Simple Woman's Daybook - December 29, 2008

For today...

Outside my window...it looks like the first day of spring with the melting snow, birds fluttering about, and the patches of green in the lawn.

I am thinking...of the items on my list today, the path I will take in town to get all my errands done, and what we should get for that one final gift that isn't bought yet

From the learning rooms...all is quiet - kids sleeping and enjoying their school break

I am thankful for...coffee, heat, a patient husband, recycling, external hard drives, a loving family

From the kitchen...coffee perking, making almond bark dipped oreos today

I am wearing...my warm, fuzzy robe and slippers

I am reading...a book from Tracie Peterson, Angels Flight, that is unsettling to me for some reason

I am hoping...to continue to be in this relaxation mode for quite a while yet! I am also hoping to get some snow for the nieces and nephews to sled in before this weekend

I am creating...a clean school room

I am hearing...just the computer fan and the occasional rumble of a garbage truck in the neighborhood

Around the house...final touches on all the rooms prior to my family coming Wednesday

A few plans for the rest of the week...shopping for necessary paper products and groceries, wash the car, finish cleaning, spending the entire time from Wed to Sunday relaxing with my family here!

A picture I thought I would share with you...Christmas joy!!



Blessings to each and every one of you!

Christmas vacation

As a child, I am sure I enjoyed and looked forward to school breaks, but now, as a teaching parent, Christmas break is the best! While I love homeschooling my kiddos, the break in the action, particularly for my mental health, is essential and wonderful!

My first impulse is to see how many things I can get done...should I pull out the pictures and start scrapbooking? How about a deep down cleaning in all the rooms? Time to get some stuff ready for Goodwill to drop off...My list could go on and on. I have found though, what I don't do very well is good old fashioned sitting. I have a hard time sitting and just doing nothing. Or reading a good book. I feel guilty and feel as if I should be doing something productive since the time is so fleeting and in short supply. Between trying to have enough time to keep up the house and do things for Brad's work, I don't feel I have much time leftover for relaxing.

But, this vacation, I hope to find time to sit back and relax. I want to play games with the kids, do some baking, organize some shelves. The two week break is going to go by much too quickly, so my goal is to enjoy it to its fullest (which means not sitting in front of the computer all day!) I'll let you know how it goes... :)

Blessings!

A Simple Woman's Daybook - December 22, 2008

For today...

Outside my window...so very cold, negative temperatures, but glorious as the sun is shining brilliantly. Bright red cardinal and junkos are all over the bird feeder trying to get enough seeds to survive!

I am thinking...How fast can we get school done today to start our Christmas vacation? :)

From the learning rooms...Just a few subjects to wrap it all up. I'm not quite where I wanted to be at this time, but it will have to do! I'm as excited as my kids for a break.

I am thankful for...once again, I am thankful for heat and a roof over our heads, and no wind today to keep the wind chill down as we may need to venture into town. I'm thankful that we are able to have the privilege of schooling at home, and the flexibility and means to help others during this time of year.

From the kitchen...hope to get some baking done today. Peggy's bean and ham soup sounds tremendous as well! Maybe we'll go that route for supper.

I am wearing...flannel, workout pants, slippers, socks - trying to stay warm

I am reading...nothing right now - just working on getting all the extras done

I am hoping...that we all can stay healthy through the holidays, and this week will be one of focused attention on baby Jesus

I am creating...the final grocery list for our Christmas meals, brunch, and final stocking stuffers for the kiddos

I am hearing...the furnace running, JD playing with TJ

Around the house...got TJ's room done yesterday (PTL!) so this week's step in "mission organization" is the office space. Also plan to keep everything clean for the next two weeks, although that, in general, is going very well with the kids helping with their rooms and bathrooms. Love that those are clean each day!

One of my favorite things...my electric blanket

A few plans for the rest of the week...enjoying time with family, baking, relaxing, reading, a bit of shopping yet, church, celebrating the coming of the newborn KING!

Merry Christmas to all of you this blessed week!!

Please link to the original daybook by clicking the picture on the right...

A Simple Woman's Daybook - December 15, 2008

(Please link to Peggy's Daybook through link in right column...)

For today...

Outside my window...blowing snow, but sunny. It is a beautiful scene as I can see a bright red cardinal on the feeder.

I am thinking...how absolutely cold it is, and questioning why I live in SD...it is minus 10 degrees right now! That's without the wind chill. UGH.

From the learning rooms...kids are on a 15 minute break so they are enjoying some quick play time in the basement

I am thankful for...a warm house, a cup of coffee, and the beauty of the snow cover

From the kitchen...coffee pot is on, need to plan something with hamburger for supper

I am wearing...slippers, wool socks, pjs and my comfy warm robe still. Might stay in it all day as it is toasty!!

I am reading...not much right now, but need to pick up another Karen Kingsbury book that I have on hold at the library - can't wait!!

I am hoping...to get some more shopping done despite the cold, that our Angel Tree at work gets a few more gifts, and that our secret gift giving can come together for a special family

I am creating...hmmm, not much right now. Focusing on finishing things rather than creating at the moment!

I am hearing...happy, giggling sounds from my daughter while she's playing with her brothers

Around the house...things seem to be under control. Need to figure out how to best organize our gloves, mittens and all the boots for the winter

One of my favorite things...something warm in my cup, preferably coffee

A few plans for the rest of the week...Christmas baking, storage room organization, working in the office, Christmas cards perhaps, work stuff, finalize Christmas shopping as the festivities start Saturday!

May God bless your week!

A Simple Devotion

For Today...

Dear Lord,

I'll bring you my shortcomings...Lord, today I bring you my impatience. I want everything to work out in my time frame, on my schedule. Lord, let my schedule be yours. Please bring a patience to me that is slow to anger, and quick to love.

I'll bring you my worship and praise... It's amazing to reflect on the greatest gift that has ever been given, that of your son, Jesus. It is mind boggling to comprehend what has passed before and after your son was born. It's amazing to think of him as a perfect baby, without flaws, and with such humble beginnings. It's amazing to know that he is my Savior, Lord, and King. I praise you for the plan you have for me and my family.

I'll bring you my prayer...Lord God, please watch and keep us during this Advent season. Help us to find ways to make it more real and personal to our children. Guide us as we shop for gifts, that they may be meaningful and special, yet reflective of you. Finally, please protect and keep each of us strong and healthy as we gather together with family and friends.

You spoke to me... "...Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you." Romans 12:3

May God bless your day!
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A Simple Woman's Daybook

(Please use link at right to connect with Peggy's blog and other daybook entries...)

For Today...
Outside my window...cloudy, dreary day with a possibility we may have 3 to 5 inches of snow tonight

I am thinking...that the time of Advent is going so fast, and my heart is not quite keeping up

From the learning rooms...typical Monday with a full schedule. We've dropped piano except for Christmas songs until after Christmas

I am thankful for...heat, a home, and good health

From the kitchen...nothing brewing right now except the coffee!!

I am wearing...slippers and socks, comfy jeans, white long sleeved shirt and flannel. Gotta stay warm in this house!

I am reading...Karen Kingsbury's Sunset; What a fabulous Christian author she is!

I am hoping...that I can get a lot of work done tomorrow when I spend the majority of the day at the office

I am creating...Christmas lists

I am hearing...the fan of the computer, JT whistling

Around the house...kids are really doing well keeping up with their jobs. I have cleaner bathrooms than I have in years, rooms are tidy, and we are developing some good habits of organization! Still have to work with TJ to get her room up to snuff

One of my favorite things...Christmas music!

A few plans for the rest of the week...tonight I have the deacon's wives over for prayer and praise, church school board tomorrow night, going to work all afternoon (after lunch with my friend Gina) in order to get many, many things off my list that have fallen by the wayside as of late

Have a great week!

Simple Devotion

(Join your heart with mine and others through the Simple Devotion link at right)

For Today...

Dear Lord,

I'll bring you my shortcomings...It seems as if I could write the same things week after week, but you, Oh Lord, know the struggles I face. Today, I bring you my quick temper. How easy it is to have a reflex action when something goes wrong. Curb that anger Lord, and turn me toward a kind tongue and compassionate ways.

I'll bring you my worship and praise... A beautiful, light snowfall is such an amazing event that boasts you as the creator and Lord of all the earth. Even the ice crystals that form a snowflake are full of variety and show the amazingness that is you, my Lord and my God. You bring beauty into a dull, drab, winter world, and it can be matched by no human being. You are the God of beauty and creation, and I praise you for all you have made.

I'll bring you my prayer...Lord God, please guide us as parents as we shepherd our children. You know the future, and you know what obstacles each one of them will face. I pray you will help Brad and I to prepare them for the challenges to come, but also to play and celebrate with them on a daily basis, so they too can enjoy life and all the blessings you have bestowed on us.

You spoke to me... "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love." I Corinthians 16:13-14

May God bless your day, and mine!

Words from the peanut gallery...

Just want to post a couple of sayings from the past few weeks that I want to remember.

Today, from JD: "Why do we need school anyway? Just lead a simple life and you don't need to worry about anything."

After going out for a birthday supper, we (TJ and I) were given a free hot fudge sundae in honor of our birthdays. We ate it as a family and as I stood up when we finished the dessert, JT quips, "Mom, I guess it's true that chocolate does go straight to the hips." OUCH!

Yesterday, we had the first Sunday in about 5 months where we haven't had some responsibilities at church so we decided to relax in the morning and do home church. Each of the kiddos brought their own devotion. JD read about Moses being put into a papyrus basket, and then had us weave small baskets using yarn and cut paper cups. TJ sang a song, told us what she was thankful for, and then instructed us to all draw pictures of a character for our nativity sets. Brad and JT did angels, JD and I did shepherd boys, and TJ did a wiseman on an elephant. (She loves JD's wisemen from his set) Then, JT did a bible bingo where he read words out from a verse and we had to locate them on his 5 handwritten sheets (it took him most of the morning to create). I won the first round, and so he wanted to see if we could get another winner. Well, JD wins the second round, so he hands JD a piece of paper that says to look up Matthew 5:22. Creative boy - go to the verse and read it for yourself to see how this story is funny. Glad he's studying the bible for some verses he can use for personal application! I guess we are taking the bible VERY literally. :)

Oh, and here's one hot off the presses - just in. JD just walked in with two taper candles sticking out of his ears stating, "Wow, I really have a problem with ear wax."

Just some things to laugh about...

Okay, looking back, it appears that maybe the Sunday story may only be funny to us. :)

A Simple Woman's Daybook

(Please link back to Peggy's daybook using button at right...)

For Today...

Outside my window...cold, with little sleet pellets forming. Took the garbage cans down and the wind took my breath away

I am thinking...how to incorporate Christmas into our December schooling. It always seems to sneak up on us without having enough time to prepare our hearts

From the learning rooms...getting a later start today as we are exhausted from being off schedule over the weekend. I still need to write out our lesson plans for the day. I hate it when I leave that until Monday morning!

I am thankful for...a wonderful Thanksgiving, that my mom was able to be here, a relaxing, casual, non-overloaded weekend

From the kitchen...Still working on the leftovers...need to get creative today!

I am wearing...slippers, socks, black yoga pants, white long sleeve shirt, black pullover (and I'll probably need to add one more layer yet!)

I am reading...nothing right now - need to get some new books at the library. Went through all three of the novels I checked out a couple of weeks ago

I am hoping...that I can work on my patience and kindness and that all the ornaments from the Angel Tree at Brad's work will be taken so that items can be purchased for a needy family in the area

I am creating...our December calendar with all of our activities and responsibilities

I am hearing...our dog howling as he already wants to get in the house

Around the house...need to organize hats and mittens, do TJ's room, and usual Monday cleaning. Decorations are all up and we can enjoy them all month - YEA!

One of my favorite things...sitting in the living room, surrounded by white lights along with gold, white, and red accents. Add the Christmas music and I am relaxed and at peace

A few plans for the rest of the week...finish the December calendar, TJ's room, and the office. That's the goals for operation organization!