Apples.

I have had a ton of questions about apples this year so I tried to get this post up as quick as I could. I am elbow deep in a stomach bug right now with three of the four children ill. So, if you have any other questions email me or leave me a comment and I will try to answer it as quickly as possible.

It is apple season around here. And I was given a bunch!

So, I dried some in the dehydrator.

The girls helped me make applesauce....

And this year, I tried making fruit roll ups.

They turned out amazing for a first time effort.

I took my puree that was also my applesauce and spread a thin layer onto my parchment paper (must use microwave safe plastic wrap next time, as it was a little hard to remove). Then I dried it in my oven on the lowest setting until it wasn't sticky anymore. Then I pulled it off the paper and cut it into sections. Then I stored them in an airtight container. They taste wonderfully fresh, are sugar free, and easy to grab and go. A huge success in my book!!! I will be doing this again for sure!!

A Simple Women's Daybook

What is on my heart and in my head for this new and blessed day.

From the schoolroom - I want to do lots of school this morning with the girls. I love watching them learn and I love teaching. On days like today I try to take advantage of my desire to teach them. These days end up being filled with laughs and memories even over school work. And that, my dear friends, is why I homeschool.

I am praying - for several friends and family members, for myself and Jeremiah as his birth approaches and for the ability to see people, markedly my children, through the eyes of Christ. I desire to deny myself of all things "good" and seek to focus and put time into the "best" things Christ has for my day. Praying, seeking, striving.

I am hearing - My children talk over breakfast. Katherine singing to herself and the washer spinning. Almost time for a second load!!

I am cooking - Black beans, white chocolate oatmeal cookies, and soup.

I am reading - 1 Corinthians

My current project - I am working on organizing, re writing (for those that need it), and culling out my recipe box. So much in there I don't use and I can't find what I need when I need it. So, over the next 5 weeks while I am putting my feet up, I am working on this project to help me feel accomplished.

I am thinking - That I can't believe that five weeks from today, I will be snuggling little bit in my arms. We will be at the hospital anxious to meet him!

For today - Staying home ALL day long! School, a little laundry, packing Jeremiah's bag for the hospital, and taking pictures. Plus resting! Last night I had two children that didn't sleep well, so I am hoping to steal a nap with Baby Kate after lunch.

The rest of the week - Speech tomorrow, Spanish and piano on Thursday, along with visiting an out of state friend that is coming to help me clean, Friday hoping to do something fun if we can get through enough school.

There you have it my friends, a little glimpse into my day and week. So, what does your day/week look like? Any fun plans? What about the weekend?

Oh yeah, the weekend! We are going to a free outdoor expo where all the activities for the kids, the food, the entertainment EVERYTHING is free! What a great family outing. They are going to even have rock climbing vehicles there. Can't wait to watch that with Josiah!

Late Night Ramblings.

Well, this post maybe should be titled "Early Morning Ramblings" as it is almost 1am as I write this. Something is up. My shoulder is giving me fits and keeping sleep at bay. I am hoping that typing will help work out the "kink" so that maybe I can get a few hours sleep before its time to rise again. I should be tired. I am tired. But sleep isn't coming. My mind is running 100 miles a minute. Josiah has been sick all weekend. I have a ton of laundry to do from that. I have cabinets and drawers and closets that I want to have organized before baby comes and we are almost down to 5 weeks! I need to get this house organized so that while I am recovering from the c-section other people can find things to keep the house running. I want to get the freezer stocked, we must finish the basement, the crib isn't up yet....... and so there goes sleep out the window.

During these very quiet, dark late night hours that I have been keeping lately I have spent much time in prayer for my family and others. I truly desire to see change in the lives of my friends and family. The only way that I know to do that is to pray. So, I started asking God to show me more opportunities to pray. Well, maybe I should have been a little more specific because 1 o'clock in the morning wasn't what I had in mind. But I am using it to His honor and glory as much as I can.

I have also been thinking a lot about my "cross" still. I realize that I never finished that post. I used to think that Christ's command to deny myself and carry my cross daily meant in spiritual service to Him. And while it does require focusing on what is important to Christ, it doesn't always mean a "spiritual" cross. Let me explain. For some of us, denying ourselves and carrying our cross might be to put away that sewing, scrapbooking, reading, or computer to spend time with our children. For others it might mean leaving the dishes overnight to take a family outing to the park. At times, we don't have to deny ourselves of things that are "evil" or "wrong". The very things that we are denying ourselves of might be very good in their own regard. But sometimes our focus is "off". I know mine gets that way sometimes. Putting off play dates, park trips, tea parties, or board games because the laundry isn't caught up or the dishes aren't done. This, at times, is wrong.
While we must be an example of responsible adults to our children and make sure that we accomplish our tasks with diligence and energy and joy, we must show them that people are the most important thing. There will always be laundry and dishes and floors, and blogs to read. But children will not always be small. And when we stand before Christ, I don't think He is going to care one bit about how seldom you woke to dirty dishes or how high the piles of laundry got. He will care about how we loved those He placed in our care.

So, I am trying to "deny" myself of the desire to be always busy and take the time to focus on what is truly important. And that, my friends, is denying ourselves and carrying our cross. We must follow Christ's lead as this will look different for each one of us. But it is a command given to us by our Lord and we must follow.

Birthday Girl

Kate trying to show me "2". When you ask her how old she is she usually says "free" followed by correcting herself and saying "tooooo"! It is so super cute!

She was so excited yesterday and made the whole day so much fun and exciting! Here she is with her cake. You can just see the excitement in her face.

Opening presents late last night with Daddy.

Happy 2nd Birthday Kate!!!

A Birthday.

Sorry I have been so absent lately. I am nearing the end of my pregnancy and still have lots to do to get ready for baby. Plus I am dealing with terrible swelling and it hurts my hands to type much. Anyway, I will be back to regular blogging at some point I PROMISE!!!! So, please don't leave me!

The reason for this post is to celebrate my baby girl's 2nd birthday! It is so hard to believe it's here already!

September 23, 2008

10:47am, 7 lbs 4 oz 19.5 in

And this morning with her Daddy.....

Katherine,

There are so many things that you have learned in the past year. You are talking up a storm and love to sing. You can jump now and get both feet off the ground. You are almost potty trained. You are busy all the time. Your favorite activity is playing with your babies, swinging, or sliding. You still loved to be rocked and snuggled  by mom or dad. You are finally sleeping through the night almost all the time! You are in your big girl bed and in the same room as Maggie and Samantha. You love being with them whether for play or sleeping. They are your best friends. They take great care of you and love to play with you. They have taught you so much! You are one very loved little girl and you are growing into such a beautiful child. Your personality is so much fun, I can't wait to watch it grow and develop. No matter how big you get you will always be, my Baby Kate. I love you, Katherine!

My Cross.

My cross.

My cross can be anything. Jesus asks me to carry it daily though.

It doesn't even have to be a "spiritual" sacrifice.

I have been thinking a lot about this lately and have many more thoughts to share. But tonight I wanted to ask you? If "denial" is the main theme of Jesus' command in Luke 9:23, what is your "cross"? In what ways is Christ calling you to deny yourself? Just some thoughts to ponder,

Luke 9:23 - If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Daily Thoughts.

Oh that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing! Psalm 107:21-22

I want to offer my sacrifice of thanksgiving. I want to declare His work in my life with rejoicing.

So today I am thankful for and rejoicing in how He has worked in my life in the following ways -

• I get to stay home with my children all day everyday and disciple them and teach them and pour into their hearts all day long.
• I have a home that I love and that has enough room for all the important things in life.
• I have been feeling amazingly better the past two days. After many days of achy hips and back and swollen ankles and calfs I am so blessed to have gotten some relief.
• This life inside me is growing bigger and stronger each day. I love being pregnant and am saddened at the thought that one of these days I will no longer get to experience this miracle.
• Many friends and family members have been blessed with new/better jobs in the past several months. My husband has a job that is secure and pleasant and that he enjoys. And it provides for us above and beyond our needs.

So, today, I am so very thankful and I choose to give my sacrifice of thanksgiving to God and not to "chance" or "destiny" or "fate". What are you thankful for today?

Kate.

Sorry about the lack of "My Daily Thoughts" today. I started it and got interupted several times and now it is late. So here is a picture post for you.

 Katherine has fallen in love with babies. Babies of all shapes, sizes, and colors. She carries one around most of the day. She rocks it. She feeds it. She reads to it. She even takes it on walks in the stroller.

But she is most fascinated by "carrying" her baby. I have made the girls several styles of baby carriers in the last few years and they have used them all. Just a couple days ago Katherine found this sling style carrier and was lovin' her baby. I couldn't pass up this photo session.

She is so much fun and yet so much energy rolled into one little girl. She wears me out all the time and I am constantly getting her out of trouble. But she is so much fun and personality.

Daily Thoughts.

1 Corinthians 6:1 - We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to recieve the grace of God in vain.

I have always said that I want to be a worker for Christ. But this verse shed a new light on my service to Him. I should desire to work together with Him not just for Him. When I work for someone they give me a task and send me off to do it. But when I work together with someone we have a common goal, one focus, and we combine our strength to get the job done.
I want to combine my strength, which is very small, with the unlimited strength and power of Christ to accomplish what He wants me to. By working together with Him the job will not seem so big and I will not run out of strength.
If I continue to strive to work for Him I am working in my own strength and I will fail. I will fail miserably everytime. I am only human with only human strength. And the job that He gives me to do is of eternal value. And I need help from someone with eternal strength to help me. So, today God has reminded me it is not all about what I am doing for Him but together with Him. Am I living my life shoulder to shoulder with Christ working where He is working to have an eternal impact for His kingdom.

I want to raise my children together with Him, not just for Him.

I want to minister to my family, friends, and church together with Him and not just for Him.

I want to live with Him, growing closer, getting to know Him better, each and every day as I work together with Him, spreading His grace all around.

Daily Thoughts.

I have decided to try to record here a verse or two and my thoughts about them most mornings. I know as a mom it won't happen all the time. But I am going to try. Don't worry, I will still be posting pictures, recipes, and homeschooling ideas as well. I just a place to write out my thoughts and a paper journal isn't working for me. So here goes the first morning.

2 Corinthians 5:9 Therefore we make it our aim,

whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.

First of all, if you read the verse in context with the others around it you will find that the phrase, "whether present or absent" is refering to here on earth or at the judgment seat. "Present" in our life here in our earthly bodies, or "absent" from earth and appearing before Him in Heaven.

But my focus today is on what Scripture says should be our aim, "to be well pleasing to Him"! I long to fulfill this scripture, but how am I making that happen? I want to be intentional about my thoughts, my attitudes, my actions, and my motives. Here on earth or in heaven He isn't going to care that I kept up with the laundry, or that my kitchen was cleaned before I went to bed. But He will care about how I have shown love to my husband and children. How I have served Him within the church. He will care about my attitude toward the lost. And these are the things that I must make priority. This is how I can be "well pleasing to Him". And that is my desire and prayer this morning, and for the rest of my life. Lord, show me how to me well pleasing in Your sight today!!

Heavenly Father,

 As I start out this day and every day forward, I long to be well pleasing in Your sight. I ask for your help in maintaning this perspective through the good days and the bad. Thank you for the way that you speak to our hearts and spirits and minds through Your Word. It is able to change hearts and lives still today. And for that I am forever grateful. As, I serve You here in this home You have given to me and I love and disciple these children You have placed in my care, I ask (no beg) for Your help. The days are long and the road sometimes hard, but I love the calling You have placed on my life and I feel overwhelmingly blessed in my life. Help my attitude and my priorities to show those feelings so that others may see Your love through me. I love and serve You with all that is within me. Amen.

Thoughts.

So many thoughts.

I am not sure if it is the end of pregnancy or just the fact that we are working at a feverish pitch to get in all that needs to be done in the next seven weeks.

I am desperate to get Katherine potty trained (or at this point, give up until after Jeremiah gets here).

I have church on the brain.

I have homeschool group and my friends there on my mind as well.

MY MIND FEELS LIKE MUSH!!!!

ALL THE TIME!!!
But here I am. Wanting to blog. Needing to blog. And still rambling on and on like a half crazy woman! But bear with me.

Here is what I am thinking tonight.

God loves us. We have to learn to depend on no more than that. If I fail at what He has called me to do then that is failure. Anything else is man driven. Expectations of men are just that, expectations. If I let them down it is because I am human and I make mistakes. But if I stay true to my convictions and the calling on my life, then I can't worry about who is pleased and who isn't.

When eternity stretches before me, it will be God I answer to not man.

I am also thinking about how I feel as though I am failing Katherine. Just being real here people, its what I am thinking. She is into everything, constant movement, messes and mayhem. She climbs, she spills, she dumps. All the time. I tell her no, I swat her hand or her diaper, I set her in time out. Nothing seems to be breaking the cycle. Am I not being consistant enough? What am I doing wrong? She doesn't seem to be learning boundaries or how to occupy herself with toys and such. But she is so cute so melts my heart and I love how much time we have had to snuggle and read while I have been putting my feet up more.

I actually feel good about where my house is right now. Yes, my floor needs swept and I have a couple loads of laundry that could be washed, but over all it isn't too bad and I am eight months pregnant. For that I actually feel good.

I am wondering what life will be like when I am homeschooling two, have a preschooler, a toddler, and a newborn. What will this baby be like? Calm and cuddly like most of our babies or fussy and colicy with acid reflux like Katherine. Poor Baby Kate cried more than she didn't as a an infant. It was tiring and heartbreaking for this momma.

All right, that is enough for now. I think that is all of it. I have the pictures to post about the apple sauce and dried apples and the fruit roll ups. All of which turned out great! I hope those posts will be ready early next week. I also have posts about our school and home life that I want to get up. But all in God's time. Thanks for hanging with me through this season of sparatic blogging. I hope to get more consistant soon!

God bless you all my dear friends.

Nine

Nine.....

weeks until we meet our newest son.


Nine things on my "To Do" list. (I am sure there will be more)


1. put up baby bed
2. clean out cabinets
3. make curtains for boys room
4. rearrange living room
5. stock freezer with meals for after baby
6. clean outdoor toys
7. prepare garden for winter
8. finish potty training Katherine
9. GET A PEDICURE!

Nine thoughts in my head....

1. my feet hurt
2. I love my job of taking care of my children.
3. my floor really needs to be mopped.
4. I am so proud of Maggie for making 100% on her first math test.
5. I am tired.
6. I am overwhelmed by LOTS of changes in my life in the next two months.
7. None of my clothes fit anymore.
8. I feel as big as a house and am loving every kick I feel!
9. Can't wait to meet and snuggle this baby! While I love being pregnant, I love a new newborn to snuggle!

Nine foods that I could eat all the time right now....

1. watermelon
2. french fries
3. mexican (any time, any place)
4. ice cream
5. chocolate
6. peanut butter
7. tomatoes
8. pasta (especially with white sauce, but really any way)
9. cheesecake