Something to Think About…The Gathering Place

Where does your family gather?  Your friends?  What can we do to make our homes the gathering place?  I’ve been thinking about this.  We don’t have a lot of “latest greatest” type toys or equipment at our house.  We do however have games, a basketball and goal, a baseball and bat, a trampoline, and lots of books.  Our kids like to go to play at others’ houses because usually they have more toys.  I’m thinking about what could draw the kids to our house. 

We do like to invite families over for a meal; then, the adults talk and the kids play together.  I think I need to plan these get togethers a little more often. 

Last night, my husband took me out for an early dinner and shopping.  When we returned, my sweet family gave me a surprise birthday party in our back yard.  It was just cake and icecream, lawn chairs, a few toys, a trampoline, 4 couples (including us), my brother-in-law and mother-in-love, and 18 kids.  We had a blast.   It didn’t take much to have a great time.  Now, it did take some yard clean up and prep; but, that needed to be done anyway. 

My point is that it wasn’t anything fancy, just friends and family having a good time together.  My husband is having the guys at our little church over for a cook out on Friday evening.  It promises to be another beautiful fun evening.

I need to let go of some of my perfectionism.  It’s really our friends that we’re interested in.  Most of us don’t required fancy stuff to have a great time.  Let’s just follow President Teddy Roosevelt’s advice,

“Do what you can

with what you have

where you are!”

Talk to your honey; and, invite someone over this week!

Laura

Happy at Home

Just a Bit of Missouri Hospitality….

I want to invite you to read my Lowell’s new blog.  He’s the editor of the Kingdom Business Journal.  Now, before you just shut me out and click out of here, think of this.  Lots of times, the things that business people read, study and write can be interesting, motivational, and helpful in real life, not just for business people, but for all of us. 

They’ve got some really neat FREE tele-seminars that you can listen to on-line for FREE.  Did I mention FREE?  There are interviews with successful Christian business people and some big name Christian authors, too.   So, if you’ve got a home business, or your husband’s in business, you just might enjoy listening in. 

Just extending a bit of Missouri hospitality,

Laura of Harvest Lane

I AM

“Has not the LORD gone ahead of you?”

-Deborah’s words to Barak, Judges 4:14

The LORD has gone before us.  HE has made a way for us.  HE will lead us.  HE will provide for us.  HE will comfort us.  HE will provide shelter for us.  HE will clothe us.  HE will feed us.  HE WILL becasue HE is the great I AM.

Praise God.

Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

Happy at Home

ALWAYS KISS ME GOODNIGHT, PART 2

I had great fun going garage “saling” last Friday and Saturday.  It was our City Wide Garage Sale.  I found a wonderful dark red sign, lettered in white, that I really liked on Friday night.  It said, “Always Kiss Me Goodnight” .

Buying that sign, in the country primitive style I love, and buying a second one, black with white lettering, that said Welcome Friends really got me thinking about the things I have in my home. 

I’m ready to really start clearing out the things I don’t love or need, so that I can start filling our home (little by little) with things I love.  (I”m not planning on tossing hubby’s things.  He likes my style, too.)

So, I’m going to keep working on preparations for my own garage sale.  I think it will probably be two or three weeks yet; but, I’m getting really motivated!

God bless you all!

Laura of Harvest Lane

Happy at Home

Come Visit Me at My New Blog!

Please visit me HERE.  

I’m in the process of moving.  I have a few more things I want to figure out before I leave WordPress, though.  I hope to keep the same friendly cottage feeling at my new place.  Blogger just has a few features that I’d like to use that are unavailable to me here at WordPress. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Laura of Harvest Lane

Happy at Home

Where’s the Music?

Hi,

Where’s the beautiful music?

May first will be known as, “the day the music died” at Sonific.

They will no longer be providing beautiful music for blogs because of some legal issues.  You can read about it here.  I’ll miss it. 

For now, mine will be a quiet site.  Should I learn of another viable option, I’ll be happy to look for more beautiful music for you to enjoy.

Speaking of changes, I am working on a new blog, HARVEST LANE COTTAGE, over at blogspot.   I’ll be posting in both places for awhile, as well as at BLOGGING WITH MOMMA .  Please come and join me!

I’m enjoying meeting all my new friends here in blog land.  It’s so important that we not lose touch.

May god bless you all!

Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

Missing the Music!

Something to Think About…Doing it Right….

“What we forget is that following God makes us different- from unbelievers, but also from one another.  God has created each of us uniquely and for a specific purpose; and in that purpose we can dare to accomplish what he asks of us.”

-Judith Couchman Daring to Be Different

As a young mother, and as a homeschooler, I’ve often looked to other mothers to know how to DO IT right.  You know, the right way to diaper, the right way to feed a baby, the right way to dress a toddler, the right way to discipline, the right way to teach my children.

Oh my!  Did I say MY children?  Could it be that teaching their children might be a bit different than teaching MY children?  Of course!  That’s why God gave them to ME to love, nurture, protect, teach and mother.  It took me years to realize that.  I always thought anyone else could be a better mother to my children.  As time has gone by, God has shown me that it’s just not true.  God in his divine wisdom creates the children for the parents and the parents for the children.  Thank you God!

If you’re feeling unsure of yourself.  If you’re feeling like you’re not good enough.  To that I say, Pshaw!  The LORD knew what he was doing when he chose you!  No matter what the circumstances of your child’s birth, or the circumstances you now find yourself in, YOU are chosen to be your child’s momma.  Lean on God, search His WORD and learn of Him.  That’s one reason He sent His Holy Spirit, to be our teacher.  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your path.”

You CAN do this!  Yes, by all means, seek out older mothers, and your own mother for advice and support.

BUT- remember, your best advice and support come directly from the LORD and from the husband He has given you.  If you do not have a husband to love, guide, and protect you, the LORD himself is a husband to the husbandless.  Seek Him!  He’s waiting for you!

I encourage you to seek wisdom in Proverbs and in Psalms.  They are a great place to start.

May the LORD bless your mothering now and for all time.

Laura

Momma to Four Blessings

Celebrating and Enjoying Today

What’s life without celebration?  We celebrate Christmas, New Year’s Day, Easter, Independence Day, weddings, births, so many things.  All these times are special, set apart, times for celebrating.  What if we were to celebrate ordinary days, ordinary things that make our lives richer?

I’m just beginning to realize how much my children would love more celebration.  Our family has been going through very hard times over the last several months.  My husband has been unemployed since the beginning of November.  Praise God in Heaven, He has miraculously supplied rent, gas, utilities, food, etc.   Our life has been hard.  I want to spice it up a bit with little celebrations.  I tend to be more on the serious side, which has tended to mean worrying.  God forgive me; I’ve got to change.  Our children don’t have a lot of toys; they don’t get to go and do many things (unless they’re free-wink); but, there’s no reason we cannot look for things to celebrate and enjoy.  I’d love to hear your thoughts about this, especially if that’s your thing, or you have some ideas. 

I think what it comes down to is living in the present, enjoying and being thankful for what and where God has us now.  Just something to think about….

 

Laura

Thankful to be at Home

I Started my Christmas Shopping This Morning!

 

Yes, it’s true.  I started my Christmas shopping this morning.  I found a wonderful yard sale with my dear girlfriend, Miss Sherry.  I found some nice Christmas decorations, some of which I’ll use, and some of which will be gifts.  I also found a few things that I’ll use before Christmas.  Now I just need to squirrel everything away until the right time! 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Laura of Harvest Lane

Thankful to Be at Home!

 

 

Something to Think About….What is Education?

 

“Whatever an education is, it should make you a unique individual, not a conformist; it should furnish you with an original spirit with which to tackle the big challenges; it should allow you to find values which will be your roadmap through life; it should make you spiritually rich, a person who loves whatever you are doing, wherever you are, whomever you are with; it should teach you what is important, how to live and how to die.” - John Taylor Gatto

It’s time to be praying and planning our choices for our children’s educations next year. May God bless and guide each of us as we think and plan and pray.

Laura of Harvest Lane
Happy at Home