Small Successes

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that.

This Thursday morning there is a beautiful steady rain falling, we have no where to be, so getting out of bed wasn't easy and a small triumph that I did. I adore it when it rains! LOVE the sound and warmth inside it creates.

1. Made myself some new dish cloths this week. It seems that these things get tattered and worn out all at the same time.

2. With laundry, house work, kids, and of course knitting, exercise is the first thing to get cut from the day. This week I've made it more of a priority, and it feels good!

3. Haven't been spending as much time blogging, reading blogs or just plain sitting at the computer on line. Definitely freeing some time for #2, but this will also prepare me for when we drop our satellite internet and go to dial up.

Be sure to go the Faith and Family Live and share your successes, or feel free to list them in the comments. Have a wonderful week everyone!

Incredible Story - Had to Share

Came across this video just this morning. Have never heard of Gianna Jessen before, but couldn't help but feel moved to watch and listen. Maybe some of you already know her story. For those of you who do not I ask that you take 10 minutes and watch and listen. It is quite moving!!

Because You Asked for It

Because a couple people asked for it I will share my Apple Turkey Maple Meatloaf recipe. I however can not take full credit for it. Quite a few years ago I saw Rachel Ray make something on her show and I just spun off from that.

The other thing to note would be that I rarely if ever measure when I make this (or most dinner recipes) so the measurements given are all by eye.

Apple Turkey Maple Meatloaf

Combine:

2 lbs. ground turkey meat

1 small or 1/2 large apple peeled cored and chopped into small pieces

about 1/4-1/2 a cup of maple syrup

1 Tbs. McCormick's Montreal Seasoning

1 Tbs. poultry seasoning

The mixture is very wet. But do your best to form it into a large log and place into a foil lined baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake at 375 for 45 min to an hour (until cooked through).

Enjoy!! Very easy and a definite family favorite.

Day 1 of 40 Days for Life

Today is Day 1 of the 40 Days for Life Campaign.

40 Days for Life is a community based campaign that brings attention to the evil of abortion using, prayer and fasting, constant vigil and community outreach. It is meant to be a peaceful approach to heighten the awareness of the evils of abortion.

Please check out their web site and investigate ways you may get involved, weather it just be in prayer and fasting or peacefully standing vigil outside an abortion clinic in your community.

PRAYER
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Lord, we ask for the strength, courage, wisdom, determination and stamina to carry out this mission according to Your will.

Guide us, we pray, as we go forth and proclaim Your truth, always doing so with a spirit of love and compassion, as was demonstrated to us by Your Son, Jesus Christ. In His name we pray, Amen.

Small Successes

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that.

My successes this week:

1. Used up almost all the apples we picked last Thursday, by baking pie, apple crisp and apple maple turkey meatloaf (a family favorite), plus just snacking.

2. Surveyed the hand-me-downs we brought with us when we moved 2 years ago, for Faith. So glad we bothered, she should be all set for another season!!

3. Finished the hoodie I was knitting for Faith. This will not be put away as a Christmas gift, but certainly isn't needed just yet. I'm so please with the way it turned out.

Now it’s your turn! Please share all the small but significant ways you’ve done the right thing this week.

Is it happening to anyone else! FRUSTRATED!!

I'm not sure why it keeps happening, but I continue to get a Malware warning when I try to open some of the regular blogs I read daily!!!

I am VERY frustrated!!! Is this happening to anyone else?

Tender and Sweet Hearted

Although playing with Barbie Dolls comes and goes in waves for Faith, true to her character when she decides to play with anything she goes at it whole heartedly!! Last night she took a Barbie into the shower with her and hasn't stopped playing with it ever since, it even slept next to her last night.

The part I find so remarkable about this play time is when she told me this morning this was her favorite Barbie ever and that she was going to take her everywhere with her. This is the doll.

(pretend you don't see my laundry pile in the laundry room on the other side of the kitchen)

Notice anything different? That's right she is missing an arm. Thanks to the dog when he was a pup. We must have over a dozen dolls that have all working limbs, but this one is her favorite!! She said the Barbie needs her help and care that is why she is her favorite.

I thought this was just the sweetest thing a 6 yo could say and I had to share.

Gigantic Gator Caught

Not sure if it is because this woman is from Massachusetts (my birthplace) or if it is because Mike has me watching the show Swamp People on the History Channel. But I found this story very intriguing!!

It's That Time of Year!

Yesterday we took our annual trip to the apple orchard.

This year we ventured out to another county and a different orchard. We were able to chat with the wife of the son of the owner. (Did you follow that?) They are the 7th generation on the farm and she was telling us how her mother-in-law has the original deed for the property and it was signed over from King George. LOVE that kind of genealogical history!!

No I didn't have a 4th child, Jake brought a friend.

We were able to pick red and golden delicious off the trees, and some were over a lb. each!! They were huge!

I made a pie using only 3 of the apples.

After apple picking we went to the Devil's Backbone Brewery, had a small bite to eat and a drink.

Then we went to the grocery store, bought some ice cream and found a place to sit and enjoy that!!

It was a simple day, but we all had a great day!

Small Successes

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that.

1. Sent the kid's most recent achievement test scores to the Superintendent of Schools. This is required by the home schooling law in Virginia and although I've always given the kids the test, I've never sent the results in. Whoops!

2. Cleaned out that stack of papers I keep in the corner of kitchen counter with old church bulletins, permission slips, library fliers and etc. We all have a pile like that, don't we? It really should be weeded through every couple of weeks, but around here it only gets done ever 3 months or so.

3. Finished the socks for Faith and made her a hat. Both are tucked away to be Christmas gifts.

Not in New England Anymore Totto

It's one thing to know that here in Virginia we have poisonous snakes. It's an entirely different thing when you actually find one dead in the driveway and see them for yourself!! Oh my gosh!!

It's a Southern Copperhead. A baby, but still!!

Seriously considering keeping the kids, the dog, the cat and myself locked in the house now!! We never had these in New England!

Lots of Knittin' Goin' On!

Another post about knitting, but I guess I don't have too much going on otherwise.

Finished the socks for Faith.

And made her a hat, the Chunky Dean Street Hat.

Have tucked them both away for Christmas!

Casted on the Children's Tunic in a lovely shade of pink by Brown Sheep Company, also for Faith. This won't be tucked away for Christmas.

Guess I'm in a children's knit mode, and I'm just not sure what to knit for Jacob and Haley for Christmas yet...

A Little Knitting Going On!

I'm completely flattered that my husband asked me if I could make something for a man at work whose wife who is having a baby. I even had some baby yarn in the stash!!!

Made this small blanket and hat, from Natural Knits for Babies and Moms by Louisa Harding.

Then casted on a pair of socks for Faith. So far she hasn't asked what I'm knitting or who it is for. Hoping I can get them made and put them away for Christmas for her.

I'm hoping I can do more knitting for the kids and gift it to them for Christmas. Is that corny? Or old fashioned? Well... even if it is... I am corny and old fashioned so it doesn't matter... does it?

Small Successes

1. Finally wrote and mailed the letter to the school superintendent notifying him our plan to continue home schooling for this school year. Suppose to do this by August 15th every year. Whoops!

2.Went to visit cousin Larry for an overnight stay. This was long over due. Mike had gone with the Haley and Jacob last fall, but I haven't seen him since December or his family since last July. This is a huge success in my book! Trying to be more like Mary and less like Martha.

3. Knitted a baby blanket and a hat. Someone Mike works with's wife is having a baby, so now we have a gift to give when the baby is born.

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that. Now you can do the same. Go to Faith and Family and join in.

Visit with Family

Although it was a short a visit, it was a wonderful visit with cousin Larry, his wife Diane and their two sons, Zeb and Eli.

Our 3+ hours of travel (each way) went just swimmingly. In other words, Faith didn't get car sick thanks to anti motion sickness pills.

Here are a few photos of our trip.

The kids enjoying the pool.

The beautiful water fall and pond Zeb put in a few years ago.

Cousin Larry

Faith enjoying some dessert after a swim in the pool.

All the men enjoying some dessert while watching VT football.

Some of the many trees growing on the farm. It is really cool to look out at all the rows of trees.

A scenic lookout on the ride home.

Are you kidding? Never in my life have I seen this!

We're Hitting the Road

Mike has been working a lot of overtime! Add to that his regular schedule is really lousy Friday, Saturday, & Sunday 7a -7p. Thursday night he made the comment, "Tomorrow begins my 3 day sentence to Hell." It is really hard to see the man you love in such a state! Especially when you know what he's doing is to provide for the family.

So when he mentioned he wanted to take a trip to visit cousin Larry and his family, how could I refuse?

My cousin lives in south western Virginia on a lovely 90+ acre tree farm, about 3 hours from us. Mike and him are like 2 peas in a pod and because Larry is in his late 50's he is like a big brother to Mike. Mike does have 2 older brothers, but the relationships aren't like that.

I'm packing the kids and the dog up, loading the truck, picking Mike up at work and we're off to visit overnight with Larry. Mike's one day off will be tomorrow and we had nothing planned I had to agree!

I'm a home body, there I admit it. I love to be at home! Which works out really well for my carrier of being a SAHM!! It's really funny too because my oldest sister is a go, go, go, kind of gal and has even made the comment, "Poor Michelle." Like being at home was some kind of punishment for me!! It's really funny!

But, I'm breaking the mold this week and I'm headed out! All in the name of love for my husband and okay I'll admit this too, I enjoy spending time with Larry and his wife Diane. It will be well worth it for all of us!

Ready for Colder Weather

As I look back at all the knitting/crocheting I've done for the summer, I'm quite impressed with my efforts. Not only have I gifted a few items I've also added to my wardrobe for the coming winter! 2 new sweaters: Olivine and Summer's End and 3 pairs of socks: a basic ribbed pair and Embossed Leaves

Then here are the most recent finished pair. Hedera by Cookie A.

I RARELY buy myself any clothing! I'm not much of a shopper and would rather get my kids clothes than myself when the mood finally strikes. So I'm feeling really good about my accomplishments and am ready for the weather to turn colder!

Small Successes

1. I finished the sweater for my sister. She was able to wear it home Friday morning when she left.

2. Finally got around to emailing the chair of the Justice and Peace committee at church to let her know that I wanted to be on the committee! Why is it I always have the best of intentions, but I never get around to "officially" doing whatever it is. I'm counting this simple task a huge success this week.

3. Got my car inspected! With a day to spare!! Part of my reasoning for putting this off is because my car is 11 years old and I'm really afraid they'll find something seriously wrong with it! It passed!!!

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that. Now you can do the same. Go to Faith and Family and join in.

Oh What a Day!

Have I ever mentioned Mike works for Frito Lay? Well he does! Although there are a lot of things I'm sure he would change about the day to day operations of the place he works, there are some really good things they do for the employees.

Like: Every summer they give the employees tickets for their entire family to go to King's Dominion here in Virginia. Plus "food coupons"! Our family received $60 in food vouchers.

Because we home school we opted to take our kids yesterday, after most everyone was back in school. It was a hot 90 degree day and it was perfect! The best part being the longest we waited to do any ride was 10 minutes (maybe). When at the prime of the season there can be 1 or 2 hour wait for the most popular rides!

The place is HUGE! I don't think we walked that much when we took the kids to Disney World! There is sooo much to do!

We spent a few hours in the water park where we all got wet and laughed until we cried! Sorry no photos the camera stayed tucked safely away in the locker.

After drying off we headed to the "dry" rides!! Faith enjoyed the slower paced stuff, Jake was the thrill seeker and Haley just watched it all go down (she's the safe one, the merry go round is her favorite).

Here is the ride Jacob sought out: The Intimidator 305

Faith dreaming about getting to go on the intimidator:

And Haley content to watch Jacob on the intimidator:

All I could think to myself, "Where is that little boy that used to want to ride the fire engine around in a circle?" Gone are the days I guess.

Although this morning there are a few of us doctoring blisters, and all of us have sore feet, we are already talking about next year's trip!!