Advent beginnings.....

Happy 1st day of the Advent!  What a glorious way to transition from focusing on gratitude,  contentment and thankfulness...to joyous preparation!  We've been preparing to celebrate the birth of our Savior...yes, decorating the house for our celebration and focusing on preparing our hearts to receive the ultimate gift...Jesus Christ.

I collect nativity sets.   A number of years ago, we made a conscious decision to try and make our Christmas celebrations visually as well as spiritually focused on the Lord...not on the commercial or material hype...and since we do well with visual reminders...we try and make our decorations meaningful to us.  We've also been feeling the Lord leading us to simplify...a lot....some simplifying is for health reasons...some for financial...but really...I think He just wants us to simply focus on Him....and sometimes, with the distractions of this world...especially at this time of year, that is hard to do.

As we have for years, we will be doing Advent devotions with our advent wreath every Sunday of Advent.   Ever since my older girls were little, we've used our homeschooling lesson time for the month leading up to Christmas to just do the basics ...a little spelling, grammar and math....and focus on unit studies about Jesus and Christmas.  The unit studies we've used can be found http://easyfunschool.com/IndexChristmas.html  at this link.  We always do the names of Jesus study, the Christmas symbol study and Christmas Hymn studies.

We will also be doing a Jesse tree and devotional from Anne at A Holy Experience.   We're trying to take every opportunity when the subject of gifts comes up, to talk about Jesus being the greatest gift of all.  If Christmas lights and light displays comes up, we talk about John 1:5...and Jesus being the light of the world.  We have some wonderful family times planned...not too many activities this year...and all of us as a family and all centered around Jesus...a special time for our family to enjoy...and to keep our focus on the gift of Jesus.

In the coming days...I'll be sharing some of our special books, devotions, traditions and special times that we have planned to focus our hearts on the gift of the Light of the World....and I hope to hear how all of you are celebrating this very special time!  ~Sue~

Thanksgiving memories....

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration this year!  Wanted to share and save some special remembrances this year...

We made a 'gratitude garland' ...the 6 of us wrote many things we were grateful for and strung them across the mantle...a special, beautiful reminder to be grateful everyday!  Every year, we plan on writing more blessings on our leaves and adding to our garland.

Beautiful roses...sweetly given to me by my beautiful oldest daughter, Meghan....so grateful for all 4 of my special children!

Very grateful for my wonderful husband and our 25 years of being together!

These 2 crack me up!  Sara and Aunt Peppy...sharing earbuds and listening to Glee songs! LOL

Meghan and I with our sweet cousin, Jill!

My special mom and Meghan

Love this picture!  What a crew!  Ron, his brother Sean, Uncle Joe, and cousin Mike (holding Meghan's Godson, Colin)

And...my very tired children! LOL  (Not the best picture of Ronnie...and Anna was so tired, she wouldn't even look...but this is real life, right?! Smile....)

The blessings of family mean so much to us...and we are very blessed to have a lot of extended family on both mine and Ron's side...and we see them frequently.  We finished the weekend off with a family baby shower yesterday...and getting ready for Advent today....will be posting our Advent preparations and celebrations thru out the month....for tonight...we'll finish watching "White Christmas" and pray as we prepare to start the Advent season tomorrow.  ~Sue~

Cultivating....gratitude

It is a daily....ok...minutely, mindfully struggle to cultivate a truly grateful heart...to look for the 'silver lining'...to count your blessings...minute by minute...and then...how very many blessings there are!  May your day be filled with blessings!

This week...a time to keep....

During this week of preparation...we find ourselves preparing for this most wonderful of American holidays...Thanksgiving. As the tradition in our family goes...the Gorecki's will be traveling around sharing meals and yummy desserts with lots of extended family on both sides...enjoying grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins from near and far....and giving thanks that God chose to make us all "family".  There are so many things we are grateful for and we are careful to remember to give thanks every day...not just on Thanksgiving. But, as we are hustling and bustling, I am trying to be aware of the need to rest in the Lord...to slow down, to snuggle and talk and make memories that don't involve involve hustling and bustling...so with that in mind as we cook and bake this week, get ready for a special baby shower and then prepare to start Advent (a very special, joyous time of preparation here) below are some of the books we'll enjoy reading aloud....snuggling under blankets....a fire lit....and counting our blessings.  May you have a joyous week filled with thanksgivings! ~Sue~

This moment...

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

. . . . . . . .
Joining in this Friday Ritual over at SouleMama....no words...for me....just a peaceful photo thought of 2 little best friends.....Have a blessed weekend!  ~Sue~

Inspirational dinner....

After praying about 'stretching' groceries even more...and praying about what to have for dinner that would be warm, filling, healthy...and I already had the ingredients for...I found this recipe today!  So THIS is what's for dinner!  Perfect!  Go to Family Balance Sheet for the recipe for italian sausage white bean kale soup!  (with some GF garlic bread with parmesean cheese....perfect warm, filling dinner! ~Sue~

Heritage Field Trip Fun!

Our family has a membership to the Heinz History Center...a wonderful museum affliated with the Smithsonian.  This weekend, we enjoyed a whole day wondering around the wonderful old building that used to be the Chautauqua Ice House.  It was Heritage Day.  The above photo is of the Slovakian dancers.  I, particularly, was touched by this group as they sang and danced to all the songs that my grandmother loved and I shared with her long ago.  Baba would have loved this!  Some of the people are the same as when Gram and I used to go see them perform many years ago.

Anna loved learning the art of making Slovenian lace...getting the hang of the rhythm  of crossing the bobbins in the right order.  She asked if she could have one of these at home!  (I'm not sure, but I think they may be pretty expensive)

These gorgeous Slovenian easter eggs were so beautiful!  I have a friend who does this art and am hoping to learn over the winter.

Ronnie had such a great time talking with these gentlemen....one from Scotland and one from Wales.  Discussing the legends of King Arthur and the areas he most likely would have been from fascinates Ronnie right now.  He and one gentleman had both watched the same documentary and enjoyed discussing it together.

Anna loves herbs and really enjoyed making her own sachet filled with lavender, rose hips, orange peel and chamomile.

taking a break from a lot of walking on 5 floors of the museum. (typical Sara....performing!)

A new exhibit that we hadn't seen yet, that is loaned by the Smithsonian is the  History of the American Flag.  Very cool exhibit!  So many authentic flags from the 1700's, 1800's, both Confederate and Union flags...along with World War II flags and memorabilia...all the way thru the 60's and 70's and a large display from 9/11 as well.  Very beautiful, humbling, educational tribute to the symbol of our great country.

My little readers read everything...and they also had a lot of hands on displays for the children including the proper way to fold a flag.

While the guys went to the Steelers and Penquin sports museum, the girls and I toured thru the Heinz exhibit...one of my favorite spots! (and the girls, too!)

Anna's advertising campaign for Heinz Spagetti! 

One of the kids favorite things to do is pack the pickle jars!  As Anna is now into helping me do anything I'm doing, including canning pickles, she had fun packing pickles at Heinz!

We enjoy educational field trips, but we really enjoy them when we can do them as a family.  What a wonderful day we had!  Finished it off by coming home to a delicious dinner, and watching the Duggar family start their tour of Europe...the kids were mesmerized by life in Scotland and Ireland...the castles, the farms the highland games....This is one family field trip memorie that will always be special to me!  ~Sue~

Yarn Along....

Joining with Ginny for her weekly Yarn Along...sharing my 2 favorite things...yarn and books!  This week, I crocheted a hat and booties for a special cousin expecting her first baby and am working on finishing the baby afghan before the shower, the day after Thanksgiving.  Working with 2 strands should get it done quickly.  Am reading many books, but thought I would mention this one (before I need to return it to the library)  Paleo Comfort Foods is a great cookbook!  For anyone learning about low carb/no carb healthy living, this book has many recipes and advice to make what feels like "normal" food healthier.  Check out more yarn and book goodness over at Small Things today!

Princess Party!

My littlest girl...my sweet Anna!  She said her 7th birthday has been her best birthday ever! LOL  This year, for the first time we had a "friend party" for her and she chose a princess theme.

The girls all dressed up in their princess finery...decorated picture frames (glitter glue takes a LONG time to dry! LOL), beaded necklaces and bracelets, played Twister, musical chairs, Bingo and danced all over the livingroom...and last but not least...decorated their own purple princess cupcakes that my oldest daughter, Meghan, had made for them.

What a very special birthday Anna Lydia had!  She had some wonderful little friends and made some very special memories!

I feel as if I need to "catch up" over the past 9 months and journal some updates on all the children and memories I don't want to forget....so look for some photo journaling catching up with our family coming soon.   As my children are growing up so very quickly, I don't want to miss a thing!  ~Sue~

Silver Lining...

Oh, how I love this quote!  I've always been an optimist...always loved 'Pollyanna', but since my  illnesses have progressed over the years, it's been harder and harder on some days to count my blessings and look for the silver lining.   I've recently discovered a very special blog.

Sara Gitzen has written a blog that has blessed hundreds and hundreds of people!  Her blog, Choose Joy, does just that...reminds us to CHOOSE joy.

The link above will take you to Choose Joy and a post about not missing the silver lining because you are expecting gold.  Sara wrote from the unique perspective of someone who has suffered from a very painful, debilitating ,chronic illness.  Sara has recently passed away due to complications from her disease...which, to me, makes her thoughts even more poignant and meaningful.   As I read thru more and more of Sara's writings....oh, how I am blessed!  As she is now dancing on streets of gold...I pray that she knows....knows how very much the Lord has used her to bless countless others who are suffering from chronic illness and/or pain ..but there are so many more lessons to be learned here.  I encourage you all to read this particular post of Sara's...and if you have some time....scroll thru and read more...you will be blessed!  ~Sue~ 

Some daily grace....

One of the many books that have blessed me is the daily devotional 'Streams in the Desert'.  This little book has ministered to me so very, very much over the years and I've shared it with many people.  From time to time, I'll be sharing some parts of this special little book with you as well as my thoughts....below, is some amazing grace...that came at a much needed time.  May you be filled with peace that passes all understanding...the peace that only Jesus can give.

Something that I didn't talk about much on this blog before I took my hiatus, was afflictions...specifically Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia...the 2 chronic illnesses that I have.  I never wanted those to consume me, to define me...I didn't want to fall into the trap of self-pity...but honestly, they are a big part of who I am...they touch every part of my life.

The sleepness nights...the daily bone-weary exhaustion...the heaviness of my limbs...sometimes it is hard to hold my head up.  The weakness (dropping lots of things...or falling frequently)...the pain...the swelling of joints...muscle and joint pain...lots of medications (and subsequent side effects ) it has become just a part of my everyday life and my families' lives.

It took me a long time to come to accept that this was my cross....and to count my blessings in spite of it.  But God is ever faithful...He is so faithful to lead and guide...to comfort...and to gently re-focus me on His goodness and the many blessings in my life.

He uses my little book...along with His Word to focus me...to remind me...to uplift and encourage me...and today, I want to share a little bit of what He has been telling me...what I am continuously contemplating as I go about my days.

"An affliction hits a believer never by chance but by God's divine direction.  It is not only the grace of God, but also His glory that is revealed when a believer can stand and quietly endure an affliction."  Joseph Caryl

" It is thru our trials and afflictions that God gives us fresh revelations of Himself."  Nathaniel William Taylor

"If you have been praying to know more of Christ,  do not be surprised if He leads you thru the desert or through a furnace of pain.  I cannot explain exactly how we are able to receive the power to serve and to endure thru communion  with God, but I know it is a fact.  Are you in danger of being crushed by a heavy and difficult trial?    Then seek communion with Christ and you will receive strength and the power  to be victorious, for God has promised  "I will strengthen you"  (Isa. 41:10)  Steams in the Desert

If you would like more encouragment...please read the posts at http://refined-redeemed.blogspot.com/  Refined As Gold, one of the blogs of my daughter, Meghan and her dear friend, Shannon....I'll be posting over there occasionally as well....as we are all being 'refined as gold'.  ~Sue~

The devil's 'beatitudes'....

After reading this, (again...as I recently got this book from the library)...I was reminded of how true these words are....please, go to my friend Judy's blog http://livingsimplyforhim.blogspot.com/ and read the devil's 'beatitudes' and maybe, like me, you'll be reminded of  how careful we must be of the master deceiver.

(also, if you get the chance...I echo Judy's opinion of the book "The Simplicity Primer"...excellent book and on my wish list to own!)  Check it out!  ~Sue~

This moment...

Sisterly love!

Joining in over at  http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/  for a Friday ritual...a single photo...for This Moment.  May your weekend be blessed!

65 degrees in Pittsburgh in November?! Field Trip!

When you have 65 degrees AND sunshine in Pittsburgh in November...you take a field trip!   After we finished up the academics this morning my little ones and I headed out to a local farm to meet my sister and nephew...what a fun day!  (ok...the above picture is NOT the most flattering of me, but since I'm usually not IN the pictures...I'm thrilled to have this one for the memories with my little ones!)

Other than enjoying the fall day, the farm had these wonderful, inter-active  boards up that show how this farm is "going green"...we learned a lot about sustainable farming.

We also just had some plain old fashioned FUN!  A chocolate lab named 'Sydney' joined us on all our activities...what a sweet dog!  Instead of a sand box, the 'corn' box was a hit with the kids as something different.

The petting zoo was a hit for a little while...(until a goat started eating Anna's shirt...she was less than pleased)...my nephew, Ty, was so happy to be with his cousins and not afraid of the animals...goats, sheep, chickens and ducks were part of the fun.

And...pumpkins!  I am so grateful for the chance to spend time with my sister, nephew and our little ones!  Blessings like these are precious memories that we will always treasure!

I am trying to be more mindful to say "yes" more....to LOOK for opportunities to make memories with all of my children... to laugh more and treasure the time we have together.

Yarn Along....

Linking up with Ginny over at Small Things for her weekly Yarn Along!  I enjoy a chance to share 2 of my favorite things...books and yarn!  Right now, I am working on a couple small crochet projects and one large one...the afghan in the photo is for my niece, who graduated college and is working in Boston now.  As I wanted to have this done sooner and it is getting COLD in Boston, I'm hoping to finish this fairly soon.

I've always tried to draw from Karen Andreola's wisdom in her book "A Charlotte Mason Companion" and have many books that I am reading at any given moment, but my current fiction book is one I've been waiting for for quite a while and my copy just came in today from the library...'The Wedding Quilt', by Jennifer Chiaverini...the latest book in the 'Elm Creek Quilt' series.  Lots of loose ends tied up in this one as well as more history from Elm Creek Manor and the Bergstrom family...I love this series!  It is the series of fiction that inspired me to learn to quilt.  If you would like some fiber inspiration and enjoy sharing your love of reading and fiber, head on over to Ginny's and check out some great inspiration!  ~Sue~

A Time for Everything

'To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1'

Originally, when I started this blog, it was for the purpose of journaling for our family...with photos, recipes...just chronicling our days in a format that will never be lost....I used to have a hand-written journal, but due to Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia...writing hurts...typing, as of now, does not....and I've found that my children love to see pictures of themselves and read all about their days.

Over time, the RA became very aggressive and is not responding to treatment...and the past year has been full of trials..trying different medications, and simply adapting life, once again, to changes and limitations. So...with that said...this "new" blog will again be journaling for our family, as well as my thoughts and feelings about this journey the Lord has me on with RA and Fibro...homeschooling, and trying to live as simple and joyful a life as we can. We are so very, very blessed....

I had someone once ask me why I wrote about our meals and what was going on in our lives, and for any readers that I may still have out there...I will say...I pray that my writing blesses first my family...that it honors the Lord...and if it blesses others, then I will be content to share our lives with others.

The Lord IS faithful to keep His promises...and this journey...this path that we are on as His pilgrims...is best not walked alone...I'm looking forward to sharing my journey with all of you...may your day be blessed!