The Simple Woman's Daybook: November 1st

For Today... November 1, 2010

Outside my window... Grey skies and crisp air might be depressing on some days, but I'm personally excited to ditch all the jack-o-lanterns around here and replace them with Thanksgiving touches!

From the kitchen... the espresso maker brewed up a great white chocolate late this morning. I'm off to a Williams-Sonoma cooking class tonight with a great friend. It's a Thanksgiving dinner class, and I hope to pick up a few tips and ideas!

From the Learning Rooms... Lots of counting these days. Little Mister is working on counting by 10's, and his reading skills seem to be growing steadily. Little Miss, always on her own schedule, surprised us a few weeks ago with her alphabet song. It was nice to know that my efforts weren't being ignored. Now we're working on learning letters. It's been difficult to introduce new concepts to her because I don't want to push them if she hasn't mastered the building blocks needed for a new skill.

I am creating...

I was really happy with the weekend's cake!

Little Miss and I are already planning her birthday cake- Strawberry Shortcake. I can't believe she's almost three...

I am praying... for Baby Ella and her family... and all families who have lost a child to anencephaly.

Around the house... It's a disaster. Let's face it. There are toys everywhere!

One of my favorite things...

The rare times when these two get along well enough for a sweet picture. Little Mister isn't the most affectionate big brother, but we're working on it!

A few plans for the rest of the week... Amidst the normal taxiing, a horse is being delivered to my parents' farm. It's finally one that Big Sister will be able to ride. That means that it's time to arrange for riding lessons and riding gear. I've been praying for a way to give her a shot as the activity she's passionate about, and it's still hard to believe that I'm going to be able to provide her with this opportunity!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

The eskimo...

The super-heroine...

And the video game heros...

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The Simple Woman's Daybook: May 4th

For Today... May 4, 2010

Outside my window... I literally can't see the sky through the trees anymore. My flower bed is looking slightly more tame after the hour I spent pulling weeds, but it's still a disorganized mess after a decade or more of neglect! I think the best bet is to pull it all up come fall and reorganize... now if I just had a clue what I was doing!

I'm going to try my hand at a few tomato plants this year. Just 3-4, but they'll get planted next week! Hopefully we'll be able to satisfy Hubby's craving for garden tomatoes this year.

From the kitchen... Today I'm making broccoli salad and tuna salad to eat for lunches this week. Also on the menu are Chicken Parmesan and Garlic Chicken... and we'll see what E-mealz has in store for the rest of the week!

I am wearing... blue PJ pants, greet camisole. Kinda pathetic, I know. I should've been in the shower hours ago.

From the Learning Rooms... Reading, writing, and addition. I'm working on a final thematic unit to finish off the year... Then it's on to institutional preschool next year.

I am creating... Necklaces. This is my first:

And a new cake that left me wanting to do some real high heels.

I am praying... that God will bless my little sister and her fiance as they job hunt.

Around the house... general tidying is in order for today. Lots of random toys and games have made their way out of the kids' bedrooms.

One of my favorite things... my new stacking laundry baskets. I finally have some semblance of organization in my laundry room!

A few plans for the rest of the week... A trip to the zoo on Saturday for the USO's Day at the Zoo, my parents' anniversary on Saturday, and Mother's Day on Sunday!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

I'm going to miss this scene this summer! There's just something about the beach... isn't there?

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The Simple Woman's Daybook: April 27th

For Today... April 27, 2010

Outside my window... There's so much GREEN outside! We've been waiting for three weeks the 80's riding mower my parents gave us to be serviced. Any day now would be great... our lawn is begging to be mowed again!

From the kitchen... A huge batch of stuffed peppers. I made fifteen today and have enough stuffing left for 15 more. They freeze like a dream and make the perfect lunch for Hubby! I made a version of this recipe last night- not too bad!

I am wearing... jeans and a pink, long sleeved tee. And bare feet.

From the Learning Rooms... We're going back to relearn how to write lowercase a's this week. Little Mister has gotten quite lazy about them lately! I'm also hoping to make some more progress on spelling and word families.

I am creating... patches for Big Sister's jeans. She has three pair that she's worn through, and she asked for some crazy patchwork to cover the holes in her knees.

I am praying... for the next few days to be exciting and motivating for my husband... and for sanity through the weekend. It's just me and the kids while Daddy's away at his military drill!

Around the house... Laundry is caught up, but the family room is atrocious! There are blankets, toys, games, and pillows strewn all over. The room has turned into a group effort!

One of my favorite things... Yard Sale-ing! Ashley and I packed the kids into the van and headed out Friday and Saturday mornings last weekend! I forgot how much I liked digging through other people's discarded belongings!

A few plans for the rest of the week... two cakes and the last night of teaching religion classes. Big Sister is off school Thursday and Friday, so we're hoping to make a trip to the Magic House later this week!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

A blast from the past for you. I found this picture of Hubby and I in a pile of my baby sisters prints. It's from the weekend I accepted his proposal.

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The Simple Woman's Daybook: April 12th

For Today... April 12, 2010

Outside my window... Blue skies, and the buds of leaves. The tree limbs are so thick, that I imagine by next week, the sky view from this window will be all but blocked by leaves!

From the kitchen... we had a yummy italian concoction I threw together last night. chunks of Red onions, zucchini, red pepper, chicken and garlic sautéed in olive oil and Italian seasoning and tossed with spaghetti noodles... delicious!

I am wearing... green pj pants and a t shirt. My allergies are killing my motivation this morning!

From the Learning Rooms... basic reading, math, and writing this week!

I am creating... vacation plans! We announced the plans to the kids last night. They're all excited about heading to the Rockies!

I am praying... for a fruitful week and inspiration to add love and comfort to our home. I could really use some productivity and motivation!

Around the house... Laundry is hanging on the line with the bumblebees nosing around! I'm starting to get good at ignoring them. A kitchen floor begs to be mopped, and I really need to figure out what's keeping my vacuum cleaner from it's suction potential!

One of my favorite things... Yard Sale-ing! Ashley and I packed the kids into the van and headed out Friday and Saturday mornings last weekend! I forgot how much I liked digging through other people's discarded belongings!

A few plans for the rest of the week... a huge photo session this afternoon, a soccer game for big sister tonight, maybe a play date later this week!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Little Miss and her cousin (my cousin's daughter) yesterday

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The Simple Woman's Daybook: April 5th

For Today... April 6, 2010

Outside my window... What a gloriously beautiful Easter Sunday we had here! A few wispy clouds, bright, warm sunshine, and a breeze made for a fantastic day with family!

From the kitchen... Leftover corn chowder for lunch today, and for dinner, $1.99 Family Night Happy Meals from McDonalds!

I am wearing... blue yoga pants, white tank, bare feet.

From the Learning Rooms... I've promised Little Mister that we'll learn about tornados this week in preschool. I believe that the old soda bottle tornado project is in order!

I am creating... too many things at once! I'm behind on edits for 2 photography sessions, have one to photograph Wednesday (a first birthday session!), and have a cake in the works for this weekend!

I am praying... humble thanks for keeping my husband and youngest child safe Sunday when they were T-boned by a sixteen-year-old driver. I cannot imagine what I would've done had I been driving to an accident that had left my baby or my husband permanently injured or dead... Seeing our van crunched in the ditch and knowing that the emergency lights were for my daughter was bad enough, and I already knew that she and Hubby were safe and healthy.

I'm pondering these words... Women’s sexuality requires “priming,” while guys are just about always “ready to roll.” A lot of that priming has to happen in her head: thinking affectionately about sensual things, bathing, primping and flirting - the kinds of things wives tend to leave at the altar or in the birthing room. ~Dr. Laura

Around the house... Lots of light fixtures are sitting on boxes awaiting installation, and I'm hoping that the rain doesn't prevent us from mowing the grass Thursday evening!

One of my favorite things... Watching my children get along. It's a sad fact that this doesn't happen often enough, but when the three of them are truly playing happily together, it's the best sound in the world!

A few plans for the rest of the week... a soccer game for big sister tonight, an endless string of phone calls to insurance companies, finalizing taxes! Last year we mailed them on April 15th, so we're improving slightly this year by mailing them in by the 7th!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

One of myself for a change! My cousin snapped a couple of Hubby and I at our family shindig over the weekend! And look- no double chin, tummy or anything!

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The Simple Woman's Daybook: March 29th

For Today... March 29, 2010

Outside my window... Blue, sunny skies! The forecast promises a simply beautiful spring break and Holy Week.

From the kitchen... My poor kitchen has been in a state of disarray. The dishes may be done and the floor clean, but I've become embarrassingly disorganized when it comes to my shopping and meal planning. I really should get it together!

I am wearing... grey yoga pants, black tank, bare feet.

From the Learning Rooms... Uncle L is home this week! That means Little Mister will be learning more about model rocketry and finally launching his new rocket! We'll mix the usual reading and math lessons in along the way, but no formal lessons this week!

I am creating... a clothes line. Hubby and I installed the line using a few trees outside the laundry room. In the midst of clearing leaves and drilling holes into the tree trunks, we discovered my grandma's clothes line laying discarded from years ago around the same trees. Apparently we picked a good spot!

I am praying... my way through Holy Week. For a deeper understanding of the most holy sacrifice, for the strength to make my own tiny sacrifices...

Around the house... We had our house sprayed for wasps last week. It's been too cold and rainy too tell if they're gone. I'm hoping that, as the weather warms this week, we're able to enjoy being outside our house without the company of dozens of stinging critters!

One of my favorite things... dreaming of vacations- even if we decide not to go or know that we'll never. I just love researching all the exotic and magical places in the world.

A few plans for the rest of the week... a soccer game for big sister tonight, an egg hunt later this week, and hopefully a chance to visit with friends that have been swamped with their own lives lately!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Easter 2008 (Little Miss' 1st)

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The Simple Woman's Daybook: March 8th

For Today... March 8, 2010

Outside my window... Birds, bulbs, and the first crocuses... the warm sunny weekend proved productive here in the valley!

From the kitchen... I completely slacked off tonight and made pancakes for dinner. What can I say? Hubby was gone, Little Miss was running a fever! Lots of veggies and baked chicken tomorrow to compensate!

I am wearing... Boot cut jeans, a black, long sleeve shirt, and my glasses (that I'm having to wear more often now).

From the Learning Rooms... Finally getting to our rocket this week! We'll use the lesson to work on the letter R and counting backward from ten. Little Mister is very excited to put his rocket kit together, and I think that Uncle L may even be home for Easter. That means we'll get to launch it!

I am creating... a yard. I've made it my mission to transform our construction site into a real, neat landscape this month (and next). Our house will still look under construction until our siding is up and painted, but the yard... THAT is something I have control over!

I am praying... for patience as we revamp our parenting tactics around here! I tried Super Nanny's stern talk and somehow I've turned into a drill sergeant... and unfortunately my soldiers are following my lead. It's back to loving talk and living as examples of how we want them to handle sibling conflict. But my goodness, it doesn't take long for yelling to become habit!

Around the house... the main level is fairly tidy, but the upstairs is a sight! Little Mister and I are going to tackle his room together, and Big Sister is on the verge of loosing my laundry services until she does something about the clothes piled everywhere! Sheesh!

One of my favorite things: the contentment that comes from knowing that God always has my backup plan planned... and that it wasn't His backup plan- it was His plan. It's amazing how something that is stressful, terrifying, or heart-wrenching, can lead you somewhere that you feel sure you were meant to be.

A few plans for the rest of the week... the calendar's wide open! Just the normal kids' activities and teaching PSR.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Little Miss enjoying the SEVETY degree day!

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The Simple Woman's Daybook: March 1st

For Today... March 1, 2010

Outside my window... it's noticeably lighter earlier! Just another sign that spring will, at some point, be here!

From the kitchen... This afternoon I'll hit the grocery store. I'm never sure how we ran so low on so many things so quickly! In any event, the cart will be piled high, the kids will be squirmy, and I'll be frazzled! Good times!

I am wearing... Green PJ pants, a brown camisole, and a black cardigan.

From the Learning Rooms... Little Mister's been busy lately. We went on a field trip to the Magic House in St. Louis last week, and he's been science, science, science! He's SO curious and attentive, so I'm following his lead for the time being.

I am creating... a new apron. I picked out material a couple weeks ago. Blues and browns with flowers and hummingbirds. My grandmother loved to hang hummingbird feeders on their patio and watch the hummingbirds all summer. Every time I see one, I think of her. Living in this house, I like to do small things to keep her and my grandpa close.

I am praying... giving thanks for the gift of God's son. At this time if year, I am in awe of the Holy Sacrifice that was to save me in all my smallness and imperfection.

Around the house... I'm tackling that master bedroom. I'd hoped to get to it last week, and now it's worse than ever! I started last night by resorting the DVD's and boxing them away out of reach of little hands. Hopefully I'll have reclaimed our turf by nightfall!

One of my favorite things: forgiveness... from loved ones, from strangers, from myself, and most importantly from God.

A few plans for the rest of the week... A play date, photo session for a friend (I can't believe her little guy is almost 1!), and general happy chaos that is life with three kids!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Happy March 1st from Little Mister in all his goofiness!

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