Wordless Wednesday

Tiny Talk Tuesday

The Tiny Ones were singing this week. After posting a song yesterday and singing it most of the day, the little ones caught on! To read what other Tiny Ones are Talking about, visit Not Before 7.

Never Let Go

I've been singing this now for a while and I woke up with it in my head this morning - wanted to share it with each of you to enjoy!

Matt Redman - You Never Let Go
From the album Passion 06: Everything Glorious

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know You are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

Chorus:
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth

Chorus:

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

Its Sunny

We woke up to a beautiful sunny morning - it did rain a little last evening and it may rain later - but it is great weather for a sale.

However, its late...and two children are still sleeping. They were both up many times during the night so we knew better than to wake them up. T headed out on his own this morning.

Yesterday, the fire company had a preview of what was for sale. My dad came along with the kids and I as we checked everything out.

They have 3 nice picnic tables for sale - hopefully one will be coming home to our house!

They also had a few buggies: I'm curious as to what they go for at a sale...

I should have shared yesterday that our fire companies are all volunteer and many of those who serve on them, are Amish.

As we walked around yesterday, there were several Amish men. We walked past two and Elle says, "Look, they're cowboys." (I'm guessing it was the hats). And then Quintin said, "No. They aren't cowboys, they're farmers." I'm not sure if the men heard - I'm just hoping they were farmers and not the woodworkers who made the tables or the men who made the buggies. Crazy kids!

Sewing Pattern Giveaway

I know not everyone who stops by here sews, but I wanted to post this so you can pass it along to someone you may know. Or maybe you've thought about using your sewing machine again...well, here are some great patterns!

Sewsensible is having a giveaway on her blog. 3 lucky commenters are going to be able to choose 2 of her sewing patterns. She does them all as e-books, so you download them right away! Also, she designs her patterns with the beginner in mind. Stop by or tell someone you know about it! And do it fast! It will be over Saturday at 5!

Have a great weekend!

My First Mud Sale

No! We are not looking to buy mud!!

"Mud Sale" is the term for an annual auction/sale at one of a number of local fire companies. The sales, appropriately named for the condition of the thawing ground, attract thousands of people looking for bargains on anything from Amish quilts and antiques to lumber, buggies and lawn equipment.

We're heading to our first one tomorrow - to support our local fire company and look to buy a picnic table.

Rain is on its way...I'm gonna have to dress for a mess!!


This is gonna be interesting!


Anyone looking for a buggy?

Little imitators

The other day, I was playing on the floor with Elle and Colin. Blocks were being stacked for the purpose of being knocked over - much to the delight of little Colin. Elle was pleased to be bringing him so much joy and I just enjoyed watching them interact.

There was a pillow nearby and I picked it up and starting bopping each of them on the head, which of course brought more squeals of delight!!

I dropped the pillow to let the kids play along. Elle joined right in, picking up the pillow and bopping Colin and me on the head. But, little Colin, he picked up a wooden block and started bopping me - OUCH! I quickly removed the block (to remove the pain) and gave him a stuffed animal.

As they sat there giggling, I knew that Colin didn't know it would hurt...he imitated our action, just not our choice of objects.

I think we do this too - at least I know I do it. I imitate. I imitate another's actions, but not with the same motives or intent...I imitate without the same conviction.

I've read books before where I feel I need to "imitate" the author's actions because I believe they are what I should do as a Christian. Or, I look at people who have been Christians longer or are in a position of authority and I think if I do what they are doing, then I'm doing right.

Imitating actions...but not with the same conviction.

Do you ever feel as if life is like a staircase? With each step up, we grow more in our understanding of God's holiness, His grace and His calling for our lives. Sometimes we have to go back to a step because we missed something, we need to relearn it or we have to discover a way to apply it to our new phase in life.

My current step? Looking to God's Word as the ultimate source for my answers to those nagging questions - those questions about what to imitate and what not to...what are my convictions? Rather than looking to say, the most popular christian book on the subject, I want to go the "tried and true road" as The Message states.

Jeremiah 6:16 "Go stand at the crossroads and look around. Ask for directions to the old road, The tried-and-true road. Then take it. Discover the right route for your souls." (The Message)

And to share a portion of the book I'm currently reading (Passionate Housewives Desperate for God):

"When we find ourselves bogged down in a cultural quagmire, the answer is to go back. We must do as the bereans did, searching the Scriptures to see what is true and what we must do ("These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." Acts 17:11 NKJV). The answer is most assuredly not to consult modern-day "experts" who attempt to rewrite the Scriptures to suit our personal lifestyles and wishes."

This book is about rediscovering a woman's role as a homemaker and to "consider the beautiful picture painted in Scripture of the truly fulfilled homemaker who glories in the hopeful calling God created for her." I'm able to read it with the approach of praying about each chapter and discovering what it means for my life...not my neighbor's life, not my best friend's life, not even your life...I don't post these things to make anyone else question what they are doing - it is my search for who I am in Christ.

With Christ calling me back to this particular step, I can read with a different perspective. This is a search to find out who I am - what I am called to be.

Its not about vain babblings - as my dear friend Susan pointed out in this post.

"Yes, lets voice our opinions and state our views and then let us allow others to do likewise and realize that we are not all alike. We do not all see things exactly the same. We do have differing views on things. The main thing is that we allow each and every one of us to hear God's voice and to be lead by the Holy Spirit's direction to us individually in these matters."

Again, its returning to the tried and true road. We must search what path is for us. I don't need to imitate another's actions - because they may not be what God has in store for me...and there is only one way I'm going to learn what He has in store.

Now, this is not a new revelation to me - I know I've been on this step before. But I'm repeating it with new insights...gaining new knowledge. I know God has been working hard to get it to sink in - I guess I just tend to be a little thick in the ol' noggin.

"God loves His weak, imperfect, needy people. He didn't choose us because we won some international awards for strength, beauty, or intelligence. He has made us for Himself, and He is going to provide us with everything we need to serve Him and love others through our imperfect selves. What a joy to serve our perfect Creator, Who made us in His image and is transforming us (slowly, but surely) into the image of His perfect Son." (Passionate H. D. for God)

I'm so very thankful I serve a Savior that is patient with me while everything sinks in. Ya know? Maybe the clunk on the head from Colin's block is what got it through my thick noggin. Isn't it amazing how God uses our children to teach us?

Thank you Lord!!! Thank you for using my little imitator to help me see I need only be an imitator of You.

Happy Birthday my friend!

Quintin saved this dance for you, Ginger!



Only a family that loves you, has your head on a stick!

Wordless Wednesday

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Time to hear what these tiny ones are saying!

I had to take Quintin to the doctor the other day. Before we left, he told Elle that he was "...going to see either Dr. Office or Dr. ...(long pause)... Suess."

* * * * *

When asked what she wanted for a bedtime snack, Elle answered, "I'm thinking....I want something that starts with a U." (Hmmm, wonder what that could be!?!?)

* * * * *

Heard during Quintin's bedtime prayers: "And please keep Daddy safe at work and that he doesn't get squished by any big trucks."

* * * * *

To read what other Tiny ones are saying, head over to Mary's at Not Before 7.

Show & Tell - My first sewing machine

Welcome to “Show and Tell Friday!” Do you have something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, or a treasured collection. Look around your home for something to share; dig through those boxes in your closet if you have to! Share photos and the story that goes with your special item. Visit Kelli's, to see more!



In January of 1967, my parents celebrated their first wedding anniversary. This is what they purchased for my mom.

A Belvedere Adler sewing machine. It was refurbished when they bought it, so we don't know what year it is.

My mom used this to make us clothing, to sew curtains, bedspreads and quilts. She used it up until about 6 years ago when she passed it along to me. She received one of her mother's sewing machines and gave this one to me to learn on.






If you look just under the cabinet, next to the right front leg, you'll see the "foot control" or knee control. I really enjoyed having the knee control as opposed to a control on the floor. If I did any sewing while the kids were awake, I could walk away and not worry about them...because they could never figure out how I made the sewing machine go!!

The basket underneath is holding some material for my next project: a blanket

I had taken sewing classes in Junior High Home Ec and I often fiddled with it making things while at home - when mom wasn't working on something. But 6 years ago, I was pregnant with my first child and I was determined to make this baby something!



I made little tag blankets. Quintin (nor the others) never played with them...but I did give some as baby gifts and everyone else's children liked them. It wasn't until I had a daughter that I wanted to do some clothing. I made Elle one outfit last year and I want to try my hand at some more things this year.

I did a lot with that sewing machine - including putting button holes on Elle's outfit, the old way - that was a difficult task - and now, that they have sewing machines that do them for you.

We're in the market for a new machine, so if you sew and I haven't already emailed you asking what you are currently sewing with, leave me a comment, please!!

Here's a better look at the fabrics for my next project.
Thanks for stopping by to see my show and tell, and don't forget to visit Kelli's blog to see more Show & Tell's! Thanks for hosting this Kelli!

Pepsi or Coke

“Come on people now, smile on your brother. Everybody get together try to love one another right now."

Ok, to be fair to my poorly-misguided-coke-drinking friends, here's one for you.
You can thank Ginger for it!! I think its hilarious!

Addictions...

For some (guess who?) it starts at a young age...

For others, it starts even younger...

The patient is doing well

T had his knee surgery yesterday and it went well. I'll back up a little just to try to explain what had happened. I'll try to link some of the medical terms to definitions.

In 2003, he tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee while playing soccer. At the same time, he tore some of the meniscus in the same knee. He received a "donor" achilles tendon in place of the ACL and they trimmed away some of the torn meniscus (a torn meniscus looks like crab meat). I have pictures, but I thought maybe you'd enjoy the one to the left better - knee elevated and iced up!! (Colin is very into pointing right now!)

Back in Jan, when we were on our skiing trip to Vermont, he injured his knee while playing in the pool with the kids. After an MRI, they confirmed the meniscus was torn further.

They wouldn't know if they could repair it or have to remove it until surgery.

Dr. H came out after surgery and told me they removed it. We were really hoping they could repair it because the meniscus is the shock absorber in your knee. Plus, without it, he will likely develop degenerative arthritis in this knee joint.

While operating, Dr. H also noticed that T's ACL looked a little stretched - which means maybe T did something more to his knee earlier and the pool incident was the straw that broke the camel's knee back?

Dr. H also mentioned that because T is young (thank you Dr H!!!), he might be a candidate for a meniscal transplant. This would be a possibility if T experiences a continuation of activity-related pain in the knee.

Since they didn't repair it, T's recovery will be much, much shorter - like a few days compared to several weeks.

Sorry for the health/anatomy/kinesiology lesson (that was my major after all), I hope this clears it up for you. We certainly understand that this was something very minor and I certainly don't want anyone to think I am complaining about our situation - I just wanted to get it all written out to make it more understandable.

It was so good to be home last night and the children did well at Grandma's house! Although I think Grandma and Grandpa were just as tired if not more than the kids!! Our kids (and T) slept well last night - I'm sure Grandma and Grandpa did too! Oh, and I slept well , in case you wondered!!

And just to let you know how T is doing today: The kids and I ran some errands this morning to get out of the house and let T rest. We called home when we got to the library to see how he was doing. This is what he told me, "Well, I slept a little, got 2 phone calls, tried to shoot a groundhog but I think I missed him and read some of my book." He may be down, but he's not out! :-D

Thanks to all who prayed for us and emailed/called asking how T was doing.

"The greatest blessing is a pleasant friend." ~Horace

Happy Birthday T!

Tomorrow is my man's birthday...34...and to think this June will be 17 years since our first date!!

There is no one on this planet I would have rather spent these last 17 years with. Almost 12 years of marriage...with its ups and downs - mostly ups!!!

I've been told I don't share a lot about him - I like being secretive, I guess, lol - so here's my attempt at filling you all in on the better half of Momma Roar. (Last year on his birthday, since I was new to blogging, I listed 33 things about myself - is that vain? ;) )

This picture was taken back in the mid-90s at a local hiking spot that we enjoyed hiking to on Sunday afternoons.

1 - We met in high school, he graduated the year before me.
2 - He played soccer and tennis.
3 - He played soccer one year in college and then switched to playing on the rec teams.
4 - He roomed with his best friend in college and they are still great friends today.
5 - This friend coaches the HS soccer team (of our alma mater) and T helped him coach for about 5 years.
6 - During that coaching time, T played on an "over-30" soccer team (however he was the only one under 30).
7 - It was in one of those games that he tore the ACL in his left knee.
8 - He coached until 2005 - when he resumed added responsibility at work.
9 - His college degree was in business administration.
10 - He came home almost every weekend to see me!
11 - 5 weeks after his college graduation, we were married.
12 - He enjoys hunting, but doesn't get to go as often as he'd like. He has just started taking up archery hunting, as well.
13 - He is involved in a community service group which he really enjoys.
14 - His favorite pastime (even more than hunting) is skiing.
15 - He was eager to teach me to ski (and was a great teacher) and looks forward to teaching all the children and skiing together.
16 - He does not like card games...or board games for that matter! But, he will suffer through (he's getting better) and play with the kids and me!
17 - He knows how to play the piano and the trombone.
18 - He still plays trombone on occasion for church. He and some others will be playing along with the choir on Easter.
19 - He enjoys helping me in the kitchen and enjoys making some of the meals on the weekends.
20 - We served on our church's kitchen committee for a few years after we were first married and that was something we both really enjoyed.
21 - While he's not a true Mr. Fixit (he'll admit that too) he enjoys trying his hand at a few small projects to learn more.
22 - He has brown eyes and dark brown hair (with some flecks of gray - which I love).
23 - I truly believe I am the reason for those gray hairs. :-)
24 - Every now and then he needs to drive a tractor trailer or a dump truck on an overnight trip and this is something that he really enjoys.
25 - He often talks about wanting to take Quintin along in a few years!
26 - He is one of the hardest workers I know. He puts his whole self into each project.
27 - He has a huge heart and will do almost anything for anyone.
28 - He is one of the most selfless people I know - often, he doesn't even have to think twice about putting his selfish desires to the side to help a friend.
29 -He loves Christ, me and our children.
30 - He looks past my faults and still loves me. He is my #1 cheerleader!
31 - If it wasn't for T, I probably would not have finished college...I had a very rough first year. It was with this same encouragement that I finished my master's the winter before Quintin was born.
32- He's 5'10" - my tall, dark and handsome!!!
33 - He enjoys playing golf, even with me!! We took a trip to Vermont one June (before children) and played golf and mountain biked down the mountain (Killington ski slope). It was fun to ski there this winter and reminisce about that trip.
34 - T is not one to make a big deal about birthdays, especially his own. He would probably be mortified that I did this!! He would also be mortified if I had the waiters/waitresses sing tonight at supper. But I learned many, many years ago not to do that. We were out to eat, I think we were just dating and I kept watching the staff. He caught on and made me stop the celebration before it could even begin. He certainly does not like being the center of attention (I guess its true that opposites attract, haha).

Happy Birthday T!!! We love you! :-)

From Winter to Spring

It still looks a lot like winter outside - but its a sunny day and I'm ready to make the house feel and smell more springy. Armed with my favorite lavender scented all-purpose cleaner, a good sturdy ladder, tunes to dance clean to, the vacuum and 3 adorable helpers, we're set for the task!

Here we go....

ARGH!!! - updated

Updates below!! Added two more pictures! Thank you for all your sweet comments - but this is not something I can put on the floor yet. Tracy - it was in the lacing of the rug together that I didn't do enough stitches - I just got a book that I need to look into whether or not I did it the correct way or not.

Here's the rug. Its together but not completed. Can you see the bumps in it?

You are supposed to be able to drop a braided rug and if it is made well, it will lay flat. Well....let me just say that to get this picture - I was kneeling on the rug for a few minutes and trying to flatten it out. ARGH!

I took it up to the shop owner who taught the class and she told me how to correct it - I was skipping too many stitches as I rounded the corners...so I worked to add in some stitches.

It helped on one side but not the other....now I'm stuck as I ended the braid and worked it into the rug - I am not sure I want to unlace it, although I think that may be the best decision.

Soooo, just wanted to show you all where I am with the rug. I want to start another one...but I really would like to finish this one first. Until then, it will sit on my kitchen counter...mocking me! ;)

*************************

Ok, look at the first 2 white rows on the right (rows 4 & 5) from the outside edge. Do you see how they are buckled together? Whatever I do, I cannot make this rug flat. I'm close to tossing it in the washer to shrink the wool! HA!

And, Diana, this one shows the size of the rug a little better!
Thanks again for your sweet comments - but I can't let anyone wipe their muddy paws on it yet - or they'll slip due to those bumps!!! :-D

Tiny Talk Tuesday

~~~~On the way home from church this past Sunday, Elle informed us her finger was red. We didn't think much of it until Quintin yelled, "MOM! Elle's bleeding!" I look back to see one side of her face covered in blood - why? She was picking her nose - eeww!! Anyway, we tried not to make a big deal of it and got Quintin calmed down by having him grab a tissue for her. I knew she'd be okay when I heard her giggle and say, "My fingers look like they have pizza sauce on them!"

HA!

~~~~Quintin and I were working on his spelling and we came to the word spent. The sentence was "She spent all her money foolishly, and now she's sad." Quintin commented, "Why is she sad? Let's change the sentence. How about 'She spent one dollar on some pizza and still had some money left.' That way she isn't sad."

So sweet!


~~~~To hear what other little ones are saying, visit Mary's.

Quirky Quote Contest 2008

I'm always game for a fun contest and when I saw this at Diana's this morning, I knew I wanted to enter. Just an hour or so before reading her post, I came across a quote in our spelling book that really left me pondering! It is one I've heard before but certainly needed the reminder. It is does not recognize where or whom it originated from, however.

If God loved you as much as you love Him, where would you be?

To read more, go here: An Open Book: Quirky Quote Contest 2008

My southern pals!

A young family from our church moved to Alabama this past fall to work with the We Care Program at a correctional facility in Alabama. John and Shirley have two young children (their son and Quintin were in the same Sunday School class) and she's just begun blogging to chronicle their experiences and happenings. Since she's new to blogging, I'd love it if you have a chance to stop over and say hello and welcome her to this crazy world of blogging! She's just started posting some "Alabama-isms" which are keeping me guessing! Click on their picture to go to their blog!!



Also, if you have a chance to stop by another southerner's blog - MorningSong started one to document her sewing - which is awesome!! Plus, she's got a great looking header on her new blog! ;-)




And one more southerner to share - this one sews too! Meet Sewsensible, she's friends with MorningSong and has just started a new website to sell her patterns that she has created. She designs her patterns for young children with modesty in mind. I have her Twirl SKORT pattern and just picked up some material this week to make it. I can't wait to get started - but there are several other projects that must be finished first. Sew many projects, sew little time! (did ya like that?) Oh, and she has the cutest pattern for Easter baskets!