Daybook Monday

06 August 2012

Outside my window...Hot...a few teasing clouds...almost sunset...

I am thinking...Really just overwhelmed these days with God's goodness and mercy.  Over and over.  In and among and through everything else.  He just keeps reminding me. 

I am thankful...Again today, as Billy brought home another month's supply, I am thankful for our medicine miracle. And so thankful that the meds are working well, side effects appear to be completely gone, and life has gone back to a much more normal state than we would ever have thought possible just a few short months ago. 

In the kitchen...Meatball sliders with meatballs from the crock pot today...yum. :)

I am creating...Tweaking the blog a bit...working on some projects for the Everything Launch Team...catching up on my art journal...and actually making music on the piano for the first time in ages...

I am going...to see Guy Penrod again 2 months from today!!  We're going to have a whole crew at this concert...can. not. wait! 

I am reading...Mary DeMuth's latest book, Everything.  It's due to release in October, but I was selected to be part of the Launch Team, so I'm reading it early.  SUPER-excited about this book!  Mary's writings have impacted my life tremendously, and I was honored to be able to guest post on her blog (here and here) a few months ago.  SO thrilled to be part of this team!

I am looking forward to..."Birthday Week" approaching!  Bay's 13th on Sunday, and Em's 11th on the following Saturday.  How did THAT happen??? :) 

I am hoping...for a calm, quiet, productive week!

I am listening to...

I am learning...God is teaching me much about obedience being a joy, not a drudgery.  Working on a Bible study on obedience that I hope to share on the blog at some point. 

Around the house...Trying to stay cool while keeping up with the basics...sorting through a bunch of paperwork this week...mapping out our plan of attack for needed work when the weather cools a bit...

I am pondering...upcoming changes on the blog...

A favorite quote for today...

 “Servants of Jesus Christ, never be discouraged when you are opposed, but when things run counter to your wishes, expect that the Lord has provided some better thing for you!..." ~ C.H. Spurgeon

So true!  I need to remember this when I feel that "things aren't going my way" angst creeping up. 

One of my favorite things...a brand spanking-new journal and a new package of pens.  Ahhhh.....:)

A few plans for the rest of the week:

     Big kids to TATWH tomorrow...

     Church at OCBC Wednesday night...

     Preparations for a certain young lady's 13th birthday on Sunday...

     Special day at Grace on Sunday...Salad luncheon and early afternoon service...can't wait!

     

A peek into our lives right now...

Officially our new church home, as of yesterday!
God is working mightily, and we are so excited to be  part of it!

Linking up with The Simple Woman's Daybook today.

Simple Woman's Daybook...October 26

Outside my window...LOTS of leaves on the ground after the rain we had during the night.  Birds chirping LOUDLY.  Cloudy and gray, but thankfully not raining at the moment.

I am thinking...about how fast my children are growing up.  As Peter keeps reminding me (several times a day :)), he's almost 12.  Ammah Grace will be 6 in a few short months.  And how in the world did Bayley and Emlyn get to be 10 and 8??   I've been really convicted lately about making the most of every minute I have left with them before they leave home.

I am thankful for...My husband, who has shouldered way more than his "share" of responsibilities around here lately and who never complains.

From the learning rooms...Pretty much planning "bare bones basics" school this week...Bible and the 3 R's.  Dad has offered to do some science enrichment  in the evening...I'm thankful for that!

From the kitchen...I have to rave about the pizzas Billy made yesterday.  Bacon Alfredo pizzas, one with grilled chicken, and one with meatballs...absolutely the best pizzas I've ever eaten.  I hope he's making more later in the week!  Yum!

I am wearing...a warm, fuzzy black plaid fleece jacket over comfy all-black knit.  It's chilly in here this morning, and it's a comfy clothes week here. :)

I am creating...an adjusted schedule to deal with life changes since the start of the school year.  I'm so thankful for the flexibility homeschooling allows to deal with those changes always!

I am going...blessedly, not much of anywhere this week other than Wednesday night church, and an evening run to the library and store to restock perishables.  Between the chicken pox the girls are passing around, and adjusting to being a one-car family again (we've been very spoiled!:)), our "going" has all but ground to a halt.  Right now, that's actually a blessing...I'm thankful for the down time God has given.

I am reading....Same things I was reading last week, plus trying to get through a stack of library books that need to go back tomorrow! 

I am praying for...friends going through very hard times right now.  Seems like so many are going through really rough storms...some ongoing and/or multiple at once.  So thankful that God has them *all* in the palm of His hand!

I am hearing...water dripping outside, birds chirping, a quiet house (for a very few more minutes, I'm sure. :))

Around the house...So many plans, so little time and energy!  I'm trying to work through a "Make the most of my minutes and resources" plan to get some relatively simple and inexpensive things done that should make a big impact on overall "liveability".  Also looking at some longer-term plans, like what to do about our silly (very) old roof. :)

One of my favorite things...crafting with my kids, and watching their creativity flourish.

A few plans for the rest of the week:   School, housework, cooking, church.  And piano practice...LOTS of piano practice on the children's choir Christmas music!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

Emlyn, Ammah Grace, and I had "Girls' Day" Saturday while Billy, Peter, and Bayley were at the Fall Festival.  We spent the afternoon doing some cool crafty stuff.  Em designed and created this tag all by herself.  I was really proud of her. :)  Hopefully I'll get more pics of our "Girls' Day" up soon.

Thanks to Peggy for hosting the Daybook each week.  

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY...October 19th 

Outside my window... Sunny, chilly, promising a beautiful day!

I am thinking... My mind is so full right now I'm having a hard time  settling down to concentrate on anything in particular!    Hopefully this afternoon I'm going to have some time to sit down and get those thoughts organized a bit. :)

I am thankful for... everyday reminders of God's love and faithfulness.   (And especially thankful this week for a car that runs!)

I am wearing... Fleece Razorback pullover and gray sweats, and warm fuzzy slippers.   It's chilly in this house this morning! :)

I am remembering...  5 years ago...thinking about lessons I learned then that I need to remember now,  thinking about all God has taught me since, thinking about the drastic differences between God's plans and my plans (and the fact that His plans are *always* good, no matter what they may look like at the time!), and thinking about the fact that out of the hardest times, God can bring very great blessings.

I am going... to be home most of the week...yay!!

I am reading... Scared, by Tom Davis.  





Also reading Raising Children to Adore God, by Patrick Kavanaugh, and Praying God's Word, by Beth Moore.

I am hoping... for a week full of sunshine!!

On my mind... plans for this week and for the coming months as we head into the holiday season and the end of the year.

From the learning rooms... Just praying for a plain ole' normal week of school this week!  (Whatever that may be...:))

Noticing that... Apparently I'm not noticing much, because I've been trying to come up with a response to this all morning and can't seem to come up with one. :)   Maybe I'm noticing that I need to be more observant???  :-D

From the kitchen... Jodie has me craving pumpkin baked goods. :)  Right now I'm trying to decide between pumpkin bread, my MIL's pumpkin bars, or these yummy-looking pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.

Around the house... Still need to move the books I was going to move last week and finish the seasonal clothes swap.  Other things ended up being higher priority last week. :)   Also need to paint the old sewing machine cabinet that is on the front porch, and fill ten bags with stuff to give away or donate.

One of my favorite things~ Seeing my children excited about working together on a project. :)


Pondering These Words... 

"If we have never had the experience of taking our commonplace religious shoes 

off our commonplace religious feet, 

and getting rid of all the undue familiarity with which we approach God, 

it is questionable whether we have ever stood in His presence.    

The people who are flippant and familiar are those who have never yet been introduced to Jesus Christ.  After the amazing delight and liberty of realizing what Jesus Christ does, 

comes the impenetrable darkness of realizing who He is."  

~ Oswald Chambers

This reminded me of Bro. Kent's sermon yesterday morning...about how casually we often approach God, and how wrong it is to approach the "thrice-Holy" God in a casual manner.   When we truly begin to realize His Holiness, it will impact the way we approach Him, and the way we approach worship.    

From my picture journal...

Emlyn made a teeny-tiny basket full of teeny-tiny fruits and veggies for the art fair last week.  Hopefully I'll get the rest of the art fair pics up soon!


Thanks to Peggy for hosting the Daybook each week!  

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

October 12th 

Outside my window... Gray and rainy...again.

I am thinking... that I think I'm ready to get my feet a bit wet in the pro scrapbook world again...it's been way too long!

I am thankful for...  my husband, for more reasons than I could begin to type here!

I am wearing... Red and black fleece Razorback pullover and black knit pants

I am remembering... A "younger me" who had much more energy and creative inspiration, for whom being cheerful and friendly was rarely "work", who was much less "cautious" about people...a "me" whose personality and inner make-up has changed completely in the past few years.   But, I am also realizing that in many ways, those changes have been a necessary part of the fulfillment of James 1:4: "Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."  

I am going... to be home even more than usual for a couple more weeks.  That has been a blessing in some ways, but a definite challenge in others.   Praying for wisdom and discipline and grace to turn the challenges into blessings.

I am reading... Christa Parrish's Watch Over Me, for a book review.  She is a new author to me, and I'm really enjoying this one.   Getting ready to write a review of Things Worth Remembering, which I read this weekend.  Great book by another new-to-me author, Jackina Stark.   Working my way through some non-fiction as well, but don't have my "stack" in front of me to list titles at the moment. :)

I am hoping... that if it must rain the next few days as predicted, it will be light.  Our world is really waterlogged at the moment!

On my mind... "Living Intentionally", and the toll living in "survival mode" has taken on that in recent years.  Working on baby steps to getting back there...

From the learning rooms... Trying to get back to a regular school routine this week, after "sick time" last week.  Also working on some winter P.E. plans for the kids (and workout plans for mom) with some equipment we were blessed with this weekend.

Noticing that... I'm moving way more slowly today than I need to be!!

Pondering these words... "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."  ~ Philippians 4:4-8

From the kitchen... Trying to decide whether to make lasagna or chicken and dumplings for supper.  Hmmm.   Also need to make Ranch snack crackers per Billy's request, and some cookies for snacking. :)

Around the house... Planning to re-organize some bookshelves and the china cabinet this week, as well as doing the Great Fall Clothes Swap. :)  Hopefully in the process of both, we'll get some much-needed decluttering done.

One of my favorite things~ A note from a friend.

From my picture journal...  

Yummy breakfast skillet Billy made Saturday morning. :)

To see what others are doing today, visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook. 

Simple Woman's Daybook...Finally Back :)

I cannot believe it's been over two weeks since I've posted here!  It's certainly not been from lack of content...my "To Blog" list gets longer and longer by the day.    And "there hasn't been time" really isn't accurate, either.  While there have been some busy days in the past few weeks, and lots of unexpected issues cropping up here and there, there *has* been down time occasionally when I would normally have been blogging.   "Massive brain fog" is probably the best explanation.  The mental energy to sit down and form thoughts into typed words has completely eluded me.  Any attempt at serious thought in the past few weeks has brought with it the feeling that I am trying to swim through a sea of jello.  

The brain fog is still there, but *hopefully* is beginning to lift a bit (it had better be, or my family is in big trouble! ;-))  I *must* get busy on this "To Blog" list...partcularly two book reviews that *must* be posted this week (watch for a review of the first book of a great new Amish fiction series, and a *very* late review on the very intriguing Flickering Pixels.)

In the meantime, I thought I'd ease back in with a Daybook post....:-)

For Today... April 27, 2009

Outside my window... still no rain, despite an 80% chance of rain/storms last night and today.  A little rain would be fine, but I'm praying that the  storms and heavy rains don't materialize this week.  We'll see.  It looks like the clouds could burst any moment. 

I am thinking... many jumbled thoughts on every topic imaginable.   I'm really hoping to sort some of them out this morning!

From the learning rooms... We have a basket full of library books we need to finish getting through, a new math  curriculum (yay!!) to start, and a strong need to get back on schedule and STAY there.   We're also going to be doing some extra study on nutrition  in the next few weeks...I need to pull out that material and get "lessons" organized. :)

I am thankful for... my husband.  I am thankful for the way he takes care of me and of our family.  I'm thankful for the ways he has once again picked

 up the slack this last week as I haven't been quite up to par physically.  

...my children.  They, too, have had a lot put on them this week.  I appreciate their sweet spirits and willingness to jump in and help (*most* of the time!

 ;-))

...friends.  And the ways they are *always* there to help carry the burdens, even when they are carrying huge loads of their own.  

...music.   I am *still* amazed at how God always puts just the music I need to hear in my path at just the right time.  

From the kitchen... I'm thankful for the bulk cooking I was able to do week before last...and hoping that I'll be able to finish that this week. 

 
I am reading... Just Jane, by Nancy Moser (one of my favorite fiction authors).   It is a fictionalized account of Jane  Austen's life, and I'm really enjoying it so far.   

My non-fiction reading has been spotty lately...the brain  fog makes non-fiction reading a bit of a challenge. :)  I'm hoping to get back to my "stack" this week and post a  "Book Bit" or two.   I did start a new Bible Study last week that I am really excited about...The One True God, by Paul Washer.  You can download the whole book in PDF format free here. 

  

I am hoping... that the predicted storms end up being gentle rain, instead. :)  

I am creating... a place to create!  Bayley helped me get one half of the dining room sorted, purged, and organized; we are hoping to get the other side (the crafty side :)) done

 this week.  I'm so ready to get back to creative projects!

I am praying...  for dear friends going through major trials right now...that God will bless and provide abundantly, and that He will use me to help bear their burdens in even a fraction of the ways they have helped bear mine,  

...for a friend having surgery later this week,

...for God's continually perfect timing and  provision in our lives,

...for wisdom, discipline, diligence, and for my focus to constantly be on Him, and not on circumstances or feelings.

 

Around the house... Lots of work to do in the kitchen today!!  Billy started what was supposed to be a "quick, minor  plumbing fix" yesterday before I got the kitchen cleaned up from lunch (and the meat I had cooked, divided, and put away at midnight the night  before...eek), and it turned into a bit more than quick and minor. ;-)   Not only did it take much longer than he expected (including multiple trips to the hardware store while the  plumbing lay in the middle of the kitchen floor :)), but I ended up not being able to run water in there all afternoon and evening.   But I now have the official okay to do the  dishes...thank goodness!  I never realized how much I appreciated my kitchen sink! :)  (AND my handy husband!)

One of my favorite things... watching Billy and our children together.  People constantly comment on what a "natural"  or "hands-on" dad Billy is...and I am so thankful that no matter what happens, I know that he can and will take care of our  children as well (and probably better!) than I do.   If you want to make him really mad, say that he is "babysitting" when I'm not here (but be prepared for a good Italian tongue-lashing when you do! ;-))   He is my children's hero...and mine!

A few plans for the rest of the week...

 An appointment this afternoon, then hopefully a calm, quiet, *ordinary* week of school, church, chores, etc.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Billy and the kids doing some "spring planting" last week.   "The rest of the story", and more pictures will hopefully be the subject of their own blog post soon. :)

For more Daybook entries, visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook.  

Days-Behind-Daybook :)

For Today... March 25, 2009

Outside my window... trees starting to bud, birds chirping, surprising quiet for this time of the morning. 

I am thinking... My mind is flooded with thoughts this week!   

A surprise phone call Monday has a constant "wondering" running continually in the back of my mind, in and amongst all the other thoughts, plans, and activities.  

All weekend God has filled my mind with thoughts of His glory and the ways He has been working in my life and in my family in the past few years...reflecting on His faithfulness and blessings. 

 

I've been pondering the subject of our resurrection bodies this week, after a comment Bro. Kent made Sunday afternoon.  I started doing some Bible study on the new body vs. the old body earlier this week...more on that later.  

At the moment I'm also thinking about a young friend who is having oral surgery as I type...and praying for a  successful and relatively painless experience for her.  

From the learning rooms... This morning's thoughts have turned also to the way that God has been gradually (and sometimes swiftly!) shifting the direction of our schooling, in ways I

 would *never* have expected.  He is giving us a much more other-centered, mission-minded, global focus, through our geography curriculum, missions study, and our new 

Compassion sponsorship.  Hopefully I'll have time and mental clarity to post a bit more on that later this week...

Work on our new Mega-Memory passage, Ephesians 6:1-9, is going well.  We've opted not to sign this one, and are planning some other  activities with it instead, but so far have just done straight memorization...which everyone seems to be enjoying just fine on its own!  (Which leads me to wonder  if sometimes we  expend a lot of effort to "enhance" things which would be perfectly fine in their simplest form.   Not that there is anything wrong with the enhancements, but there are

 seasons in which the simple is all we can do...and perhaps I need to suspend my "fretting" about that!)

I am thankful for... Emlyn's baptism last week!  I have been postponing the actual post on her baptism due to technical  issues with the video...hopefully that will be worked out soon.  Her excitement and certainty have been such a blessing.  

I'm also thankful for another profession of faith that will be made this Sunday...and for another baptism that should  then occur the following week.  God is blessing immeasurably here!!  And I am thankful. 

 

From the kitchen... Last night was one of our favorite "fast food" meals these days...chicken salad  sandwiches, chips, and my family's new favorite dip.  The chicken salad isn't my very favorite chicken salad recipe...I like a lot more "stuff" in my  chicken salad :)...but this is the hands-down favorite of the rest of my family. :)  And it's super-easy, so it makes a great (and much cheaper) alternative to grabbing burgers or pizza on busy days.  

Chicken Salad (recipe from, of all places, a demo at Sam's :))

*Chicken (can use canned chicken, leftover chicken, or chicken bulk-cooked and frozen. )  Chop or shred.

*Miracle Whip

*Bacon Bits (we use 

Hormel Real Bacon pieces...I buy a bag from Sam's and they last us forever.)

*Mrs. Dash seasoning

I have no measurements...just mix it up to taste.  

Best Dip Ever (named by my children. :))

 This dip originated from our work to prune our grocery budget.  I had seen a new dip at the store one afternoon that  *really* sounded good..and had even stuck it in the cart.  Then I did an about-face and put it back on the shelf, realizing that at $4 a jar,  I could surely make something similar myself at home for much less.  So...I grabbed a package of green onions and headed home to experiment...  

*Sour cream (again, I have no measurements.  We keep a huge container of sour cream

 from Sam's in the fridge all the time, so I plop out what we need depending on how many people are eating or how long I want it to last before I make more. :))

*Bacon pieces (a handful, depending on how much sour cream you use :))

*Green onion, chopped.

*Seasoning Salt (Like Lawry's, but we use a generic.) Sprinkle to taste.  

Chill and serve with chips, crackers, or veggies.  Yum!

I am reading... a couple of books I received this week to review here...Sticks and Stones, by Ace Collins, and Flickering Pixels, by Shane Hipps.  Both are somewhat out of my normal reading patterns, but I'm really looking forward to both of them.  The first is on the impact of words, and how to use our words to positively impact the world around us.

Also just starting Unveiled at Last, by Bob Sjogren, for our missions curriculum, and reviewing the materials from the One Day Evangelism Crash Course this weekend. 

 

And...read this interesting article this morning, about the importance of a good geography education in our current culture.  

I am hoping... that the wet weather we are supposed to have the rest of this week is just "rainy" and not "stormy".

I am creating... a dent in Mount Laundry!  

I am hearing... children finishing chores...when I started this, many interruptions ago :), all was quiet.  Now I hear  quiet chatter (as we've been working on "working

 quietly"), and the sounds of busy hands and feet restoring a bit of order to the house for the day. 

Around the house... Trying not to be overwhelmed by the amount of work that needs to be done, the decluttering and organizing and beautifying that I want so badly to do, but which comes *so* slowly in and around and amongst all the other demands of life.   I'm  trying hard to be diligent, to do what I can when I can (and not get discouraged and completely throw in the towel, as I have a tendency to do) and to remember that the little bits, done faithfully and

 consistently, *do* add up eventually.  

One of my favorite things... My children's excitement about sharing Jesus with others.   

A few plans for the rest of the week... Church/choir tonight, a library trip this

 afternoon or tomorrow; otherwise, being busy at home with school and work on the house.   Unlike everyone else we know :), we aren't taking spring break this week, so it's a bit of an odd week with everyone else "on vacation".  We did take a day off Monday and spent the afternoon with friends, which was a much-needed and much-enjoyed break. 

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Emlyn just before her baptism.  I love the joy in her face!  (More pics to come as soon as we get the video to upload. :))

For more Daybook entries, visit Peggy's Simple Woman's Daybook site.  

Simple Woman's Daybook~Vacation Day :)

FOR TODAY.. January 12, 2009

Outside my window... Inky black darkness, except for the security light across the street.  I am up much earlier than I had planned to be!

I am thinking... that  I really wish I was still in bed.  Billy is off today and I had hoped we could all sleep a bit late, but I awoke in the wee hours with a monster headache.  By the time it is gone, I'm afraid it will be time to get up. :) 

I am thankful for...  curtain fabric!!   My wonderful friend who is moving and purging brought me two bags of fabric yesterday...perfect for much-needed curtains.  

From the learning rooms...   a day off today!  Since our "principal" is off work and home today, I think we'll call it parent-teacher conference day. :)   Otherwise, we had a good solid week of school last week (yay!) with just the basics; hopefully we will do as well this week as we add in other subjects. 

From the kitchen...  I'm planning a big brunch today, since Billy is off...biscuits and gravy, eggs, bacon, and maybe hash browns.   Tonight we are having one of Peter's favorites...BBQ smokies in the crock pot, mashed potatoes, veggies, and some kind of homemade bread.  Yum. :)

I am wearing...  A black and green fuzzy Field and Stream sweatshirt...my second favorite cozy sweatshirt for really cold mornings. 

I am creating... curtains!  That is the plan, anyway. :)  Hopefully I'll have pictures later in the week.  

(And hopefully A Daily Touch of Beauty every day, with a report later in the week. :))

I am going...  not much of anywhere this week, I hope...a few very quick errands

 later today, and then the only things on the calendar this week are church Wednesday and Sunday and a big grocery trip on Friday. 

I am reading... creativity-inspiring blogs, such as A La Mode, The Inspired Room, Nesting Place, and Thrifty Decor Chick.   And working on my 999 Reading List (but getting a slow start! Ugh.)

I am hoping... for a great "day off" with Billy and the kids today.  

I am hearing...  the hum of the heater behind me.  Otherwise, the house is completely quiet 

other than my clicking on the keyboard.  

 

Around the house...  working on curtains for the Entry Hall, kitchen, and bathroom this week.  (Have I mentioned that already?  Can you tell I'm a tad excited at the prospect??)    

One of my favorite things...  a freshly cleaned/organized refrigerator!  (One of my projects over the weekend, and I'm having to stop myself from just standing there with the door open

 enjoying the view. :) )

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Celebrating our anniversary...13 years!...tomorrow (at home, with the kids, contentedly :-)  Otherwise, hopefully a  quiet, productive week.  

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

All four kids worked together for *hours* last week building this Lego tower.  I wish I had gotten pictures of all four sides...there were some incredible details I missed in this photo (like "climbing ivy" on the back! :))  It was so much fun to watch them pooling their creative skills to get it "just right". 

For more Daybook entries, visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook. 

(I apologize for the spacing issues on this post.  For some reason, when I add photos to a post, the spacing and type size goes bananas, and *sometimes* Blogger will let me fix it, and *sometimes* it won't.   Does anyone know *why* that is, or *what* I can do about it?  It's making me *nuts*!! :))

FOR TODAY.. January 5, 2009

Outside my window... Gray and cold.

I am thinking... about plans for the new year.

I am thankful for... my sweet family and wonderful friends, a kitchen full of food, rest and fun last week, a new year.

From the learning rooms... getting "back in the swing of things" this week after the break.

From the kitchen... leftover brisket for lunch, tacos for supper, and hopefully some bulk baking this week for breakfasts and snacks.

I am wearing... Dark green sweats...it's cold in here!

I am creating... lists, lists, lists! :) All kinds of plans for the new year for home, school, schedule, projects.

I am going... to run errands earlier than expected today...hoping to beat the icy rain that appears to be headed this way. Ugh! :)

I am reading... finishing the third book in Karen Kingsbury's 9/11 series, and then starting on my 999 reading list.

I am hoping... for a peaceful, productive week.

I am hearing... children working on their chores.

Around the house... New Year cleaning, straightening, purging, organizing.

One of my favorite things... paper and pens (I know, that's two, but I'm obsessed with both. :))

A few plans for the rest of the week: A solid week of school. Noticeable progress on the house. Food planned and prepared in a timely manner. Back to our normal Wednesday schedule at church.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...So *many* possibilities here...but I must restrain myself to keep from getting into trouble. :) So, I'll limit it to this picture of Bayley playing the Wii at a friend's birthday/slumber party this weekend. I'm not sure who ended up having more fun, the girls or the chaperones. :)

Thanks to Peggy at The Simple Woman for hosting the Daybook each week!!

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.