Bath Mat #2

Well, I'm making some progress. It's way bigger than I intended, but it's definitly big enough to accomodate Matt's size 12 feet! It will be a neat sqaure by this weekend, then I will crochet a simple edge around both bath mats. Maybe in white~ we shall see.

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Warm and Toasty

Well, hello! Come on in. You're just in time as I was about to start a pot of coffee! My fingers are numb from hanging out laundry in the cold. Funny how it didn't bother me nearly so much last winter? It's barely cold out here and I'm already hurting. I'm thinking this may be another sign that we are in for a seriously bad winter. Ah, toes warming bu the fire. So nice after a truly long day. I worked today, then came home and ran four (4) loads of laundry, hung out three (3) so far, partially cleaned out the shed, trimmed the lawn a bit, made dinner, washed some dishes and scrubbed some floors. I have one blanket to hang over the fence to dry, then I'm going to shower while the next load runs. Somewhere in all this I have to poke and tickle Matt, then prep more Avon brochures. Yes, I seriously do run until I fall over! Single-Parent-Itis!

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Throw Rugs for Warm Floors!

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Making Your Home a Haven Fall Challenge

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More Clouds

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Fitzpatrick House

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How Did it Get In?

Although we aren't celebrating halloween at our house, there are still the trappings of the school setting. I will admit I caved and Matt will be attending school today along with the obligatory halloween party. This is the mask he made at school in art class. It's a really cool mask! He's a werewolf. Even if we were celebrating, I wouldn't have bought him a costume as he old enough (and, by far creative enough) to make his own should he choose to. Tonight we will go over the principles of halloween and how it's the opposite of Christian. Keeping a strict Christian home can be a challenge when your child goes off to be taught by others. I can see why so many Christian parents homeschool!

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What's Next to the Moon?

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Be Grateful Challenge~ October 2012

1st~ sleeping in; fresh, hot coffee (why was it so super yummy this morning?!); driving Matt to school and our chat; walking into work w/ my boss; catching up books somewhat; road trip for work; Matt doing homework promptly
2nd~ MorningStar Mission's holiday basket sign-up and the super sweet ladies I talked to while in line; texts from friends; hustle and bustle of a short work day; picking Matt up at school; a boy who was good at school even though the lights went out, all moved to auditorium together to study (could have been an auditory nightmare) and a cold lunch of one small slice of pizza and a bag of carrots; driving to Matt's doctor appointment in Aurora and the nice chat we had; doctor being polite/ kind; listening to Matt's chatter as we drove home; Matt taking off to ride his scooter/ hang out down the street w/ all the teens; kitchen counter cleaned thoroughly; laundry; Bible study time and where He lead me; sleep
3rd~ sleeping in; captain snuggle-butt; a lake in my bed (we're still learning); toast with peanut butter; Matt inviting me to "put on a skirt" and join him on the front 'porch' while he ate breakfast and waited for the bus; work; too short skirt into 'free pile'; Avon order here :) and boots returned; Bon Jovi Unplugged samples here :D; him all dressed up~ dang!; a chat with a Christian friend and silent prayers for His will in her life; errand for work; offering Christ even if they refuse Him; remembering He closes some doors to open better ones and being able to be strong in this even if it hurts; 2nd road trip for work; anticipating tomorrow's church trip; feeling truly broken; all the blessings He bestows that I cannot anticipate.
4th~ sleeping in (this is becoming a pattern); a sweet boy; the puddle in my bed; generic raisin bran; skipping coffee, then buying a caramel frappe at McDonald's; salad for lunch; quiet research; call from a friend; texts from friends; long chats; getting books somewhat caught up; free firewood; Aiden loving his birthday present from Matt and I; sitting securely in His love
5th~ the way He works in my heart to change me
6th~ crystal clear vision; happy, smooth morning; conscientious parenting; new candy to sell at work; realizing where my heart is; road trip for work and the side trip for Matt to take in his recycling~ $9.00; watching Matt divide his earnings~ $1.00 for tithes, $4.00 owed to me, $4.00 his personal spending money
7th~ nice morning; early to church breakfast; fun Sunday school class with the kids :); church service that hit home (I think for everyone in the congregation!); that look; that soft small smile; a simple lunch; banana-vanilla yogurt in the dehydrator (house smells so yummy!); simpler dinner; bit of laundry done; new resolve on laundry issues; just wanting to please Him; thankfulness that the drama is not mine; quick chat with a friend; texts; knowing it's soon; knitting and relaxing; just being grateful
8th~ sleeping in (although this has to stop as I need to be getting up to pray); cooperative boy; to work on time; texts; boss here; fresh, hot coffee (at least it was when I poured it!); knowing I am loved by the King; www.aholyexperience.com; getting a lot accomplished at work; oatmeal for a late breakfast at my desk; knowing He is working all this for his plan and for good in my life; Matt helping clean our apartment at work; Matt reading Proverbs 8 to me; Matt with me all day; meeting with boss and huge sense of relief; 
11th~ sleeping in and snuggling Matt; having a son I'm proud of; watching him have fun last night at the 4-H Eco-Bot Challenge; who he is when he gets the right sort of attention/ encouragement; a smooth morning; a nice, hot shower; texts from those I love; chat w/ a friend and her perspective; uneventful drive to work; nice clothes from Helen; Coca Cola slushie; the planning of a hike for us to complete the Will County Woods Walk Challenge; respectful, polite young people; the amazing way He provides; His response to our obedience; chat with a sweet church lady and finding we have a mutual acquaintance; being stood up for a hike; hiking alone with Matt at Joliet Ironworks; quiet evening at home; a lot of help from Matt
12th~ sleeping in until 7:00 am and Matt still catching the bus to school; hanging out Matt's wool blanket and my pillow cases before work

17th~ dry bed; sweet; sleepy boy; fresh, hot coffee; hanging Matt's laundry on rack to dry; made bed; new cell phone; nice drive to work; new head coverings and lesson included from Him; texts from church friends; a lot of work done at work; working on creative projects and watching it all come together; Avon here and ready to sort tonight; Bible study this evening
18th~ a visit from a friend and his actual realization of where I am in my walk and the implications toward our friendship/ relationship
19th~ Matt's bus driver being willing to come back for him when he missed his bus; fresh, hot coffee; having a job
20th~ cooperative, hurried morning; drive to Joliet Airport for a flight that is next Saturday; a sweet son and his heart-felt compliments; Avon orders; sweet friends; true friends through it all;  

26th~ sleeping in all snuggled up to Matt; beautiful soft mist hanging over my lot this morning; hanging out a blanket on the fence; fresh, hot coffee; Matt loading the Jeep with items to take to work; payroll getting done without hassles; Matt cleaning his apartment happily; oatmeal for breakfast; Spanish rice with kielbasa for lunch; longing to hear his voice; separation from many, but feeling closer to a few and the peace it brings; and his voice and my heart skips a beat (as it always does); free firewood; hurricane Sandy; Avon orders and financial stability; Matt stacking firewwod (even if under duress); wanting a Coke, but drinking Arizona green tea with ginseng; laundry folded; fire roaring; cooperation; Matt;s hair cut; snuggle time; knitting, relaxing and praying 
   27th~ Young Eagles Flight at Joliet Airport; watching my son board a small plane; hearing Matt's excitement before and after his flight; work; errand for work; Tabitha at Harris BMO; Matt looking through work library for more books to read; a tenant interested in our church; Matt playing Christian music for me on his radio
28th~ breakfast with church family; watching Matt and Dimiko's antics; a good pastor; Rosie Mabry's coming wedding; message in church service that clarified; hike with Matt on Old Plank Road Trail; rules are the rules; Matt to bed early; house 70F without running furnace; furnace set back down to 55F~ my bill will be low, yet we will be warm; long, hot shower; Lafaye's order added to my Avon order; surprise ordered for someone fuzzy; texts with Mfon (giggle-giggle); knitting second bath mat and plotting & planning my next project; listening to the John Moore show http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgM7UU9FzEg&feature=em-share_video_user; peaceful home; fire roaring; laundry drying by the fire; glass of cold milk   
29th~          

Joy Dare~ October 2012

1st~ 3 gifts orange~ post-it note; salad dressing; Matt's Youth Group shirt
2nd~ 3 gifts falling~ parking lot stumble (learning to slow down); doctor's apprehension; night  
3rd~ a gift caught, let go , mid-way~ reality of the man's statement; control to Him; head covering journey
4th~ 3 gifts reaped~ security in His love; a plan to follow; call from friend  
5th~ 3 gifts returned~ love and respect; His closeness to my heart/ listening more closely for His voice; peace in my heart as I earnestly seek His will  
6th~ 3 gifts redeemed~ the contentment of knowing I am following His will; my sins; real, true friendships 
7th~ a gift baked, stirred, eaten~ cookies for children in nursery; banana-vanilla yogurt; peanut butter and homemade peach-fig jam on crackers 
8th~ 3 gifts prayed for~ boss' understanding of issues; visit without expectations; His will  
9th~ 3 gifts praised for~ better organization at work; rest at home; revealing conversation 
10th~ 3 hard eucharisteo~ other people's attitudes; current situation; gift coming that I can't open for a while   
11th~ 3 gifts of change~ pulling closer and distancing with the pain and joy of both; less and more at work; relief that prayer and fasting can bring PUSH! 
12th~ a gift small, smaller, smallest~ fasting and prayer; all balancing out over time; peaceful day
13th~ 3 gifts read~ Matt reading me Proverbs 13 and 14; verses read as my day progressed   
14th~ 3 gifts said~ "I love you, Mommy!"; support of rules; "yes"' when I told a small boy he is a good boy 
15th~ 3 gifts re-read~ Judges 13: 1- 25, literally read 3 times 
16th~ 3 gifts burning~ longing to do more for Him; the old me; candles in my office and home as part of 'Making Your Home a Haven Challenge'
17th~ 3 gifts ugly-beautiful~ realizing I forgot to buy adding machine paper; forcing the books to balance; reactions to my Christian head covering journey 
18th~ a gift shared, saved, surrendered~ goals; salvation; my plans
19th~ 3 gifts unexpected~ tween cooperation; munchies; offer of help at homestead  
20th~ 3 gifts unconventional~ head covering trial run; seating during church service; Sunday school lesson 
21st~ 3 gifts undervalued~ time at home with family; organizing; home cooked meals
22nd~ a gift silent, still, strong~ prayer each time I hear his voice; waiting on Him; what He makes me
23rd~ 3 gifts begun~ changes in my walk; new bath mat; revamped friendship
24th~ 3 gifts accomplished~ standing my ground; Bible study at church; sitting with someone new
25th~ 3 gifts enjoying~ time at home to catch up; almost everything back into the attic; snuggle time with Matt  
26th~ 3 gifts extravagant~ His grace; mist hanging over my yard this morning; His plan for me
27th~ a gift humbling, honoring, happy~ the waiting on Him; willingness to wait on His timing even when it's easier to do it my way; Matt on Young Eagles Flight 
28th~ 3 gifts in Christ~ honest Sunday school lesson; Rosie Mabry's coming wedding; solid church service teaching and revelations brought 
29th~ 3 gifts on time~ 
30th~ 3 gifts overjoyed!
31st~ 3 gifts hallowed~  

    

Matthew Joyce, Young Eagle

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After-Hike Antics

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Hiking

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Today's Hike

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Odd Cloud Formation

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Day 268/ 366

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Birds at Dusk

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What's With the Birds?

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Day 268/ 366

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Interesting Sunset

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