A new hobby?

Oh goodness, aren't these the cutest things EVER?! Mary Jane booties!! Too cute if you ask me. I am so itching to learn how to make them. I have taught myself how to do the basics of knitting, but I need to learn how to read patterns. I'm sure this is NOT a good pattern to start with, But when do I ever do anything the easy way?! :D

The cold dark evenings are really bringing out the crafty bookworm side of me. I have been enjoying hot drinks snuggled under a fleece blanket with a book or some knitting. That is the one thing I am thankful about for the long winters here...life tends to slow down and we enjoy lots of comfy time at home. :)

What sort of things do you enjoy doing this time of year? Do have any "winter" hobbies?

Oh by the way, if you want to make these booties you can find the pattern here. I found the free pattern on shes crafty.

Numbering the days

Anna started reading a girls devotional that she picked up from the church library recently. After each chapter there is an assignment. One evening she asked me to help her read a few words that she couldn't figure out. I quickly helped her and was about to turn back to what I was doing when she got to the assignment part. I stopped and listened as she verbally listed the things that are a priority to her. It gave her a list of choices. I was a surprised and pleased when she listed her most important thing as spending time with her family. She said, "I just love spending time with my parents." My heart melted. I thought she would have listed spending time with friends as higher then spending it with her parents. So many things went through my mind in that instant, and I felt the Lord whisper to me, "Seize the day. Take hold of each moment that you have with her...enjoy them...treasure them." They are numbered...

It was no coincidence that I had just read a chapter in "Feminine Appeal" on loving your children. In one section Carolyn Mahaney talks about about Psalm 90,

In Psalm 90 Moses depicted the reality of the brevity of life. He compared our lives to a watch in the night, a dream, grass that flourishes-all brief and fleeting images. Then he prayed this way: "So teach us to number our days." Have you numbered your days lately? If we pause to count the remaining days we have with our children, we will realize how few they are.

It is so true. They do grow up so fast. I stand amazed that I have a 7 year old. How did that happen? And yet knowing this I can still sometimes loose perspective. A few months ago Anna said to me, "Just a minute...that's all I hear" Conviction hit like a rock. The reality is sometimes that "just a minute" never comes. How many times do I say things like, "I can't right now", "Let me just finish this up.", Hold on", "Just a minute." Sometimes those times are justified. Like I truly DO have to finish what I am doing (example: something overflowing or burning on the stove top. :-) ). But there are times when I am simply not making my little ones a priority. Sometimes because of my own selfish desires to do what I want, or all the overwhelming demands of motherhood, I tune them out or say no their requests.

I have been wanting to start making little dates with Anna. It doesn't need to be anything extravagant. Things like taking her out for hot coco, or staying up a little later so that we can chat uninterrupted, or maybe starting a mother/daughter devotional together. I think now would be a good time to start doing this..I only wish had started sooner. I know there is going to come a day when spending time with us is maybe not ranked first on her list. I only get one shot at motherhood and I don't want to miss out on any tender moments.

Teach me to number the days Lord. Help me to stop and enjoy the time I have with my children while they are still little.

Sisterly love

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.
Honor one another above yourselves.
Romans 12:10

Fun with food photo contest

5 minutes for mom is hosting another photo contest. The theme this time is "Fun with food". The winner receives a $500 gift card to a local grocery store. Wouldn't that be so great to win?!

I know this isn't a professional quality picture but it is one my favorites of James eating cake. It makes me laugh every time I see it. He went face first into the cake. He definitely has fun with his food! :)

When things don't make sense

I never imagined over a month ago when I started to pray specifically for ways to be an encouragement to Bill that life would change so much in such a short time. I sit here tonight in shock and with a broken heart at the recent turn of events.

Let me explain...

Those of you who know us in real life (or if you have read my blog for awhile) know that we have had our ups and downs with Bill's job situation. After completing 4 years of college last year it has been such a battle for him to secure a job. He has had one temp job after another. And there have been periods of time where he had no job at all. God has always been faithful throughout it all. Well, about 3 months ago Bill was finally offered a permanent position with a company that he had interviewed with. After much prayer he resigned his current temp job and took on his new role. It was a job that he really wanted, doing what he went to school for. It was his first salary paid job and with benefits and everything. :) He loved it and I was so excited to see him happy and doing something he loves. From an earthly material perspective life was good. Bill had a good job, I was getting to do what I love by staying home and teaching our kids, we were looking into buying our first home, and because of the new job I was going to be able to pursue something that I love...photography.

How quickly things can change...how quickly things can spiral...

Fast forward to today...

Because this is the world wide web and I don't know who all reads my blog, I am going to leave out the details. Today Bill came home jobless. For reasons beyond my comprehension he was forced to resign. An honest man who has done nothing but work hard to provide for His family. His desire has only been to serve and glorify God. The past few weeks have been very difficult for us. We have sensed that this was going to happen. His workplace was not what we had originally thought it to be. Suddenly it had turned hostile. I am just heartbroken to see my husband go through this...to watch the way he was being treated makes me sick.

Life often doesn't make sense, and yet we choose to praise Him. God is still good. We know that He will provide. I pray that He will give me the strength and the words I need to encourage my husband as we walk this road together. I can already see that He is drawing us closer to Him and to one another, and for that I am grateful.

If you think of it, please be in prayer for us. Life is very uncertain right now. We need wisdom as we seek the direction He wants us to go.

Look what we found in the backyard

A Claire bear! :)

The cutest baby bear I've ever seen! :)

Voted!