Growing Time

Oh the weather continues to be so beautiful. We really haven't had much of even a whisper of snow. There is some in the forecast for tomorrow, so we will see if there will be some sleigh riding yet. Bannon has been finding ways to satisfy his longing for reckless speed in a wagon and snowboard on grass. It is not quite the same!

There are so many things to write, but simply put, we are in a transitional journey right now in life, and the words of an old hymn brought me so much comfort today. "He leadeth me, He leadeth me. By His own hand He leadeth me." If there is one promise that has always comforted my heart of hearts, it's that He will NEVER forsake us.


Our dear Abby turned 7 recently. She eats up the attention. And much was given to her. We took her out for lunch, toy shopping, and a visit to great Gram's. She received her chosen dinner of hamburgers, and she solidly blew out her number 7 candle.


Grady is, to quote someone who said it, I don't know if it was Bannon or Cotter, well, an expert 2 year old. He is cute and a lil stinker rolled into one. Oh, we love this darling boy so very much.


Bannon is almost finishing his basketball season. He has enjoyed it tremendously and it's been a special growing time for him.


“In this time of extraordinary pressure, educational and social, perhaps a mother’s first duty to her children is to secure for them a quiet growing time.” ~Charlotte Mason



~Cassandra

Whistle While You Work

The crowns we made carried into the next days of living. They wore them out and about, while fighting aliens and balancing on felled trees and under bushes.





When the kids are quiet I love to take their pictures in their quiet work. Sophie has been practicing her alphabet with the computer during the times we are otherwise occupied. Bannon and Abby love to sit by the fire doing their work.


The girls made a crown for great grandma, Babci. She turned 98. Her favorite birthday memory was when she was a little girl, about the age of 9. She got a bike for her birthday, and has not forgotten how much it meant to her.


~Cassandra

Blue Skies

Excuse This House ~author unknown

Some houses try to hide the fact that children shelter there
ours boasts of it quite openly.
The signs are everywhere...
For smears are on the windows
little smudges on the doors
I should apologize, I guess for toys strewn on the floor.
But I sat down with the children
And we played and laughed and read;
And if the doorbell doesn't shine,
Their eyes will shine instead.

For when at times I'm forced to choose
The one job or the other....
I want to be a housewife
But first I'll be a mother


Oh, it has been so long since I've talked here! I miss this. And funny thing, I find this spot to think and reflect is such a help to me.

Have I ever shared here how much I love to clean? I *love*a clean house. Maybe a little too much, if it makes me a grumpy woman to be with when the messies take over. We do chores, but the smallest ones keep me on my toes, and I frequently discover messes I was not aware were even possible to make! And I find I'm tired. Weary. Not really just the messies. It's been a fast paced season in many ways. So, I'm letting things shake that need to go, and by God's grace through friendship, remembering the me I've been made to be through His Word and words, books that have been dear to me, I am rediscovering the daily bread the Lord wants to give to me day by day.

The weather has been so beautiful. It's hard to believe this is February!
We had a great time outdoors playing and I sat back and watched the happy kids play.



A six armed beast!


Bannon climbing a tree.


Blue. makes me just melt.


Happy red.


Back inside it was crazy and busy, spinning and whirling while we cut out crowns and decorated them. But it was good busy. The happiness from it that lasted the day made it all worth it.
Simmering soup for our sick family members. I put it in in the early morning to give myself a start, and what a wonderful smell we had to last the day until dinnertime. We had fresh bread with it.


Making paper crowns.


So proud. :)


Sleeping Beauty at nap time.


Morning cuddles we've caught on camera. So thankful for the love between them all. These moments really make me feel very rich. I'm hoping we are seeing that old saying come true. "What goes around, comes around."





Brother and sister off to the ball.


~Cassandra

January's Sunlight

We had such a treat recently. We were able to listen to Hannah sing at a recent jazz concert. For years we have listened to her belt out alto tunes, and there she was doing it for a wonderful jazz ensemble. It was a lot of fun, and I was a proud mom.


Grady's favorite thing to watch is her recorded singing. It's pretty cute! :)





Little guys making their own fun. Dancing.


Climbing the large stairs and making up their own games.


~Cassandra

Winter's Winds

It has been so cold! Well, it is January after all. So we've been staying by the fire to keep warm. It's so cold, we pass right on through the entrance room, and put our jackets on the chairs instead, and look at silliness that begins just to stay warm!

Silly Abby





Silly Sophie





Haha! The cold outside, make the cheeks red like cherries after playing in it!





My morning's thinking chair, with the fire right in front of me.





And in the morning, it's just the place for pajamas and coziness.





The day begins with a little tv, chores, play, rest, table time. School for the littlest ones looks like this:

















We are working on habits of work, obedience, and attention. I tend to get a little absent minded, and remind myself of its need for days that run a little better.

There's no place like home.





~Cassandra

A Day of Play

~Cassandra

"Father knows best"

Sitting by the fire this morning and reflecting on the love of God. I have so many thoughts and questions. I'm so thankful my heart is reminded again and again that He will never give us a stone when we are in need of bread. Though the answers may not always be what I was hoping. Rest is truly in believing that God knows best. Father knows best. He knows best.





The holiday season with its memories and busyness and savoring and workings has passed and it was a sweet time. We followed the motto "something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read" this Christmas. It was different for the kids, but we hope their gifts were close to what is truly personal for them.





Time with family was of course the most precious gift of all. What is life without relationships? Uncle Matt and Uncle Joe joined us this year after being away for several years pursuing God's call on their lives.





We were then able to get away for a day to visit our relatives in the northern country. We traveled our first married years stomping grounds, the Adirondacks. I saw a flying bald eagle en route through. How awesome is that?











We had a lovely time catching up, playing, watching a couple movies, visiting with friends, eating most yummy foods. Unfortunately, we also brought along a sneaky tummy bug that we seem to have shared.





























Bella and Uncle Ben :)





The sickness, thank you Lord, was furious but quick, and health is being restored quickly.





I am really looking forward to this new year. We are still praying and discussing what this fresh slate brings to us. We may plan our way, but the Lord will direct our steps.
~Cassandra