Being Happy Doesn’t Mean Everything’s Perfect….

I saw this quote on a sign from The Country House.

“Being happy doesn’t mean everything’s perfect.  It means you decide to see beyond the imperfections.”

How true is that?  I’m absolutely amazed at how happy I am overall in spite of our circumstances.  I guess I’m reaching a level of contentment day by day.  Some days are better than others, of course.  My ideal is certainly to pay all the bills on time and even to get out of debt.  I’ve grown to hate debt with a passion.  Getting a call from a bill collector who hasn’t read the notes about how long your husband has been out of work can be discouraging.  Lowell and I have been listening to Dave Ramsey, a Christian financial advisor.  He says to take care of house, utilities, food and transportation first.  He is so right.  A few years ago, we didn’t pay bills in that order.  We were worried about credit and really messed up things.  We’re going to get it right this time.

God has been good to us.  We are living day to day, depending on the Lord, instead of paycheck to paycheck like most people.  I actually think it’s been good for our faith.  It’s been sobering.  I don’t think that we’ll ever view money and things in quite the same way again.  I know that this is temporary.  I thank God that we live in a country of many opportunities. 

God bless you all as He has blessed us and more,

Laura

Happy When Everything’s not Perfect

Beginning to Think a Bit About Christmas

Last night we hosted dinner for 15.  It seems that when we invite friends that we always have at least a dozen people.  Don’t you just love to gather with friends? 

The best part of this gathering was that Lowell cooked!  That left Joyce, Caity, Emily and I free to peruse my stack of Gooseberry Patch cookbooks, discuss recipes and make plans for the holiday season.  We have a wedding for a lady in the church, a housewarming/house blessing for us, Thanksgiving, a cookie swap, a progressive caroling dinner, and a Christmas party in the works right now.  Add to that our church activities, living nativity, and homeschool activities and we ought to keep ourselves busy through Christmas!  Then, we’ll have to see about a New Year’s party!

Usually by this time I have most of my gift plans made for Christmas.  This year, I don’t have a one made yet.  The move and Lowell being out of work have put me a bit off kilter.  So, this week I’m going to start planning.  I know that I need to get busy right away.  I’ll have cookies to make for sure.  I’ve got little helpers for that!  I also need to make a list of items I can make with things I have on hand in my crafting and sewing stash.  I’m going to make it a homemade, handmade, heartmade Christmas.

Blessings to you!

Laura

Thankful for my Lord, my husband, my home, my family, and my friends.

Simple Pleasures…

Simple Pleasures…

A warm blanket on a cold evening,

a hot cup of Constant Comment tea,

mechanical pencils,

a candle burning or potpourri simmering,

feeding my hens and macho rooster stale cheerios or bread,

a letter or note from a friend,

Jim Brickman piano music,

instrumental Christmas music any time of year,

knitting washcloths and scrubbies, a bowl of fruit on the table, cuddling with my kids early in the morning, tea and scripture early in the morning with my Savior,

a hot bath in my deep tub by the night light high on the wall,

Holmes’ Cream paint from Lowes with white cotton trim on every wall in my home,

friends that just drop in,

creating things,

homemade soups and stews,

Sunday morning Bible Study,

reading to my kids,

reading to myself,

listening to my husband read to the family,

knowing where my children are and what they’re learning,

knowing my Father God and Jesus my Savior and that my future is safe with him.

May God help you find the simple pleasures you have right now.

A Special Thank You

to Gene, Joyce, Caity & Co. for helping prepare the windows for painting.
You’re a terrific help and great friends.

Slowing Down

“On those days when the kids are beasties, and I want to get away from them, I hold them, and they become nicer children. Could slowing down help?”

~ Christine Moriarty Field

Coming Home to Raise Your Children

A Survival Guide for Moms

Remember…

I’ll always remember that day.  I know where I was, what I was doing, whom I was with, and with whom I spoke about it first.  I remember feeling an intense need to speak with my husband.  I remember the surreal feelings, as though the unthinkable had happened, and it had.

I will not forget. 

God bless America.

Farm Girl Fest Today

Red Oak II in cooperation with the Morris Gals presents
2nd Annual Farm Girl Fest At Fox Fire Farm in Carthage,  Missouri.
September 5 & 6 , 2009

Saturday 10am-dusk & Sunday 12-dusk

FREE ADMISSION
CRAFTS – CRAFTS – CRAFTS- CRAFTS
FOOD, MUSIC, AND MORE!
DEMONSTRATIONS:
* Soap Making * Basket Weaving * Dutch Oven Cooking
For more information call Caitlynn Morris @ 417-793-6108

Directions to Red Oak II – Take Hwy. 96 East ½ mile past Kellogg lake. Turn north on CR 130. Go to Kafir Road. Turn right (East). ¾ mile on the right.

Hi Everyone,

One of my best girlfriends has just authored her first blog post. I invite you all to go and read her blog, especially if you’re a homeschooler.

Training Up Hearts at Home

Have a terrific weekend!

Laura

Computer Problems

You’re not hearing much from me right now because our computer has taken what might possibly be its last breath. I hope not. Hubby is taking it to the shop today to have it diagnosed. So, I’m in the library today for an hour trying to do all that I need to do on-line.

You know, you don’t realize all that you do on-line until you don’t have it readily available.
I use the computer for:

keeping records for the kids’ school requirements,
e-mail,
blogging,
recipes,
reference,
reading blogs,
on-line phone book,
and to watch movies since our television died a couple of weeks ago.

Interestingly enough, my cd/radio/tape player is also about to bite the dust. We may be heading back to the early 20th century technologically in our house for a bit until we can get some extra money to replace some of our electronics. I’ve told my friends to let us know if something major happens in the news. We don’t get the newspaper either. The phones are working; and, we do listen to the radio in the car and get World news magazine.

Hmmm…I wonder if God’s trying to tell us something?

Laura
Blessed with Assurance

Oops!

The I Will Never Be the Same Again Post below was one that I reposted from last year. It was a reminder to me and anyone else going through times like this.

Blessings,
Laura