Ms. Redo

Sunday Morning Gratitude - 5.19.13

2013-05-19T08:54:00.000-04:00

Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy Name!

Psalm 103:1 NIV

I'm thankful for:

1. My little family - we may not be perfect, but we care for each other.
2. My friends - several ladies I can go to at any time who will listen, understand, pray.
3. Friday lunch with Mr. Redo near his workplace in the country, such a beautiful drive, too.
4. End of homeschool year - yay!
5. Great books to read, so encouraging, entertaining, enlightening.
6. My extended family - I love them, and they bring me such joy.
7. Christian praise songs and the new (to me) radio/CD player for $2 at Saturday's yard sale.
8. Awesome food and fun at a baby shower on Saturday - deliriously happy for the parents-to-be!
9. New sewing projects - loving it!
10. The privilege of praying for others; many family and friends have needs.

So my friends, what are you thankful for this week. Leave a comment!

Blessings ~

Mary

Crazy Busy Week

2013-05-18T18:27:00.002-04:00

This last week of homeschool was incredibly busy, but I'll try to catch you up on what's been happening here.

Last Sunday a family visited our church. Their last name is Barrick, and they were in a horrific auto accident in 2007. All of them were injured, but none worse than their teen daughter Jen. She wasn't expected to live, and when she did she was not expected to ever live a normal life. However, with prayers from around the world covering her for months, Jen stood on the pulpit of our church and gave a testimony of God's love. True story - I'm now reading the book:

My husband and kids really poured on the love for Mother's Day: a new den carpet, a new "spaghetti pot," and this ~

I was truly shocked when I saw this, and although it had rained the day I took the picture, we've eaten most meals in our new gazebo and had a cookout with a friend last night. So. much. fun.

And this is what's been happening during the days of sunshine and rain ~

On Wednesday a package was in the mail from XO Gigi Fabric - I'd ordered two yards of this gorgeous fabric to make a new bathroom curtain (valance, probably). I am so in love with this print!

And in the midst of end-of-year homeschool testing, I've delivered several sewn gifts to family and friends. And began work on this, which you'll see more of this coming week ~

So much fun, love this latest project from Homemade with love magazine!

And in between all these things, I began reading a new (to me) blog titled Sweet Bee Buzzings. I began with the latest post and then just kept reading and reading - Bethany (Sweet Bee) has been blogging for five years, I'm only back to 2011 but loving every minute of this awesome sewing blog. Learning so much about sewing projects I'd never dreamed of trying!

Bethany makes the most awesome quilts - and does the QAL (quilt-along) each week making one block. This is her completed Christmas quilt from 12.10.11 - love these colors!

She makes boatloads of purses, totes, and wristlets, with many tutorials ~

And shares funny stories from her family life in Philly, crafty holidays ideas, and printables ~

If you want to get lost for a week or more, head over to Bethany's blog here and start reading!

So that's it from my corner, what have you been doing this week?

Blessings ~

Mary

Happy Mothers Day on Gratitude Sunday - 5.12.13

2013-05-11T19:33:00.001-04:00

Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Luke 18:16

I wanted to share with you something wonderful that happened to me on Friday.

While visiting family and friends in Goochland, I decided to drive by the home my Daddy built and that I grew up in. My parents lived there from 1950-1999.

Elizabeth and Matthew decided to knock on the door (I hid in the car). They talked to the man who opened the door, finally I got out of the car to see what was going on.

He's the current owner. He invited us in and gave us a tour of the entire house, all three floors (basement), and all around the outside.

He asked lots of questions - said he'd been trying to get information about the house from neighbors but couldn't really learn much. Of course, I was glad to answer all the questions and give him lots more information too!

He and his wife LOVE the house, are thrilled to have it, are fixing it up - it looks fabulous, and it made me happy to know this and to see the beautiful improvements they've made.

What a wonderful day it was. I felt like my kids gave me this incredible Mother's Day gift by being brave enough to knock on that door and ask the man to let their mom come in "because she grew up in this house."

Today I'm thankful that I had a strong, kind, steadfast mother ... and I'm so thankful for the two beautiful children God gave me from the other side of the world. My life hasn't been perfect (who's has?!) but I have been blessed in these three generations.

And sweet ladies, what are you thankful for today?

Blessings ~

Mary