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}}

Oh how I want to be able to multi task !

Oh how I wished I could multi task like this young girl!  I am trying to load and edit pictures of the last leg of our coast trip.  Annnnd at the same time teaching homeschool, learning how to cook and eat on the GAPS diet, keep the house in some kind of sane order, volunteer, be a wife and mom, and sneak in a stitch here and there. I am determined to get up my post tomorrow and then a post in memory of my sweethearts and my 22 wedding anniversary this Saturday.  All coming soon.  As I said this time I am determined to not slack off on my blogging.  Hope you enjoy this talented young girl and her talent and the grace she has to keep going even if she dropped a stitch.  

Trip Ramblings Pt.2

Well, the second part of our trip was spent at my moms.  We did a lot of shopping as usual, getting things at a good price.  Thankful for good prices down in the States.  We also got to go on field trips for example the Seattle Science Center to see the King Tut Exhibit.  On the way from visiting Lisa@Happy In Dole Valley we got to see my younger brother.  And there was a day my brother came over from Seattle to visit one day.  What a wonderful visit with all my family.  The next part of my trip ramblings will be when we saw my two boys and my DIL.  So a part 3 is still to come and then I'm done rambling about our coastal trip.  Hope you like the slide show.

Trip Ramblings Pt. 1

We went on a coastal trip a few weeks ago.  In the beginning we dropped off our 2ds at his older brothers to start his new life on his own.  Yes #2 out of 4 boys has flown the nest now.  We are adjusting once again to set one less plate at the table and adjusting to now only having two boys at home.  I am thankful that Luke has a stepping stone into his new life by being able to move in with his brother and SIL plus one other roommate.  It will be good financially  for them all and also have good support too.  Please pray for Luke as he is looking for a job.  I pray it won't take too long for him to find a job so this mama's heart will be at rest.

We had lovely weather while driving 

And I snuck  pictures of the boys when I could.

One of the neatest highlights at the beginning of our trip was getting the chance for our family to meet Lisa's family @ Happy In Dole Valley   .  It is a wonderful blessing to see such a dear blogging friend in 3D, such a blessing.

I loved how the boys clicked 

We went to some of their  favorite places...

A Lego store

Their swimming hole

Lisa's dd stayed warm and watched the boys swim in the chilly water.

They took us for a very lovely walk on a forest trail near by.

I also loved how our hubby's got along so well.  The week end get away in Dole Valley was a treat indeed.  And I feel a life long friendship is now cemented.

And I cannot post this post without sharing what I stitched on while knitting with Lisa. And Lisa worked on her project HERE.

Part 2 of Trip Ramblings to come soon.

Garden Pic's 2012

I found a easier way to post pictures of the garden and I hope you enjoy a peak into my world.  Tomorrow I hope to share one last post before we leave on our trip, heading out soon!

Stand Firm ...and know that God is in control

I will give you a glimpse into what has been going on inside of me and what the Lord has been teaching me. (with the bit of fun of these videos)   I love how God created me to hear from him deeply through music and even more if it has action.  God spoke through the songs at the vacation bible school week at my church during this summer.  I was in charge of the jewelry class and got to hear and see the songs the kids were learning.  The first song hit me the strongest.  It showed me that I was too caught up in fear. I knew this but was paralyzed.   I needed to hear that I needed to stand firm and know that God is in control.  So simple but hard sometimes to take to heart.  As you know from my posts the last few months that I have been struggling with taking this message to heart and fully believe it.  I was not fully leaning on God and knew it needed to be changed.  Through these songs and a few other things the Lord was leading me to read He got through to me.  My heart is at rest ( most of the time) and I am thankful. So I hope you have as much fun listening to the songs as much as I did.  Take the time and let the songs sink into your heart and soul.  Simple words but so powerful.

Be Still

I know I have been absent for a long time and have been sparse all this last year but I have a reason for this absence.  The Lord has called me to be away , he has been teaching me A LOT and it will be just for a bit longer.  We are going in a couple of weeks to see my family, some friends.   I can't wait to see them all but so happy we will get to see my 1ds and bride, which we haven't seen for almost a year. ( too long)  I am in the midst of posting a picture post of what is happening in the garden and kitchen.  I am praying it will happen in a day or two but if not...it is coming.  Miss you all tons!

Garden Goodness and a Peak into My Summer Days

This summer we have been experiencing episodes of power outages because of  weird summer storms here and there.  We  also have been enjoying some goodies coming out of the garden finally, thank you Lord.  I guess being up north things just come a little later than our friends down south.  We have been very blessed with cooking greens, salad greens, snow peas, strawberries ( finished a couple of weeks ago) , raspberries ( peak season right now) , a few carrots and parsnip thinning's. 

A veiw into our garden from the house.

Even rain clouds have their own beauty.  I love the streams of light shinning through. 

This year we have had some of the most amazing moon rises to enjoy.

As always there are soooooo many new science experiments going on.  I will be sharing some more on this hopefully tomorrow.