Outside my window…it’s crisp and cool, but the forecast says we’ll be back in the 80’s by the end of the week.

I am thinking…a little cardboard, some chalk and duct tape set the stage for an afternoon of fun.

I am remembering…my date with Daxson last night at a wonderful little restaurant.  Dinner without interruptions…I didn’t have to remind a single person to eat nor did I have to get up even once to refill a drink.  A wonderful meal…that I didn’t have to cook nor did I have to clean the dishes.  A conversation with Daxson, a relaxing meal, delicious food.  Seriously, who would’ve thought that two hours could be so priceless?

I am thankful…for a lovely visit with Mom.

In the refrigerator…pumpkin pie and some delicious chocolates I picked up from a local chocolate shop.  Sure hope Santa will add some of those chocolates under the tree.

I am wearing…a long sleeve gray t-shirt and corduroys.  Really need to pull out those maternity clothes soon…think everyone is tired of seeing me in cords, but that’s about all that fits these days.

I am creating…Advent plans.  Right now they’re all in my head, but I plan to get them on paper this weekend…and I’ll make my best effort to share.

I am going…to finish up my Christmas shopping this week.  Just have Daxson left to shop for and that’s just a matter of picking up a few gift certificates.  Feels so good to have it all done so now I can focus just on Advent and the opportunity to prepare for the coming of Christ.  Elizabeth Foss shares her thoughts about shopping over here.

I am inspired…to shed some materialistic goods around here…as much as I can before the toys begin arriving for Christmas.

I am reading…Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25.  I am seriously hooked, can’t seem to put it down.

On my iPod…Hail Mary, Gentle Woman by Angelina.  Soon I’ll download some Christmas music…it’s time.

I am looking forward to…reading Mitten Strings for God by Katrina Kenison.  My yearly Advent reflection.

In our learning room…catching up on quite a few things…from science lessons to social opportunities.  We’re long overdue.

Around the house…we’re almost finished decorating…still need to hang our stockings.  Not sure why we went through so much trouble when renovations are about to begin and I’m sure a nice layer of dust is going to cover everything, but right now we’re all enjoying the sights and sounds of the season.

I am pondering…how to encourage and cultivate a love for our Lord in young children.

I am praying…for our little friend in Houston at the children’s hospital as he continues a good fight and his family, especially during this holiday season.

One of my favorite things…laughter.

A peek into my day…

Please visit The Simple Woman’s Daybook for more daybook entries.

Outside my window…you’ll find me.  We’re playing outside.  Looking in my window right now is pure pleasure.  We cleaned up every toy, every misplaced item.  I almost hesitate to take the kids inside.  I know the order is short-lived.

I am thinking…it is so easy to get caught up in my own little bubble over here, to forget that there’s a big world out there where life is moving along for everyone.  A nice long chat with a cousin in Maine this morning reminded me that life is happening, dear loved ones are growing older despite my tendency to keep everything stagnant in my mind.

I am remembering…Andrew’s reaction when Daxson walked out of his office a few days ago.  Andrew had just woken up from his nap and was out of sorts, crying, when he heard Daxson’s office door open.  Instantly he stopped crying, popped his little head up, and opened his eyes wide.  As soon as he saw Daxson, he clambered down from the couch and rushed to the window, exclaiming, “Da! Da! Daaaa!”

I am thankful…for well-behaved children at the grocery store this morning.

In the refrigerator…a peanut butter and pickle sandwich (because that’s what I crave at 10:00 at night) and lots of Thanksgiving food to prepare.

I am wearing…black pants and a pink t-shirt.  I’m not quite ready to pull out the maternity clothes, but I’m finding few things left that fit.

I am creating…beeswax candles with Joseph and William at William’s insistence.  He has such fond memories of making beeswax candles last year when we went to the Honeybee convention and luckily I had a beeswax candle kit in the closet.  A perfect craft for a fall day.

I am going…to get busy with my Christmas shopping soon.  I always try to finish all the gift shopping before Advent begins…it certainly makes for a much more focused Advent.

I am inspired…by Elizabeth Foss’ Advent and Christmas plans in Real Learning and I finally plan to follow the plans this year.

I am reading…sadly, nothing in print.  I’m early to bed and early to rise and in my few spare moments, I’m poring over electric cooktop reviews and double oven recommendations.  Feel free to add your thoughts in a comment.

On my iPod…I honestly don’t know right now.  The last walk I took was before the morning sickness hit and that was the end of September.  Hopefully soon my energy will return.

I am looking forward to…Thanksgiving.

In our learning room…this week we will follow Five in a Row’s plans for Cranberry Thanksgiving (we have an old used copy, but I just noticed it must be back in print, because Amazon is offering it new)…one of our favorite Thanksgiving books.

Around the house…winter clothes are all pulled out, washed, and organized.  It always seems like such a huge task to sort clothes.  I’d love to hear how you store and sort your little ones’ seasonal clothing.

I am pondering…Jeremiah 29:11-14 and finding such comfort and joy in these words…“For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope.  When you call me, when you go to pray to me, I will listen to you.  When you look for me, you will find me.  Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, you will find me with you, says the Lord…”

I am praying…for America, for our leaders, for our liberties and for a sweet little five year old who is currently in Houston at the children’s hospital, still fighting for his life and for his mama and the pain she must feel each day as she holds his tiny hand.

One of my favorite things…crisp Autumn days and mulled apple cider.

A peek into my day…

Please visit The Simple Woman’s Daybook for more daybook entries.

Outside my window…three little boys are being chased by Daddy.  There’s lots of squealing and screaming, but those smiles stretch from ear to ear.

I am thinking…if I just let Him, He does a great job guiding my life.

I am remembering…our grand adventure and the priceless memories made last weekend with Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Gary, Auntie Leslie, Uncle Dustin, and Alex at A Day Out with Thomas.

I am thankful…for new life growing inside of me.

In the refrigerator…Grandma Nury’s cooking…I am so thankful for Grandma Nury and all of her delicious food.  I’m afraid we’d be eating cereal and only cereal right now if left up to me.  These days just the thought of food is enough to do me in.

I am wearing…gray shorts and a pink and white striped tank top.

I am creating…a pile of books I want to read this fall…now if only I could stay awake past 8:30.

I am going…to download pictures to Shutterfly soon.  I’m long overdue.

I am wondering…if I will ever feel caught up on all the things that need to be done.

I am reading…This Country of Ours by H.E. Marshall, one of many books on my shelf that I’d like to preview before reading to the boys.

On my iPod…Glenn Beck’s radio show.

I am looking forward to…the Vice Presidential Debate.

Around the house…we’re schooling.  We’re playing.  The big boys are taking good care of this mama.

I am pondering…the idea of motherhood as a form of idolatry and I am praying that I have not lost perspective…it’s so easy to make motherhood an idol.

I am praying…The Memorare, mostly because it’s just so comforting.

A favorite quote for today…”Yes, there are days when we have to encourage them to conquer the slides of life without our help. But there are also moments when we are God’s gift and his provision, his hands and feet for these little ones – protecting, training, guiding, clothing, rocking, feeding, sliding.” Katy Rose…read the rest of Katy’s story at the MomHeart blog.

One of my favorite things…cold honeydew.

A peek into my day…

Please visit The Simple Woman’s Daybook for more daybook entries.

Outside my window…there is a gentle breeze.

I am thinking…I never get tired of seeing the world through little eyes.  Before arriving at the beach, I dread the sand, the heat, the effort.  Once we’re there, I watch their little eyes take it all in and I, too, am reminded of how little we are and how great this world is and I know that the effort is totally worth it.

I am remembering…Every now and then when we’re eating lunch, I let the kids watch Super Why!  Monday I turned it on only to find that Super Why! was not on, but instead a new show called Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood was on.  The episode was about how “if something seems bad, turn it around and find something good.”  I let the kids watch it while I caught up on email and such.  Halfway through, I lost my internet connection.  I let out a grunt and said, “Ugh, I just lost my internet connection.”  William quickly piped up that I should turn it around and find something good.  At first I wasn’t sure what he was talking about.  I confusedly asked, “What?”  William patiently replied, “Just like they said, Mommy, when something seems bad, you should turn it around and find something good.”   Point well made, William (and PBS).

Ah, but that’s not the end of this story.  The next day after lunch, Andrew threw all of his leftover food on the floor (which was about half of his lunch).  I picked it all up (or so I thought) and went about my business.  Joseph was sitting in the kitchen talking to me when I stepped on a piece of grape from Andrew’s lunch.  “Ugh,” I grunted.  Joseph asked what was wrong.  I explained that I was frustrated that Andrew had thrown all of his lunch on the floor and that I kept stepping on bits of it.  “Well,” Joseph replied thoughtfully, “let’s see if we can find something good about this.”  I looked at him.  “Just like we learned yesterday, Mommy, you know, on PBS.  Let’s turn this around and find something good.  So if Roo threw his food on the floor, what can you tell me is good about it?  Now before you tell me, Mommy, I just want you to know that I really think this might be a virtue lesson.  Finding something good when it seems bad really does seem like a virtue, doesn’t it?”

I thought I was the teacher here.  I have so much to learn.

I am thankful…for blue skies.

In the refrigerator…a carton of coconut milk.  Always.  Nothing makes a better smoothie than coconut milk.

I am wearing…jean shorts and a blue v-neck t-shirt.

I am creating…wooden saint dolls to add to our collection.

I am going…to attempt a garden again this fall.

I am wondering…what is it about taking the cushions off of the couch that amuses children so?

I am reading…The Rhythm of Family by Amanda Blake Soule.

On my iPod…Uncle Tom’s Cabin.  It’s long and my walks have been short lately.

I am looking forward to…my next cup of tea.  I may just be addicted.

I am learning…that my attention is worth more than gold to these little children of mine.

Around the house…we’re schooling.  We’re playing.  We’re loving.

I am pondering…the thought that sometimes we are failing.

I am praying…for our friends, Kateri and Joey, as they continue to mourn the loss of their 6 year old son, Avery.  If you are able to help financially, please click over to the memorial fund for Avery.  In Kateri’s request for help, she reminded us that “Just like the little loving actions of that special boy in his daily life, there is NO amount too small to help us through this.”  Please consider giving.

A favorite quote for today…”Give something, however small, to the one in need. For it is not small to one who has nothing. Neither is it small to God, if we have given what we could.”  St. Gregory Nazianzen

One of my favorite things…reading to Andrew.

A peek into my day…

Please visit The Simple Woman’s Daybook for more daybook entries.