For Today ...
Sunday February 22nd

Outside my window...
The sun is beginning to peak over horizon. I can see the colors of a sunrise reflecting on the edges of our pond. Ducks that have chosen to make us a temporary resting place paddle through the water breaking its still surface. A good and peaceful way to start this Sunday morning

From the learning rooms...
stacks of books and piles of papers. Life has been out of routine with the schedule we have had to keep because of robotics. The end is in sight and I am trying to find a good rhythm to our day

I am thankful for...
the relationship I have with my older sons and their families

From the kitchen...
Sunday fixings ready and waiting for the day

I am wearing...
flannel pants and comfy shirt. It is cold outside and I feel it in my bones!

I am reading...
homeschooling moms website trying to glean ideas for our day

I am hoping...
the puppies don't start whining to be let out

I am creating...
a mess! with all my stacks of books and piles of papers

I am hearing...
the heater blowing to fill our house with warmth

Around the house...
working on finishing some painting in the kitchen

One of my favorite things...
my family

A few plans for the rest of the week...
the robotics match

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Will have to wait....the pictures are on the other computer and to go through the house it would wake the children and the puppies!

A night at the Ball

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Colossians 3:15-17

An attitude of thankfulness. A heart full of gratefulness for all the Lord has done. It takes practice and discipline to begin this habit of truly looking at the blessings of each and every day. It is a choice to seek and see that which God has done and to be thankful for His work within my life. It is a turning away from the fleshly response of complaining and grumbling to a Spirit filled response of praise and gratitude for the work the Lord has done.

A thousand gifts from my Heavenly Father's hand....

1. The gift of knowing my Lord, Jesus.

2. His word...oh how I love the word of God and the truth that it holds.

3. Quiet moments at the beginning of day that allow me time to curl up with the word before the presence of my Lord.

4. My old comfy rocker in the corner of my room that beckons to me.

5. A quilt upon my rocker...it is worn and even threadbare in places. It offers a little warmth but is full of memories of those who have gone to be with the Lord.

Oh Lord, I have so very much to be thankful for. I could spend the rest of my days singing your praises yet it would not be enough to let you know how very thankful I am.

Cookie Day!

They all arrived at 9:00. Children, Marrieds and the Magars. The kitchen was ready and the ingredients were organized. It was time for the annual Cookie Baking Day!

Decorated boxes ready to be filled with cookies for family and friends.

Lots of M & M cookie dough!

Mmmmmmm!

Jessica and Josiah are on a team together.

The boys were going to make haystacks.

LOTS and LOTS of sugar cookies

At the end of the day we had over 2100 cookies. We were tired but happy!

Christmas Bunny

Uncle Josh

Elliot was chillin' and watching the football game with Uncle Josh. The two of them are great buds. Elliot lights up when Joshua comes into the room.

Christmas Dance

We meet monthly to learn dances from the late 1800's. Amazingly the children love it. We have all learned many things about that time in history.

There is a summer ball in July and the children are working on their period dress. It should be lots of fun. Here we are at the Christmas dance practice.

Johanna enjoying the Duck Soup Dance

Joshua with family friend

Josiah with Jessica M doing the Twelve Days of Christmas dance.