Simple Woman's Daybook - A New Year!

Daybook for January 4th, 2010. . .



Outside my window... Snow on the curbs and along the sides of the driveways and walkways and a few scattered flurries are toying with my emotions.



I am thinking... About way too much. Too many ideas, too little time. I need to take a deep breath and just be present in the moment.



I am thankful for... My little 1 1/2 year old, Mary, who keeps me up at night lately. She's worth more hours of sleep than I can count.



From the learning rooms... We started back today after two weeks off. It was a glorious two weeks, but I'm excited about trying a few new things this month.



From the kitchen... We had honey nut oatmeal and juice for breakfast, Mexican black beans on noodles with cheese and sour cream and sugared grapefruit for lunch, Crispy Macaroni and Cheese with carrot sticks and apple slices for dinner.



I am wearing... Comfy gray pants and a black 3/4th sleeve t-shirt and a dark gray cardigan. . . and socks.



I am creating... The library list for the last two weeks of January for homeschool.



I am going... To sew patches on Gordon's Cub Scout shirt/kercheif this afternoon.



I am reading... A Delusion of Satan by Frances Hill.



I am hoping... To be able to use my neglected sewing machine (I've only used it once, ever.).



I am hearing... Lots of humming -- computer, fan, tv downstairs. . .



Around the house... We are a post-holiday mess. Need I say more? Working on tidying up, organizing, and prettying the foyer this week.



One of my favorite things... Pencils. If only my darling children didn't loose them and my pencili sharpeners. I love being able to make mistakes and magically make them disappear.



A few plans for the rest of the week: Library at some point, a trip to the store. . . Friday night at Jason's boss's house with other co-workers for dinner.



Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Little Mary on her first snowy jaunt this past month.

Hop on over to Peggy's to join in the daybook fun!

Simple Woman's Daybook ~ Back to School

For Monday, August 31, 2009:





Outside my window. . . it feels like the beginning of fall. I can only hope the temps will stay this wonderful for a while. We did school outside today because I just couldn't resist this beautiful weather.





I am thinking. . . about all this at various times of the day.





I am thankful for. . . only one moment of utter Bud-Jack chaos while doing school this morning.





From the Learning Rooms. . . A is for American History, native Americans, Art, Apples, and Angelina Ballerina.





From the Kitchen. . . club sandwiches with homemade chips and corn on the cob for dinner! Working on next September's menu today.





I am wearing. . . jeans! And a purple short sleeved v-neck iwth beige flowers on the front.





I am creating. . . way to much at once! I'm gonna have to schedule and pace myself.





I am going. . . to do a lot of listing today, I think.





I am reading. . . Bring Me a Unicorn by Anne Morrow Lindbergh.





I am hoping. . . for a successful homeschool year. But what does a successful homeschool year look like? I'm not so sure.





I am hearing. . . a lawnmower, some pretty bird-song, and the whispers of a Bud-Jack who is desperately trying to keep himself awake.





Around the house. . . we are about to find out what "deep clean Monday" looks like while homeschooling. Worked on the front yard this weekend. Okay, *J* worked on the frontyard this weekend.





One of my favorite things. . . the anticipation of Autumn. Oh, I can hardly wait!





A few plans for the rest of the week: I will need to make a trip to the grocery store and to the library. I think we will be going to a park a town or two over with some friends one afternoon (maybe tomorrow?). And we will be making J's Labor Day gift. . . among other things.





Here is a picture thought I am sharing:

Stop by Peggy's for more daybook fun.

Simple Woman's Daybook ~ Last Week Before We Start School

For Monday, August 24, 2009:



Outside my window. . . it doesn't look like it will be quite so hot today. Let's hope. I'm ready for Fall.



I am thinking. . . about my own faults. In Season's of a Mother's Heart, Sally Clarkson challenges readers to think of two things in their lives that could hold them back from building their homes/families on the Rock and then pay the price to deal with these hinderences now. For me the hinderences are difficulty in submitting (which gives my children a very poor example regarding obedience) and dealing with negative emotions such as anger and irritability(which only spreads itself to my children).



I am thankful for. . . "A new day, fresh with no mistakes in it." Who can tell me where that lovely quote is from?



From the learning rooms. . . I'll be collecting books at the library, setting up the notebooks and "bulletin boards", and heading out over the weekend for a few last-minute supplies like a roll of brown paper and some corn husks (any idea what we're studying next week?).



From the kitchen. . . Tonight we are having BBQ, cheddar, bacon chicken patty sandwiches. I must say I'm looking forward to it.



I am wearing. . . A Hard Rock Cafe tee and some purple plaid PJ pants.



I am creating. . . the first Christmas gift -- still. It is taking me a while to get it done. Hoping that, once I get this done, other choices will prove easier and less time-consuming.



I am going. . . To the library tonight, or maybe today, I don't know.



I am reading. . . Agatha Christie's The Mysterious Affair at Styles. I think I know "whodunnit". Almost done.



I am hoping. . . To see some good friends tomorrow. Our good friends from the Poconos are at their nearby cabin this week, and we are hoping to get together tomorrow. I haven't told G yet, though, in case something doesn't work out.



I am hearing. . . My little M&M hard at play. Little does she know she has a well visit today. YUK.



Around the house. . . it is deep clean day, but I don't know exactly how much we'll get done as J is off from work for the day.



One of my favorite things. . . the Anne of Green Gables movies -- except for that "Continuing Story" monstrosity. What was that man thinking?



A few plans for the rest of the week: M&M's well-baby visit today, the library today, guests tomorrow, small group on Thursday (I think). . .



Here is a picture thought I am sharing:

Simple Woman's Daybook ~ Hot, Hot, Hot.

Daybook for Monday, August 10, 2009:

Outside my window. . . It is hot and humid. We are stepping out only in the cool of the morning and/or evening today. Otherwise, the leaves on the pumpkin vines are beginning to die, and we have begun working on prettying up the front of the house a bit.

I am thinking. . . It is my one of my favorite cousin's birthdays today. It is strange: I'm not at all good with dates, excepting those that apply to those living within these four walls, but I know the birthdates of two of my cousins.

I am thankful for. . . A loving, providing husband; four beautiful, lovable children; a house, a yard, food, clothing, and shelter. But most of all, I'm thankful I serve a merciful, forgiving and gracious God.

From the learning rooms. . . I will be setting the room up over the next couple weeks. Very exciting times. Trying to be as frugal as possible.

From the kitchen. . . Chili for dinner, I think.

I am wearing. . . Red and white plaid capris and an old Hard Rock Cafe T-shirt.

I am creating. . . The first handmade Christmas gifts, a dream garden in my journal, and a 2009-2010 schoolroom.

I am going. . . To Sam's this weekend! Gonna stock up!

I am reading. . . Get Your Act Together (still), Unshaken by Fracine Rivers, and Seasons of a Mother's Heart by Sally Clarkson.

I am hoping. . . To get more done today than is probably feasible. I should probably lower my expectations -- right now.

I am hearing. . . The Secret Garden.

Around the house. . . I cleaned out and organized mine and J's closet and dresser. I'm stain treating some of J's dress shirts.

One of my favorite things. . . Little People -- the toy. Even my 6 1/2 year old gets wrapped up playing with them sometimes. They can hold my kids' attentions for hours.

A few plans for the rest of the week: A visit or two from friends, small group on Thursday, shopping this weekend, and church on Sunday. Also, we are potty training this week. So hopefully we will be rewarding ourselves with some new Bud-Jack sized underware, pizza, and fried brownie sundaes this Friday/Saturday.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing:

From june09

Stop by Peggy's for more daybook fun!

Simple Woman's Daybook ~ Getting My Act Together

For Monday, August 3, 2009:

Outside my window. . . It's a beautiful morning. I suspect it will be a beautiful, though hot, day.

I am thinking. . . Of the deep clean I'm going to attempt today in the house -- wondering if I'll be able to get it all done.

I am thankful for. . . A husband who gets up every day to go to work and earn the money so that I can stay home and raise the kids and keep house. It is a blessing that not every woman has, and I am thankful for it.

From the learning rooms: I am wrapping up the homeschool planning for September-November. Now I'm in the process of making supply lists and setting up the school room -- deciding what is worthy of spending money on right now and what is not.

From the kitchen. . . I think I have bacon cheeseburgers on the menu for tonight. J graciously went out and stocked the kitchen for us, so I'm changing the menu around a bit to fit what he bought.

I am wearing. . . get this, a paisly v-neck T-shirt and pink flamingo pajama pants. Tacky, tacky, tacky!

I am creating. . . the first of, hopefully, many handmade Christmas gifts. However, I'm not sharing the details now in case family members are reading. Sorry.

I am going. . . to be gathering supplies for said handmaide Christmas gift sometime this week.

I am reading. . . Anne of Ingleside by L. M. Montgomery and Get Your Act Together by Pam Young and Peggy Jones.

I am hoping. . . for a good week. And a chance to call my mom today.

I am hearing. . . the attic fan and sleeping kids. You know what sleeping kids sound like? Golden silence.

Around the house. . . I am implementing ideas from "The Slob Sisters"/"Side-Tracked Home Executives" book Get Your Act Together. So far things are working rather well. I must say that cleaning the house three times a day actually takes less time than cleaning it once a day. Today is "Full-Clean Day".

One of my favorite things. . . is my birthday present from J. He got me a Samsung blu-ray DVD player and Netflix with the streaming movies/TV shows. I love it. I really do. I've been trying to convince him to get this for months -- ever since some friends of ours got it for Christmas. He finally decided to do it for me.

A few plans for the rest of the week: The one and only big plan this week is to go out and try to get some craft and school supplies together.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing:

From june09

A face only a mother could love.

Go to Peggy's for more daybook fun.

Simple Woman's Daybook ~ Real Momma's turning 32! (gulp)

For Monday, July 27, 2009:

Outside my window. . .
. . . it's a hot one today! And tomorrow is supposed to be even hotter. The AC came on around 1:30pm. Consequently, nap time is not running as smoothly as usual due to the lack of a noisy attic fan running in the background.

I am thinking. . .
. . . about the how complicated TATRAS is looking. It came in the mail today, and all I can say is that I sure hope that instructional DVD is easier to grasp than the rest of the package.

I am thankful for. . .
. . . another year. My 31st year included moving to a new city, buying a home, finding a great new church, celebrating 10 years of marriage, completing our first year of homeschooling, another trip to the Outer Banks with the fam., losing a free place to stay when visiting Savannah, and gaining a free place to stay when we visit New England!

From the learning rooms. . .
. . . I've finished planning three months of American History for the kids. Now I have to decode TATRAS.

From the kitchen. . .
. . . I'll be making some sort of ham/noodle casserole for dinner tonight. It is "clean out the fridge/freezer" week.

I am wearing. . .
. . . black, knit capris and a light blue t-shirt. And, bare feet, of course.

I am creating. . .
. . . a menu and grocery list for August.

I am going. . .
. . . crazy?

I am reading. . .
. . . Anne of Ingleside by L. M. Montgomery. Going to the library tonight to check out some books to help me with cleaning and organization.

I am hoping. . .
. . . that M&M falls back to sleep.

I am hearing. . .
. . . M&M getting very upset up in her room. Oh, and a fly that keeps buzzing around my head.

Around the house. . .
. . . like I said, I'm going in search of cleaning/organizing help. I guess that says it all. Though, I have to say that J's suggestion of giving the kids a room each to clean every day has helped tremenjously.

One of my favorite things. . .
. . . my 32oz. plastic thermos/mug that my friend gave me a month or so ago. I had told her that I got one when G was born. I loved drinking water out of it, but lost it (or broke it, I don't know). When she went in to have her last baby, she saved the thermos/mug they gave her and passed it on to me. So great! Two of those give me my 64oz of water each day!

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Library tonight, homeschool planning, maybe the downtown library later this week, and. . . drumroll, please. . . Some wonderful friends have volunteered to watch *all* of the kids overnight this weekend so J and I can have a whole night to ourselves for my birthday! Isn't that awesome?

Here is a picture thought I am sharing:

From june09

I

From june09

AM

From june09

SO

From june09

BLESSED.

Stop by Peggy's to join in on the Daybooking fun.

Simple Woman's Daybook ~ Recovery

For Monday, July 13, 2009:

Outside my window...

. . .a very protective daddy mockingbird is regularly attacking any small mammal that comes within a stone's throw of his residence. I suspect mommy mockingbird is sitting on some eggs.

I am thinking...

. . .that I have a hugely difficult time submitting to my husband. I guess it all comes of being so dog-gone strong-willed. It is my goal to submit. "I will submit to my husband. . . I will submit to my husband. . . I will submit to my husband. . . ."

I am thankful for...

. . .every new minute of the day. Even if every minute before this one was lousy, this one has the potential to be great. What will I do with this minute?

From the learning rooms...

. . .I'm getting ready to order books! I'm going with TATRAS for phonics. I'll be relying soley on the library for history. I'm also buying M is for Masterpiece and Discovering Great Artists as an aid in doing art with Teeny.

From the kitchen...

. . .J is out for dinner tonight, so I think we are having hotdogs!

I am wearing...

. . .ratty blue PJ pants and a blue V-neck tee.

I am creating...

. . .(shrugs shoulders)

I am going...

. . .to have a better day.

I am reading...

. . .A Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. I'm really liking it -- finding it inspiring.

I am hoping...

. . .that I don't develop a black eye. My darling Bud-Jack tossed a hard backed book at my head and hit me right below the eye. There is a small cut. . . only time will tell.

I am hearing...

. . .The Office -- Drug Testing. It's good to laugh.

Around the house...

. . .I'm trying to deep clean, simplify, declutter. . .

One of my favorite things...

. . .M&M's little cheeks. I love kissing them. I love rubbing my face against hers. So cute and soft and chubby.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Not much. City Church service on Sunday.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

A few July 4th Pics:

From june09

From june09

From june09

From june09

From june09

From june09

Go by Peggy's to find our more about Daybooking.

See more daybooks at Grandmother Wren's.

Simple Woman's Daybook ~ My Parents Are Coming. . . Yay!

For Monday, July 6, 2009:

Outside my window. . .

. . .the sun is shining. It promises to be a beautiful week for my parents' visit. I'm very glad because they are coming from cold, wet New England weather that they are not yet used to.

I am thinking. . .

. . .about family unity. I had the opportunity to talk with an experienced homeschool couple. The husband/father summed up exactly why I most want to homeschool -- to create family unity. . . so that we will be the group that my children belong to when they look for fellowship, support, help, a sense of belonging and acceptance. . . Even before we met them I was talking with J about having a theme for our family this year: "We are on the same team." Now I'm left contemplating what unified families have that disjointed families lack. How can I create that sense of unity? I'm pretty sure this homeschool mom would tell me to prioritize my family, to discover what makes my husband and kids tick and capitalize on it, and to create experiences that the whole family can enjoy together. . . What else? Any thoughts? I also know that a healthy marriage turns out a healthy family.

I am thankful for. . .

. . . the dresses and skirts that my mother-in-law made for Teeny. I can't even begin to tell you how much money that saves us. And what she makes is so much better than what I could buy at a store -- nice and modest.

From the learning rooms. . .

. . .I'm still planning for fall. Trying to figure out what I want to do about phonics.

From the kitchen. . .

. . .there is not much going on. I've got to dig up my July menu and do some shopping ASAP.

I am wearing. . .

. . .ironically, the same exact thing I was wearing this time last week!

I am creating. . .

. . .mental plans for a Christmas in July. More on that next week.

I am going. . .

. . .to stay right here and clean and get ready for my parents' arrival this evening.

I am reading. . .

The ABC Murders by Agatha Christy

and some book about the creation of the VW. Very interesting. I started reading this to J in the car on the way home. I had no idea the VW Beetle was a Nazi car. Hmm.

I am hoping. . .

. . .for a fun, h-e-a-l-t-h-y visit with my parents this week. Last time they visited, a stomach bug welcomed itself to our gathering, and it was pretty miserable. I'm praying God keeps us all good and healthy this time.

I am hearing. . .

. . .Teeny calling for help in the bathroom. I'll be right back.

Around the house. . .

. . .oh,my. I have a lot of work to do.

One of my favorite things. . .

. . .mystery novels. I had no idea. I must take after a mother. I have found that a good mystery sucks me in and won't let me go till I've finished. All sense of responsibility disappears. Kids may cry, phones may ring, food may burn, the clock may tic till the wee sma's, but I must figure out "Who dunnit."

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

Cleaning,

My parents' visit,

Boys' Night/Girls' Night on Tuesday,

Small Group on Thursday,

Baseball Game on Friday

Here is a picture thought I am sharing. . .

. . . I haven't gotten to downloading the July 4th pics yet. Pics will come when I get a chance to do that.

Stop by Peggy's for more info on how to join in on the daybooking fun!

Stop by Grandmother Wren's to read more daybooks.

Simple Woman's Daybook ~ A-Camping We Will Go

For Monday, June 29, 2009:

Outside my window. . .

. . . sits me in a comfy chair. I am waking up to warm, bright sun, a multitude of noisy birds.

I am thinking. . .

. . . about all that needs to be done today. Cleaning, packing for our camping trip, baking goodies to bring with us in the car, and making a trip to the library if time allows.

I am thankful for. . .

. . .warmth when the days are long. M&M likes to wake earlier in the summer months, apparently. And, it makes it much easier to wake with her when we can come outside together to greet the day.

From the learning rooms. . .

. . . there is lots of planning going on. I have had one of those, "Oh, no, this won't work." homeschool moments this past week. Year-round school is great in theory; but when the kids down the road take summer vacation, it becomes next to impossible. So, we've put the books away for the next couple months. Now, I'm putting all my mental energy into planning the next school year.

From the kitchen. . .

. . . I have all the fixin's for sausage and chicken jambalaya, black bean burritos, linguini with meat sauce, or pork fried rice. What we have for dinner tonight is up to J. The rest of the week we will be eating whatever the in-laws prepare, and I have a sneaking suspicion one of the meals will involve the family favorite "cheesy rice."

I am wearing. . .

. . . black, knit capris and a Ben & Jerry's "Mootle Beach" t-shirt.

I am creating. . .

. . . A frugal American History in one elementary school year plan based on Joy Hakim's books. I'm using her books (at our library) as the core reading and then using what good, living supplemental books I can find at our library and craft and activity ideas from this website.

I am going. . .

. . .to do shopping for camping supplies and hopefully to the library today.

I am reading. . .

. . . the last chapter of the Gilbreth's Cheaper by the Dozen. I have just loved reading this book. I'll be starting in on L. M. Montgomery's Anne's House of Dreams when I'm done with CBD.

I am hoping. . .

. . . that camping with a little M&M won't be near as difficult as I'm envisioning.

I am hearing. . .

. . . some beautiful bird songs. And Teeny humming something.

Around the house. . .

. . . we are getting ready to go out of town for five nights of camping and to return to a five night visit from my parents.

One of my favorite things. . .

. . . is ice cream sales at Wal-Mart. Several weeks ago they had Breyers cheap. Right now it is Edy's. We stock up when it gets this cheap.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Packing and prepping today,

Driving and setting up camp tomorrow,

Camping,

Fireworks viewed from the in-laws front yard on Friday,

July 4th celebrations on Saturday,

the Drive home on Sunday.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing:

From late spring

Have fun putting together your own daybook. Check out Peggy's site for details.

Simple Woman's Daybook ~ Dads

For Monday, June 22, 2009:

Outside my window. . .

. . . it is a little cloudy and breezy. The corn in the field down the road is growing nicely. My little guys were over there playing with a baby groundhog the other day.

I am thinking. . .

. . . about the hum-drum Father's Day we had. Money and time ran out before we could make gifts for anyone, and the evening plans were spoiled when I burned my hand with a splattering of hot grease.

I am thankful for. . .

. . . a husband that doesn't care that the day was uneventful and a father that probably doesn't either. Aren't undemanding family wonderful?

From the learning room. . .

. . . G and I will continue phonics lessons (he has a love/hate relationship with them), we will be building our summer reads pile today, and Teeny has stated that she wants to make a belated Father's Day card for Daddy (since she spend almost all of yesterday playing with her newly acquired American Girl doll and a trunkload of doll clothes).

From the kitchen. . .

. . . we are having cinnamon toast for breakfast, noodles and veggies for lunch, and tacos for dinner. Oh, stinker, I forgot to get refried beans! And I hope I have ground meat!

I am wearing. . .

. . . purple plaid PJ pants and a Houghton T.

I am creating. . .

. . . a list of homemade gifts I'd like to get started on in July. The kids will be brainstorming too, and we will have a "Christmas In July" celebration during which we will send out Christmas invites and schedule 6 months of gift-making. Hopefully. I think after Christmas I will begin making gifts for Mother's and Father's Days and all the birthdays.

I am going. . .

. . . to the library tonight, hopefully. We never got there last week.

I am reading. . .

. . . Cheaper By the Dozen by the Gilbreths. Oh, so cute. I'm only on the second chapter and I absolutely love, love, love it. Maybe I should read it to the kids?

I am hoping. . .

. . . to one day be a more organized woman. . . and then I'll have grandkids, right? J said last night, "Oh, (Realmomma), what are you going to do when you don't have all these kids?" "Sleep," I said. "Nope," he said, "clean!"

I am hearing. . .

. . . the hum of the attic fan and the silence of two boys sleeping and two girls playind with dolls.

Around the house. . .

. . . I am so trying to figure out how to get it all done. And by all I mean, marriage, chores, school, finding a vision for our family and nurturing and encouraging our children. I have found the following helpful/encouraging/convicting/challenging (quite a combo, huh): Useful conversations with my husband, these Standard Operating Procedures at Vision Forum Ministries, Dawn's Revamping the File Crate System, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Familes and The 8th Habit, more useful conversations with J, Write It Down, Romancing Your Child's Heart, Jennifer's wonderful tips for any stage of life, and even more good conversations with the man of the house.

One of my favorite things. . .

. . .is family.

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

. . . a belated call to my dad and some belated Father's Day card-making today. . . library tonight. . . getting things ready to go out of town next week.

A picture thought I am sharing. . .

From late spring

Stop by Peggy's to find out more about daybooking.

Simple Woman's Daybook ~ Teeny's Turning Five

For Monday, June 15, 2009 (I know, I know. . . I'm behind):

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW

Trees and houses.

I AM THINKING

About princesses.

I AM THANKFUL FOR

My dollhouse.

FROM THE LEARNING ROOM

"I never even did school." (We start with her in the fall.)

FROM THE KITCHEN

"French toast" (cinnamon toast, really), hot dogs, and "we didn't have dinner yet."

I AM WEARING

"What I'm wearing right now!"

I AM CREATING

"I am not creating anything."

I AM GOING

To a baseball game (with Logos Academy staff).

I AM READING

A pile of quiet time books including. . . I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown! by Charles M. Schulz, Barney's Easter Parade by Guy Davis, and G's Funny Faces Sticker Book.

I AM HOPING

To play with (the two kids down the stream).

I AM HEARING

M&M crying and saying, "Me, me, me. . ." "Mom, how does birds talk? Tweet, tweet. Is that talking and singing?"

AROUND THE HOUSE

My room's a mess because I made it a mess.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THING

Playing with my My Little Pet Shops that I got for my birthday.

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK

Going to the baseball game, painting our nails, my birthday -- "but that is not today!"

A PICTURE THOUGHT I AM SHARING

From teeny

From teeny

From teeny

From teeny

From teeny

From teeny

Go to Miss Peggy's to find out how to do your own daybook!

A Simple Woman's Daybook

For Monday, June 8, 2009:

Outside My Window

Their forecasting thundershowers, but right now it is beautiful and sunshiney. I think I'll be going out shortly to read in the back.

I Am Thinking

How nice it will be to have J off for a whole week with no agenda -- no plans -- nothing to do but relax and enjoy being a family.

I Am Thankful For

Play. Why? Because it is so very fun to watch and listen to the kids when they are doing it. It brings a little peace to my soul and a smile to my face to see them obliviously hard at play.

From The Learning Rooms

I am making the decision to swap out a week off in July for this week, since J is unexpectedly off for the week. I knew he was taking a week this month, but just didn't realize it was this one. So, I think we are going to be off too so we can enjoy his being home.

From The Kitchen

French toast with fresh strawberries for Breakfast.

Chili cheese dogs for Lunch.

Oven fried chicken with rice, greens and pinto beans for dinner (a good-ole southern meal).

I Am Wearing

A black, knit half-sleeved baby doll shirt and black knit capris.

I Am Creating

A home filled with love.

I Am Going

Thrift store shopping and to the library.

I Am Reading

Romancing Your Child's Heart (awesome book!)

I Am Hoping

That the details of Teeny's birthday tea party come together without me going into a panic.

I Am Hearing

M&M's babbling and J's alarm going off (he is having breakfast with a guy from church).

Around The House

I've created yet another housekeeping schedule (let's hope this one works).

Monday: All-around pick-up (to recover from the weekend)

Tuesday: Deep clean the kitchen and living room

Wednesday: Deep clean the car, yard and outside of the house, foyer, half-bath, laundry room, and family room.

Thursday: Deep clean bedrooms and full-bath

Friday: All-around pick-up (to prepare for the weekend)

G's chores: Bed, bedroom, pick up toys and dirty laundry and books from around house, vacuum and sweep on deep clean days.

Teeny's chores: Bed, bedroom, pick up toys and dirty laundry and books from around the house, dust and clean windows on deep clean days.

Bud-Jack's chores: Make bed, take belongings to room, help mommy vacuum sofas on deep clean days.

One Of My Favorite Things

Notebooks and journals. I have so many going it is ridiculous. I think, not counting blogs, I am at five, and some serve several different purposes because I can't bring myself to go buy more.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week

I have to get to a thrift store or two to buy teacups and saucers and maybe even a couple tea pots, I have to get the the craft store and dollar store to collect items for the "fancy hat" craft for Teeny's tea, I have to buy / make a bunch of fancy food for the tea party.

And then I *need* to relax with my husband on his week off.

Here Is A Picture Thought I Am Sharing

From late spring

Click on the pic to see our groundhog family.

Do stop by Peggy's for all the daybook action!

Simple Woman's Daybook * Bud-Jack's Turning Three

For Monday, June 1, 2009:

Outside My Window

A big-wheel, a wagon, a big red toy car, and a long driveway all waiting just for me.

I Am Thinking

About the toy lawnmower I saw in the back of the mini-van. For some reason, they won't let me have it yet. They don't even seem happy that I found it yesterday.

I Am Thankful For

G's week off of school. Now he doesn't have to take any breaks from playing with me.

From The Learning Rooms

Mommy said that since she didn't have to do school this week, she would read any book we wanted any time we wanted. I've already had her read me "The Little Fur Family".

From The Kitchen

Lots of fruit and homemade bread -- some of my favorites.

I Am Wearing

A pair of G's kakhi shorts (I like to wear his clothes) and a blue comoflauged t-shirt. And bare feet, of course.

I Am Creating

A lot of havoc in the front yard.

I Am Going

To the library tonight for story time. I share a mat with G.

I Am Reading

A bunch of Miss Spider books. But we are taking them back tonight. Haven't decided which section of the library I'll take home tonight.

I Am Hoping

That someone gets that toy lawnmower out of the back of the mini-van so I can play with it.

I Am Hearing

G being real cool. I think I'll scream just like him.

Around The House

I helped mommy start the dishwasher this morning. And I helped G avoid cleaning his room.

One Of My Favorite Things

CiCi's Pizza!!!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week

My birthday is tomorrow, so they tell me. I've picked out a lot of yummy food, and they are taking me to CiCi's for dinner. I also hear we are going to a camp this Saturday. . .

Here Is A Picture Thought I Am Sharing

From Bud-Jack

From Bud-Jack

From Bud-Jack

From Bud-Jack

From Bud-Jack

Some of Mommy's favorite pictures of me.

Mommy says you can see more daybooks at Miss Peggy's.

A Simple Woman's Daybook ~ Getting Over the Yucks

For Monday, May 18, 2009,

Outside my window...

We discovered, over the weekend, that there a robin is nesting in one of our lilacs and that our groundhog has three adorable little babies.

I am thinking...

That I am so ready for a sick-free house. I've been focusing on the light at the end of the tunnel all weekend. Hopefully we have come to it this morning.

I am thankful for...

Pleasant weather and outdoor furniture. Fresh air is essential to the recovery process. While all were sick at different moments this weekend, we spent a lot of time in the out-of-doors.

From the learning rooms...

We *will* be attempting school today.

From the kitchen...

Light meals.

I am wearing...

Grey knit pants and one of J's grey sweatshirts.

I am creating...

I plan for the front yard. Garden plans, most specifically.

I am going...

Today, hopefully to the library (though possibly alone). I also have to get to the store for groceries and some school supplies.

I am reading...

The latest copies of Above Rubies and NGJ magazines (both excellent issues)

Anne of Windy Poplars

Genesis 12-50

A Christianity Worth Believing

What Is a Family?

Some gardening manual

I am hoping...

For health in my home.

I am hearing...

Kid's who must be feeling much better based on the amount of noise they are currently making.

Around the house...

Lot's of that recovery-type cleaning awaits me -- laundry and disinfecting.

One of my favorite things...

Freeze pops. We stay stocked up all summer. I know it is frozen sugar water, but they take me back. I feel they are essential to a child's summer experience. And, I found, they are great for stomach sick kiddos.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Let's see. . . Cleaning, library, trip to the story. . . T-Ball on Tuesday. . . Dinner with family near Philly for Grandma's 80th birthday on Wednesday. . . T-Ball and a Logos event at CiCi's Pizza on Thursday. . . A City Church ladies night Friday. . . Maybe a day at the park Saturday?. . .

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

No time for pics this morning. I have to go change a diaper. But you could stop by this post of mine for some videos about Logos Academy if you need some visuals.

Stop by Peggy's for more daybooks.

A Simple Woman's Daybook ~ Birthdays and Graduations

For Monday, May 11, 2009:

Outside my window...

Lots of green and a few sprinkles of rain now and then.

I am thinking...

Of all the wonderful events of the weekend that I want to blog about but don't know when I'll find the time because there are so many things I need to get to.

I am thankful for...

My baby M&M, my educated husband, the blessing of motherhood, my mom and mom-in-law. . . and grandmothers. . .

From the learning rooms...

I am busy trying to figure out how to get everything done that we need to between now and September (we do year-round school) so we can start fresh and new with G and Teeny. I love planning.

From the kitchen...

I am about to go concoct some sort of mexican chicken soup for dinner. I will be largely winging this one, so let's hope for the best. Fortunately, I usually do pretty well with soups.

I am wearing...

An old long-sleeved T from the gap (years old), black knit pants, and thick white and blue socks that belong to J but that I wear when I want to feel cozy.

I am creating...

I guess a new recipe for mexican chicken soup?

I am going...

To the library tonight. We will be looking for books about Davy Crockett among other things as we watched The Alamo together last night.

I am reading...

Genesis 12-50

A Christianity Worth Believing

What Is a Family?

Anne of Windy Poplars

I am hoping...

That the Lord multiplies my time so I can get more done. But I'm guessing He'll probably not do that for the sake of my own personal growth.

I am hearing...

The sounds of Prince Caspian (the movie) upstairs in the bedroom. That was Teeny's "quiet time" pick today.

Around the house...

Monday is always recovery day. However we came upon a little surprise in the living room this afternoon that I hope to blog about soon.

One of my favorite things...

A good movie. Most recently these have been Slumdog Millionaire, Australia, Bedtime Stories. . .

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Library tonight

T-ball practices Tuesday and Thursday (for G)

Small Group Thursday

J's birthday Friday

A baptism picnic and Discipleship on Sunday

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

From birthdayngraduation

Stop by Peggy's for more daybook fun!

Simple Woman's Daybook ~ M&M Turning One

Daybook for M&M for May 4, 2009

Outside my window...

Just a bunch of rain, but that does not keep me from crawling outside every chance I get.

I am thinking...

About kitty cats and pretend swords.

I am thankful for...

Carmel corn mini rice cakes. They almost always make me happy.

From the learning rooms...

My favorite learning room is the backyard. My second favorite is the front yard.

From the kitchen...

Mommy and Daddy made Cincinatti Chili for dinner -- they had a friend over for dinner.

I am wearing...

A few different outfits each day because I get messy a lot. Today I started in a green dress with pink lady bugs over pink stretch pants. After I spilled water on myself, Mommy switched me to a pink t-shirt and purplish-pinkish pants. And to bed I am wearing a red longsleeved shirt and cozy white pants.

I am creating...

Lots of cuteness everywhere I go.

I am going...

To the library with Mommy tomorrow and to Daddy's graduation on Saturday.

I am reading...

These three touch and feel books.

I am hoping...

The rain goes away so I can go outside and play in the mud tomorrow.

I am hearing...

The hum of the fan lulling me to sleep.

Around the house...

I'm helping Mommy with dishes and testing her agility by clinging to her pants as she tries to move around and get things done.

One of my favorite things...

A little purple baby with a wooden head that came with Teeny's doll house this Christmas. It is just the right size for my little hands and it soothes my sore teething gums.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Library tomorrow, my very first birthday on Friday, Ging-Ging and Papa get her sometime Friday, Daddy's graduation on Saturday, and Mother's Day on Sunday.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

From mnm

From mnm

From mnm

From mnm

Mommy says you can see more daybooks like this if you go to Miss Peggy's blog!