Completed quilting projects

I have still been quilting this year, I have helped Andrew finish his quilt, I made a wall hanging for my in-law's 50th anniversary and then my mom and I worked on this special project. We were at a quilt show when she saw this piece of fabric with the "Cancer cannot..." sayings. After she picked it up, she then researched what the different colors of ribbons were for each different type of cancer.  She then found fabrics to go with those colors and started making the quilt blocks. She and I worked at laying them out before she sewed them together.  Once she had the quilt top sewn, then it came to my house. While at my house I hand quilted the design and at each intersection of the black borders, there is a cancer ribbon in different colors to correspond with the other colors in the fabric.  I also finished it up with the binding.  But as we were working on this quilt, we have had some very dear people battling cancer near us, some have won the battle while others have moved on to a better place.  But as we worked on this, we had time to think about, remember and pray for those people.  We have donated this quilt to a relay for life team so that they can raffle it off.  But I just wanted to share this quilt.

I also made a smaller wall hanging for my sister-in-law for Christmas and it turned out beautiful(my opinion) and I recently saw it in the room where she is planning on hanging it and I didn't realize that the background color is a perfect match.

 

So there are some of the projects that I've been working on this past year.

Venango County Conservation Hall of Fame

We were honored to be able to attend an awards presentation program for my Father-in-law, where he was inducted into the Venango County Conservation Hall of Fame. He was recognized for his years of service of teaching the 6th graders through a Conservation Camp that he began in 19709 and the camp continues today. This program has brought the outdoors to hundred of youth in our area and an understanding of how to care for our environment and how to appreciate what we have been given.  To be able to develop a program where youth are taken to the outdoors and getting them out of the classroom has been an exciting event at the school. To be able to teach the children in a hands-on way, makes it more real and important to the students.

 Congratulations Ed Schick!

The world is a better place because of your work! Thanks

Elementary Band Concert

Tonight was the Elementary Band concert which will be Robert's last elementary concert, it's hard to believe that he is going to the Jr. High in the Fall. But tonight was beautiful. I remember his first concert and the painful sounds that came out of his trumpet and the night he screamed "I sound like a dead duck!" But there weren't any ducks tonight. I could easily pick up Robert's trumpet. He played with confidence and he played well. He may have made a few mistakes, but they weren't noticeable in the audience.  The director had talked about retiring after this year but has changed his mind. But the band prepared a giant THANK YOU sign which they held up at the end of the concert. IT was a very nice evening listening to a very good elementary and beginning band. Thank you students and Mr. Rembold.

Getting his cue from Mr. Rembold

 

 The students that attended the PMEA Songfest in February also performed 2 of the songs that they sang at the festival between bands. They did a great job too!!

Slowing down?

Just when I thought things might slow down just a little bit - the weather turned NICE!! The Maple syrup is done and all the equipment is cleaned and put away. It was a long season this year as we had taps out for almost a month plus I was helped Andrew cook his down too. I cooked over 255 gallons of sap into syrup in my kitchen through March and part of April.

  Robert participated in 4-H in the Mall and received several scholarships for events.
And now we have had BEAUTIFUL weather! The sun has been shining and I should do some yard work. We had a tree cut down in the yard so that needed to be cleaned up. Gary is pruning apple trees (hopefully gets them done before the blossom) and that takes cleaning up. Plus it is now time to start the flower beds. Wait I got a new front porch this March, so there is some landscaping that needs down and extra parts and pieces still need cleaned up from that.
Do I ever get to quit cleaning up something???

Okay, I'm done now - just overwhelmed with "cleaning up"  The daffodils are wonderful this year! Make sure you take time and smell a few or cut a bouquet. Gary brought me in some just the other night:) One of my favorites!

Daily Bible Readings

Did you know that there is a Proverb per day of the month? Each day for 1 month you can read 1 chapter from the book of Proverbs. There are 31 chapters and it is full of wisdom. Amazingly if you read it more than one month, you will find other things that you missed the month before or things that may apply today that didn't apply last month. The Proverbs are written by King Solomon - the wisest man , so there HAS to be something there for each of us! Take a minute and look into the Proverbs and see if it applies to your life.

Pastor Appreciation Month

It's not too late to be thinking about Pastor Appreciation month! October has been set aside as Pastor Appreciation month - so have you told your Pastor "Thank You"? There are a couple of ways to thank your pastor, it all depends on your relationship with your pastor and their family and your family budget. You could offer to watch their children for an evening out if they have children. Maybe a gift card to their favorite restaurant or bookstore. A handwritten thank you note goes a long way that you took the time to say "thanks". You could deliver coffee & cookies or donuts to the office one morning or try to find a way to bless your pastor once a week or 1 day a week throughout the month. I know there is only 2 days left of October, but it is never too late to say THANK YOU! We are having a little fun with our Pastor this year, with it being near Halloween and making sure he gets his share of candy, here is our Pastor Poem. Where appropriate there is a candy bar included in the gift bag! Make sure you take the time to say Thank You!!!

This may not be a 100 Grand, a Mint or Payday,
But we have something we would like to say.
You have given us a few Snickers in your sermons.
You have improved our Bible Smarts
We have Leaped for Joy (Frogs)
You've helped us think beyond the Milky Way.
For these things we are Beary Thankful.
Thanks for being our Pastor!
Hugs & Kisses,

Our gift bag will include the following: A 100 Grand candy bar, A York Peppermint Patty, A Payday candy bar, A Snickers candy bar, A handful of Smarties, A bag of Gummy Frogs, A Milky Way candy bar, a bag of Gummy Bears and a bag of Hershey Kisses. A really simple, but a fun way to say Thank You!

Discussing 9/11

Recently Robert decided that he was going to read the book "I Survived The Attack of September  11, 2001"  ( you can check amazon for this book)which I thought was a great idea and timing, but when he finished it this week, he had questions as he was only 9 months old when it happened. As he asked questions, Garrett had looked at the cover of the book and then he asked questions about "Well what is 9/11?" "Why would they do that?" and "How did the towers fall?" When he started to ask these questions, it dawned on me that the school wasn't really discussing this topic (which Robert confirmed for me) and that neither of them had seen the events of the day. So we discussed it a over a couple of days this week. We have magazines from that 9/2001 that we pulled out and looked at the pictures and the stories and then we searched 9/11 videos.  As we sat here by the computer, watching the events, I tried to explain what we knew when it happened, how scary it was and some of the aftermath.

IT was a very god learning experience, but I made sure that we had lots of time (not a deadline) so that we could discuss as much as the kids wanted to. If you haven't discussed this with your kids, you might want to take that opportunity. It was a good time of discussion, learning and sharing. It let me boys know that I am real and that yes I was scared that day. And most importantly that we will be okay.

This book was a good starting point and maybe we should have read it together all three of us, but I'm not sure that Garrett was ready for separating the fiction and the real life events. But remember we were there and experienced the tragedy but our kids maybe weren't even twinkles in our eyes or were too small to even know that anything had happened.

School and Sharpies

Even from a distance, you can see the name on the lid of the pencil box!!!

As we get ready for school around here, I label most everything - in case they would misplace it or temporarily loose it. But in the last couple of years, I have had problems labeling their backpacks because the inside lining was black. Nothing shows up on black. But this year Sharpie came to the rescue or at least it came to my mind. I purchased silver sharpies at Christmas Time and yes I still had them. I quickly grabbed the silver sharpie and wrote names right in the backpacks on the inside. It worked great so I grabbed the black pencil box and did the same. Yeah for Sharpies in silver - you can see them on black!!! It worked great for labeling stuff for school!

LASt DAy of VBS

Tonight will be the last night of our "Be Strong and Courageous VBS" IT has been an awesome week with 64 kids one night and registered we have 77 registered. The kids are having a great time, and they are telling others the Bible stories that they are hearing. I have seen God at work this week with the children and it has been incredible VBS program is Sunday morning at 10:15am - Come see what the kids have learned!

VBS Day 1

Today was the first evening of our "Be Strong and Courageous" VBS and it went great. We had 58 kids and if I counted correctly almost 40 helpers. Today's lesson was about Daniel in the Lions Den. As I thought about this lesson tonight I continue to wonder "Are we courageous enough to pray to God even when others might be looking or trying to trip us up?" When put to the test will be take our stand and maybe be different? I hope that at VBS tonight the kids got a sense of what Daniel did and the example that he set for us.

I want to thank ALL the adult helpers that have pulled together the different areas, the decorating, the teachers and class helpers, just everyone involved big or small - I give praise for each of you because without you VBS just wouldn't be the same:)

We will be back tomorrow night at the church from 6-8:30 if you are local and would want to come join the circus!

Memorial Day

Today with temperatures near 90 it certainly felt like the 4th of July not Memorial Day. But we participated in our annual travels with the local American Legion post. They have a small service at 8 different cemeteries before having the community Memorial service. For years now, I have offered them to serve as their trumpeter for Taps if they didn't have a high school student to perform.  This year was a little bit different. Robert has been playing trumpet for almost 2 years and he is doing very well. Last year he played Taps at our church with music for Memorial Day. He had asked to play at the Legion services, but I told him that he had to have it memorized.  A couple of weeks ago, he asked if he could be my echo, he had it memorized!  This was a very special opportunity because today, my son and I played Taps, 8 times together. But playing together wasn't the part that meant the most, it was the fact that my son had a desire to play for our Veterans and to honor them. He had the opportunity to meet some of the amazing men that have served our country. He has an understanding of how important these men and women are to our country and our freedom. At the age eleven, Robert has the understanding that freedom isn't free and that we need to take a little bit of time and honor and thank our veterans.

So did you take time to thank a veteran today?  Have you exposed your family to those that have served our country or were the picnics calling your name and you forgot what we were remembering today?

Are you planning for summer?

I am not referring to planning the family vacation or trip, but are you planning for every day this summer? In order to hear less whining, complaining and fighting, I do try to plan a little bit for summer. There are craft projects already purchased for days when it is too super hot to be outside all day. Things to keep Garrett busy while Robert is working on something. Things for them to work on together.

Thankfully Robert is involved with 4-H and has his project books and activities to work on. He also has Boy Scout merit badges. So he usually can find something to do.

We are also blessed that we are involved with our County Fair. The book of things that can be entered will be printed on June 1. Garrett and I will sit down and highlight what he would like to enter in the fair and then, we get to work. If he wants to enter a photo, we might take cameras and go for a hike or to the park and just have a photo shoot. If he wants to build a rocket, I have the kit already purchased(he has started one when he was off school for his tonsils) But if they want to be in the sandbox all day- go for it. If they want to play with the waterguns - go for it.

I do keep a list of things meant more for rainy days -and things to do each week. Some of those things can be taken outside too, but sometimes we forget about board games in the summer. Things like puzzles are left until winter.

 When Robert was younger, we did try doing themed weeks.  Things like
-Water Fun week
-Bubble Week
Bug Week
Color Week
Number Week
Alphabet Week
Circus Week
Flower Week

These are just a few ideas of what we did. Lots of times I would look in Oriental Trading for ideas of things to do for each of thee weeks for a craft, I usually do not purchase 12 crafts for 2 boys, but we find something similar.  With the themes, I would find activities, science projects, crafts, games that tied into each of the themes.

A little planning for summer saves a lot of headaches.

Children's sermon - Love of a mother

I brought with me a picture of my Great Aunt on her 90th birthday and then a picture of her descendants. This children's sermon might be a little specific to me, but I think it could be adapted to other families.

As usual I got the kids warmed up a little bit with a Good morning and how are you? First let me read you some scripture. We will be reading from Deuteronomy 7:12-13 "If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the Lord your God will keep his covenant of love with you, as he swore to your forefathers. He will love you and bless you and increase your number..." Then I said that I wanted to share something that had happened to me yesterday. I held up the picture of my Great Aunt at her 90th  birthday party. I explained who she was and that how cool it was for someone to have lived 90 years. 

My Great Aunt on her 90th birthday

"That means she was born in 1922, boy that was a long time ago. So what do you think it was like to be a kid your age when she was young? (the kids didn't really give me answers so I explained a couple of things) when she was born she was raised on a farm and they were still using horses to do the farm work. She helped bake bread because that was before sliced bread. And she had to help make butter, if they wanted it for their bread. The I jumped to when she got married, she got married and her husband was sent off to serve in World War 2, while she was home raising their first child. Now I know that being a single parent is hard, but being a single parent in the 1940's would have been very difficult. But on top of that her husband was a prisoner of war. She wasn't even sure that he was living or if he would come home. But he did! When the war was over, they went on to have a total of 4 children. now kids tell me do you get along with your siblings? (And I asked a couple of the kids that I knew had at least 3 kids in the family) well these kids haven't always gotten along either, especially now that they are adults and have families, but they were all together yesterday because their mother loved them. "The Lord promised that he would increase our numbers if they followed the laws." well you see my great aunt, at least as long as I have known her, has had her Bible on her kitchen table for her quiet time with the Lord. Even when I traveled with her, she had her Bible with her. She lived her life in a way that was pleasing to the Lord. in return, she has had increase of her numbers, which showed yesterday when her descendants at her party were 34 with one on the way, but the true number is 36 as there were a few that couldn't make it in for the party. So from the love of 2 people, they had four children who in turned loved someone and they had children and it continues.

The entire family!

So with this being the week before Mother's Day I challenged the kids to start the first part of this verse with paying attention to the laws of the Lord and to maybe begin with "Obey thy mother and father" as it is never too late to start following the Lord's laws and then he will be able to increase your numbers too. Imagine what you could tell your great grandchildren if you start following the Lord now!

We closed in prayer.

Bertha's 90th

Happy Birthday!

Yesterday our family celebrated my Great Aunt Bertha's 90th birthday. It was a very nice afternoon of seeing extended family that I haven't seen in a few years. But it made me reflect on my great aunt. The things that she has lived through and what she has accomplished. Amazing! If you have an older relative, even your parents or grandparents. Take time to ask questions about what it was like when they were younger. Ask if there are pictures that they would share with you. If you happen to be lucky enough to have them share them with you, take a minute to write a little label on the back or a caption. You will be glad that you did later in live or someone else will be glad you did. Hearing stories that were shared made my aunt come more to life to me. So don't let these beautiful people who have contributed to your life slip by without learning about them.

Preparing and Prayer - well worthwhile

Well, everyone is in bed and we manged the weekend just fine. Garrett's surgery went well and he is doing terrific. He is eating soft foods and drinking lots. He is kind of bummed that he doesn't get to go to school this week, but I'm sure we will find fun things to do.

Robert has returned from camping in 30 degree temperatures. He said he had a lot of fun, but wants wool socks as his feet were cold at night. Said that the Boy Scouts cleaned up the Tionesta Dam area and they ended up with 3 dumpsters of trash pick-up. Sounds like they were busy to me.

So at least Garrett's surgery is over and it wasn't raining and cold like they were calling for this weekend for the campers. Now off to tackle this week!

Preparing...

This evening was a night of preparing kids for things to come. Garrett has surgery in the morning, so we talked about what was going to happen (again) then we got his pj's ready and we added a hospital like tag to his little lion that is going with him. To make an admission hospital tag, take a zip tie and write very small and then attach to any stuffed animal. Our zip tie was green so now Garrett wants to know what color his bracelet will be???

We also prepared Robert for his first Boy Scout camping trip. The weather doesn't look like it will be prime camping weather. Actually it looks like 30's for overnight temperatures and rain on Saturday. So extra socks, rain coat, extra sweatshirt, extra socks, long johns and an extra blanket. As a mom, I know that if he is in the right mind set he will have a great time, or with the wrong mindset, this could make or break camping and scouting for him. So I have put both of the boys into the Lord's hands. Keep them warm, comfortable and safe. I think that will cover both of them for the weekend!

Early Spring - Who can You bless?

With the early spring here, (80's in March is unheard of!) The daffodils are out, the forsythia are in full bloom and Easter is still 2 weeks away! So yesterday as I was pruning some bushes, the neighbor was out for a walk. I went right over, cut off a bouquet of forsythia and handed them to her. Her face just lite up add it made my day to be able to share something so simple. So what can you share and bless someone this spring? Could you go do some spring clean-up in a yard for someone? Deliver flowers from your garden? Or maybe, even though it is inside, offer to help someone with spring cleaning? It is refreshing to you too to help someone else!!!!!

Grilling Season!!!

Wow somehow, we went from winter shortly through spring and now are enjoying 80 degree temperatures! Well get the grill ready and get outside for some grilling! here is a link to a propane tank refund. It worth $3 or $3 dollars depending on where you get your propane, but hey every dollars counts!!! http://www.bluerhino.com/BRWEB/Tank-Exchange/Coupons.aspx

Happy 100th Birthday Girl Scouting!!

Today is the 100th Birthday of Girl Scouting. As a Gold Award recipient, I know that Girl Scouting can completely change a person's life. I had opportunities to be a Counselor in training, to be a Day Camp Director, to attend a Wider Opportunity and to travel to Savannah, GA to the home of Juliette Gordon Low as a scout. These were great opportunities for me when I was younger. The badge work and service projects taught me to be mindful of my time management and that helping others is something that is always needed.

So as a passed scout - Happy 100th Birthday Girl Scouting!!!

Happy Birthday Robert!

Well today was Robert's 11th birthday. It doesn't seem hardly possible that it has been that long, until you look through the photo albums and see how he has changed. He is definitely determining who he is and how he will live by his decisions. Somedays he is such a young man and well then there are other days. But it's hard to believe that he is pretty much too big to sit on my lap, but we can still snuggle together once in a while. He makes me proud by his actions and how he handles responsibility.

So Happy 11th birthday Robert! We love you and are very proud of you for everything that you do!