daybook

#28 for 2010
Hosted by Peggy @ The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window ...

is Granny's back yard.  It is warmer today than it has been, but still not too bad.

I am hearing ...

Ronnie watching Dirty Jobs.  We don't have cable/satellite at home so we enjoy watching our favorite shows when we come to Granny's.  I usually camp out in front of Food Network.

I am wearing ...
my hang in the house clothes are the same anywhere ...
blue lounge pants and an old t-shirt.

I am going ...

home. 

It is a good thing, but I wouldn't mind a few more days of relaxing.

I am hoping ...

that LB had a good night staying with her cousin last night ... and that Charlie survived having two giggling girls all night!

I am noticing that ...

the dog has adjusted well to Granny's back yard.

I am thinking ...

or trying not to think about what has to be done this week.

I am reading ...

I don't think I'll be reading much besides British Lit for the next few months. 

This week we are working towards The Canterbury Tales ... yuck!

I am creating ...

I'll be getting things together for LB to make a wreath at Keepers this week.

On my mind ...

the busy week ahead.

I am remembering ...

that our first Book-It of the year is this week and

we haven't gotten started on our reports yet!

Counting my blessings ...

a relaxing weekend with family, a wonderful sermon at Granny's church yesterday, a chance to visit with Ronnie's 94 yr old Grandmother yesterday afternoon, going home today.

A quote for the day ... (held over from last week)

"Faith must trample under foot all reason, sense, and understanding. "

— Martin Luther

From the learning rooms ...

we will be focusing on co-op work since it is going to be a short week and co-op meets on Friday.

From the kitchen ...

who knows ...
I have thoroughly enjoyed not having to make any food decisions
for a couple of days.  I do think I'll work on the week's menu on the way home.

Around the house ...

I refuse to think about the mess I left until I get home and have to actually face it.

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

just what I've already mentioned along with a trip to the library and a family reunion on Saturday.

One of my favorite things ...

a relaxing boat ride!

A picture to share with you ...

from Granny's picture file ...

The four kids who have been playing this weekend ... taken in 2007.
You'll notice a distinct difference when I get home and can post the pics
from this weekend ... man, have they grown!

daybook

#27 for 2010
Hosted by Peggy @ The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window ...

It is dark and not so oppressively hot as it has been.

I am hearing ...

Praise You in this Storm by Casting Crowns ...

I absolutely love that song.

I am wearing ...

blue plaid jammie pants and a yellow t-shirt

I am going ...

to get in bed before midnight tonight!

I am hoping ...

for some good advice from homeschooling moms in

answer to my questions on my other blog.

I am noticing that ...

I am finding it harder and harder to find time

to blog these days and I really miss it!

I am thinking ...

about, and looking forward to, our long weekend

and a much needed break from the scenery around here!

I am reading ...

all about Beowulf as I prepare to teach it this Friday in co-op.

I am creating ...

a few plans for LB's birthday party sleepover ...

I think I may have let her invite too many girls!

On my mind ...

school and my interaction with my kids.

I am remembering ...

how thankful I am that Mama's scan came back clear

and that she will get a little more time off before she has to start chemo again.

Counting my blessings ...

homeschooling my kids (after today, I need to remind myself that this is a blessing!), wonderful new friends that God has brought into my  life, D getting to ride to the coast with my parents and spend last weekend with Ronnie's mom - all by himself - for the first time, being part of the dedication service for our new hymnals on Sunday and hearing our pastor speak on the importance of music in a worship service, sharing the 5th Sunday lunch with our church family.

A quote for the day ...

"Faith must trample under foot all reason, sense, and understanding. "

— Martin Luther

From the learning rooms ...

aside from the everyday, mundane stuff, we are also studying the skeletal system in Anatomy and should finish up our first unit in history by the end of the week.  I am hoping to do some "fun" history activities and notebooking next week.

From the kitchen ...

it is pantry/fridge clean-out week and I am hoping to stay out of the grocery store all week.

We may have some odd meals, but at least nothing will be wasted.

Around the house ...

I need to catch up on laundry so that we will have clothes for the weekend!

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

amazingly, we have no plans other than church and co-op on Friday morning ...

that is until we head south on Friday night!

One of my favorite things ...

days that I don't have to leave the house!

Pictures to share ...

frying quail eggs ...
 this pan will only hold 3 chicken eggs at one time

I finally finished my scarf!

Thanks for stopping by ...

I hope you have a wonderful week!

daybook

#26 for 2010
Hosted by Peggy @ the Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window ...

It is raining ... which is unusual for this time of year ... normally our rain comes late in the day in the form of thunderstorms.

I am hearing ...

D playing in his room.

I am wearing ...

my favorite jeans and a green/brown/white striped shirt.

I am going ...

this morning ... to speech, the library and then Sam's. 

Tonight, I am meeting a friend for supper before our Mom's meeting :-).

I am hoping ...

that JW finishes copying his speech homework before we have to leave for class.

I am noticing that ...

time is running out before the first co-op class and I had better get busy studying!

I am thinking ...

about my Mama and the tests she is having done today.

I am reading ...

I will be starting Beowulf for the British Lit class I am teaching.  I can't say that I am really looking forward to reading it again, but I am looking forward to getting past it so we can get on the the fun stuff!

I am creating ...

some fun stuff for the kids for school ... we've been covering composition books with scrapbook paper to personalize them (and using them for journals, etc) and I am working on a place for each of the kids to keep their own pencils, scissors, etc in our school area.

On my mind ...

school schedules ...

 eliminating the things that are distracting us and keeping only what is

 necessary until we get into a better routine.

I am remembering ...

that I am going to have to pay a fine when I go to the library today ... yuck!

Counting my blessings ...

JW getting to spend the day with my brother's family yesterday ...

 love how much he loves to play with his cousins and it was worth a day off school

for him to get to enjoy a full day doing "boy" things!

Words that I am pondering ...

from our Sunday School lessons on Philippians:

"Our role is not to look at our circumstances but to turn to the God who controls our circumstances.

Our hope does not lie in a reversal of circumstances, but in the One who transcends every situation.

Our part is not to wallow in circumstances, but to look for lessons and the victory that God has for us as we live through our circumstances."

From the learning rooms ...

LB is learning a hard lesson about neatness and what happens when you won't take the time to do your work right the first time.  We are starting our new Anatomy and Physiology book this week ... I am really looking forward to this class ... I always learn more in science than they do!

From the kitchen ...

LB helped me do the weekly menu yesterday ...

we didn't plan anything fancy but I am planning to try a new recipe for Lazy Lasagna on Thursday.

Around the house ...

we finally got LB's new dresser moved in on Sunday ...

now I just have to finish getting everything put in it!

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

homeschool meeting tonight, Keepers tomorrow afternoon and church tomorrow night,

then not much until a family reunion on Saturday.

One of my favorite things ...

new friends!

A picture to share ...

the kids noticed this rainbow in the clouds on the way to church Sunday night. 

Some of the colors had faded before I was able to take the picture, but it is still a beautiful sight.

daybook

#25 for 2010
Hosted by Peggy at the Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window ...

the sun is shining and it is going to be another hot day ...

I think the forecasted high is 99 degrees.

I am hearing ...

LB and JW talking ... D is still asleep.

I am wearing ...

a navy and yellow knit set that Mama gave me years ago. 

I'm not one to give up on a garment just because it has a little age on it!

I am going ...

to take JW to his first speech class of the year and to the fruit stand while he's there.

We'll all be going to my Daddy's birthday dinner tonight.

I am hoping ...

that our local fruit stand has some really good peaches for a reasonable price!

I am noticing that ...

I am not as organized as I would like to be for the beginning of the school year.

I am thinking ...

about our school year and all the things I want to accomplish.

I am reading ...

the book of Romans and lots of school books.

I am creating ...

I have begun crocheting my first scarf.  I am finding the whole process of crochet very relaxing.  My goal is to learn how to make a doll blanket for a shoebox I am working on.

On my mind ...

plans for the kick-off we are working on for the Operation Christmas Child collection season.

I am remembering ...

the fun time we had with friends from church this weekend and how much we appreciate those friends.

Counting my blessings ...

I'll say it again ... AIR CONDITIONING!

and ... friends willing to lend a helping hand, new adventures, speech classes, hand-me-down furniture

Words that I am pondering ...

"In order to lead, we must first learn to follow."

From the learning rooms ...

new adventures and some new plans for organizing all the "stuff" that comes with homeschooling.

From the kitchen ...

sandwiches for lunch and spaghetti for supper at my parents' house. 

I am also working on a plan for LB to contribute more to both the menu planning and the cooking and cleaning in the kitchen.

Around the house ...

the new-to-us chest of drawers is in the boys' room and almost full.  Today, I'll tackle getting LB's room ready for her "new" grown up dresser - complete with a mirror!

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

hanging out with my family tonight, Keepers tomorrow, the first meeting of our new homeschool group Thursday evening, and, what I hope is a quiet and uneventful Saturday!

One of my favorite things ...

Ronnie helping me make plans and set goals for school.

A couple of pictures to share ...

D showing off the carrot he drew all by himself!

LB with the first rag she has completed ... so proud!

daybook

#24 for 2010
Hosted by Peggy @ The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window ... it is humid and miserably hot.  This is the kind of weather that makes one incredibly thankful for an air-conditioner.

I am hearing ... LB playing with the dog.

I am going ... to Keepers this afternoon and then church tonight.

I am wearing ... black shorts and an Operation Christmas Child t-shirt.

I am noticing that ... it has been almost a month since I posted a daybook.  It has been a busy summer.

I am thinking ... about what I need to get done before one of JW's  friends comes to play tomorrow.

I am hoping ... that it cools off some soon.

I am reading ... British Literature, getting ready for co-op to start at the end of this month.

I am creating ... crocheted rags!  I am so proud that I have taught myself how to crochet a few stitches, but I still need to learn more about how to follow larger patterns before I tackle a big project.

On my mind ... school.

I am remembering ... that today is my little brother's birthday.

Counting my blessings ... air conditioning, having no reason to be outdoors today, starting school, co-op classes, friends to hang out with today.

Words that I am pondering ... some questions from our study of Philippians in Sunday School ... the last two weeks we have been talking about the godly thought life.

*How carefully do you evaluate your sources of information?
*How carefully do you choose those that you allow to teach you, or to model behavior for you?

In what areas might you make better choices?
*How do you discern what is worthy of study? Of remembering? Of forgetting?

From the learning rooms ... JW is getting ready to read to me, LB is doing math, and D is doing dot art.

From the kitchen ... anything that doesn't require turning on the oven, it heats the house up too much.

Around the house ... tons of laundry.

A few plans for the rest of the week ... the kids' back to school trip with the Wednesday Night Kids from church ... this year we are going to the Petrified Forest in Flora, MS.  I am sure that it will be lots of fun, but it is going to be HOT!

One of my favorite things ... learning new things.

A picture to share ...

daybook

#23 for 2010
Hosted by Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window ... it is pretty dreary ... but we need the rain and I finally got the grass cut yesterday, so all is well.

I am hearing ... Granny (Ronnie's mom) talking to someone up front ... not sure if one of the kids is up or if she is on the phone.

I am going ... not sure that we are going anywhere today, with the yucky weather, I'm content to just hang out at home.
I am wearing ... black shorts and an orange t-shirt.

I am noticing that ... D's pants are getting too short ... again!  At least it is summer and he can wear shorts most of the time.

I am thinking ... about Bible school coming up next week and what I need to do to get ready.

I am hoping ... that the final prep for VBS goes well this week and that we will see results from the flyers we distributed this weekend.

I am reading ... VBS lessons ... at least that is what I will be reading this week.

I am creating ... dresses ... still working on the ones to donate (see last week's daybook).

On my mind ... seems that VBS is dominating my thoughts this week ... maybe because I have a lot to do to prepare for next week.

I am remembering ... the wonderful weekend we have had ... it was such a great time with friends and family.

Counting my blessings ... 44 quarts of tomatoes canned, Mama's bar full of tomatoes we'll have to can later this week, pickles soaking in lime, kids riding their bikes in my parents' yard, adults working together to complete a task, church picnics, fireworks, celebrating our heritage.

Words that I am pondering ... Mama shared something she heard in a sermon talking about the church and it has really stuck with me ... "Anything not supernatural, is superficial."

From the learning rooms ... we are on hold while Granny is here.

From the kitchen ... pickles to be washed and put in ice water for now ... they will be moved to syrup this afternoon and cooked tonight or in the morning.

Around the house ... things are fairly clean, but the laundry is growing by the minute.


A few plans for the rest of the week ... visiting with Granny and getting ready for VBS will pretty much dominate the week.


One of my favorite things ... canned tomatoes, ready for whatever I want to cook!

A picture to share with you ... just part of the process, celery washed and ready to be chopped and added to the tomatoes.

I hope you have a wonderful week!

daybook

#22 for 2010

Hosted by Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window ... the weeds in the back yard are taller than the dog ... I really need to get it cut today!

I am hearing ... the soft snoring of one of the boys in my bed ... I think it is JW.

I am going ... to a dinner in celebration of the birth of my nephew.

I am wearing ... blue knit pants and a yellow t-shirt.

I am noticing that ... our puppy doesn't look much like a puppy anymore ... she is getting so big!

I am thinking ... about the vacation we are trying to plan for this fall and hoping it works out.  I think Ronnie is getting a little stir crazy ... he needs a break (and something to look forward to)!

I am hoping ... to get to see some friends from my college days who will be in town this weekend.  Catching up on Facebook is nice, but it would be MUCH better to actually see them in person.

I am reading ... Philippians.

I am creating ... LB's pillowcase dress.  I need to go to Mama's and finish hemming the dress we started and hopefully, I will soon get a chance to make the 2nd dress I bought material for.  LB wants to keep these, so I plan to buy more fabric to make dresses to donate.

On my mind ... my friend whose husband passed away last week and a young mother who is having a hard time following the birth of her 2nd child.

I am remembering ... the beautiful wedding we attended on Saturday.  The bride was in Ronnie's youth group 10 years ago when we came to the church where we are now.  It is hard for me to fathom that those kids are married and some of them even have kids of their own now ... tends to make a body feel rather old.

Counting my blessings ...  getting to attend Sammy's wedding, fresh cucumbers about to become pickles, LB getting to spend the day with my parents (if she'll ever get out of bed!), kids who still like to sit in my lap ~ even if they don't fit anymore, dreaming and planning vacations with Ronnie, making plans for promoting Operation Christmas Child this fall.

Words that I am pondering ... Is there something in your life that has no real spiritual meaning, but which you regularly do?

From the learning rooms ... LB is going shopping with Mama today while Daddy is in physical therapy, so it will just be JW and me ... we are going to spend some time reviewing the phonics book he just finished.

From the kitchen ... potato casserole and hot corn ... I'm helping my sister-in-law with the dinner for Asher tonight.

Around the house ... we are getting ready for Granny to come on Thursday ... today, I'll be tackling bathrooms.

A few plans for the rest of the week ... Granny coming, WMU dinner on Thursday, hoping to get together with friends this weekend, church picnic and bike parade (for the kids) on Sunday.

One of my favorite things ... weddings.

A picture to share with you ... LB working on her pillowcase dress

I hope you have a wonderful week!

daybook

#21 for 2010
Hosted by Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window ... the sun is shining, the birds are singing, and it is already HOT!

I am hearing ... blog music and the sound of my tpying.

I am going ... nowhere today, Ronnie has my van since the air conditioner in his truck isn't working.

I am wearing ... blue jean capris and a gray Bass Pro Shops t-shirt.

I am noticing that ... I haven't done a daybook in several weeks.

I am thinking ... about what needs to be done this week, and realizing that I probably won't get it all done.

I am hoping ... to get a little more caught up on housework today.

I am reading ... a couple of "just for fun" novels and my Spurgeon devotional trying to get some direction for what I will share with the ladies tomorrow night.

I am will be creating ... a pillowcase dress with LB at Keeper's tomorrow.  The plan is to donate the dresses to Little Dresses for Africa.  I also think that, depending on how hard they are to make, it might be something we could include in Shoeboxes.  We'll have to see, though.

On my mind ... Mama getting chemo today and a friend whose husband is very ill.

I am remembering ... that our VBS is only a few weeks away! 

Counting my blessings ... fresh veggies to can, Vacation Bible School, watching the kids play with their cousins, Ronnie helping Daddy in the garden, leftovers, kids who like cereal for supper, fresh new days - with no mistakes.

Words that I am pondering ... "In order to see great things, we must be passionate about the things of God."

From the learning rooms ... continuing our summer session, mostly doing math and grammer/phonics, with a good bit of reading thrown in.

From the kitchen ... a great big mess!  I'll be tackling it first in my quest to catch up on housework.  Once I find the kitchen, I plan to bake some chicken and cook veggies for lunch.

Around the house ... you don't want to know!

A few plans for the rest of the week ... the big kids are back in VBS this week at my parents' church, we have Keepers tomorrow and possibly a play date on Thursday, and a wedding on Saturday.

One of my favorite things ... the popping sound of jars sealing.

A picture to share with you ... I love pictures of my kids sleeping ... this is D, inside my pajama pants.

I hope you have a wonderful week!

daybook

#20 for 2010
Visit Peggy at The Simple Woman for more daybooks.

Outside my window ... it is quite warm and the grass needs to be mowed again.

I am wearing ... khaki capris and an olive green t-shirt.

I am hearing ... blog music and the boys watching Fetch up front.

I am going ... possibly to my parents' garden and pick string beans.  JW was supposed to make up his rained out baseball games tonight, but they have been cancelled again.  We didn't think that they would make them up at all, so we were surprised to find that they had rescheduled them.  We aren't sure why they were cancelled this time, but it takes away my excuse for putting off picking the beans today.

I am noticing that ... there are quite a few classics that I haven't read.

I am creating ... a list of books that I want to read this summer, both for myself and for the kids.

I am reading ... Around the World in 80 days and Pride and Prejudice.  And yes, this is the first time I've read either of these books ... I know, shame on me!

I am hoping ... that our tomatoes begin to ripen soon.  I am really ready for a fresh tomato sandwich...yummy!

I am remembering ... how much I disliked working in the garden as a kid, and yet how thankful I am for the lessons I learned during those times.

Counting my blessing ... time spent with Ronnie's mom and cousin this weekend, including a great time on Sunday night with Ronnie's family and my parents at our house, hearing Ronnie preach this weekend,  books to read, gardening to be done, teaching the kids to pick and snap beans.

On my mind ... Daddy's knee surgery next week.

From the learning rooms ... nothing today, we'll hit it again tomorrow and begin reading a new book together, though I haven't decided which one yet.

From the kitchen ... leftovers from the grill for tonight.  Beyond that, I just don't know yet.

Around the house ... nothing out of the ordinary.

A few plans for the rest of the week ... continue with school and the garden ... not much else on the agenda.

One of my favorite things ... Ronnie cooking on the grill!  He finally got a new grill this weekend and I'm looking forward to him using it a lot this summer.

A picture to share with you ... actually, pictures ... my two boys and their different approaches to eating watermelon!  D is all about getting every bit of the goodie he can from one of his favorite summertime treats, while JW is trying to be less picky and try new things.  You can tell he's not too sure whether or not he likes it though.  He did try a bigger piece later, but I don't think it will replace apples as his fruit of choice.

I hope you have a great week!

daybook

#19 for 2010

Hosted each week by Peggy at the Simple Woman's Daybook.

Outside my window ... the sun is shining down on freshly mowed grass.  The wind is blowing through the tree in my neighbor's back yard, reminding me that I love windy days.

I am thinking ... that I didin't make the coffee strong enough this morning.  I am not a fan of weak coffee.

I am thankful for ... playdates in the park.

I am wearing ... blue plaid lounge pants and an orange t-shirt.

I am creating ... neat and organized rooms for my kids ... at least I am trying AGAIN to accomplish this goal.

I am going ... nowhere today, Ronnie has my van since the air conditioner isn't working in his truck.  We will all be going to JW's last baseball game tonight, assuming it doesn't rain today.

I am reading ... Esther by Charles Swindoll.

I am hoping ... that JW enjoys his last baseball game tonight and that LB enjoys her last dance class of the year today.  Her recital this weekend will mark the end of her 6th year of dance. 

I am praying for ... our pastor, Bro. Don, and our friend, Brad, who leave today for a mission trip in Kodiak, Alaska.  They will working at the Crab Festival, doing construction on a parsonage, surveying a neighborhood, and/or anything else that they are called on to do.  Their prayer is simply that they do it all in the name of Jesus.

I am hearing ... only my typing. 

From the kitchen ... there is bread rising in the bread machine and we will be having leftovers for lunch.  I'm not sure what we'll be having for supper, but it will be something using the ground beef I have already cooked in the refrigerator.

From the learning rooms ... LB begins learning "jingles" today in her grammar lesson.  I am not exactly sure what that will be about, but I am looking forward to finding out.  Otherwise it is just a normal day.

Around the house ... there are a few more projects I want to complete before my parents come for supper on Thursday night and Ronnie's mom and cousin arrive for the recital on Saturday.

One of my favorite things ... children sleeping peacefully, especially when they are all in their own bed!

Counting my blessings ... a sweet church family who surprised my hubby (and our music minister) with a birthday celebration after church Sunday night, time spent with friends yesterday, watching the dirt run off my child and down the drain after a long, fun day playing, completely exhausted kids who fall into bed and sleep peacefully all night, not having to get those kids up at any particular time this morning.

A few plans for the rest of the week ... Keeper's meeting tomorrow, LB's dance pictures on Thursday and recital on Saturday.  I am hoping that sometime this week I'll get to take a drive down to see my new nephew.

A picture to share with you ... my all time favorite dance picture of LB

I hope you have a great week!

daybook

#18 for 2010

Hosted by Peggy at the Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window ... another beautiful day.

I am hearing ... kids' praise songs playing on JW's cd player and the kids talking up front ... I think they are lamenting their copy work ... it is not their favorite part of the school day!

I am wearing ... my pj's.

I am going ... to take JW to his last speech class of the year and LB to her next-to-the-last dance class of the year ... things are really winding down around here!  LB is getting her hair cut today ... she never wants to get any length cut off, but I think it is too long, so we'll see how this goes.

I am noticing that ... we have a couple of overdue library books around the house that I need to gather and take back today.

I am thinking ... about the piece I just saw on the Today Show about the two families who are bound together by the mistaken identities of their daughters ... it is amazing to see what God can do through that pain and loss for one family and joy for the other.  The testimony of the family whose daughter died nearly brought Matt Lauer to tears as they shared their story.  Amazing.

I am hoping ... to get to go to our last Mom's Night Out meeting of the year tonight.

I am reading ... The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo with the kids and Esther: A Woman of Strength and Dignity by Charles Swindoll.

I am creating ... nothing, right now.  I really want to make LB a sundress and am hoping to start on that next week since the majority of our activities will be over.

I am remembering ... that today is Ronnie's birthday!

On my mind ... my sister-in-law ... who is still pregnant!  We are all hoping that baby makes an appearance soon!

I am praying for ... the two men from our church who will be leaving a week from today to go to Alaska on a mission trip.

Counting my blessings ... celebrating my hubby, who turns 43 today!  Ronnie is the most even-tempered person I have ever known, which is a good balance to my hot-headed nature.  He works hard at a job he doesn't always enjoy and where he is rarely rewarded just because it is the right thing to do.  He doesn't mind helping me at home and can knock out a sink full of dishes in no time.  He has always been the bath-giver for the kids and they love it ... they'll tell you anytime that Daddy is more fun than Mama! (It is kind of sad that that era in our lives is almost over ... we only have one child that still needs to be bathed and he is fast approaching when he'll be able to do it on his own.)  I am so thankful for the husband God gave me ... Happy Birthday, Ronnie ... I love you!

From the learning rooms ... just continuing with our summer school ... LB is supposed to be setting long-term and short-term goals this week ... it should be interesting to see what she comes up with.

From the kitchen ... Ronnie requested cube steak for supper tonight and I think I'll do roasted potatoes and maybe some peas to go with it.

A few plans for the rest of the week ... LB will be dancing at the local elementary school on Friday morning, JW has baseball games tonight and Friday night and baseball pictures Saturday morning.  I need to spend some time in the garden this week, too.

One of my favorite things ... hymns.

A picture to share with you ... LB with her taco casserole

Thanks for stopping by ...

have a greak week!

daybook

#17 for 2010
Hosted by Peggy at the Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window ... it is cloudy and warm.

I am hearing ... a mixture of my blog music and the Today Show.

I am wearing ... my pj's.

I am going ... to go to the library to look for a book on Mississippi for our state study we are beginning today.

I am noticing that ... I am not as sore as I thought I would be after playing baseball with the kids last night.

I am thinking ... that I really should go get the kids up and send them to take care of the puppy.

I am hoping ... for a smoother school day with JW today ... yesterday day was a battle of the wills and I'm not sure, but I think he won.

I am reading ... The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo with the kids.

I am creating ...plans for our study of all 50 states ... I am planning on the kids creating a notebook with a couple of pages for each state.  We'll see how it goes.

I am remembering ... that we have books due at the library today.

On my mind ... my baby brother's wife, who is expecting the arrival of their 5th child any minute now.  I hope for her sake that the baby comes sooner rather than later!

I am pondering ... A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.  Proverbs 25:11  This was the key verse in our devotion last Wednesday night and I am using that same devotion with the kids in Bible this week.

Counting my blessings ... seeing my kids grow and mature: JW's loving nature ~ even if he is strong willed and loves to argue ;),  LB's enthusiasm for life and desire to be a good friend ~ which comes with its own set of emotions and insecurities, D's excitement for new things and willingness to try almost anything ~ which is a blessing and a source of fear for his Mama!

From the learning rooms ... the beginning of what I am calling our summer semester ... as most of our friends are winding down for the year we are gearing up for a new adventure.  The kids aren't sure if they like the idea of school in the summer (in other words, they think I am crazy) but I am looking forward to the time with less interruptions in the form of group activities where we can focus our attention on specific areas that need improvement.  This is most definitely an experiment, but I am excited about it and I am looking forward to seeing how it works.

From the kitchen ... baked fish and veggies tonight.  We are cooking tomorrow at Keepers so we will have a new recipe to try ... taco casserole (I think)!

A few plans for the rest of the week ... things are slowing down this week and we will be home more.  I do have a Women on Mission meeting Thursday night and Ronnie wants to make a trip to Lifeway to get the rest of the VBS materials for the church.  Fortunately, most of what we'll be doing this week will be as a family.

One of my favorite things ... reading a new book to the kids and seeing it through their eyes as they ask questions and talk about what we've been reading.

A picture to share with you ...

Thanks for stopping by ...

have a great week!

daybook

#16 for 2010
Hosted by Peggy at the Simple Woman's Daybook ... visit her site to find out about creating your own daybook or to find other daybooks to visit.

Outside my window ... it is sunny and quite warm ... the kids are playing with the puppy and cleaning out the van, at least that is what they are supposed to be doing.
I am hearing ... D getting into something in the kitchen and heading back outside.
I am wearing ... jeans and a blue CHEB t-shirt.
I am going ... to take the older kids to play practice and then to run errands with D.
I am noticing that ... summer seems to be well on its way!
I am thinking ... that puppies and kids are a good, but messy, mix
I am hoping ... to get Daisy moved into her new home in the back yard very soon.
I am reading ... A Love Woven True by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller.
I am creating ... ???
I am remembering ... the people who have suffered so much loss in the last couple of weeks from storms and flooding.
On my mind ... a discussion with Ronnie last night and how we need to proceed in the matter.
I am pondering ...  the words to one of my favorite hymns:

What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! 

What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer! 

Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer!

Counting my blessings ... healthy, happy kids, new curriculum on the way, finding a few minutes to read.
From the learning rooms ... puppy training!
From the kitchen ... since we are going to be gone almost every night for the next couple of weeks, I think we are going to make lunch our bigger meal and then just have leftovers for supper.  I'll start working toward that tomorrow ... today we are having chicken sandwiches for lunch and I'm not sure what we will have for supper ... maybe the same thing!
A few plans for the rest of the week ... we've got another busy week with extra play practice, the last book-it of the year and the kids' musical on Thursday night.  For the most part, this is the final week of homeschool events for the year, so things should calm down a bit after this week.
One of my favorite things ... a good night's sleep.
A picture to share with you ... LB before her first solo ... she tapped to Singing in the Rain. This year her solo is a lyrical ballet to Love by Chris Tomlin.  Her class is also doing a lyrical ballet to Amazing Grace ... this will be a first for her class and I can't wait to see how it goes.

Thanks for stopping by ... have a great week!

daybook

#15 for 2010
Hosted by Peggy at the Simple Woman's Daybook ... visit her site to begin daybooking or to find other daybooks to visit.


Outside my window ... it has been a beautiful day.  The smothering heat and humidity of summer haven't arrived yet and the lovely spring weather sent the kids and me outside this afternoon.  We rode bikes together for a little while (yes, I rode mine, too!), then I mowed the front yard. I would have done the back, but the lawn mower ran out of gas, so we headed down to my parents' house to work in the garden and ended up eating supper with them.  Overall, a really great day!

I am hearing ... Ronnie and the kids watching their favorite TV show up front.

I am wearing ... purple jammies.

I am going ... to need to grow wings to keep up with the rest of the week.  This week is completely filled, but with stuff we are looking forward to doing.  In other words, not bad, just very busy.

I am noticing that ... the garden is coming along great ... LB and Papa even found a couple of tomoatoes today.

I am thinking ... that I really want to go ahead and order my curriculum for next year ... new books are so much fun!

I am hoping ... to have time to buy myself a new pair of tennis shoes tomorrow. 

I am reading ... A Tapestry of Hope by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller.

I am creating ... scrapbook pages.  Our last Keeper's project was to create a scrapbook page that would be framed ... I really liked LB's and decided to do one for each of the boys, too.  I finished JW's today, using pictures from his baseball party last year.  I'm not sure what D's theme will be, but I hope to finish his this week, too.

I am remembering ... lots of little things that are bugging me ... most I should just let go since there isn't anything I can do about them.

On my mind ... what devotion I should share on Wednesday night.  I think it will come from Spurgeon's Morning and Evening book of devotions.

Words that I am pondering ... "the enemy of kindness is busyness."  I used this a few weeks ago, but I have recently been reminded that even during the busy weeks I still need to be aware of opportunities to show kindness to others as I go.

Counting my blessings ... a great afternoon and evening with my parents ~ which included a couple hours of chatting with Mama while the kids played and helped Daddy outside.  It is unusual for Mama and me to get time to talk without the kids listening in, so today was a rare treat.  It is also a blessing that Daddy is able to be in the garden more this year.  He is enjoying teaching LB about the process of gardening and she absolutely loves it!  These are memories that I will cherish for years to come.

From the learning rooms ... we are moving into a summer school schedule where we will focus on the three R's.  I am working on setting specific goals for the summer and am looking forward to charting our progress.

From the kitchen ... Ronnie cooked chicken strips on Daddy's griddle tonight (while Daddy was cooking yummy sliders) and we will have those for lunch tomorrow on mini hamburger buns ... beyond that, I really don't know.

A few plans for the rest of the week ... JW &  LB have an extra play practice tomorrow, LB has Keeper's on Wednesday, Thursday night the older homeschool kids will be putting on their play, and D is invited to a birthday party on Saturday.  JW has baseball games tomorrow and Friday.

One of my favorite things ... reading for pure pleasure.

A picture to share with you ... JW with his Mike Mulligan sock puppet.  The kids all enjoy the story of Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel and I love to read it to them.  I remember Mama reading it to the boys and me when we were little.  I have since discovered other Virginia Lee Burton stories and they are all pretty good.

Thanks for stopping by ... have a great week!

daybook

#15 for 2010
hosted by Peggy @ The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window ... The cloudy start to the day is giving way to a blue sky and sunshine.  It is still cool now, but I suspect it will be warming up nicely before long.

I am wearing ... blue jeans and my red Mayfield Dairy Farms t-shirt.

I am hearing ... the kids talking and laughing in the kitchen.

I am going ... to meet with JW's speech teacher in a little while to discuss next year.  Later, I'll be going to our homeschool group's monthly Mom's meeting.

I am thinking ... that I am probably not going to get out of taking the kids to the library today.  I like for them to go, but it always makes me nervous ... D hasn't exactly mastered his "library voice" yet!

I am hoping ... that things go well for my Mama today.

I am reading ... So Many Versions by Sakae Kubo and Walter F. Specht and Across the Years by Tracie Peterson.

On my mind ... the fact that I just realized that our family page for our homeschool group yearbook is due tonight and I haven't even started!

I am creating ... a better-late-than-never family page.

I am remembering ... a sweet lady who lost her husband this weekend.

Counting my blessings ... my Daddy's good news about his knees ~ he will be able to have partial knee replacements instead of full ones, the chance to talk some things over with Mama last night ~ which gave me a clearer understanding of an issue I have been working through, the re-affirming of an old friendship in the last week.

Words that I am pondering ... "What are your greatest passions?  How are you fulfilling them?" This was asked as part of our Sunday School lesson last Sunday and no one wanted to answer it in class.  I think our fear was that our answers either wouldn't be spiritual enough (especially if we were completely honest) or that they would sound too much like a pat "Sunday School" answer ... either way, the question has gotten my wheels turning.

From the learning rooms ... our last co-op class is this week and we need to finish up reading the lessons.  This has been a great year in co-op, but, as I have said for the last couple of weeks, I am looking forward to the summer break from classes.

From the kitchen ... supper will need to be really simple since I will be heading to a meeting and Ronnie will be taking the kids to JW's baseball game.  I'm thinking something easy in the crockpot would be good.

Around the house ... I must tackle the kids closets soon.

A few plans for the rest of the week ... the boys have haircuts on Wednesday, the big kids have co-op on Friday, and I have a bridal shower on Saturday.

One of my favorite things ... research.  I know it sounds strange, but I love to dig into various subjects and find out all I can ... it is fun to me.

A picture to share with you ... determination!