Moved!

Take a look at my blog header. Go ahead...I'll wait. You notice something different? That's right...I'm no longer writing from the Hay Farm. Our family has moved from the home we built a little over 4 years ago to a much smaller rent house in our local small town. This move was the result of a culmination of the economy, my husband's ever changing job situation, and many bad financial decisions. (We are human, after all.) We were determined to stay in the school district that the kids are currently attending. It's a small district and we like it very much. This was our first year of public school after homeschooling. Our kids had been through enormous changes already. We were fortunate to find a rental that was in our budget and right here in town. It's older, drafty, and quirky, but I can't express adequately how grateful we are to be here.
Although it's been emotional and, at times, overwhelming, it seems that we may make it through. This latest change comes on the cusp of others that frankly, I never thought I'd see. After many years of attending Christian meetings with a local assembly, my husband and I made the decision in January to leave this fellowship in search of something more fitting with how we wanted to raise our family. It was traumatic, especially for our kids. Relationships have been altered, some even severed. But we've not looked back, only forward...pressing on toward the life that we know the Lord has for us.
I'm looking forward to getting back in touch with all of you. And though my blogging whereabouts might have changed, my original goal has not. To share, to encourage, and to be encouraged with you.

Peace, be still

This is a re-post from a little over a year ago. Our family has been through so many changes this year, and as I was perusing my old posts, this one really spoke to me again...


It's not often that I can get a photo like the one below. We live in a very windy part of our state. But this evening, the wind calmed and I could see a perfect reflection of the trees.

This photo got me to thinking. When I'm feeling whipped by the winds of life...when I'm focusing soley on those winds and how they are making me feel, I'm pretty miserable. But if I will just be calm, and let His peace flow over me, I can become a reflection of Him. He can still any wind, no matter how hard it blows. He can give you peace, and you can find the strength to be still.

A new routine at the Hay Farm...and a project!

We've been super busy here at the Hay Farm! After eight years of homeschooling, hubby and I decided to send our kids to the local public schools this year. It's been stressful, but already rewarding.

My youngest, a 5th grader, comes home every day with tales of a new friend, a story about how her math teacher likes to play 80's music in class, and what she devoured for lunch. To say she's having no problem adjusting is an understatement! She's thriving!

Our middle child, a boy, is a little more reserved about the whole thing. Being a 6th grader and in public school for the first time ever is a lot for him to deal with. He's slower to make friends, although he has made a couple. His schedule is hectic (9 classes!) and he's constantly worrying that he's forgetting something important. I can't wait to meet his teachers with the hope of letting them in on a few things that I think will help this new adventure be smooth sailing. Our son, in some ways, is not your typical 11-year old boy.

The oldest, in 8th grade, has obviously been homeschooled the longest. But of the three, she's the one I worry about the least. She's sensible and practical. So far for her, school is a place to learn...not just a social activity in and of itself. The relationships she cultivates will probably be ones that last a lifetime, both with her peers and her teachers.

So what am I going to do with myself after having a child or children with me almost constantly for the last 13 years? I haven't exactly figured that out yet...but I've got some ideas. There are always projects around the house that need to be done. Some that have needed doing for years and others that haven't even been thought up yet. This week I kept up with all the laundry and dishes for the first time in...well, ever. I also did a little sewing. But I'm not going to make this time all about me. I hope to use it to cultivate my own relationships, both with my peers and my children's teachers and peers. I plan on visiting the schools a lot...finding out what opportunities are available for involved parents. And eating lunch with my kids, of course. As long as that doesn't embarrass them too much. LOL

I started and finished one small project this past week. I knew I needed a place to keep up with our new schedules, permission slips, lunch menus, etc. So I "stole" the bulletin board out of the old schoolroom and hung it on the door that goes into the garage. I got this great idea from Amy at Cartwheels In My Mind. Just like Amy, I painted the cork to match the walls in the laundry room. I added some cute tacks and embellishments and voila! Our new control central!










What kinds of organizational tips do you utilize to get back in the swing of school?

Home Ec Lesson #5

Today I went back a couple of lessons so I could make this very cool supplies roll up. I was waiting on the oilcloth for the outside to come in from Etsy.



I think I'll put my crochet stuff in it eventually, but it also works for sewing supplies.

Home Ec Lesson #6

I realize I skipped a couple of lessons, but I'm waiting on some fabric for #5 and #4 is some bunting and I might go back and do it later, but I'm not really interested in it right now.

The Ironing Board Cover

This will take some finesse to get it perfectly fitted on the board. I'll go back and work on it later. I was just too excited to wait to take the pictures! LOL

UPDATE: Here's a new pic where I've put the clips underneath and re-ironed it. Looks better!

Who wants to join me...

for a relaxing sit and chat in this very comfortable rocking chair on the front porch?





Yeah, I don't blame ya.

Home Ec Lesson #3

Reusable Grocery/Book Bag

Home Ec Lesson #2

Gift Bag:

Home Ec Lesson #1

Today marks the first day I've had my sewing machine out in probably a year or more. I have a love/hate relationship with sewing. I love the finished products. I'm not a bad seamstress and when my kids were little I made them lots of cute clothes. But it makes my back and neck hurt...and all that ironing! Sheesh! That's my least favorite household chore as it is.

But a couple weeks ago I came across an opportunity to take an online sewing class. It's self paced and has lots of really cool projects like an apron, a duvet cover, curtains, a laptop case...26 of them all together. So I decided to haul out the ol' machine and give it a go.

The class started today with napkins. Two kinds...a single layer and a double layer. For the single layer I made a couple of denim napkins with some remnants I had on hand. Cute, but nothing special. However, for the double layer I decided to actually do something cool. I went to Hobby Lobby with no idea what I wanted them to look like. I picked up several bolts of fabric, but nothing seemed to really thrill me. So I stepped outside my normal "everything must be perfectly pre-coordinated for me to think it goes together" mindset and just bought two fabrics I liked and sewed them together.

I really like the way they turned out.

What about you? Do you like to sew?

Kitty at Rest

Jessica Sprague: Computer Tricks for Cards Lesson 4

Pop up Card!! This was so easy to make and the pop up is such a great surprise for the recipient!

Jessica Sprague: Computer Tricks for Cards Lesson 3

Today's (actually, yesterday's) lesson used a digital template that you could customize and print out to make a foldable card. Then all that was left was adding any embellishments. The template said "thank you" but I changed it to "happy birthday" since we have lots of friends and family with birthdays in the near future (a couple of them today!).

I could get addicted to this card making stuff. :-)

(Sorry for the blur....it's in focus in real life. LOL)

Jessica Sprague: Computer Tricks for Cards Lesson 2

Yesterday Maddy and I started a free online class making hybrid cards. That is, cards that use both digital and traditional scrapbooking elements. Yesterday's assignment was simply a couple of print and fold cards. We could have added anything we wished, but just left them plain.

But today we got to print out the design of a card and assemble it ourselves with different scrapbooking materials. We had a lot of fun and I love how they turned out...but even better was the couple of quiet hours spent with just Maddy and me working on something together.

Maddy's card

My card

Happy Tuesday!

I ♥ Faces: Pets!

This week's theme at I Heart Faces is PETS! This is always one of my favorite categories since I love animals of all kinds! I'm trying a little bit of variation on the theme...not sure if it will even count but I really like how it turned out! Be sure to check out I Heart Faces for all the great entries!