cat · death · Family life

The Cat that Occupied My Heart

The fur ball above came into our family after the loss of another beloved cat, Oreo. How I loved Oreo! She was one of those “easy going” cats. She loved big. She was sweetly dispositioned. She never ruined furniture or ate our Thanksgiving turkey. The only thing she did to bring alarm was to leave her hunting prizes on our doorstep, and on one occasion, she brought it inside! After her death, I was not ready to try to find a replacement. I knew that was impossible. Then one day…

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Easter · Family life · traditions · Uncategorized

Easter Saturday & Sunday Celebrations Podcast

Easter is the most important holiday of our year as believers, so it deserves our greatest celebration! On today’s podcast, I’m sharing how our family made the most of the whole weekend. It included Good Friday celebrations (the previous podcast) as well as fun and meaningful times on Saturday and Sunday. There were some pretty funny times as we lived out these traditions, but it became such special memories to our family. As you listen, I pray it will inspire you with creative ideas you can implement into your family celebrations!

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Easter · Family life · traditions

Easter Traditions for Your Family – Podcast

Happy Spring! With the coming of spring also comes my favorite holiday – Easter! With it only being a few weeks away. now is a good time to start planning some fun and meaningful traditions to do with your family. On today’s podcast I’m sharing some simple suggestions to stir your creativity. When Easter arrives you will have had some fun family times together while teaching and emphasizing the message of the cross and the empty tomb to your children. Listen and be inspired about what you can do!

Go here for the recipe for this yummy cake, perfect for Easter!
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death · Family life

Finally Home

I was a daddy’s girl. In my elementary school days I was a bit of a tomboy, mostly because I wanted to do what my dad did. I would spend time in the yard with him. I loved playing ball with him. I would tag along when he went to the barber shop. In my teen years he was mainly the one that taught me to drive. After I got my license he offered me the newer, sportier car to drive to school IF I would learn to drive a standard transmission. He patiently endured my jerky stops and lunges when I popped the clutch! We played tennis together and took walks in the snow on our country road. I loved to hear him try to tell a joke. He would cry so hard tears would stream down his cheeks. He had a quiet, gentle spirit, reminiscent of Matthew on Anne of Green Gables. He was a servant, always putting others before himself.

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Family life

The Importance of Family Mealtime & Worship

I know I say this often, but “one of my favorite episodes of Andy Griffith is” when Aunt Bea is out of town and Andy and Opie are bachelors.  The chicken burns to a crisp, filling the kitchen with smoke.  Just when everything is at its worst, Peggy (single, attractive Peg) drops in.  Andy’s afraid she’s trying to wedge her way into their lives to become his wife, so he is reluctant to accept her offer to cook them something decent for supper.

Andy – “Oh, we wouldn’t want to impose.”
Peggy – “You’re not imposing!  It would be fun for me.”
Opie – “Let Miss Peggy have some fun, Pa.”

The episode ends with a lovely meal fixed by Peggy in an atmosphere that creates a desire for talking and music – unlike the bachelors had had before she stepped into her apron in their home.

This episode reminds me how much our presence does for our home.  We create an atmosphere there.  That atmosphere is what most homes need, and it happens just because you and I are present.  A man can light a candle or cook a meal, but it’s usually the woman who sets the tone and setting at mealtimes. If she’s not there it’s just food.  If mom’s there, it’s an event.  

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