Weekly Daybook

Go to The Simple Woman to read more entries.

For Today...October 26, 2009

Outside My Window...it's dark. I seem to always forget my daybook until after everyone else is in bed.

I am thinking...how difficult goodbyes can be.
I am thankful for...modern technology that allows for worldwide communication.
From the learning rooms...just the basics today. We have one sick child home and Brian was home part of the day.
From the kitchen...Chicken Parmesan...yum, a family favorite.
I am wearing...my lounging clothes...always the norm at this time of night.
I am creating...nothing new. Still working on my sports block.
I am going...to try and get to bed at a reasonable hour for a change.
I am reading...a suspense novel, an adoption book and a book on advent.
I am hoping...that Dan feels better soon and no one else gets sick.
I am hearing...the hum of the computer, one of the children softly snoring and Brian enjoying a cup of tea.
Around the house...piles of washed winter gear and boots. I need to have everyone try on their stuff to see what fits and what doesn't.
One of my favorite things...a nice foot rub.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...probably not much if Dan doesn't get better soon.

Here is a picture I'd like to share...

Soccer Tournament

Rachel enjoys playing soccer very much and she is getting better and better at it each year. Saturday was her tournament day. It was a very nice day, sunny and not too cold. Mom and Dad came over and watch two of the games with us.

She played three games. Unfortunately, their team did not make into the finals, but she played well and enjoyed herself. She especially liked the colorful hair that everyone had. You have to love spray on hair paint.

You played hard this season, Rachel, way to go!

Pinecone Wreath Making

Friday night was Ladies Night Out at our church. Nancy O. graciously volunteered to teach us how to make pinecone wreaths. She did a fantastic job and the wreaths all came out so nice.

Great job, ladies and thank you, Nancy.

Guest Speaker at Co-op

Brian recently spoke to the current events classes at our homeschool co-op. We use God's World kid's magazines and one of the topics for October was on Afghanistan.

Bri wore his desert gear and shared about his experiences in Afghanistan this year. The kids were very interested and asked some really great questions. I know Brian enjoyed doing this and I hope the kids did too.

Gabe is in the older class and there are only boys in this class. They seemed to really enjoy the info and photos that Brian had to share.

Weekly Daybook

Go to The Simple Woman to read more entries.

For Today...October 19, 2009

Outside My Window...darkness...it is warmer tonight than it has been, but very dark as we are just past the new moon.

I am thinking...how awesome God is to care about all the little details of my life.
I am thankful for...generous, loving friends. We have been showered with blessings.
From the learning rooms...nothing formal today, but always lots of learning going on.
From the kitchen...simple dinner tonight...Brian is working late.
I am wearing...my comfy lounging clothes...a knee-length sweatshirt and pj pants.
I am creating...still working on my "sports" cross-stitch block.
I am going...to continue to surrender.
I am reading...a suspense novel by Kathy Reichs.
I am hoping...for a nice day tomorrow for our field trip.
I am hearing...a dog barking down the road, the owls hooting by the river...all is quiet in the house as most are in bed.
Around the house...plastic bins for more sorting.
One of my favorite things...homemade apple pie.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...field trip to the corn maze, getting my hair done and the usual...piano, boys club, youth group, choir and co-op.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing

Gabe works on a puzzle of the USA as part of our study on North America. We are doing Exploring Countries and Cultures by My Father's World this year.

Frosty Morn

Twenty-nine chilly degrees this morning as we waited for the school bus. Everything is coated with a heavy frost, many trees are already bare and it is looking more and more like winter. No snow yet, but mornings like today foretell things to come.

I try and find beauty in each day, no matter the weather. I didn't have to go far this morning. It was lovely out.

Weekly Daybook

Go to The Simple Woman to read more entries.

For Today...October 12, 2009

Outside My Window...the sunshine from this morning has gone. There are many gray clouds and those that live in the north know what I mean when I say they look like snow clouds. The maple just outside the window is almost bare, having lots its leaves to the wind that has been blowing the last few days.

I am thinking...how blessed I am to have a husband that is both handsome and handy (contrary to Red Green).
I am thankful for...a new roof...snug and secure for the coming winter and the hubby that but it on.
From the learning rooms...quiet today. We took a day off for Columbus Day.
From the kitchen...chili in the crock pot.
I am wearing...jeans, a purple t-shirt and my tattered sweater, which I love and refuse to relegate to the rag bag.
I am creating...Nothing new, but still working on my latest cross-stitch block.
I am going...to try and keep the momentum going with hoeing and cleaning the house.
I am reading...too busy this time of year to sit for long.
I am hoping...to make good progress on our fall cleaning.
I am hearing...the children playing and Brian's deep voice as he talks to them.
Around the house...piles of folded and sorted laundry on the kitchen table. Lots of ideas for making our home more well...homey.
One of my favorite things...accomplishing a task that has been on my mind.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...continuing to move in the positive direction we have going. It feels great.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing

Flock of Turkeys

This morning as the children were getting ready for the bus, we spotted this flock of turkeys in the field across the road. The continued to move closer, finally coming across the road and into our yard. I never tire of seeing this large birds.


They stayed for a while, but then the bus drove by sending them to flight. I'll be on the look out for them tomorrow.

Fishy Block

My latest block for the stitching group. The theme was sealife. I enjoyed working on this block. It was quite detailed, but a nice break for the simpler blocks I've done recently. Next block up...sports.

Unexpected Pleasures

We recently bought a small power boat. The children had been asking if we could as they have enjoyed their boating experience this summer with Wayne and Liz. Brian jumped at the chance as he just loves boats. It will be just right for quick trips up the river or to nearby lakes for tubing, fishing, swimming or just enjoying a day on the water.

The boat had been moored at a local marina and yesterday Brian decided it was time to bring it home. Bri, Bess, Gabe and I headed out in the truck for Saratoga Lake.

Brian had some minor maintenance to do on the boat trailer and then we took the opportunity to take a run around the lake before loading up. It was a cool day, overcast and feeling very fallish, but we had a great time. There were only a few other boats on the lake.

Bess and Gabe enjoyed the day very much. Gabe especially enjoyed exploring all the nooks and cubbies around the boat as the seller left all the fishing things on the boat. Nothing like finding a treasure trove of fishing lures and accessories to brighten a boys day.

The wind gave Brian a "happy hair" look...what we call it when your hair stands up or sticks out...usually upon rising. I think he looks pretty happy. He is already enjoying the new boat very much. He loves his bigger boat, but it still needs some work and there is nothing like having a boat you can take out for a few hours or for the day.

It was finally time to load up as we had to be home to get the other children off the bus.

We stopped on the way home at a little diary bar and got burgers, onion rings and fries. I love onion rings...yum!

I enjoy these last minute decisions to do something that result in a very enjoyable outing, so unexpected and pleasing. We are hoping to get the boat out at least one more time before it gets too cold.

Weekly Daybook

Go to The Simple Woman to read more entries.

For Today...October 5, 2009

Outside My Window...cool autumn late afternoon. Gray and white clouds are scudding along with patches of blue here and there. A few rain showers are moving through and it is breezy. The trees are shedding their colorful leaves.

I am thinking...how far we have really come in 3+ years since the PI children have been home. It is easy for me to become discouraged, but things really are so much improved.
I am thankful for...the simple things that bring so much pleasure.
From the learning rooms...the younger guys are doing their homework. Bess and Gabe took a day off from book work and we had an outing instead.
From the kitchen...very quiet. We were out all afternoon. I'm thinking I do need to come up with something to feed the children...maybe just soup and sandwiches or leftovers.
I am wearing...a pink long-sleeve shirt, jeans and sweater.
I am creating...a sports themed cross-stitch block. Planning a few Christmas projects, but nothing started yet.
I am going...to feed the children, help them finish their homework and read to them and then relax.
I am reading...very little. Still working on Elizabeth Peters. I started a book on spiritual journaling...very interesting.
I am hoping...that having more good days than not continues.
I am hearing...Rachel rustling in her room, Dan singing and the cat purring.
Around the house...school papers everywhere (what to do with them all), laundry to put away and a few bags of new (hand-me-down) clothes to sort.
One of my favorite things...an unexpected outing that was very enjoyable.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...the usual...Bessie's class, soccer, choir and a few new things...Bess starts driving classes and Gabe starts Boys Club.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing

Doesn't Dan look excited? He has not been enjoying soccer this year. I think it is a combination of being overtired because of starting school and lack of attention. It is just too slow for him sometimes. He is quite good at it if we can get him to focus.