Category Archives: Gratitude

A Few Favorite Things, Dec 2025

07 Sunday Dec 2025

Posted by in Favorite Things, Gratitude, Joy

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Last week I made it to the post office to pick up a package that had been waiting for me. I was really excited about the items in the box, but just hadn’t been able to make it over, due to working in the very opposite direction. It’s also tricky to get mail picked up as our post offices lock up entirely when they closed. No picking up your mail on Sunday or in the evening!

Anyway, I did get it picked up and my FAVORITE lip balms are back in my pocket and bag and truck and sewing table drawers. Did I mention these lip-balms are my favorite?? I love them so much, and talk about them a lot, so I became an affiliate with MadeOn.

MadeOn Skin Care has many good products that my family has used over the years. But as time has passed and the kids grew up and found their own favorite skin care products, I spent the last couple of years using up all the lip balms. It is pretty crazy how many of these I had stashed, until I didn’t anymore. But now I’m back in stock and so glad.

Another item to arrive this week are one of my favorites to put in stockings. Skout Snack Bars and Skout Cookies. And I don’t just put them in the grandkids stockings. They go into MY KIDS stockings 🙂 I love that they are yummy and have good ingredients AND they are vegan! (I have a daughter and son in law who are vegan and it is so fun when I find something like this!)

I’m not an affiliate with Skout but maybe someday. I do love them!!

One last favorite thing I want to share with you. For several months I’ve been squeezing a lemon into my water bottle every day. The lemon flavor keeps me drinking water (I actually don’t like water) and now that we are in the winter months, I am noticing that I feel healthier, lighter. The flavored water doesn’t just hydrate, it gives a good dose of Vitamin C too!!! If you try this out, let me know!

So there are my current favorite things. Do you have a couple favorites, especially that you put into stockings? Please share in the comments. We all can use some fresh ideas!

It Doesn’t Have to Be This Way

25 Friday Apr 2025

Posted by in Gratitude, One Life, Truth

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There is something I’d like to share with you today.  You may know me as a quilter, or a writer, or not really know who I am anyway. But this story begins with quilting, and then continues on in hope.

Quilting is my job, my hobby and it has been the “place” I go to cope, to hide, to SURVIVE. And that is what one of my daughters said to me in this past year. The process of taking a collection of fabric and cutting it into pieces, then moving the pieces around and sewing them back together is methodical and creative. It is a process I can pour my focus into, and other things grow dim for a little while. I didn’t even realize how in this thing I love to do, I was hiding, numbing the pain.

BUT a change has been happening, healing is happening. And recently I was able to see it. A few weeks ago, as I was preparing to go on my first solo trip in over 2 years, my husband asked me a question.  It’s a question that he has asked me many times, and sometimes I’ve been a little annoyed by it. The answer has always been “no.”

Builder asked me if I was excited about my upcoming trip and I realized in that moment, that YES!  I was excited!  I was feeling an emotion that was not numb, or fear or anxiety.  I was excited. I WAS EXCITED!

For the past 18 months I’ve been in therapy.  And for about 8 months I’ve been receiving EMDR treatment for chronic PTSD.  I am beginning to understand myself so much better than ever before.  It appears that I have lived in flight/fight/freeze or survival mode for most of my life. I now recognize how much of my life has been lived in that way.  How much of my life has been lost to hiding, withdrawing, disassociating.

I’m learning though, while it is okay to allow myself to experience some grief over these things, I can now look forward.  All the thoughts that come to my mind like “it’s too late”, “you are too old”; I can tell those NATs (negative automatic thoughts) to shut up, and be thankful for right now.  All those things lie behind, and I have today to continue to learn how to heal, to walk in wholeness, and to encourage someone else to begin. I cannot really express how good it is to be in this place. I am so very thankful.

Life can be brutal.  People can be brutal.  AND healing and goodness can be experienced.  

I share this today for you. The one who may feel like it’s too late. You may feel like it doesn’t matter.

You might be dealing with shame, thinking you should be over “that” by now.

If you have breath, it’s not too late. It’s right on time.

Some things, we need help to get over. It really is acceptable to need a little help.

It’s doesn’t have to be this way. It doesn’t have to stay this way.

Life can be wonderfully different.

SO

Make an appointment.  Ask for help.

Gather all your courage and go to the appointment.

It will take time, but it will not take forever.

Healing can come, and life can be wonderfully different.

This is my hope for you, may the day be not far off, that you will experience the moment where you realize that you are living beyond the pain, and find hope, goodness and joy.

Monday, A Favorite Day of the Week

10 Monday Mar 2025

Posted by in Books and Thoughts on Books, Gratitude, One Life

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 Happy Monday Morning to YOU. Today as I stepped out back to get a glimpse of the first morning light, I was thinking again how Monday is my favorite day of the week. Just yesterday Builder and I were conversing about many things, and this came up, again. One of my favorite quotes still is the one referenced below, when I first wrote about Mondays. And I STILL feel that way.

  Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet? Anne of Green Gables

 OR in my words:

Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow starts a new week, with no mistake in it yet, and much opportunity?!

“Monday… A Favorite Day?

In a couple different conversations the past few days the topic of “favorite day” came up and I surprised my daughters by saying that YES Monday is my favorite day of the week.  Do you think it is strange to be so enthusiastic about Mondays?  It did seem funny, even to me, until I spent some time thinking about why I always look forward to Monday.

Monday is the bridge to the rest of the week.

It is my “reset after the weekend” day.  As much as I enjoy all that the weekend brings, I love to get back to routine.

It is my “put the house back together after the weekend” day.

It is the start of a Fresh. New. Week.  A little like Anne’s  view of “tomorrow,” it is my delight in a new week, fresh with no mistakes in it.

A whole new menu starts on Monday

I am most likely to complete my fitness goals on Monday…

It is also the day when my pen most freely records the daily and moment to moment gifts that I find strewn across my path.  It is during the early Monday morning quiet that I am most likely to have the richest morning routine of Bible reading, prayer, gratitude recording and writing.

 

It is also during that early morning time that I often find myself reflecting on the past and remembering.  And as I’ve already said in the list, it’s the remembering of the daily gifts and reflecting, that inspires me and give me the joyful courage to approach the new week with energy and optimism.

Now, for a musical throwback moment.  Thinking so much about Monday reminded me of a song from long ago.  I hope it brings a little smile to you, maybe in part because it in no way reflects my feelings about Monday!

 

That is a pretty funny video, isn’t it!  I am not sure I have ever seen a video of that group before, but I do remember singing along to their music on the radio when I was a kid.

  Please tell me, what is your favorite day of the week?  And why?  One other thing I’d like to know is if reading my Monday list encourages you just a bit about that day which mostly dreaded!

Four Sleeps and Quaking Sandals

07 Monday Sep 2015

Posted by in Compassion International, Gratitude, One Life, Parenting, teens, Traveling, Uncategorized

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Wow, 2 weeks ago I knew this would happen, and it sure did.  I’m starting this week staring at the FRIDAY box on my calendar.  So much to do, and so little.   Just four sleeps from now I will be traveling with my 14 year old daughter to El Salvador.  This will be my 3rd trip to that lovely area that connects us up North to those to the South.   We are traveling with a group of women, all connected through our ministry to children through Compassion International.

It has been a whole 17 years since I traveled to Guatemala with my mom to do some work for an agency I was employed by, and to meet my first 2 sponsored children.  Too long!  And I am over the top excited to be heading back to Central America.

Child Sponsorship, Compassion International

Meeting Edgar and his family in Guatemala

 

This time my 14 year old and I will travel with a group of women, none of whom we have ever met.  This one thing has me quaking in my sandals.  This mother daughter pair of very introverted ladies is going on a trip with a bunch of unmet ladies???  But we both know this is gift from our Father, so with quaking sandals we are going!

And that is where my courage is to come from, in every situation, knowing that the Father is the orchestrating my life.  He knows the desires and passions of my heart, He ordains my steps, He is the keeper of my children.  And now that I’ve written that last sentence I’m smiling big because, He gave those gifts as well, passions and desires that have been refined by Him, and my children, gifts, tremendous gifts each one.  And one more thing, He has promised to always be with me.  So I can look forward with courage and anticipation at what and who awaits in just 4 sleeps.

Who we are looking forward to meeting?  In particular Johana and Kenia!

4 Sleeps

Johana, El Salvador

 

4 Sleeps

Kenia

Looking forward to all that God has for these next 2 weeks, and hopefully the words to be able to share some of it with you!  Interestered in sponsoring a child through Compassion International?

 

http://banners.compassion.com/banners/BlogChildv3/getChild.php?referer=139752

 

Grand Canyon, Sponsorship Saturday

11 Saturday Jul 2015

Posted by in Compassion International, Education, Gratitude, Joy, Letter Writing, Life Long Learner, One Life, Parenting, teens, Uncategorized

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Grand Canyon

For this Sponsorship Saturday post I am excited to share that in June we were blessed by the opportunity to take a trip to the Grand Canyon.  What started out as a plan to take another trip with my youngest daughter while her older teen sisters were away, turned into an exciting opportunity to wait and take all the girls to Grand Canyon.  I was so excited about this trip, as I’ve wanted to see the Grand Canyon for as long as I can remember.  Life has not ever had me anywhere near that part of the United States, until now.  After playing with google maps for several days, I decided that “now is the time.”

Continue reading →

A Day With My Heavenly Father

22 Monday Jun 2015

Posted by in Compassion International, Gratitude, One Life, Parenting, Truth, Uncategorized

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What could a day with my Heavenly Father look like? Of course, as I try to write this post, the song “I Can Only Imagine” has started running through my mind. But I am going to try and meld together the two different streams of thought that this blogging assignment has stimulated in my mind.

It is said that most people relate to God the Father as a reflection of their relationship with their earthly father. That is certainly true for me. It is only in recent years that I’ve been able to even think about Jehovah God as a kind, gentle and loving Father. And now, I even wake each morning with “good morning Father” on my mind! A habit of saying it out loud was intentionally cultivated and I’ve discovered great joy in starting the day like that! Such a gift.

The other stream of thought that started rolling around in my mind with this assignment was what I think a day with the Heavenly Father looks like. Goodness, I’m not sure what this says about me, but when I imagine Heaven and those first moments with God the Father… I hope to crawl up on His lap like a little child and just hear what He has to say in those first moments. I know that my kids have great memories of that kind of thing and so much more. They each have wonderful times of bike riding, hiking, reading, and gardening, cooking and laughing with my husband, their daddy. So I do believe that as I continue thinking about this, more ideas will come to mind.

Father's Day

Father's Day

hiking

 

Father's Day

Serving Together

To say that I am very thankful for the husband God has given me, and the way he fathers our many daughters seems like not words enough.  So many children, near and far, are growing up without the gentle loving guidance of a kind and wise father. Maybe one has been fully abandoned. Or another lives in the uncertainty and fear of harshness, neglect and abuse. If you are reading this, and that has been your experience, I want to encourage you, as one who has experienced a harsh and broken relationship with my earthly father. I have been brought under the wings of the Most High, the Heavenly Father. He is a kind and wise and gentle Father.  I pray to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation, of insight into mysteries and secrets, in the deep and intimate knowledge of Him.  May it be so.

If you are interested in speaking life and love into a child who may be growing up with out the love and nurture of a father, whether because of the absence or neglect, due to the realities of extreme poverty please consider sponsoring a child through Compassion International.

Now I leave you with the music of MercyMe.

 

I Can Only Imagine
by MercyMe
What it will be like
When I walk
By your side

I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When your face
Is before me
I can only imagine

Chorus:
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine

Make Over Your Mornings

20 Saturday Jun 2015

Posted by in Compassion International, Gratitude, Letter Writing, One Life, Uncategorized

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The pace of daily life has changed with summer being upon us and I was pleased when I was invited to preview Money Saving Mom’s newest resource, Make Over Your Mornings.  While working through that e-course, I found a new time and place to respond to the letters our sponsored children write to us.  Now I have a manilla folder that holds each piece of correspondence until I reply to it.

Sponsorship Saturday

The folder stays in one of the tote bags I keep by my rocking chair.

Sponsorship Saturday, Quiet Time

Each morning, when I settle in for my quiet time, the folder is right there.  Some mornings there isn’t time to write a letter, but many more mornings there is time.  And I’m loving having this activity attached to my quiet time, as I am finding that telling the children and teens about what I am learning from the Word comes much more naturally.

 

quiet time spot

Letter writing and morning quiet times, those things go together in this season.  How about for you?  Let’s talk more about letter writing, child sponsorship and even quiet times in the comments!

 

May the grace and the peace of Christ be with you.

 

A Mother’s Day Gift to my Family

10 Sunday May 2015

Posted by in Gratitude, Parenting, Uncategorized

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Today I will SMILE. Simply SMILE.

Today, when frustration rises, I will quiet it with GRATITUDE.

Today, I will be the one to be reminded to speak only what is GRACEfilled, appropriate for the moment, that will help hearts in need, and bless all others who hear.

Today, I will HUG. and TOUCH. and DRAW CLOSE.

Not to be an example, but to love the ones better who love me, flaws and all.

What a gift God gave in this family of mine.

 

 

reposted from the archives, May 2010

These Moments, Fringes Hours Full

10 Friday Apr 2015

Posted by in Celebrations, Gratitude, Joy, Uncategorized, {This Moment}

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These Moments, which are just a snapshot of  truly delightful day full of family and friends celebrating the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.  We attended morning services, full of celebratory music and teaching from Hebrews 9.

daffodil

Enjoyed a mostly gluten free meal (something that has been a real struggle, but I’m learning!), followed by this gluten free Empty Tomb cake made by Mae, with family and friends.

Empty Tomb Cake

family

Spent a couple of hours at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, taking advantage of our brand new membership.

feeding giraffes

feeding the giraffe

This day was truly a delight to my soul.  It is quite hopeful to me, that maybe I’ll learned the secret of being able to enjoy a family gathering or  day of celebrating.  Saturday I spent most of the day preparing “cold foods” for Sunday’s celebration.  We used paper plates, and most of the foods were served in the dishes they were stored in.  Score!  Another bonus…the natural gathering place in our home is now the kitchen.  It is big enough,  after the remodel, to hold anyone and everyone, so even when I was washing a few dishes or putting away food, I wasn’t tucked back alone in the kitchen.  All of those pieces made the difference in my being able to fully enjoy the day!

linking with Amanda and Jessica as I remember and celebrate a beautiful Easter Sunday.

This Moment, Fringe Hours Sewing

03 Friday Apr 2015

Posted by in Craft Projects, Gratitude, teens, Uncategorized, {This Moment}

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This week was crazy upsidedown busy, (so true that a sick kiddo, 1.5 hour unplanned dr visit, and a long dentist appt can upset the balance in a week) but I still made time for some sewing at my newest sewing area.  Hubby graciously gave me this area while working on the last bit of the basement remodel.

Fringe Hours

Fringe Hours

I don’t usually bring my computer down while I sew, but I was running videos to build up my swagbuck bank some more.  Most days I try to get the daily meter goal, then consider the swagbuck task complete.  That day I squeaked them out while sewing.

The table looks cluttered in this photo, but I was in the midst of pinning and also dashing off to do a school pick up.  This is just what it all looked like when I returned.  See that soft stack of flannel on the shelf?  Toddler winter pjs are in the plans!

Fringe Hours, This Moment

Finished or nearly finished projects

The next time I left the sewing area, it looked like this, two projects nearly completed.  The tote bag came together on Sunday evening, the dress another afternoon, well the main seam and pinning the hem.  I just need to actually sew the hem and attach the ribbon shoulder straps, and the dress will be ready for my youngest sweetie.

Now to top it off, this evening, after dinner we are all heading to the sewing area, to tackle more projects (finish dresses) and fill eggs for the littlest sweetie in the bunch.

Did you claim any fringe hours this week?  Feel free to share in the comments!

 

Linking with Jessica over at the mom creative.