Spring Break Monday

Today, after a morning of spring cleaning, we made up a passel of people. Grandma Nancy had given us a collection of wooden spooled thread. So, we transformed the spools into all kinds of folks.

 Everyone at home made at least one person. So fun to have a craft in which ALL of our ages could happily and successfully participate!

 Thanks Grandma Nancy!

A Book Review

Yesterday, Gregg was reading books to the twins before church. A book was placed in his lap...and I heard him say, "How'd this book get into our library book bag?" Hmmm. Guess the book monitor wasn't doing her job. But he began reading it anyhow. The book was called, "Santa's Secret".  Now, we don't really do the Santa thing around here - it isn't part of our Christmas celebration. However, in our culture, the kiddos hear about Santa, see Santa, wonder about Santa, and have friends that take Santa more seriously. We aren't totally Anti-Santa.....We have been given some Christmas decorations w/ Santas on them.... and our children are told straight out that Santa is not real, but is a fun game that some people play....and then explain our reasons for not playing it.....Ah, I digress.



The opening setting is in Santa's workshop...the elves cheerfully working. The question is raised, "Why do we celebrate Christmas?"  Well, I thought this would be the end of the story and Gregg would be explaning why he wasn't going to finish the book, but then some little elf answers, "It's the day we celebrate Jesus being born." Well, so far so good. Wonder if that is just a nod to the Christian community. Then the book goes on to ask, "Why do we celebrate the birth of Jesus?" Answer, "Because of all the wonderful things He taught and did.", "He taught us to be kind to each other, and to forgive each other when we make mistakes,", We shouldn't tell lies, we shouldn't steal, and we shouldn't be mean, Jesus taught us to love each other the way we love ourselves." - Quickly, loosing ground here, I'm expecting the book to get shut and Gregg to begin some parental editorial about the values of Christ being tied to who Christ is, when again some little elf in the back  answers, "Jesus taught us to give. Not just stuff but to give what really counts - to give of ourselves. He gave His life for us. He died for us. He is the Savior, because He saved all of us." Okay, that's a decent answer. The questioner continued, "What does that mean?" ...Well the story continues, and the book even unashamedly attacks defining words like ATONEMENT! (Hooray for children's books that use doctrinally sound words that have more than 4 or 5 letters!) The author also attaches meaning to the word Santa by making an acronym out of it. Not sure if that's kosher, but I won't mind my children being directed to think of Santa as:

Savior's  Atonement -Necessity To All

In the end, we were rather happily suprised. The book gave some decent definitions, and even a platform for talking in some more depth. I am also happy to know that some other child in our community can grab this book and, it could be life changing for them!



Some Finished Projects...

 Though I've made several of these soccer balls, this is the first one that will stay at our house. Grace and I have both made these for some of her soccer teammates' birthdays. All of my children think they are wonderful....they are just a great size and cushy and cozy. And the colors can be anything you like. The colors in this one are definately Grace-like. She is a ray of sunshine - quite a bright spot in our family!

This is my second official Keri-On sized Keri-on.

The shape is a pattern from Marta McCall. I am not as proficient a knitter yet to do all of the colors in the pattern.  Maybe someday...

 My first Keri-On still isn't lined.... I realized it wasn't as daunting of a job as I'd imagined...but now I need to find the right fabric. Nothing seems to tickle my fancy for lining this bag. 

 I really enjoy making felted bags. The first felted bag I made was a Christmas purse for my mom. I made Sarah a purse using the same pattern, but in spring colors. It is also very fun to make. It is a pattern from Nicky Epstein's Book.

And some unfinished projects (not counting my housework!)...

And I'm thinkin that little bird may end up being a latch on the Keri-On bag....yep, I think that'll happen. The rest of those little flowery blocks can grow up to be another soccer ball or even a blanket...not certain yet....I'll probably just keep making more until I decide.

Hope you have a masterpiece of a day!

Blessed by Grace....

...in more ways than we can say...But one of the ways is in this precious girl, Grace Christine, who is turning 12 years old today!

Grace is a sweetie. She is amazing w/ younger children. When I have a friend over that has younger kiddos, Grace organizes them, has craft clubs and singing groups with them, and hours can pass, while the other mom and I are chatting away...we are never even interrupted...and there are frequently in excess of 7 littles that she is entertaining. Our family is amazed at her skill and enjoyment of this activity. Grace is also quite a little organizer. She can have anything - cabinets, rooms, books, art supplies, organized and looking lovely.

She also LOVES to sing....sing, sing, sing! She is a little songbird!

She is learning to use her skills to bring glory to her Lord, and improving each day.

God bless you, sweet Grace! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

True Contentment

My husband and I were listening to this song yesterday....and were (again) struck by the reality of the completeness we have in Christ. The amazing fulfillment in Him. We just need to remember to live in that knowledge!  Enjoy!***********************************************************************************

At the moment, half of our house has no flooring...just sub floors. Three years ago, we were able to build an addition on to our home - a great blessing. But at this point, the flooring is not yet in. I am experimenting w/ making some rugs for the stairs when they are finished. I would like to have wood on the steps, but because of the slippery factor and because there is a big window at the bottom of the stairs....we need to have some traction. This is my first attempt...I crocheted the rug and then felted it.  We all like it, but I'll have to decide if I want to make 14 of them, or if a simpler design will work for the stairs. I think I have lots of time to decide or create for that matter. But it's fun to have a working plan.

What's Green and sits in the back yard all day?

You guessed it,

Paddy O'Furniture!

Afternooning

Now, add a "Patch the Pirate" cd in the background, and you'll have what our afternoons sometimes look like.