Mid-May Daybook

Outside My Window... the sun is shining beautifully, another gorgeous day. We're looking forward to enjoying it.

I'm Listening to... Diego and the chatter of my youngest three as they eat breakfast.

I'm Wearing... pink dingy t-shirt, yoga pants and my hair is pulled back into a pony tail (it is finally long enough and I sport this do often).

I'm Grateful for... the sunshine after a rainy weekend and our small group friends.

I'm Pondering...

"I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken."

--Psalm 16:8

Just this verse may have to be another blog post.

I'm Reading...

Don't Make Me Count to Three by Ginger Plowman (so good, I highly recommend it. Its one of the best parenting books I have read.)

The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns (I'm rereading this one with a group of friends. We are doing a book club on it over Facebook. It is pretty neat since we are all spread out across the world.)

I'm Thinking... Thursday should be fun as Steve has taken the day off to stain our deck. My mom will be here and so I will probably help him. Redoing our deck has been a huge project for Steve. He has already spent around 13 hours on it. It will be so nice when it is finally done. Hopefully we can knock it out with two of us working on it.

I'm Creating... a plan/schedule for the summer since the kid's last day is next Wednesday. I know I have to have plan so they don't get bored and pester each other therefore driving me crazy.

Hoping and Praying... for our good friends who lost their mother (in-law) yesterday. They are in our thoughts and prayers continually.

Around the House... a bit of spring cleaning here and there. We are getting an egress window put into our basement so we can move the two oldest boys to the basement bedroom. This should give all of the boys a bit more space.

From the Kitchen... menu...done, groceries...done. Now I just have to do something with the brown/black bananas sitting in my fruit bowl.

Weekly Menu...

Sunday - Egg burritos

Monday - Roast, mashed potatoes, peas and crusty bread

Tuesday - Chicken Fajitas with fresh, homemade guacomole

Wednesday - Grilled Pork Chops, Cheesy Potatoes and brocoli

Thursday - Brats, chips and fresh fruit

Friday - Homemade Pizza or Pasties my mom is bringing

Saturday - Hot Dogs

One of my favorite things... my cup of coffee in the morning, especially when I get to drink it all.

A Few Plans for the rest of the week... all about the deck. Hopefully by the end of the weekend, we will have it mostly completed. My mom is coming tomorrow. Leah's kindergarten graduation is on Thursday as is Andrew's last Chorus concert. It is going to be a busy night.

Picture thoughts...

This is the water slide the kids came up with on a hot day last week.

Easter Daybook

Outside My Window... its dark out as we put a close to this Easter Sunday.

I'm Listening to... silence, ahhh.

I'm Wearing... my pjs I'm ready for bed.

I'm Grateful for... time with family today and most importantly, God's great love for me that He would sacrifice his Son for me. Inconceivable, really.

I'm Pondering...

"Then He opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures." Luke 24:45

(from our Easter sermon this morning)

I'm Reading...

Don't Make Me Count to Three by Ginger Plowman

The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns (I'm rereading this one with a group of friends. We are doing a book club on it over Facebook. It is pretty neat since we are all spread out across the world.)

I'm Thinking... of lists; things to do, things that need to get done, etc. I just need motivation to actually write them down.

I'm Creating... nothing at the moment, I take that back... a blog post. That is a lot since I haven't been here in a couple of weeks. Sick kids, Steve out of town, kids on Spring break, and a little family trip to St Louis, these are most of my reasons for my absence. All of these, plus a little writers block. What would you like me to write about? Ideas? Please?

I'm Hoping and Praying... for more consistency in my prayer and Bible times this week, for a wonderful time with a good friend from high school, motivation to get things done around here.

Around the House... tomorrow is cleaning day, before our friend arrives. I will also need to fit grocery shopping in too.

From the Kitchen... I feel the need to bake, but then I would eat it and I have not been eating well the last few days, and I feel it. Also, the Easter candy has been hidden away (they really didn't get too much, but I still have to put it up or I have a few that would eat it all in one sitting.)

Weekly Menu... ummm, this is one of those lists yet to be written. Maybe in the morning.

Sunday - Beans and wieners, pb&J, cucumbers, grapes, and melon

Monday -

Tuesday -

Wednesday -

Thursday -

Friday -

Saturday -

One of my favorite things... a nice, quiet walk by myself after the kids were in bed.

A Few Plans for the rest of the week... spending time with our friend, Kindergarten round-up on Thursday, oh yeah, and the Royal Wedding on Friday. I will be home in front of the tele on Friday :)

Picture thoughts...

Last Week of March Daybook

Outside My Window... can you believe it, it's snowing? Where did our nice spring weather go?

I'm Listening to... Dora and my little ones eating breakfast, plus the washer and dryer running as it is laundry day.

I'm Wearing... black yoga pants, long sleeve gray t-shirt. It is cold once again.

I'm Grateful for... meaningful conversations with my mother-in-law after the kids are in bed. It is rare because the kids are usually around.

I'm Pondering...

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given

to you as well. --Matthew 6:33

I'm Reading...

The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns (I'm rereading this one with a group of friends. We are doing a book club on it over Facebook. It is pretty neat since we are all spread out across the world.)

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

I'm Thinking... of my to-do list for today...dinner in the crockpot, laundry, three kids baths, vacuuming the upstairs...

I'm Creating... clean and organized spaces throughout my home. Want to join in check outProject Simplify on Monday.

I'm Hoping and Praying...

*wisdom

*for strength to continue in seeking God.

*for God to reveal his will in a few areas.

*for some warmer weather.

*no cavities today at the dentist for the two oldest.

Around the House... this week for Project Simplify the challenge area is the pantry and refrigerator. I have been hoping this would be one of the areas covered. Both of mine need it desperately. It will feel good once they are all cleaned out. The upstairs needs some cleaning too (vacuuming and dusting). I also have five bags of kids clothes that I need to get back into the right bins in the basement.

From the Kitchen... I've got a serious craving for some baked goods. I'm thinking I'll be making some cookies or cookie bars soon.

Weekly Menu...

Sunday - Leftover pizza, peanut butter and jelly, fruit

Monday - Steak and ale pie, mashed potatoes, broccoli

Tuesday - Chicken tortilla soup, corn bread, salad

Wednesday - Tacos, applesauce

Thursday - Oatmeal pancakes, bacon, fruit

Friday - Homemade pizza

Saturday - Taco salad

One of my favorite things... climbing into bed to freshly washed sheets.

A Few Plans for the rest of the week... laundry, cleaning, dentist appointment for two, girls night out with small group, planning out next months budget.

Picture thoughts...

March Daybook

Outside My Window... the door is open as it is still in the 60's at 9 p.m., gorgeous Spring day.

I'm Listening to... the dryer and traffic on the highway and other than those, silence...ahhh!

I'm Wearing... my pj's

I'm Grateful for... a great season of Upward basketball for Tristan. We had his awards ceremony tonight. Upward is such a great program. We now have three boys who want to play

next year.

I'm Pondering...

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given

to you as well. --Matthew 6:33

I'm Reading...

The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns (I'm rereading this one with a group of friends. We are doing a book club on it over Facebook. It is pretty neat since we are all spread out across the world.)

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

I'm Thinking... we've had a very busy weekend, but the weather has been wonderful. We had great fellowship with friends last night and we ended the weekend with Tristan's basketball awards ceremony and dinner out with the kids. The kids have been great this weekend. We are so blessed, I love our kids so much!

I'm Creating... clean and organized spaces throughout my home. Want to join in check outProject Simplify on Monday.

I'm Hoping and Praying...

*wisdom

*for strength to continue in seeking God.

*for God to reveal his will in a few areas.

*for Cason as he gets his braces off tomorrow. He is really sad to get them off.

Around the House... getting the house back in order after a busy weekend. We are also in process of making a home office in the nook in our bedroom. We need to do some organizing and moving of things. I also need to go shopping for a dest chair.

From the Kitchen... with all this gorgeous weather we've been having, the grilling begins :)

Weekly Menu...

Sunday - out for Mexican... Yum, Yum!

Monday - Pesto Chicken Pasta, veggies, rolls

Tuesday - Chicken BBQ's on a bun, chips, salad

Wednesday - Grilled Pork Chops, cheesy potatoes, veggies and salad

Thursday - Steak & Ale Pie or stew, mashed potatoes, veggies

Friday - Date night (***wink, wink - mom)

Saturday - Pizza with friends

One of my favorite things... Seeing my kids smile and enjoy themselves.

A Few Plans for the rest of the week... two orthodontist appointments, getting my hair done, Andrew's Fifth grade musical (Oliver Twist), finish finding his costume, and my mom arrives on Thursday. A busy week, but it should be fun.

Picture thoughts...

Last Day of February Daybook

Outside My Window... gray and gloomy after last night's big thunder storms.

I'm Listening to... Dora on TV, Anna and Nate playing Legos, and Zoe chatting while eating her breakfast.

I'm Wearing... once again my uniform...gray long sleeve T-shirt, black yoga pants and slippers.

I'm Grateful for... a good nights rest

I'm Pondering...

"Growth demands a temporary surrender of security." -- Gail Sheehy

I'm Reading...

The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

I'm Thinking... today is a new day. Lots and lots of things are on my mind. I crave someone to talk through things with, but just this morning, God reminded me that I don't need anyone else, I just need Him. That He is more than enough for me. Lord, today when I feel like I need to talk with others, help me to come to you FIRST!

I'm Creating... a pretty big to-do list for the week, plus a grocery list and a list of meals for the week.

I'm Hoping and Praying...

*Health for our family as we were hit with a stomach bug on Friday. Everyone seems well,

but that God would protect those who didn't get it.

*For God to reveal His will for us in a few different areas.

*Wisdom

Around the House... getting closets organized this week, only our is left to do. It is a tad overwhelming.

From the Kitchen... I am working on my grocery list and will head to the store either tonight after small group or tomorrow morning. Because I haven't gone yet, I still need to decide what we will eat tonight. I am getting tired of the same old things. Oh yeah, I am making Carmel Chocolate Fondu for small group tonight.

Weekly Menu...

Monday - ?

Tuesday - Ham, Cheesy potatoes, veg

Wednesday - Hot dogs in crescent rolls, french fries, salad

Thursday - Lentil Curry

Friday - Tacos, applesauce

Saturday - Frozen Pizza

*the order, or even menu, could possibly change, as I not completely satisfied with it yet.

One of my favorite things... fresh beginnings on a Monday morning.

A Few Plans for the rest of the week... groceries, girls haircuts on Wednesday, Kindergarten registration on Thursday plus the usual cleaning, laundry and hopefully to get some motivation to get some organizing done.

Picture thoughts...

A Winter Daybook

Outside My Window

another cold, cold day, but the sun is shining beautifully!

I am Listening to

The kids and grandma playing Old Maid

I am Wearing

I actually put real clothes on today (I had to run into school to drop off cupcakes and go to the book fair with Leah). Wide leg jeans, brown belt, brown longsleeve t-shirt and my slippers (when I go out, my dark brown Uggs)

I am so Grateful for

*my very generous in-laws

*time with my mom

*a box of new crayons

*a sweet little girl who is 6 today

*easy dinners

*the end of homework time

*the sunshine

*good books

*forgiveness

*reconciliation

I'm Pondering -

"Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time.

Vision with action can change the world." --Joel Barker

I am Reading -

The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns ( a life changing book and oh, so good, so good that I don't want to finish it as I feel like I will forget about all the meat therein).

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp (another life changing book, have to read it slow to soak it all in.)

I am Thinking

It is so great to be healthy again, or at least mostly. I still have a cough, though. I haven't been here in

a couple weeks due to Strep Throat striking me and the boys again.

I am Creating

a couple baby gifts for friends, pillows to decorate the girls beds (at least I hope to, the fabric is

all washed and ready to go. Now for time to sit down at the sewing machine. It probably won't

happen until the end of the week.)

I am Hoping and Praying

HEALTH for the rest of the winter. To seek God consistently and to know His will.

Around the House

Birthday for a special girl today. A little Valentine's decorating.

From the Kitchen

Monday - Chicken soft tacos, grandma's homemade guacamole (yum!)

Tuesday - Macaroni and cheese, chicken nuggets, broccoli (birthday girls choice)

Wednesday - Spaghetti, garlic bread, salad

Thursday - Chop Suey, Rice, salad (grandma's cooking)

Friday - Homemade Pizza

Saturday - Chili (possibly)

One of My Favorite Things

Children's excitement for their birthday.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week

Birthday plans today. Annual check-ups for the baby and the three year old tomorrow. Shopping

with the little ones and grandma and some sewing at the end of the week.

Picture thoughts

Daybook

Outside My Window

Another cold and dreary day.

I am Listening to

The dryer as the towels, dry and one son doing his homework. The others are either napping

or downstairs watching a bit of tv.

I am Wearing

gray longsleeve t-shirt, my yoga pants and slippers

I am so Grateful for

- We all seem to be on the mend. It helps that most of us are on antibiotics.

- naptime

- quietness

- God's Word

- A warm house

- time spent reading with my little ones today

I'm Pondering -

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevail."

Proverbs 19:21

I am Reading -

The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns ( a life changing book and oh, so good, so good that I don't want to finish it as I feel like I will forget about all the meat therein).

Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider (also, so good and very practical)

Somewhere to Belong by Judith Miller

I am Thinking

I should get dinners started and try to coax my 7 year old to do his reading. Why does

homework time have to be so difficult?

I am Creating

I'm not really sure. I need to finish a baby hat that I've been working on. Then, I hope to make

my older girls each a hat. I got some pretty yarn this weekend. I also still have to make those

baby doll slings.

I am Hoping and Praying

HEALTH for the rest of the winter

Around the House

The kids bedrooms need some serious attention. If I can get up the motivation toward the end

of the week, I need to sort and organize in there. The main floor will get cleaned tomorrow.

From the Kitchen

I did the grocery shopping this morning with the three youngest. They were so good. I did bribe

them with donuts, though :)

Monday - Baked potato bar, salad and crusty bread

Tuesday - Chicken Enchiladas, corn

Wednesday - Roast, mashed potatoes and veg

Thursday - Taco Casserole

Friday - Homemade pizza

Saturday - ?

One of My Favorite Things

snuggling with my older boys

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week

Getting the house back in order and still to work family goals and vision for the new year.

Picture thoughts

We had quite the rivalry in our house yesterday

A January Daybook

Outside My Window

its a cloudy, rainy/snowy kind of day.

I am Listening to

the kids with all their giggling and conversation making new Wii characters. Everyone is off today for Martin Luther King Day.

I am Wearing

Jeans, my new black belt, a black longsleeve t-shirt and bare feet.

I am so Grateful for

the fact that we have medical care and treatment so accessible.

I'm Pondering -

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

I am Reading -

The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns ( a life changing book and oh, so good, so good that I don't want to finish it as I feel like I will forget about all the meat therein).

Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider (also, so good and very practical)

Somewhere to Belong by Judith Miller (my fiction fix as I have been sick)

I am Thinking

a nap sounds good, but I will probably just end up reading my fiction book the rest of the afternoon instead.

I am Creating

Still thinking of what I will create next, maybe baby baby slings for the girl's dolls.

I am Hoping and Praying

*that I can go with Steve to small group tonight, its been ages since I have been.

*for no one else in the family to get Strep Throat.

*to be feeling better as Steve heads back to work tomorrow.

Around the House

a good cleaning needs to be done tomorrow once everyone is back to work and school. Not much happened over the weekend with mom being sick.

From the Kitchen

Thankfully, I planned our meals for the week and got out to the grocery store before I got sick on Saturday.

Monday - Tuna noodle casserole for kids as mom and dad hope to go out before small group

Tuesday - Tacos, refried beans and applesauce

Wednesday - Chicken and Rice Casserole, salad, veggies and maybe homemade bread

Thursday - Baked Potato Bar and salad

Friday - Sloppy Joes, french fries, and fruit

Saturday - Pizza night or out

desserts and snacks to include: homemade cookies and chocolate souffle

One of My Favorite Things

hearing the kids playing and getting along.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week

Getting the house back in order and still to work family goals and vision for the new year.

Picture thoughts

A New Year Daybook

Outside My Window - its cloudy as we await the coming snow storm. Dare I say "Snow Day" tomorrow?

I am Listening to - the dryer with a load of towels in it and little girls drawing and cutting.

I am Wearing - my uniform (black yoga pants and a grey longsleeve t-shirt) and purple slippers - my all-time favorite thing to be wearing.

I am so Grateful for - the opportunity to be a home with my kids, taking the time to paint my little girl's finger nails, napping babies, and quiet.

I'm Pondering -

“God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible.

What a pity when we plan only the things we can do by ourselves.” -A.W. Tozer

I am Reading - The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns ( a life changing book and oh, so good, so good that I don't want to finish it as I feel like I will forget about all the meat therein).

Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider (also, so good and very practical)

I am Thinking - five minutes will have the boys bursting through the door and it will be homework time, I'm not really ready for this today. Lord, help me get through it!

I am Creating - a fleece and flannel baby blanket for Z.

I am Hoping and Praying - for my two children who are really disliking school right now.

Around the House - everything is pretty tidy as we have a man coming to take appraisal pictures (for our refinancing) in a few minutes. A thorough cleaning needs to be done, though.

From the Kitchen - I planned our menu today, now just to get to the store.

Monday - Poppyseed Chicken, veggies

Tuesday - Taco soup with corn bread

Wednesday - Spaghetti with homemade sauce, garlic bread, peas and salad

Thrusday - Cheeseburgers on the grill, cheesy potatoes, veg

Friday - Quesidillas and chips and salsa

Saturday - Pizza night

also Peanut Butter Swirls sometime soon to fix my craving :)

One of My Favorite Things - cloudy, dreary days with nowhere to go.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week - groceries, cleaning, making a baby blanket, working on my blog by getting a new template and working family goals and vision for the new year.

Picture thoughts: