eicher's to pick up our milk and eggs. Then we went to the bakery to do a little grocery shopping. Next we went into town and visited this bargain store that everyone had been telling us to go see. We found a nice black sweater (that is a cashmere blend) for $5! We also purchased a child sized mop, which Jacob is very excited about. We finished off our errands with a trip to Walmart. The boys were rather pleasant through such a busy day!

I finished writing a chore chart for Jacob and Joshua. I think Jacob will really like having set chores...he does like to work! :)

We are going to study our Sunday School lesson now, for tomorrow.

Blessings!

30 January 2009

An Extended Absence and Many Blessings

Well, my absence has been a little more extended than I had intended, but sometimes life has other plans than what we want,lol. Either way, I am here now :).

I have been busy, blessedly busy in so many ways. Yesterday I spent the greater part of the day sewing, making new dresses and a covering; something I have been needing to do for quite some time. And my husband also ordered me a few new dresses, so now I will be in good shape! My sewing to-do list had been incredibly long, but suddenly it has become considerably shorter. First, the Bishop's wife called to let me know that she had a bag of little boys' shirts and pants for me. Then several days later another lady called to tell me that she had a bag of baby clothes set aside for me. Then yesterday my husband orders me five new dresses! Isn't it amazing how God provides? It is so wonderful because there are so many things I had been really wanting to sew, but the necessary things had to take precedence. Well, now I will have time for a few of the special projects I have been wanting to work on. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

I have also had the wonderful blessing of having one of the girls from church come over once a week to help with cleaning and ironing. The extra help has been so lovely! I am feeling like I have time to work on some of the things that were constantly being pushed aside due to lack of time. Today I was finally able to cut out a few more napkins- something I have been needing to do for quite some time!

I have been going through some difficult times lately, but these blessings, however seemingly small, help me to remember how God is watching over me, and providing when there is a need (even in the littlest of things). If I can trust Him in these small things, can't I trust Him with the big things as well? I have been guilty lately of taking my focus off of the One who is in control and putting my eyes on my circumstances. I am reminded of a quote by J.I. Packer, "Contentment is essentially a matter of accepting from God's hand what He sends, because we know that He is good, and therefore it is good."

Yes, a quiet heart is content with what God gives. I need to write that somewhere that I will see it often.

05 January 2009

Christmas Cookies




Every year we bake gift basket for our friends and my husband's co-workers, and this year was no exception! It is always such a joy to spend the day baking together, especially knowing we are creating treats for those who we care about.

We made 16 baskets this year, and even included jars of homemade preserves and apple butter, with little miniature loaves of bread (a special request from one of my husband's co-workers :))



Frosty Bear




We found this cute little bear that you keep in the freezer for whenever a child might need an icepack, and our little bear has become quite fond of frosty bear! Everytime he gets even the slightest of "bonks" out comes the little bear from the freezer. I don't know if there is anything cuter or more pitiful than hearing "Need frosty bear" in his husky little voice!

A New Covering


Someone had asked me about a picture of the new (well, it was new about a month ago,lol) covering I had made, so here it is. I used the pattern for the traditional Mennonite covering but used a white cotton backed with two layers of stiff interfacing. Actually I take that back, this was the first one I made from that pattern and I only used one layer of interfacing. I was not satisfied with the fit so I made another one and I will have to ask my husband to take a picture of the new one, lol. I was having trouble with the pleats staying nice on this one, hence the second layer of interfacing. My husband said he also would prefer a closer fit in the back so I adjust the pleats. I will post a new picture soon. (really, I will, I promise I have not disappeared from blogland)
Ok, please excuse my silliness this evening, I really am tired,lol.



Christmas Cookies







Every year we bake gift basket for our friends and my husband's co-workers, and this year was no exception! It is always such a joy to spend the day baking together, especially knowing we are creating treats for those who we care about.

We made 16 baskets this year, and even included jars of homemade preserves and apple butter, with little miniature loaves of bread (a special request from one of my husband's co-workers :))



Pax Christi,

Frosty Bear




We found this cute little bear that you keep in the freezer for whenever a child might need an icepack, and our little bear has become quite fond of frosty bear! Everytime he gets even the slightest of "bonks" out comes the little bear from the freezer. I don't know if there is anything cuter or more pitiful than hearing "Need frosty bear" in his husky little voice!


With Christ's Love,