Handwoven Dreams

Monday, October 18, 2010

182. quiet moments

183. boisterous moments

184. the weight of a newborn baby (or two) in my arms

185. kind words

186. patient words

187. a new printer cartridge

188. a working printer

189. the wind in the trees

190. open windows

191. rearranged spaces

192. favorite movies

193. new movies watched together

194. a new day

195. school work completed

196. new concepts to be taught

197. reading blogs

198. our new homeschool group

199. children wanting to be near

200. aired up tires

Saturday, October 9, 2010

on my heart...

....birthmothers who voluntarily relinquish their parental rights to their children in a timely fashion. So many times when we are out and about with our foster babies, the question gets asked - "How could any mother give up her own child?".

The mother of our current foster babies just signed away her parental rights. And she is unequivacably devasted. She is now bereft of the sight, touch and knowledge of the futures of the children of her own womb. Why? How could she? I beg to propose she did it BECAUSE SHE WANTED MORE FOR THEM THAN SHE COULD GIVE AT THIS TIME. I also propose that it was by the grace of God and from the great stores of her own mother love that she had the strength to go through with it.

She has chosen rather to bear the horrid personal sacrifice of not having them in her life, in order to offer them life more abundant.

I beg your compassion and support for all who have so chosen for their children. I beg your prayers for like birthmothers and birthfathers everywhere, for personal healing and for life more abundant.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

a place of prayer

There is a sweet woman who has a ministry surrounded around encouragement and prayer. Her name is Holley and I have been blessed abundantly, many times, from the words God gives to her. Each Sunday, her site is a place of prayer, where people gather to let their heart spill forth in need. A place where it is agreed that each will commune in prayer for the other. A good place. Feel free to subscibe to her blog, thus recieving her short, timely devotions in your inbox. http://holley.dayspring.com/

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

meal planning

Being intentional about meal planning is something I've been trying to do for the past couple of months. I am still working out some kinks, but so far it has been a good thing for our family. This months entrees include:

Pasta Salad (twice)
Grilled Cheese/Soup (twice)
French Dip Sandwiches
Orange Garlic Chicken
Asian Marinated Chicken
Southwest Marinated Chicken
Three Bean Chili
Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole
Pork Loin
Swiss Steak
Meatball Subs
Beans, Coleslaw & Cornbread
Nachos Supreme
Pizza (twice)
Rustic Chicken Fritatta
Cowboy Casserole
Shepard's Pie
Black Beans and Sausage

Other than having the items needed for these entrees on hand, I prep all the meats ahead of time and bag them accordingly. This afternoon, I am putting together mixes for cornbread muffins, mix and match muffins and peppery cheese bread. It has been lovely also having on hand many of our other food and side items. This is definitely a work in progress for me!

Saturday, September 11, 2010

our camping trip

fresh air, perfect weather, lush green trees, blue skies, tubing, splashing, roasting marshmallows, grilled hamburgers, impomptu concerts, laughter, good times

Monday, August 30, 2010

back to home school

Our Home School got underway earlier this month. I can truly say that we have gotten off to a GREAT start! Some things, we are doing differently and other things, the same. I have really felt the benefit of S being one year older. Her attention span has increased and she is able to entertain herself better this year.

E is in fifth grade, M and J are in second grade and S is in kindergarten. My educational goals for our school this year are to keep things focused, relevant, and fun.