JOY

When asked why she was so full of joy, Helen Keller responded,

 "Because I live each day as though it were my last and life in all it's moments are so full of glory."

Picture courtesy of Miss Bailie

Scraps of Material + Sewing Books From Library = Hours of Fun

The children have been having so much fun lately sewing items for family members and friends.  I snatched up a kids Sewing Book at the library that gives the children all kinds of ideas to make along with patterns and instructions.  There is still a need for mommy to be very close by to help thread needles, give further instructions and help supervise the use of the sewing machine.  It has been fun watching them come up with their own unique creations as well.

These eye masks are some of Bailie's creations.  She even added lavender to some of them.

The big B pillow was made by Rylie for my mother's birthday last week.  Jack made her the small button pillow.

Bailie made this burp cloth for one of her friend's mother, who is getting ready to have baby #6.  She also made this pin cushion and needle book.

These were some of Rylie's creations.  An apron and 2 pillows.  All gifts for special people.

Here is a close up of a pillow pet that they all four made.  Lillie couldn't find hers at the time we took the next picture, but she is holding the pillow that she made for someone special in her life.

We got this idea from our friends the Eversman's.  Kim  is very frugal with her crafting and she comes up with some great ideas.  I had been saving old pants that had wholes in them and we decided to try and tackle this too.  We are still in the process of completing it, this one may take a while. :)

Freezer Stocking Baking Powder Biscuits

This is one of my favorite homemade biscuit recipes.  It is from Jenny's Country Kitchen Making Homemade A Little Easier!

4 1/2 C. all-purpose non-bleached flour
2 T baking Powder
1 1/2 t salt
2 T sugar
2 sticks butter (1cup), softened, not melted
2 C. milk

Heat oven to 425.  In a large bowl, combine all of the dry ingredients.  Cut in the butter with a pastry blender until small pea-size pieces form.  Mix in the milk to form a soft ball.

On lightly floured surface, knead the dough for 1 min.  Pat into a circle about 3/4 inch thick.  Cut the dough with a large biscuit cutter or a cup works fine. 

Place the desired amount of biscuits on a baking sheet 1 inch apart.  Bake about 15 min. or until golden brown.

Next place some wax paper on a baking sheet and place the rest of the biscuits.  Set in freezer for 1 hour or until frozen.  Then take them out and put them in a labeled freezer bag.  These will stay up to 6 months.  This recipe makes around 2 doz. depending on the size of biscuits you like.



To bake the frozen biscuits:  Heat your oven to 400.  Place the frozen biscuit on a baking sheet and bake for 20 min.

Serving suggestion:  Tonight we had these with Chicken Tortellini Soup.  We spread with butter and homemade strawberry jam and some used honey.

Lessons Learnt On Educating At Home

 We've been educating at home now for 6 years and I'm still learning so much on this topic.  God is continuing to use educating at home to mature and stretch me.  I know I have so far to go, but I am so thankful for where I am now compared to when we first started this journey.  Here are some areas that God has strengthened in me lately:

~I must trust my provider.  He is the one who has called us to this task, and He will provide us with all we need to fulfill it.  The more we know the one whom we call Providence, the more we can find rest in His arms and know that He will carry us through.   

"I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."  Philippians 4:9

~The Lord is the builder of our home.  Merely choosing to educate at home isn't a sure answer to raise godly children.  It is one of the easiest ways to disciple our children.  We must realize that it Jesus who is going to do the work in our children's hearts as we entrust them to His care .   

"Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain."  Psalms 127:1

~I'm learning to recognize interruptions as divine interventions. He knows all of our days and all of the interruptions that come with them.  He knows that the baby will need to be changed right in the middle of a math problem or the toddler will need disciplined right when we all sit down to start reading.  Through these interruptions, our children are learning what real life is all about!  As the mother, I am able to teach my children how to respond with love and kindness or I can teach them to be very irritated when little ones take me from other work.  Modeling Christ like behavior is much more valuable then reading about Christ-like behavior.   

"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

~I'm learning to reject all the voices that would cause fear to rise up within.  As we draw nearer to Christ, the louder His voice becomes.  We must listen to His voice wholeheartly and reject anything that would allow fear to rise up with in us.  The Lord is not the author of fear.  Example: Some kind women shares with you what curriculum they are using and how well it seems to be working for their family.  That in itself isn't a bad thing.  Sometimes it's good to hear what works and what doesn't from others.  However, our enemy can be very sneaky and start to use those suggestions to place doubt and fear in our minds and hearts.  Then we feel like maybe we have chosen the wrong curriculum and perhaps we need to change and...and...and.   We may not be able to control all of the thoughts that sneak their way into our minds, but we do have a choice to entertain them or not.   

"we take captive every thought to make it obedience to Christ."  2 Corinthians 10:5b

~I'm learning that educating at home doesn't have to be stressful.  In fact, if it is becoming to stressful then perhaps I am putting to many unnecessary expectations upon myself....possibly due to fear and doubt.  I must face the fact that there will be gaps in my child's education.  There are gaps in a public school education as well.  But God is so faithful and my children will become exactly what He has planned for them to become in-spite of all my failures and weaknesses.  I still have a responsibility to give my children a good education, but it doesn't have to mimic the public school system.  God has placed in each one of us a natural curiosity.  Learning is a part of life.  I am amazed at how much I am still learning along with my children.  I have enjoyed educating myself on the different styles of education and think we may have finally found our style.   

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and lean from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls."  Matthew 11:29

What are some areas that the Lord has taught you through home education?

Linking-up with: Deep Roots At Home, Raising Homemakers, Far Above Rubies, A Wise Woman Builds Her House & Time-Warp Wife

Our Valentine's Day

Our Day was spent mostly in a bowl of sugar.  My dearest friend, Jerilyn and her boys, braved visiting our family who had been battling colds.  She brought us the most pleasurable cupcakes, both to the eye and the stomach.  The boys brought our children each a baggie full of sweetness.  Jeffrey, her youngest, even remembered our cat and brought her a baggie of treats.  So sweet!!! 

Jerilyn, who is not afraid to tackle anything crafty, made me this wonderful t-shirt!  She knows just how much I adore my man.   Thanks again sweet friend!

The children played games and we sipped coffee and enjoyed delightful conversations.

Later, both of the grandmas came and brought more sweet treat bags.  We closed the evening with chocolate fondue.  Hope you all had a beautiful Valentine's Day! 

"We Love because He first loved us."  1 John 4:19

Celebrating LOVE

This is an easy kids craft.  Even my cowboy had fun doing this one.

This one was a more of a mom project and a little more time involved. 

Simple yet sweet decorations.

Next year I think I will use red marbles or rocks seeing that my flowers keep loosing their support.  I guess it's just too tempting for little and big hands.

Here is the final tissue paper project.

The big girls wanted to bake a cake and decorate them all by themselves.  

There's cowboy again.  He cracks me up with that smirk of his. 

Just in case you can't read this: Love Warner Rylie  is what it says.

Most of my inspiration came from here.  On this link you will find lots of love crafts along with tutorials!  Hope you have fun celebrating LOVE with the ones you love.

Thankful For...

Little hands that love to help their mother.

A freezer that was GRACIOUSLY given to us when ours went out earlier last week, and all the meat God provided for us this past year.

Warm winter days that allows for fun time outdoors.

Masterpieces from my youngens and the way they love to display them for all to see.

Gifts from a dear friend.

Boys falling asleep while 'reading' books.

My big girls who are quickly learning how to bless their family through their cooking abilities.   Rylie did a fine job preparing Oven Fried Chicken.

 Imagination.  After reading about the Pony Express, Jack is now one of the brave riders.

More Pony express riders.

Bailie's creativity.

Lillie's surprises.  She has been really blessing me lately by going above and beyond what is expected of her.  I'll find her cleaning a room or working on the laundry, sweeping up the floor or carrying in fire wood.  All without being asked so that she may bless us with her service.  And it does just that!!!

Science at our back window.

Dirty and sticky smiles.

My wonderful husband.  I'm so thankful for the hunger he has for God's word and the way He leads our home.  I'm so thankful for His boldness and not willing to be swayed or be wooed by the world.  I'm so thankful for his love for us and how he shows us daily.  I'm in awe of how our love for each other continues to grow deeper as we grow together in Christ.

God's Holy Word, His love letter to us, that draws me into an intimate communion with my Father.