Day #2

The crux.

 

Poultry!

Barn work.

 

Rewards.

Satisfaction.

 

Baker's pride.

 

Dreamin'.

 

Funnel cake goodness.

 

Just lovin' the Fair, ya'll. 

 

(PS - That is Blossom2 licking the funnel cake plate, not me. 

I did briefly consider it, but the size of the bear show crowd around me

deterred me from acting my shoe size, rather than my age. 

Incidentally, my shoe size IS Blossom2's age.  )

Day #1

Some people go the fair to get funnel cakes.

 

We go to get rabbits... and ribbons.

Roundup

Last week and this week have been thoroughly and completely demanding weeks, and not just because the Fair is coming up.  At the beginning of last week, I looked at what needed to be done and how much time there was to do it and thought that the only way to accomplish what was needed was to soak especially in God's grace and strength.  I literally made seven checkboxes and made it a priority to spend time with God each day.  Honestly, when I get crazy busy, the temptation is always to cut my time with God.  Tell me you are often tempted to do the same.  But,

"Every morning lean your arm upon the window sill of Heaven.  Then, lean strong to meet your day." 

His strength richly supplied all we needed to come through to the glory of God and I am still relying on that strength this week.

I needed reminders throughout the day too, so I went back to one of my teenage/twenties years' methods of reminding myself of Truth ~ index cards in highly visible places!  One of these cards says, "I am thankful that I have the Holy Spirit to grace me in all the difficult things I must do today."  Such perfect and succinct reminders of Truth for me as I go about my day!

 

Here's my brain dump for the upcoming 10 days of the Fair whirlwind.  I've been trying to be wise by stocking good snacks and cooking some make-ahead ingredients/meals, in addition to all our other prep.  I want to enjoy this week with the girlies.  I despise being a monster mommy and when I'm overwhelmed, I turn into one.  #justsayin

 

I'm totally loving this quote from our Keys for Kids devotional yesterday.  (Blossom3 told me today that she LOVES Keys for Kids. #winwin)  It's helping me keep everything in perspective, especially as I try to do the most important things first each day. 

 

"Only one life, 'twill soon be past. 

Only what's done for Christ will last." 

 

Tomorrow all the country girl fun begins.  The whole family will help wrangle 30+ animals over to the fairgrounds for "roundup."  It's the first year taking rabbits AND chickens to the Fair, so even the Rugged Mountain Man is helping out.  #applausefortheman  Then, we'll head back later to do face to face interviews/judging and book check and other such 4-H details. 

 

I'll be keeping in touch.  Now, I'd better go get the green and white fabric cut into strips for rabbit and chicken pen decorations.  #countrygirlfun



Dominique

Steady plodding

Little by little...

Steadily plodding...

One "bite" at a time...

Stitch by stitch...

Step by step...

Voila!!!

Blossom1 and Blossom2 are very pleased with their creations!

What first?

I read this post on Living Well, Spending Less.  It was a terrific and well written reminder to do the most important things first.  For moms, that's easier said than done.  A mom's morning often plays out like this:

You're trying to have a morning quiet time, enjoying the peace and quiet with your morning cuppa, only to be interrupted by having to strip down a peed in bed.  Then, inevitably, the dog pukes.  Of course, after that, the children act like it's been DAYS since they last ate.  Next, the phone rings and you're in the throes of resolving that issue.  Next, you receive news from two blond farm hands, that a chicken has a torn wattle.  And, you're not even dressed yet! 

This verse struck me this morning. 

"...being careful to engage in good deeds,
things that are good and profitable to others." 
(Titus 3:8, my paraphrase)

Yes, despite my best efforts, my mornings sometimes look like the above.  I know you can relate.  I'm determined to do the most important things first.  Those things that matter so much to the Rugged Mountain Man and me - I'll keep bumping them to the top of the list, to the freshest parts of my day. 

I want to pay attention to doing good, doing right, doing God's will.