Daybook 5/7/15

For Today...

May 7, 2015

Outside my window…

another beautiful Spring day.

We are having an unusually long stretch of spring weather ~ it has been wonderful!

I am thinking about and praying for…

a couple of friends who are going through tough times right now.

I am thankful…

that Daniel chose not to play baseball this year.  I miss it (a lot!), but with the older kids in two plays, with rehearsal several nights a week, it would just be too much!

I am wearing…

gray shorts and 

an Operation Christmas Child t-shirt.

I am creating…

a schedule for our “summer school” … in my head at least.  I need to take time to get it down on paper.

I am going…

to do school work this morning,

to drama practice this afternoon while my Daddy takes Lora to dance, and to a meeting at church tonight while Ronnie takes the older two kids to their "other" drama rehearsal.

Whew! 

And today is a slow day!

I am hoping…

to make it to June 6^th 

with my sanity intact!

I am wondering…

about lots of things … 

none really worth sharing.

I am reading…

The Voyage of the 'Dawn Treader ' 

by C.S. Lewis.

The kids are thoroughly enjoying reading the Chronicles of Narnia series for the first time.  I won’t let them watch the movies until we finish all of the books, which should happen in the next month, or so.

I am learning…

that everyone is going through something.

In my kitchen…

baked chicken and veggies for supper tonight. I have an ulterior motive…leftover chicken made into chicken salad for lunch tomorrow!

In the homeschool room…

Lora is working hard on her poetry project for her final in 9^th grade literature.  I am very excited to see what she comes up with. The boys are just plugging along at normal stuff for today.  After today, we will officially be on hiatus until after the performances of Pilgrim next week.

A favorite quote for today…

“…When I was young, I would see all these people with blemishes but as I got closer, I saw they weren’t blemishes at all.  

They were scars.”

taken from a blog post by Joe McKeever

One of my favorite things…

taking pictures of flowers and bugs and other “nature” things.

A peek into one of my days…

a few of my spring bugs and things

Join Peggy at The Simple Woman's Blog for more daybooks.

daybook ~ April 20

For Today...

April 20, 2015

Outside my window…

The sun is setting on a beautiful day!

It was nice to see the sunshine again.

I am thinking…

about the busy few weeks ahead … rehearsals for 2 plays, and then both performances, final preparations for Lora's dance recital, not to mention the final weeks of co-op classes! I am looking forward to our more relaxed summer schedule!

Counting my blessings…

the opportunity to allow my children to be involved in activities that they love. I've probably said that before … but it truly is a blessing to me.  Especially when I think of the number of hours that adult volunteers put in to make these opportunities possible.

I am wearing…

gray shorts and an 

Operation Christmas Child t-shirt.

I am creating…

plans for items to crochet for my friend's

first grandchild who will be making her 

appearance this fall!

I am going…

to be running all day tomorrow … yippee.

I am wondering…

what I assigned for tomorrow's lit co-op class ... and if I have actually read it yet.

I am reading…

Aesop's Fables with Daniel … he is loving it.

I am hoping…

that everything goes well with 

James' doctor's visit tomorrow.

I am learning…

that the older my kids get, the more time I have to spend prepping to teach … 

I know it makes perfect sense, 

but I'm not sure I was prepared for how much high school math I had forgotten.

In my kitchen…

by request of my middle child and with my youngest child's help, homemade pizza. One pepperoni and one hamburger, the first for my boys and the second because it is their Mama's favorite.

In the homeschool room…

just the same-old stuff.

A favorite quote for today…

The Way of the Cross Leads Home

by: Jessie B. Pounds

I must needs go home by 

the way of the cross,

There's no other way but this;

I shall ne'er get sight 

of the gates of light,

If the way of the cross I miss.

I must needs go on in the 

blood-sprinkled way,

The path that the Savior trod,

If I ever climb to the heights sublime,

Where the soul is at home with God.

Then I bid farewell to

 the way of the world,

To walk in it nevermore;

For the Lord says “Come,” 

and I seek my home

Where He waits at the open door.

The way of the cross leads home,

The way of the cross leads home,

It is sweet to know, as I onward go,

The way of the cross leads home.

One of my favorite things…

hymns!

A peek into one of my days…

James and Daniel in our tree. 

  And yes, James is reading his lit book!

Join Peggy at The Simple Woman's Blog for more daybooks.

daybook 4-7-15

For Today...

April 7, 2015

Outside my window…

The sun is peeking through the clouds,

and I'm looking at grass that needs to be cut.

I am thinking…

about the fact that it is already April!

How did we get here so quickly?

I am thankful…

for the blessing of friendship. I have been reminded over the last few days

that I am incredibly blessed with wonderful friends.

I am wearing…

blue jeans and one of my favorite shirts

~ black with silver, coral, and white polka dots ~ a coral tank top and

the necklace that Lora gave me for my birthday.

I am creating…

a sample page for a poetry notebook that I have assigned to my literature class … at least, I have purchased the necessary items and will be creating it later this week

I am going…

to take the older kids to their

second drama practice of the day.

I am wondering…

if we are biting off more than we can

chew with two plays at one time.

I am reading…

ummm…….

I am hoping…

that the rest of this week will be more productive – school-wise that is.

I am learning…

the ins and outs of putting on a drama.

In my kitchen…

my wonderful husband cooked pork-chops,

lima beans, green beans and garlic bread for supper tonight … super yummy!

In the homeschool room…

we haven't done much “sit down” school this week.  Tomorrow should be back to routine.

A favorite quote for today…

“But let it be the hidden man of the heart,

in that which is not corruptible,

even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit,

which is in the sight of God of great price.”

1 Peter 3:4

A peek into one of my days…

My two birthday cakes .... first an ice cream cake from my sweet husband and kids (after taking me to Cracker Barrel for dinner) and then another surprise this afternoon … 20 drama kids singing “happy birthday” and a yummy birthday cake! (Thank you, Marie, even if you did mutilate my cake!!)

One of my favorite things…

visiting with some of our “oldest” friends!

Please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman

for more daybooks.

daybook 3/31/15

For Today…

March 31, 2015

Outside my window…

The blue sky is peeking out from high clouds.

I'm sitting in the library looking out the window to the street where my Daddy grew up.

I am reminded of how much I love living close to my family.

I am thinking…

about the end of this school year … which doesn't end school for us, just changes our extra activities.

This really means that I am thinking about what I want to change over the summer months.

I am thankful…

for the opportunity to see my children finding 

and sharing their gifts.

I am wearing…

a tee shirt and (for the first time this spring)

 my favorite blue jean capris!

I am creating…

(same as last week!)

a list of scriptures to encourage the kids (and myself)

when we get bogged down in school.

I am going…

to get my hair cut in the morning … finally!

I am wondering…

when our VBS material order will arrive …

I'm looking forward to getting started planning.

I am reading…

nothing … that makes me sad!

I am looking forward to…

visiting with friends this weekend as we 

celebrate their daughter's birthday.

I am learning…

to appreciate the little things.

In my kitchen…

hamburger steaks, smothered in onions and gravy,

served with rice and purple hull peas.

Oh, and a completely clean fridge … cause I have the best husband!

In the homeschool room…

we keep on keeping on …

but we are all battling spring fever!

A favorite quote for today…

Being confident of this very thing,

that he which hath begun a

good work in you will perform

it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:6

A peek into one of my days…

My sweet D drew this carriage with just a little  help from his
art teacher, who just happens to be his grandfather.

One of my favorite things…

My children playing together …

at least as long as they aren't bickering!

Please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman to find 

more daybooks and to join in the fun.

daybook - 3/27

For Today…

March 27, 2015

Outside my window…

Beautiful blue skies and signs that spring is here.

I am thinking…

about things I want to accomplish this weekend

I am thankful…

for warm weather and sunshine!

I will need to remember this feeling in a few weeks when

I am complaining about the heat of a Mississippi summer.

I am wearing…

gray knit pants and the t-shirt from the

5k my LB and I walked in last Saturday.

I am creating…

a list of scriptures to encourage the kids (and myself)

when we get bogged down in school work.

I am going…

to take the older kids to play flashlight tag with their friends tonight

while the rest of us clean the church and get it set up for our lunch on Sunday.

I am wondering…

many things … mainly how to handle some issues that

are causing us to stall in our school work.

I am reading…

about essential oils …

thinking it is time to jump on the bandwagon.

I am hoping…

to get the boys' room cleaned out and ready to be painted this weekend.

I am learning…

that teenage/preteen boys are a species 
that I don't understand at all.

In my kitchen…

nothing cooking ... just a mess to clean!

In the homeschool room…

we just finished with another week!

Hallelujah! I am looking forward to the weekend!

A favorite quote for today…

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2

A peek into one of my days…

Tiny bits of purple ... I'm loving the signs of spring everywhere!

A beautiful rainbow from a few weeks ago.
It was actually a full rainbow, but I didn't have my
camera so this is all my phone could capture.

I am always in awe of seeing a rainbow.  

They are such an amazing promise from our loving Father.

One of my favorite things…

Fifth Sunday lunches at church!

Thanks for taking a little peek into my day ...

visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Blog

for more daybook entries.

daybook ... 3/19/15

For Today...

March 19, 2015

Outside my window…

Blue sky with high clouds over the yard where I spent much of my childhood.

I am thinking…

about how much I love this place where I grew up and how much I love seeing my kids enjoying being here.

I am thankful…

for my friend Marie, who has started blogging again and spurred me into wanting to do the same.

I am wearing…

blue jeans and an Operation Christmas Child t-shirt

 with my new favorite shoes … 

a pair of Skechers that my daughter says are decidedly un-stylish.

I am creating…

plans for next year's Mississippi History class...

I am so excited about teaching the kids about their home state!

I am going…

to pick up LB from dance and then make a quick grocery store run before cooking supper.

I am wondering…

if spring is here to stay, or if we will have a cold snap at Easter.

I am reading…

But Not Forsaken … 

a book that I am previewing before JW reads it for his lit class.  So far, I am enjoying learning about the lives of German Mennonites after WWII.

I am hoping…

the rain holds off Saturday morning … 

at least until after LB and I finish our first 5k walk.

I am learning…

Algebra!

 Well, re-learning it so that I can teach it to LB … yikes!

In my garden…

nothing yet … but I am making plans!

In my kitchen…

minute steaks and ???

 That is why I have to make a grocery store run before supper.

 I'm hoping to find some fresh Brussel sprouts so that I can try a new recipe for roasting them.

In the homeschool room…

it is quiet for the moment … 

we've just finished lunch and the boys are having recess. 

 LB is reading her literature assignment.

A favorite quote for today…

“Look Mama, I shot it!” From my 13 year old and his BB gun!  

He was quite proud of himself for "shooting" the stem of a wild onion so he could bring it to me.

A peek into one of my days, with a few of my favorite things ...

I walked around today and took pictures of things that I remember from my childhood that are part of the landscape that my kids see nearly every day, since we have our school room at my Daddy's house.

A piece of old farming equipment and the well-used grill that my Daddy built.

The old tire swing that my brother moved to the back yard and lowered when we started having kids.

Oh, the stories I could tell about this swing and the fun we had as kids.

Our old, dilapidated barn, still holding on behind the pine tree that was 2nd base in our backyard games of softball.

My Granny's swing.  If you look closely you can still see a set of wind-chimes she hung there.

Granny's been gone for more than 10 years, but little pieces of the past still hang on.

Did you enjoy this little glimpse into my world?  Check out other daybooks over at The Simple Woman's blog