A few Thoughts...Tina Style...

I am just feeling so overwhelmed with everything...I just do not get it...I do not know how can look at the things that go on around here daily and sit back for a moment of two to take a breather and count my blessings,to take a moment to appreciate all God is doing...is he doing anything?It does not seem like it a lot of the time.I'm sure the blessings are there but life is going SO fast there really isn't the time to notice much.If I do not do the laundry for one day we are SO backed up it is overwhelming.If I make a stupid impulse purchase, however minor, the effects are felt greatly.I can not organize enough,clean enough,plan enough, to have a day that flows even sort-of smoothly.I wake up every morning with a stirred up stomach dreading the day and can not sleep because things weigh so heavy on my mind.Now, I do not want to pull out the large family vs extra large family card but having our seven seemed like a lot back then but it was nothing compared to right now!There really was some breathing room back then.A break was really a break.A day or so letting my tasks slide was felt a little but not like now.Now days there isn't much wiggle room for me to sit and be idle for long.Not to mention the verbal pincushion I am most days.I have a few kids very talented at hitting some major arteries of mine.

I think what is happening is that I am holding on to the idea (maybe holding onto the 'right') that I can ( should be able to ) do things the same way as I could way back then and get the same results. What I think I need is for God to teach me new things...new management skills,new training skills,new teaching skills,new cleaning skills,new deeper loving skills,new strength to cut out the time stealers I am clinging on to so tightly,new strength to lay more of my self will before him.Now...if I become invisible ( which I fear I will become )you will know why...Hmm...maybe becoming invisible is the point...less of me/more of God.Hey! I might be on to something. You just witnessed a few scales falling from my eyes.This whole craziness might not be as bad as I thought.

Behold, (Tina) I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 43:19

A CUBS fan in Training?

I grew up with the TWINS...Jeff grew up with the CUBS. I believe in our house it seems the CUBS trump the TWINS...Jeff where is that Minnesota loyalty? Is living 18 years in Minnesota not enough? Besides the TWINS' colors are SO much better!

I'm teasing...this is a gift from Jeff's parents who are great CUBS fans as well and they indeed live in Illinois.They trained their only son (and three daughters)well...CUBS loyalty to the end!

Fresh From the Farm

The Abraham's dropped off a bunch of farm fresh eggs and apples today! We have not seen apples for a VERY LONG time at our house.

THANKS!!!!

Crazy Wednesday

Today was a crazy day and I am thinking it will be like this every Wednesday through the school year. I decided that the main focus on Wednesdays will be to get the kids ready for AWANA. Nothing else. Showers, hair washing and braiding,etc...my stress level has always been VERY high over the years with the task of getting the kids ready so Jeff can get home get changed and get the kids in the van for church in a matter of minutes.I could not imagine if I actually had to get Joel,Lily, and myself ready as well.The balancing act comes with making sure showers are spaced right so all 12 kids have hot water,making sure there are enough socks for everyone,AWANA books are ready,shoes located...sadly there is not much relaxation once they are gone either.I spend most of that time cleaning up after the storm has subsided and making a late dinner.I am sure after a few months things will start to get easier.I hope!

Another of My Rambling Reflections On Life...

I've been in this kind of down mood the past few days.

I Was in the Kitchen Today!

I finally got around to trying the Funnel Cake recipe that I read about on A Baker's Dozen: Daily Life in a Large Family today.They were a hit even though I over cooked them a little!Thanks Baker's Dozen!

Inspiration!!!!

I received my Australian Smocking magazine on Saturday! I just LOVE this magazine!



Looking through it I saw this project which got my mind turning...





So I went to Walmart and bought this...I was SO exited because the tank tops and shorts were only $1 a piece!





And so far did this...Ok it is not smocking but I did embroider a back stitch and added the patch.I actually think it turned out very cute!






I decided the ribbon on the shorts did not match the top so I tried another embellishment idea by adding a matching patch and embroidery to this pare of shorts.I like this pair better.



I'm inspired so there will be more show and tell in the near future!

Free Quilt giveaway!!

Here it is...

My Dragonfrye Quilts Free Quilt Drawing for September

If you are interested in entering my quilt drawing all you need to do it either leave a comment below or email me at waseca9@yahoo.com requesting to be entered.Please leave an email address that I can contact you if you are the winner. That is it.

I will leave the drawing entry open until midnight Saturday, September 13, 2008. I will draw a winner Sunday and post the winner on this blog Sunday evening or Monday.I will also email the winner to get a mailing address.

As with all my quilt drawings past winners,extended family (except my husband and my children) and all ages.

Good Luck!

Pretty in Pink Scrappy Tossed Nine Patch

Measures about 34 x 52

I used cotton batting and quilted it by machine in a meandering pattern

The backing is white with purple and pink flowers

This is an Elenore Burns Quilt in a Day Quilt Pattern

This really is a pretty quilt!

Video of the Week

I actually have my video of the week ready on time this week.I will figure out someday how to actually take better videos and edit them together but for now the live raw video footage.

Another thing to my embarrassment I realise watching these videos just how messy things look in the background.It is the room we use most often and some of the girls clothes shelves need a little reorganizing!You will also see the state of Odell's hair!I really just did Odell's hair last week but it is looking pretty crazy! My goal is to get it done for AWANA Wednesday.Ignore all of that and enjoy the fun the girls are having.If you listen real close you can hear their Liberian English.