We are well into the new year and have now passed through the first month of that new year and so I decided to begin a new tradition here at Apron Strings & other things. I have accepted the invitation Cheryl from Thinking About Home put out for us join her in Gathering Moments. I’ll be taking a look back on each month, sharing a few photos and thoughts and remembrances. Mainly because I am sentimental, and forgetful, and it’ll be fun!
PHOTO SOURCE: our very own talented daughter Caitlin
“While the earth remains,
Seedtime and harvest,
Cold and heat,
Winter and summer,
And day and night
Shall not cease.” [Genesis 8:22]
This winter has been a long, harsh, cold winter. It takes effort to stay warm, to be positive, to keep a smile on my face. I remind myself that God ordered our days and our seasons. How grateful I am to know that Spring will arrive, just as He has planned. And so I look each day for joy and blessings to keep myself out of the doldrums.
Did you know the Tea Party Princess lives at my house? Our Bekah sets the china and gathers her guests almost daily. She might be serving tea, or lemonade, or coffee or even water and on you plate you might find anything from plastic toy cookies to graham crackers to Cinnamon Struessel Muffins fresh from the oven. One day she served up Lilla Rose Flexi Clips!
In order to stave off Cabin Fever, I highly recommend exercising your sense of humor. There has been a lot of eye-rolling from the children as Mom drops her ‘punny’ jokes or belts out a broadway show-tune at the top of her lungs or hits the ‘easy’ button as they finish a job well done – “That Was Easy!” We have also changed up our days a bit, trying to do some ordinary things in an out of the ordinary way – like language lessons in the bath tub? Yep. She assures me it was quite comfortable and she could do her lessons so much better.
And then, January is the perfect month to get started cleaning out clutter and getting started on some house projects. We are working through the house, one room at a time, getting rid of things we’ve out grown or no longer use (or never use). It’s hard work, but such a good feeling. Kind of like revival, giving us new life.
And speaking of New Life . . . the highlight of our January was welcoming this beautiful baby boy into the world, into our family! The firstborn to our daughter Caitlin and her husband, he is most definitely a bright spot in this dark winter. We just love him to pieces. Our 6th grandchild, 4th grandson. God is good, all the time and we have been blessed abundantly. These are the things I choose to focus on as we wait for spring.
Cheryl is hosting a party at her place for others who are Gathering the Moments. I’d love to see you there! This post may also be shared at some of these wonderful places.
Oh, there is nothing like a new baby to brighten your world! I am so excited for all of you!
I appreciate what you said about choosing to focus on the joy and blessings. (I think that is an entirely different thing than a “power of positive thinking” mentality.) When we see that everything from His hand is good, we see it all in a whole new light!
I love your “mom” sense of humor! 🙂 I NEED an “easy button! How fun is that?!
I also love hearing about Bekah’s tea parties…so cute. Now if I could just get in the bathtub to catch up on my own work… 🙂
Thanks for linking up, Linda! (And for the sweet comment you left at Thinking About Home.)
aww, thank you Cheryl. Your words always bless me 🙂 I so enjoyed my time today visiting everyone who joined your Gathering party – thank you for hosting! I look forward to more visits throughout the year.
p.s. – wouldn’t it be wonderful to be so productive while lounging in the bath? but I know as soon as I get myself settled, someone would come calling 😉
Hello Linda
It’s quite hard for me to imagine that desperate cold as we are experiencing the hto languid days of Summer!
But I have just talked to my daughter in France where they are longing for Spring too.
The children have cabin fever as it is much too cold to take their littlest one out.
A big welcome to your newest family member – the greatest gift is a new life!
Thank you for visiting me and I hope you come to NZ one day!
thank you, Shane! I keep telling myself the winter won’t last and in a few months we’ll be wishing for cold weather again. Have a wonderful week!
Any month with a new baby is a beautiful month to me! Congratulation on the new grandbaby!
I agree, Melissa – babies make everything more special! thank you for stopping by to enjoy moments from my January. have a blessed week!
The easy button!!!!!!!! I was so excited to see that picture. Especially after you had mentioned it recently in our conversations.
And that sweet baby makes me smile every time I see his little face in a picture. Enjoy him grandma. You are blessed indeed.
😀 I thought of you when I added that ‘easy’ picture, my friend. I should add that conversations with sweet friends warms these winter days!
Congratulations on your new grandchild. I know what you mean about cold harsh winters. We are having an unusal one for the South. Thanks for letting us know about Gathering Moments. I plan to work on a post now.
I can’t imagine any better way to start a new year than with a new grandchild!
😀
Cabin fever is not possible with a precious new baby…congrats! 🙂
I agree! My only regret is this wintry weather is keeping me off the roads and I don’t get in to see him often enough. Thanks for stopping in to celebrate his arrival with me, deb 🙂
I really enjoyed this post. Thanks for sharing it.
Thank you Judith. I’m so glad you stopped in – I always enjoying your sweet comments. Have a blessed week!