L is for Locks Of Love Haircuts

L is for Locks Of Love Haircuts

Between my own haircut for Locks Of Love back in November and my 3 girls who just donated,
 we have given a total of 45 inches! I took my 2 older girls to a salon because I thought they might enjoy someone cutting their hair besides me. They seemed to have fun.

River gave 10 inches!

Before.....


During....

 

After

 

Skye gave 10 inches also!

Before...






During...

 

After

 

Here are their ponytails side by side.

 

The stylist didn't have time that day to cur Star's hair. We made her an appointment for a few days later but the snows came. Then the snows came again so I gave up and cut hers myself. It hurt a little to do it, but she truly looks adorable now, and since her big 5th birthday is next week shes feeling a little more grown up.

Before....


During....



After...holding her ponytail of 12 inches!



All dried and styled. Shes losing that baby girl look. I cried a little!



The next time we go into town we will stop by the salon and she can give them her ponytail herself. After seeing their grandmother lose her hair during her battle with ovarian cancer, which she WON by the way, they have a whole new perspective on why they decided to give their hair to another child in need. I am very proud of them! In a couple of years they will have enough to do it again.

Have a blessed week!

K is for Keepers of the Faith Club

K is for Keepers Of The Faith Club

We live in a very rural area, in fact our whole county doesn't even have one stoplight. There is one high school for the entire county, and one grade school and middle school combined into one building. Its part of what we love about this place, but I worried a little about the kids being lonely. I grew up in a neighborhood with quite a few other kids around. I have wonderful memories of doing things that my children will never have a chance to do because our world is not as safe anymore.

So as soon as my little ones were old enough we signed up for all those extra curricular activities. We tried Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts only to find that these organizations have changed a lot from when I was little. We were so limited in the things we could do, and insurance and other bothersome things made even simple trips a hardship.Yes I was even the leader and felt uncomfortable and convicted about leading such groups. Please don't think I am condemning anyone who enjoys these clubs, they just weren't a good fit for our family.

If you have been searching for an alternative, I want to introduce you to the Keepers Of The Faith Club. The first thing I got excited about was that there are NO charters to join, NO dues to pay, NO one telling you how to run your club. You can have a club that is just your family,  you can invite friends, or you can go big time and have a club that meets at your church and invites everyone. It is totally up to you!

I started our club by ordering a handbooks so I could read all about it. There is a handbook for younger girls ages 4-6 (Little Keepers at Home) for older Girls ages 7-14 (Keepers at Home) and younger boys ages 4-6 (Little Contenders for the Faith) and older Boys ages 7-14 (Contenders for the Faith). You need just one handbook for each age and gender group in your household. Larger groups would need a handbook for each child.

I loved the wholesome hands on learning in each book. These are real life useful skills that will be used in life no matter what your child aspires to be as an adult. I want to stress also that the handbook does not give complete directions for learning every skill. It requires parents to share skills they already have or seek out ways to learn those they do not have. The book also does not cover every skill out there, they add new pins all the time, and if you choose to have the children earn pins there are endless possibilities!

I invited other homeschool families in our area to join our club because we meet during the day once a month. I have invited other families as well in the summer but so far none have had interest. Thats ok! The small group that we do have has grown very close, the kids and the parents are the best of friends. We are always looking for new things to introduce the kids to, and to be honest we parents have learned right along beside them!

Some of the activities we have done include....
exploring an old grain mill
learning to make bread
Making butter from fresh cow milk, some kids (and parents) even milked the cow!



Touring a historic home built in the 1890's....
Arts and crafts
Drawing lessons
A Tea Party (cleverly disguised lesson in manners)
Sewing lessons
and soon we have a couple of local authors who will be having a workshop with the kids about writing stories and getting them published!

The parents also bring things they no longer need such as outgrown clothing, books, homeschool materials, toys, etc and we exchange with each other. It is always a great time of fellowship, and we have food and enjoy each others company. I am so thankful I discovered the Keepers of The Faith website and club materials. Perhaps it will be a blessing to your family as well. There may already be a club in your area, check the map here to see if one is listed.

J is for Just Do The Next Thing

J is for Just Do The Next Thing

We all have seasons of hard times in our lives. At a bible study I attended last year I remember learning that every single one of us is either in a trial right now, we just came out of one, or one is coming. When I look back on my life I find that statement very true.

One thing I also see when I look back is that God always had a plan, and it wasn't always the plan that I had in mind. I can see now how things worked out for the best, even when it seemed at the time that there was no hope.

Some trials are brought on by ourselves. When we knowingly make bad choices there are always consequences. Other times it is a loved one going through a trial, and we can be so deeply involved that it feels like our own.

I have found that there are two things that really help get me through these times. Prayer of course is #1. When no one else understands or will listen, God will. The other thing is to simply praise God through the storm. There is always a reason to praise Him, even when I don't feel grateful or thankful if I really stop and think about it God is still taking care of me through it all. He has never left me alone, and He never will!

Psalm 116

1I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;

he heard my cry for mercy.

2Because he turned his ear to me,

I will call on him as long as I live.

3The cords of death entangled me,

the anguish of the grave came over me;

I was overcome by distress and sorrow.

4Then I called on the name of the Lord:

“Lord, save me!”

5The Lord is gracious and righteous;

our God is full of compassion.

6The Lord protects the unwary;

when I was brought low, he saved me.

7Return to your rest, my soul,

for the Lord has been good to you.

8For you, Lord, have delivered me from death,

my eyes from tears,

my feet from stumbling,

9that I may walk before the Lord

in the land of the living.

10I trusted in the Lord when I said,

“I am greatly afflicted”;

11in my alarm I said,

“Everyone is a liar.”

12What shall I return to the Lord

for all his goodness to me?

13I will lift up the cup of salvation

and call on the name of the Lord.

14I will fulfill my vows to the Lord

in the presence of all his people.

15Precious in the sight of the Lord

is the death of his faithful servants.

16Truly I am your servant, Lord;

I serve you just as my mother did;

you have freed me from my chains.

17I will sacrifice a thank offering to you

and call on the name of the Lord.

18I will fulfill my vows to the Lord

in the presence of all his people,

19in the courts of the house of the Lord—

in your midst, Jerusalem.

Praise the Lord.^a

So when life seems to be coming at you from every angle and is so overwhelming you feel as if you just cant do anything, just do the next thing. Try not to look at the big picture and just focus on getting through today. If your needs for today are rest and food, than focus on that. Snuggle up with your spouse or kids and just be together. Eat simple meals, and its ok if you eat cereal for dinner! This too shall pass, but for today it is OK, do not feel guilty!

If your needs for today involve really hard things, don't be afraid to ask for help. The worst someone can say is no. But maybe there is someone out there just waiting for you to let them know your need so they can help.

Ask for prayer, you do not have to be specific about what they are praying for, God already knows that. And while we are on this subject, ask if you can pray for them as well. Remember that this person may be in just as hard a trial as you are but isn't asking for the help and prayer that they need.

James 5:16

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁶ Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Last of all, just love. Stop giving yourself a hard time, the world is doing that already. Jesus came to show us love, it is what He wanted for us all. Start by loving yourself, no matter what you have done. Because Jesus loves you just the way you are already!

Romans 5:8

New International Version (NIV)

⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

If I can pray for you, let me know. And yes I am writing this because the trials are here right now. If you feel led to pray for me I wont stop you.

Smile! This trial will end. I don't know when and I don't know how right now, but I do know that God is with me in this and He already has a plan and knows the future.

Jeremiah 29:11

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

He's got this! Give whatever it is to God and let Him handle it!

I is for Itty Bitty Doll Sized Tote Bag Tutorial

I is for Itty Bitty Doll Sized Tote Bag Tutorial

I am still sewing away making doll clothes and accessories for my girls and their dolls for Christmas. I am so thankful to Rosie's Doll Clothes Patterns for reviving the sewing joy I used to have. I am truly enjoying sewing again, and I just know my girls are going to be thrilled on Christmas morning!

I always have these small scraps of fabric left over when sewing, too small to do much with yet too big to just throw away. (One of these days I will have to start quilting!) I had a eureka moment this evening when one of my daughters mentioned going to the library. My girls love their special library bags, I bet the dolls would love one too!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You will need.....
small fabric scraps (or recycle old clothing)
scissors
sewing machine
thread
hand needle
thin ribbon
ruler
chalk pencil or something to mark fabric
optional tiny buttons

I started by cutting a leftover piece of fabric into a rectangle shape. I used a cotton woven, but you could use felt or a knit fabric if you don't want to worry about fraying edges. If you use a woven fabric you will need to either serge or zigzag stitch over the two smaller ends.

Then fold those ends over with wrong sides facing and sew a straight seam, this will be the top of your tote bag.

Now fold the piece in half longwise with the wrong sides facing, and serge or zigzag stitch up the sides.

Turn right side out, and this is an important step, use a ruler to measure from each side where you want to place your straps. Mark it with a chalk pencil or mark it lightly on the inside if you don't have anything that will wash off.  I used a thin ribbon for the straps, it worked really well. I had some teeny tiny buttons so I added those to make it look decorative, but they aren't necessary. I hand sewed the straps on, it took just a few minutes. Make the straps as long or short as you like.

This is what happens if you don't measure for the strap placement first. The first one is crooked. I will re-sew that one because I'm a sewing perfectionist like that.

The dolls are ready to hit the library now! I'm going to fill them with tiny pretend books too. They also have matching outfits in the works to go with them. We have such well dressed dolls around here.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! If you have any questions just comment below.

I'm feeling generous today and I'd like to give away a doll tote to a little doll lover out there. Just enter through the Rafflecopter form below to win! The drawing will be December 13th so that it will arrive before Christmas.So enter now!

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H is for Home for Thanksgiving

H is for Home for Thanksgiving

This year I had the great blessing of being able to stay home for Thanksgiving and cook for my family and friends. We invited all of our friends and neighbors that may have spent Thanksgiving alone to come to our house. We had a total of 23 people here and it was just so wonderful! We ate,  played instruments,  sang (well I didn't, I had no voice all day because of laryngitis), played games, laughed, and took pictures.

The night before Thanksgiving I got to see my oldest son and youngest granddaughter for a little while, not long enough, but I was thankful just to see them at all. I wish they could have been here Thanksgiving Day. I could have had all 8 of my children home again and taken a picture of the entire family. I got a sweet picture of my granddaughter though...

I had both my Mom and Dad here, and they let me take a picture of them together...

And pictures of each of them with me...

The boys......
 

The girls....

Mom plays dulcimer with my friend on guitar.....

Mom with 4 of the kids.....

Mom with 3 more kids.....

Dad beating us at marbles, just look at that sly grin on his face haha!

Tommy on guitar.....

Fiddle and dulcimer!

My oldest daughter, Tommy, and his sweetheart girlfriend.....

Starbaby.....just being cute as always!

This marble game board was made by my grandpa and we used to play a lot when I was a little girl.

I hope each and every one of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving as well!

G is for Giving

G is for Giving

One of our favorite ways to give as a family at Christmas time is through the Operation Christmas Child shoebox program. Every year our church collects boxes, and also has a shoebox packing party through our AWANA program. This year after the party and gathering boxes from others, we had over 900 boxes to send! That is simply amazing to me, and I am so thankful for all the generous people who helped! It may seem like packing just one box wouldn't make a big difference, but it adds up quick!

 Each of my kids still at home packed a box. Yes we fit ALL THAT into just 5 shoeboxes!!!




It isn't hard to pack a shoebox, and it doesn't have to be expensive either. I gather things year round as I find good deals or have coupons for things such as toothpaste and toothbrushes. I buy things like crayons, notebooks, markers, pencils, etc during the back to school sales and get some fabulous deals. All of those items seem like common everyday things to us, but to a child in another country they could be the only school supplies they have to use all year. We also look for quality toys at the dollar stores during the year.

There are a few items that should not go into a shoebox. These include used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures (some already see too much violence daily); chocolate or food (they melt or go bad); out-of-date candy (fresh hard candy and bubble gum is welcomed); liquids or lotions (the boxes are shipped on airplanes, these could explode); medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans.

 These items are welcomed in shoeboxes...

• Toys: Include items that children will immediately embrace such as dolls, toy trucks, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, balls, toys that light up and make noise (with extra batteries), etc.
• School Supplies: Pens, pencils and sharpeners, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.
• Hygiene Items: Toothbrush, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.
• Accessories: T-shirts, socks, ball caps, sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries).
• A Personal Note: You may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. If you include your name and address, the child may write back.

If your church doesn't participate in this program you can still pack a shoebox, just go here to find a drop off location near you. The time for donating boxes is almost gone for this year, but you could always contribute financially if you feel led to help. 

Praying is another way to help, and also pray that each child receiving a shoebox this year will feel the love of Christ. Each child will be given a book in their own language telling about the gospel of Jesus Christ, they will be told about Him and how they can trust Him as their own personal savior.

My kids enjoy imagining what the child receiving the box they packed will look like, how much they will enjoy the toys and candy, and praying they they accept Jesus as savior because of the love they felt. Its a good feeling and a great way to encourage giving in your children.

The Sparkle Box Book Review and Giveaway

The Sparkle Box is a story that has the power to change Christmas. It was written by Jill Hardie and illustrated by Christine Kornacki.

Christmas is supposed to be a season of great joy, but often it can be a season of hardship and depression for those in need. There are many ways that people are needy, it isn't always a financial need. Some are lonely, some people live with constant physical pain. And then some are in the most need of all, they are in need of a Savior, they need to know Jesus.

The Sparkle Box may be a children's book written for ages 4 to 8, but grown ups need to read it too. The book may be short, just 32 pages, but the story inside holds a lot of meaning.

Christmas is going to be different this year in our house because of this book. The kids and I are excited to add things to our sparkle box! We loved reading this sweet story together and I am excited to read it again with my homeschool group and hopefully my Awana group too.

Included in the back of this hardback book is your own special sparkle box so you can start a new tradition in your home right away.

The book begins with.....

Dear Reader, you are the light of the world. Make it sparkle.

Sam is a young boy who is excited about Christmas! A mysterious sparkly box is sitting on their mantle, he thinks it might be for him. His mom tells him its a special gift to open together later, after it is filled.

Sam witnesses his mother and father doing kind things for others, and his heart is touched when he sees a homeless man sleeping on a bench in the park. But what can a small boy do to help? He cant stop thinking about these things, and about what could possibly be in that box.

Finally Christmas morning arrives! The family opens it together, and inside is........oh I cant spoil it for you! But Ill bet you have an idea of what was inside don't you?

Watch a short video about the book here!

Tell me what you think is inside The Sparkle Box and on December 2nd one winner will be chosen to receive a copy of  The Sparkle Box!

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F is for Fences

F is for Fences

My husband and youngest son have been busy fixing up the old fencing at the farm.



Fences have been the hot topic of discussion ever since we started to buy the farm back in the spring. The fencing was old and in need of repair.

So what is he trying to fence in you ask?

Well, my husband has been a bit obsessed with getting a milk cow for a while now. Last week he told me he was going to go look at one and ended up buying her. So as soon as the fence work is done we will have a cow, literally. Its a bad picture I know, I'll get better ones once she arrives at our farm.



Oh and we are also expecting in March!


Not me, the cow silly!

E is for Egg Hunting

E is for Egg Hunting

 Hunting eggs is an every day event at our house and it has nothing to do with Easter, even though the eggs have many colors.



 You see, we have chickens, and not all of them stay in the coop!



They lay eggs everywhere! We find them in some pretty odd places, and once we find their new laying spot they chickens go find another one. Chickens are much smarter than we give them credit for.



Sometimes we catch a chicken ducking under something or squeezing in a crevice and we know to go look there later. Sometimes we find them and its obvious the eggs have been there a long time, or some other critter has found them first and eaten them.



It actually gets easier to find eggs in the winter when there is snow on the ground. They seek out more sheltered areas to lay instead of just anywhere. They don't like having frozen feet!



Do you know how to tell if an egg is still good to eat? Fill a container with water and put the egg in it. If it floats the egg is bad, if it sinks its still good. If it floats even a little don't take a chance! We check all the eggs just in case, better to be safe than sorry!