Summerville Quilt

One of my 2019 goals is to complete a quilt that teaches me some new things and is a little beyond what I've made before.  My Mom and I love the style of the quilter, Camille Roskelley.  So,when I saw her quilt pattern, Summerville, I loved it right away!!  I bought the pattern for myself and for my Mom.  I told her we should each make a quilt by the first day of summer and we should keep the fabric we choose a secret.  So, hopefully Mom is not reading. (Hey Mom! :o) )

When I went to Joanns with my Beth, I went up and down every aisle. I'm always drawn to the aqua prints.  I like the yellows and greens.  And lately I've been drawn to the purples.  I could not make up my mind!!   Then, I thought about a quilt I saw in a magazine called Fancy Forest.  IT uses lots of Kona solids. I love it!  I loved the crispness of the colors  and thought, hhhmmmmm, could this idea work for this quilt?

(Fancy Forest by Elizabeth Hartman)

So, for my Summerville quilt, I chose to go with lots of beautiful Kona solids. No patterned fabric.  I've never done that before.  I'm usually drawn to the flowers, the paisleys, and doodled designs.  But not this time.  I'm excited to see how this will turn out!!

Birthday Yummies

A couple of weeks ago was my Patrick's birthday.  His girls know him well and decided to buy him a pack of crab legs for himself to enjoy.  He was thrilled!

The problem ist that we ALL love crab legs!  He gave us a few bites here and there, but my kids.....and you may find this gross.....cleaned the bowl when he was done.  They went through every cracked crab leg looking for any meat left behind.  Gross, but they enjoyed it!!

Heartland Conference and 9 more days!

Shortly after making the decision to move forward with buying the property for VSIBC, someone contacted my husband about coming to the Church Planter's Mission's Conference in OKC.  Patrick knew he wanted to go and one of the men of our church decided to go with him.  God really worked that out because my Patrick really needed someone to come with him and help him because of his achilles.

The way the conference works is that there are church planters from across America that come and present the needs that they have.  Hundreds of Pastors come with money in hand to be a blessing.  They have the burden of starting churches in America and helping those Pastors.  It's amazing!

Not all church planters that come are able to present their ministry.  This year there were 65 planters and there just isn't that much time in the conference for everyone to present.  Our church began praying immediately that Patrick would get the chance to share his burden and our need for money for purchasing the land.  One of our ladies came to me and told me she was praying he would present and that God would give us $17,000.

The second day of the conference we were all watching the livestream and they called Patrick's name!  We were so excited!!  We watched as person after person stood up to say they would give to the ministry of Victory Springs Independent Baptist Church!  The total amount was just under $17,000.  Then, a friend that was watching texted to say she'll make up the rest for it to be an even 17,000.....and she had no idea what one of our ladies was praying for!  Isn't God amazing!?!

We close on the property in just 9 days.   Our church family is overjoyed watching God work as only He can....miraculously!!

Reading Goals

This is hard!  I said I wanted to set a goal of 5 Spiritual books for this year. I know that doesn't sound like much, but I'm trying to keep things in focus and in the midst of reality for this season in my life.  It was hard to narrow it down to just 5!

I looked and looked over my books and think I have a good start.

My goal for this year:

Little Judy Learns Her Lessons.  This book can be found here.
This is written by my dear Pastor's wife, Judy Strange.  It is a story of lessons she learned from her childhood.  I can't wait to read it!

God's Blueprint for Homebuilders by Dr. M H Tabb.  This book comes highly recommended.  You can find it here.

How to be close to your children  by Dr. Jeff Fugate.  I've read this one before many years ago and loved it.  I'm looking forward to refreshing my memory and reading it again.  You can find it here.

A Treasury of Hymn Stories by Amos R Wells.  I found it on Amazon. I love to hear the stories behind the hymns that we sing.  So powerful!

Following the Man of Faith by Dr. Janet Walsh which can be found here.   I confess, I've read the first couple of chapters.  I'm looking forward to reading more!

And there are a couple (I know this is more than 5) that are not in the picture that I'm planning to buy soon.

The 5 love languages for Kids.  I found it on Amazon  I heard a youtuber talking about this book the other day.  I love the one for couples, so the 5 love language concept sounds like a good idea for kids, too.  Looking forward to reading this!

Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard.   You can find it here.  A friend of mine blogged about how she had a copy of this book as a young girl and loved it to pieces.  She made me so interested, so it is definitely next on my list to buy.

Parenting Skills by Dr. Bob Gray Sr.   Joshua and Tabitha have been reading this book and they love it.   I know they bought theirs from Berean Publications, but I can't find it on that site.  I found it for sale on Barnes and Noble as well.  I plan to borrow it from them when they are done.

So I know the total is more than 5.  But that was as much as I could narrow it down.  Then, I put on my stack a few more that I hope to get to as well....we'll see!

One thing I love to do as I read books like this is to take notes as I go.  I used to highlight as I went.  But, that doesn't work if you are borrowing a book.  I have also found that if I find a quote I really like, then it's easier to find it again if I've written it down.  I always put the page number from that quote as well in case I want to reference it. 

And one more reading goal for the year.  I'd like to read through The Christian Lady's Handbook by Dr. George and Melva Alquist with Callie.  Beth and Brenna read it when they were younger and they loved it.  Callie is at the age where she is growing into such a wonderful young lady.  Now's the time to enjoy books like this with her.

I'm excited about the reading I've chosen for this year.  I plan to blog about them as I go and give an honest review from my standpoint. Anyone else have some good goals for the year?  I would love to hear about it!

Liberty's birthday gift

I mentioned not too long ago in this post that there was a surprise for all of us when Liberty opened her last birthday gift.  Well, now's the time to tell the surprise!

 They announced several months ago that they were expecting another sweet blessing.  In Liberty's last gift there were pink balloons and pink flower petals and a note.

The note said, "Freedom Joy."  This is the name they had picked if they were having another girl. 

We are so excited!  Another granddaughter!  And doesn't Liberty and Freedom have such a cute ring to it!  I am so loving this title of  Lolli!!

Trying not to get attached

That's the plan and what we keep telling ourselves concerning our puppies.  "Don't get too attached!"  But, I'm not so sure how we are doing.  I think we've already broken rule #1 and named them all.   It's easier to keep track of them that way!  So for now we have Almond Joy,

Camo (as in camouflage)

Oreo, Seven, Cobbler

Camo again.

And Bear and Reeses.

Micah keeps saying, "I'm trying not to get attached Momma!  I'm trying not to!!"  But, we think our puppies are so adorable!  They are now walking very well and looking around.  They growl, bark, howl and make plenty of noise.

And they are plenty of work!  We're trying to get them outside more and more in a playard that we bought for them.  But, with the cold snap they need to stay inside more and more in their crate. 

We have found 2 homes for them so far.  One is with Josh and Tabitha, the other is with Joshua Hamby.  So the neat thing is that at least 2 of them will stay local and close.  That's fun!  I wonder which two they will pick!?

2019 Here We Come!!

Well, 2019 is here!  If you've read my blog before, you know that I LOVE to set goals for the year.  I LOVE it!  I love the feeling of a fresh slate to fill with wonderful things!  I also love to share my goals.  It keeps me accountable and makes me eager to complete the things on my list.

I've always been goal oriented, but the past few years I've slowed down on too many goals.  I don't want it to be a wish list, but more of a realistic aim for the year.  So after prayer and thought, my goals for 2019 are:

~Stop and smell the Peppermint.  For our Christmas party I made the theme to be peppermints and printed out a sign that said "Stop and smell the peppermint!"  I loved it!  And it was a good reminder to stop and enjoy the moments, people and things that God has given me.  Life is whizzing by.  I want to make sure that I'm stopping and enjoying the journey along the way!

(Love this new sign that my Mom gave me for Christmas! Perfect for displaying my theme for the year!!)

~Read and study the New Testement chronologically, and encourage the ladies of VSIBC to do the same.  Last year I did the same Bible schedule with a few others.  It was such a blessing!! We were able to keep each other accountable and talk about what the Lord worked on our hearts about for the day.  I knew I wanted to do that again this year and encourage the ladies of church to join me.  Many are coming along with me as I read through the NT chronologically.  I also encouraged them to look for a theme or key word that they have chosen as they read.  I have chosen to look for things having to do with "moments" or time that we spend.

~Read 5 Spiritual Books.  I had to limit it down to 5.  I have so many books on my nightstand!  I need to pick the 5 that would be good for me to read this year.  When I do,  I'll post about it.

~Be diligent to help Silas, Callie and Micah through Piano Book One.  I have given them lessons here and there, but haven't been diligent about consistency.  It's time!

~Memorize the events of the life of Christ in order.  In Beth and Brenna's Life of Christ class for college, they were required to memorize the events of Christ.  It was so interesting!! I knew I wanted to do it to!  This goal is going to take some effort, but I know it will be worth it!

~Make the quilt "Summerville" (You can find a link to the PDF pattern here.)  I love to quilt!!  But lately I just haven't made the time to.  So, I want to change that.  For Christmas I bought my Mom and I the same quilt pattern from one of our favorite quilters, Camille Roskelley.  I gave Mom instructions that  it must be completed before the first day of summer. I know you're probably thinking "Only one quilt in 6 months?"  But, with the pace of my life in the season I am in, I think that is a good goal.  Plus, this quilt will push my skills a bit.  I am so excited about this.  I just bought the fabric and went out on a limb with what I picked.  I think it's going to turn out great!!  I'll share as I go along.

What a year it's going to be!  So, what about you?  Any other goal setters out there?  I'd love to hear about them!

His Office for the week

What a week this has been!  My poor sweetie has been in a good bit of pain.  He had his appointment with the Orthopedic and it was confirmed (and clarified) that he has a partially torn Achilles tendon.  I didn't realize this tendon runs up through the leg and into the calf area.  This is where his is torn.  The doctor gave us strict instructions for Patrick to not bear any weight on that leg for 2 weeks.  He must be in a boot for 4 weeks and then he will return to the Orthopedic for an MRI to check the progress on healing and to see if physical therapy is needed.

Since my sweetie hadn't been out of the house in days, and we were in Gainesville for his appointment, he wanted to run to Harbor Freight.  Poor thing, I don't think it was as fun as he had anticipated.  He's still in so much pain and walked in, (or should I say hobbled) and then went right out.

So this has been his office for the week.  He's studied, read, and made phone calls all from his recliner.  A lot of the time we have his leg on ice. 

It has been quite a week!  Glad to see that handsome smile on this face though!

A field goal to remember.

 So I mentioned we were enjoying Silas's birthday party and at the end the guys were kicking some field goals.  They were having fun and us girls were on the sidelines drinking cokes and laughing.  Then, I looked at the field and Patrick was on his back.  Poor guy was in a lot of pain.
Josh and I helped him off the field.  I knew he was hurting.  After the party he told me to take him to the ER.

Once we got to the VA ER we learned that Patrick had partially torn his achilles muscle in his calf.  That explained why he heard a popping sound when it happened.

They gave him a shot in the hip, a muscle relaxer and another pain killer, wrapped him up in a semi-cast, gave us crutches and sent us home.

As a side note, who knew bumps would be painful to go over in a wheelchair?  I don't know why they asked me to drive anyway!

 So, my sweetheart has been off of his feet for a couple of days and will see an Orthopedic Doctor on Thursday. He has been in quite a bit of pain, although today he is doing better.
Our church family has been so sweet with many calls, chocolate, sodas, chinese ice cream and visits.  They are amazing!

My competitive man is already planning his comeback!  Just not any time soon.

Flag Football Party

My Silas loves football.  I mean really really loves it!  You often can find him throwing a football around or looking at his football cards.  He's very passionate about it!  A couple of months ago he asked if he could do a football game for his party.  Sure!

It was a perfect 60*.  A little bit on the chilly side, but not too cold.  The sun was shining, and the field was ready....perfect day for a flag football game!

We all had a great time and Silas smiled from ear to ear the whole time!  He loved it!!

Even Liberty had fun!

 And Callie too!

 Then, we all enjoyed some chocolate cupcakes by our new baker in the family, Callie Grace.  They tasted soooo yummy!

His friends brought him lots of wonderful gifts.  Footballs!!

And at the end of the game, the guys were having fun kicking footballs.  The next event was totally unplanned.....I'll post on that next.