I am thankful! And...I have need to remember to count my blessings! Ronnie wasn't feeling well today...he seemed very tired and had an on/off headache...what was really bothering him was that everywhere he had adhesive on him, his skin was raw...poor guy...he no longer needs bandages, and can shower tomorrow...hopefully, he will continue to heal quickly. I'm thankful he is healing as quickly as he is...I'm thankful for good friends who have brought us meals, (tonight was fettucine alfredo....it was SO GOOD!!!), I'm thankful for my friend who is a busy homeschooling mother of 3 girls as well as a pediatric nurse who is always available to reassure and pray....I'm thankful for our pastor...who took the time to call today and check on Ronnie....and I'm thankful that this tired, hurting body is typing this from the comfort of my quilted rocker...on a laptop! I'm especially grateful for the good friends who blessed us with this...and came over to set it up, show me how to work it and a fun visit, as well.
Not only does God ALWAYS meet our needs in our family....but frequently, He gives us the desires of our hearts....wow....I marvel at how very much He loves me! I am in awe of all of His creation...of the seasons...of His gift to us of creativity...and the many ways that this creativity comes out in each one of us...God is so good to us!
I was talking to a friend today who has one little one and another blessing on the way, about this Christmas holiday season...we try very hard to stay as 'uncommercialized' as we can here...just very simple and making memories. Ronnie piped in with " we haven't had any of that 'kapusta' for a while!"...cracked me up! The kapusta he was referring to was sauerkraut...we always say " Daubre Kapusta"....or "Good Cabbage"....that is a memory my children will have...sounds silly, doesn't it... but to me it is precious. We are looking forward to cooking and baking up some traditions and memories coming up soon. My mother's homemade Kielbasi...what fun to mix just the right blend of spices with the pork and fill the casings...nothing tastes better! Making some of my Baba's orange cookies and 'Bobalki'...some of my mom's mom's blintzes....my older girls say it wouldn't be Christmas without all of these things...and our advent wreath and devotions, our cousins's cookie bake/decorate party, watching "White Christmas" and "It's a wonderful life". For my little ones, they love the tree and are constantly looking at all of the ornaments...finding "theirs", and they love the "star of Christmas" lit up on top.
For all of these, my wonderful children and hardworking, handsome husband and a multitude more....I am thankful tonight. I pray that all of our loved ones will know how much they are loved and be blessed tonight, too.~Sue~
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Knowing God: Reflecting on Chapter Ten
Tonight Meghan and I are going over to a church couple's house for a study. At our church, we are having a high-schooler's book study and we're studying the book 'Knowing God' by J.I Packer. Very hard book, but digging deep is good. Beware grammar nuts, he uses HUGE run on sentences, but they're jam-packed with good food for thought.
Today we had to read chapters 9 & 10 and chapter ten was the best by far. The subject was: God's wisdom and ours. J.I Packer writes, " It is to be feared that many Christians spend all their life in too un-humbled and conceited a frame of mind ever to gain wisdom from God at all. Not for nothing does scripture say, 'with the lowly is wisdom' (Proverbs 11:2)" We must remember that though we shouldn't belittle ourselves, we must be humble to receive wisdom.
More later after the book study!
~Sara~
Monday, December 8, 2008
Frustration!
Oh, my goodness...I love being able to access the internet...I love researching, looking up recipes, email...and writing, but sometimes I can't help thinking "wouldn't life be simpler without all of this technology?"
I have just spent from 6:30pm until 10:15pm trying to restore my internet and change my password to allow another laptop to access the internet. Are we very blessed to have laptops....very much! Do I have a lot of other things much more important to do with my time than be on hold and talk to 4 different technicians until the problem was solved(which involved one tech from the Phillipines telling me to move the 'blue internet' cord to the wrong port...the only problem!)... Like.....read a good book....comfortably in my nice warm bed....where I am going now...without any technology! Happy Dreams! ~Sue~
I have just spent from 6:30pm until 10:15pm trying to restore my internet and change my password to allow another laptop to access the internet. Are we very blessed to have laptops....very much! Do I have a lot of other things much more important to do with my time than be on hold and talk to 4 different technicians until the problem was solved(which involved one tech from the Phillipines telling me to move the 'blue internet' cord to the wrong port...the only problem!)... Like.....read a good book....comfortably in my nice warm bed....where I am going now...without any technology! Happy Dreams! ~Sue~
Write what you know....
This rule of thumb for any aspiring writer has encouraged and provided inspiration many a time. As I sit here, staring at an obnoxiously blank screen, asking Sara what I should write about, this little nugget of writing wisdom comes to mind. Now that I think about it, I could write about quite a few things; the millions of projects I need to begin and accomplish soon, the schoolwork that comes with every week day, the two parties coming up this weekend, books, movies, the holidays, etc. But as the song "Count Your Blessings" plays through my mind, I reflect on how blessed my life truly is. How Ronnie is recovering from surgery like lightening, how precious Anna's little mannerisms can be, how hard-working my wonderful father is, how dear, sweet (and silly!) my sister Sara is, and how wonderful and blessed my mother is, who never complains of her ever-present pain and goes through her day with nary a complaint. My family is one of my biggest blessings and joys in my life...though sometimes we can all annoy and hurt each other, we always know that the bond we share as family will never be broken.
What are a few of your blessings that you're thankful for?
The Joys of "Teenagers"!
OH, my wonderful daughters! Meghan is 15 and Sara 13, and while their tired mom went to bed last night, they totally revamped our blog backround...and unbeknownst to each other, they both picked the same backround that would be "perfect for Mom!"! Not only do I love the backround, but I'm thrilled that they were like minded...as sometimes, they can be very different!
People are always saying things like "teenagers are tough"...or "wait until your girls are teenagers"...well, they are and I couldn't be happier! We don't have the 'typical' teenage behavior at our house...both of my girls are such a joy! ( not that we don't have moments of conflict, every family does...especially when you have 6 people in one home, all with different personalities, likes and dislikes and bents) Both girls are so considerate of me...my pain and fatigue.....they are always trying to help me...and I so appreciate their efforts!
Meghan is always trying to kick me out of my own kitchen...." I'll do it Mom!" is always heard from Meghan....while Sara is the one who gets my 2 little ones involved in a 2 hour "mystery" or building houses under tables with blankets, or holding dance class with Anna. ( and her stuffed animals) Sara will even play hockey in the basement with Ronnie! I am (and I know it!) very, very blessed with both of my older daughters! I'm grateful that I have Anna...at only 4 years old, she'll be with me for a long time. Having my one and only son is a wonderful adventure s well....only having sisters myself, Ronnie is a joy that God is using to help me understand my wonderful husband better as well! LOL Having what seems like 2 sets of children ( 15 and 13....then almost 7 and 4)...is never dull...I never wanted an "empty nest" and I won't have one! By the time Ron retires, I still may have Anna here...which would be fine with me! My children are my wonderful blessings as well as my friends and companions...along with my husband, there is no one else I would rather spend my time with!
Now that Ronnie is feeling better ( but still limited to his walker), I'm thinking of more Christmas crafts for gifts, some baking to give away and lots of little things to keep him (and Anna) busy. Today will be a "slow day"...we feel as if we are in slow motion....and that's ok. I've come to the conclusion that between my fibromyalgia, Meghan's painful hip disability, Ron's night-turn work schedule, ( which changes as he is daylight 6am-2pm all this week)...we just need to not compare our family to any other family we know....just move at our own comfortable pace...and be grateful that the Lord has us homeschooling...for the flexability it gives us, for the flexability Ron's work schedule gives us...and just enjoy our family!
Thank you, Girls, for making the backround beautiful....not as beautiful as you two, but for doing it for me....I love it and appreciate your efforts so much!
People are always saying things like "teenagers are tough"...or "wait until your girls are teenagers"...well, they are and I couldn't be happier! We don't have the 'typical' teenage behavior at our house...both of my girls are such a joy! ( not that we don't have moments of conflict, every family does...especially when you have 6 people in one home, all with different personalities, likes and dislikes and bents) Both girls are so considerate of me...my pain and fatigue.....they are always trying to help me...and I so appreciate their efforts!
Meghan is always trying to kick me out of my own kitchen...." I'll do it Mom!" is always heard from Meghan....while Sara is the one who gets my 2 little ones involved in a 2 hour "mystery" or building houses under tables with blankets, or holding dance class with Anna. ( and her stuffed animals) Sara will even play hockey in the basement with Ronnie! I am (and I know it!) very, very blessed with both of my older daughters! I'm grateful that I have Anna...at only 4 years old, she'll be with me for a long time. Having my one and only son is a wonderful adventure s well....only having sisters myself, Ronnie is a joy that God is using to help me understand my wonderful husband better as well! LOL Having what seems like 2 sets of children ( 15 and 13....then almost 7 and 4)...is never dull...I never wanted an "empty nest" and I won't have one! By the time Ron retires, I still may have Anna here...which would be fine with me! My children are my wonderful blessings as well as my friends and companions...along with my husband, there is no one else I would rather spend my time with!
Now that Ronnie is feeling better ( but still limited to his walker), I'm thinking of more Christmas crafts for gifts, some baking to give away and lots of little things to keep him (and Anna) busy. Today will be a "slow day"...we feel as if we are in slow motion....and that's ok. I've come to the conclusion that between my fibromyalgia, Meghan's painful hip disability, Ron's night-turn work schedule, ( which changes as he is daylight 6am-2pm all this week)...we just need to not compare our family to any other family we know....just move at our own comfortable pace...and be grateful that the Lord has us homeschooling...for the flexability it gives us, for the flexability Ron's work schedule gives us...and just enjoy our family!
Thank you, Girls, for making the backround beautiful....not as beautiful as you two, but for doing it for me....I love it and appreciate your efforts so much!
Old Friends Reunite!
Sunday nights aren't really active, maybe a nice movie night at home. When we went to see the lights at Hartwood acres, I was excited and so were Ronnie and Anna! We were on the way when we passed our old neighborhood. We decided to swing by and see my friend who I haven't seen for months! She came and slept over and we had a blast! Lissa and I have known each other since birth and it was like things hadn't changed at all! Here are some pictures from our visit:
~Sara~Sunday, December 7, 2008
Christmas is near...
I love December! Christmas is coming and everyone is in the holiday mood! Our christmas tree is decorated (see above) with tons of ornaments! We have picture ornaments for every year since birth for all us kids, plus keepsake ornaments, and other cute ones we couldn't bear to part with. Topped with a stained glass star, it is the 'perfect' tree (we say that every year, but its true!). Soon my cousins, Tina and Justin, will come over and decorate cookies with frosting and sprinkles, yum! Thinking of gifts to buy, making a wishlist for yourself... but we rarely stop and think about the reality: Jesus had no decorated house, no cookies or warm afghans to snuggle up in, and only three gifts. He got three gifts, so why should we, his humble servants, get any more? We are no more deserving and yet we sometimes take the christmas story for granted. When everything is crazy getting ready for christmas, stop and think about how much Jesus did without and maybe then you will see a not-quite- full stocking as a blessing and priveledge.Merry Christmas!
~Sara~
A beginning...
I like beginnings. Beginnings help conquer fears that may hinder you from ever trying something new...like this blog! This will be our family blog...I plan on trying to post at least once a day...even something little, but I have a feeling that my two oldest daughters will be posting much more frequently than I will.
Today is day #4 since my little boys surgery...his 2nd major surgery of this year. Ronnie has bi-lateral hip dysplasia and is now healed...he spent 3 months in a spica body cast last winter and is now healing from the hardware removal...what a brave, uncomplaining little boy! The only thing he is missing right now is playing hockey on the ice...his first love!
I found that the last time we were semi-housebound after his first surgery, it was actually such a gift...of course the best gift was his healing, but also to the whole family...more time at home, more family time, more time with the Lord....actually making more memories. It helped that it was over the winter time in Pennsylvania, too...very cold!
This time, I'm grateful that he is recovering amidst the traditions and memories of Christmas...all the family traditions, cookie baking, singing, roasting marshmellows in the fireplace...his 6 week recovery will over before we know it!
We are very, very blessed with all of our family rallying around us...a wonderful church family and our homeschooling friends....we've had meals brought, friends for him to spend time with and lots of love and care...I think the Lord shows us His love that way frequently. I have been very grateful especially for the meals. I have fibromyalgia, and I had forgetten that after the last surgery, I had a particularly bad fibro flare-up, resulting in a lot of increased pain and terrible fatigue....so this time, by dinner time, I am wiped out and very grateful for the meals! I'm glad that I can look back at His hand on my life and know that "this too, shall pass"....and it is all for Ronnie's good and for the Lord's glory!
Ronnie and I are off to make some Christmas crafts now. His dad and 3 sisters are visiting Grandma for a going away party for my niece. My precious niece, Amanda, is leaving on Wednesday to move to Las Vegas...I'm so grateful for the time we've had growing closer over the years...I'm going to miss her terribly! Her brother, my wonderful nephew, Ben is in the Air Force and has been in Texas...we just got word that he and his wife, Crystal, will be staitioned in Germany soon. How very exciting for them, but we'll miss them, too.....again, beginnings....beginnings for Amanda in Vegas....beginnings for Ben and Crystal in Germany....I pray that all of our family and friends will be blessed by this blog, as much as I think we will be!
Today is day #4 since my little boys surgery...his 2nd major surgery of this year. Ronnie has bi-lateral hip dysplasia and is now healed...he spent 3 months in a spica body cast last winter and is now healing from the hardware removal...what a brave, uncomplaining little boy! The only thing he is missing right now is playing hockey on the ice...his first love!
I found that the last time we were semi-housebound after his first surgery, it was actually such a gift...of course the best gift was his healing, but also to the whole family...more time at home, more family time, more time with the Lord....actually making more memories. It helped that it was over the winter time in Pennsylvania, too...very cold!
This time, I'm grateful that he is recovering amidst the traditions and memories of Christmas...all the family traditions, cookie baking, singing, roasting marshmellows in the fireplace...his 6 week recovery will over before we know it!
We are very, very blessed with all of our family rallying around us...a wonderful church family and our homeschooling friends....we've had meals brought, friends for him to spend time with and lots of love and care...I think the Lord shows us His love that way frequently. I have been very grateful especially for the meals. I have fibromyalgia, and I had forgetten that after the last surgery, I had a particularly bad fibro flare-up, resulting in a lot of increased pain and terrible fatigue....so this time, by dinner time, I am wiped out and very grateful for the meals! I'm glad that I can look back at His hand on my life and know that "this too, shall pass"....and it is all for Ronnie's good and for the Lord's glory!
Ronnie and I are off to make some Christmas crafts now. His dad and 3 sisters are visiting Grandma for a going away party for my niece. My precious niece, Amanda, is leaving on Wednesday to move to Las Vegas...I'm so grateful for the time we've had growing closer over the years...I'm going to miss her terribly! Her brother, my wonderful nephew, Ben is in the Air Force and has been in Texas...we just got word that he and his wife, Crystal, will be staitioned in Germany soon. How very exciting for them, but we'll miss them, too.....again, beginnings....beginnings for Amanda in Vegas....beginnings for Ben and Crystal in Germany....I pray that all of our family and friends will be blessed by this blog, as much as I think we will be!
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