Love is....

Love is....a multitude of things...but one of the things love is, is.....serving....selfless giving of our time, our resources....giving of ourselves. That is what my husband has been doing for me lately. Some of these things will sound so silly to most people, but to me they are precious. He (along with my 8 year old son) built me this clothesline in the yard. I have been wanting one for years, and have missed having one for over 4 years since we moved...and now....over 80 feet of line space! I've so loved hanging my wash out for the past couple of days! The warmth, the breeze, the quiet, the smell...and remembering my doing this with my beloved Gram...all fill me with peace and a quiet happiness.

My husband has just shaken his head and murmurs that he can't believe the things that make me happy....my wonderful clothesline....a new tilt wheel column in our 1987 plymouth (makes it much more comfortable for me to drive and get in/out of)....hearing how much fun he and the kids had going shopping for mother's day....having free firewood...a new knitting book or cookbook...the feel of yarn....

With my health not being well for a while, my husband has offered to help out in any way he can...from carrying heavy laundry baskets up and down 2 flights of stairs, to making a grocery run, driving the kids to activities...and being willing to order out a pizza once in a while.

My husband is not a demonstrative man....he is not an emotional man, he won't talk about 'deep feelings'...is uncomfortable in serious discussions....likes his world ordered, calm and the same...he is not adventurous or risky at all....but he is steady....he is a very hard worker....and for almost 24 years....he has loved me. Thanks, Honey for my clothesline...and for all that you do! I love you! ~Sue~

One small change for May...

~I've always loved hanging laundry outside on a clothesline...maybe it has something to do with the memories I have of helping my mom and grandmother...maybe it's the combination of the sun on my face, the breeze and the wonderful, fresh smell....and maybe I like to think I'm living a little bit of a simple life...teaching my children a little bit of the old ways...so those skills are not only not lost, but are appreciated....slowing life down a bit.

~At our old home, I had 3 long clotheslines outside and taught my oldest daughters how to help me hang out the wash. They loved it as much as I did...just sharing the work and talking while we did it. But, when we moved to the suburbs 4 years ago, I had no clothesline....and as it seemed almost no one hung laundry outside anymore, my husband was hesitant to put a clothesline in. Now....(just in time for Mother's day), he (along with help from my 8 year old son) built me a beautiful clothesline with 4 long line....over 80 feet of drying space! I am so excited!

~ Even though it seems that I am getting well, so very slowly...I'll take it slow tomorrow and enjoy working and resting in the fresh air and sunshine with my family. So tonight, I'll get some laundry sorted and ready to enjoy my clothesline tomorrow and teach my little ones the joys of fresh, linedried laundry....and enjoying the work in the old ways. This will be my "one small change" for May.

So tomorrow...I'll post pictures of one of my most precious mother's day gifts...and the joys of teaching my little ones the old-fashioned way of doing some jobs and spending time with my family.

What is one small change you can do this month? ~Sue~

Rest and recovery....

Rest and recover...try and get back to some normalcy around here. Now, my Meghan is sick...thank goodness that I am slowly getting better and that Sara isn't sick...with all 3 of us sick at the same time, life almost stops around here. LOL

So as I've been resting, I've been reading alot...lots of knitting books. Debbie Macomber fiction that starts with 'The Shop on Blossom Street" about a little yarn store called A Good Yarn, the owner, Lydia and her family and friends. Wonderful books! Light reading...perfect for when your head feels so heavy, full and tired.

Feels like I could only knit for a few moments, then my hands and arms were too tired...getting a little more strength today...hopefully a visit to my wonderful friend, my chiropractor will help these sore muscles and hands a lot. But....I did get an early mother's day gift!

This incredibly wonderful book, "Knitting America"! Tons of history about knitting in America, the 'old country' (as my gram used to call it)...lots of wonderful photos, magazine covers, old knitting patterns. Everything from knitting during the civil war...thru both world wars, the Great Depression....all the way until now. It has always fascinated me what life was like for women (specifically homemakers, since this is what I do) in the 'old days'...especially during hard times. I collect old cookbooks, and old homemaking books for that reason. Well, must go...can't sit at the computer for very long right now. Have a blessed day! ~Sue~

When Mom gets sick...a spring cold...clear liquids....fever

I haven't been this sick for long time...spring cold, fever, pain...then a colonoscopy scheduled for tomorrow morning on top of that...

My family has been amazing, though! Since I couldn't watch my nephew today, Sara went over there to watch Ty at my sisters house...Meghan & Ron held down the fort while I've been in bed...and my sister is sending dinner home. I am so blessed!

Thought I would post this while I was upright...don't know when I'll be able to update. Would appreciate any prayers....I just praise God for working out all the details for my family! Until later......~Sue~

Worship....dance for Jesus!

Two of our three daughters go to dance classes at Grace Christian Dance. It is wonderful worship dance...every movement worshipful, every song...costumes modest (but cute!) and their annual recital was yesterday. What a special day it was for us!!! So beautiful, and the gospel message went forth with every song.
Our two dancers! Sara is 14 1/2 and in the teen class and Anna is in the kindergarten class. They danced so beautifully and had such a great time!

Our tiny dancer!

Sara danced in 5 dances...2 of them were messianic group dances...they were so much fun for the girls and really cool to watch!

Our little Anna was in 2 dances...one was called "Lift your Hands" and the other one (my favorite) was called "Have you heard about Jesus? Do you know who He is?"...Oh, how I love those lyrics and movements! She was so precious, and did a wonderful job...especially for her first year.

We were very blessed to have many family members come out for the girls' recital. Our niece, Tina, came....along with almost all of my children's grandparents (my step-mom is very ill and couldn't be there) and one of my sisters...the girls biggest fans...our family.

We're so proud of the many hours of hard work Sara and Anna put in this year...and especially these past couple of weeks.

Now for a few months break from weekly dance lessons....although both girls will still dance around the house, and Sara will participate in a dance camp this summer...it will be so nice to have our Mondays and Tuesdays free again! After getting the house back into order and finishing up some home educating goals, we'll have some free time to just relax...visit with family and friends, garden and enjoy the summer. But first, tomorrow...the History Fair! I'm off to bed...leaving early tomorrow for a full day! ~Sue~

Dvd review: God's Purpose for it All by Jim Sammons

I was recently blessed to borrow a dvd called "God's Purpose for it All" by Jim Sammons. It blessed me so very much, and helped me to remember to count my blessings and to see God's hand in every aspect of my life....not just the 'good' things, but in the challanges and hurts of life as well.

Some of my thoughts from watching this teaching....

A part of wisdom is seeing life from God's perspective

We don't think the way God thinks...so we won't always understand His ways.

During trials and troubles...look at the benefits!

Visualize the worst that could happen, accept it emotionally and THEN list the benefits.

Ask God to show you the benefits...He is faithful to do just that!

We are learning Christ-like character

We need to give EVERYTHING to God (our health, our children, our marriages, our finances....it's all His anyway)

Learn to dedicate everything to God...all of the things above, every minute of our days, all of our time, our thoughts, our possesions....it's all His.

~Even thru the pain and fatigue that I've been experiencing for a long time, that has flared up this winter....even thru the uncertainty of possible job and/or wage loss...I've learned that I can use these things to draw closer to God, and to point others to Him. I don't know how people who don't know Jesus get thru a minute of their day without Him!

After watching this teaching, I was reminded (yet again) to try and see everything in my life from God's perspective....my marriage, my children, our health, every relationship I have....our home, finances, possesions....and instead of focusing on the hard parts....focus on the benefits.

This dvd reminded me very much of Pollyanna. In the book, 'Pollyanna', the title character has learned (at a very young age) to play the "Glad Game"....no matter what happens, finding joy and seeing the benefits or the good that can come of it....there is ALWAYS some good.

I would encourage anyone who has been struggling with hardships and asking "why"....turn to God...turn to His word....trust in His promises...He IS faithful, and His grace is amazing...forget not all of his benefits....look, activily LOOK for His hand in all of your circumstances...and listen for His still, small voice....He is the God of all comfort and He loves us so very, very much!

~May your day be blessed!~ Sue

A special "Mom Date" with my littlest one...

I always thought, when we just had Meghan & Sara, that it was perfect....2 children, 2 parents...plenty of attention and time for each! I used to marvel at larger families and how could they POSSIBLY give each child enough attention?! Well....after having Ronnie and Anna, and now watching my little nephew a couple of days a week....I know it can be done. But, I think sometimes, we need to make that extra effort to make special memories alone with each one. It doesn't happen all the time around here, but I am conciously looking for opportunities to just "chat" one on one....for a quick hug.

Last week, that opportunity presented itself for Anna and I....my littlest girl. Ron & Ronnie were doing a bowling party and then a cubscout field trip to a construction site...Meghan & Sara were with friends most of the day....so Anna and I had a "Mom Date" to Chick Fil A....just the two of us!
She loved this cow!!! She was making up stories about "her" and talked about her all thru lunch....and was so happy to get her picture taken with "her"!

Sometimes, it is just the "little things" that make memories and bring smiles to little faces. I treasure the time with each of my children, and will treasure the memory of my day with my little Anna....knowing how fast they grow up!

~Sue~

In the glow of an oil lamp....

We lost our electricity around 3:30pm in a fierce thunderstorm yesterday...I've always been interested in the "old days", and have always felt the need impressed on me to "be prepared"...especially this last year. After losing our electric for 18 hours this winter, we knew where everything was yesterday and it was not a hardship yesterday at all.

We have a gas stove, so heating up some ham & bean soup that we had ready took no time at all for a warm, hearty supper. The kids were fascinated with the oil lamp...until they smelled it....I loved it! Ronnie & Anna happily played Legos together until it got to dark to see them on the rug, then after supper we all kept ourselves busy. I thought it was very peaceful around here....until we heard the sounds of generators starting up in the neighborhood....right about when the playoff hockey game was starting! LOL

Meghan and Sara kept busy playing a Nancy Drew game(which they almost never have time to play together) , taking turns on their laptops with batteries until they needed to shut them down...then reading. (obviously, the picture of the girls and the picture of the guys was used with the flash....for minutes afterward, no one could see from the bright flashes!)
I played Uno with Ronnie and Anna for a while......

Then, Ron & Ronnie used Meghan's mp3 player to listen to the hockey game together. (Note to self: get at least one hand-crank radio and one battery powered one) I just thought it was so cute how they shared the earbuds, and were discussing the game and high fiveing each other....Ron doesn't feel he missed too much not being able to watch it. I will say it was much more quiet and peaceful for me! LOL

Anna asked me to read Cinderella to her by the lamp....and I was able to continue to read my book "Knitting Through It" by Lela Nargi......a wonderful, inspiring book.

I really thought about how peaceful it was last night....as I was trying not to worry about my freezers full of food. When we lost power this winter after 26 plus inches of snow, I wasn't worried about the food because it was so bitter cold out, but my little ones were sick and I was worried about keeping them warm, safe and getting them healthy. So many lessons learned when we are forced to do without technology! It truly is a miraculous tool in some ways...I was grateful for cell phones to be able to check on family and road conditions... and in other ways...well, let's just say I will continue to whittle down to the amount of technology that we NEED and USE it as a tool...

~Hope everyone has a very blessed day!~ Sue