A Gracefull Place

For today, 21 October, 2008.

Outside my window….  it is a beautiful fall day!  A gorgeous blue sky framed by green, yellow and reddening leaves.  Cool, but not cold. 

I am thinking…. about my daughters that are on their way to a friend’s house, hoping they have a good time.

From the learning rooms…. I think they got off today!  I wasn’t feeling well (the good icky!) and they’ve watched Everyday News at Vision Forum and are playing with their Life of Faith dolls.  My oldest is with my 16 yr. old on the way to friends to give music lessons, 19 yr. old is either reading or sewing, and I’m not sure about the 15 yr. old but it probably involves something to do with the Revolutionary War!

I am thankful for…. our new baby on the way!  Also, Sunday was the 4th anniversary of my husband’s serious accident–I am immensely grateful to still have him with me!

From the kitchen…. chicken and dumplings–mm-mm on a cool day!

I am wearing…. a white blouse with my "Debbie Mum" sunflower jumper.

I am reading…. Heart of Wisdom by Robin Sampson.    It is absolutely the refreshing "drink" I need to keep my home education focused on the Lord!

I am hoping…. to be able to declutter more in spite of being tired and icky! 

I am creating…. a new jumper!  (Maybe I’ll wear it next week!)

I am hearing…. Wendy and Mary’s "He Who Dwells" (one of my favorites) and the boys getting into something…..

Around the house…. the girls are helping me get the winter clothing lists ready so we can do our big shopping trip soon.  One of my daughters went through the boxes of patterns on the entry pew and consolidated them, and we’re hoping to get the garage thoroughly "spring cleaned" by the weekend!

One of my favorite things…. is seeing one of our many kittens curled up in an old wicker chair on the porch!  Picture perfect!

A few plans for the rest of the week….. I always think I can get more done than I can!   Getting the garage cleaned, going to see my friend’s "new" house with them and their things in it, getting this desk cleaned out and organized to keep my paper monster from growing too big!   Also, to get a few new jumpers made.  Oh, and clearing another path in the sewing room would be nice…..

Here is a picture thought I am sharing:

I can’t choose just one! 

The most beautiful China doll I’ve ever held.  I had a lovely day Saturday getting to care for her!

I was trying to get Isaiah to smile—here he’s doing his "sideways" thing again!

And here he looks like he’s resting head on the dishes!

Finally!  A Super Cute Smile!

And here’s my matching boys!

Hope I didn’t bore you showing off my boys!

Blessings on your day!

~ ..· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ -:¦:-
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*

For today, October 6, 2008.

Outside my window…. it is partly cloudy, breezy, and definitely a bit warmer than it has been!   The bean field across the road is being combined.   Must be fall for sure!

I am thinking…. of a cyberfriend who lost both her family dogs today.   Wishing I could give her a real hug!

From the learning rooms…. today went better for getting on track!   Used God, What’s Your Name? mainly for the little girls, with the older girls listening in.  One daughter is doing a research project on the three branches of government, (and we are all appalled at how much our congressmen are making!   ), another is trying to get her math for the rest of this fall semester done so she can delve totally into the Revolutionary War, Happy Phonics with the younger set.   We are just starting Elections in America by Charlene Notgrass.

I am thankful for…. knowing God is ultimately in control, whatever happens in the world!

From the kitchen…. bean and rice burritos and fruit salad.

I am wearing…. a white blouse with a navy floral jumper.

I am reading…. Passionate Housewives, Desperate for God (I found it, YAY!);  continuing to read A Woman’s Call to Prayer and Holy in Christ;  also reading a book "accidentally" left behind by someone at church yesterday, In the Footprints of the Lamb by George Steinberger (1915)–a really good read!

I am hoping…. to have enough ambition to get the sewing room cleaned up this week!

I am creating…. well, I plan to cut out a new jumper this evening, a new twist on a pattern.  I also want to get my knitting projects sorted out so they are more available!   And I actually was thinking yesterday about Christmas presents I want to make for the girls, but I’m not going to post those!   

I am hearing…. the sound of my husband on a Bobcat cleaning out the goat pens, with the sound of the little girls and boys playing in the backyard.   Oh, and I just heard Isaiah giggling with the older girls!

Around the house…. the girls are making applesauce, one is working on supper (actually sounds like she is goofing off with her next older sister!).

One of my favorite things…. is snuggling with my little guy (he’ll be 2 tomorrow!)

A few plans for the rest of the week…. continue with my decluttering (found the bar counter and my desk! ), finish the applesauce and apple dumplings, go through more of my dad’s stuff, continue helping a dear friend move and make a new jumper!  (Pretty ambitious list there!)

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

Studying the Constitution! 

Don’t forget to check out Hopeful Farm and read about their cause!

Remember, if you make a donation, you will receive some wonderful goodies as a thank you!  Head on over there and see for yourself!  (No, I don’t get paid to advertize!   )

Blessings on your day!

~ ..· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ -:¦:-
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*

Heads UP!   Don’t forget to head over to Homeschool Freebie of the Day to download Kelly Crawford’s book, Getting Your Child to Obey, for free!  But only for today!   You can click on the title to read about it–it’s a beautifully concise book that sums up the best of many methods, imho!

For today, September 30, 2008

Outside my window….  It is sunny but hazy–so far the predicted rain has held off!  The boys are playing in the dirt (of course!) where my husband dug out the foundation for his new office last night!

I am thinking…. how blessed I am with my wonderful family!

From the learning rooms…. we’re still trying to move into a routine.  This week we’re doing Bible and adding the younger girls’ phonics.

I am thankful for…. a wonderful husband and a great marriage of 25 years!

From the kitchen…. ham and cheese muffins, cinnamon flop and muskmelon from our own garden!   Yum!

I am wearing…. true confessions here–my nightgown!  (I had a rough night and slept in!   )

I am reading…. Still reading A Woman’s Call to Prayer, Holy in Christ, and still looking for my Passionate Housewives, Desperate for God book!

I am hoping…. for little Noah Estes to be doing better (see his link on sidebar if you’d like to keep updated and pray for him, too!)

I am creating…. I don’t seem to be creating much lately!   Right now my goal is to create order out of the chaos on my kitchen bar (it is almost done–yay!), my desk, and my sewing room!

I am hearing…. not much!  

Around the house…. Littles are outside playing in the trailer of dirt (recess?!)  The two oldest are upstairs reading, the other two are about to do school.

One of my favorite things…. having a special date time all alone with my husband! 

A few plans for the rest of the week….  I’m hoping to make a big dent in the messy sewing room, or I won’t be making any Christmas gifts as that’s my only "private" place to sew!    I also want to go over Jessica Letchford’s Christmas Minus Trauma and Drama  to help me not be in a frenzy on December 1!   I have 3 November birthdays and 2 December birthdays, so I need to keep ahead of the game, but so many Christmas organizing ideas are so extensive I get defeated before I start!  Although I’m behind on this one, I don’t feel overwhelmed!

Oh, and we’re helping some dear, dear friends move closer to us!  

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you:

Okay, I can’t choose one today!   So you’ll get three! 

I like the sweet red "apple" in the back!

Can you find the girl in the tree?!  

One of those nice "end of summer" days–bare feet, dirt,

a swing and a homegrown apple!  

And don’t forget to go see Fireproof! 

~ ..· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ -:¦:-
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*

For today, September 22, 2008

Outside my window….  it is a nice summery day, with a breeze gently blowing through the trees, the late afternoon sun lighting up the drying bean field around us to a golden hue.

I am thinking…. about my dear friend Heather, whose birthday is today!  Happy Birthday, Heather!

From the learning rooms… we’re still recuperating from the chicken pox, although everyone is doing much better than this time last week!  Some blogging going on, little girls are playing with dollhouses, one is sewing and another making supper.

I am thankful for….. being on the other side of the chicken pox "hurricane"! 

From the kitchen….. hearty beef enchiladas (a favorite!), homemade bread and homemade ginger snaps!  Yummmm!  Also lots of tomatoes, cherry and roma!  We might get some sauce afterall!

I am wearing…. my birthday present from Leah–a jumper made from Debbie Mumm fabric, blue basket weave background with sunflowers, the inserts with smaller sunflowers.  Also wearing my white blouse with big square collar I’ve had forever!  The jumper is one of my favorites–I love the fullness the inserts give!   (If no one were looking, I might twirl round and round!   )

I am reading….. A Woman’s Call to Prayer by Elizabeth George, and continuing to read at Lifestyle Homeschool.   I’m also savoring my issue of TEACH magazine from Lorrie Flem! 

I am hoping…. to slowly get us back onto a routine.

I am creating…. a framework for our routine.

I am hearing…. the clatter of dishes as the little girls clear the table.

Around the house… hubby is in his office, the girls are clearing the table and stacking dishes (I’ll join them in a few minutes!).

One of my favorite things…. is my morning prayer time–especially if I can combine it with a walk in the cool morning!  My absolute favorite is when it’s slightly foggy out–it feels as if I’m hemmed in away from the noise of life!

A few plans for the rest of the week…. getting our internal "clocks" reset to get to bed before midnight and get up before 9 a.m.!   My main goals are to get back to my T-Tapp exercise routine, get up earlier, and get our Bible time started again.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you:

Isaiah and Noah in their "boat"!

Hope you enjoyed this peek into my day!  Please share your day and link with Mr. Linky so I can enjoy yours!

Blessings on your day!

~ ..· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ -:¦:-
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*

For September 16, 2008 (I’m a day late!)

Outside my window… It is a beautiful day; sunshine and breezy, but not too cool.  The September sky is the most beautiful of all–intensely blue!

I am thinking… how good it is to sit here after a hectic day!

I am thankful for….  my girls starting to feel a tad better with their chicken pox.  That we didn’t have to go to the ER with my oldest last night, and that her throat isn’t as tight now.   And I’m VERY thankful for three sweet young ladies who were willing to come to my rescue to milk our goats this morning!  Bless you, S H & C! 

From the kitchen… not much!  We’re in survival mode and I’ve been calling, praying, researching, going for "relief", holding a cranky toddler….

I am wearing…. the same jumper as last week!  It has been washed, though!  Different blouse, too!  The goats got my other outfit filthy!

I am creating… a mess?

I am going… actually nowhere now!  I went to a larger town to get "chicken pox relief" and comfort foods, and then to our local library for movies!

I am reading…. a wonderful website by a kindred spirit, Belinda Letchford (from Down Under!).  Lifestyle Homeschool is a great site and I am gleaning soooo much!  She puts my heart into words!  Just what I need as I re-evaluate how we’re doing things and have felt led to focus more on relationships even in our routines.  Here are a few gems:

And her "motto":  "Homeschool: Live life with your kids."  

I’m also trying to unearth my  Passionate Housewives book to restart. 

I am hoping… that my girls continue to get better, that our goats don’t pass around the nasty bacterial infection a few of them got, and that we don’t have any more complications or major crises!  

I am hearing… the boys playing with their tricycles.   They’ve discovered that they can "hook" my old trailer (which they dubbed the camper) onto their little baskets on the back and therefore "pull" it around the house!

Around the house…. it’s pretty quiet other than the aforementioned boys, because the girls are all in the living room watching the Molly Movie–nothing like a good movie to help you not think about your itchy pox! 

One of my favorite things…. is taking a walk down a nearbly lane (not ours, but my children have dubbed it "Mommy’s lane"!).   I walk it as much to have time away, get my thoughts in order and pray as for exercise!

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Really, my main focus is taking care of my children.   If they get better I will continue my excavation of the kitchen bar as well as my computer desk!   And I plan to rethink our routines, as I said, to focus on relational things even in that.   To be more heart oriented than task oriented.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing:

The "Pox" Sisters! 

I think the "eye of the hurricane" has went over us, and God is still faithful.  I am so grateful for His peace that transcends my circumstances and keeps my heart in Christ Jesus as I stay my thoughts upon Him. 

Isaiah 26:3-4:  "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee:  because he trusteth in Thee.  Trust ye in the Lord for ever:  for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength."

AMEN!

~ ..· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ -:¦:-
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*

I’m a few days late…   but I found this and want to participate!

For Today, September 10, 2008

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

Outside my window…The sun is peeking through the clouds, and it’s cool and breezy.  The beans in the fields around us are already drying up!

I am thinking… that I need to call a friend to tell her the claw-foot bathtub we have for sale is available if she wants it. 

I am thankful for…my wonderful husband, my children, and the freedoms I enjoy in America to train my OWN children, and to be able to homeschool them and keep them at home.

From the kitchen…I hear the clatter of things coming out of the refrigerator and questions like, "What’d we have last night?"  "Mommy, do you want what we had last night? There’s only enough for one person."  "NO more burritos–that’s the last package of tortillas!"  "Mommy, do you want the last of the watermelon?  But then there’s not enough for me!"

I am wearing…my "old" Easter jumper from two years ago, a pastel floral with coordinating striped pockets and ruffle, along with my cutwork polo shirt from Blair.

I am creating…This blog! LOL!   Seriously, I’m in a decluttering mood, so I guess I’m getting creative about where and how to organize all this STUFF!

I am going…to drop off a "stool sample" from some goats at the vet’s later this afternoon!

I am reading…more than I ever wanted to know about chicken pox!   Learning lots about vaccines, building immunity, frugal living and unschooling (if you go by my internet history for the past 24 hours!)   Bookwise I’m reading Holy In Christ by Andrew Murray, God, What’s Your Name?    by Kay Arthur (a study on the Names of God for kids), and just got Nature in Winter by Elizabeth P. Lawlor.  I saw it at Salamonie Reservoir’s Interpretive Center when we camped there last month and it looked like a good find for "winter nature studies".

I am hoping…that my other children either don’t get the chicken pox, or at least not as bad a case as the dire warnings I’ve read and heard!

I am hearing…not much.   Things got very quiet, because….

Around the house… the four youngest children went outside to eat lunch, the two oldest girls are upstairs moving into their new room (they finished their beautiful border yesterday!), the 16 yodd is eating lunch out here in the sunroom, the 15 yodd is packing up things from the room she shares with the 16 yodd as they prepare to move into another room so Daddy can redo their room.  The 11 yodd was eating lunch but has disappeared somewhere!

One of my favorite things…  ONE?  I have to pick just ONE?!    Well……the quiet, restfulness faith in God brings.  No matter the turmoil around me (super collider scientists trying to reinvent the Big Bang, politics, economy, chicken pox  ) I know WHO is in control and that HE will guide me in the perfect path for "me and my house"!

A few plans for the rest of the week… canning the pears, finding my kitchen bar AND the computer desk surface again,  and maybe start unearthing the sewing room.  Oh, and start reading either American History for Little Folks or Mary’s Meadow  to the younger set.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing…

                       Noah and Isaiah at the 2008 county fair–All-American Farm Boys!

 Please put your post link on my Mr. Linky so I can see your Simple Woman’s Daybook, too!

(Click on the link below the icon at the beginning of this post to see what it’s all about!)