Returning To Normal

I created my Home Management Binder years ago...it started out a "Control Journal", but I didn't like that name AT all. It has been a wonderful tool in organizing my cleaning schedules and daily routines. It worked for me...I didn't work for it. Two years ago, Sweetheart got laid off and his business actually closed it's doors. There has been little, or nothing in the way of work ever since. God has provided for us in ways I can not even begin to share here. Just know He has performed miracles here! Anyway, in that 2 years, my schedules have been put to the side. Things get done regularly, but not always by me. Sweetheart is a clean-freak-neat-nick-OCD ....well you get the idea. He likes to clean. Problem is, he doesn't really know how. He is great at picking up and making things appear clean...in reality they are not. I would do the deep cleaning, but things were not on a schedule. Having Sweetheart here most days is like a never-ending weekend. I could never make it all work. Once or twice a week he would go to his mom's, but I usually took those days to relax and sew. Now...2 years later, Sweetheart is going back to work.

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

What a blessing...those words are an understatement. Though I will miss him SO much, my schedules can work for me once again and I find myself almost giddy at the thought of "returning to normal". Homeschool, though affected in the beginning, has moved along quite well in the last 2 years with Daddy home. Little will change, though we may be a bit more laid back. Dad liked everything "timed"....and he preferred the kids do school at a table. Zach use to work in every room of the house, which was fine with me. Today was testing so he stayed at the table.

He was pretty confident he had done well.

Sassy will miss Sweetheart as much as we will. He is the one who gives her treats! I found this pic of her this morning....remember when she looked like this???

That little 1 pound 7 ounce sweetie with the cut off whiskers? She sure grew up.....

....and OUT! Maybe she will thin out now that "Daddy" is not here all the time!

I am so thankful for the last 2 years and even though it has been difficult, I would not trade them for anything. Having all that time with my husband was a gift. That is how I look at it! I am excited for him in this new job as he creates a new future for himself and for me and the kids. He is an amazing provider!!!

Ok, on to some quilty-sewing news. I joined a PIF on facebook. It was a 5 person PIF and I signed up with Christina. She sent me a beautiful hand-made tea wallet.Inside she had filled it with some wonderful teas and a scripture print from her online store, For His Glory Photography.
Go take a look at her prints. They are GORGEOUS!! You can find them by clinking on the above link.

Christina signed up on my PIF so I made her this....I chose the Wagon Wheel design because she and her family moved out west this summer. They traveled by RV and made a real memory of the trip.

Here is the back...you all know how I love the back of a quilt as much as the front.All my PIF's will have the same backing fabric to tie them together. Yeah....it was a large piece I bought and then decided against. It works for a back!
I still have 4 more to go. The 2nd one is in the hoop and the 3rd is almost ready to go there. It still has a few more leaves to add on.I may just start blogging a little more now that I will be back in "normal"...Sweetheart use to always read my blog from work and he would know how the day went before he ever saw us sometimes! His hours will be long, so I may have to take lots of pics and post them so he knows what is happening!

Oh, one more thing...we had the grandkids last week. TJ had no school Mon-Wed. so they were here Friday night and then went with Daddy on Saturday morning til Tuesday afternoon. We got them overnight again and then they went back to Mom on Wednesday. It was an unexpected blessing and we sure enjoyed them! They seem to be adjusting well. I know they sure adore their Daddy. When he walks in they go crazy over him!!! He's crazy for them too!

Ok, I think that is all for now. I'll be back soon to let you all know how normal feels!