Grateful Friday

This week I am so grateful for:

• the boundless grace given freely by our Lord.
• the smell of fresh baked bread.
• spending time outdoors with good friends.
• time to spend praying and journaling.
• early morning cuddles with our kiddos.
• the sun dancing through the windows.

Enjoy all the wonderful things of this life today. In God's Love, Tami

I See

I love being outdoors. I feel the most connected with God and with my family, when we are out enjoying the splendor of God's creation. I feel so free. I can see with the eyes that God intended. I see the tiniest and most beautiful details all around. It takes my breath away. When I share this with my children, I witness their wonder and their love for God.

Here are some of the beautiful sights that we experienced together (and with our friends) this last week.




Friends, have a glorious and beautiful day tomorrow. In God's Love, Tami

Content for Today

It dawned on me today, that I have been so focused on what things may lie ahead, that I have forgotten to be content with the immeasurable grace and blessing that I am given today.

I have lost sight of God's plan, in favor of the plan that I think He *might* have for me. Instead of being grateful today, I have fallen into the trap of dreaming about how others live, and how I might just love that life.

This is the life that God has given me, and it is such a blessed one, that I am ashamed to have been overlooking it.

There are so many things *I want*, things that seem perfectly practical to me, even still they are my flesh. They rob me of contentment for where I am today.

God wants to give me the desires of my heart, but I must be truly grateful for *this* day. Living God's plan for me includes putting aside my wants for His greater glory. He is all to me, He is all I need.

I am always in awe of how God gently guides me through His plan for my life. I am grateful that He is such a gentle God. I am like a child learning a lesson for the first time as he gently explains to me the error of my ways.

Forgive me and thank you Lord for guiding me into this greater understanding of Your will for me. Amen.

Thank you all for listening to my inner ramblings. It helps so much to be able to write about this journey that I am on, in my walk with God and with my family.

Have a blessed Tuesday. In God's Love, Tami

Tag You're It

Mrs M. at A Mother's Musings tagged me for this fun little meme. Here it goes:

1. Were you named after anyone? The little sister of my Mom's childhood friend.
2. When was the last time you cried? last week.
3. Do you like your handwriting? Sometimes, depends on how fast I have to write.
4. What is your favourite lunch meat? Pastrami
5. Do you have kids? Yes, 4 beautiful treasures.
6. If you were another person would you be friends with you? Yes
7. Do you use sarcasm a lot? Occasionally
8. Do you still have your tonsils? Yes
9. Would you bungee jump? No way.
10. What is your favourite cereal? Frosted Shredded Wheat
11. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Sometimes
12. Do you think you are strong? Mind-yes, Body-sometimes, Spirit-yes
13. What is your favourite ice cream? Chocolate Fudge
14. What is the first thing you notice about people? Their smile.
15. Red or pink? Red
16. What is the thing that you like least about yourself? Lack of preparedness.
17. Who do you miss the most?My Dad.
19. What colour pants and shoes are you wearing? Black lounge pants and no shoes.
20. Have you ever re-gifted? Yes
21. What are you listening to right now? My dryer spinning and TV in the background.
22. If you were a crayon what colour would you be? Olive green
23. Favourite smells? Mrs. Meyers geranium cleaning products and coffee.
24. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? My friend Nancy.
25. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Absolutely.
26. Favourite sports to watch? Litte monkeys "wrestling" in my living room.
30. Favourite food? Chocolate cake
31. Scary movies or happy endings? Happy endings.
32. Last movie you watched? The 2006 version of Little House on the Praire.
33. What colour shirt are you wearing? green.
34. Summer or winter? Summer
35. Hugs or kisses? Hugs
36. Favourite dessert? Cheesecake
39. What book are you reading now? For the Children's Sake.
40. What is on your mousepad? No mouse pad.
41. What did you watch on tv last night? not a thing.
42. Favourite sound? Listening to the sweet conversations of children.
43. Rolling stones or Beatles? Beatles
44. What is the furthest you have been from home? Hawaii.
45. Do you have a special talent? No, not really.....
46. Where were you born? Seattle, Washington

I tag Carrie, Sandra, and Paula.

I pray that you all had a blessed Monday. In God's Love, Tami

Grateful Friday

It has been a long and very full week. I am beyond grateful for a 3 day weekend with my beloved and our kiddos.

I am also grateful for:

• my thoughtful and loving husband, who always remembers me on Valentine's Day.


• a break in the rain, so that we can get outdoors this weekend.


• the signs of spring all around, and the promise of warm weather.


• the taste of pancakes and syrup on a cold winter morning.


• time with my children reading "Little House in the Big Woods".


• one-on-one time spent with each of my children.

I pray that you all have a blessed weekend. In God's Love, Tami

Introducing "Red Boy"

This is the blessed result of dollmaking
with my sweet 6 year old son, Gage.
He was so excited to be *making*.
I did most of the sewing, he stuffed the parts and drew on the face. The fabric choices and design were purely his.
It's quite the cute little doll. His name is "Red Boy".
I am in awe and wonder of a child's imagination.
I am so blessed to spend little moments peeking into my children's minds. Another thing in my life to be grateful for.
Thank you Lord Jesus for my children and how much they teach me.
I hope and pray that you are all having a restful weekend.
In God's Love, Tami

Grateful Friday

Ok....So here I go! I am joining others, who are taking a moment at the end of the week, to recognize and praise God for all His blessings in our lives.

• for the immense freedom we have to eduacate or children at home.


• for a loving a devoted husband, who is my rock and my hero.


• for a God that loves me and is always with me.


• for the most ultimate gift of motherhood and for the children entrusted into my care.


• for being warm, dry, and nourished.


• for kindred spirits that inspire me in my daily walk.

There are *so* many things I am grateful for.

I pray that you all are having a blessed Friday, filled with many things to be grateful for.

In God's Love, Tami

The "Treehouse"

We made an addition to the very popular

Christmas present we made for kids.

We now have stairs.

We cut a tree branch into 1/2 inch slices and glued them in a stair step pattern. Each little addition we make delights the children.

They *love* this toy. I am overjoyed with making something out of natural and non-commercial materials. Their imaginations are wide open, and truly they choose to play with this everyday. Lately, they have been calling it a "treehouse". I like that.

We are hoping to add another level and maybe a little rope ladder. I still need to figure out how to make the little log furniture I like. I have seen some needle felted trees that are so cute. I would love to learn to make those.

I pray that you all had a peaceful and productive Thursday.

In God's Love, Tami

Treasure

Here are a few of the *treasures* I've found recently.

A beautiful set of ironstone dishes. 8 place settings for $10.00~ YAY!
I love old dishes, and even though these are not beyond vintage,
they are a reproduction of older ironstone.
They are in great condition and will serve us well.

I thought this little bowl was so charming. It has that same beautiful ivory color as my new ironstone. It will be perfect for serving vegetables or a small side dish.

These nesting dolls are the most precious thing. They are very well loved and sure to get lots of affection here. My kids love playing with them.

This solo teacup was so beautiful that I couldn't pass it up. I has such simple lines that it shouldn't be difficult to find a little saucer to match. The cup is so thin and delicate, when you hold it up to the light, you can see right through it.

These vintage potholders are so sweet. I bought them as a set, and I can just imagine the care and time that went into creating them. I was overjoyed to pay only a few dollars for them.

I find such pleasure in finding usefulness in old and forgotten items. There are so many reasons that I seek to reuse these treasures.

First is the cost ~ I sometimes feel guilty paying the minute costs of these things, I get over the guilt quickly :~) also, I think that reusing what has aready been created, is such as vital way of reducing the weight of mass production on God's precious creation.

I have such a fascination with old things. Each treasure has a story, it's like being transported back in time, imagining what life would have been like for a mama like me generations ago.

I pray that you all have a blessed and productive Wednesday. In God's Love, Tami

*more* Little Gems

"If we would have a true home, we must guard well our thoughts and actions. A single bitter word may disquiet the home for a whole day; but, like unexpected flowers which spring up along our path full of freshness, fragrance, and beauty, so do kind words and gentle acts and sweet disposition make glad the home where peace and blessing dwell. No matter how humble the abode, if it be thus garnished with grace and sweetened by kindness and smiles, the heart will turn lovingly towards it form all the tumults of the world, and home, "be it ever so humble", will be the dearest spot under the sun".

The Golden Gems of Life


If I could ever dream of owning this 100+ year old book, turning the pages that have been touched by so many women over the last century. Experiencing the same heart-warming and inspired feelings that they did, when I read it's passages. WOW.
I have a particular love for old books. This book would be a treasure to find.

Have a blessed and productive Monday. In God's Love, Tami