Outside my window…it is sunny and hot, but I learned last week that it could always be worse…there could be no breeze! 

I am thinking…of how one simple story changed my outlook on life.  If you’re unfamiliar with the Jewish folk tale, It Could Always Be Worse, you should find a copy to read or listen to (we love Jim Weiss’ audio version).   Now when I start to complain about something, I’m quick to remind myself that “it could always be worse!” 

I am thankful for…a memorable week in Austin. 

I am praying…for my mom’s dear friend who recently lost her husband to cancer.

From the kitchen…the pickings are slim…desperately need a trip to the grocery store. 

I am wearing…shorts and a t-shirt…pretty standard wear for a Texas summer.

I am creating…lists, lists, and more lists.  Today I created a grocery list, a project list, a to-do list, an idea list (for rainy days), and a Target shopping list. 

I am going…to sort pictures this week. 

I am reading…nothing.  Isn’t that strange?  I finished reading Wish You Well by David Baldacci yesterday and I haven’t made it to the book shelf to choose something new yet. 

I am hoping…to find a songbook of Mary Poppins’ music this week for Joseph.

I am hearing…William saying, “I bump head.  It hurt.”

One of my favorite things…babies.  We finally got to meet Amanda’s little Anthony last week…I wasn’t the only one who fell in love…Joseph and William thought that baby just the cutest little thing!  (As I’m writing this, William is looking at the pictures, shouting very excitedly, “baby! baby! baby!”)

Around the house…there is a pile of “stuff” that is sitting on the kitchen bar.  I don’t want to go through it…it looks very overwhelming. 

Here is picture I thought worth sharing…

Here’s Alex and William at the Wildflower Center…

Outside my window…night has fallen, but I imagine it is still so very hot and humid out there.

I am thinking…summer has made me lazy.

I am thankful for…so many things.  After finishing The Diary of Mattie Spenser by Sandra Dallas, I realize how many things I take for granted and how good my life really is.  Who knew that something as simple as windows and finished floors could make me stop and offer thanks. 

From the learning rooms…well…officially we’re beginning our school year after Labor Day, but Joseph insists that we do handwriting and phonics every day (and he’s quick to remind me if we’ve forgotten).  Anyway, I think it’s good to do a little something every day during the summer…it keeps our minds sharp and focused.

From the kitchen…berries, berries and more berries…I do so love the summer when berries are fresh, ripe, and deliciously affordable. 

I am wearing…gray shorts and a black t-shirt.

I am creating…a to-do list.

I am praying…for my friend Gail as she approaches her delivery date…may little Emily have a peaceful transition into this world.

I am reading…still reading When Children Love to Learn…there hasn’t been much time for reading this past week (or perhaps I just haven’t made much time for it). 

I am hoping…to blog more often once we get back into a routine, come September. 

I am listening to…just the click-clack of my typing and the pages turning as Daxson reads. 

I am pondering…Elizabeth’s article about transition.  Read it here. 

One of my favorite things…watching William dance…I love how he stops, looks up and announces, “I dancing, I dancing.”  Yes, my precious, I see you dancing. 

Here is a picture I thought worth sharing…

A few weeks ago we finally had some rain and quite a bit of it, too…Joseph and William just love to watch the rain come down…

Outside my window…here comes the sun, both literally and figuratively.

I am thinking…life is much sweeter after a week of being couped up with a sick child.

I am thankful for…Jim Weiss’ storytelling…Joseph is finally napping again, slowly nodding off to the rhythmic sound of beautiful, rich stories. 

From the kitchen…grilled pork tenderloin. 

I am wearing…gray shorts and a coral colored t-shirt and a rubber band in my hair…yep, it’s finally long enough for a pony tail! 

I am creating…stories with Joseph.  He draws the pictures, narrates the story, and I simply do the writing. 

I am going…to write my letter of interest to the Daughters of the American Revolution this week now that we’ve finished tracing my heritage. 

I am reading…When Children Love to Learn edited by Elaine Cooper and falling in love more and more with the idea of a Charlotte Mason education.

I am praying…that God allows me the grace to see Him in the little things I do each day like washing dishes, bathing children, cooking. 

I am hearing…it’s more of what I’m not hearing…no more barking or alarming breathing…Joseph is on the road to recovery.

One of my favorite things…healthy, playful children.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Bake cookies with Joseph, finish fine-tuning our schedule for the 2010-2011 school year, shop for two very special birthdays that are coming up soon. 

Here is picture I thought worth sharing…

When William went to visit the eye doctor, they dilated his eyes so I gave him his sunglasses to put on while we played outside…