This photo was taken by our friend Kris, the summer (2004) we got engaged. We’ve changed in many ways; grown up so much. But in the important ways we are still the same two people who fell in love! Through everything, we remember that!

Proudly Submitted at*: Woven by Words, 7 Clown Circus, Wordless Wednesday, Mom Start, Live and Love Out Loud, Table for 5, The Divine Miss Mommy, Mrs. Marine & the Tiny Troops, Mom Knows It All,Run DMT, Latina on a Mission, Two of a Kind, Look What Mom Found.. And Dad Too, Hobo Mama, 5 Minutes for Mom, Go Graham Go, A Lot of Loves, The Shopping Mama, Baby in the Big City, What’s that Smell?, Momma Findings, Jolly Mom, J Leigh Designz, and thank you to Country Girl City Life for this wonderful list!

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My Work

I have the greatest work in to world;

A husband to encourage when things go wrong,

When he comes from work to greet with a song,

Denims and shirts to wash and mend,

A helping hand, when needed, to lend,

Three times a day is meals to cook,

To strive to be my best to look,

His back to rub at the close of the day,

For his faithfulness to God I pray,

When hubby’s in the field I take lemonade,

for all these tasks his love has Paid.

I am a " Wife."

I have the greatest work in the world;

The job of rocking a baby to sleep,

That of guiding his tottering feet,

A baby’s clothes to launder and fold,

A precious life to shape and mold,

A drink to give from a little cup,

At night his toys to gather up,

Hurts to heal and fears to quell,

A baby to keep clean and well,

A stack of diapers to put,

Oh, what a happy worthwhile day!

I am a "Mother."

I have the greatest work in the world;

A home to keep happy, clean and bright,

Make things go smooth and strive for the right,

Jams to cook and jellies to make,

Cookies and pies and bread to bake,

Washing, ironing, and sewing to do,

So many tasks, will I ever get though?

Lettuce to wash and peas to pick,

floors to scrub, lost items to seek,

Dishes to wash and windows to shine,

These and many more tasks are mine.

I am a "Homemaker."

Help me, Father, to faithfully work,

Forgive if I unconsciously shirk,

give me the patience and love I pray,

To keep myself in duties way;

With all the hustle that each day brings

May I not neglect the needing things;

Each day to spend time alone with Thee

That Jesus Christ be seen in me.

Thank you for husband, our home, our girls and boys;

Thank you for love which brings me much joy.

Thank you , Lord.

—-Mary Lou Burkholder

Last week was full of back pain, a cold, mounds of laundry, expensive car repairs and I can honestly say I wasn’t thinking thankful thoughts. Beth of Patchwork Chronicles shared this poem and it just touched my heart. Thank you Beth!

And thank you Lord, for placing this reminder in my path. Help me to remember to have the right attitude regardless of my circumstances; please let my heart be filled with gratitude always.

• This post links to Gratituesday

In 2009 I read:

• Small portions of scripture each day most days
• Little House in the Big Woods with the Chloe (I’d love to get the set; Chloe loved them and so did I!!)
• Passionate Housewives Desperate for God (Which was an incredible blessing! Highly recommended!!)
• The Love Dare (only part of it)
• The Unfinished Gift and The Christmas Dog
• Many wonderful blogs!

Wish List for 2010:

Books I Have and Hope to Read:

• Living Life on Purpose by Lisa TerKeurst
• The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace (I am super excited to read this one though my knees are shaking at the prospect. This is one comprehensive looking book that came highly recommended!)
• Youniquely Woman by Kay Arthur, Emilie Barnes & Donna Otto
• Biblical Womanhood in the Home by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
• Habits of a Child’s Heart by Valerie Hess and Mari Watson
• With All Their Heart by Christine Yount

Refresher Reads (Previously read, would like to read again someday!)

• Loving God with All Your Mind by Elizabeth George
• Life Management for Busy Women by Elizabeth George
• Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
• To Train Up a Child by Michael & Debi Pear

• Laying Down the Rails: A Charlotte Mason Habits Handbook
• The Early Years: A Charlotte Mason Preschool Handbook
• I don’t know why the above two books have a strike-out through them and it is frustrating me to no end! **grrr**
• The Early Years: A Charlotte Mason Preschool Handbook
• Steady Days by Jamie Martin (I read her blog Steady Mom and enjoy it greatly! This is her first book and it officially comes out in a few days!)
• No Greater Joy by Michael & Debi Pearl

Now I have a serious love for self-improvement books (my "self help" books as DH calls them) and I have to watch myself! I love books that give me fresh ideas for home-making or organization, or books the provide encouragment and motivation to a higher plain in my walk with the Lord, in my marriage or as a mother. I enjoy books that give me new ideas in teaching my tots about the Lord, life, crafts and education. And you know, I have to admit that reading blogs fills a good portion of these catagories but you know what is missing? Reading a nice story just for fun. My favorite kinds? Historical Christian Romance with a happy ending. My goal? Getting one of these in during the coming year!

• This post links to Life as Mom