Weekends

How is it possibly August already?! CRAZY
We have been relaxed and enjoying a lazy unscheduled summer. I've started working on projects, thinking we had plenty of time....and now suddenly it's crunch time!

Yesterday, we pulled out all the kids toys, toy boxes, under beds, closets, toys hidden in every nook & cranny. Sorted, purged, and rearranged. Ashleigh wanted to get rid of her toy box...and her barbies...and her zhuzhu pets! Is that normal for an almost 8 yr old girl? What do they play with? Surely its not straight to makeup, fashion, and boys?!!! Uhhhh, NO.

So Keira inherited the toy box....(and the zhu zhu pets). We also took down the crib and put her in a toddler bed. Logan is temporarely camping in his sleeping bag on the floor, but only til we get his new frame.

They love their new room. We got rid of a lot of toys. Now they each have a toy box for their stuff, the little table and chairs fir in their room, as well as Keira's baby doll stuff. She slept great in her big girl bed but was up at 6 am, due to a much-needed thunderstorm.

Today...we tackle the study. Oy

What Now?

Have you ever had one of those moments…..

where you just really need God’s favor? The situation isn’t big, but it’s impossible.

Rest.

Rest in His patience. Knowing however the outcome….it will be ok.

This morning, I read this: Lamentations 3:21-30

“But there is one thing I do remember,and remembering, I keep a grip on hope. God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, His merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great Your faithfulness!

I’m sticking with God. He’s all I got left.

God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks.When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in pryer.Wait for hope to appear. Don’t run from trouble…take it full-face.

The “worst” is never the worst.


shared at Domestically Divine Divas

Simple Woman's Daybook - July 26th

For Today: Tuesday, July 26th 2011

Outside my window...the yard is mowed and edges trimmed. Its looks nice. And the neighbor's new miniature pincher is running, hopping, and yipping, hoping to get my children's attention.

I am thinking...and praying about some family issues. I have two brothers and two sisters, in-laws, nieces and nephews. And when one of them is going thru something or hurting...we all hurt :(

I am thankful for...quiet time. Keira is the only one who still takes a nap, but I have re-instated the quiet time rule for an hour after lunch. Full time, stay- at-home mommies have to have a break sometime!


From the learning rooms...well, I found Starfall, an online phonics program that I think would work great for Logan this year. I still need to order 3rd grade Rod & Staff workbooks for Ashleigh.



In the kitchen....homemade chicken fried rice and crab rangoon!

I am wearing...denim shorts, and gray summer shirt

I am creating...an online virtual bulletin board.
I am going...to sort thru some stuff from our garage sale. Have several things I can sell online. I love our community facebook garage sale group page.

I am reading...To Win Her Heart, by Karen Witmeyer

I am hoping...to get some writing time in this week. Still working on a book project.

I am hearing...my two maids: Wilma Washing Machine and Dora Dryer working hard :)

Around the house...the kids did their chores this morning. I still haven't made my bed! And the study is a mess from trying to sort and organize.

One of my favorite things...new magazines. I love All You, Better Homes & Gardens, Country Living, Rachael Ray,....

A few plans for the rest of the week...still working with the kids on learning new chores and responsibilities, a trip to the library to get their last prize for summer reading, a dentist appt for me, a rare Saturday with Dad home.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing…the beautiful Sturdevant Acres Bed & Breakfast where we had our MOPS steering team retreat. How I would love to sit on that porch every day!

What's On My Nightstand

Summer is winding down and I haven't gotten in as much reading as I had hoped :P

I have a stack I've been working on. Mostly school stuff, getting my mind prepared with good ideas for this fall. And I love love love Sally Clarkson's book. She is so encouraging. I've been enjoying Lisa Bergren's What Women Want as my morning devotional. Plus a couple new novels. (see how the library marks "christian" lol)

What good book have you been reading this summer?

Menu Plan Monday

Our summer's are more relaxed and spur-of-the-moment...so I don't menu plan too much. So now I'm trying to wrangle it back in!

Going over the tips and rules. Gathering ideas. New recipes.

Monday: older  kids at church camp - take Keira out for Bandanas BBQ

Tuesday: homemade chicken fried-rice, crab rangoon

Wednesday: sandwiches and banana splits

Thursday: Meatloaf, baked potatoes, fresh tomatoes from the garden

Friday: double date night w/some friends...fish & chips, salad, strawberry shortcake

Saturday: Ham & Zucchini Rigatoni

Sunday: breakfast for dinner: sausage & egg burritos

For Today: Tuesday, July 19th 2011

 
Outside my window...the sun is blazing hot. There are no pets out. There are no children out. No one is enjoying this heat wave!

I am thinking...about my niece Becca, whose birthday is today. She lives far away, across the country form us, so we dont see her very often. I've been remembering a lot of the silly things she would do and say when she was a little girl.

I am thankful for...a couple hours to get away and write today.  I have so much to get done and am trying to get ahead. Slowly.

From the learning rooms...I am researching and looking at kindergarten curriculum. Preparing for Logan.
From the kitchen...sub sandwiches for supper tonight. Trying to keep the house cool.

I am wearing...denim shorts, and my blue spiritfm tshirt.

I am creating...a Family Rules board to hang on the wall. Pictures when ever I get it done.

I am going...to finish mowing the front yard this evening. I mowed the back and sides last night.

I am reading...The Well Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer, and Dancing with My Father by Sall Clarkson

I am hoping...Keira feels better tomorrow :(

I am hearing...sounds of The Electric Company from the tv in the family room.

Around the house...ALL the laundry is folded AND put away. Progress! The dishwasher is running. And kids are playing legos while watching tv.

One of my favorite things...my feather pillow.

A few plans for the rest of the week...working on training the kids on some "new" chores; a skype video chat with the in-laws in Texas; more writing; homeschool group fieldtrip to a music store; hoping to have a garage sale on saturday.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing…

Vacation Bible School

Logan and Ashleigh attended Vacation Bible School last week at a local church. They loved it so much!

Logan's class singing at Friday night's Parent's Night. He is the one in the back, far left, with his arms crossed and head down. LOL
He did not want to get up on that stage. But he wanted to show how very brave he was, so he did it anyway.
Too cute!
I heart him so much.

Ashleigh's class singing. She is in there somewhere. Singing and doing all the motions. Full of exuberance and spunk.

How did my kids get to be this big already???

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today: Tuesday, July 12th 2011

Outside my window... its another scorching hot day. Temps have been just over 100, with the heat index much higher. Yards are turning brown. Neighbors all trying to keep gardens and flower beds alive. My tomato plants are loving the heat.



I am thinking...up some inside summer activities for the kids this week.

I am thankful for...a God who is so gracious to forgive. Who gently nudges us back on track.



From the learning rooms...summer break. The kids are all signed up for the Library's Summer Reading Program, and have read over 60 books so far. They won certificates for free DQ Blizzards last week. What a treat!



From the kitchen...marinating some chicken breasts to toss on  the grill later for fajita stir-fry. Need to set out another jar for sun tea.



I am wearing...denim shorts, and a black sleeveless blouse.



I am creating...a new website and promotional materials for our local MOPS group. (mothers of preschoolers)


I am going...to head out to pick up Ashleigh and Logan from vbs in an hour. They are both loving it. I am so glad. They were a little apprehensive about going to a new church with new kids in a new town.


I am reading...some christian novel, that has yet to really snag my interest. Guess its going back to the library - unfinshed :(  Its rare that I dont finish a book. But since my "spare" time is so precious, no sense in wasting it.



I am hoping...my brother and his wife get a good showing on their house today. They just put it on the market last week, and we have been praying...its time for them to move closer to us :)


I am hearing...my almost-two yr old, playing with her little toy kitchen and singing to her babydoll while she feeds her.


Around the house...bathrooms waiting to be cleaned, laundry waiting to be folded,....



One of my favorite things...American Classics. Like apple pie & cheese, baseball games, bbq's, and summer road trips.



A few plans for the rest of the week...kids have VBS all week, a homeschool support group meeting Thurs, a Domestically Divine Diva's writing meeting Fri, and maybe a birthday party on Saturday.



Here is a picture thought I am sharing…

Friday's Fave Five - Blessings of the week

1. We  went out early in the week to pick blueberries at a local farm. 6 pounds in the HOT summer sun. But oh, how we have enjoyed them. On oatmeal, in pancakes, muffins, strawberry pie, and two batches of jam.

2. A surprise visit from my nephew and his bride of 1 month. They drove up to spend the 4th with us. That evening during fireworks, one mis-fired, aiming across the field straight at our quilt. My new niece was the worst hit, singed her hair and burned the top of her ear, we are so relieved she is ok, so thankful for God's protection.

3. The kids had so much fun with new friends this weekend at the different events. My mountain man/biker husband did too :)

4. We picked the very first ripe tomatoes from our little garden this week!

5. Logan. My heart is tearing up just trying to type this...how grateful I am.

How blessed.

By this 4 yr old bundle of independence.

At a cookout Sun night, we almost lost him. He had suddenly disappeared from sight and I found him struggling in the deep swimming pool, all alone. What could have been a horrific accident, God kept his angels around that little boy and got him out of the water.
He and I both have been dealing with some residual effects, such as fear, since that night. We have had lots of talks and prayers together. It has been beautiful to see how God has turned what was meant for evil into something good.

Logan knows God has big plans for his life.

He knows God is always by his side...and today he told me, "And Mom he is also in my heart!" I questioned him to see what he meant. "Last night, when I couldn't sleep because I wanted to cry, I asked Jesus into my heart." he explained.

Nothing touches a mother's heart more than these words.

There is nothing we can take to heaven with us. No possessions.

 Just our children.