Outside my window…it’s sunny and gorgeous.

I am remembering…a beautiful birthday celebration for my nephew Alex on his 2nd birthday and the many fun memories created (like how happy Joseph was to “help” Alex open his gifts and how happy William was to “help” Alex try out his new toys!).

 

I am thankful for…naptime. 

From the learning rooms…we’re working on a Presidents’ Day lapbook amongst other things (like our everyday curriculum!).

From the kitchen…a roast in the crockpot.  We’ve been smelling it all day as it cooks and it certainly smells delicious!

I am wearing…olive green maternity pants and a black t-shirt.  The black shirt was a little too warm to wear for a walk today…almost came home and changed into shorts!

I am creating…a list of books I want from Usborne books.  I’m hosting an e-show.  Feel free to come shopping and stock up on some great books! 

I am still smiling…as I remember how Joseph fell asleep for his nap today…cuddled up on the couch beside me, with his hand resting on my belly, “just waiting, Mom, in case the baby kicks.” 

I am reading…The Aloha Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini, wishing I had time to quilt.

I am hearing…a bird chirping and the flap of the curtains as they are blown by the breeze.  I just love weather like this when we can open all the windows.

Around the house…it’s finished!  The office and the guest suite are done!  We still have a few odds and ends to pick up (like a shower curtain and towels) but Daxson is all settled in his new office.  Life is good.  Here are a few shots from before Dax moved in…

One of my favorite things…falling asleep at night feeling the rhythmic thumping of a baby deep inside me. 

I am praying…for a friend as she begins her homeschooling journey…that she finds peace in her heart and support from those around her.

Here is a picture I thought worth sharing:

Outside my window…it’s sunny and gorgeous, but the wind is howling.  The temperature is slowly dropping.  Finally, a little winter in our corner of the world. 

I am remembering…yesterday I framed a photo of William and Walker.  William went over to see it and was so excited to see Walker, he exclaimed, “Hey, that kid is Walker!” 

I am thankful for…walks with my sister-in-law, Jessica.  It’s so nice to have someone to get out and chat with.

From the learning rooms…put up our February calendar this morning.  Joseph loves the February numbers because each number has a heart on it (he’s always saying “My favorite shape is a heart cause I love ya!”).  Almost done with Saxon K Math and I think we’re going to give Right Start Math a try…I’m very excited to approach math in such a different way.

From the kitchen…homemade pizza today.  Maybe some homemade bread later in the week (just seems right with all the cold) and oh, wouldn’t chili be nice?

I am wearing…gray maternity cords and a black knit top.  I actually match and even look a little fashionable (until I put on my old ratty tennis shoes, that is).

I am creating…still working on the preschool curriculum that I started awhile back (lost a little motivation when the 1st trimester ickies hit). 

I am going… to order a fun print of Daxson and William from mpix later this week.  It so perfectly catches his little personality.  I know you’re curious, so here it is (it was taken by our friend Amanda Hagood in Austin).

I am reading…A Child’s Book of Geography by Ann Voskamp, storing up geography information for our Tour of the Continents next school year (I’ll share more later).

I am hoping…the shelves get installed into the new office soon so I can move some of the “stuff” that’s cluttering the house out!

I am hearing…William’s rhythmic breathing as he naps and Joseph’s imitation of an airplane (done in a whisper so he doesn’t wake up little brother).

Around the house…the office and guest bedroom really are almost done.  The tile is being grouted and then the shelves need to be installed.  I’m sure there’s a few more things to it than that, but those are the big things. 

One of my favorite things…a coffee from Starbucks. 

I am praying…that my children always feel the hand of God gently guiding them.

Here is a picture I thought worth sharing:

Outside my window…the sun is finally out again.  Maybe some of that icky mud will dry up now.

I am thinking…I dread doing our taxes.

I am thankful for…fresh blueberries in the midst of winter.

From the learning rooms…one of the few things I miss about my teaching days are the wide, open walls.  So much room and potential for exciting, eye-catching bulletin boards!  I have been wishing I could do that in our humble little homeschool, where our “schoolroom” shares space with our playroom but since it’s already a busy room I don’t want to overcrowd things.  So I was thrilled when my sister-in-law, Jessica, cleaned out her house and said, “I found an old bulletin board that we don’t need…do you want it?”  “Yes!” I replied, awakened by the possibility of a portable bulletin board.  The best of both worlds.  Plus it’s a double sided bulletin board!  Now I can easily make beautiful, eye-catching bulletin boards without crowding our room!  Thought I’d share some pictures with you…(by the way, the boys LOVE our new bulletin board.  We pull it out just once a day during calendar time and they are tickled to get their pointers and participate!) 

From the kitchen…simple, simple meals this week.

I am wearing…olive green pants and a rose colored top…I actually think perhaps I look like a rose today, stem and all.

I am creating…stories.  Constantly, I am creating stories to tell two little eager boys at bedtime. 

I am going…to finish watching the Math U See video, hopefully.

I am reading…The Gift of an Ordinary Day by Katrina Kenison. 

I am hearing…Joseph as he reads Green Eggs and Ham.  I love his running commentary.

Around the house…the new office and spare bedroom are almost done…painting is finished, ceiling fans installed.  Just need the floors and new shelving for the closet and I think we’ll be ready! 

One of my favorite things…day dreaming.

Here is picture I thought worth sharing…We’ve been working on estimating in math and this week we were estimating marshmallows.  Joseph guessed 100 and William guessed 4.  I think we need more practice…there were actually 32 in the jar.  Joseph divided them by 10s and counted them out and then handed them over to William who was happy to count them again (and again and again and again)!

Outside my window…night has fallen.  Two little boys are sweetly resting. 

I am thinking…I should be sleeping, not blogging, but I’ve missed the world of blogging so.

I am thankful for…the ease of communication.  What would I do if I couldn’t call my mom and my sister on a daily basis?

From the learning rooms…just finished our first full week of being back after the Christmas holidays.  It is so lovely to be back in a routine.  William is showing a little more interest in schooling although he still flits back and forth between joining us and playing, but I can see his curiosity is peaked.

From the kitchen…this week has been the week of one-dish skillet wonders.  Tried a skillet spaghetti and a skillet spanish rice that were both delcious (thanks, Mom, for sharing your finds!).   

I am wearing…pajamas.  Nothing matches because the clothes that fit right now don’t exactly coordinate.

I am creating…a record of our memories.  I thought about no longer blogging.  I seriously considered it because I’m pregnant, and I’m tired, and I so desperately just want to sleep, but then I glanced back through the past year of blogging and realized I had created a storehouse of memories.  Things I might not otherwise remember when my children are older and I realized that while I may not blog as often, it’s important to try to do a little. 

I am going…to try to make it to Mardel’s education sale tomorrow and I hope to visit the Fruit King…they’ve got blackberries and strawberries at insanely low prices!

I am reading…Mitten Strings for God by Katrina Kenison.  Yes, still.  I’m tired, I tell you.  When given a choice, for once in my life instead of choosing to read, I’ve been choosing to sleep.  But I will eventually finish this second round of Mitten Strings.   

I am hoping…for a year of peace and good health.

I am hearing…just the hum of the laptop. 

Around the house…the office and guest bedroom are almost done…well, at least we’re getting closer to the finish line!  Much progress has been made despite my fears that I would have to learn to install plumbing, electricity, sheetrock and floors. 

One of my favorite things…observing.  Just sitting back and watching my kids as they play. 

I am praying…for those who don’t feel loved…I can’t imagine a life without love.

Here is a picture I thought worth sharing…

Are you sure Santa can fit through here?