Simple Woman's Daybook, 6/4/2012

FOR TODAY – June 4, 2012 – 

Outside My Window… the rain has subsided but the sky is still gray. I could let it affect my mood, but I refuse that path today. Last night's storm, as harsh as it was at times (although by no means severe), gave me thoughts to meditate on as I rose early that are fueling the fire within me to begin just as the landscape has this morning--fresh, new, and clean. It will take some time for the little plants to perk up again, it will take time for the puddles to dry; but they will, and my own life's purge will proceed in like manner.

I am thinking… that my external influences are much stronger than I had ever imagined. It is amazing to me, how just the act of "ignoring" something, then having it come popping up inadvertently without warning makes my blood pressure rise even more. It's not worth the effort of feigning apathy. I don't WANT to be apathetic. God created me to be an enthusiastic, zealous person, and even claiming that something most would consider trivial association is dangerous to my conscience. I'm not going to tolerate trivial associations any longer.

In the learning room… we are beginning our new school year today. Morgan and Jamie will be starting a new "level" of math, even if it has the same number they have been working on for some time. Amazing how different two programs can be in terms of difficulty! I'm shocked at how advanced Singapore looks from Rod & Staff. I had to tell the girls that they're not "repeating" last year; this is "level 2" instead of "2nd grade". I will take advantage of creative mom-isms while I can, thank you very much!

I am thankful for… the rain we had last night, the close friendships we enjoy that make life SO much more meaningful, and right now, especially for the relative good health of my tiny little grandson.

From the kitchen… hmm, I think the kitchen is going to be going outside today for some grilling. We all loved the grilled chicken we had a few weeks ago before Pete's trip to Taiwan, and now that he's home and craving chicken, I think today is perfect timing!

I am wearing… my "garden" pants (capris that I wear to garden that are the comfiest pair I own ... but are permanently stained with grass and this lovely Alabama red clay) and a black tee. My favorite mom-uniform.

I am creating… a bunch of mental lists. I probably should be writing most of this down, but I keep lying to myself that I will remember it all. Packing lists, shopping lists, to-do-before-the-trip-to-MD lists, garden to-do-lists ... the list of lists goes on and on.

I am going… to stay put today, and as much as possible this week.

I am hoping… that little Levi will continue to grow stronger, gain weight, and develop well so he can leave the NICU and go HOME where he belongs! Besides, that's when I get to see him!

I am hearing… the girls finishing up their breakfast and playing

Around the house… a whole lot of laundry folding needs to be done.

One of my favorite things… sending my hubby off to work with a hot breakfast and a smooch.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: mostly just school and the usual household tasks. Pete has his first classroom-classes toward his degree this week, so we have a new routine to get used to.

Scripture to ponder... Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8 ESV)

Here is picture thought I am sharing… is any explanation necessary? SO much of our life seems completely inundated with social media, it's as if we just can't get away from it no matter what we do. It's time to take back our lives, take back our sanity, and use these things as tools instead of being used AS tools.


Want to see how other Daybookers' days are going? Go visit The Simple Woman's Daybook and join in the fun!

Simple Woman's Daybook, 9/23/2011

FOR TODAY, September 23, 2011
Outside my window... it is gray and dreary, but it is FALL!!! The trees are starting to show hints of color, almost like red and yellow halos. The temperature is falling, and it is a pleasure to have the windows WIDE open!

I am thinking... about the last 22 years of marriage Pete and I have shared. We've really experienced the entire spectrum of the vows we pledged to one another. Better, worse, richer, poorer, sickness, and health. It's all been there. Some of the "worse's" have been REALLY worse, but it's all part of God's plan for us to face it together. I really do not believe we would have survived without our shared faith. Feelings just aren't enough to get you through the rough patches.

I am thankful... for the wonderful friends who are more than willing to offer our children a safe and loving place to "visit" while Pete and I celebrate our anniversary tonight alone. It really is the best anniversary present we have ever been given!

From the learning rooms... we had yet another "bug" lesson last night, as our reading nook was invaded by a praying mantis! I tell you, between the spiders and the mantids, we've gone buggy! Jamie has become obsessed with learning all she can about insects and creepy crawly critters, and the rest of us ... well, we're following unwillingly at times! As far as school goes, the older two are starting to "get" reading more and more by the day. Danica is now reading '-at' words and is just thrilled to no end to be able to READ one of her little Sonlight beginning readers! Sometimes it feels like we aren't getting anywhere with their focused studies, but then something will "click" with one of them and all the light bulbs seem to come on at once with all three! Weird how that works.

In the kitchen... I am going to be doing something new for our anniversary this year--I'm making dinner at home! Pete and I would love to go out to a fancy restaurant, but finances just aren't where they need to be. We'll eat at home and then go out to a movie afterward. That way we can enjoy the foods we love--stuffed mushrooms, tomato-mozzarella salad, chili-lime salmon, and roasted balsamic asparagus--and still be able to do something together that we don't normally do!

I am wearing... jean shorts and a white tee, but that will all change pretty soon. The temperature seems to be dropping with every passing hour! It is supposed to be in the 50's tonight; we're going to be COLD on that motorcycle!!!

I am creating... a beautiful setting for our dinner tonight. Even the girls are commenting on how pretty it is in the dining room! LOVE that.

I am going... to make one last run to the grocery store before taking the girls to our friends' house for their sleepover. Funny how they're as excited about staying with their buddies as we are about having a "date night"!

I am reading... a couple of e-books that I got for my Nook last week: 100 Days to Christmas 2011 and True Christian Motherhood. One organizational, the other challenging and encouraging!

I am hoping... for a safe and enjoyable weekend. Pete and I don't get many opportunities to go for motorcycle rides together, so we are both really looking forward to the ride we have planned for Saturday.

I am looking forward to... hmm, I think I just answered that! LOL I'm also looking forward to surprising my hubby with a wonderful anniversary celebration. We don't do this every year; most times we will just go out to eat. This year, though, we have a lot to celebrate--two of our children are married and our own union is healed to the point that we are both willing and able to look back and see how God can really use our experiences to help others. That in itself is a huge blessing of healing for us. If we don't allow God to use it for His purpose, what we have been through was nothing more than a horrible experience. I fully believe it's got to be worth so much more than that!

I am hearing... the girls giggling as they try to narrow down what all they're going to bring with them for the night! Easier said than done ...

Around the house... are little hints of the season. I started pulling out my Fall decorations and placing them here and there. I love this season, and the colors we have in the house just go SO well with Fall decor!

I am pondering... what all needs to be put on the to-do list for the next several weeks. Whew!

One of my favorite things... FALL!!! Can you tell? :)

A few plans for the rest of the week: Um ... I got a seriously late start on my Daybook this time around, so considering that it's Friday already, my plans include dinner and a movie with my hubby tonight, then a motorcycle ride tomorrow!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing... the dining room table is already prepared for our anniversary dinner tonight! All it lacks is food and US! :)

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Simple Woman's Daybook 8/8/2011

FOR TODAY - August 8, 2011 
Outside My Window... it is overcast and hot again. I put out the hummingbird feeder yesterday after seeing our second hummer flitting around searching for it. I am yet again reminded as I look out there that I really, REALLY need to just get out there and yank all of that grass and the weeds out of the flower bed. It has been sorely neglected during my recovery, and it's just ugly!
I am thinking... about everything that has to be done this week. On second thought, maybe I shouldn't think about it! Maybe I should just write it down and start whittling away at the list?
In the learning room... this will be a fly-by-the-seat-of-our-pants week. The septic disaster we had last week really kept me distracted from schoolwork on Thursday and Friday and, while we did finish Thursday, Friday was a total bust--a mental health day--and we have to get caught up. 
I am thankful for... the reason for the stress. By the end of this week, we will have gained another daughter! We will be blessed with a visit from both sides of the family, and our son will get to begin another chapter of his life. Definitely something to be thankful for!
From the kitchen... I am really looking forward to having some Caribbean chicken salad tonight; it has been far too long since I made it, and I'm already hungry thinking about it! I think the brown bananas in the fridge are calling out to be used in some yummy banana bread too. Hopefully there will be some time this afternoon to do just that!
I am wearing... still my jammies. One more cup of coffee should wake me up enough to get in gear. I am just not there today yet.
I am creating... ideas in my head for Christmas crafts. It's about as creative as I can be with the to-do list I have! 
I am going... to sit at home and wait for the plumber to come AGAIN and hopefully fix for good what he was supposed to have done last week. Other than that, I have no plans to leave the house today.
I am reading... Crazy Love by Francis Chan and Be the People by Carol M. Swain; both wonderfully challenging reads.
I am hoping... to make it to Thursday (payday!) without going bankrupt! Septic problems are expensive!
I am hearing... Shelby singing a made-up song. Adorable!
Around the house... there are mini-disasters everywhere in need of my attention. I haven't even touched the big bathroom since the septic tank was pumped, because the toilet still has to be reinstalled and the tub is still backing up ... so what's the point? There's also laundry to fold, a bonus room to clean, oh boy. My head hurts just thinking about it.
One of my favorite things... hot coffee and a warm, slightly toasty bagel with cream cheese and sliced olives. My sweet hubby made me a bagel yesterday before church, and now I'm wanting one today too!
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: (A FEW??)  

• finish cleaning the house
• grocery shopping
• at least three days of schoolwork
• call to order the BBQ for the rehearsal dinner, shop for the rest of the 'fixins'
• go to Party City for at least a few birthday decorations
• go to Barnes & Noble alone (haha) to pick up Pinkalicious for Shelby's birthday
• get the girls' birthday presents wrapped
• make cupcakes
• weed the flower bed
• shop for the girls' dresses for the wedding (wow, am I behind, or what?)
• find myself some wedding-worthy shoes!!
• stop adding things to my to-do list ... this is exhausting.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... Shelby chasing the pigeons at Woodruff Park in downtown Atlanta last weekend. A reminder to me that I need to enjoy the little moments among all the craziness and hustle and bustle of life.

If you'd like to celebrate the simple things in your daily grind, then by all means, blog about it and then share with others who are participating in The Simple Woman's Daybook!

Simple Woman's Daybook 7/25/2011

FOR TODAY - July 25, 2011 

Outside My Window... It is gray and ever-so-slightly breezy. I'm hoping that we get some rain to cool things off and water my droopy plants for me.

I am thinking... about how disorder breeds discontentment and stress. I simply cannot stand having things as disorganized and messy as they have been these last few weeks, but with Pete gone and one arm out of commission, it's SLOW going trying to get everything back in order. Already this morning I have had to take a break just to rest for a minute and keep the pain at bay. I want so badly for my home to be orderly and clean, but it's just not my reality right now. 

In the learning room... I can't find the floor. I'm glad I moved the schoolroom into the back of the house where it is not in the regular flow of traffic, because I think it would drive me batty to have to look at that mess all the time. I need to get it in order, because the last of the girls' 2nd grade books will be here this week, and we need to get started as soon as possible!

I am thankful for... yet another three-week separation coming to an end. Having the hubby travel every other month with his job might be a blessing financially, but WOW is it hard on me to do the temporary single-mom thing right now.

From the kitchen... I'm trying (there's a lot of trying, but not so much getting-done) to get the menu plan together so I can have some method to the grocery shopping madness that has me so discouraged. I really want to be able to make some banana nut bread tomorrow. Not today.

I am wearing... denim shorts and my 'cleaning' tee.

I am creating... a haven for the older two girls. They have wanted a "big girl" dorm-style bedroom for a while, and it's definitely looking good in there!!!

I am going... to be doing a LOT of cleaning this week, as my shoulder allows. Pain=the great slower-downer.

I am reading... Large Family Logistics and Managers of Their Chores.

I am hoping... to be able to leave a clean, organized home behind on Friday morning when I leave for Atlanta to pick the hubby up from the airport. I really do not like coming home to a mess, and I know that, while he understands my physical limitations right now, Pete would like to just come home and enjoy being home too.

I am hearing... Disney Jamz playing on the CD player in Morgan and Jamie's room, and the girls trying to sing along to songs they have never heard before--FUNNY!!!

Around the house... there is a LOT to do. I feel horrible just sitting here typing, even if I do need the break.

One of my favorite things... seeing the sweet, smiling face of my beloved as he gets off of the plane after one of his three-week-long business trips. 

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Looking for some finger-food ideas for Jon and Meagan's wedding reception, CLEANING, getting a plan in order for our school year, grocery shopping, then on Friday we head off to Atlanta to pick Pete up and then enjoy a Braves game together (and meeting up with a high school friend!), hopefully seeing some other friends on Saturday.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... Kasey with her "boggle" (I love that!!!) hanging out on the pile of laundry that I dragged in from the bonus room (wrapped up in a comforter since I can't carry more than an armful at a time) to fold. Can you tell I've got my work cut out for me?

If you're a blogger who longs for simplicity and relishes the "little" things, join all of the Daybookers who enjoy taking part in the Simple Woman's Daybook!

Complicated Woman's Daybook

It's not Monday and there is NOTHING simple about my life right now. 

Not.  A.  Thing.

I have felt for the last few days as if my brain is playing a solo game of Rock, Paper, Scissors just to figure out what to do next.  Yes, having a set of grand plans does help time pass faster--especially when you have a deadline set for yourself to get all of it done in.  There is no way on this earth that I am going to be able to accomplish everything I have set before myself.  In fact, I don't think I could even do it with God's help.  Well, okay, maybe if the Lord Himself came down and moved a few boxes, sure.  But ME?  There just isn't enough of me.

That's a lesson I've not learned adequately, I fear.  Perhaps that is why I find myself gasping for breath under the weight of a to-do list that I've burdened my own self with?  I can't even organize a blog post, for crying out loud!  How about if I borrow the format from one of my standard Simple Woman's Daybooks?

What have I been wearing?  Anything that I can dig out of the pile that is clean.
What's it like outside?  The grass is taking over; it's beginning to resemble the African savannahs out there; in fact, I think I heard Simba roar at sunset!
From the kitchen?  Oh my...do NOT go in there.  You may fall into the dishes that don't fit into the dishwasher.
From the learning rooms?  Well, they're learning.  Working daily on math, working daily on reading; Morgan can even sound out a few street signs and Jamie was sorting 87 silly bands that she picked up from the schoolroom floor into groups of ten.  We're reading (thank you, Sonlight, for your "here, read THIS" schedule), but the structured, "this looks like school" lessons just aren't happening.  Thankfully, my kids thrive in the midst of chaos and I think they're learning *more*.  How is that possible?
On my mind?  Way too much.  My hubby's on my mind; my son in Afghanistan is on my mind (did I mention that he told me in a chat the other day that he wasn't sure he wanted to come home on R&R????); my oldest daughter's future is on my mind; STRESS is on my mind.
What am I reading?  I don't even remember.  That's probably not a good thing.

Life has gotten far too complicated lately.  Funny how getting TO the simple requires going through some seriously complex purging processes.  They are not particularly enjoyable processes, I'll say that.  And they are not processes that one should undertake lightly.  These purging processes require ALL of you.

All of me is very tired.  And lonely.  And mentally beaten-down.
I know where I need to go.

"Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast; there by His love o'ertaken, sweetly my soul shall rest."

Picture thought?  How about this one?  No explanation neccessary--it is what it is.



Yikes.

Simple Woman's Daybook, 8/16/2010

FOR TODAY, Monday, August 16th, 2010...


Outside my window... It is still hot and sunny, but we are clinging to the promise of a cool-down later on this week. The rain we got yesterday, be it ever so brief, was much-needed and the little drop in temperature that it brought after dusk was absolutely wonderful.

I am thinking... that no matter how tired and sore I was last night, it still meant the world to my hubby that I just hopped on the back of the motorcycle for a ride after the girls were in bed.  It is nice to have that opportunity with Kelsey still at home, and with Pete leaving for five weeks overseas soon, I'm thrilled to take advantage of every possible moment of "fun" with him.  Nothing wrong with sharing an appetizer as a "date"!

I am thankful for... mended wounds and repaired bridges.

From the learning rooms... we begin our second week of school today; I'm starting to see a wee bit of progress with Morgan in the reading department, but I can tell very obviously that she's most assuredly NOT the "workbook" type.  Fine motor skills are not her strong suit, and it only frustrates her that she has trouble with handwriting...which translates to difficulty with reading.  When I did purely oral reading phonics instruction last Friday, it clicked for her like nothing else we'd done all week.  Thankfully, Jamie is going to be an "easy" reader, so she's picking up on everything so fast that it doesn't much matter what method of instruction I use.  Building those handwriting skills is going to be interesting...

From the kitchen... I'm doing "easy" tonight, taking full advantage of Stouffer's frozen chicken alfredo family dinner, considering I didn't get the opportunity to go grocery shopping yesterday. 

I am wearing... denim capris and a Lads to Leaders 2010 tee

I am creating... order among the chaos. Still (or is that again?) trying to get the playroom/office and master bedroom organized and cleaned up.  Those two rooms are the hardest to keep clean!

I am going... to stay home today if at all possible!  I'll do my grocery shopping tomorrow, today is going to be a slow and easy day.  After being in Chattanooga on Saturday and gone all day yesterday, I just don't want to go anywhere!

I am reading... too much to list. I think I have literary ADHD.

I am hoping... that we can make the most of the next couple of weeks before Pete leaves for Germany.  Five weeks without him is a long time!

I am hearing... the sounds of the girls playing peaceably (YAY!) behind me, and the garbage truck outside.

Around the house... are muddy dog-prints.  Jake was outside during the hard rain we had yesterday, and there is evidence that he laid in the mud under the deck apparently just to spite us for leaving him out while we were gone!  Brat dog....I guess it's a good thing that I picked up some carpet stain remover yesterday.

One of my favorite things... a clean, clear conscience.  It is so nice!

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Getting Jon's box mailed to Afghanistan, getting a box ready to mail to my cousin for the baby they're expecting, picking up some fabric for the baby's lovey blanket and getting that started (maybe even hopefully finished!); a Ladies' group meeting at church on Thursday....and of course all the busy work that goes along with managing a household of eight active people!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing... a reminder of the simplicity found in order and tidiness.  There's just something about a clean desk, a neat stack of books, and a box full of crayons...

Do go visit The Simple Woman's Daybook, and add your link!

Simple Woman's Daybook--a day late 6/8/2010

FOR TODAY, TUESDAY JUNE 8, 2010...

Outside my window... it is sunny, but I am shaded here in Pete's office by a huge crabapple tree. I never really understood the full value of mature trees till we moved into this house. We now have shade on almost every window of the house, protecting us from the hot Alabama sun. We don't yet have the intolerable summer heat yet, but it's fast approaching!

I am thinking... about Jon and the other soldiers and servicemembers in Afghanistan and Iraq who are now in the "outta sight, outta mind" camp; America has its irons in too many fires, I'm afraid. The health care debacle, the economy, recovering recession, educational failures, and now this huge oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico...our minds are not on the hundred-some-odd-thousand members of the armed forces that are continuing a mission that has been going on for so long that they sometimes forget why they're there. I'm afraid it's making far too many of the younger ones very disheartened and distrusting of our government--my son included. This is a recipe for disaster, I fear.

I am thankful for... God's provision. Yet again, He has provided a job that would protect Pete and in turn, our family, from financial insecurity. Pete turns in his letter of resignation today from the job he's been in since February; the Defense Department contract for that job is teetering on thin foundations, and it scared Pete to know that, for two weeks, he didn't really know if he was going to have a job come the first of June! Besides, he has become soooo bored sitting behind a computer all day doing ONE task over and over. I'm so thankful that he is now able to move on to the job that he's wanted to do for nearly ten years. God is indeed good!

From the learning rooms... Now that Kelsey is an official high school graduate and THAT stress has passed, I can focus more pointedly on the remaining students in our homeschool! While we're not truly "doing school" during the summer months, I am working on reading with Morgan and Jamie--Morgan couldn't really care less about reading, but Jamie is chomping at the bit trying to get her nose in those books! What I'd hoped for has started to materialize in that Morgan is beginning to SEE that Jamie's interest in learning has launched Jamie ahead of Morgan...that doesn't exactly sit well with big sis, so she's now listening far more intently to reading lessons, and as I'd figured, she's picking up on it pretty quick! In the actual "learning room", I'm getting things decorated how I like so it feels more like a "school" room instead of just an all-purpose catch-all room where school stuff is buried in among my scrapbook supplies!

From the kitchen... loaded baked potatoes tonight! I'm even thinking about stopping by Pig 'N Out for some BBQ pork to top them with. This is one of Morgan's favorite meals (aside from tacos, which we're having tomorrow night, complete with homemade flour tortillas--YUM!) and it's one that the rest of us never tire of having.

I am wearing... my jammies, still, as my denim capris tumble dry.

I am creating... a poster-border to go around the top of the walls in the school room, comprised of little mini-posters that I printed off of the internet (I'll have to do some backtracking to find the link; I can't remember for the life of me where I got them from!) that list Godly character traits and Bible verses to go along with them.

I am going... grocery shopping later on today, as well as to the post office to mail off another box for Jon. Silly boy was craving Flaming Hot Cheetos and wasabi peas! I guess it's not hot enough yet in Afghanistan! I also tossed in some Crimson Tide gear (a "flag" for him to drape over his bed and a big ole coffee/travel mug) for him to display proudly in his little corner of the tent to bug his Tennessee Vols fan neighbor!

I am reading... Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson and Christianity or Humanism: Which Will You Choose? by Robert Waggoner. One encouraging, the other challenging and quite frightening. Have you ANY IDEA how greatly secular humanism has invaded the Church? It's shocking, I tell you.

I am hearing... all five little girls playing IN the box of wooden blocks that I dragged out of the schoolroom. Apparently, Shelby really loves knocking down towers of blocks; it's driving her sisters bonkers!

Around the house... we're just in "maintenance" mode now, plus getting some semi-haphazard gardening done here and there. Pete was FINALLY able to mow the grass over the weekend so it no longer looks like a wild African savannah.

One of my favorite things... hearing my older children defend the Gospel and New Testament Christianity. They've both still got their struggles (some WAY bigger than others), but the seeds are there and every now and then, a strong little shoot pokes its head through the mucky sand. It gives me hope that we didn't completely ruin them!

A few plans for the rest of the week... continuing to put the schoolroom together, putting some mulch around my new flower bed (and maybe some sort of border?), and pretty much nothing else other than just "being". It's nice to have this down-time for a little while, even if I am super-busy during the day, I am not swamped with deadlines all over the calendar!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing... from our trip to the Botanical Gardens when my parents were here for Kelsey's graduation...the butterfly house is one of our favorite spots, and I just love catching a beautiful monarch (or two!) perched on a flower. God is such an amazing artist!

I'm a day late with my Daybook, but if you want to join in, go visit Peggy's site!

Simple Woman's Daybook, 2/1/2010

FOR TODAY, February 1, 2010...
Outside my window... is a beautiful February day taking shape. It's bright and sunny and will be nearly 50 degrees today, which is a nice break from the cold and rainy weekend. A far cry from my usual self, I'm finding myself actually looking forward to the Spring for the first time. I guess I'm just a tad bit stricken with the gardening bug!?
I am thinking... that the next few months will be very busy for us, which is nothing unusual. The changes, however, certainly are new. Civilian life for us, deployment for our oldest, the good possibility of enlistment following the graduation of our secondborn, plus a whole wealth of experiences we've never had before due to our military lifestyle. Change is inevitable and we do look forward to seeing our children leave the nest and venture out to begin their own lives, but the stress is still there even with good changes.
I am thankful for... the opportunities that have been afforded us even amid the stress of Pete's Army career. Meeting up with an old friend over the weekend made it very obvious to us just how much he hasn't "missed out on" going to Warrant Officer School. We simply would not be where we are now, and we'd likely have gone through many more separations and dealt with much more job-related stress. Sometimes the pay just isn't worth it. Pete's new job may not pay as much monetarily as some that the other guys in his field have managed to get hired on to, but he'll be home--every day--at a WONDERFUL hour, which will afford him the opportunity to be far more involved with our little kids than he was with the big ones. That is something that you just can't put a price tag on. Thank you, Lord, for bringing that opportunity to him!
I am wearing... jeans and Pete's Kasey Kahne tee-shirt, and hair dye. Kelsey finally wore me down about my grays...if ONLY this "permanent" stuff were truly permanent!
I am remembering... the warmth of fellowship and the feeling that God just absolutely MUST be pleased with the praise that was offered up yesterday during our joint singing with the Chase Park congregation. Oh, MY. I enjoyed it SOOO much. There's just something so...oh, I don't know, uplifting and edifying (hmm, wonder where THAT idea came from? LOL) about congregational singing when everyone is of the same mind that we're there to praise God without thought given to how "good" it sounds to us. Funny how good it truly ends up sounding!? There's not a man-made musical instrument in this world that could make as joyful a noise as the voice God gave us!
I am going... to stay home and work on the task ahead of me--making this house a home.
I am currently reading... Romans 8--our "assignment" for our Sunday morning Bible class. What a meaty chapter!
I am hoping... that Pete's new job is as enjoyable to him as it sounds like it will be. He's "due" for employment that doesn't feel like slave labor to him! LOL
On my mind... the episode of 19 Kids and Counting we watched last night and the sobering thought that, with my history of pre-eclampsia, the situation the Duggars are facing with little Josie Brooklyn could very well have been us with Danica, Shelby, or Kasey. My blood pressure actually got far higher than Michelle's on many occasions, and it's a wonder none of the four of us (the girls or me) ended up with any long-lasting physical problems as a result. Pete and I really would love to have had several more children, but both of us wanted me to be here to enjoy the ones we have already been blessed with. As painful as the decision was, we're "okay" with it, even if we have to fight off the twinges of heartache when someone asks, "Are you pregnant?". It's not easy to face the fact that we essentially re-did what we had reversed nine years ago, but our motives this time were certainly better.
Noticing that... reading is not something that is coming easy to Morgan, and it is beginning to bother her that Jamie is catching on so quickly. Too bad she's just not able to understand that it's a skill that *will* come in time.
Around the house... things are ever-so-slowly coming together. Pete has his fish tank, finally, which is his mark of "home" for the office that no longer feels like a cave. Once I find the right color accent pillows for our bed, it'll really start to feel more homey and less stark. I still don't have a clue what I'm going to do for curtains in the bedroom, and the absence of a second nightstand is bugging me silly. Must. Have. Symmetry! For now, I think I'll just clean up the girls' room and take some pride in accomplishment in there.
A few plans for the rest of the week... getting Pete's schedule integrated into ours, getting the above-the-stove microwave fixed so we can remove the countertop one we've had in the kitchen since we moved in, and prepping the dining room for PAINT!!! Yay! Oh, I guess we need to do some shopping for a light fixture in there too so it doesn't feel like we're eating in a cave anymore! Saturday, we paint!
One of my favorite things... hearing the precious little voices of babies forming words. Shelby is swiftly becoming a "big girl" and her growing vocabulary reflects that. Her newest phrase just melts everybody's heart--an adorable little high-pitched "taint-yeeewwww" for thank-you. Awwwwww!!!!!
From my picture journal... icicles forming on a magnolia tree during Friday's winter storm. We had a good bit of sleet and freezing rain, and sometimes even that can be beautiful!

Many thanks to Peggy for hosting The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Simple Woman's Daybook, 1/11/2010

FOR TODAY, Monday, January 11, 2010...
Outside my window... the thaw has begun; it is warmer now at 35 than it has been in a week. The birds are out, snacking on the seed I laid on the grass for them to munch on during the freeze.
I am thinking... that I need to fill the feeders again when it warms up enough to get outside. We've been so cold inside with the heat pump broken this last week that we just haven't had much inclination to go outside where it's REALLY cold.
I am thankful for... space heaters and warm socks.
From the learning rooms... we are revamping the courses Kelsey's had problems with and putting more emphasis on college prep now that she's decided that's the course she wants to take.
From the kitchen... banana bread this afternoon after I get to the store to restock our staples. There's nothing quite as comforting to the nose or the tummy after a long battle with a stomach virus than warm, fresh-from-the-oven banana bread. I think a pot of homemade chicken soup may be in order for dinner.
I am wearing... flannel pajama bottoms and two long-sleeve tees. My socks are now wet from walking across the drenched bathroom rug to see if Kelsey left me any hot water to take my shower with, and my toesies are freezing!
I am creating... shopping lists. Not much else. I don't have the creative juice left in me after the last couple of days.
I am going... to take Kelsey to work, and then go to Wal-Mart to shop. Not my favorite task, but it's gotta be done!
I am reading... the Real Simple December mag that I picked up at the thrift shop the other day, plus three different books on gardening. I'm trying to think warm thoughts.
I am hoping... that this stomach bug is gone now that everyone (except Danica) has had it. She's had more exposure to it than the rest of us have, so maybe (hopefully) she's got an iron-clad immune system?
I am hearing... giggling. Music to my weary ears.
Around the house... space heaters, piles of blankets, and laundry that never got folded tell the tale of the weekend's activities. Pretty much all that got done was a lot of lying around. How come none of us feel rested? We're getting the sick-mess cleaned up now that the big people feel better. It's nice to have Pete home most of the day even if he does spend a lot of time looking at government job listings and working on his VA disability paperwork.
One of my favorite things... hot cinnamon tea. It's been heavenly since the temperature dropped to have that little extra oomph of warmth at the end of the day.
A few plans for the rest of the week: just daily life (hopefully it's without any more throwing up) and then Pete's birthday on Saturday. Jon will be coming home this weekend so I'm going to try to plan something that's fun for all of us.
Here is picture for thought I am sharing... our front yard guests snacking in the remaining snow.

If you'd like to participate in this week's Simple Woman's Daybook, hop on over to Peggy's site and join in!

Simple Woman's Daybook, 12/21/2009

For Today… December 21, 2009
Outside my window... it is dark. I got a "late" start on blogging today, obviously. We were supposed to have clouds moving in, but I can actually see some very bright stars, so where those clouds have gone...your guess is as good as mine!
I am thinking... that I really should get started on wrapping the closet full of presents, but...I also REALLY need to get some rest. My body is not happy with me for letting myself get this tired.
I am wearing... jeans, my "I hate orange" Crimson Tide t-shirt, and socks.
I am thankful for... having all of the children home for the holidays; we will not be so fortunate next year, when we have our oldest oceans away in Afghanistan. Sigh...military life has some pretty depressing downsides.
I am remembering... when our older two were littler and life was so much less complicated. New changes, new phases, new challenges. Also remembering my sweet great-grandmother, who passed from this life seventeen years ago next month. Tomorrow is (it seems odd to say "would have been") her birthday. I still miss you, Mamaw!
I am going... to take a bubble bath and go to bed. Still a few days, the wrapping can wait.
On my mind... a thousand things, all at once. This time of the day is not the best for blogging, it seems!
Noticing that... it is so much more peaceful around here when the schedule is followed and things get DONE. Ah, order brings peace.
Pondering these words... "What is your life? It is but a vapor."
From the kitchen… lingers the smell of pizza. Tomorrow, Jon's favorite--country fried steak, mashed potatoes, and gravy.
Around the house... we're littered with remnants of Bible class craft projects (a regular Monday thing) and unpacking continuing here and there. The girls are all tucked into bed, Monday Night Football is playing in the background, and Pete is sitting next to me on his computer searching job listings. He starts his outprocessing next week for his retirement! WOAH!!!
One of my favorite things: family. Having all of us in one place. Missing the extended family, but there's just not much we can do about that right now. Anyone wanna buy my parents' house so we can move them up to Huntsville?
A few plans for the rest of the week: making cookies, hanging pictures, wrapping presents, installing closet organizers, building gingerbread houses....intertwining the everyday with the holidays.
From my picture journal... the girls making "tile angels" on the kitchen floor! Oh, the impromptu stuff little girls come up with! There truly is never a dull moment around here!

Many thanks to Peggy for hosting The Simple Woman's Daybook! Wishing each of you a wonderful Christmas full of all of the good gifts our Father can bless you with! Love and best wishes from our house to yours!

Simple Woman's Daybook 12/7/2009

FOR TODAY, December 7, 2009...
Outside my window... it is gray and cold, but memories of the blanket of snow we awoke to on Saturday morning are still fresh in my mind, and it is just absolutely wonderful to look out and see property that is "ours" (on loan from God, anyway!) finally after so many years of sharing walls and backyards with other military families! I need to track down Kelsey's SD card from her digital camera, since she's the only one who got pictures of our little snow blanket!
I am thinking... that we are just SO blessed, it's overwhelming at times.
I am thankful for... a husband who has worked 20 years to put down roots in a place we both love. It's not been easy, but the transition out of Army life is going so smoothly that it's just not going to be much of a big deal at all!
From the kitchen... by Morgan's request, we will have loaded baked potatoes tonight, with caesar salad for the big folk and fresh veggie dippers for the littles.
I am wearing... a gray tee and my Jimmie Johnson pj pants. I didn't quite see the point in getting all dressed up just to unpack! LOL
I am creating... order. FINALLY, we're getting some order in this disaster zone. It's looking less like a box factory exploded and more like a HOME, thank goodness!
I am going... to get the girls' room done today if I have to spend my last waking moment doing it!
I am reading... not much of anything other than the sides of boxes at the moment!
I am hoping... to get the house "done" enough to get the Christmas tree up and decorated this week....here's hoping, because that may be all I do!
I am hearing... Morgan and Jamie (backdropped by The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe playing on the Disney Channel) conversing with their new "friend", a nine-year-old girl from down the street. Would it seem odd that we're still getting used to having friendly neighbors?
Around the house... Oh boy....well, it's a mess. We moved three weeks ago, need I say more?
One of my favorite things... settling down and making our house a HOME. Nice. VERY nice.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Unpacking and a little more Christmas shopping. Not much left to do, just the teens and the grands.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...two of the little girls snuggled up in their matching little toddler beds...fast asleep! Oh, what sweet solitude, if only for two hours! LOL
Many thanks to Peggy for hosting The Simple Woman's Daybook!

Simple Woman's Daybook, 11/9/09

FOR TODAY, November 9, 2009...

Outside my window... It is cloudy, cool-ish, and not so pretty anymore now that the trees are past peak. The beauty of Fall just does not last long enough!

I am thinking... that this week is going to be anything BUT simple. I'm already about twenty steps behind the power curve with regard to this move; I'm buried in a sea of laundry, and I have far too much "stuff" to get either put or thrown away. I don't want to have to sift through two or three boxes of extraneous junk in the new house, thank you very much.

I am thankful for... how bountifully the Lord has blessed us in the last few years. Counting those blessings would be a task too numerous to take on. It boggles the mind how good God is. It would be far too easy for us to get caught up in thinking that we've had a rough run of things for so many years that we somehow "deserve" this "good luck" we've fallen into, but I'm not that faithless. I KNOW the Lord's hand when I see it!!!

I am wearing... a gray tee and white shorts. Too warm for jeans today, with all the moving around I'm doing!

I am remembering... that it doesn't have to be perfect. DONE, yes, but not perfectly done.

I am going... CRAZY!!!! Ok, maybe not really. Close to it, though! Alright, alright....back down to earth. I'm not going much of anywhere today, except maybe out to Kroger tonight after the girls are all in bed to pick up milk and juice so I don't have to do it tomorrow. I think an impromptu cheap working-date may be in order to Sonic for a mocha java chiller. I need chilling out already, and the day isn't even half over!

I am reading... Beautiful Girlhood by Karen Andreola. I'm ashamed to say that even after bringing one daughter to near adulthood, I still have no idea how to be "girly" and feminine. My tomboy roots run far too deep, and with five more little girls behind her, it's just way beyond time for me to do some learning in that regard. Hmm....I may want to call my mom and see if she hurt herself passing out after reading that...

I am hoping... that all the littles cooperate with me over the next couple of days. I am SOOO thankful that Pete is off on Wednesday (okay, SOME of the day....how silly is it that our soldiers have to show up in uniform on Veteran's Day to march in a mandatory parade?); I'm really hoping to have some time to get things put away without having to do it between bottles and diapers.

On my mind... is a mental to-do list. I fear I'm just way too mentally occupied with this stuff, it's beginning to border on compulsion!

From the learning rooms... While Kelsey won't be taking any time "off" from school, we are just going to pack up Morgan's and Jamie's schoolbooks along with everything else. They're kindergarteners; it really isn't going to hurt them to skip a couple of weeks. Lord willing, we'll have everything unpacked and in working order by the end of next week. In the meantime, they'll be helping us out with the putting away, cleaning (they've each got a magic eraser to hit those marked-up walls with...I'm hoping the work will deter them from putting pencil to plaster again).

Noticing that... Kasey is getting congested again. The news report a couple of weeks back mentioned that on average, people would get three colds this season. Morgan's got it, Dani has it, Shelby is starting to get a little snotty, and now Kasey. The current cold is round two for us.

Pondering these words... "Be still and know that I am God." It's that "be still" part I have trouble with!

From the kitchen... Steak and potatoes tonight. I do LOVE me some grilled steak!

Around the house... Oh boy....don't get me started.

One of my favorite things... Unpacking into a new house and getting things "just so". I am VERY excited to know that next week, we'll be doing just that. All this work will be well worth the effort!

A few plans for the week... Well, lessee....we already had the housing pre-inspection this morning, plus Pete is going to Huntsville Utilities to pay the utility deposit and set up our service to begin on Friday. Today, tomorrow, and Wednesday, I'll be cleaning and organizing for the packers. Thursday, I have my annual doctor's appointment for all those lovely girlie tests. Ick. Pete will be handling the packer-watching by himself for a little while that day! Friday, we'll switch places while he goes to the closing and I am here while the packers load our stuff on the truck. Friday evening and Saturday we'll be cleaning THIS house and getting our mattresses over to the new house. Our fridge will be delivered Saturday. Wow...Saturday really seems like it's a month away!

From my picture journal... This picture was not taken recently; in fact, it was last November when the last of our household goods were delivered to us. However, I got this picture back out because this is what we are in for this week!

Many thanks to Peggy for hosting The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Simple Woman's Daybook, 11/2/2009

FOR TODAY, November 2, 2009...
Outside my window... it is sunny, bright blue, and quite chilly! It's even colder than I expected inside, since I goofed last night and forgot to turn the heater back on...we woke up to a brisk 59 degrees INSIDE! Um, brrrr....
I am thinking... that there really is a TON of work to get done before we close on the house next Friday. I should be worried about the packing, but I'm not. Funny, but 20 years of moving around all over creation has taught me that it's not something to worry about.
I am thankful for... the fact that we get one last government-paid move! YAY!!! We don't have to do it ourselves!
From the kitchen... I'll be making something for our homeschool group's International Night. Hmm, methinks something German might be in order, but I'm not so sure I'm up to sauerbraten, rotkohl and kartoffelknodel. Maybe a brat and kraut casserole?
I am wearing... flannel jammies. Waiting for the dryer to finish so I can get some warm jeans out before my therapy appointment.
I am creating... a whole bunch of ideas in my head on how to decorate our new house to be the comfy home we want it to be. Can't do much more than plan at this point...eleven more days!
I am going... to physical therapy in a few minutes. Last appointment is Wednesday. There's been a lot of progress made toward repairing the tendon, but my therapist believes that I may have a stress fracture in my hand that is causing a lot of the "other" pain. Nice. We shall see how it acts once I'm back on my own. Hey, I'm just glad to be able to use a pair of scissors again.
I am reading... the newest issue of Real Simple magazine. It's my new favorite mag since Memory Makers decided to fold almost as soon as I got my subscription paid for! Big raspberries for them, that wasn't nice!
I am hoping... that the next few weeks goes smoothly; all systems are a "go" for a seamless closing, we're just hoping and praying that the transportation office will cooperate and we can get move dates that work well!
I am hearing... Dora and the dryer.
Around the house... are little things that need attention, but nothing major. Some things needing to go to the thrift shop this week so we don't have to move them AGAIN.
One of my favorite things... seeing God's hand in every aspect of our move here to Huntsville last year and our "settling" here now. It's very obvious that this is where He wants us, and it is just so neat to me to watch it all play out!
A few plans for the rest of the week: Physical therapy twice, Pete's repeat sleep study tomorrow night, homeschool International Night tonight, and trying to make appointments for the move. Got the fridge ordered, bedroom furniture next (our other bedrooms have been too small for us to even have furniture other than a bed...how sad is that?); plus we're keeping the latter part of the week free (ish?) so we can sort of be flexible when the call comes from the church office to do the mad dash to get the building put back together after the renovation is finished--it'll be really neat to see how good the building looks when it's all done, but I will say it has been pretty "cozy" worshipping all cramped up in the fellowship hall for the last several weeks!
Here is picture for thought I am sharing... Next Friday, I will be able to say this is my "new" kitchen! I'm so excited! It won't be the first time I've had a newly renovated kitchen, but certainly the first time I've had one that matched my tastes--including the red countertop! I thought it was a bit *MUCH* at first sight, but it's really grown on me...and now I'm not so sure I want to replace it anytime soon!

Many thanks to Peggy for hosting The Simple Woman's Daybook!

Simple Woman's Daybook, 10/5/2009

FOR TODAY, October 5th, 2009...
Outside my window... it is dreary and chilly. Our first true Autumn-y day.
I am thinking... that Kasey is two months old today--I really do need to schedule her well-baby checkup but I'm not thrilled that the clinic on base lumped the pediatric clinic in with the big folks. Now when I take my WELL baby in for her checkup, I'll have to sit in a waiting room with a whole bunch of grown sick people. Yuck. I'm not looking forward to that; it's precisely that type of exposure to germs that has sickened every one of the littles we've taken in for checkups. Every time. Do I HAVE to?
I am thankful for... the girls getting over this cold. It was not pleasant to sit at home yesterday. I believe I've had enough snot on my shoulder, thanksmuch!
From the learning rooms... finally we can say that this week brings just the average routine schooldays. Yay for average!
From the kitchen... I'm going to attempt to make some homemade flour tortilla chips for the girls to munch on so I'm not so worried about Shelby choking on the corn chips. She SO wants to be like the rest of us, dipping our chips into salsa!
I am wearing... my PJ's. Time to get dressed!
I am creating... scrapbook pages in my head. Now if I only had printed-out pictures, I'd be able to create them in real life!
I am going... to physical therapy in an hour. My hand is already cringing, but I'm looking forward to another electrostimulation treatment. It really does help!
I am reading... "Sheperding a Child's Heart" by Ted Tripp. Another book I wish I'd read 20 some-odd years ago.
I am hoping... to get started on some sewing projects this week; I need to get some fleece diaper covers made so I can put those expensive nighttime cloth diapers on the girls without fearing that the PUL covers won't hold overnight (and they don't).
I am hearing... the drone of the baby swing next to me. Thankfully, Kasey LOVES her swing--none of the other kids did so this is a new thing for me! It's wonderful to be able to get just fifteen minutes with both arms free to get things done!
Around the house... we have all bedrooms arranged and both girls' rooms are CLEAN! I need to hang curtains in Morgan and Jamie's room and look online for another valance to match the one I have (I need at least two!) for Dani and Shelby's room, but it's so much easier the way the rooms are arranged now and I'm LOVING the organization and the near-finished look that both rooms have!
One of my favorite things... Kasey's new blanket. Kelsey "dun-did-good" during her mall trip yesterday, finding Kasey a really NICE University of Alabama blanket made of 'minky' fleece with a satin trim. We are all so bored with pink, it's a wonderful change to have crimson on the baby! And oooooooh, so soft and fuzzy!
A few plans for the rest of the week: Pete has his sleep study this week; I have three physical therapy appointments; on Saturday, we are taking advantage of the military discount that Tate Farms is having and we're taking the girls to the pumpkin patch again! Pete didn't get to go with us last year, so the girls are excited to show Daddy the ropes!
Here is picture for thought I am sharing... I've got another bookworm on my hands--YAY!!!

A hearty thank-you to Peggy for hosting The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Simple Woman's Daybook, 9/28/2009

FOR TODAY...September 28th

Outside my window... The grass that Pete finally got to mow yesterday is starting to brown. Two weeks of rain really made the lawn shoot up and the clumps of fresh-cut grass are covering the entire yard, it was just so long when he cut it! The first signs of Fall are peeking out of the green trees, and we're all looking forward to the cooler temperatures that the Weather Channel is promising us for later in the week.

I am thinking... That I simply must convince the girls that eating from the Cookie Crisp snack bags that they didn't touch yesterday does not constitute as breakfast, but logically I know that there is far more sugar in the blueberry waffles I just offered as an alternative...

I am thankful for... My sweet hubby (and the daughter and temporary "foster" son) who finally moved my computer downstairs so I now have the opportunity to steal a quiet moment to blog! YAY!!!

I am wearing... Ash gray warm-up pants and a light blue tee. I guess I should change before my PT session?

I am remembering... That I have to make this short so I can clean the school table of all of the stuff that was piled on it last night as we moved the desk and the computer so the girls have a workspace to do their schoolwork on.

I am going... To physical therapy at 10:30, then back home. It's our new policy to stay home during the week, and I plan on sticking with it! The only exception is to physical therapy appointments, plus using our day "off" to do grocery shopping and whatever other weekday errands need to be done.

I am reading... "Do Hard Things" by Alex and Brett Harris. Amazing read. Very challenging even to my not-so-teen-anymore self!

I am hoping... To continue the trend of getting one room a day "done" so that in time we don't have clutter and chaos ruling the house.

I am hearing... Dora the Explorer, and three girls yelling "THE MAP!!!", as Shelby tries to keep up, saying "MAAA!!!!" along with them. Cute!

From the learning rooms... Our second week of school begins today. Kelsey will start the Physical Geography text that we dug out of the book box that Pete finally found, as well as getting her last class loaded up on Switched-On Schoolhouse (geometry)--she doesn't need the additional math credit, but even though she has geometry covered through Saxon's Algebra 1 and 2, she really just needs the additional math practice. One more credit won't hurt. She'll also start the German language program today as well. She learned enough while we lived over there to hold a basic conversation, ride the train by herself (much to Mom's chagrin), find a bathroom, order a meal, and answer the phone. That counts for something, right? No reason to require any other foreign language than the one she lived for three years!

Noticing that... Jamie seems to almost NEED to sing every waking minute of the day; it's as if the silence frustrates her. Right now, she's singing the names of the judges of Israel alternated with the apostle song. The kid can list more at the age of 4 than I can at 36, all from the songs she's learned. Wow.

A few plans for the week... Right now, the only things on the to-do list include physical therapy, grocery shopping, and schoolwork! I kind of like it that way. Pete does begin the preliminaries for his retirement physical and applying for a job that is opening this week. It just amazes me that after 20 long years, the time has finally come to face civilian life!

From the kitchen... Time to get back into the routine of making a meal plan each week! It's ironic that blogging actually helps to keep me MORE organized! Tonight, we'll have London broil, roasted potatoes, and field peas. Yummy!

Around the house... The refrigerator is still dribbling, so I think it's going to need replacing. Thankfully, living in military housing means that's someone else's problem, not ours! There are messes to clean up, of course, but we're really getting a handle on that problem in a hurry, and I'm thrilled that neatness is becoming a regular thing.

From my picture journal... the reason I can't seem to keep my pantry clean! Well, ONE of the several reasons, I should say.

Many thanks to Peggy for hosting The Simple Woman's Daybook!

Simple Woman's Daybook, 4/6/09

FOR TODAY, April 6, 2009...

Outside my window... It is dreary, windy, and the air has an odd chill to it that is a stark contrast to the warmth we've had the last few days.

I am thinking... way too much. My mind is tired.

I am thankful for... all the blessings that seem to crowd my mind lately. Funny thing about blessings, they always come with a hefty amount of responsibility, whether the blessing is in the form of children, material wealth, or even friends! You can't ever just "have" something in this life.

From the learning rooms... Kelsey is working on memorizing her speech for the Lads to Leaders Convention this weekend, and I am spending just far too much time in thought and planning for our next school year. You'd think after eleven years of this it would be easy. Not so much!

From the kitchen... I have to cook? Oops, I guess that's another thing to add to my to-do list. Meal planning and grocery shopping.

I am wearing... yoga pants and a tee. Comfy is the rule today.

I am creating... well, not much. I'm not feeling very creative today. Maybe tomorrow?

I am going... to take Kelsey for her eye doctor's appointment this afternoon, and then go grocery shopping. Other than that, it's just too icky outside to be anywhere but inside!

I am reading... Teaching the Trivium, The Well-Trained Mind, and The Organized Homeschooler. Notice a trend? Must be planning time again.

I am hoping... to somehow rid myself of the need to do EVERYTHING--it's as much of an addiction as any other, I'm afraid.

I am hearing... Shelby fussing because she doesn't want to be in her crib, where I left her when she woke up as soon as I laid her down. I suppose one of these days she'll learn how to sleep?

Around the house... are piles of laundry in need of putting away. Pretty typical for a Monday.

One of my favorite things... lately? Sleep. It's in short supply.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Finish getting the girls' two bedrooms arranged to my satisfaction. So far, so good. We picked up four of the fabric "baskets" for the cube-shelf doohickey in Morgan/Jamie's room, and a toybox/bookshelf for the school/craft room. Getting all of the teeny-kiddo toys out where the littles can play with them while I'm working with the middles will certainly be helpful, and not having to trip over blankets and toys on the way to Shelby's crib in the middle of the night would certainly be nice!

Here is picture thought I am sharing... Shelby is already (at a week under 8 months) pulling up on everything she can! Sure, it would be nice if she was walking before this new baby is born, but GOODNESS!!!! You'd think she'd want to at least crawl first!

Many thanks to Peggy for hosting The Simple Woman's Daybook!

Simple Woman's Daybook 12/15/08

FOR TODAY, December 15th...

Outside my window... it is dreary, but much warmer than it has been lately.

I am thinking... that there is just TOO much to do for me to be sitting here doing this...but I need some down-time too!

I am thankful for... God's provision--we always have just what we need, when we need it. So what if we don't have much *more*? Contentment is a blessing and sometimes *more* is a big burden!

From the kitchen... I've got sauce for spaghetti and meatballs bubbling away in the crockpot. Easy and cheap is the way to go this week!

I am wearing... cleaning-day duds--jeans and a white tee.

I am creating... piles of clean laundry, clean rooms, and to-do and to-pack lists.

I am going... later on today to pick Ty up from the vet. He's FIXED! Yay!

I am reading... The Old Schoolhouse magazine.

I am hoping... that whatever is wrong with Pete's little beater Porsche isn't too expensive...or that the Nova will be a quick-fix so we don't have to....um..... **cancel** our holiday plans. EEK!

I am hearing... the girls singing along with the Imagination Movers. What a silly show!

Around the house... disaster area! Too many projects, not enough space!

One of my favorite things... mushroom swiss burgers. Good for you? No way, but they are YUMMO!!! (Ack, did I just use a Rachael-Ray-ism?)

A few plans for the rest of the week: FINISH. Nuff said? No? Okay, well, I've got holiday yummies to make and package up, I've got to FIND my wrapping paper, get packing lists made up (with all these people, there had best be a plan to the chaos!), and maybe, just MAYBE, we can get the decorations up. Yeah, right.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... taken after our train ride yesterday. Yes, I know that Jamie is looking at a bug she just squished, I know Shelby's hood isn't on, I know it's OBVIOUS that Dani dressed herself...hey, that's our life--crazy! You gotta love it!

Go see The Simple Woman's Daybook for more daybook entries, and post a link to yours there too!

Simple Woman's Daybook 12/8/08

FOR TODAY Deceber 8th...

Outside my window... it's clear, but COLD still.

I am thinking... that my brain is too scattered right now to engage in any intelligent thought.

I am thankful for... Food Network. Odd, yes, but I get some GREAT ideas for meals there!

From the kitchen... nothing magnificent today, just ham, brown rice, and corn. Boring. No thought required (yay!)

I am wearing... jeans and an oversized tee that I wore to bed. Shelby wouldn't let me get all the way dressed this morning, so I'm waiting for Kelsey to get out of the shower so I can get my top half done!

I am creating... a lot of stress for myself, it seems. I need to stop that.

I am going... to a homeschool group meeting in about an hour. Oh, and to get gas. Thank goodness it's only $1.56 a gallon!

I am reading... the new Creating Keepsakes mag. I haven't bought myself a new magazine in a long time, this was a treat!

I am hoping... that sometime in the next couple of weeks I can get some of this stuff that is cluttering up my storage room listed and sold online so I don't have to enter the new year with all of this left undone yet again. I'm a situational procrastinator, and the situation....well, has led to a LOT being pushed off of the front burners for way too long.

I am hearing... Shelby squealing at Jamie. Someone found her voice!

Around the house... ugh, don't make me look.

One of my favorite things... a full gas tank. There's something liberating about seeing that needle pointing toward "F". Funny how once you graduate from high school, "F" becomes a good thing! LOL

A few plans for the rest of the week: *MAYBE* Pete will dig the rest of our decorations out of storage so we can have more than just a naked tree. Other than that, just the norm, plus wrapping. I NEED to get that done. This is going to be a light blog week. I have too much to do!

Here is picture thought I am sharing... standing on our heads...very fitting representation of our life!Got a crazy week too? Simplify better than I did and share it at The Simple Woman's Daybook!