Christmas Week Daybook...

(I just realized that not only is this my first post in almost two weeks...*that* I knew! :)...but it is also my 300th post! :-))

FOR TODAY

December 22, 2008

Outside my window...

It is gray and very cold...12 degrees when Billy returned from his walk this morning.

I am thinking...

about yesterday's sermon on Isaiah 9:6. I have particularly been struck this year by the concept of Jesus as our Wonderful Counselor. Bro. Kent said that the original meaning of "Wonderful", as used here, is "referring to a realm outside of our experience"; therefore, Jesus is the One who can counsel us regarding that which is beyond what we can know or imagine, bringing about a sense of awe and wonder. God has so shown Himself to us as that Wonderful Counselor in the past couple of years, and I am so thankful.

I am thankful for...

a well-stocked kitchen this morning,

the electric heater humming away in the dining room,

that I am abundantly blessed with friends,

for my early Christmas presents from my sweet-and-sneaky husband. :)

From the learning rooms...

Hoping to finish our Jesse Tree (we're still behind!)

Planning, planning, planning for second semester. :-)

From the kitchen...

Working on our two-week menu...I never actually finished one last week.

Christmas baking tomorrow!

Considering a last minute change of plan for Christmas dinner dessert...I'm debating making a cheesecake. I haven't made one in years, but it used to be my faovite thing to bake, and I am suddenly in the mood (thanks to Kathy's yummy turtle cheesecake Saturday night. :))

I am wearing...

Layered sweats, heavy hiking socks, and fuzzy slippers. It's cold in here! (Not quite 50 degrees, with the little heater running with all its might! :))

I am creating...

last-minute Christmas projects, menus, lesson plans for second semester, and an orderly desk (again! ;-))

I am going...

to finish the loose ends of our Christmas shopping today, I hope!

I am reading...

school planning materials for second semester,

recipes as I plan menus,

hoping to have time this week to finish some books I've started over the last few months and not finished. :)

I am hoping...

that it warms up a bit soon!

I am hearing...

Children busy with chores.

Around the house...

We finally have our tree up and decorated! (As of day before yesterday...I don't know that we have *ever* been that late before!)

One of my favorite things...

spending time with family and friends at Christmas.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Christmas!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

The children after the children's Christmas musical last week. I wasn't able to get any photos of the musical itself, and the few pictures I took before and after didn't turn out well (I think three of four children had Christmas cookies in their mouths at this point! ;-)) The musical went *so* well...the kids all did a great job...and I am *so* thankful it is over! :)

For more Daybook posts, visit Peggy at The Simple Woman.