A Momma's Goal...

...ought to include working ourselves out of a job. Mostly. And I think I'm well on my way! Problem is, I don't know that I feel too happy about that, especially when I consider that I don't necessarily want to be without a job. Today the kitchen was decluttered to an immaculate state, dinner made, a quadruple batch of blueberry muffins made and shared, dirty diapers changed, barn stalls cleaned, barn walls repaired...and perhaps more...

...all while I was out with my very younger sister helping her try on her wedding dress, finalize the menu plans and site arrangements, eat a delicious lunch, and find a very meaningful memento for Little One.

Funny how a  noble goal can leave one feeling...well...not very needed.


I'm going to pull a Scarlet O'Hara and think about that tomorrow. For tonight, I'm just going to enjoy my incredibly clean kitchen :)

Farmhouse Giveaway!

Once you've been diagnosed with infertility and treated as such, it's difficult to view oneself as being a mother of many. In fact, even after four children, I still described myself as "infertile" when retelling the story of God's hand of blessing in our family. Eight children later and menopause looming on the horizon, I guess infertile doesn't really describe me anymore...unprepared is more accurate!

In a never-ending search to be taught how to mother and manage (because God isn't finished with me yet), I have found many practical and helpful tips throughout this book. When it came in the mail, I thought the size was odd. Joshua gently pointed out the "encyclopedia/resource" sort of feel to it..."something you'll want to reference".

"Oh...that is so wise..."

So with a big thanks to Vision Forum, this very useful resource is the next farmhouse giveaway! Entering is easy...
1....just pass on to all my followers an organizing/home management tip that has changed your life! Although only one person can be the winner of the book, we can all benefit from our collective tips.
2....post about this giveaway for an additional five entries! (Make sure to let me know!)

Can't wait to hear from you...the winner will be chosen Sunday night!

A CHRISTmas Giveaway!

Looking for that perfect CHRISTmas gift for your dear daughter? You've got 24 hours to enter Jenna's giveaway . This is a beautiful book filled with encouragement for the young woman desiring to obey God according to Titus 2:4 right now. Somewhere along the way we have been programmed to think that fulfilling our calling as a Titus 2 woman begins after we are married. I disagree. It begins right now, in the home, while our daughters are young. By God's grace they will embrace their calling and be prepared for their future. You won't be disappointed!

The Clock Is Ticking!!!

"...that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers (keepers of the home), obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."       Titus 2:4-5

I am not ready for August. Soon I hope to post pictures of summer on the farm, but the immediate crisis is, summer is fast...ending!! Oi! As a home~educating momma, I feel the pressure rising, especially as I evaluate what I have (or have not) accomplished this summer. If we were being honest with eachother, I'd confess that I am not nearly as organized as I long to be, and I suffer from a deplorable inability to make a decision. After all, it has to be right the first time...no mistakes...there's no going back, there's no making up for lost time...

This may resonate with some of you (thank you) as you plan for the fall. While I know that there will be "mistakes" or "regrets" or changing of plans, curriculum, etc., and it's not always bad,  I don't always believe that.  Perhaps I've lost a little time in some areas, but God is good. This verse in Titus is such a blessing to me as I am reminded again as to what is important. At the end of the day, have I been an example to my children? Are the girls desiring to be a wife and mother because of what they see in me? Are the boys placing high value on the biblical definition of what characterizes a Godly young woman?

"She knew how good it would be to stay at home again, to help with the housework and to do the chores and work in the garden..."

Little Town on the Prairie~Laura Ingalls Wilder

OK, dear mothers, persevere! Stay focused on what is good and right and true so that we are not guilty of blaspheming the Word of God.

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."

Galatians 6:9

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!

Your Wonderful Opinions!

What a response!!! Thank you to everyone who took the time and made the effort to comment on my last post. I was encouraged, challenged, hugged and convicted as I read and re-read the thoughts. Overall, there was a clear message of agreement: no matter what, learning and living a life devoted to Jesus, THE Christ, is essential. This point was my greatest encouragement and my deepest conviction rolled into one. Of course, we know this and have heard it spoken many times, and although that is my heart's desire, I find that in the wake of trying to accomplish the tasks of the day sometimes it is my Lord who is put on "pause"; it is living that life devoted to Him that "slips" into obscurity when He isn't regularly and consistently made the center of our home. I become a Martha...so busy doing that I don't take time to sit at the Saviour's feet, or I forget the priviledge of walking along the Way with the children, or just plainly neglecting those things which are needed for spiritual growth.



~So a life devoted to loving and serving Jesus really clears the muddy waters! Once our purpose and vision is properly established, what our children pursue should "fall in line" with giftings, interests, family vision...

~Practical skills not only build character, but should by nature result in blessing their family, future husband, and others...

~Managing the home is an essential, not just learning individual skills...

~And from the brave men who responded: they affirmed all of this by appreciating the skill set, but not rating that as most important

"...the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things-that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed."

Titus 2:3-5

On more than one occasion, I've posted a farmhouse confession, and here's another one: I have overlooked this text as a "lifestyle of learning" curriculum because I have always read it through the eyes of an older woman teaching a younger MARRIED woman. Good grief! Could there be a more fabulous outline for what I ought to be teaching my daughters to be as a wife, and my sons what to look for in a wife? I didn't even know this verse existed in the Bible until I was married, and at that point I was looking for an older woman to teach me...somehow I crossed over that line and I now AM that older woman.

And another description: "...she has been...well reported for good works:if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work." 1Timothy 4:10

It was fairly unanimous...if we instill a deep love for the Lord, our daughters will love their husbands and children, and with that same fervor fulfill the tasks of the home.

Your comments have blessed me so much! I will be re-reading them often...I hope this has encouraged others as we together fulfil our high calling!

What Is Your Opinion, Please...

Are we part of yet another "movement"? Here we are on the farm, homeschooling, homesteading (what is that, really?), baking our own bread, raising our own meat, trying to garden, drinking our own fresh milk, eating farm-fresh eggs and butter, sewing, thrifting, making laundry soap and hand-crafted soap, pegging our laundry (isn't that the cutest? I borrowed it from a children's old-fashioned board book) and yet-to-be-done herbs and raw foods.

For what purpose??? While I love the idea of simplicity and health, even good stewardship and economy, here is my question to you, my faithful readers, if you feel inclined to share your thoughts...what will best train my daughters for marriage? Is candlemaking and spinning wool really helpful in 21 st century America?

It's a silly question in some ways, yet important in others. Tonight I'm tired and goofy at the computer, but still think I'd like to hear your thoughts on practical ways to prepare our daughters to be keepers at home. If you have godly young men in your home, can you tell us if they actually care about/value these practical life skills? And if there are any guys out there who would care to comment, I'd love to hear what you have to say!

DISCLAIMER: No, I'm not looking for mates for my daughters (not yet...)

,

Looking forward to your thoughts, and, goodnight!