Be Strong and Courageous

I cannot express the freedom that I have been feeling in journaling my 1000 gifts.  In the reading of Ann Voskamp's  a Dare To Live Fully Right Where You Are - One Thousand Gifts. Here are just a few tidbits that keep me going on this journey, from the book- on page she makes the distinction - "Gift List. I begin the list. Not of gifts I want but of gifts I already have."  There you have it, it is not about asking but about giving thanks for what GOD has already given us. In today's post Ann is offering a down loadable   Free Weekly Gratitude Journal  for your entire family to be able to join you in this journey. It is funny because a few weeks ago I downloaded "5 good things" over here @ Whisker Graphics . I gave the to the kids last night and Addysen and I filled hers out together. the spaces are small, I may print her one out super sized so she can write them herself next week. So here is my dare, even if you have not ...

The process of time out has been around for ever. To take a break, to rest, to rethink, to recoup.... all these are done because we are off track.  I love the post from Ann today about finding peace. Here's the link  http://www.aholyexperience.com/2011/04/how-to-make-take-a-peace-retreat-right-where-you-are/  

Just wanted to shout out and say thank you to Liz for helping me get the sleeves attached correctly (even if it took 2 tries to pleat it right - my fault for not knowing where the shoulder seam fell), and for showing me how to set up the skirt for pleating. The waist band for the dress came to 31 1/2 inches, it is at a higher than natural waist position, circa 1860's style (Emma was thrown off by the number because she knows her waist size :) ), and there were 3 panels of fabric measuring at just under 2 yards, 70" to be exact, that make up the skirt. You guessed it, I had know idea how to uniformly  pleat all that fabric, and attach it to the done bodice. I was even ready to pull out the calculator - here came Liz again to help me take baby steps to complete it. After Liz pinned it into 1/4's, she needed to get going so I took over and pinned it into 1/8's which each got 6 pleats each. If you can believe it I only poked my finger 3-4 times and viola ---- a ski...

Our summer will be full of outings and adventure this year as we embark on a full season of Living History with the WCWA and our unit the 12th US Regular Army, the girls and I will of course be portraying a family from NY that is back home waiting for our men who are at war. The Washington Civil War Association   is the group we belong to and do our reenactments with (you can click  on the link for dates of the events). There are plenty of events all over Washington State and even some in Oregon that we may attend. I am having my dress made by Lavenders Green.  and I am so excited to be making the girls dress myself with some help from a friend. This dress was made by Lavenders Green, I love the shimmer and added designs, my dress will be much simple, more of an every day dress.  We chose a simple green calico for my dress. I cannot wait for it to arrive in just a few weeks. The girl's dresses will have pinner aprons I think, instead of just waist ones, ...

Jillane (28 months) and Donovan came for a visit with my sister this weekend. We had a good time playing games and just being together. Jillane has become so animated and signs and speaks so much now. She even share a few silly faces with us around the table. AT&T calling ........ And Addysen does look quite sullen, she was not wanting to be 'put' in the picture. Oh well, 4 out of 5 smiles not a bad day.

rI will have you know I skipped the Hot spot for week 3, it was a children's clothes and closets and as I said when doing week one's challenge of the Master closet, that area is already under control in our home. I  also never posted the photos of my paper organizing either, that was the Friday I left out on our marriage retreat, alas I will post some later this week for then as well as what the kids closets do look like on a pretty regular basis. So this weeks Hot spot #4 is our fridges and pantries, I have been organizing these a bit more this Winter and hope the progress I have made will make a difference in my grocery shopping bill. Because I can see and take note of the regular stuff quickly I usually know what I am in need of. So here is the link for the Hot spot and I 'plan' to post photos Friday of the last 2 as well.  Have a great week cleaning out the veggie drawers!

As I approach the writing of #300 in my gifts journal, I wanted to share a few photos from the journey. I have been able to capture some of the beautiful grace filled moments and the little glimpses of gifts just for my enjoyment.  I wrote this in my journal on March 2, 2011; just over 3 weeks ago : As I have reached gift #214 in this short month and half of journaling my gits, what I realize is I do long for the better thing (Mary living in a Martha world - to sit with the Lord is the better thing), the grateful heart the joyful soul. I want my children to know the Lord's blessings personally. I desire to be intent in my day. I want the every day to be intentional in searching out the Grace of God. Thanking the Lord for Love bestowed, by my helpmeet, my children and my closest friends. For the health of those who surround me, for those whose struggle  is with such things as cancer and disease, and those born with greater challenges to overcome than I can imagine...