socks

Sometimes I wonder. . .

Am I the only mom who constantly finds socks all. over. the. house?

Socks here, socks there, socks everywhere.

Socks belong on feet, in a drawer, or in the dirty hamper, right?

Not so in this house. 

Socks are strewn throughout.  Simply left wherever they are removed.

Here are a few photos taken moments ago displaying proof of our sock chaos. . .

Hmmm. . . better add this sock training to our morning table time, huh?

Training. . . I’m always a bit afraid that I may forget to instruct my children in some basic task.  Such as, “Wash behind your ears.” (I think about this one frequently when I’m taking a shower.)

Or, “Don’t put a knife inside the toaster!”.

Have I said all I need to say for their safety, health and welfare?

Have I trained enough and instilled Godly character and principles into them?

And then I remember this:

Your children will become what you are; so be what you want them to be. David Bly

Now that gives me pause.

I’m God’s work in progress and whatever good is in me now, or will be a part of me in the future is from Him, through Him and in Him. 

Only by His grace, love, patience and wisdom will I ever be what I want my children to be.

And I realize. . .They are each His work in progress and all the good that is in them now or will be a part of them in the future is from Him, through Him and in Him.

Only by His grace, love, patience and wisdom will my children ever be what I’m desiring them to become.

Happy Saturday,

Heather

mamas and papa

This mama is coming up for air after a day of swimming in a sea of paperwork as I move forward in my month of home organization projects.  Drawers which look like this . . .

are my goal.  They bring a smile to my face.  And woe to him who may try to mess up my newly organized drawer!  I really should have taken a before picture of this particular drawer which had turned into a place to stash everything and anything.  But I was afraid to stop my momentum by retrieving the camera. . . if the momentum stops, I may opt for a nap which is always a nearby option in my mind!

At the end of the day, tucking my little ones into bed always brings a smile to my heart too.  Little A has moved into a “big girl” bed this weekend.  I’ll be selling her crib set on Craig’s List to make more room for her “things” which seem to be growing as rapidly as she.

 

Mama Lucy is beautifully caring for her four little kittens who are now on the MOVE!

 

 

Expending all that energy into learning how to walk makes for a tired little kitty!

And this papa?  Very proud indeed.  He LOVES watching these kittens grow and play.

I do too.  It’s amazing how much time passes as we sit and watch these cute little ones.

As we grow to love them, we also know we will be selling three of them, and keeping the brown spotted female.

I’ve set up a website and we’ve advertised on several free classified sites which the breeder recommended.  We’ve sold one of the males already and have received two inquiries of the snow.  Our website is www.simplygrand.webs.com.  On the bottom of our front page we have this verse. . .

"You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased." Revelation 4:11

We’re enjoying His creation!

Happy Saturday,

extracurricular

Here are the kids’ latest top three extracurricular activities. . .

ELECTRONIC MONOPOLY!

Due to the generosity and kindness of a friend, the boys were given and taught how to play the Electronic Banking Monopoly game.  They love it!  It’s the daily school break fun!

SLEDDING!

And if they’re not playing Monopoly, they’re sledding outside on the “hill”. . . no matter how cold the temperature. The slope out front provides hours of fun for all.  Yes, even Little A has a blast and now wants to sled “by myself” and bursts into tears when I call them all back inside.

EATING!

The boys are always ready to eat!  Especially when they come back inside after playing outside in that cold winter air.  Tonight we had a surprise treat. . . Grandpa’s Apple Slices!  Grandpa made a fresh batch of this special dessert and drove up north for us to eat it together.  This was Great Grandma E’s famous recipe.

Thanks, Grandpa!

That pretty much sums up the kids’ life outside of school and basketball! 

Mom’s extracurricular activities do not include sledding or Monopoly AND I’m trying to cut back on the eating. . . a total of 5 lbs. over the holidays as I decided to step on the scale this week for my moment of truth.  Those pounds sure go on easier than they come off, huh?  My spare time has been spent creating our new website for our Simply Grand Bengals Cattery.  Our hope is to advertise on the cat websites and sell at least three of the four kittens.  I’ve also cleaned and organized  a few drawers in the kitchen and bedroom closets.  Love it!!  What a difference. . .I smile every time I open them.  Now to just keep them this way, right?!

Happy Wednesday,

Heather

kittens-11 days

 

See how much bigger they are?!

Their eyes opened yesterday at 10 days old.

Little A  says, “I want to hold it on my yap.”

Their nails are super sharp!

The white one seems most content being held.

No doubt, all these kittens will be well socialized. . . whether they like it or not!

Names are being tossed around. . . Rudy, Desi, Cheerios, Theo, Trudy.

The kids like to think of names from the TV shows we are watching on DVD.

A nasty cold bug has landed on four of our crew.

So far, Mr. C and I continue to be healthy.

The masks and gloves we wear 24/7 must help!

Just kidding, but every year during flu season I think of doing just that!

Happy Friday!

onward we go

 

It was a blessed holiday.

Lots of traditions and celebrating. . . truffle making, Chinese take-out on Christmas Eve,

cinnamon rolls and egg bake, knitted hats & slippers, happy birthday Jesus cakes,

sparkling cider, Pictionary, measuring the kids’ heights, stockings, gift giving, root beer,

caramel corn, the Cosby Show, gingerbread houses, visiting with friends & family, fruit

fondue, pajamas, caroling. . .

And now a new year is upon us.

I don’t make resolutions per se, but I do find myself considering this a time of year for new beginnings.  I’m cleaning kitchen drawers, re-organizing the pantry, making new chore lists for the kids, aspiring to accomplish more at homeschooling, committing to use more coupons, and desiring to add another day or two to my exercise program.

Onward I go, not in my own strength but in His.

Ephesians 6:10,  “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” (KJV)

Onward I go, remembering the battles I face are His, not mine.

2 Chronicles 12:15,   “He said, "Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid! Don't be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God's.” (NLV)

“Go back?” he thought. “No good at all! Go sideways? Impossible! Go forward? Only thing to do! On we go!” So up he got, and trotted along with his little sword held in front of him and one hand feeling the wall, and his heart all of a patter and a pitter.
- J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

Onward I go, in joy and peace.

Isaiah 55:12 - "You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands." (NIV)

(photo by Grandma E.)

Onward I go, in prayer.

Psalms 145:18 – “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” (NIV)

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.  The Lord be with all of you.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16(NIV)

Happy New Year!