Here at Home

Things have been going smoother here at home. Julianne is finishing up her last week of school. So far all her grades have been good. This afternoon we'll find out about Biology. She took a test last week and also turned in her project. I think she did a great job on it!

Our tree is up but not decorated. I'm hoping to do that tonight and also get the house decorated. I only put a few decorations out; it is getting less and less each year. I just don't have the energy anymore to put all that stuff away!!

I'm headed back to NJ again but for a quick trip. My mom needs some help so I'm driving up tomorrow, staying Thursday and driving back on Friday. Whew!

Jared moved into a house with two other guys so now we have another empty room. So now we have two children out of the home. Jared's house is very nice and it was encouraging to see what he did on his own. There's hope yet! Haha! I miss not seeing him everyday but that is all part of growing up and of letting go. The mommy in me would keep all my children next to me but I know that is not what is best. Ugh! I would hate to have a mama's boy!

We're going to turn his room into a guest room--after the holidays. It needs paint, new flooring and furniture. I have a friend who has a guest room and she calls it her thrift room since most everything in it was purchased at thrift stores and yard sales. I hope to follow her example.

Through all of these changes in my life, God is faithful. He is faithful when I am not. I'm reminded of this during Christmas time. He loved me so much that He became flesh in order to save me. He was faithful while I was not yet He still became God in the flesh! It hurts my brain to think about that too much. How could an infinite God be confined to finite flesh?

"......and you are to give Himm the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21b)

More Pictures

All these pictures were taken by Julianne with her new Nikon D3000 that she received for Christmas.

The "enemy".

Ok, can she possibly be any cuter?

More cuteness from Dasher.

Jim and Carolyn, our former pastor/teacher and his wife, who were back to visit when our church celebrated its 20th anniversary this past Sunday. They are now missionaries to Mexico City!

Michael being funny!

Dasher with her bat ears!!

Arwen, looking like a puppy.

Arwen with her best "sad" face. She's such a beautiful beagle!

Recent Pictures

Julianne working on her cell model for Biology

The completed project. Looks great!!

Making labels.

Tree murderers killing trees by our library. I was so sad to see this happen. I love trees.

Lids all organized!

Containers all organzied!

Items that don't have matches. Where are they???

Our Lunch Bunch for December

Puzzle we were working on at my mom's house.

Picture collage that my mom made. I love it!!

My friend, Pat, and I when I was up in NJ.

My dad's marker.

Hannah, a friend, at her baby shower.

Hannah and her cake. She had a "Where the Wild Things Are" theme.

Wild Thing cake that Hannah's sister, Melea, made for the party. So cute!!

Let It Snow?

It's December 5th and it's snowing in Richmond; now it's gone as quickly as it came and we are left with more rain! It seems we have had rain on and off for a few months. We had 9.60" of rain in November, which set a record. I hope it turns colder so any more rain this month will turn to snow!

I went up for a few days to see my mom. She is doing ok but misses my dad a lot. I know the holidays are going to be hard. She did put up a tree and I was glad to hear that. I'm planning on going back before Christmas and I'm hoping I can talk her into visiting. I can only hope!

My house isn't decorated yet but I hope to get to it this week. I was telling a friend that I decorate less and less each year. I will put up our tree and then will probably just decorate here and there. I'm really trying to focus more on the true meaning of the season. It seems it is getting lost more and more. I was happy to see that Target had Merry Christmas signs up. That's unusual!

I hope to get back to regular blogging soon; I've missed being here :-) May you have a blessed Lord's Day tomorrow!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth!

Worship the Lord with gladness;

come before Him with joyful songs.

Know that the Lord is God.

It is He who made us, and we are His;

we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gateswith thanksgiving and His courts with praise;

give thanks to Him and praise His name.

For the Lord is good and His love endures forever;

His faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Monday, November 16, 2009:

Outside my window...it's a beautiful day with a bright, blue, cloudless sky

I am remembering....when the children were little and we would rake leaves into big piles and then jump!!

I am thankful for...sunny days that follow many days of rain

From the learning rooms...I am pleased with Julianne's grade in Writing/Literature (the highest in her class!)

From the kitchen...the crockpot is making dinner!

I am wearing...sweats; I just finished cleaning the downstairs and am getting ready to hop in the shower

I am creating...cards for upcoming babies due and baby showers

I am going...to take Julianne to the orthodontist and run some errands while she is there

I am reading...actually listening to the audio book of "Crazy Love" . By the way, this website offers a free audio book each month; this month it's Desiring God by John Piper! When I have free time at my desk, I listen to audiobooks.

I am hoping...for lots of snow this winter :-)

I am hearing...my iPod playing Steven Curtis Chapman's "Speechless"

Around the house...there are lots of leaves that need to be picked up. I hope to work on that tomorrow.

One of my favorite things...birdwatching

A few plans for the rest of the week: packing to go to NJ on Friday

Here's a picture for thought I am sharing...my dear friend and her precious new grandson!

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Autumn 2009

White-Throated Sparrow

These are from my anniversary flowers.

Such a pretty rose!

Mexican Train!

Julianne, Matt and Jessica

What happens when you study biology for a long time....

25th anniversary flowers

Hello!

It doesn't seem like two weeks since I've posted. What have I been doing? I looked over my calendar to see what has been going on these last weeks. It hasn't been overly busy. We've had some doctor and orthodontist appointments, election day, errands, grocery shopping--the usual. I just haven't been taking the time to post lately.

Julianne and I have started back playing games. Our game of choice is usually Trouble. Haha! We love that game and play it all the time. I also bought a set of dominoes and we've been playing Mexican Train a lot. Jessica was over the other night and we taught her to play. We'll be taking the game when we go to New Jersey next week.

The last three days we have had rain, rain and more rain. I think we're over 7". It finally stopped today and as I was outside about 5:00 I saw the sun! It was beautiful!! Tomorrow it's supposed to be sunny and warm. A perfect Lord Day's...and we're going to a surprise party after church to play miniature golf and ride go-karts.

Next Friday we're driving up to spend five days with my mom. I thought Julianne had school off on the 24th (the day we're returning) but she doesn't! Oops! I don't like her to miss any days of school but I really can't come back sooner. I think it will be ok and I'll get any homework assignments from her teacher. Of course, she can still do her history and Spanish there or here. :-)

Since I will be gone until right before Thanksgiving, I'm going to do my grocery shopping on Tuesday. I know I have a lot of my ingredients in my pantry so I don't think I really need to get that much. I just don't want to shop on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. The grocery stores are a little too crazy on that day!

I will leave you with a quote from Respectable Sins. Each lesson has been so convicting to me!!

"You will recognize that there is a recurring theme running through this chapter [discontentment] as well as the previous one [anxiety and frustration]. That theme is the importance of a firm belief in the sovereignty, wisdom, and goodness of God in all the circumstances of our lives. Whether those circumstances are short-term or long-term, our ability to respond to them in a God-honoring and God-pleasing manner depends on our ability and willingness to bring these truths to bear on them. And we must do this by faith; that is, we must believe that the bible's teaching about these attributes really is true and that God has brought or allowed these difficult circumstances in our lives for His glory and our ultimate good."

"Home-Focused"

Back in July I wrote a post about losing my focus for all things home. Even before my crazy summer, I felt that I needed to be home more. I can say that these few months of being "home-focused" have been wonderful. I do not feel overwhelmed at all and the days have been mostly stress-free.

I would say my days are full but not busy. Does that make sense? I have been working on sewing projects, rubber stamping, and baking. I have been keeping up with the housework and laundry. It is so nice to see the house clean and uncluttered. Such pleasure for my eyes!

Being home-focused on most days has allowed me time to do other things. I have been able to take several ladies out for lunch and for fellowship/encouragement. It is such a blessing to talk about the things of the Lord and of our roles as wives and mothers. I have also been able to concentrate on spending time with my family. We are not always scattered every day!

Since that post, we have started up with our fellowship group meeting here every other Satuday night. Our study of "Respectable Sins" has been deep, convicting and provided lots of good conservation. I look forward to these nights much more than I did last year. I was so busy with too many activities last year that I would have to do most of my cleaning/cooking on Saturday before the group came then I would be exhausted. Now I'm able to plan my meal ahead of time and since the house is usually picked up, there isn't a lot for me to do on Saturday except prepare the meal. So much nicer than being stressed!

I have also taken over as our church's bookstore manager. I like working the bookstore but I don't like getting home after 1:00 on Sundays. I was sharing the duties with another but she has decided not to continue. So, I'm looking for an assistant so we can switch off every other week. A request will be in the bulletin this week. Please pray that I will get a volunteer!

I have also taken on the duty of bringing flowers and a gift to moms who have their second (or more) baby. I really like this ministry and it doesn't take much time at all. Another ministry I have started is to write notes to the ladies at church. I know I have been blessed when someone has taken the time to write me a note of encouragement or just to say they were thinking of me so I have started doing the same.

I know it is not popular or politically correct to be a keeper at home but it is correct in God's eyes. I have not worked in the outside world for over 20 years and I am quite content to keep it that way. God has called women to be busy at home and I want to follow that calling with all my heart.

The Simple Woman's Daybook (a day late)

For Tuesday, October 27, 2009...

Outside my window...it’s a cloudy, rainy day but the leaves are brilliant orange, red and yellow

I am thinking...that God likes variety based on the many different trees and their colors

I am thankful for...God’s faithfulness even when I am not

From the learning rooms...grading some tests and organizing some files

From the kitchen...I’m thinking of making some pumpkin cookies tomorrow

I am wearing...jeans, black sweater, white shirt, black shoes

I am creating...still working on my bibs; I’m almost finished one

I am going...to take Julianne to karate

I am reading...instructions to make some cloth coasters for Christmas

I am hoping...that the time between now and Christmas will go slow

I am hearing...my washer and dryer; a sound heard most days

Around the house...it is decorated for fall with lots of candles and jack o’lanterns

One of my favorite things...is fall foliage—a surprise every year

A few plans for the rest of the week: doctor’s appointment, getting Michael and Julianne ready for backpacking, and a baby shower on Saturday

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...I love the colors in this picture

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