Deep Thoughts About Nothing and Everything

The past couple of weeks so many things have been going through my head. During my prayer times and in my quiet moments I have had some stirrings. My focus has changed from one of stress related, RAD frenzy to a more peace filled, wisdom seeking, calm. It is true what the Word says...ask for wisdom and you will get it. I found a perfect example here. EVERY parent should read this post. It spoke to my core. Oh, what a wonderful God we have!
Thank you all for your prayers and words of encouragement as Scott passed from this life into the arms of his Jesus. Because of your prayers, he did not pass on his son's birthday and he became responsive. Able to communicate with the people he loved one last time. Sherry says she has some things to share with me about those last hours. It will wait til later as she is surrounded by family and friends, making arrangements for her husband's burial. I am certain because of the prayer covering, what she has to share will be incredible to hear. Continue to pray for Sherry and the boys. Also, their grown children who loved Scott very much.
As I was tucking children in to bed last night, Zachary asked if he could use the "old quilt". I made this quilt 16 years ago for Kyle.
Zach said he is at just the right age for it...

As I spread it over him I was struck by the wear of this quilt. The quality of the fabric is high. All quilt store fabrics, all from the same line and maker. All the colors are still bright and vibrant over the years of wear and washing.

The hand quilted stitches are still as stable and secure as when they were placed there 16 years ago.

All except the yellow.All of these blocks have faded in their brightness. The fabric has not held together, and the stitches holding the yellow 9 patches together are not secure as the fabric around them has thinned. All the fabrics from the same family, yet not all could adapt to the environment. Most thrived yet one fell apart. I told you my thoughts are deep today.
Today, Rachel is at the doctor...even as I type these words. She is having a procedure done that is intended to begin labor (too much information!). Pray for her and Emerson. It seems right to announce a birth after announcing a death. It is the cycle of life.

TJ came for "preschool".3 different levels of learners. One learning his numbers, one learning to add, and one learning fractions.
A lunch of "pee-pee putter" and honey and then the sun comes out!!!!
Time to play outside for the first time in days. For me, it is time to grab my quilting needle, and pray for my new granddaughter.

Scott Holbrook

June 30, 1963-September 4, 2008

We Love You

Rainy School Days

It is COLD! I wore socks today. A nice "Autumn Wreath" candle and a cracked window, to let in the crisp air, made the dark rainy day almost welcome.

What do a gum wrapper, corners of a worksheet and a dog-ear have in common? They are all things we use for bookmarks at our house. Today we made "real" bookmarks. No more gum wrappers for us.Other than school, I did get my frig cleaned out. I was not able to get it done the other day...we have had a flu bug here...but today it was finished. I had to put a towel over the light to get a picture. It is so shiny clean that it is blinding!It was a sin how much food I had to toss. I will try to be more frugal next week with the leftovers. I found the latest science experiment in the freezer.Zach is always freezing something! Charlotte is doing her laundry today and has completed her school work for the day. Things have gotten much more peaceful here.
Thank you for your prayers. Also, Scott. No news yet. He is such a fighter, I would not be surprised if he pulled through this one too. He has been given 3 months to live for the last 2 years!

Tomorrow Rachel goes to the doctor. Maaaybe this weekend we will have a baby! That is another prayer request.

Have a blessed evening!!

Please Pray

My sister in law Sherry (Sweetheart's sister) just called me. She is asking for prayer for her husband Scott. He is 45 years old and has been fighting esophageal cancer for over 2 years now. There have been complications from treatment and he has been in the hospital for the last few weeks. Tonight his sats dropped to 50 and he is non responsive. He signed a DNR so there will be no respirator. Today is their son's 2nd birthday. Please pray that God will do a miracle tonight. Whatever His will is, pray for Sherry. She lost a loving husband in a plane crash and now Scott's battle with cancer...well, just pray for her. They have a 5 year old and a 2 year old, plus many older children and grandkids. They have adopted as many children as they have birthed! They are both very special people. I will not be able to be there for her because I can not leave Rachel, and Sherry lives in Colorado. Please cover her in prayer from where ever you are.

Fall Decorating

It is finally September! I love Autumn. Yes, I realize it is still summer...my family reminded me of that yesterday as I put up Fall decorations. There is just something about September. It feels like the start of something new. It could be the new school year, but my friend Amy told me it is actually the Hebrew New Year. Maybe that is it. Anyway it is a time for me to set new goals for the year. This year is very different from any other year. There are no new weight loss goals, homemaking goals, or financial goals. Only ONE goal....PEACE. That is the goal. Peace.

I put up some fall pretties around the house. Just a few odds and ends to make it feel more in the season than the 90 degree heat from yesterday.

Before we hung the fall "Welcome" sign on the front door, Zach and I cleaned the front porch. It is the area we focus on during the first week of the month anyway. It was much needed.
We left this little guy alone....
There are still some things we need to add, but for now, this will do.

Sweetheart had 2 days off in a row. It was so nice. We had a quiet Monday. The kids came for a cookout and we had burgers, brats, and hotdogs cooked on the grill. All the kids...Bud, Rachel, Kyle, Charlotte, Zach, and TJ had a huge water fight in the backyard. I would have taken pics, but I just could not watch. The few seconds I peeked out had me a mess...I kept telling everyone to be careful of Rachel. It made me a wreck!! All ended well and they were cooled off and tired when they went home.
Zach made friends with a cricket.

And a little frog named Toady.
HEY!!! That is one of my good tupperware containers!!
Today is a day of homeschool and homemaking. Sweetheart and Kyle are off to work. Kyle will be pleased with his lunch today...his favorites.
Cheesy pizza rolls, yogurt, and diet dew.

I plan to clean out the frig today...

A deep clean is not scheduled until next week, but it is too bad to wait. Schedules are good, but we need to do what needs to be done. This job can not wait. Now it is time for a refill on my coffee and to start our Bible lesson for the day. Our Bible lessons are never boring. Charlotte and Zach keep things exciting. Last week we were reading in Proverbs 27. I read aloud and we discuss it. I read verse 15, which says,
"A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike."
Zachary said, "That's like you, huh Mom?"

Friends and Family

Well it happened. My bed quilt is ruined. It finally is falling apart and I had to flip it over and cover the back side with a much-to-small cover up quilt. Now I have no choice but to get that pink and brown queen size quilt done. I think it was just the push I needed. As soon as Emerson's quilt is done, I will get a few little projects done and then get to my bed quilt.

We have had a pretty nice weekend. On Friday, little Emily came to visit from Wisconsin. She is my good friend's granddaughter and her and TJ are the same age.

They went for a swim in the pool and had a snack. They did some bird watching...
loved on each other (well, TJ did the lovin...Emily looks a little scared)
And built sand castles.
It was a fun day for them.

Friday night Rachel and Bud spent 6 hours having contractions. They took a trip to the hospital where they were told they were in early labor. NOT! It all stopped and she was sent home.
Saturday we went to the store and walked Rachel for a while. Still no contractions. God's timing is best. It is still early, though I doubt she will go til her due date.

Sunday morning we went to church. Isn't Pine Grove Church pretty?
It is set back in a beautiful wooded area and the view from the sanctuary is like you are in a forest. The best part was we all went...yes, even Sweetheart. It was so nice, and he really did enjoy it. I had a very hard Sunday. My head was pounding most of the day, but this evening it seems better. I am just wiped out tired from it. It is not yet 10 pm, but I am heading for bed very shortly. Tomorrow the kids will come for a cookout. Hopefully it will not be another head-ache kind of day. Praying your Labor Day is safe and fun!

A Clean Heart

Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Psalm 51:9-13

"I then shall live as one who's been forgiven"

Gloria Gaither