hello friends

hello friends there is so much to say…but I don’t have time…see you soon )

 

Joy in a Box

Some days ago I received a package in the mail.  One I was eagerly awaiting!!  I think packages in the mail are super exciting (even if you already know what's in them hahaha)

Well, this package finally came...

And look what was inside!!!  Gorgeous - don't you think?!!  I was super pleased!  I ordered this pretty stuff from Knit Picks - trying out their new acrylic yarn since my temperamental skin does not appreciate the loveliness of wool - boo!

And I am so happy - this is working up so nicely - a soft and cozy throw to snuggle up under on my couch,. worked up with the bright colors of Spring and Summer.

I am loving this project - I think it will take most of the summer - what with the garden and outdoors calling - but in those spare moments when I can grab my hook and work at it - pure joy!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Adventure!

My, did we have a grand time on our adventure!!  Exploring new places is always the first part of business on an adventure and that's just what we did.

 We found an old, working grist mill (that was not only super cool but amazingly beautiful)

 The people who run it give visitors fresh ground wheat or corn to try

This old covered bridge was part of the romance of this stop on our trip.

And of course - when on an adventure taking note of the animal life in the area is important!

As well as the plant life.

Observing the weather conditions is always necessary!

And...visiting an active volcano is always, always included in any good adventure!!!

Don't they look like good adventurers?

We visited Mt St Helens - a place that truly shows off the powerful hand of God!!!  Stunning in it's beauty and power!  We also hung out in a tiny town that we just fell in love with - they were having a tulip festival and Lilac Days at the same time - such fun.  The surrounding farmland was lovely and inspired us to think about where we want to raise the rest of our family - something we are praying about! :)  All in all a successful Adventure!!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Adventure

We've had weeks  of illness and then after that just general  malaise this Spring (you can tell from the lack of blogging going on here :)!!)  

Soooo - we have decided that the best cure is ADVENTURE.  We are headed out to explore the Southern part of our state for a few days and it looks like the weather is going to be FABULOUS (a miracle around here!!!)  Can you tell I am excited?!!!

I will have lots of picture, stories and memories to record!!

See you in a few days!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Headed Out

Packing to leave - getting things in order - taking care of details has been the main focus of our second born the last few days.  And as a result - the focus of the Dad and Mom of the the house too.  Although with many of the little ones still sick - a lot of my focus has been on on helping the poor little ones feel better, too. (But praise God - they woke up this morning just fine!!!)

The big day finally arrived and this morning Daniel put his stuff in the back of the van.

And off we went to the airport.

There we waited with him - until that difficult moment of saying goodbye.

We watched him go through security - and disappear into the depths of the airport that non-travelers are not allowed.

And off to Thailand he goes.  

My heart aches right now - which is something not uncommon to moms of older children, I'm sure!!  Goodbyes just are not fun.  But I know Daniel is seeking to follow God.  And while I am apprehensive because my Mama's heart is having a hard time letting go, I am excited for him.  Two days ago he turned 20 years old!!  I just don't know where the time went!!!  Somehow, here we are - just having sent him off to be a missionary to a foreign land - to work for God in a distant place.  My head and heart are having a hard time getting around the idea that he could possibly be old enough for this - and yet - he is.   And now - I am sooo looking forward to our next trip to the airport to pick him up - sometime - in 6 months or a year - only God knows that answer to that!

Blessings,
Christine

The Chocolate Cure

What do you do when you've got an armful of feverish, sickly baby?

And a couchful of feverish, sickly kids (4 down - 2 to go in this house), and nothing but grey, deary rain outside?

You go in the kitchen - make a big mess - stirring up a concoction in a mug - put it in the microwave for a minute.....

And take the Chocolate Cure!!!

Don't forget the glass of milk!!!

Beware - this definitely is NOT diet friendly, gluten free, fat free or something to count on Weight Watcher points.  But it IS yummy, satisfying and makes a dreary, sick kid filled day very doable :)!!  I almost wish I had not discovered these mug cakes on the Internet - it's oh sooo tempting.

Blessings,
Christine

Okay - this may be silly but I am editing this to quickly add - I did make chicken soup and tea for my poor sick kiddies - hahaha - I didn't want anyone to think I didn't take of the sad, sickly little ones

Go and I Will Be Your Guide

My second oldest went on an amazing adventure during my blogging absence.

He has always had a heart for missions and adventure.  And he received his heart's desire. 

Yes, he's on an ELEPHANT!!

 He joined up with Youth With a Mission and spent 6 months away from us.  He went to Montana to study for 4 months and then Thailand for 6 weeks to serve and spread the Good News.  YWAM fulfilled his quest for both those things

Playing with some Thai Children on the beach

Thailand captured his heart and broke it at the same time.  The terrible practice of human trafficking tore him up - as well as the many, many idols the people worship.  But the warm welcome and friendliness the Thai people extended the YWAM team charmed him.

Sharing his story with his grandpa's church

So...in 9 short (oh sooo short!!) days Daniel will be returning to Thailand - on his own this time - to work with a ministry there that reaches out to college age people.  (That age is the most receptive to things of Jesus - unlike our own country)

Reading "his" verse:  Isaiah 61:1

He has only been home for 6 weeks and we are readying our hearts to say goodbye again.  It doesn't seem like "A Small World After All" when your child is on the other side.  But there is an amazing peace that comes with knowing that even though my son will be zooming around Thailand on a motorcycle, he is in God's will for his life, he is listening to His Spirit and his whole desire is to please his Creator!!  There is nothing more than this mama wants, than to know that her children are walking with God (except for the occasional skype date with boy on the other side of the world :)!!)

Since I believe in prayer so much - I am asking that maybe Daniel could be added to your prayer list?!  Yes, I am at peace, but that motorcycle does make me nervous :)!!  And while of course safety is a huge thing - mostly my prayer is that God's Word would be spread and that Dan stays encouraged and effective for God!! 

Blessings,
Christine

P.S.  And yes Daniel rode an elephant, saw amazing creatures, and ate a great many strange things (curdled chicken blood, grasshoppers and beetle larva as well a burning hot curry)  which is why he's the missionary and I'm the stay at home mommy heehee!!  And he can't wait to do it all again - a true adventurer!!

It was too Wet to Play

On that cold, cold wet day...

 And no the Cat in the Hat did not come to play - but I did have to get creative.  The weather has been terrible wet and grey - with snow mixed in, to boot.  Signs of Spring have been hard to find.

So I got some paper and ribbon and borrowed my daughter's paper cutter and got busy.

And made a Spring decoration.  All in my favorite colors.  And boy, did it spruce up the place!!  (And believe it or not, that picture was taken in the middle of the day - see how dark it is in the window - grey, grey, grey!!)

I like these pennants so much I think I want to make some with fabric next - but for now - my pretty paper decorations are bringing a bit of Spring to my home.  And guess what?  The weatherman says we may have sunshine this weekend!!  Yay!!  Time to dig out my garden gloves!!  Whoo-who!!  Can you tell we're excited - sunshine - I can hardly wait!!!

Blessings,
Christine

Time for Tea

A birthday was celebrated this weekend for our newest nine year old!

And so it was time for a tea party.

Our tea party table

Treats made by Mama

Treats made by big sister

The ladies enjoying their tea

We made finger sandwiches (3 kinds), cut up fruit, and served raspberry tea.  It was such fun to put on my fancy apron and serve the ladies (they giggled when I called them Ma'am :)!!)

Happy birthday - Abbie girl!   We are so proud of you - you are so full of ideas and ready to help me with anything.  We know God has big plans for you!!

Blessings,
~Christine

I wanted to write this in the style of an old fashioned society newspaper column but kinda chickened out - maybe I should have - hahaha!!

Starting Again

Oh dear has it been a LONG time since I posted!!  So long, in fact, I have questioned whether or not to shut the whole thing down.  Life just got so busy - computer time ended up last.  A new baby, a boy with a broken arm and house guests began my long break - then some postpartum depression, computer issues, and just life kept me away.  Time just flew by and here we are months and months later. 

I struggled with getting back on here.  Some mommy blogs I'd been reading left me with a yucky taste in my mouth, I felt guilty not staying in touch with my bloggy friends and I felt I just didn't have much to share.  So I contemplated saying good-bye for real.

But after a while I realized I missed my blog.  I have not taken pictures like I once did.  I missed looking for the beauty in my days.  I missed checking in with my friends.  And most of all I missed the joy writing about my blessings brought me.  Life has not been the easiest in the last few months and I think it would be good to begin again to look for those precious nuggets in my days.

So here I am - back again to updating this journal of mine.  My little ones have grown, bones have healed,  birthdays have been celebrated, a season or two (or three) has past and I am glad to be back!