Life Update!

Hi Everyone!

Here is me not blogging again! :) Life has been CrAzY, I have been doing so much I cannot even keep track of it all anymore! It is kind of sad really, I have noticed that I have not been reading as much as I used to, we are such big readers in this house and to know that I am not reading as much is pretty sad! So I have been MAKING myself read a lot more, and have been enjoying myself a lot more! Currently I am reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

I have gone through about half way once when I was younger and could not really get through it. Even though many young ladies enjoy this story, you forget that it is written more adult like. So I am almost finished and I am enjoying it VERY much! It made me think, WOW, I must be growing up if I am enjoying this book and getting through it quickly, it was not too long ago when I said that I could NOT read this book anymore! :)

I have had a pretty fair amount of jewelry orders, so that is always a wonderful thing! When you are being trained to be a maker at home, it is truly amazing to find a hobby that you are passionate about, and that you are turning a profit from home! I am really excited about this, and I am hoping that it grows into something wonderful!!!

There is my update! I have so much to write about, but SO LITTLE TIME!

Blessings to Everyone!

A blog of gold!

This blog has changed me!

Take a peek, and it could maybe do something for you!

http://aspiring-homemaker.blogspot.com/

Oh Dear...

I have not blogged in forever, and I am truly ashamed. I try to keep it up, but this time I certainly have an excuse!

Was sick for almost a week, had a bruised tailbone then caught a bug on top of that... (In case you didn't know you can't walk or sneeze without unbelievable pain) :) :) :) Can you say ouch?

Lauren just had her birthday and we all had a wonderful time! I am all healed up by this time, thank the Lord, and Lauren had a great 9th birthday, her birthday included: NY style cheesecake instead of a birthday cake, many egg tosses, a good friend to play with, wonderful presents and a good, small, family birthday.

I am NOW sick again if you can believe it... and decided to blog for my poor little blog!

And... my 100th post is coming up, and on your 100th post you are supposed to blog 100 things about yourself, that should be fun! :)

AND.... my 16th birthday is this Monday... I do not mean this in a bad way AT ALL, but it is sad that I am not as excited as I used to be about my birthday, I was telling my Mom about this and she said that, that is what happens when you grow older, it just isn't the same...

Slightly depressing, but I am still excited!! Driving... AHhhHhh!!

:) :) :)

So much to do... and so LITTLE TIME!

Hi everyone! Phew, finally another post!

I made this for my Grandma for Christmas and she just LOVED it! It is made of Swarovski crystals, rondelle spacers, and bugle beads! So easy and so beautiful! This is not the picture of mine, but this is what it looks like! I used blue spacers, instead of the clear crsystal!

I have been so busy lately, that I have not been able to jewelry make as much!

Just thought I would post this quick pic!

Ta-ta!

80 Degrees Christmas Day?!?!

Yes.... unfortunately it is true. It was over 80 degrees down here in Florida. We were sitting outside with our family Christmas day, and everyone was so hot!

I was looking forward to a nice and cool Christmas, Well... God had other plans so you can't do anything about that now can ya'?

I am so wanting to move up north, and so is the family. It would be hard to leave friends and family, but there is just something about the country, and farm life that I have always been drawn to. Who knows what the future has in store for us?!

Prepare for pictures!!!

PROOF, that was hot around Christmas time. Here is baby sister Kate playing in the sprinklers CHRISTMAS EVE!

Here is Lauren's big Christmas present! Yep, you guessed it, A big ol' tree house! Woo hoo!

Good ol' Dad putting rails up. Good thing he is too, I got Lauren a camping set for Christmas and she wants to SLEEP up there now. I bet you can guess how Mom is feeling about that... :)

A HUGE suitcase size beading tote for bajillions of beads! This was one of my favorite gifts. The inside is ever better! :) :) :)

Here is.... Let's see if you can guess!

Hope you all had a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

♥Sloan♥

Stay in the Castle......

This may seem overwhelming to read right now, but it will change you, this booklet was given to me by my Mom a couple years ago, and the first time I read it I can remember crying my eyes out. It feels so right. READ THIS! IT IS AMAZING!!!!



Once upon a time, there was a princess that lived in a beautiful palace overlooking a simple but worldly village. She lived in the castle with her Father, the King, and a handful of faithful servants. Her Father doted over her, supplying her every need and most all of her wants. Over the years, she blossomed into a beautiful teenage girl, quick-witted, full of laughter, and always obedient - but increasingly lonely Ofter, late at night, she would gaze from the window of her room, high in the castle wall, watching the people far away in the streets below.

She would lean towards the gaiety, straining, past the sounds of music and laughter to try and pick out the words of the young people. No sad, lonely sounds ever reached her ears, and she began to believe that they must be the happiest people in the kingdom.“Father?” she asked one evening as they worked together on what he called her preparation. “Do you think that perhaps I might one evening be allowed to attend one of the festivals at the village? Perhaps just for a short time?”The old, wise King laid aside the Book of Lessons and looked upon his daughter with compassion, and concern. “My child , the village below is a worldly place full of sad people. The sound of merriment that you sometimes hear is their attempt to drown out the emptiness and despair of their lives. It is best that you stay in the castle.

”Though she loved her Father, it was not the answer she wished.“but Father, how will I ever meet… I mean… someday I would like to… Oh Father, you are so good to me, and I do so love it here, but at times I get so lonely!”The King sat back in his chair, his eyes suddenly seeing his daughter not as the little girl she would always be to him, but as the young lady she was becoming. He then decided.“It is time to tell you.”“Tell me what, Father?”Standing to his feet, he walked to a window overlooking the countryside to the East. His eyes fastened onto the King’s Highway, a straight road that passed high above the village and led to the castle gate.“Shortly after you were born, I foresaw The Day when you would need someone special–someone with whom to spend your life. I set out to search; to visit other castles in the Kingdom; to find a prince for you. Not just anyone, but that special someone.”The King turned to look at his Princess, her eyes full of wonderment.“I have met him. I know who he is.

”“Oh, Father, where does he live? When do I get to meet him?”“He lives far away, but not so far. In a castle not unlike this one. He, too, is being prepared as you are–both for the other. Come stand beside me, my child.”She walked to where her Father stood by the window.“See there? That’s the King’s highway. When the time is right, and not before, he will come on a white steed. You will know him.”Then taking her hands into his, he looked into her tear brimmed eyes.“Princess. Never forget you are a child of the King. You are Royalty. The one being prepared for you is also of Royal Descent. Be patient. Prepare. And stay in the castle.”She hugged the King, jumping into his arms, happy now and determined to prepare and wait. For many months, at night, she looked out her bedroom window, past the village and its sounds to the Highway above, watching and dreaming of the one who would some day come.

A year passed. Then another. The dream became harder to envision, and the night sounds of laughter and glee from the village below again began working their way slowly into her thoughts. It became harder to concentrate on her preparation; harder to be patient.One morning while taking her breakfast in the Royal Kitchen, a knock was heard at the back door; the door where deliveries were made from the village below. She waited for one of her Father’s servants to answer, but when none immediately did, she decided to answer it herself.“Hello,” said the young delivery man as he pulled off his crumbled hat and bowed. (It was an exaggerated bow, very low and lasting, followed by a winsome smile.) She couldn't’t help but laugh.“Delivery for his Royal Highness, the King,” he proclaimed with just the slightest shade of irreverence. “And my, but I must say that he has hired some lovely kitchen help, a great improvement indeed!”“Why, thank you, but I’m not the kitchen help,” she replied blushing, “I’m the King’s daughter.”

“I had heard he had a daughter. But I was never told how beautiful she was! Do you live here all alone with you Father?”“For now,” she replied, thinking briefly of the now fading story her Father had told her.He carried the supplies past her into the kitchen. “You ought to come down to the village some night. The lads would be taken with you! Lots of friends your age and wonderful parties.”“Tell me about the village.”For an hour they talked, and talked, and laughed. Every story of the village life seemed so full of humor and excitement! He acted out the stories he told and sang a village favorite, dancing merrily to the tune. She could not remember ever laughing so much, and found herself resenting her Father for not allowing her to take part.“You must come to the village this very night. The Fall Festival begins, and it is the best of the year.”She glanced awkwardly at the closed kitchen door.

“I don’t believe my Father would allow me to attend.”“Then sneak out after dark. I will meet you at the bridge this side of the village. You’ll have a great time!”“Perhaps.” She hesitated. “But I can’t promise.”“I’ll meet you there,” he said, then shut the door and was gone before she could answer.That evening, she sat with her Father in the Great Room, he reading aloud from the Book of Lessons, and she pretending to be listening. In reality, she was measuring the diminishing light from the setting sun. The distant music began to loft up from the festival below, her imagination going skyward with it. It took several moments before she realized that her Father had stopped reading.“You seem far away tonight.”She straightened her dress nervously, “No, just tired I think. Perhaps I should go to bed early.”“Darling…”“Really, Father, I’m fine,” she said, quickly getting to her feet. “Good night,” she said back over her shoulder as she scampered up the stairs.Two hours later, when it was believed that all in the castle were sleeping, a lithe, young figure stole out the kitchen door and disappeared into the night.

Three months later, a slightly older, but much changed Princess marched into the Great Room to announce to her Father the decision she had made on the previous night. Her midnight visits had increased in frequency since that first visit a life time ago. The village night life was more exciting than she had ever dared imagine. The people, though sometimes cruel, laughed and sang and danced and chased each night into dawn. They were living! Living now! Not just waiting for a dream that might never come true.The young man that had met her the first night had treated her, well, like royalty! In a hundred ways her made her feel special. Then last night, the greatest of all nights of her life, he had proposed to her.

She clutched the ring he had slipped onto her finger tightly in her palm, drawing courage from the pain it produced.“Father, I have something to tell you.”He sat in his chair, the Book of Lessons on his lap, its pages freshly stained with his tears. She almost lost her resolve.“I’ve met a young man. I know I shouldn't’t have gone without your permission but… anyway, we are going to be married–right away!”The King shut the Book and stared out towards the Highway. “I watched you go each night, wishing you back.” Then turning His eyes to her and through her. “This castle has never been a prison. This castle is a decision. I want you to know that if you leave here, things will never be the same again. My love for you will never change, but everything– EVERYTHING– else will.”She wavered for a moment, but only a moment, her head filled now with the village ideas.“I know that this is what is right for me.

He may not be Royalty, but I love him.” And with that, she left the castle.She woke with the dawn, not knowing that it was a year to the day since her departure. Her back hurt. “Just part of being in your last month of pregnancy,” the village women had told her. Rising with difficulty, her husband muttered something in his half drunken state. He had come home only hours before and they had argued–again. Oh, well, after the baby was born maybe things would get better.There was still a house to clean and chores to do. Picking up a worn, straw broom, she walked outside to sweep the front porch. Their house was small. It sat at the edge of town, not far from the bridge where he had waited for her that first night. Her eyes followed the path up to her Father’s Castle. The King had still found little ways to show her that he had not forgotten her; that she had still loved. But what he had said was now true.

Nothing was the same.Her eyes wandered to the East to spend a few minutes watching the sun rise, a simple pleasure that she shared alone each morning. Its rays almost blinded her, distorting the trees and hills beyond. Squinting against its brightness, she returned to the job at hand, first glancing absently up the High Road.Her heart seemed to stop, gripped as if by a strong hand. The broom quivered in her grasp. Far down the road came a white horse, its rider sitting straight and tall. He seemed to be coming straight out of the sun. The horse quickened its pace as it neared the castle, sensing the excitement of its master.

Her heart began to beat again, now loud and in rhythm to the pounding hoofs. He reigned his mount to a stop outside the castle’s front gate. She could not make out his features, but his stance spoke of honor and character. He knocked on the front door, her front door not that long ago. The King stepped out to greet him, and she watched as they conversed; watched as the King spoke with his hands, and then pointed toward the village. Involuntarily, she took a step back into the shadow of the porch.The noble Prince listened carefully, his strong shoulders sagging in disappointment and sadness. Shaking the King’s hand, and receiving from him a consoling hug, he mounted his horse. He looked toward her village home, his eyes finding hers in the shadows. For a moment they both stared. Then, pointing his mount back toward the sun, he rode away into its brightness.She felt the hot tears on her arms and hands long before it occurred to her that she was crying. “Nothing,” she thought, “Will ever be the same.”

NOTE: Story written by Jerry Ross.

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Well, Merry early Christmas I should say.

We are very excited about Christmas this year, our Grandma, Grandpa, and a good friend of the family is coming up Christmas day to spend time with us, and they are leaving Christmas day as well. The girls and I are beyond excited about that! They have never done that since they usually do their own thing, and also live 2 1/2 hours away from us. We are so blessed to have such a loving and wonderful family!

What a great time to be EXTRA grateful to the Lord, for the things we are richly blessed with!!!

Also, gift giving is such a fun and wonderful experience too, it is so much fun to see the expressions on the ones you love, when you give them a gift from you.

There are so many wonderful things to do this Christmas,

and I hope you enjoy each one,

Merry Christmas everyone!

○*○*○ Sloan ○*○*○