Our family, along with the chickens (Dave, Bill, Carmen, and Tinkerbell), killer-rabbit (Daisy), the immortal goldfish (James), and my old, fat, asthmatic cat (Harper) would like to welcome to the family “Skittles” the pig. Weighing in at 32# and hopefully gaining a lot more between now and March 19.
Welcome Home Skittles
OK, so I have been scouring the internet trying to decide on the perfect Christmas banner. I know I want burlap and not a lot of letters, my Thanksgiving one was adorable but HUGE. In one of my shining mommy moments this weekend I decided to get our Christmas stuff and start looking around, mostly because my daughter absolutely loves to look at boxes of goodies. During this endeavor, we came across a bizillion old Christmas cards, I am a pack-rat and simply have not done anything with theses beauties in several years. Ansley in her 6-year-old decorating sense decided immediately these must be displayed-- all bizillion of them. I did not want to disappoint her or quench her creativity and questioned how she thought this might work. She quickly handed me some Christmas ribbon she had claimed earlier (bought at the end of the season last year at the DG) and ran to get the scissors. “I can make a banner” she announced; and away we went. A half hour later she had, what I thought was a really cute kid-created project and she was beaming! I liked it so much I even incorporated her idea in my kitchen window…
Please ignore the mess in the background--this is my playroom/catch all!
Check out those fine-motor skills!
Hanging proudly in her room!
She even included a winter scene on her easel, to set the mood…
My attempt to cheer up my kitchen sink…(and my only Christmas decorating thus far)
Just in case (like my husband) you are laughing at me for encouraging snowfall in Florida—it can happen!
I love this time of year. We are terribly busy running from obligation to obligation but then I get a day like today. A day to just “be” at home. A day to create or not, a day to play with my kids—homework free. A day to bake and do laundry (not that I enjoy the laundry part, but it’s nice to have it done). In a time that is so full of school and church activities, sports and volunteering, meal preparing and shopping it feels good to stop and just “be”. I recently came across an amazing verse that I had never followed through to the end and really owned it.
The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17.
How wonderful it is that our Lord will rejoice over us with singing! We worship, we sing, we praise Him. I know God loves me but never considered it brought Him to the point of singing, but why not? “He will quiet you with His love”. What an awesome statement! I know I need quieted, when my mind is running amuck with thoughts of the next art project for class, what can I do for my kid’s teachers this year, what dish should I make for homecoming, I really need a haircut, the vacuum cleaner is broken, did I remember the shin guards… The list goes on, but He can quiet those thoughts, and still my soul with His love. Hallelujah!
Now that I am off my spiritual ramblings, what I have been up to today. I have to say I am a little proud. I finished my first Thanksgiving banner and love it! Thanks to my lovely friend Brittany for cutting and stenciling in her spare time and another terribly crafty girl I know (Callie) for the inspiration. I love crafty goodies—but I am not the person that sees a pile of supplies and artfully whips up a center piece or fashions handmade clothing. I can however appreciate another’s amazing talent and borrow their ideas and make it work for my purposes. I have also ventured into some hair-bow making, I am in love with little twisted fabric flowers. I baked pumpkin cheesecakes, pumpkin rolls, and a pan of chocolate delight along with a crockpot dinner and homemade mac and cheese. In between, I have washed and folded (note:not put away) 10 loads of laundry. All while entertaining the kids. I forgot the best part my grocery shopping at 7am this morning was terribly successful! I saved more than I spent, which always puts a spring in my step. $68.34 for all my Thanksgiving and weekly needs and a savings of $76.97. I LOVE Publix.
Ansley’s Thanksgiving hairbow
Before and after, super cute gift that I received from a student and had to recreate for my kids teachers… Yes, that is toilet paper!
This will eventually hang on my mom’s mantle, but I couldn’t wait to see it all the way up.
Lovin’ my banner!
Give Thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever!
What an amazing ministry!
