A cute jelly bean project for my Sunday school students for Easter.
What do you think? Should I give it a try? Let me know your favorite Easter projects that get down to the real meaning behind Easter.
Month: March 2017
Seed starting time!
Wow, I can’t believe the change in weather lately! Yesterday morning was cold, rainy and nasty. Even at 2 pm driving over the Shawangunk Ridge, the weather was dreary and foggy. I had about a half hour to kill before my appointment with naturopath (the most amazing woman in the world!), Continue reading “Seed starting time!” »
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A Mom’s prayer for today
Lord, help me to be better today. Clothe me in the patience and understanding I need to be a better mother and wife.
Forgive me for raising my voice yesterday and most of all help me do a better job at keeping my daughters’ heart. Help her forgive me when I am not the mama she deserves and when I fail to be the best I can be.
Amen.
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Lord, let them see you in me.
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Gratitude
Hockey season is officially over in our household. The snow is melting and temperatures are inching warmer. Spring is here. So many things to be thankful for!
But don’t be fooled by the positive upbeat tone of my voice. Though I love the weekends and I love being home with my family but sometimes tempers and attitudes flair. Usually it’s Sunday mornings as we’re getting ready for church. I like to have a relaxing morning but usually we relax a little too much and end up rushed and running around to get ready in time. I can guarantee there will be an issue with appropriate church attire and where those clothes might exist in the house (dirty laundry basket, washer or put away somewhere incorrect). The irony of losing my temper in preparation for church is not lost on me. You’d think by now I’d anticipate these catastrophes and be able to head them off. But no, I am not that organized or self aware.
Despite our imperfections and mishaps, I have so much to be thankful for.
I am looking forward to:
Today-family dinner, not having any commitments outside the house.
This week: PTA meeting, being able to attend 4H meetings again
In the future: warm temperatures! Being outside more.
What are you thankful for or looking forward to?
Aileen
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Saying ‘I love you’
Do you tell your kids you love them everyday? Do you say ‘I love you’ or do you have something else special you tell them?
My daughter is an angel. Yes, an angel in the flesh. Let me explain… when I was 7.5 months pregnant, my dear sweet grandpa passed away. He was the kindest, sweetest, gentlest and strongest man. He helped raise me and acted in place of the father I did not have growing up (my dad was tragically killed when I was 4 years old). Grandpa took me fishing, game to every school event and taught me how to drive. I’m crying as I type this…Anyway, this amazing man died at the age of 90 while I was pregnant. Until this point in my pregnancy, Teagan did not move around much in the womb. I secretly and constantly wondered if she was alright because she was not as active as everyone said she would be. That is, until grandpa died.
Starting the day after he passed away, and especially from the day of his funeral, my baby girl was in constant motion. She kicked and punched and flipped all around. Maybe it was the emotion stress that was the catalyst for all the movement. I prefer to think that part of my dear sweet grandpa’s spirit became part of my unborn baby girl.
So that’s the story of when my baby became and angel. Since the day she was born, Teagan’s name has been interchangeable with “Angel” or “Angel baby”. Every day, I make sure to remind my little girl that she’s an angel. I thank her for being mine. I tell her that I am so thankful God gave her to me. I tell her that I am the luckiest mama in the world. Our extra special exchange is “I love you to Saturn and back”.
I hope these daily expressions of love fill her up. I want them to penetrate into her soul and become ingrained in her. My prayer is that these things will stick with her as she grows and battles the many challenges of adolescence and adulthood. I hope they protect her from the evils of negative peer pressure and society.
So how do you tell your kids you love them? Do you have a special word or phrase?
Aileen
Dirty walls, Cookies and Prayers
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Favorite bible verse
I found this quote while cruising Pinterest. It’s my favorite and just wanted to share.
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Gratitude
It is officially a blizzard in upstate New York. The forecast originally called for 16-20 inches of snow but now weather reports are predicting greater than 30 inches of the white stuff!! Holy cow! I don’t ever recall getting 30 inches of snow in one event! School declared a snow day late yesterday. Non essential employees were told to stay home.
Today is a pajama day. And also a day to get caught up on a few things we’ve been slacking on (some homework that was missed while we were on vacation, a 4h presentation that needs to be finished, laundry, and most of all downtime at home with no schedule).
There’s so much to be grateful for today but strangely enough I’m suddenly feeling anxious and cranky. Maybe it’s the list of things I should get done on this ‘extra’ time? Maybe, as a mom, I no longer know how to truly relax without guilt? Are these feelings normal or is it just me??
I know today I need to focus on the important things in life and forget the laundry, carpets that need to be vacuumed, etc.
Today, I am grateful for my big presentation being over, my sweet husband coming to watch and support me, my beautiful daughter resting her head on my shoulder and loving me no matter how cranky I may get.
Today, I am looking forward to a slower pace and no commitments, maybe a nap, a long hot shower.
This week I am looking forward to sewing class, the end of hockey season party.
In the near future I am looking forward to spring. I love seeing the flowers emerge, new leaves and having baby chics.
I hope you’re safe, warm and enjoying this day.
Aileen
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Family Fire Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Family Emergency Preparedness
Preparing for a variety of emergencies should be an important part of every family’s life. Whether it is fire, an intruder, major weather event, terrorist attack or something else, each family member should know what to do in each of these situations. Continue reading “Family Fire Safety and Emergency Preparedness” »
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Quilt Update!
Well, I finally chose the fabric for my first quilt! I am thrilled with the beautiful Jelly Roll. But before I go into detail, first, I want to share the amazing the selection of fabrics, sets and rolls available from Missouri Star Quilt Company.
Missouri Star Quilt Company has a huge selection of precut quilting fabrics (including jelly rolls and charm packs) and fabric by the yard from over 20 different brands! My favorite brand being Moda Fabrics with all of their fun and whimsical patterns. There are also amazing Daily Deals, a Sale Bin and Quilting Specials. I love beautiful fabric and a sale makes it even better! I want to buy absolutely everything they have!!
I chose a few different jelly rolls, batting and quilt back material. They were all a good price, I hit the free shipping threshold, I was able to get everything I needed and it arrived only a few short days later. Perfect!
After searching and pondering for hours, I finally decided on the Farm Fun pattern by Moda. It’s adorable with cute chickens, little farm house, and beehive patterns! Now that I had all the materials, ‘all’ I had to do was find a little free time to get sewing. Easier said than done! But I did manage an hour so while the little one was playing with her friend next door. I watched Missouri Star Quilt Company’s tutorials on YouTube before I got started. Honestly, I replayed the video many times before even while pulling out the sewing machine. Once I got started, it was a little tricky getting the strips sewn together and figuring out what to do with 1600 inches of fabric. I think I attached everything correctly but again, it took several viewings of the YouTube video.
I was able to get all the strips sewn together and compleye 4 rows before running out of time. This took much more than an hour even though the video says you can have the whole quilt top done in 45 minutes!! Not me, apparently. Oh well. Story of my life.
Maybe some day I’ll find another hour or two to keep plugging along. Good thing I have 18 months left before the quilt show. Wish me luck!
