~Noticing God's glory


~listening to

the sound of Hannah Grace sniffling as she nurses.....2 days of being well and now here we are with a runny nose again, allergies maybe?

~clothing myself in

workout clothes that are a little sweaty.....that's good right?

~giving thanks for

a very full weekend! that ended with a nice date to Apple Valley and then to Lowes, so romantic! Then home for ice cream and a movie with the kids. So thankful for family time when we are all together.

 ~books we are reading

Pulling out our books about birds this week. A new one we loved is The Boy who Drew Birds......about John James Audobon. Lovely illustrations, it's a new favorite.  

~pondering prayerfully

Praying over my children today.....Lord keep them close to you, guide them and lead them. also lifting up our school plans, may our home glorify You always.....

 ~creating by hand

I picked up some new fabrics.......finished Hannah Grace's summer tee and cast on for my Henslowe shawl. I hope to cut out some more pants this week and possibly a dress?

~learning lessons in

following the theme from last week.....we are still trying to love each other well. This is something I think we will be learning all our lives......    

~encouraging learning

birds......it's all about birds this week!

~carefully cultivating rhythm

this is the first week in a while that we will be home most days (except for Thursday which is co-op) so I am looking forward to falling into our daily rhythm and having time to really learn together.

~begging prayers

again for good health......

~keeping house

just as I began getting out summer clothing bins the weather turned cold again.....so now we have both seasons out and that is messy! Hopefully some yard work will get done this week.

~in the kitchen

whipping up some pancakes for breakfast and baked ziti with homemade Italian bread for dinner. Being home means more time to spend in the kitchen!

~health and fitness

well I got to day 19 of the shred and my computer crashed ......since my videos were on my computer I could not do that workout anymore......I pulled some other dvd workouts off the shelf and have continued on with those......I like the variety better I think. I also did a 3.10 run on Sunday in 33 minutes....a best for me!

 ~loving the moments

with my littler ones this week......especially Caleb who can be so animated and funny. He never stops moving! He is growing up way to fast as he tries to keep up with his older brothers, but then I see him nodding off on the couch...thumb in mouth.....after a hard day of playing and I remember he is only 5.
 

 

         

I'm joining Elizabeth again to share what I've been sewing and reading this week and can I just say that I did it! First off I finished the baby blanket I started last week. I even made my own binding for it.....that was a real learning process but I think it was good practice for me. It has a lot of flaws but I really don't think the baby cares!



And then yesterday I actually made pants that Hannah Grace can wear!! Yes I really did it! The main reason I decided to start sewing was so I could make the big but baby pants......having a baby in cloth diapers makes it hard to find pants that fit good.....they are always tight.




You guys that have been sewing a while probably think ......no big deal......but what a great feeling to know I  "can" do this!! I also made the headband with leftover elastic and fabric. She looks so cute it in! I found that cute top at Target and the colors matched perfect! I can't wait to make another pair!

Sorry for the overload of pics but this was just so neat.....that they actually turned out.....that they actually look good on her.....I am just beyond excited!!

And so now I can see myself making some other things.......hmmmm.....another trip to the fabric store is in order I think!! Happy sewing!!

Oh and on the reading side .....like I shared yesterday I'm going back over Educating the Wholehearted child by the Clarkson's to renew my focus for our homeschooling.....by far my favorite homeschooling book!

That spring cardigan I am working on is at a point where I was getting bored with it.....so into my stash I went and pulled out this fun striping yarn and decided to cast on for a "sweet summer tee" for Hannah Grace! Seems I can't just have one project going, I must knit in a gazillion directions in order to be happy! I have not stopped work on my cardy just set it aside for the moment.....I am almost 1/2 way done with it!


I was in need of some encouragement in the homeschooling area this week and so I pulled out an old favorite by the Clarksons to redirect our school days and remind me of just why I am doing this. Educating the Wholehearted Child was just reprinted, I believe it is the 3rd edition. I recommend this book to every homeschooler I know! I have a renewed focus and our days have been so much better!

Well I hope to get over  to Ginny's later to see what everyone else has been knitting and reading this week......happy knitting!!

~Noticing God's glory

The rain is coming down pretty heavy and it did all night.....thankful for it though as we need it so badly right now. I am sure our world is going to be so much greener when it stops.

~listening to

the sound of rain drops on the skylights.......very soothing. The house is still silent as everyone is still sleeping.......but that will end soon!

~clothing myself in

workout clothes.....and slippers...if I don't get my shred in early it is not likely to happen!

 ~giving thanks for

a hubby that works so hard for us. I did not see Brian at all last week.....he worked 13 hour days and ended up working Saturday as well....and then had to go in Saturday night and pull an all nighter. I did manage to get caught up with my Project Life album because of his many hours at work, so I am thankful for that as well!

 ~books we are reading

I need some inspiration in the area of homeschooling so I am pulling out some of my favs this week to read and get re-motivated in this area. Love the Clarkson's Educating the Wholehearted Child! I have the new edition and need to crack it open!

~pondering prayerfully

again this week Claire is on my mind as we decide what to use for 10th grade next year. I attended a meeting for a new co-op and it might be an answer to prayer....hoping God shows me very clearly the path to take here. Also praying about my use of time. I have felt very rushed these past weeks with everything we do.....how can I work my day better? I really need to pray about and follow Gods to do list not my own.......  

Yes, that is right......I am caught up with my weekly Project Life pages!! Yeah! Now keeping caught up is another thing altogether!

 These are my 2 main pages for the week with an 8.5x11 insert with the next 2 pages. Super simple and super easy but I got my stories down and that's what is important for me!



8.5x11 insert front and back.....

I'm joining Elizabeth again as we share what we've been sewing and reading this week. I had grand plans of finishing this lap blanket and maybe even those big but baby pants but a very sick baby has kept my arms very full instead.

 I did manage to get my new machine out......get it all threaded up and start the blanket. Can I say it was so fun to see it coming together! I think I am going to enjoy sewing as much as I enjoy knitting! Oh that could mean trouble! I used this tutorial to get started.


I have been watching videos and reading blogs on how to machine bind my little blanket. I have read enough where I think I might just be able to pull it off! We shall see!And that has been the extent of my reading for this week as I take care of little Hannah Grace.....

Can't wait to see what others are sewing and reading!!

This post is going to be short and sweet........short because I am holding a very sick baby in my arms that needs me........and it's been that way all week so my knitting has not progressed like I wanted it too......and sweet because I have a picture of my little feverish one and even though she is sick she is still so cute!




And I am thoroughly enjoying her wanting to lay on my chest and sleep all day......at 13 months she would usually rather be scooting around then hanging out on Mom's lap! Not quite sure what she is fighting....prayers for a quick recovery would be appreciated!



My Corinne cardigan is coming along nicely.......almost 1/2 way done! And reading has been limited to the bunch of picture books in the basket that my 5 year old wants to hear as we cuddle on the couch and care for little Hannah Grace. Head over to Small Things and see what everyone else in knitting and reading this week!

Lately my blog posts have mostly been about my crafty adventures.......I also truly want it to be a way for me to capture and look back at what life is like here. Lots of bloggers do a weekly woman's day book and it seems an easy way to capture my thoughts once a week.......so here is mine.....(inspired my Elizabeth's)

~Noticing God's glory

The windows are open and the morning breeze is coming in. Everything is beginning to finally turn green and I can just make out the buds on the trees. The sun is just rising in the sky and it looks like today will be gorgeous. 

~listening to

birds chirping outside and a silent house.....everyone else is still asleep.....also the sniffly breaths of a feverish babe in my arms.....such a sad little sound  (not sure if the new tooth coming in up top is the culprit)

~clothing myself in

t-shirt and sweats......not sure if this will change today due to a sick baby....I'm thinking with 70 degree weather today I need to begin pulling the summer clothing bins out and making the clothing switch soon!

~giving thanks for

a new day, new grace, new mercy from a God that loves me no matter what! A wonderful weekend and so many blessings! Also this Tuesday will be 19 years of being one with my best friend and hubby! That is the best blessing of all!!

~books we are reading

we started a new devotional last week Who is God? And how can I know him. We are all really enjoying it, a perfect book on teaching our children about worldview and why we believe what we do.
Garrett is still walking around with his comic book and reading (love to see him reading for pleasure!) And Jacob is on book 4 of the Rangers Apprentice series.....he's just waiting for me to order the next audio book!

~pondering prayerfully

so much change is going on......praying about Claire and school choices for next year. Praying peace for this Momma's heart as my oldest steps out into the mission field this summer (Thailand...oh yes...)
Praying also for God's strength this week as Brian works long hours and will not be home a lot. Bathing each minute in prayer........yes!

~creating by hand

well, I have plans for knitting on my cardigan and cutting squares for a blanket so I can try out my new sewing machine but those are my plans.......not sure if they are God's yet.....

~learning lessons in

back to the basics......with this crazy week I'll be happy to get math, reading , phonics and some writing in......I need to keep it real and simple!

~encouraging learning

I will be handing out nature journals this week......my girls always loved them but the boys seem to need a little more of a push to keep it up......lots of hiking and nature talk this week!

~carefully cultivating rhythm

like I said with Brian gone I am all about basics this week.......I am updating our chore lists in the hope of  being better organized.......I have younger ones that are old enough to do bigger jobs now so some training needs to be scheduled.....having a good chore rhythm is essential in our home!

~begging prayers

for my oldest daughter Emily as she looks to God for His plan for her life.......she is feeling led to missions work. And my next oldest Elaina is also graduating this year and planning to spread her wings.....

~keeping house

new bookshelves are here and now I just need to get down there and organize them all......I know I will love this when it is done! Oh and it is ant season here in the woods......ugh! It's a battle to keep them out!

~in the kitchen
 
our favorite new treat are these energy bites......and they are good for you!! Simple and easy meals this week with Dad not home for dinner! Maybe Chinese one night as well!!

~health and fitness

made it through the first week of the 30 day shred.....tough but I am already seeing results! I am feeling great as well.......got out to run 3 times last week for a total of 8 miles....good eating habits slipped a little over the weekend but I am back on track today....I feel so much better when I keep that sugar out of my diet! 

~loving the moments

of just being at home! After having to be gone 5 days a week with Garrett's tutoring I am just sooooo excited to be able to be home every day! I love my home.....love being with my kids....love being present and available here where I am supposed to be.....it all runs so much smoother this way! Thank you Lord!!

~Hannah Grace

this little one is just about walking......stands up and will take one step but then resorts to scooting again! She makes me smile.....makes all of us smile with her chatter these days! Mama.....Dada.....that top tooth showed itself Friday the 13th and she has not been herself since...poor thing! 
 

~living the liturgy

in our women's bible study we are talking about getting back to basics. Spending time at God's feet......praying and reading His word. Growing in our most important mission....our relationship with Him! I am ready and can feel a renewed hunger for more of this!

         

I am so excited about this new link up that Elizabeth Foss is doing over at In the Heart of My Home! I have followed her blog for quite some time gleaning all kinds of wonderful encouragement for homeschooling! And then I found my knitting passion and followed her to the weekly yarn along where I have met so many wonderful people and found so many amazing projects to knit! And then she turned to sewing and that was something I had not done in a long time.

Now when I was young my Mom who is an accomplished seamstress taught me to sew but I was just not into it. She also taught my daughters to sew and my oldest Emily has made everything from doll clothing, period costumes and skirts. She loves sewing and creating! After seeing some of the cutest patterns on pinterest and other sites I decided I must relearn to sew so that I can make beautiful things for this little baby of mine!

As I decided to do this our older singer machine broke down........now how was I going to sew? So this past week this arrived in the mail! (of course it has sat there all week and I have not even had a chance to look at it!) So hopefully this weekend the creating will begin with my oldest at my side to guide me!


I did get a chance to head to JoAnn's and pick up some fabric! I also picked up the Big But Baby Pants pattern! I love that these pants will fit over Hannah Grace's cloth diapered bum! I also have the sun hat pattern from this site! I also bought some minky and some flannel for a little lovie blanket......no pattern for that yet!


So no projects to share as of yet.....just dreams of some! And any tutorials or sites you can point me too as I learn this craft would be so helpful! I will only have my Emily to guide me for a couple months before she is heading to Thailand and out onto the mission field. That makes sharing this time with her so very special!!


I can not wait to see others projects! Head over to Elizabeth's blog to join in the fun!!!!

I was so busy last week that I never made it to the Yarn Along......My Mother was coming up for Easter and between trying to get the house ready and preparing for Easter I just never made it. So I will share with you what I whipped up for the kiddos baskets and a little something I am knitting up for myself. Oh the joy of selfish knitting!!!

These little pookies are the cutest things and so fast to knit up and my little boys are enjoying them so much!! A great way to use up those little bits of yarn floating around.

And this is the bunny I made for Hannah Grace's basket. Can you believe I never got the face done on it! I still need to pull out the embroidery floss and get that done.......she did not seem to care though! It's made from a cotton yarn and she loves hugging it tight!


My other project at the moment is this sweet spring cardigan called the Corinne. I am using cascade yarn ultra pima cotton. I really like the way it is coming together and it should make a great light weight cardy for spring and summer. The only problem is between gardening and other spring cleaning projects my knitting is not going as fast as I would like! More hours in the day please!!!!
And yes that is a fire in the woodstove in the background of my picture. The days have gotten chillier here again and this past weekend was very windy as well. I started A Woman after Gods Own Heart by Elizabeth George this week. We are using this book for our women's bible study, I look forward to really growing as we get into it!


I also must share this photo of Hannah Grace in her Easter dress. My mother made this dress for my 2nd oldest on her first Birthday.....that was almost 17 years ago! And now Hannah Grace is getting to wear it! I am so glad I saved these adorable outfits! My Mother is a fabulous seamstress and always made my girls the most beautiful outfits! That being said I have been looking at all the wonderful patterns out there for baby clothes.....and I purchased a new sewing machine last week! So now I can add sewing to my list of projects I want to get too!!!

One more picture and then I am off to start the day! We took a family photo on Easter and amazingly enough everyone is looking at the camera here!




 Go over to Small Things and join in the Yarn Along!! Happy Knitting!!