Just Maybe, God Pushed Me Down the Stairs.

May 1, 2013 By 15 Comments






I know.

The title….it sounds a little dramatic. But it’s pretty much the conclusion I have come to, after recent events.  You see, I can be pretty darn stubborn.  God knows this about me. I think maybe He tried many times, to get my attention. But I, being as stubborn as I can be, unwisely dismissed His obvious and gentler signs.  So, I think just maybe, He pushed me down the stairs.  Literally. I have 2 things to say to that:

  1.    “OWWW!!”
  2.    “OK, I’m listening now.”

    **Important to note: This is a true story about my health, and the wake up call that changed everything.  The happenings of these events actually took place quite some time ago now.  I typed this post out as a therapy of sorts, and because I felt it was a story that needed to be told, to other women.

    3. … Read More

Filed Under: Faith, Into the Light; The Series, Life In General, Parenting, The Big Picture Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Christmas Eve / Morning – 2012

December 29, 2012 By 4 Comments






With Christmas 2012 behind us, we ultimately decided to blog a little bit of it, before we move on to wrapping up our year of projects for you, revealing a new one, and jumping into the new year with both feet, and some bigger projects than ever, that you are welcome to follow along with us. I cannot wait to get to all of that, and hopefully you all might have some great ideas and help for us along the way. It’s going to be too much fun!

But first, our little Christmas. We try to keep the entire season quite simple and stress-free.  (Not always an easy thing to do – right?).… Read More

Filed Under: Celebrations, Faith, Holidays, The Big Picture, Traditions

“I Am Third” / A Wood Palette Sign

December 5, 2012 By 6 Comments






It’s always a great day, when I finally get something OUT of my head, and am able to find the time to bring it to life, and have it real and in front of me.  It makes me happy because, there’s a whole lot in my head, that never (ever) gets out!  I wish I could do all of the projects that I actually think of, but I have other joyful obligations too, than just being all artsy 24/7.  So only a small percentage of my notions ever actually come to be.
I’m really glad this one did though, because it’s a meaningful one in our home.… Read More

Filed Under: Crafts & Creations, DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Project, Faith, Home Decor, Into the Light; The Series, Life In General, Parenting, Re-Purposing, The Big Picture, The Homestead Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

On Faith, Gardening, and Digging Deep.

May 2, 2012 By 8 Comments

 




 

      Our family really loves Sundays.  It’s just a feel-good-family day, all the way around.

     This past Sunday after Mass, we all came home, and changed into our old clothes, so that we could get working in our garden beds.  Oh, the butterflies I get this time of year! It’s almost time for planting, so we needed to get all of the winter rye that we had growing in the beds, chopped down, and turned into the soil. There is much to do, to create soil rich enough to produce well for us.






     Whenever I’m working in the gardens, especially in the planting season, my thoughts most always turn to my faith in God.… Read More

Filed Under: Faith, Gardening, Home Schooling, Nature Study, The Big Picture, The Homestead Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Calvary Hill Planting – A Kids’ Lenten Project

February 26, 2012 By 21 Comments






 

When Lent comes around, it’s difficult enough for us as adult Christians, to decide in which ways we’d like to embrace the 40 days leading to Easter. We are led by 3 things: Sacrifice, Prayer, and Almsgiving.  But as parents, we also want our children to take part in some way, and fully realize the significance of this period of time, too!  Attending Mass (especially through Holy Week), hearing the Scripture relating to Jesus’ death and resurrection, and witnessing (or participating in, depending on the ages of the children) their parent’s participation throughout Lent, certainly helps build their understanding of the importance of this season in our faith. 

However, I was thrilled last year, to come across this great project for the kids, that really invited them to be involved in some significant way even more, throughout the Lenten Season!:









Calvary Hill

As parents instruct the kids how to build this project, and plant and water the grass seeds, they have the opportunity to teach, or further discuss, the reality of the death and resurrection of Jesus, why and how He died, and what that means for all of us!… Read More

Filed Under: Crafts & Creations, Faith, Home Schooling, Kids Arts and Crafts, Kids Arts and Crafts, The Big Picture, Tutorial Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Into the Light

February 5, 2012 By 10 Comments




 
     When we need to clear our mind, and break the unhealthy circle of thoughts we are entertaining, we often find that going outdoors is almost like magic. Have you ever noticed that? The fresh air, the warmth of the sun, the sight of a bird soaring overhead, or the sounds of children laughing and playing nearby; all of the life around us, tend to give us a new sense of life inside ourselves.  We may feel rejuvenated, more positive, hopeful, and stronger.  For awhile. There are many tools in life, that are like power tools, for me.  Although they do not have electrical cords, or build physical objects, they build a sense of joy for me.… Read More
Filed Under: Faith, Into the Light; The Series, The Big Picture Tagged With: , ,

Just Something That Makes Me Smile.

November 30, 2011 By 5 Comments

When I saw these swans out in the water one stunning autumn day day, it really made me smile….

Filed Under: Faith, Life In General, The Big Picture

Yes, Grasshoppers Can Do Sit-Ups. (You didn’t know that?)

August 5, 2011 By 5 Comments






I recently came across this little blogging tip, and had some fun trying it out.

My son {S} is always collecting bugs lately, and bringing them in the house, and I am always sending him back out with them! But this time, I had to take some photos.  This tiny baby grasshopper was so cute!

I had planned to blog these photos anyway, but they turned out to be handy for my experiment. Ready?

Roll your mouse onto the photo, and then off again, over and over.  The faster, the more amusing!





Impressive little guy, isn’t he? I thought it might add a smile to your day.  : )

If any bloggers or web site owners want to know how to do this, and don’t want to Google it themselves ; ), let me know in the comments.… Read More

Filed Under: Faith, Life In General, Parenting, The Big Picture Tagged With: , , , , ,

✔’s, Gems, and X’s / Our System for Our Kid’s Responsibilities & Behavior

June 29, 2011 By 9 Comments






∆ Fair Warning: This is like a 10 minute read.
If you’ve got the time, I’ve got the verbage.
So grab a drink, sit back, & relax.

The Prelude

There are days when I feel like I have 50 things to get done that day. I always have lists going, of my agendas. I’m writing tasks down as I think of them, while trying to take care of others and check them off. Between running a family (I am the thinker & planner, as I suppose most mothers are), homeschooling the kids, running my photography business, and running the blog, my head spins sometimes.  Paid or not, every agenda is all ‘work to do’ in my head, albeit work that I enjoy, as overwhelmed as I can get on some days.… Read More

Filed Under: Faith, Life In General, Parenting, The Big Picture Tagged With: , , , , ,

Don't Leave It On The Desk.

May 15, 2011 By 3 Comments






 

I have a admittance to make.  I never read those FWDs (forwards), that show up in my e-mailbox. No matter who has sent it (and I get them from people I truly love), I just delete them, without even opening them first.  Because the thing is, there are just so many of them that come, and I know in the end…..some will be worth the read, and some won’t. But I won’t know which is which, until I’ve read each one, and that time I spent reading, is eaten!   Trust me, I have a few little routines of my own in each day already, that take enough time.  So I pass on the FWD’s, happily.… Read More

Filed Under: Faith, Life In General, The Big Picture Tagged With: ,

Personal Photos of Our Easter Day

May 4, 2011 By 2 Comments






Just sharing some photos with you, from our most

beautiful, joyful, memorable, perfect Easter Day.

 






These lovely flowers were sent from a family friend.  She’s always so thoughtful on holidays.

The daisies are still very much alive, in a wine glass of water. Had to keep the polka dot ribbon too.

 






The Lord is Risen!!

This Calvary plant the kids made, is now out in my gardens.

 






We don’t do the E.B. (or S.C.), but I always love having surprises for the kids.  Especially because they ask for nothing, expect nothing, and do easily remain so focused on our faith.… Read More

Filed Under: Celebrations, Faith, Holidays, The Big Picture Tagged With:

Easter Reflection (by Laura)

April 26, 2011 By 2 Comments






They found the stone rolled away from the tomb; but when they

entered,they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. ~Luke 24:2

 

I am still very much growing, in my faith, and particularly in my Catholic faith.  I imagine I always will be.  Or I hope that will be the case, anyway.  For every Liturgical Season that I live through, I find a little more seeps in.  I grasp a familiar Scripture a little more than before, as the clarity of the story is as real as a movie playing in my mind….I am there, I see, I smell, I feel.… Read More

Filed Under: Faith, Holidays, The Big Picture Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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