Memorial Day

Today, we attended our first Memorial Day activity as a family. Grace was honored to sing the National Anthem for the event. She is not a singer...but counted it a privilege to participate.
We are grateful for the heroes of our country.

Emily Anne

Have you ever heard someone whose laugh is just melodious? Just makes you smile and want to laugh/sing along? That would be our Emily!

From a very young age, you could hear her lovely giggle at beautiful moments....the glee would eminate from her in the quiet of the audience before her ballet recital would start....in that quiet a delicious chuckle would fill the auditorium....that would be our Emily.
Standing outside the ski lodge looking for her to come down the hill, scanning the slope, we would hear her lovely laughter first...it preceded her down the mountain. That's our Emily.

She has a wonderful sense of humor...great comedic timing....very quick witted. That is our Emily.
God has blessed us to have her for a daughter!

Happy Birthday, Sweet Emily Anne!

Did you hear me?

Sometimes, in our faith, we hear what the Word says....but we don't always listen...I guess I'm using the word listen as incorporating the "putting it into action" part of hearing...application. Sometimes we rationalize away what we know the Lord wants us to do. I recently saw this video on one of the blogs I follow, and was compelled to share it here.  Beth Moore has a great story about listening....about allowing God to use you. It's about 8 minutes long, but you'll laugh and probably cry, but perhaps most importantly, you'll be inspired to LISTEN with the intent of being available to God..

May the Lord bless you as you hear and obey Him!

Fear No Ruffle!

My mother-in-law gave me a little package of odd attachments to a sewing machine....
Among them was a ruffling foot. Ah....a ruffling foot....Up until now, I did NOT like making ruffley things...my gathering threads broke and I would sew it on w/ gapping flat places and then tightly gathered areas...all uneven...irritating...frustrating...

 Megan's little three tiered skirt took less than an hour to make - that's ironing, cutting, ruffling and sewing! (and w/ some minor distractions!)

But now, I have spent a couple of days sewing....(not straight sewing, mind you...I do have many children at home that are being schooled, and today Sarah teaches lessons, so I have friends coming and going all day w/ their children)  - sewing; happily, cheerfully, joyfully making ruffles!

Thank you! Grandma Nancy!

Hooray for Twirl Skirts!

20 Years ago today....

Our first baby was born.....

 

  She was and is BEAUTIFUL! -

MUSICAL

And very well versed!

She is a  PERFECT oldest child!
And we are grateful to the Lord for the lovely blessing she is!

Happy Birthday, Sunshine!

My Favorite Composer

I didn't bother to put Benjamin's composition performance on my blog because Sarah Jayne put it on hers!  The composition is called Battle for Skandia, and was written w/ the book of that title in mind. The book is by John Flanagan and is one in a series that our family has enjoyed read aloud.
Benjamin's song is long....10 minutes worth, but you can get the gist of it in the first few minutes....
This is the first time Benjamin has every conducted anything (he did conduct for all the practicing of his piece, but first performance conducting!
Somehow, the proud mama didn't get any pictures!....will have some from friends later...but, for now...you'll just have to go and watch the video!
Enjoy!

Some projects...in various states of doneness....

This project is at it's VERY early stages...we don't actually have all the wood yet...and after we do (which could be 4 weeks) it will be a couple of weeks before the project begins...guess the wood needs to acclimate.....Meanwhile...w/ a big smile on my face...I dream....but now w/ some pretty substantial visual aid!

Inspired by a blogging friend,

 I used up some yarn scraps and made these cushion tops. I even used up some pearl beads and buttons that were floating around my craft bag. 

 

On Sunday, we went to our children's final orchestra concert for the year. It was a VERY fun concert. Our son, Benjamin got to conduct his orchestra playing a piece of music that he composed. Sarah posted a bit of a preview...not of the song, but of the boy who became the man  that composed the song.... (okay, I have to say YOUNG man, cause I'm his mom and he is only 18!)  I may try to post the recording...but for now...just know that it was FUN, FUN, FUN!