Category Archives: Daily Life

Blessings

January 14, 2015 KME 4 Comments

I’m tired. I have too much to do. I want to either settle in on the big, comfy couch and read my Bible, write and pray in my beautiful journal, and spend some time with Jesus OR just go to bed. If I’m not careful, I don’t end up doing either thing and I waste a little bit of time here and a little bit there.

Thankful for my blessings!

Instead of frittering away an hour on Facebook, Pinterest, or random websites, I’ll share some blessings and then go to bed. There is nothing quite as transforming as pausing to be thankful.

Blessings and Thankfulnesses (my blog, I can make up words)

1. Serving in AWANA with my family
2. Being able to text my sweet college girl and tell her I miss her
3. Crock pots and bbq ribs that cook away magically while we’re at church
4. A talented husband who designs and creates websites for me
5. Friends who love me and are patient with me when I’m grumpy
6. Friends who come and work alongside me at AWANA
7. Friends who set an example of giving selflessly
8. Friends who pray for me when I’m struggling
9. Friends who share an encouraging word
10. Comfy shoes
11. Sunny afternoons and walks down the road
12. Living in a cul-d-sac with little traffic
13. Amazing kids who shine with their patient, hardworking attitudes
14. Having a dishwasher and kids who help around the house
15. Being able to homeschool my children
16. A great college where my older two kids can learn and grow
17. The privilege to serve on our homeschool co-op board
18. God’s love and forgiveness
19. New mercies
20. Grace and peace and joy

Having Mamie with us for Christmas is one of the BEST BLESSINGS EVER!

Project 365 – Day 14
Kathy

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Family Photo

WFMW - Computer Game Chips

WFMW - Life Skills

Daily Life, Joshua

The Hat

January 13, 2015 KME 4 Comments

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

Why yes, I am looking at you.

Project 365 – Day 13
Kathy

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P365 - Day 80 (Poke War)

A Workout Partner

A Kitten for Sarah

Daily Life, Grandparents, Project 365

Grandad and Hot Cocoa

January 12, 2015 KME 9 Comments

Today is my dad’s birthday. It has been bittersweet to think of him throughout the day, to look at pictures, talk about him with the kids and on Facebook, and hear others share memories of him. I am continually amazed that it has been almost four years since he left us and went to heaven. I am incredibly proud of him. I am thankful of the godly heritage he left me. And I am full of joyful hope that we will see each other again one day.

Looking over the blog (we’ve been writing off and on since 2004), I found that I had posted a birthday hello to Grandad in 2007 (Joshua – look, it’s your cell phone! From 2007! Impressive). I also wrote something in 2008.

Sigh.

Loss – it pierces with the realization that we must hold lightly to things in this life at the same time savor every moment with abandonment. Such a strange paradox. We get lost in the minutia and the mundane, but it is exactly those things that weave together the most glorious tapestry of relationships, love and LIFE.

Amidst this rather busy, gray day, the kids decided some hot cocoa would be a nice treat. As for me, I skip the chocolatey stuff and stick to coffee.

My sweet girl and her hot cocoa

The hot cocoa tins from Costco are a regular stocking stuffer in our house so, during the month of January, there’s usually plenty of hot chocolate to go around.

Daniel says NO to marshmallows and YES to whipped cream on his hot cocoa.

When even the hot cocoa can’t cheer away the fog and gray skies, there are always plenty of candles to brighten the room. Strangely enough I can always find a child willing to get out the matches and light the candles for me.

Careful, David!

When the week (or is it a month?) of sunLESS days continues on, I pause, breathe deeply, close my eyes and savor the memories of the incredibly GORGEOUS Washington summer we had this year.

Sarah and some beautiful island girls!!

Hot cocoa, memories of Grandad, pictures of beach days, and the knowledge that my happiness and hope rests in Jesus.

“And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

Project 365 – Day 12
Kathy

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WFMW--Homeschool Faves

Tuesday Tips for Parenting - Physical Exercise

A Kitten for Sarah

Daily Life, Project 365

Workout Time

January 10, 2015 KME 2 Comments

Daniel has definitely led the way this year in making goals. He’s got a great collection of spiritual, physical and personal goals. One of them includes working out. He borrowed a set of dvds from a church friend and has been faithfully following them each day.

Daniel sits at his desk next to David & Sarah.

Rachel and Joshua prefer running/jogging/swimming as their exercise of choice. They are also great examples. Rachel logged between 175 and 200 miles of running this past year (my hero!!).

Last moment with Rachel at the airport

Finally David, Sarah and I couldn’t stand it any longer. We had to give T25 a try. The wonderful thing about this program by Shaun T is that you complete your entire workout in TWENTY-FIVE MINUTES! Okay, even a busy homeschooling mama like myself can find 25 minutes in the day for a little exercise.

A nice walk in the cool misty WA air after our workout.

David works hard!

Sarah is more reluctant about this program, but David and I are very persuasive. “Sarah! Come on, you can do it, join us!!” She might thank us later.

My pretty girl (POST workout)

We’ll see how it goes. This is just our first week! I make sure to ice my knee after each workout, and I’m very grateful Shaun includes a modified move for the workout. I keep up as best I can, feeling my 40 plus years.

Project 365 – Day 10
Kathy

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Project 365 - Day Thirteen (Sat-T)

Project 365 - Day Fourteen (Sun-K)

WFMW - Diet and Exercise

Daily Life, Daniel, Joshua, Project 365

Brothers

January 8, 2015 KME 4 Comments

Nothing warms my heart, filling it to the brim of contented happiness, like having my children come home and spend time with us. This year has been a big shift for us with Joshua and Rachel both off at college, and Daniel attending the technical school full time. We savored the time we had together over Christmas and were especially spoiled to have my mom here.

Now Rachel has returned to Tennessee, and the rest of us have started back to school.

“Joshua, have you ever seen this? It’s called science.”

Thankfully Joshua is still at home. He decided not to attend Union’s January term this year and instead enjoy an extended winter break.

“Hmmm, it doesn’t look too hard.”

Joshua, Tim and Daniel have played hours of board games. Joshua, Sarah and my mom worked on several puzzles. We’ve all watched lots of movies. Joshua has been very helpful around the house AND with school projects.