Thankful Thursday

Every week, there is so much to be thankful for.

• Absolutely gorgeous autumn weather which enabled me to spend time outside, weeding, mulching and preparing the veggie garden.

• My creative, talented, lovely children - Lego building, story writing, cross country running, caring for each other and others.

Whirlwind designed some Minecraft Lego

Legoman won an award at school last Friday, which is awarded to one student a week over the whole school. The award is for service, so I am so proud of him for winning this award. It was awarded for 'positively encouraging and supporting others while also participating appropriately.' 
And tomorrow we will be heading to Warrnambool to watch Legoman run in the regional cross country. 
I am thankful that the boys are learning that serving others is the same as serving Jesus, and that they are kind and considerate towards others.

• My hubby, who takes care of us so well and allows me to be a homemaker when it is not the most popular or socially acceptable stand to take.

I pray that this be so, although some days I fear it is not.

• Heartfelt Photography. 

This is a volunteer organisation of professional photgraphers who volunteer their time to provide photographs for families who have experienced stillbirth, premature births or children with terminal illnesses. What a blessing they are. My daughter received her photos from the birth of her daughter and they are precious. I cannot thank Heartfelt enough for giving her these precious memories to hold on to until she meets her daughter in Heaven. 

What are you thankful for this week?

Unnoticed Mothers

Mother's Night was held at the boys' school last Friday. It is a night held every year near Mother's Day, where the children hold chapel, the mums visit their classrooms and receive a gift they have made, and we all have a pizza dinner together.

Whirlwind's card and painting

Legoman's card, vase and bath salts

This year, the principal's message was about noticing our mums. He said, sure we know they are there every day, but do we really notice them?
Then he played this video, which I thought was fabulous - all the mums laughed! I'm not sure how many of the children took it on board, but the older ones probably did.

Unnoticed Moms LLC

The general gist of the video is that there is a bureau for all the unnoticed tasks mums do, like laundry, cooking, etc. At the end of the list was that the mum prayed for her son every day. Unnoticed by him, but she prayed for him every day. 
And that is so important; it is the most important and powerful task we can do for our children every day. Dirty clothes don't matter as much as daily prayer for them.

I have been reading Praying The Scriptures For Your Children.

I also found these resources:

31 Biblical Virtues To Pray For Your Children

8 Great Bible Verses To Pray Over Your Child

7 Things To Pray For Your Children

5 Scriptural Prayers For Your Son

5 Scriptures To Pray Over Your Children

and there were many, many more.

From motheringfromscratch.com

From lovethispic.com

I especially like the last line in the above prayer, as it definitely is an honour to be a parent. Maybe it doesn't feel like it all the time, particularly when we wonder if all we do is even noticed. But my children are the greatest gift God has given me, no matter what.
And every day I need to strive harder to be worthy of such a precious gift.

Anything Finished This Friday?

And the answer is yes!

The Colin vest for Cuddlepie is finished (I talked about it in this Yarn Along post).

I really like how it has turned out. And super easy pattern - great TV knitting!

This shawl is one I knitted quite a while ago (before I started keeping good notes on my knitting!), so I do not remember the pattern I used or the yarn (I thought it was Fyberspates but cannot find a sparkle lace in their collection). Except that it was a laceweight with a bit of sparkle. I don't know if you can see the silver in the photo.

It is so lovely and light. I knitted it to wear to my daughter's deb two years ago.

I have been enjoying a new linky party called Wool On Sundays at Rainbow Hare. IN a previous post at Rainbow Hare, I was reading how Janine was going to make 2014 the year of USP.

(USP = useful things, saleable items, presents)

I thought in my Year of No Superfluous Spending this would be a good idea to take on board. I had already decided that I would try and make as many gifts as possible this year (anyone with ANY great ideas for men and 10 year old boys, you would be my friend for life!)

But I also need to spend time making useful items. It is easy to get carried away making items because they are cute or pretty, but they need to have a use.

Of course, this quote from William Morris comes to mind:

And with so many items, these two functions can overlap and we should try to make them overlap. If you need a new tea towel, pretty it up a little. If you need some new cereal bowls, buy the prettiest ones you can afford. We all need some loveliness in the everyday.

Which brings me to the next quote I found from William Morris:

May we all find happiness in our everyday. 

Linking today with Wisdom Begins In Wonder for Fibre Arts Friday and Hard Knit Life for Freshly Finished Friday.

It was the boys' sports day today and they both did very well. Legoman missed out on age champion by a whisker.

Hooray! Lots of Finished Objects Today!

(Well, lots for me anyway!)

Finally, finally, I have searched through my various knitting bags and boxes that are spread throughout the house and finished off some items.

First the Little Lacy Raglan. This wasn't actually a lurker as I have been working steadily on it since I cast on. But all finished except for the buttons. Why is it, that even with three huge button jars, I still cannot find two measly buttons that look good on this jacket? Oh well, that means a visit to the LYS - with my eyes closed as I walk past the yarn section in the front of the shop to the back corner where the buttons are hidden. A secret ploy to entice me to buy more yarn? I think so!

I think it looks too wide and short, but that seems to just be vintage patterns.

This Milo was definitely a lurker, as it was planned for Cuddlepie when he was one and he is now three! It has been finished for ages but was waiting for buttons. Goodness knows why it took me two years to get around to finding buttons.

I think these are pretty cute! And here it is, finally!

Hmmm, and does it fit? I thought I'd give it a go for fun and, lo and behold, it does go over his body. It does but I don't know if I would say it actually fits!

And some felting. I had forgotten how much I love felting and needle felting until I got started on this. It was a present for a girl's birthday that Legoman was attending. As my girls are big now, it was great to have a girl to craft for. Sorry my lads, but it is so much more rewarding to craft for girls! She loved it and one of the other girls there immediately grabbed it and hugged it and wanted one herself. Now, THAT makes me feel happy!

And very proud of my little Whirlwind for being awarded the Emmett Award this week at school. This an academic award that is given to one student per week over all the school classes. So it is pretty good for one of the younger students to be chosen. He seemed a bit stunned when he was called up!

They keep the teddy bear in class for the week and sign their name on him before returning him for the next week's award.
Well done, my baby boy!!
Linking today with Wisdom Begins In Wonder for Fibre Arts Friday,  Hard Knit Life for Freshly Finished Fridayand Natural Suburbia for Creative Friday.