HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Where have the years gone?

Josh and Jenna are eighteen today and it happened so fast.

They are everything I ever hoped for when I prayed for children so long ago...beautiful in spirit, joyful (look at those beautiful smiles!), they give of themselves, minister to the needs of the family...I could go on and on, but I saved that for a personal note to each of them this morning.

I remember so many times when I was a new momma, and (well meaning?) strangers would offer words of warning about the "teen" years. Never listening, I purposed instead that we would welcome those years, and I can honestly say that I have LOVED these years. Giving all the credit and thanks to my God, we have enjoyed the beauty of friendship, laughter, and most importantly, hearts knit with their Father. Oh, we've had growing pains, but there has never been rebellion, deception (minus that piece of asparagus years ago) or rage so often associated with these years. I am one grateful momma today, and to my kiddos...

Happy Birthday...I love you with my whole heart!


If you have a minute, say happy birthday to Josh and Jenna

Farmhouse Skirt Pattern

I've had a few requests for the pattern number to our favorite farmhouse skirt. It's Simplicity 2609 and if you watch your JoAnn Fabric sale paper, you can find it on sale periodically for $.99. What a deal! At that price and for the number of times we've used the pattern, I've picked up a couple. This is a pattern we don't want to live without!

 Here are a few of the skirts we've made, not all mind you, and not including the fabric waiting to be made into yet another beautiful skirt! Grace's red skirt is an experiment using fabric originally destined for a jumper, but converted into the non-tiered skirt on the same pattern. The yoke is the same, but much less cutting, gathering, etc. While it's not our favorite, it is a great pattern to learn on and have instant success.


Don't forget: when extended family is asking about gift ideas for birthdays and Christmas, a fabric store gift card is always a good idea!

On Birthdays and Hens....

The sweet birthday breakfast table waiting for me...farmhouse cinnamon rolls and farm fresh eggs~

Last month I had another birthday. I remember my dad always grumbling something about not wanting to celebrate his birthdays, and all he really wanted was "peace and quiet". Well this year, I found the thing I really wanted was a few uninterrupted moments to clean my bedroom! Being low on space and needing to fit the belongings of three people and two beds (one for us, and one crib for the baby), piles seem to abound. I hate even admitting this, but, it's the truth. A larger problem though, is my children are watching the habits (or lack thereof) of their mother and not necessarily seeing a good example. So I've determined again to faithfully attack certain areas of the home and conquer those pesky things that accumulate. I made progress that day, and several more bags of clothing are out the door. Yes!

Something else I decided to do in celebration of my birthday: I would learn to catch a chicken. Not such a big deal for some of you farm girls, but this farmgirl has a bit of trouble touching the birds. Since we have a present problem of escaping hens, there have been many opportunities to conquer my fear/discomfort. With Caleb at my side coaching me along, I am happy to report that I successfully captured and returned several of the wayward girls. And, I learned something new :)




I'm not going to wax eloquent here on amazing birthday thoughts, but it was a very small picture of something else going on in my life, and that is, being willing to change things or areas in my life that need to be changed. Areas of weakness, conviction or failure...it was just Monday when Josh said ever-so-quietly, "Mom, you're embarrassing me". And the embarrassment came from my behavior, something that I immediately cried out to God to change.





So Happy Birthday to all of you tonight, whenever your birthday may be. Challenge yourself to do something new, and purpose to be someone renewed.

Happy Birthday, Anna!

My beautiful Anna Caroline...I've spent the day reminiscing about what I was doing five years ago. God gave you to us after 3 1/2 years following Caleb. Perhaps the Lord knew I needed some time, and we were ready! In an effort to avoid another almost 11 lb. baby, we decided to induce you. But the first time, you wouldn't come! The second induction worked, though, and this time I enjoyed the modern miracle of an epidural! By this time I felt like an old "chicken", but it was a beautiful birth as you appeared after two easy pushes (quite unlike your brother).

You have brought so much fun and joy into our life! You are quiet and thoughtful...

...and infectious with your giggle. Sweet green eyes that dance...I love it when they squint with delight!

...I'm thankful you love to be outside. Gardening, feeding the animals, picking flowers...

...being a farmgirl! You are momma's big helper in the kitchen, and we love to wear aprons together. Twirling is our favorite...and now you come to me asking for alone time. I love that...and I love you. Thank you for five wonderful years~

Happy Birthday, dear Anna!

A Year For Natalie

God knew exactly what little personality we needed next in our family when He gave us YOU, Natalie. Bright and sunny, energetic...

...quick to appreciate the beauty of God's natural world...

...and in a flash the internal sparks set off a flurry of expression to delight us all!

Within seconds you communicate the thrill of being you in your world...and we can't help ourselves! We think you are hilarious and introspective all at the same time. Brave for your age, but tender hearted to the hurting.

You are demonstratively affectionate with us, winning us over always with that infectious smile...


...And we love you so.

Happy Birthday

A Different Kind of Sixteenth Birthday...

Like so many of you out there, my oldest have reached that milestone of turning sixteen. For some reason, it is a milestone, and it overtook me far too soon. I could gush on and on about all the amazing and fantastic virtues and character qualities that make them so loveable and admirable, but one quick look on Josh and Jenna's blogs will do more for getting to know my dear children than I can do.

One of the many things I am thankful for, dear Josh and Jenna, is that you have chosen the better way. Not given to following the world, your sixteenth birthday is fresh and fun and wholesome and good.

There is a great temptation here to get parentally pitiful, but I'm choosing instead to focus on all the good...the past memories (wishing I could remember everything) and anticipating the future. I absolutely LOVE you two so very much! No one can ever love you like I do, and just so you know...you have made my life wonderful...

Happy Birthday Laura!

One of my favorite things to do as a mother, is recount my birth stories. Growing a bit wiser over the years, the recounting is done mostly to myself as most people probably don't savor the memories quite like I do...imagine that. But casting that aside, let me share that one year ago I was arriving at the hospital (10:15 pm) and by 12:29 am was holding my precious Laura, our eighth baby. There is nothing in the world so amazing as holding that sweet one in your arms for the very first time ~ the warmth of that little body on your skin ~ the first grasp of that tiny finger holding on ~ the smell that is decidedly "baby" ~ that realization that once again the great God of this universe has counted us worthy to participate with Him in the creation of another precious life...

I can't believe a whole year has gone by, but we are blessed beyond measure with an absolute sweetheart who has the gift of requiring virtually no sleep at night. May you grow into a beautiful woman of God, loving and serving Him with your whole heart!

Beautiful Birthday

Saturday was Abigail's birthday. Another day filled with many moments of shaking my head, wondering where the time goes. Not really looking for an answer, just asking. And then...an extra blessing comes! A sweet Birthday post from Josh. While I know the children care about eachother, isn't it a mother's heart (and father) to delight when genuine love and affection is shown? There was my answer, in part. As the days/years have passed so quickly, they have been replaced by relationship. Real. Lasting. Delightful.

Encouraging Kia (her doll) to learn the art of homemaking

Birthday boy...

Happy Birthday Caleb!
Visit Joshua's blog to read a beautiful birthday tribute to his little brother. Thank you Josh...the love of an older brother is an amazing gift. And to you, Caleb, we love you so very much! You are funny, enthusiastic, intelligent, personable, and quite the little baseball player. We are so proud of you! May we be suited for the task of raising you up to be a soldier of the King of Kings!

Homemaking 101

The work of her hands!

Not really wanting Natalie to interfere...

Sweet Natalie wants to help so badly!

This is real home learning~where the journey is much more important than the result. There is such joy and freedom in reaching this point in my life where the cake is more beautiful to me than anything found in the magazines!

She's Four!

For yesterday...Happy birthday Tulip! Affectionately named by Auntie Emily when you were brand new, you are stately and beautiful with a flair for the dramatic...a real tulip! Welove you and thank the Lord for YOU!