Gratitude List ~ The Thousand Gifts

#21 ~ chocolate (I was blessed to find these chocolates for only $1.60. All I can say is they do me much good!)
#22 ~ Kailee Grace, she's here, with us, on this earth, healthy and whole!

#23 ~ my little brother, he's a wonderful man and I'm so proud of him. He'll make an awesome father!

#24 ~ my friend who teaches my children art ~ She certainly inspired them this week!

#25 ~ soil ~ I love soil, the texture, the scent, the life it holds.

#26 ~ Indian spices, make simple food so very yummy!

#27 ~ The Arts, I'm by no means educated in them, but every little bit that I learn enriches my life and opens up new avenues of joy.

Her Angel

A little angel today did leave her
The little angel her body held
In this flesh, she'll not hold him
Yet he's held by the One who's holding her.

O sweet Jesus, come and bless her
Giver her body grace to heal
May her Spirit soar to meet you
That her heart may know your rest.

My dear friend lost her baby today. She called only minutes after I was rejoicing with my little brother....he and his wife were leaving for the hospital, a new baby to welcome. I cried. With both phone calls. I'm amazed at the intense emotions my spirit can experience. Oh, how I long to be miles from here to welcome my little niece, Kailee Grace into this world, to hug my brother and sister-in-love, to see the joy in their faces, to hear the sweet sounds of the little baby girl, to smell the heavenly scent of a newborn again. And yet, I'd like to be miles from here in the opposite direction, where I'd hold my friend and we'd cry. Hopes crushed, empty arms aching, little boys and a daddy saddened that one will be missing. And yet we have hope...our God is good. Know what my friend said when I told her my brother and sister were on their way to the hospital?..."Tell her I'll pray with every cramp I have." ....and she will. That's the kind of person she is.....sometimes I think she's really not made for this world. Things don't matter to her...people always do. She and my sister share a bond; they both know what it feels like to have empty arms. I've never experienced the pain of a little life lost. The only pain I feel now is of arms outstretched, reaching, longing to touch those that I love.

Gratitude List ~ The Thousand Gifts

#11 ~bright red, perfectly fresh beets raised by my daddy :)

#12 ~ healthy, active, happy children

#13 ~ ties to our history

#14 ~ a very kind, wise dentist

#15 ~ field trips

#16 ~ laughter

#17 ~ a new friend, I think probably a soul mate

#18 ~ an old fashioned snail mail letter

#19 ~ an abundance of old books

#20 ~ a new book

Town Hall Meeting

We enjoyed a 3 hour Town Hall Meeting this morning. I'm a terrible person to estimate how many people attended but I would say between 300-500??? It was well attended considering it was held at 8:30 a.m. when most people have to be at work. Rep. John Boozman took time to answer each question and was considerate of each person who spoke. Afterwards, he was kind enough to speak with my children. When my son told him that we pray for him often, he said, "That is the best gift a person could give me." During the meeting his wife sat right behind us and afterward we were able to visit a bit with her, a sweet, dear lady that I should pray for more often, also!

Today, I thank God I'm an American, still able to freely speak! May God have mercy on our land.

America Frugal Housewife

I found the cookbook Old Sturbridge Village Cookbook at the library and found it quite interesting. It is a reprint/re-do for modern times of the cook book The American Frugal Housewife first written in 1829 by Lydia Maria Child. There is a lot of history bound up in this little book. But I really love the opening quote and went to bed pondering how I could benefit my household if I worked to apply it more diligently.

"The true economy of housekeeping is simply the art of gathering up all the fragments, so that nothing be lost."

The original book gave advice on efficiently running the home, which I wish were included in this book. Instead this book just focuses on the recipes.

I was thinking of our simple supper last night, which really did not require a ton of food, yet was nutritious and delicious. We had chicken breast with a simple stir-fry containing one Japanese eggplant, an orange and red bell pepper, 4 small okra, and a handful of chopped sweet onion. This made up plenty of vegetables for our family of 6, with just enough left over for someone's lunch today. That's not a ton of food and I can probably easily get that from my garden every day for the next month.....just thinking.

I realize many are having tough financial times right now. But it seems there is still so much waste. We've tightened our belt in a few areas but we still aren't using every morsel......if I don't get the produce preserved that is setting in my kitchen, it won't mean that we'll go without a meal tomorrow. Times don't appear to be like they were during the Depression, (thankfully).

#6 He's Mine

and I'm his....forever and ever.

#7 ~ the first morning light streaming into my living room, warming the walls
#8 ~ the chatter of my children as they have "tea" with their breakfast
#9 ~ red peppers slices that disappear almost as quickly as I place them on my table
#10 ~ neighbors who "trade" chores with us

Comfort

Once again, I have been the recipient of the comfort of God, fleshed out to me through the body of Christ. Last week my husband's Grandpa, at age 90, left this life to take up resident in His everlasting home, free from all his earthly cares. He fought the fight; he kept the faith. I imagine his entering in was a blessed occasion.

I've been overcome again by the blessed grace of God. I've seen it working in my family's life as we all sorrow, but not without hope. God's promises bring such great comfort. It's only of His grace that we have the glorious assurance that one day we'll be reunited with those who have gone before to their Heavenly home. Of course, it is only of God's grace that all of my children's Great-Grandparents and Grandparents will abide there someday.

I was blessed to have this Grandpa for fourteen years. And truly he was a Grandpa to me. I felt loved and accepted. He always took interest in my life. We loved to visit about our gardens. He liked to know how my family and church were doing. Up until the very end he would have little gifts for my children, relevant gifts, gifts appropriate for their ages and interests. He was aware of others and their needs. And so for fourteen years, my life was enriched by our relationship. But truly he blessed me years before I married his Grandson. His impact on my husband was great. And of course he raised my father in law, the daddy of my husband, the Grandpa of my children. The impact of one life reaches so far.

During this week I was struck with the fact that God ministers His grace many times through the hands and words of His people. We were flooded with love and practical care. It was beautiful to watch the body of Christ minister to our needs. I had my dear friends who showed their care, the ones who are always there for me. I had the family members that I can always count on to go the extra mile. Several church bodies ministered to us. And then I had strangers, yet my brothers and sisters in Christ, who I was able to have sweet fellowship with.



Oh, the depths of the riches......

On Captain John Smith....

Our school days have resumed....

As I was reading to the children today I ran across this paragraph that I found to be good advice for any leader. I can apply it to my life.

From the book "This Country of Ours" by H.E. Marshall:

"Many of the unruly sort were glad to see him (John Smith) go, but his old companions with whom he had shared so many dangers and privations were filled with grief. "He ever hated baseness, sloth, pride and indignity," said one of them. "He never allowed more for himself than for his soldiers with him. Upon no danger would he send them where he would not lead them himself. He would never see us want what he either had or could by any means get us. He loved action more than words, and hated falsehood and covetousness worse than death."

When I'm a daddy....

I will eat Panekokan every day, and pancakes, and macaroni and cheese, and an apple and cucumbers. ~ Zeke

"Mommy, when I grow up I want to marry you!" ~ Zeke

Zeke is really wanting to get married at a wedding. A friend of ours recently got married in a park and apparently Zeke really enjoyed the whole celebration. He also recently realized that he needs a wife to have a baby and he really wants a baby.

Another great audio resource! Several of the book for our study of the Middle Ages are found here! I'm thrilled.
My Audio School
This could come in very handy!!! When my older boys were little, on rainy days they would lazy around listening to audio books while they played Lego, K-nex, and Lincoln Logs. We don't ever seem to have those "down" days anymore. Everyone is busy with all sorts of different projects, but if I turn on an audio book, it seems people quiet down and migrate toward the story, even if the story was meant for me. I love listening to audio book while doing laundry or dishes!

More quotes and blog links

The purpose of compulsory education is to deprive the common people of their common sense.

--G.K. Chesterton

I found the above quote at Morningside Family. Laura has some great posts and check out the links on her side bars too.

"You are only as wise as your next decision. You prove your wisdom in what you choose today."
--Joshua Harris

And this quote I found at Plain Ol' Vanilla,
who I must say makes some of the most gorgeous quilts I've ever seen. Also, I believe she truly possesses God's wisdom. And so over the years as I've visited with her, I pay close attention to her words, because I view them as words of wisdom.

History

"Those that fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it" Winston Churchill

I'm looking forward to getting back into our more formal learning routine. One aspect that I look forward to is all the reading of history that we get to do. I absolutely love learning along with my children. And when I say "along with my children" I mean just that! I made A's in history all through school, but I don't recall much of anything about it. In fact, I didn't like it. What a shame! Thankfully, it's not too late for me to enjoy it now!

I ran across this site tonight that offers History magazines and timelines.
The History Shop

And I just ordered a print catalog from Winter Promise Publishing.

We'll be studying the Middle Ages this year. I'm so in the dark but looking forward to exploring a new-to-me part of history

Another Quote

I find that I enjoy posting little snippets of information on my blog that I don't want to forget. Today, while doing laundry and general cleaning, I've been listening to Crazy Love by Francis Chan and I've been challenged. It's free to download this month at Christian Audio.

Here's another quote I quickly grabbed pencil to copy down, "How we live our days is how we live our lives." ~ Annie Dillard

Now, I'm ready to fill out the annual homeschool forms that we are required by law to submit to our local public school superintendent. Doing this makes the new school year seem very close. But that o.k., exactly when does it end? Zeke sleeps. The rest of the kids are all water coloring.....art class is in full swing. :)

Quotes

"Too much of the good life ends up being toxic, deforming us spiritually." ~ David Getts

"There are two days on my calendar: this day and that day." ~ Martin Luther

Gratitude List ~ The Thousand Gifts

I want to begin this journey of chronicling my everyday gifts. I need this. The awareness to the moment. The heavenward focus. The storing up to savor later.

And I begin.....

#1 ~ Being married to my best friend. We've been friends for, let's see.....since I can remember, and intimate friends for 20 years, and totally, loyally in love for 15 years.

#2 ~ My baby's voice singing "Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy to Jesus, but to trust and obey." (And yes, he sings it, "to be happy to Jesus".)

#3 ~ Dark Chocolate Truffles found on clearance for 50 cents.

#4 ~ The first ripe yellow Pear Tomato from our garden.

#5 ~ A mom who's only a phone call away.....ready to just chat.

Middle of the Night Browsing

I couldn't sleep......

So I'm browsing online, something I don't do very often. I have my list of blogs that I read through Bloglines, check my e-mail and then I'm off to do "real life". But my every-once-in-awhile midnight readings do lend some gems.

Storybook Woods is always a delight for the eyes! Clarice has stated that is a goal she holds for her blog and I'd say she's accomplished just that! I was browsing the lists of blogs that she reads and ran across Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day. I own the book and love, love, love it, but didn't realize they have a blog! And just look at all those wonderful bread recipes. I'm thrilled to see they are sharing how to bake bread on a grill. How brilliant! My bread baking has come to a screeching halt as we have had at least 90* weather for days on end. But I've missed the simple pleasure of fresh bread.

I hope all of you have had a wonderful weekend celebrating our dear country's 233rd birthday! We enjoyed lots of fellowship with friends and family. I feel very blessed! I want to thank all of the soldiers out there who are sacrificing all on my behalf......I thank the families of each of the soldiers, too. You are all appreciated and held up in my prayers. I'm overwhelmed to think of all that others have done down through the years so that I can enjoy freedom today. Let's not give it up. Let's not let their sacrifice be in vain!

May God have mercy on these United States of America!

A couple new-to-me blogs

I've spent a bit of time browsing blogs this evening. I rarely do this. I have my favorites and just stick with those. I find I don't have much time to sit in front of a screen these days. I have much more important (and fun) things to do.

But tonight I found two blogs that I took note of. Maybe you'll enjoy them, too.
down to earth is full of lots of "home" information. I like practical tips and this blog is full of them. She made is to my blogroll! I love looking into other people's gardens!

I hope to use the resources provided at
Great Books Audio. My kids and I love to listen to audio books together as we're doing laundry, dishes and general clean-up. This will be an easy way to get some of the classics in.

Is your summer crazily busy? What ever happened to the lazy days of summer? Our days are good and full, but seems there is so much to "do"! I often wonder how in the world the pioneers made it. I'm certain I would have starved to death or died of heat stroke. I've told my family if we ever have to live off of our garden, we'll all get skinny really fast! :)

Amazed Again.....

"In thy light shall we see light." Psalm 36:9
He's my all in all. Without Him I would be nothing. His beauty and love literally leave me standing in such awe. And then to think that He would love me, care about my daily needs, and catch each of my tears that fall. Amazing!
"Oh, how marvelous,
Oh, how wonderful,
And my song shall ever be,
Oh, how marvelous,
Oh, how wonderful,
Is my Savior's love for me!"
Truly, "I Stand Amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene, and wonder how He could love me, a sinner condemned, unclean!"

Abiela

Wouldn't Abiela make a pretty little girl's name?! I'm taking note of this name just in case I'm blessed once again!!! :) Oh, and it means ~ "My Father is Lord!"

Pea Blossoms