Saturday, June 25, 2011

Too busy to blog!




Summer busyness! We have been in a whirlwind of activites...milking cows, taking care of chickens (not ours!), swimming, having garage sales, visiting relatives, having friends visit and then just life!



Our sweet Abby has been gone for THREE weeks and is coming home today!! Even though we have been busy, there has definitely been a HOLE in our family. We will be so glad to have her back.

What are some things you are reading or thinking these days?? I will share a few of mine soon.

Warmly,

Susan

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Spring!

The days are glorious around here. I can hardly stand to be indoors! We are going to our friends house today to help with chicken chores and milking their cows while they are out of town for the week. My kids love this...it is perfect weather so I think we will make a day of it. Picnic lunch and everything. I will take the camera and see what we can see!

Enjoy your day!
Susan

Monday, February 14, 2011

1000 gifts


141. my wonderful husband and Valentine

142. Amy

143. Abby

144. Allison

145. Andrew

146. Aaron

147. Anna

148. Alex

149. Angie

150. Alvin

151. Ava

152. the blessing of being a mother of 10!

153. dishes piled high, reminder of plenty of good food

154. medicine to quiet coughs

155. sleep

156. washing machine keeping cadence on the rhythm of our lives

157. good books that inspire and encourage

158. time...all that we need

159. music...learned and practiced

160. Christ crucified





Sunday, February 6, 2011

1000 gifts




131. popcorn

132. cold weather...cold enough that you can see the snow crystals before they melt!


133. medicine for headaches and high fevers

134. plenty of food for a week of winter weather

135. a wonderful variety of hot, GF soups

136. Ann's new book

137. hot showers

138. early morning smiles

139. baby's intrigue of everything life

140. birthdays...the well-remembered first and the celebrated ninth

Monday, January 31, 2011

1000 gifts

121. flannel sheets

122. warm days in January

123. cold fronts coming in to remind us winter is not over!

124. baby carriers

125. gluten-free recipes

126. baby cheeks

127. a young man home from two years of mission work in China

128. The gospel going out to all the nations

129. Colossians memory work

130. homemade potato soup with lots of pepper



holy experience

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Check this out!!

I was glancing at Ann Voskamp's blog and found this COOL scripture memory website! Just click on the scripture reference below the scripture memory sidebar and start memorizing. This is really fun and a great help for me! I have such a hard time memorizing.

Enjoy!
Sharpening your sword is memorizing the Word!

Susan

Friday, January 28, 2011

Life at our house

This past Sunday it seemed several people grabbed the camera for a few quick shots. I'm trying for at least a few shots a week!





Sunday-
Silly girls who have been friends almost all their lives...


Monday-
Angie.....



Thursday-
A relaxing day at the library while our older kids enjoyed enrichment classes. I'm so thankful my kids love to read!


Thursday-
Mocha, Abby's rabbit.




Friday-
Climbing trees in 70 degree weather in January! Ahhh, how I love Texas!




Friday-
Another way we took advantage of this wonderful weather! Jeff and his helpers worked on putting the new trailer hitch on the van. What rich blessings to have a husband who knows how to teach and train his boys!



Amazing grace in the moments and days He gives!

Susan

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Wanting to blog!

I have been blogging in my sleep! Hmmm...I found myself in the hours of dozing between feedings that I think of lots of things I would like to write about and explore, but of course I am in bed in the dark and when the morning light wakes me up (or the alarm), I quickly put those things on the back burner as the day kicks into gear.

I have been reading blogs of such encouragement. I will add those to my blog list, so you can share them, too. It seems I have been struggling with rolling emotions lately, up and down and up and down! I know my hormones are trying to get settled...do they ever get settled in your 40's?? But I find myself crying out to God for help! Of course, this is where He wants me always. It is a deep reminder of the consequences of our sinfulness. It makes me keenly aware of the fight. Sometimes it feels like I am fighting a HUGE dragon inside of me. I must remember He is my defender and my strength.

Sharpen your Sword with me!

Susan

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Daily Encouragement

I have been loving Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening devotions. I was especially encouraged by this one. Sometimes when I look around at everything going on in our world, I am easily discouraged. But!! God is working under and around and through it all. Praise our true King! Be encouraged!





Evening, December 5


“And the Lord shewed me four carpenters.”

Zechariah 1:20

In the vision described in this chapter, the prophet saw four terrible horns. They were pushing this way and that way, dashing down the strongest and the mightiest; and the prophet asked, “What are these?” The answer was, “These are the horns which have scattered Israel.” He saw before him a representation of those powers which had oppressed the church of God. There were four horns; for the church is attacked from all quarters. Well might the prophet have felt dismayed; but on a sudden there appeared before him four carpenters. He asked, “What shall these do?” These are the men whom God hath found to break those horns in pieces. God will always find men for his work, and he will find them at the right time. The prophet did not see the carpenters first, when there was nothing to do, but first the “horns,” and then the “carpenters.” Moreover, the Lord finds enough men. He did not find three carpenters, but four; there were four horns, and there must be four workmen. God finds the right men; not four men with pens to write; not four architects to draw plans; but four carpenters to do rough work. Rest assured, you who tremble for the ark of God, that when the “horns” grow troublesome, the “carpenters” will be found. You need not fret concerning the weakness of the church of God at any moment; there may be growing up in obscurity the valiant reformer who will shake the nations: Chrysostoms may come forth from our Ragged Schools, and Augustines from the thickest darkness of London’s poverty. The Lord knows where to find his servants. He hath in ambush a multitude of mighty men, and at his word they shall start up to the battle; “for the battle is the Lord's,” and he shall get to himself the victory. Let us abide faithful to Christ, and he, in the right time, will raise up for us a defense, whether it be in the day of our personal need, or in the season of peril to his Church.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

New pictures!

We had fun taking these pictures the other day. Right before the cold weather set in. It always amazes me when I see my children in pictures! God has been so good to us!


Laundry is something we do a lot around here...

I found this fun link to Wordle while playing around with the computer. I started getting grand ideas of presents for the family with this fun word art. I just don't have a color printer right now, so I have to be a little more creative! Hope you have fun, too!


Wordle: Laundry


Susan

Monday, November 29, 2010

Fun! Fun!

We have had such fun times lately! After spending an evening with my whole family for the first time in at least six months, the fun just kept coming! The week before Thanksgiving we spent the week at my parent's time share on the lake. My sweet daughter turned 13 and she and I got to have a night by ourselves (with the baby!). We had fun hanging out and shopping for boots the next day.



Then we had days to spend with our family, playing games and watching movies. Jeff took the whole crew for a "lost in the woods" adventure, while Ava and I stayed and relaxed in the room. The weather was cool and windy, but not bad. We spent some time throwing rocks in the lake, enjoying the blue sky!





One night was a slumber party with Allison's friends for her birthday. I think the girls went to sleep at 5:00am!

We all ended up going again the next weekend to spend a little more time with my sister's family.

Thankfulness oozing out everywhere!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Thanksgiving

This morning as I sit at my computer looking out of my window at the squirrels playing in the trees, I have been reminded of the sweet community of Godly women I have met on the Web. As a mother of ten in a small town, I don't get out much! :) I'm always trying to figure out how to get out less, as a matter of fact!

But, this can create a loneliness sometimes. A nagging feeling of being very small in this battle. Although, like any tool, the internet can be used for harm, it has been a great source of encouragement to me!

Amazing ladies that are willing to share from their life, to encourage the

"younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." Titus 2

In this week of Thanksgiving, I just wanted to say "Thank you!" to my blogging friends. What fun we will have in heaven together!

A few of my favorite friends for you to meet...

Mommyx12
Susan
Ann
Raising Homemakers
Sherry
Mrs. Joseph Wood


With a thankful heart,

Susan

Monday, November 1, 2010

1000 gifts

109. a new day

110. a new week

111. a new month

112. how God continues to make all things new over and over!

113. forgiveness for yesterday's mistakes

114. HOPE for tomorrow

115. shiny sink

116. clean house

117. company for the weekend

118. falling leaves

119. cooler temperatures

120. my life...HIS life!

Saturday, October 30, 2010

The reason I haven't been blogging...

Well, my daughters were commenting that I haven't blogged in awhile. My sweet blogging friend, Susan, has referenced my blog a few times lately, so here I am! I decided to explain, maybe in pictures, what has been occupying my time lately.



This was the end of July...




The shower...




The due date! 8/9/10 I love the birth date! :)



Her arrival. Miss Ava Faith weighed in at 9 lb. 14 oz. Happy, healthy arrival...thank you, God!



Welcomed by her adoring fan club.





One of my friends, long ago, told me that it takes about three months to adjust to a major life change. I have found this to be very true for me. Now, Ava is almost three months, cooing and smiling, and making it very hard to imagine life without this sweet darling. And now, I can sit down to blog again.

Just a few things still remind me of the adjustment. For instance, she is sleeping on my shoulder after nursing, while I type this post. Everything is a little slower, specially one-handed typing. As I told, Susan, I am also redirecting my energy right now. This short phase in my life will be over before I can blink.

During this time of welcoming our newest arrival. my second oldest has completed driver's ed and received her license. Life speeds by!

Help me, Lord. to number my days...and enjoy each moment!

Love,
Susan

Monday, April 12, 2010

1000 gifts

51. Wonderful church fellowship!

52. Sunny spring days

53. Hanging sheets on the line

54. Sleeping on sheets dried by the sun

55. 15 minutes of well used time

56. Looking forward to the return of Christ!

57. Good books

58. New carpet, paint, and windows at church

59. New families at church

60. The most wonderful husband


Enjoy your week!

Susan

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Lamplighter books

If you haven't heard of Lamplighter theater, I will be glad to recommend it! The Lamplighter books are some of our favorite read aloud books. We have only started in on the list of great titles, but I received this email offering a free download of one of their books. They really want to get this out to as many people as possible because it is a great evangelistic tool. You are welcome and encouraged to link it to your blog and spread the word! We are looking forward to hearing this great story!

A Peep behind the Scenes

Have a wonderful Lord's Day!

Susan

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Life Project- first week

I'm so inspired by Susan's pictures of her Life Project. I want to try it! So here goes...this was my first real attempt at lots of pictures. Hmmm....I have been trying to take pictures almost every day for the last few weeks, but when I started loading them they got all out of order! Maybe next time I will do better! It is still a good look at the days of our lives- busy and full! Hope you enjoy!





Monday- yogurt! 3/9

Sunday- our place to worship 3/14


Sunday walk 3/14


Monday rainbow 3/15


Monday baby picture! 3/15


Sunday snow ice cream 3/21


Tuesday- where's the food? 3/16


Sunday- another snow view 3/21


Sunday- spring in the snow! 3/21



Saturday- breakfast at Meme's house 3/20


Wednesday 3/17


Sunday night- favorite time! 3/14


Friday- Happy 4th Birthday! 3/12


Friday- cousin time! 3/19


Thursday- clean bathroom with a touch of spring 3/18


Tuesday- helping Daddy 3/16




Saturday- Spring! 3/20


Monday- Brothers! 3/15




Isn't life good?!

Susan

1000 gifts

42. singing children

43. Thankful Tuesdays :)

44. Spring

45. spring cleaning

46. blogging

47. fresh paint

48. 11 plates, 11 cups, 11 forks, 11 napkins, every meal!

49. hot water

50. math books

Monday, March 22, 2010

Six Inches of Snow!




Okay, we had a beautiful snowstorm on the second day of spring! Crazy, but great for photography! Now I just need to see if I can get some of these great pictures on the my blog...I do have to say I did not take these pictures. Like I said earlier, my kids are passing me quickly on all their talents and skills. Their blogs are much better than mine, too. If you are interested in those, just let me know and we can probably send you an invitation.



Here is snow in the spring!



Enjoy God's beauty!

Susan