God, Please Grant Me...

  I thank the Lord for the friends that He has given me to make things funny and then be able to see the lighter side of things.

right now

                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                     photographs by...Nicolas ( 4ds)

right now...

:: thankful ...for for freezers full of meat and frozen produce from the garden.

:: loving...the first couple days of snow

:: embracing... the idea of hunkering down for the winter and knit, knit and knit some more.

:: enjoying... the warmth of the wood stove.

:: marveling...at the beauty of the snow line coming down and going up the mountains that surround us.

:: finishing...knitting Handsome's brown wool sweater.

:: loving... the way it looks.

:: plotting...already what I will knit next when I am done.

:: feeling...good about the new knitting skills that I have learned.

::listening... to the hum of the food dehydrator drying soaked peanuts to make peanut butter.

:: keeping busy...homeschooling the boys and making all kinds of things in the kitchen.  Sourdough English Muffins, bone broth for soups, peanut butter, crispy pumpkin seeds and yogurt to name a few.

:: deciding...what recipes I want to use for goodies this coming holiday.

::reviewing...ways to stay with in our budget and pay off debt and stay within our means.

Trip Ramblings Pt.3

The last third of our trip was spent visiting Philip ( 1ds), Essie( DIL) and freshly dropped off, Luke. ( our 2ds)  We planned a day out to Chinatown, The Chinese gardens and get lunch from our favorite Chinese bakery.  The Lord blessed us with a beautiful day and lots of fun times.  It was good to see Luke settling in his new life.  I pray that the Lord blesses him with a good job soon. Please, if you think of us pray for something to show up soon and for him not to get discouraged.

Happy ( 22nd ) Anniversary Handsome

Happy Anniversary

© Kirk A. Finney

When years are passing by like days,

and in my hand your hand is placed,

a knowing smile crosses your face,

a simple touch can still make my heart race.

When I can see my soul in your eyes,

and you see your soul in mine we realize,

that a love so deep can harbor no lies,

where our only tears shed were happy tears we've cried.

I love you as much now as I ever did before,

if possible, I may even love you more,

all starting from a feeling we did not ignore,

a feeling of connection we chose to explore.

I don't know what it is that you saw in me,

what I saw in you was the utmost happiness

that can ever be,

even more so on the day when you and I

became "We",

I can still smile and say with love and

truth Honey, I love you...Happy Anniversary.

Source: From Husband To Wife, Happy Anniversary Poem http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/from-husband-to-wife--happy-anniversary-poem#ixzz2BBVrgMHg 

www.FamilyFriendPoems.com

I know I need to make a updated slide show but this will do for now.  I love the song and have dedicated for the last 5 years.  I will try to get some nice pics during our anniversary getaway to share.

FEELING ACCOMPLISHED?

I read this this morning and it really counteracted what I was feeling HERE.  This took away the craziness I was feeling inside and gave me peace and showed me what was important. Thank you Lord

FEELING ACCOMPLISHED?
People often feel great when they get things accomplished. That is most likely what they will share with others too. Things like how their to do list got accomplished, or how the canning got completed, or the laundry got all caught up. These are great things, and I feel good too, when I get lots done. I've been thinking today that maybe we need to celebrate some other, less discussed accomplishments. The ones that perhaps aren't as tangible and yet probably carry more weight. Things like: I greeted my husband with a smile and a hug, even though I was angry with him, or I did not yell when my toddler broke eggs all over the rug. How about these? I prayed instead of complained when I was frustrated with my workload, or I praised, kissed and hugged my teens today even though some of their behaviour is disappointing. 
These are the bigger accomplishments in my mind. Holding the tongue, showing love, controlling feelings, and behaving with grace and mercy, even when we don't feel like it. Now those types of things are worth their weight in gold and are big accomplishments. They are examples of bearing the fruit of the Spirit, and are worth celebrating and sharing. Love Michelle {{Above Rubies}}