they taste just as good
Just because...they are two handsome fellas
Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Just Because...
Just because...no matter what little hands shape them into
they taste just as good
Just because...they are two handsome fellas
Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy
they taste just as good
Just because...they are two handsome fellas
Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Ticking Time
Jeff brought me home some very pretty flowers this evening.
Aren't they pretty.
I was trying to be all artsy with my photography.
On to some rambling!
Want to hear a truth that you might not hear many others talk about?
I am afraid to get old. Very afraid. I have to be honest and say that since I hit 40(I'm 42 now) it has been something I think about quite often. Not in the 'I can't get out of bed because I'm so afraid' type of thing but I do think about it often. Ok maybe there was a day or two that I highly considered pulling the covers over my head for a bit longer.
Some days I think I can actually hear time as it fly by.
Maybe it is having a 16 year old as well as a two year old.
Maybe it is knowing my body is heading into a different season of life. A season I feel so ill prepared for and afraid to face.
Maybe it is because I remember my parents very clearly at the age I am now. My mom was 40 when I graduated from high school and my dad was just 43.
It could be that because I have a toddler I rub shoulders with mothers 10-15 years younger than I am who are just starting their families. They have so many fresh dreams and ideals that I have had but somewhere along the line set aside for things more realistic.
Maybe it was because my two oldest are closer to adulthood than I want them to be. Of course, we will not be empty-nesters for 18+ years but still...
I often wonder why I do not run across many Christ following wives and mothers who talk about what it is like to face their 40's. I have heard that the 40's are the new 30's but gee being in my 40's is like...being in my 40's. It does not resemble being in my 30's at all.
Don't get me wrong.
I desire nothing other to be right where I am in my life. That is not the issue. I do not wish I had less children or that I could be 'free to be who I was meant to be'. Even if I was in my 20's and God laid out a slew of lives I could choose to live I would still choose this one.
I love having my teens around me. I love watching them grow in maturity and make adult decisions. I love having my toddler around. I could stare at her for hours just watching her do her little toddler things. I do that to my teens as well but Elena says it bothers her. I love all the different stages my children are in right now.
What I dwell on is the fear of the unknown. The fear of letting go of what is familiar so God can move me forward to what lies ahead. Make sense?
Hmm...I guess my post here is not really going anywhere. Just my own blah blah rambling. I do have two verses that I have been thinking about in regards to my 'Help Lord,I'm getting old!' issue.
But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
and they never stop producing fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7-8
So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.
Hebrews 6:18-19
So what I am thinking is that aging is just one more thing that I need to walk through by faith. Faith that God knows so much more than I do about what lies ahead.I have been through many moments in my life where I thought I could not see my hand in front of my face but I walked forward holding onto the one thing I know for sure was there: God's loving hand. I can do that...I think I can anyway.
Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy
Aren't they pretty.
I was trying to be all artsy with my photography.
On to some rambling!
Want to hear a truth that you might not hear many others talk about?
I am afraid to get old. Very afraid. I have to be honest and say that since I hit 40(I'm 42 now) it has been something I think about quite often. Not in the 'I can't get out of bed because I'm so afraid' type of thing but I do think about it often. Ok maybe there was a day or two that I highly considered pulling the covers over my head for a bit longer.
Some days I think I can actually hear time as it fly by.
Maybe it is having a 16 year old as well as a two year old.
Maybe it is knowing my body is heading into a different season of life. A season I feel so ill prepared for and afraid to face.
Maybe it is because I remember my parents very clearly at the age I am now. My mom was 40 when I graduated from high school and my dad was just 43.
It could be that because I have a toddler I rub shoulders with mothers 10-15 years younger than I am who are just starting their families. They have so many fresh dreams and ideals that I have had but somewhere along the line set aside for things more realistic.
Maybe it was because my two oldest are closer to adulthood than I want them to be. Of course, we will not be empty-nesters for 18+ years but still...
I often wonder why I do not run across many Christ following wives and mothers who talk about what it is like to face their 40's. I have heard that the 40's are the new 30's but gee being in my 40's is like...being in my 40's. It does not resemble being in my 30's at all.
Don't get me wrong.
I desire nothing other to be right where I am in my life. That is not the issue. I do not wish I had less children or that I could be 'free to be who I was meant to be'. Even if I was in my 20's and God laid out a slew of lives I could choose to live I would still choose this one.
I love having my teens around me. I love watching them grow in maturity and make adult decisions. I love having my toddler around. I could stare at her for hours just watching her do her little toddler things. I do that to my teens as well but Elena says it bothers her. I love all the different stages my children are in right now.
What I dwell on is the fear of the unknown. The fear of letting go of what is familiar so God can move me forward to what lies ahead. Make sense?
Hmm...I guess my post here is not really going anywhere. Just my own blah blah rambling. I do have two verses that I have been thinking about in regards to my 'Help Lord,I'm getting old!' issue.
But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
and they never stop producing fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7-8
So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.
Hebrews 6:18-19
So what I am thinking is that aging is just one more thing that I need to walk through by faith. Faith that God knows so much more than I do about what lies ahead.I have been through many moments in my life where I thought I could not see my hand in front of my face but I walked forward holding onto the one thing I know for sure was there: God's loving hand. I can do that...I think I can anyway.
Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy
Sunday, January 2, 2011
What Can I Say?
We are just an odd bunch.
New Years just seems to bring it out!
Popcorn
New Years just seems to bring it out!
Popcorn
and root beer floats...just the thing to ring in the New Year!
Out with the old...
and in with the new!!!
"Talking Eeyore, we are not that odd are we...?"
Talking Eeyore responds...he does really talk you know, just ask Lily...
Anyway,Talking Eeyore responds,"Well, if you have to ask...I suppose you are all kind of odd. But what do I know...".
HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!!
Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy
Friday, December 31, 2010
Some Beautiful Teens!
Elena had a few of her friends over last night. I was up at 4:30 to check on them and,yes, I heard talking and giggling. I'm not sure if they got much sleep.
Gee,I sure like Elena's friends. Each one of these girls I think so fondly of.
As I was lying in my bed last night I realized we had 18 children under our roof!There was a time moons ago when the idea of that would have sent great waves of panic through me. But now there was,once again, that little plea to God "Lord,if you see fit we still have room for many more...please..." I know,insane isn't it.
Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy
Gee,I sure like Elena's friends. Each one of these girls I think so fondly of.
As I was lying in my bed last night I realized we had 18 children under our roof!There was a time moons ago when the idea of that would have sent great waves of panic through me. But now there was,once again, that little plea to God "Lord,if you see fit we still have room for many more...please..." I know,insane isn't it.
Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy
Thursday, December 30, 2010
The Happiness of Life...
There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy.
~ Robert Louis Stevenson
A house full of kings and queens
A little 'chalk talk'
Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy
~ Robert Louis Stevenson
A house full of kings and queens
A little 'chalk talk'
Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Aren't Brothers Great
I walked into our fireplace room this evening and this caught my eye. It was a serious conversation Joel was having with Alan about clay. See Joel was mixing different clay colors together and creating all new colors. He was giving Alan clay mixing tips. I thought it was so sweet. Joel was being so adult like in his conversation and it looks like Alan is studying Joel's mixed clay.
I wanted to get a candid picture from this angle and in doing so noticed that the conversation was a little more one sided than it appeared to me at first. Joel did not notice one bit. This time with Alan made his evening and put his brother high on his best friends list.
Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy
I wanted to get a candid picture from this angle and in doing so noticed that the conversation was a little more one sided than it appeared to me at first. Joel did not notice one bit. This time with Alan made his evening and put his brother high on his best friends list.
Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Christmas Day at the Krause's
This year we did something that I do not remember ever doing. We spent Christmas Day afternoon and evening with friends (meaning non blood related friends). We were all set to have our quiet (quiet?) Christmas day enjoying each others company when some friends invited us to spend the day playing,feasting,and hanging out with their family and a few other families we knew from church. Wow what an absolutely stress less great time we had! It was a blast and all the kids really enjoyed themselves. The food was great and the company even better!
Of course, I failed to get many pictures and the few I managed to get are kind of lame but share them I must!
After dinner we adults played a game called Buzz Word. It is a very fun game. It was the men against the ladies and I believe we ladies won both games. I can not take much credit for helping the ladies win though. I got antsy and left the table a few times. It was my secret ploy to hide the fact that I am not a quick witted person when it comes to games.
Lily brought a few of her Christmas gifts to the party. She loved all the space that was available to her to push her doll stroller around.
Cute little Sweet Pea received a lot of attention!
Now I noticed this quilt on one of our host's beds and secretly took a picture. Isn't is beautiful!? I should ask her the history behind it someday. I also think I want to put it on my list of quilts to make someday.
Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy
Of course, I failed to get many pictures and the few I managed to get are kind of lame but share them I must!
After dinner we adults played a game called Buzz Word. It is a very fun game. It was the men against the ladies and I believe we ladies won both games. I can not take much credit for helping the ladies win though. I got antsy and left the table a few times. It was my secret ploy to hide the fact that I am not a quick witted person when it comes to games.
Lily brought a few of her Christmas gifts to the party. She loved all the space that was available to her to push her doll stroller around.
Cute little Sweet Pea received a lot of attention!
Now I noticed this quilt on one of our host's beds and secretly took a picture. Isn't is beautiful!? I should ask her the history behind it someday. I also think I want to put it on my list of quilts to make someday.
Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy
Saturday, December 25, 2010
A Visit From the Man in Red
The wait is almost over kids because here he is!!!
A hug from Anya sets things out right
another hug from Lily who doesn't do well with strange guys in funny red outfits
Santa's helper Grant passing out gifts
just had to toss this one in because it was cute
A Merry Christmas from us to you!!
Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy
A hug from Anya sets things out right
another hug from Lily who doesn't do well with strange guys in funny red outfits
Santa's helper Grant passing out gifts
just had to toss this one in because it was cute
A Merry Christmas from us to you!!
Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy
Where is He Anyway!
Christmas Morning
I think they all have ants in their pants.
Where are you old man in red with the sack of gifts!
Naomi, Ekie, Anya,Elena,Josh,and Nolan all waiting with smiles
Alan,Naomi, and Ekie. Hey were is Odell?
Joyce
Grant and Cyrus
Lily,Joel,and Grace
Where are you Santa!
Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy
I think they all have ants in their pants.
Where are you old man in red with the sack of gifts!
Naomi, Ekie, Anya,Elena,Josh,and Nolan all waiting with smiles
Alan,Naomi, and Ekie. Hey were is Odell?
Joyce
Grant and Cyrus
Lily,Joel,and Grace
Where are you Santa!
Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Hurray!!!!! I Am Back At It!!!!
After about seven months being totally computer less we have a computer!!!
It is almost too hard to believe. Ha! I started in May doing a blog experiment as you probably read a few posts down but just a few days after my experiment started our laptop bit the dust. I did not think it would take us all this time to be able to buy a new computer but it did. Lots and lots (did I say LOTS?) of unexpected expenses trumped the purchase of our little buddy here. After a few months of the kids and I grieving and going through computer withdrawals things were not so bad. I actually did not mind the computer/blog break. I then thought I would just keep up with pictures and then back post everything but within days of our computer breaking so did our two cameras! Blah! Maybe God was telling me something? Actually, I know he was. (Maybe I'll share some of that at another time) Well,as a few weeks ago I am also back behind the lens of a new camera so I have a few back posts to share but our whole summer and fall are stored only in our memories.
Anyway, I did do some blog thinking over the past months and thought maybe blogging wasn't me anymore. I really do not have much to write that is worth others reading anyway. Besides maybe blogging is so 'yesterday' and most everyone I know is Facebooking. BUT I just very much enjoy reading my own blog (I always have been my greatest fan) and writing about our days. You know "count your blessing name them one by one. Count your many blessings and see what God has done". It has been good for me to pull out the nuggets that happen throughout my days because some days the nuggets are SO tiny it is like panning for gold in my bathtub!
What encouraged me to continue blogging was this beautiful little Chinese proverb I read a while back:
A bird does not sing
because it has an answer.
It sings because it has a song.
I LOVE that saying!!
I do have a song!
My song is my life.
Sometimes it is soft and sweet. Sometimes it is pretty out of tune and hard on the ears but I do have a song. So my blog is my song sung to The Lord and my family and to those who might care to hear.
Ok! Let the blogging begin!!!!
P.S Just a FYI The posts between My October 17th post and this one are my back posts.
Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy
It is almost too hard to believe. Ha! I started in May doing a blog experiment as you probably read a few posts down but just a few days after my experiment started our laptop bit the dust. I did not think it would take us all this time to be able to buy a new computer but it did. Lots and lots (did I say LOTS?) of unexpected expenses trumped the purchase of our little buddy here. After a few months of the kids and I grieving and going through computer withdrawals things were not so bad. I actually did not mind the computer/blog break. I then thought I would just keep up with pictures and then back post everything but within days of our computer breaking so did our two cameras! Blah! Maybe God was telling me something? Actually, I know he was. (Maybe I'll share some of that at another time) Well,as a few weeks ago I am also back behind the lens of a new camera so I have a few back posts to share but our whole summer and fall are stored only in our memories.
Anyway, I did do some blog thinking over the past months and thought maybe blogging wasn't me anymore. I really do not have much to write that is worth others reading anyway. Besides maybe blogging is so 'yesterday' and most everyone I know is Facebooking. BUT I just very much enjoy reading my own blog (I always have been my greatest fan) and writing about our days. You know "count your blessing name them one by one. Count your many blessings and see what God has done". It has been good for me to pull out the nuggets that happen throughout my days because some days the nuggets are SO tiny it is like panning for gold in my bathtub!
What encouraged me to continue blogging was this beautiful little Chinese proverb I read a while back:
A bird does not sing
because it has an answer.
It sings because it has a song.
I LOVE that saying!!
I do have a song!
My song is my life.
Sometimes it is soft and sweet. Sometimes it is pretty out of tune and hard on the ears but I do have a song. So my blog is my song sung to The Lord and my family and to those who might care to hear.
Ok! Let the blogging begin!!!!
P.S Just a FYI The posts between My October 17th post and this one are my back posts.
Warmly,A Patchwork Mommy
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