Tiny dancer...

I have the Elton John song "Tiny Dancer" going thru my head this evening....today was Anna's first day ever of dance school! She has been so excited all summer...being very serious, practicing with her big sister Sara for hours in her room. She couldn't wait all day today! Anna (and Sara) go to Grace Christian Dance Company. It is worship dance...serious ballet, lyrical, worship dance....it's beautiful! Every lyric, every song, every movement, every costume is God honoring! I just love it! I have an opportunity to work there one day a week, only for a few hours...and the people are so great!
Anna (on the right) and her friend, Sophia in the ballet portion of their class...look at the serious expressions on their faces!

I had to take these thru the window...but the expression on Anna's face just touched me...so precious! I am so blessed to be the mother of each one of my 4 children!

Anna and Sophia after class...they had a great time, learned and got 'smiley' stickers! (Anna was so excited!)

So, my tiny dancer had a great day! Tomorrow, she and Ronnie are having new friends over for a couple hours in the afternoon to
visit, and then Sara and I are off to dance class! Soon, both girls will selling Sarris Candy bars for a fundraiser...they sell like hotcakes around here! We're very grateful Grace Christian Dance! ~Sue~

Faithfulness...provision...gratefulness!

It started this morning in the attic...I'm grateful that our attic is walk in, big and has lots of shelves...so I was thanking God for our walk in attic.

This past week, I've been going over in my mind, which of my 4 children will need shoes/boots, coats or clothes for fall and winter...mentally counting quilts and blankets, rain boots, jackets, warm jammies....and trying to figure out where the money would come from to buy them! LOL So back to the attic....

We've been blessed for years to have people give us things and clothes that their children had outgrown, or toys they no longer played with...when I had Meghan 16 years ago, I quit working...and it has been very hard, for most of those years just to make ends meet...so even before we came to know the Lord, we were grateful for "hand-me-downs"....and after we came to know and walk with the Lord...we clearly recognized His provision for us. Thank you, Lord!

So I was pulling bags of clothes out, marked according to boys/girls and sizes, and looked up on the shelf and right at my eye level were a pair of sturdy snow boots...in just Anna's size! Also in those bags for Anna were warm jammies, a warm bathrobe, tights, lots of dresses, turtlenecks, and shoes....my little one needs one thing for winter...a pair of black shoes.

Also, for Ronnie....the boy has too many winter coats...and friends of ours can use a couple...so we'll "share the wealth"...and Ronnie needs nothing for winter! We are blessed!

Meghan and Sara may need 1 or 2 pairs of shoes...and nothing else....we have plenty of warm clothing, coats, hats, gloves, boots....plenty of firewood outside, and plenty of quilts/blankets to keep us warm. We will even be receiving venison in the fall to stock our freezer. Ron does not hunt, but a good friend does...and we just pay for processing....our family loves venison and uses frequently....God provides.

The longer I've been a Christian, the longer I've studied God's word....the more I trust His faithfulness to His promises...and He has proven His provision for our family over and over again. So today, for me, a simple pair of boots was a potent reminder of God's provision for us...and a reminder that we never need to worry....He WILL provide. God bless....~Sue~

Good food, good friends...Friday night fun!

Well....once again, the rain changed our plans! We were supposed to go to somerset for the Mountain craft days, but with them calling for tons of rain east, we decided to get somethings done here at home...and ended up having good friends for the afternoon, dinner and the evening....again, "plan B" was a hit!

The girls had their friends, Michaela, Morgan and Hannah over. They hung out doing crafts, eating popcorn and talking before dinner, then after a dinner of delicious zucchini corn chowder (recipe to follow), cheddar garlic biscuits and a spinach salad with hot bacon dressing (Hannah made it..it was wonderful!) They proceeded to play "Clue". Yes...it was a great game!

Followed by...a rousing game of "spoons"! The shrieks and laughter were hysterical...tons of fun! I loved listening to them! I dearly love having my children's friends over...and hope that they all know that they are welcome here anytime! Time for bed...busy day tomorrow. Here is the recipe for the chowder. Enjoy! ~Sue~

~Zucchini Corn Chowder~ ( I never measure, so estimate to your best ability!)

Sautee a large onion in butter until translucent. Add lots of chicken broth, shredded zucchini and corn (I used corn cut off the cob) Add salt and pepper to taste...thicken slightly with cornstarch and cold water...and enjoy! For the cheddar garlic biscuits, I simply used a biscuit recipe, added shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and made drop biscuits...when they came out of the oven, I brushed them with melted butter with garlic powder. Simple...but a hit!

Snickerdoodle day....

Today was our third day back to homeschooling. I know I will be fondly remembering these days, but I am very pleasantly surprised with how our days are going. No one is complaining...everyone is loving learning, and we're all having a great time. Ok...so not a whole lot of cleaning and chores are getting done...plus, we've had Ty for the last 2 days....but he is fitting right into our routine, and hopefully, over the next week or two we'll get back into a workable routine with both chores and schoolwork. Tonight, we made snickerdoodle cookies for a cubscout fundraiser. We are all working our local community day festival on Saturday...Ron & Ronnie at the cubscout booth, the girls and I at our churches booth...Anna joining us, of course!
Whoo! Tons of snickerdoodles...but for a good cause...and the house sure smells good right about now! Ok...cookies are bagged up, and I'm heading for bed, while Ron watches the Steeler football game. Calling for a lot of rain tomorrow....we'll see what our rainy holds!
God bless you all! ~Sue~

First day of school!!!!!!

I'm so HAPPY that we've started schooling again! Back into a routine...staying home all day (running to activities here and there in the evenings, but during the day...home) We had such a great day today! Everyone was happy to be getting started again, and very productive, too! We started the day with proverbs, and a couple sword drills...and GF pancakes with apple-cinnamon syrup, and smoothies.....

Anna's first day of 'kindergarten'! She was so excited! She watched a phonics dvd, did her explode the code, abeka math, and Queen Language for little ones....she loved every bit! When her Dad woke up, she ran and told him how to spell words! I think she'll be fairly easy to teach...and she likes to learn.

Ronnie & Anna's books organized...with a glass of kombucha on the side! LOL

Ronnie is doing 2nd grade this year, and all day he said it was so easy....I'm sure he won't say that later in the year, although I hope so! He started his Easy Grammar today and seemed to get it right away...did his abeka 2 math, easy grammar, explode the code 4, Queen language #3, reviewed his spelling words and read about space...a pretty good first day!

We've always done a simple spelling list kept in a spiral notebook. A pre-test on Mondays....writing once a week, studying/quizzing everyday and another test on Friday...seems to work for all of my kids, so far.

A "sleep" Meghan doing her Abeka business math. She looked thru the book and is excited to do this this year. Since she is a junior this year...only 2 more years to go!

We have some awesome American history and American Lit resources this year, that I've split it into 2 years....each one is unique, 3 are from a decidedly biblical worldview, with critical thinking and analysis....I don't want to skip any of them....the same with American Government.

Ah...Sara's Algebra 1! I think this will be pretty easy for her...she's had pre-algebra and geometry already...then she'll do the business math, then consumer math...and graduate at 16! Not quite sure what I'll do with her her senior year....I'm sure the Lord will reveal something!

Both of the girls are doing Biology this year...it's Meghan's last year of science...is she happy!
We were blessed with these totally cool scooters (like they have at the science center) and Ronnie & Anna love them...Sara does too! Lots of fun and exercise in the basement...rain or snow...they'll be able to be active and have fun!

After all the schoolwork...we celebrated with a yummy dinner of chicken & dumplings....one of my family's favorites!
Staying home really brought out the creativity in some of us! Meghan made this cool tote bag for Sara to take to dance class. It is lined with olive green corduroy inside and on the bottom and is the perfect size for Sara's needs. I couldn't believe she did this in one day!
Sara made herself a t-shirt that says " save the planet...it's the only one with Chocolate!"...so Sara!
I even finished the blankets for the new twin girls, Addison and Bailey...who are due sometime within the next month. Hard to see the colors, but they are a soft pink flannel back, and a soft purple with stars and paisley that says "goodnight, sleepyhead"....cute and girly!
My last endeavor of the evening...cutting corn off the cob of 1 1/2 dozen ears of sweet corn. Froze most of it, will use some tomorrow for corn/zucchini chowder for supper...and the corn cobs....will be making them into corn cob jelly! I will post the recipe if it turns out...supposed to taste like honey...we'll see!
Just finished this...my "orange julius" kefir smoothie! Mmm....so good! Whoo! Being productive wears you out! LOL We're all off to bed...tomorrow is another day, and Ty is coming at 9:30am. What a great first day today!!!! I love what I do! It amazes me what staying home can accomplish....I get so tired out from 'running'....and getting interrupted....hope to have a nice first week of school, enjoy getting things done and in order and cleaned out! Have a blessed week! ~Sue~

Getting your picture taken with the real Stanley Cup...priceless!!!

The Stanley Cup...in our home...it is the pinnacle of trophies! The Pittsburgh Penguins have won the Stanley Cup three times, and three times, my husband has managed to get his picture taken with it! This time, the whole family went along! A friend of his from work, told him where it would be so we could come...and happened to be right before Tommy's wedding! I was praying that we would not be late for the wedding after standing in line...but we made it! LOL Ahhhh...Lord Stanley,Lord Stanley!!!
This is so very special to us!!! After 2 surgeries in one year, 3 months in a body cast and months of recuperation...one of the things this little guy loved doing is watching hockey....talking about hockey, reading about hockey...and playing hockey! For Ronnie to touch the cup, see the Penguins names in there and get his picture taken with it...priceless!

Ron has had his picture taken with the cup in 1991 with his brother, Tommy...he drank out of it and got his picture taken holding it over his head in 1992, but his dream was always to get his picture taken with the cup with his son....dream come true!

Anna was NOT happy...but Ron wants to make this our Christmas picture this year! Right after this, we very quickly went to a friends home, ate sandwiches dressed for the wedding and headed to the church...with time to spare! It was so worth it to stand in line and get our pictures...a memory our family will not forget! (Especially father and son!) ~Sue~

2 Family reunions in one day!!!

What a very, very busy weekend! With the wedding on Saturday, on Sunday after church, we had 2 family reunions! One on my side and one on Ron's...we were very blessed to be able to spend time with special family members who were visiting from out of town. First...we headed over to my cousin's house for the afternoon. Here are my sister Lori, my mom, my sister Pammy and me....lounging poolside! LOL
My mom and her sisters...Aunt Marilyn, Aunt Pat, Aunt Joan and my mom...the baby of the family! My Aunt Joan flew up from Alabama for a visit...and the sisters are having such fun together!

My cousin, Kim and I....she is doing pretty well with her illness, and as usual...we laugh!

All the cousins had a blast swimming and hanging out...here is Maria, my Sara and Tina
Yes...I got my "Ty fix" for the day! When he isn't here, I miss him so much! He had such a good time in and out of the pool!
I had such a hard time getting Ronnie, Sara and Anna out of the pool when it was time to leave...they had so much fun! Here are Ronnie, Anna, Uncle Todd and Ty
Meghan and I in the shade on the deck...it sure got warm out today! After my cousin's house...we packed up the trusty suburban, got another crockpot of homemade baked beans and headed down to Ron's mom's house to visit family there!

Ron's brother, Sean was there from Chicago, Aunts and Uncles, including Uncle Mike from Florida, and cousins Brian & Leia from Harrisburg were there as well. We had so much fun!

Ronnie and Michael Patrick...they get a long so well, and really enjoy playing together!
Anna, cousin Mia and Sara playing on the hammock!
Amanda and I....I love her so much as if she were my own daughter...I really didn't want her to go back...and yet...she is so happy there! The happiest I've ever known her to be....I'll miss her very much!

Mike and Jill

One of the last pictures of the evening...Ronnie & Michael found boxing gloves in the garage...boy, did they have fun! I think we're going to borrow them and let them have at it...they laughed and boxed for over 1/2 an hour!

I got the ultimate compliment from Ron's Uncle Mike tonight....(food wise)...I made homemade baked beans, and they have always been my mother-in-laws specialty, and she FINALLY shared the recipe with me a couple years ago. So tonight, Uncle Mike thanked Ro for making the beans and she told him I made them...he said they were so delicious, he thought they were hers! So...I finally "nailed" the beans!!! LOL We do love these beans...lots of molasses...they are so good. So now, after our two reunions....everyone is going home, but with wonderful memories of our time together, and plans to get together again as soon as we can! Probably not till the holidays for some, and maybe a year or more for others....but the memories we made today will last a lifetime! ~Sue~

A special wedding celebration!

Ron's youngest brother, Tommy, got married yesterday!!! What a special, beautiful wedding it was for Tom and Kelli! Welcome,Kelli, to the family! The smile on Tom's face as he watched Kelli walk down the aisle towards him...priceless!
The three brothers before the wedding...Sean on the left, Tom in the middle and my hubby (the oldest) Ron, on the right....

Ron and I on the alter before the wedding...20 years ago, we got married in this same spot...we had to get a picture! It was very special to us, to be watching Tommy & Kelli exchange vows 20 years after we did in the very same spot.

If you look closely, you can see a "lasso" of rhinestones around Kelli & Tommy....in Kelli's family, a mexican tradition is for the parents of the bride to place a 'lasso' around the couple sympolizing the joining of their lives together...then the groom hands the bride a bag of coins for safekeeping, symbolizing his trust in her. Yes...tears were flowing from me all day! Tom & Kelli used the same ones used by her parents on their wedding day in 1971!
Introducing....the "New"....Mr & Mrs Gorecki!
Another tradition in Kelli's family...a real mariachi band at the church...they did all the reponsorial songs....and hymns...it was so beautiful!

My sweet niece, Amanda and her boyfriend,Dan flew in from Vegas for the weekend. I hadn't seen her since she left in December...we talk on the phone all the time, but it was so nice to spend time with her and see how very happy she is!
Tom is a City of Pittsburgh police officer...and in this picture, all of the officers present came forward with Tom in the middle while the dj played the theme from "Hill Street Blues" tv show! It was the safest wedding I've every been to!
Being with family is always special, and having my mother-in-law, Ro being able to celebrate with all her siblings was very special! Uncle Jack, Ro, Aunt Peppy and Uncle Mike. Uncle Mike came in from Florida...so it is always special to see him!
Tons of dancing at this wedding! Kelli loves to dance, so the night was filled with dancing, laughter and fun!
Ron had to work at 2am, so I took this picture right before we left, at 10:30pm....they were having so much fun! Look how very,very happy they are!!! God bless you, Tom & Kelli!

Love, Sue