Gratituesday~~Another School year done!

We have completed our 2010-2011 school year!  There is nothing like the feeling of relief knowing that our children completed the school year.  I'm very grateful on many levels....and for many things. 

We are very fortunate to be able to homeschool our children.  Although many days we struggle, we know we have them where they belong...home.

We have grown so much as a family unit this year.  I have to say this has been our best year since we began homeschooling.

I am grateful I am able to be a part of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine's Review Crew!  It has been such a blessing to try out many different curriculum's.  Many of which we would of never thought to try otherwise.

Thankful for days spent on the couch doing our schoolwork.

AND we are thankful for gym class at the spray park not far from us!!

To join in on the Gratituesday meme go on over to Heavenly Homemakers.

Gratituesday~~Our Lives Forever Changed

Our family was forever changed on April 12, 2005.  My sister, Sherri, worked at a local hospital as a computer tech person.  She was always crawling around in the most unlikely spaces.  This is where they think she contracted Encephalitis.  For those of you who are not familiar with this it is an infection in the brain, usually caused from a virus.  In this case it was from the herpes virus...the same that causes cold sores.  She was also pregnant at the time.  Weeks went by with no word on what was causing her strange symptoms.  The doctors kept saying it was just a bad case of the flu.  6 years ago today her brain started swelling so fast they had to rush her into surgery.  I remember getting that dreaded call from my Mom.  I was not far from the hospital when she called, but what was only minutes seemed like hours until I reached the hospital.  I reached the hospital and found my Dad sitting on the floor sobbing.  This is the only time I have ever seen my father like this.  I didn't know what to do.   People started arriving in groups showing their support for our family.  My aunts and uncles all drove many many miles to be there with us.  The surgery was about 7 or 8 hours at least.  What we found out later was that when they opened her head up she was brain dead.  They removed the right frontal lobe of her brain and her brain began working again.  Only God could do something like that!!  But at that time I did not have that relationship with God.  I remember being SO angry with God for "doing this to my family!!"  My parents are very strong Christians, they called their Pastor to come up to the hospital.  I was mad that he was there.  I didn't understand God and His ways at time.

This is Sherri in the forefront of the picture with our daughter Hannah.  So you can see she is looking great!  She is living in her own apartment with 24 hour care.  She still struggles with memory issues.  But I am VERY thankful for her still being with us!  Also, she delivered a very healthy baby boy during all of this.  He will be 6 years old in July!

It was through all of this that my husband and I came to know Christ.  We both saw the grace that God had given my parents to endure this tragic event.  We wondered how could 2 people praise God for what had happened.  We wanted that!!  Now I can say that I'm very thankful for having that.  Although it took me over 30 years to see my need for a personal relationship with Christ, I am SO very thankful for the parents God gave me.  Without their walk with Christ I would not be the person I am today.

For more Gratituesday posts visit Heavenly Homemakers.

Gratituesday~~Love of cooking

Ever since I was little I remember being in the kitchen with my Mom.  I didn't always help out but just being there with her taught me a lot.  It also gave me the love for cooking...AND eating...LOL!

I remember sitting there talking with my mom on many occasions while she was preparing meals for our family.  Perhaps she did not enjoy all the talking while trying to cook....I have come to realize that now as I am a mom.

God gave me the love of cooking so I could prepare good healthy meals for my family.  OH some days it feels like a chore to me and I dread doing it.  But that is very rare.  When I'm in the kitchen it gives me alot of opportunities to teach my children how to prepare food...as well as EXTRA math lessons...shhhh they don't realize they are doing fractions.  LOL!!!

I'm thankful for the gratitude from my family over what I make.  Not that I crave the praise but I think you all know what I mean.  I also love to see my children going through the cookbooks searching for something to make with me.  I SO treasure that time in the kitchen with them.  But most importantly time at the supper table as a family. 

Go on over to Heavenly Homemakers to see other Gratituesday posts.

Gratituesday~~Time with family

The other day my children asked me to play a game with them. This does not happen too often anymore. My children are 15, 12, 10, they are getting to the age where they do not want to spend a lot of time playing games with me. It was difficult for me to accept at first but I do remember doing this when I was younger to my parents.

We choose....OK I choose for us to play Monopoly....We can have fun playing a game as well as brush up on our money skills. It was a win win situation!! Hopefully another game night will be in our near future. We played for an hour at least. My son Andrew was the winner of this game. I'm looking for some more games we could all play together.

For other Gratituesday visit Heavenly Homemakers blog.

Gratituesday

I am so thankful for God's healing hand on our bodies. Last year at this time I was recovering from back surgery. Going into the surgery my doctor told me not to get my hopes up for a full recovery. I had a broken vertebrae low in my back that had been pinching off the nerves in my legs. My doctor was unsure if the feeling would come back to my feet. I could still walk but my feet had numb spots in them. I was in horrible pain all the time.

Although the recovery was very painful, I spent more time reading the Bible and praying than I ever had. The Lord gave me comfort each and everyday. One year later...I only have some tingles in my feet at the end of the day. I have full movement in my back with NO pain!! That in itself is such a blessing to me. Thank you Lord for healing my body.

To see more Gratituesday posts visit the Heavenly Homemakers site.

Gratituesday...God's Word

I have been going through some down times here lately. Not really sure why...maybe just the winter blues. I had lost all desire to teach my children, do my housework, pretty much do anything!

I started really devouring the Word of God. Mainly in the Psalms. It is such a comfort to know that no matter what I'm going through the Bible always has the words to comfort me. Reading these words daily really helped "snap" me out of this cycle. Along with being in prayer a lot.

Our curriculum this year for home school is The Prairie Primer, and I've done a lot of research on Laura Ingalls Wilder. She was a very godly woman, as were many people in her days. I came across a website that has so much information on her. One that I really enjoy is her list of scripture that she had tucked in her Bible.

What are you grateful for this week? To see more gratituesday posts visit Heavenly Homemakers to see the list.

Gratituesday....Parents

It has been a long time since I've participated in Gratituesday. To see other posts visit Heavenly Homemakers to see more.

I am thankful for my parents, I think so often we do not take the time to stop and really tell them how thankful we are for them. My parents are Christians and raised me that way. But I was not an easy teen. I spread my wings in my late teens and early twenties. I did everything against what they had taught me. I did not follow God's design for my life. I went down many wrong roads. But through it all my parents were right there for me.

It wasn't until my 30's when I took that step and accepted Christ as my Savior. I finally got it! All the years I thought because I grew up in a Christian household I was going to heaven. Thank you Mom and Dad for setting such an example for me. Although it took me many years to finally realize my need to Christ. It's almost been 5 years of salvation for my husband and I.

Now that I'm a Mom myself I think I tend to understand more why my parents did certain things. Especially since our oldest is now 15! I find myself calling my Mom and telling her I'm sorry for....fill in the blank.

Gratituesday

It has been a while since I've participated in this. But to see other Gratituesday posts visit the Heavenly Homemakers blog.

Proverbs 31:13 "She seeks wool and flax.

And willingly works with her hands."

I am so grateful that I'm able to create things for our home with items around the house. One thing over the past year I've missed is my clothes line. With all the "stuff" going on around here lately we just never got around to putting it up last year. Well yesterday Andrew and I went out and strung up the lines.

A while ago I saw a clothes pin holder made out of a child's shirt. Well since I usually do not keep our kids shirts after they out grow them I went into our closest to see what we had. Low and behold I found a shirt that was given to my husband over a year ago. I decided to try my hand at making one myself. Now remember, I am pattern challenged so I usually just create my own way of sewing things.

I drew a straight line across the shirt to use as a guide when cutting the bottom off.

Next draw a line to mark the shape of the bag, you can make it as big or small as you like.

Cut off the bottom of the shirt.
Here you cut off the sleeves. Now you can see the size of the bag. You can make any adjustments to the size you like. I chose to leave the pocket on, you can remove it if you like.

Now turn inside out and sew up all the openings, except for the collar.

Find a hanger that will fit into the bag, I used one from one of the kids clothing. Fill with clothes pins and hang on the line. This can also be used to put kids socks in. I'm going to make another one for the kids. They are ALWAYS loosing their socks.

Now since I hate to waste anything I wanted to make something with the bottom half of the shirt....a curtain! My son has been after me to make a new curtain for his room. He loved it. I just sewed up the top and made a small cut in it to put the curtain rod in it. It is a bit short for the window but hey it was quick easy and didn't cost us a dime!

Now what to do with the sleeves??? Any suggestions?

Gratituesday

I have so much to be grateful for. This is going to be a collage of those things. I am so grateful to be able to live in a small town. We live in a town where you know almost everyone by name. Most of us grew up here and stayed after school. Many move away but always find themselves coming "home" again. Almost everyone who lives here has a lot of lawn for their children and grand children to play in. The property we live on is the same property my Husband has lived on all his life. There are so many memories here. I love that we are making memories with our children here as well. We sit out on our deck and enjoy the evenings...well eventually when it starts to warm up. We can hear the peepers, birds chirping, animals walking in the woods. We even have a deer that loves to torment our dog from across the road.

I am so grateful for the skills God has given me. Some take more work than others. About a year ago I learned how to crochet. This is a pot holder I made. I'm working now on dish cloths. There is nothing greater than being able to create things for our home. I'm working on my sewing. A few years ago my Husband bought me a sewing machine for my birthday. I told him I would make him some pajamas....well those still are not done yet. But I will get them done!! I love being a keeper at home, creating a warm and inviting place for people.

I am grateful for the opportunity to home school our children. I always loved my children but through home schooling I fell in love with them. I love to see God working in their lives each and every day.

I am grateful for my Husband! He works hard all day providing for us, going to college, and leading our family. We have been called into ministry. He loves to study God's word and I enjoy sitting and listening to him ponder what God is telling him through His Word. We both have changed so much in the past 3 years. I'm so excited to see what God has for us in the future. Right now our ministry is right here in our small town.

To see other gratituesday posts visit the Heavenly Homemakers.

Gratituesday

I am so thankful that God sent His Son Jesus to die in my place. Had Jesus stayed in the tomb I would be responsible for my sin debts. Jesus conquered the tomb, which means I can also!! Those who believe are released from the death that sin brings and invited to spend eternity with my Heavenly Father. I get so excited every time I think about spending eternity with my Heavenly Father. I also get equally saddened by the fact that I know many of my family members will not share in that joy. They have not taken that step of faith to accept Christ as their Savior.

Easter is NOT chocolate bunnies and egg hunts. Many people do not even know the true meaning behind this holiday. It is up to us to tell others. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus commands us to go and tell everyone about him.

Matthew 28:19 (New King James Version)
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

We as Christians are also expected to be able to answer those who ask us questions about our faith.

1 Peter 3:15 (New King James Version)
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

We as Christians are to be sharing our faith with everyone we meet, at home, work, with friends, or while doing our hobbies. Are you celebrating Easter every day?

Gratituesday

This week has been a very difficult one for me. Satan has been attacking me in all directions. I started feeling great after my back surgery. On March 17 I got the OK from the doctor to finally remove my brace. I was so happy. I was feeling so great! I was able to clean the house, do the laundry ect. everything I have been called by God to do. Then on March 22 (see last week's post) everything went down hill.

Satan has been putting in my head that God is doing this to me. He wants me to feel bad about things, even angry! I know God isn't doing this to me, he is allowing it to make me grow. I have so many more medical tests to go through this week. Sunday in Church I sat there and cried almost the whole service. I am not one to show my emotions in front of people. Every time someone asked me how I was doing I lost it again. I am SO discouraged about things.

I am SO thankful for a very caring and wonderful Church family. Everyone there is so loving. It is our family. Sunday our Pastor asked us to name a blessing in our lives. Since I was on a one way pitty party street I couldn't name any at the time.

I have a lot of blessings:

• Christ as my Savior,
• a wonderful Husband who walks with Christ,
• 3 children who also walk with Christ,
• the health of my family,
• healing of my back,
• a warm home, a simple life.

The list could go on and on. What are the blessings in your life?

Philippians 4:13
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

To see other Gratituesday posts visit the Heavenly Homemakers.

Gratituesday

To see other Gratituesday posts visit the Heavenly Homemakers blog.

I am SO thankful for friends in the EMS (emergency medical services), especially when we need them. Sunday I had not been feeling well all day. I've had this cold I can not seem to shake. Around 4 pm or so I started having this pain in the center of my chest. It kind of felt like heart burn but nothing helped the pain. Me being so tired of doctors I let it go. Around 7 pm my parents were dropping the kids off from church that evening and I asked my Dad (who had a heart attack 2 years ago) about the pain he had. It was the same as what I was feeling. Now I really started to panic! Then I did a big NO NO and took one of my Dad's nitro pills for chest pain. It took the edge off the pain.

We decided that I should go to the hospital. My parents took the children to their house. I stood up to go to the hospital and the pain was so bad I had to sit right back down. After my parents left the house my Husband called 911. Within minutes we had someone here. They then pulled up in the big truck, pictured below. Then we had over 15 people here. Since I've been involved with the fire/EMS for a number of years I'm good friends with all of them. It was so comforting knowing that I was in good hands. After being yelled at for taking one of my Dad's pills, the ALS-paramedic gave me another nitro, it took more of the edge off the pain. The paramedic is who we call my fire department parent. He and his wife have always watched over me during calls and such. It was a lot like a reunion of sorts.

Good news is my heart is very healthy. They are almost certain I have a hiatal hernia (I'm not sure I spelled this right) caused by the brace I had to wear after back surgery. My stomach is pushed up into my other organs. I have to go on Thursday to my doctor to get the complete diagnosis. But they are certain I will not require any more surgery! PRAISE GOD!! Our son (who really wants to be a fireman when he grows up) was very disappointed he wasn't here to see the fire truck! LOL!

Gratituesday

I am so thankful for our new furniture. I know that sounds very self gratifying but there is something about getting new items for your home that just makes you feel good. We now all have a place to sit in our living room. We are able to sit there and spend time as a family, something we have not been able to do for a long time.

I know our living room is very small but I love it. We are able to sit and connect as a family, talk about our day, talk about things we want or need to talk about. I love to just sit in there with my Bible in the quiet of the morning and spend time with my heavenly Father.

We have a couch in the front of the picture, my husband's "throne" as I like to call it, and just visible in the picture is the love seat. More than enough room for us to sit together as a family. Although the furniture looks very plush it is really quite firm.

To see other Gratituesday posts go on over to the Heavenly Homemakers blog and read them, better yet join us.

Gratituesday

Share what you’re grateful for this Gratituesday! Read the details over at the Heavenly Homemaker's blog.

I am grateful for our ladies bible study at church. It is great to get together with Christian women who share in the desire to learn about what God's word says to us about various topics. No one there puts up a "front" that says they do not need to share anything. We are very open and honest with one another. The best part is I know that no one will share with anyone outside of the Bible study what we shared. Last night our topic was anger and how God views it. I know everyone from time to time struggles with anger.

Matthew 5:21-22
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.

Yikes! So according to this passage God views our anger like murder.

Galatians 5:17-21
For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

According to this passage God views anger as "works of the flesh". I am grateful for this study to help me grow and get rid of the things in my life I consider "small sins". But I've come to realize that no sin is small in God's eyes!!

Gratituesday

To join us in Gratituesday go on over to Heavenly Homemakers.

We really should be thanking God each and everyday. But particularly this week I am thankful for the people God places in our lives. I wrote about it yesterday regarding my Husband and his work mates. But I was thinking last night about how many people place in our paths on a daily basis. Not only people we know but those we do not know. While out shopping yesterday we encountered many people, sales people, just people around us. God may place these people to uplift ourselves, or better yet uplift another person.

There was one woman at the bookstore yesterday who began asking us questions about homeschooling...next to God and my family it is my favorite thing to talk about. I wonder how she knew we homeschooled? Oh yeah....the books we bought were curriculum books! She wanted to know our experience with it. Well we began talking and probably would of still been there talking now if the line hadn't formed behind us. Ever felt that impatient stare on the back of your neck??? LOL!

At the furniture store the sales man said our children were so well behaved. I turned around and looked at the children standing next to me...yep they are our children...LOL! I thought you should of seen them an hour ago in the car.

At supper, in the mall food court, our children were saying please and thank you, and sitting nicely in their chairs. There were children running all over and screaming bumping into people eating their supper, while the parents/adults just sat there. There were a couple of women sitting at the table next to us and commented to each other how well behaved the children were. It really does my heart well when people notice this. Let me tell you it is SO different once we get in the car!

Have a wonderful Gratituesday!

Gratituesday

I am so grateful for God's safety for my family members each and everyday. I pray for each of them every morning. Then praise him every night when everyone is safe. In my previous post you can read at the bottom about how God protected my Husband yesterday at work. This is the third time he has kept him from great injury at work. A few months ago he took a big fall down a flight of metal stairs. The only injury he received was a lot of bruises and a cut on his arm. It could of been a lot worse since the stairs were about 10 or more feet in the air. God has his protection around him, for that I am grateful.

Not only am I grateful today, but each and everyday that my family and I are here on this earth together. I am grateful that I will once again see those family members who have accepted Christ as their Savior.

It has been a long time since I've joined in on Gratituesday. To see other posts please stop by the Heavenly Homemakers blog to see the list. Better yet, join in. We all have many things to be grateful for!!

Gratituesday

To read other Gratituesday posts visit the Heavenly Homemakers blog.

We all have many things to be thankful for on a daily basis. But so many times we complain too much about what we don't have, instead of being thankful for what we do have. I've been doing that very same thing recently. I try not to complain on the out side, but I do on the inside often. I complain about the house, me not healing fast enough, the children, schooling the children, ect. Instead I should be thanking God everyday that I have a nice house to live in. It is small yes, but very cozy and warm. It may not always be as clean as I like. I complain that I'm not healing fast enough, instead of thanking God that I can feel my feet again. It had been at least a year since I could feel my feet. I've also been complaining that the Children do not seem to listen to me, instead I should be thanking God once again that I have 3 healthy children. I've been struggling with homeschooling because we are behind. I sat this morning and asked myself behind in what??? Isn't that the joy of homeschooling? Being able to go at our own pace?

I got my book out again "The secret of contentment" by Juanita Purcell and read the chapter on complaining. If anyone wants a good Bible study they should pick that one up. I had the pleasure of hearing her at a Ladies retreat.

The following verse has become a verse I go to when I start with my complaining.

Philipians 4:11

"Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:"

Gratituesday

I am so thankful to be living in a country where we are free to make our own decisions. Today as the children and I watched the inauguration of Barack Obama I started thinking about how far our country has come. Regardless of who you voted for we are commanded by God to respect our government. Is it easy? NO. So we need to be lifting them up in prayer each day and turning it over to God. God has placed Obama in the office of President for a reason that will only bring him glory in the end. The time of Christ's return is coming quickly. It may even be in mine or your lifetime. The world will only get worse before it gets better. Have you accepted Christ as your personal Savior? Please don't wait until tomorrow. If you do not know how to do so please email me or ask someone. Tomorrow may be to late.

So for school today we watched and discussed the new president. Here are some pictures of the them watching. They were so full of questions, some I could answer and others I couldn't. It is great to see how their minds work in this time of history.


Watching the oath of Joe Biden our new Vice President.


Watching the oath of our new President Barack Obama.

To see other Gratituesday posts visit the Heavenly Homemaker's Blog to read more.

Gratituesday

To read other Gratituesday posts visit Heavenly Homemakers to see the list.

I am so grateful for all the blessing that have come out of my recent surgery and recovery. I know I have talked about this to death but I'm always amazed at how I can see God's hand in everything!!

Here is a short list of some of those blessings.
1. My eyes are open more to seeing the hand of God in my life.
2. I have learned what total submission to my Husband means.
3. My Children have learned how to be self sufficient in some areas.
4. I have been humbled by the out pouring of affection from many people, in person and through blogging.
5. I have learned that I can't "fix" everything and I need to be quiet and wait on God!

God uses every situation to "polish" us up. People have a misconception that when you become a Christian everything is great all the time. The difference is that God uses these situations to make us lean on him for everything. Until my surgery I didn't do that, I tried to fix everything myself. It is such a wonderful feeling to give all this to God. It is like a big weight has been lifted off my shoulders!! It is great to know that I do not have to "fix" everything, God will do it.

Side note: We have allowed our 14 year old daughter to have her very own blog, Katrina's Happenings. We would appreciate it if you would go to her blog and give her some words of encouragement. I'm trying to show her that writing can be really great. Also, since I can't be on here all the time I'm asking that you all be our eyes when we can't. Thank you in advance.

Gratituesday

I have so many things to be thankful for! But this week I am thankful for the Lord leading us to such a wonderful Church. Each person in the Church has become a part of my family. Yesterday we had a cookie baking day and I got to know many of the women so much better. What a better way to get to know someone than over flour, eggs, and sugar!! We had so much fun.

Making candy. Katie is working very hard huh?? They were little snowmen covered in chocolate.

Andrew making his gingerbread house. It was so much fun.

Hannah making her gingerbread house. She was in her glory being there with us.

This is just a small portion of cookies we exchanged. There were many more still in the kitchen. I wish I had a picture of all the containers after we separated them. I had so much fun yesterday. My job was separating all these into 8 containers. You know how many times I lost count????

I was SO excited when my Mom called and told me my sister in law was going to be coming with us. Here she is with my nephew making the gingerbread house....notice...he is eating the decorations...LOL. My Mom was there also. We all had so much fun.

To read other Gratituesday posts stop by the Heavenly Homemakers.