In my kitchen! DIY menu board, labels, and a new stove!

This is one of those fun and easy projects, that really is useful! I found a frame at a thrift shop, backed it with scrapbook supplies, and added clothes pins, and a little paper covered box. I laminated our basic meals so we can clip them on the desired day. The clothes pins are painted lightly, I also added a sticker to represent each day.

I like this because even my younger kids can help plan meals.

This week we also printed labels to put on our glass containers. I think it really helped to coordinate them!

Last, but not least, my sweet husband bought me a new stove! Yay!! This is Brady giving it a BIG thumbs up! We really needed a new one!

Use what you have!

We're in the process of trying to spruce up a few things around here. Our girls need some clothing storage that is in good shape. We hang most of their clothes, so they don't need tons of space. Mostly, somewhere to out Jammie's, undies, etc.

I had a few pieces that were in sad shape... So today we repurposed them. I used chalk paint, in white. I distressed the pieces, and then finished them with soft wax. They have bunkbeds that are distressed, too. I plan on doing most of their furniture like this.

If your interested in how I did this, check out "chalk paint" on google. There's no prep, and it covers almost any surface!

Here are my before and after pictures. My girls really like it!

Precious Morning Gifts

I wake up to the piano singing hymns, to the Glory of our Saviour, by the hand of my son. His fingers dance across the keys, bringing sweet praise into our home.

I wake up to him kissing my face. Lips so soft, gentle scratches brush across my chin. I love it when he skips his morning shave for me. Whispered prayers escape his lips. Praise, help, gratitude.... There's no making our way, no joy overflowing, without Him.

I wake up to precious little hands reaching for Mama... Soft cries of wanting, warm comfort in the dark early hours. Skin to skin is soothing, a memory I'll hold forever. Mamas heart is full of love. Overflowing.

I wake up to prepare. My hands run through the cold hard grains. What a journey this life is....Then they become powder soft, turned and turned, baked a golden brown. Now, to nourish all the little bodies with their goodness. Life is good. We're blessed.

Still Working

Sometimes when something starts, it just keeps going! First he built the bed, then a new porch out of the kitchen door, and yesterday.....A new bathroom floor in the hall bath! Yipeee!

My husband is so good at what he does!! I just love watching him working hard with all of our men-in-training around him learning to do what Daddy does. When we were at the lumber store buying porch supplies, Benjamin got one end of the board so he could "help too". He loves our new porch that Daddy and the boys built!

While the boys were working Miss Marendy made a dirt cake, all decked out with candles. Don't forget to notice her leaf wrapped presents to! How sweet.

I, of course, am just thrilled about our improvements around here. I love our house. It was a fixer-uper when we bought it, but to me, it's just perfect! It isn't too big or too small. I remember when we pulled into the drive for the first time, I knew this was the house for us! I thank the Lord always for blessing us with it, and hope that we are able to stay here for a long time.

Overdue introduction - Beraiah

Well, the fact that my pregnancy counter says 46+ weeks, says it all. Our introduction is a little overdue.
Beraiah was born in February and is just an amazing little gift from heaven. We are all in love with him.

My Place at Home

I am humbled, thankful beyond words, that the Lord has seen fit to place me here. I am truly living out my dreams. When I was a little girl, I wanted most to be a Mommy. To hold babies of my own in my arms. To love them, and care for them. At one time I wanted to be a teacher. To be able to teach children, read to them, help them. There was even a time I wanted to design clothes. All of these things are a daily reality for me. I spend my days with my children, teaching them, and learning alongside them. Caring for them in every way they need. I am the one that gets to joy in their learning to read, understanding a new match concept, and even taking that first little wobbly step.

Some days I go upstairs to my studio and make dresses. Yes, I get to be that designer. After having Madison, the Lord taught me to sew. I am so thankful for that. It is such a joy to create beautiful things with my hands. My dresses have been sold all over the country. Sometimes bringing a profit. Although I enjoy that, I have to say that the greatest reward is using this ability to serve my family. The Lord knew I would use this skill over and over again. Sometimes to dress our own children, and sometimes to sell my goods afar.

I am a teacher. (Although, I am thoroughly convinced that I do much more learning than teaching.) Yes, we do reading, and writing, and math. But there is so much more in our days. Anything that becomes an interested to one of us, is taught. We not only learn it, we do it. Hands on, touching, feeling....living it. We are learning to farm, and garden. To build, and cook. To manage finances, and run businesses. To help and encourage. To be self sufficient. To love the elderly. To love babies. To work on vehicles. To make almost everything we need. To make wise decisions. To trust the Lord. To sing, and play instruments. To be patient. To serve. To give. Yes, we are learning, more, and more everyday.

It breaks my heart to think of my children being in a building of strangers day in and day out, without Gary or I there to guide them, and help them. The years we have to mold them are so short and even now, I think of all the things I hope to teach them. I think of all the qualities, Lord willing, I hope to instill. I think of all the character traits I pray they have. I can't begin to imagine not having all the hours with them I do now, and being able to raise them to be capable young men and women, ready to serve the Lord in all things.

I feel so sorry for the mom's that are waking up only to rush out of their home. To drop their children off in daycare, and schools. Only to go to work for hours doing what someone else (not their husband) asks of them all day. They return home, to only do it again the next day.

I cannot imagine any other place I would rather be than in my home. God has placed me there, and I rejoice in that. I don't take for granted that all my needs are supplied, to do as I wish each day. Lord, help me to make the most of all of these things you have given me. To realize what a high calling I have here at home. To serve you with it all. To raise these children to be honoring to you. To equip them to do anything their life may require. Help me to see each day as it is, a gift from you with many, many possibilites.