Outside my window…it’s bright and sunny.  And hot.  Still.  So very hot.  It’s September.  Where is Autumn?

I am thankful…for rare moments of peace and quiet.  This is not one.

From the learning rooms…just finishing up our “B”eautiful “B” week.  I promise to post the details soon.

In the kitchen…homemade pizza.  A little sauce, some mushrooms, peppers, onions, and olives, plenty of Italian sausage and pepperoni.  Half without cheese.  I think my littlest one might just be allergic to a few things so I’m trying to cut out the dairy, soy, and eggs.  We’ve been down this road before, but it doesn’t make it any easier.  I’m trying to remember what in the world I ate in those early days with William. 

I am wearing…jean shorts and a pink tank top.

I am hoping…for a chance to pick up a book again soon.

I am hearing…”Mommy, look at this.”  I hear that often.  And I try to always stop and look because I know.  I know that someday soon no one will be begging me to look.   

Around the house…just trying to keep my head above the water.  The laundry seems to never stop.  There are always dishes piling up.  We pick up the toys and like magic, they reappear.  As for the rest of the house, I do a little here and a little there.  Maybe one day I can have a sparkling, tidy house but for now I’m be happy to have a well-lived in home. 

One of my favorite things…a toddler who constantly asks, “Why?”  At least he’s wondering and exploring.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing…We went to visit the University this past weekend.  While we were there, we stopped in the library to get some water and discovered something extremely exciting for a 2 and a 4 year old…the bookshelves can now be moved just by turning the wheel. 

Outside my window…it’s still light out yet three little boys are gently snoring away.  My only reward on a day without naps.

I am thinking…about William and his white balloon.  Last week when I went grocery shopping, I brought Joseph and William each a balloon.  William’s was the white one.  We always cut the lollipop off the bottom because the kids tend to throw the balloon up and down and we learned the hard way that doing that can cause the lollipop wrapper to tear and the lollipop gets crushed and it makes a big sticky mess…usually we replace the lollipop with a toy to help hold the balloon down.  Well, to make a long story short, William did not want a toy on the end of his.  He took it into the living room and let it float to the ceiling and then proceeded to turn the fan on.  Of course the balloon got caught in the fan and popped!  William was devasted.  So today when Daxson went to the grocery store, he brought home new balloons for both boys.  William got the white one again.  Only today he refused to let it go.  If he needed to do something else, he begged Daxson or me to please hold his balloon for just a minute.  Bedtime arrived.  William refused to come into the bedroom.  He was in tears standing just outside the bedroom door, clutching the ribbon to his balloon.  Finally, I realized the fan was on.  We turned the fan off, William climbed in bed with his white balloon.  He held it tightly all through storytime.  The lights were turned off.  I looked over and William was still holding tight.  His breathing steadied.  His eyes drooped closed.  His hand never released the string to his white balloon. 

 

From the learning rooms…check out our “A”mazing first week Along the Alphabet Path.

In the kitchen…crockpot meals.  I just love making dinner first thing in the morning knowing it will be ready early evening without any help from me.

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

I am hoping…to pull Holly Pierlot’s book A Mother’s Rule of Life off the shelf and reread it soon.  Very soon.   

I am hearing…just the gentle hum of the computer.  Peace. 

Around the house…switching out baby clothes.  Already putting away newborn and small sizes. 

One of my favorite things…conversations between William and Joseph.  Here is a recent one that still makes me giggle.

Joseph loves to play school, with him as the teacher, of course.  So one day I hear him say to William, “William.  It’s time for school.  I’m going to be the teacher.  You’re the student.”

William replied, “But I don’t want to be the stupid.”

Joseph giggles.  “No, William, not the stupid.  You’re the student.” 

“But I don’t want to be the stupid.”

Now Joseph is getting frustrated.  “No, William, you’re not the stupid.  You’re the student.”

William, very insistent.  “I DON’T WANT TO BE THE STUPID.”

“Fine.  You’re the class.”

“Okay.  I’m the class.  You’re the teacher.”

Joseph, quite relieved.  “Good.  Now we’re going to work on the letter A.  A says a.  Now you say it.”

“But I don’t want to do the letter A.  Let’s do the letter B.”

“No, we’re doing the letter A.  Now repeat after me.  A says a.”

“But I don’t want to do the letter A.  I want to do B.”

You can imagine…this was not a very productive lesson.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing…

Outside my window…night is here.  There are still raindrops dripping slowly down the windows. 

I am thinking…I love the sound of rain falling gently on the roof. 

I am thankful…for early bedtimes when no one has napped.

From the learning rooms…this is our first week walking down the Alphabet Path.  I promise I’ll post our beginning adventures soon.

In the kitchen…homemade chocolate chip cookies for Mom’s birthday.

I am wearing…a brown tank top and gray shorts. 

I am creating…my first wooden peg saint doll.  I am not very artistic with a paintbrush and wooden doll, but Joseph is convinced that I’ve done a perfect job of creating Saint Anne.  That’s all that counts. 

I am going…crazy trying to get organized. 

I am hoping…the mosquitoes stay away despite the rain.

I am hearing…Andrew’s steady breathing as he sleeps snuggled up against my chest. 

Around the house…laundry, laundry, and more laundry.  Pretty sure it will never stop.

I am pondering…”Love is patient” and Ann Voskamp’s reflection on it. 

One of my favorite things…rainy days. 

Here is picture for thought I am sharing…

Outside my window…the sprinkler is batting the windowpanes with a soft, steady beat.  Our grass is pretty pathetic.  I’m not sure this little sprinkler will do much good.  God could certainly do better if He’d only send some rain our way.

I am thinking…it has been way too long since I’ve blogged.  I need this.

I am thankful…for the end of bedrest.  Yes, we learned humility and yes, we were filled with grace, but life is so much better now that I’m able to participate in all the little rituals of the day (although ironically, I am sitting on the couch writing this).

From the learning rooms…school officially began this week.  We’re starting off light with a week of Five in a Row.  Next week, we’ll begin walking down the Alphabet Path.  Come back often throughout the year to walk with us.

In the kitchen…Beef Burgundy.  It smells divine. 

I am wearing…a pink tank top and jean shorts.  And they’re not maternity clothes!  Yea!

I am creating…our curriculum.  I’m just never satisified with anything.  So I add a little here and a little there.  It’s a work of art with lots of fine tuning, I suppose.

I am going…to finally see our friends again this week!  Oh how I’ve missed my friend and Joseph and William have missed theirs.  It will be a celebration of sorts to see one another again.  A few miles away can feel like a million when you’re unable to get together.

I am wondering…what is it about a pair of oversized boots that is so incredibly entertaining?

I am reading…Educating the Whole Hearted Child by Sally and Clay Clarkson.

I am hoping…that Joseph’s Art Show is everything he imagines it will be.  He’s worked so hard to prepare so many pieces of art!  (I promise to share some Art Show pictures soon!)

I am looking forward to…lots of family this weekend.  And a beautiful Baptism ceremony for little Andrew and Gavin.  It’s so fun making memories.

I am hearing…a whispering Joseph.

Around the house…laundry.  Does it ever end? 

I am pondering…grace. 

One of my favorite things…the big trees in our backyard.  A luxury here in South Texas. 

A few plans for the rest of the week:  School, play, visit.

Here is picture I thought worth sharing…

Outside my window…the sun is shining.  Unfortunately that bright, beautiful sun is making it miserably hot outside.  We’re actually still inside this morning, just trying to avoid the heat.

I am thinking…kids are so funny.  Joseph is thrilled with a new joke that he learned.  Regardless of how many times he tells it, he’s still cracking up at how incredibly funny he is.  (Here’s the joke:  If the red house is on the right and the blue house is on the left, where is the white house?  In Washington DC!)

I am reflecting…on my parenting.  The thing about parenting is it’s a learning process.  I still have so much to learn. 

I am thankful for…inquisitive little minds. 

I am praying for…a complete recovery and a gentle transition back into this crazy life. 

From the learning rooms…still just doing a medley of sorts, trying to keep a school routine, but not really following any particular curriculum.  We’re doing lots of reading, a little math, some critical thinking, and still working on phonics.  A consistent routine is more important right now than a hefty curriculum, so that’s our focus.

From the kitchen…Pillsbury apple turnovers for breakfast.  Mmm, mmm, mmm.  Not the healthiest, but these days it’s all about convenience.  Soon we can be all about health again.

I am wearing…a black polo shirt and jean shorts.  It feels good to be in real clothes (even if they are still maternity clothes).    

I am creating…a calendar for this next school year. 

I am reading…Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling with Joseph. 

I am hearing…William running down the hall and Joseph warning Andrew, “Here comes trouble!”

Around the house…I’m still holding down the couch, coming up with a zillion lists of things I’m going to do when this bedrest is over.

One of my favorite things…a content newborn.

Here is a picture I thought worth sharing…

 The baby shower that Nury and Mom had for me while I was pregnant with Andrew was a quilting shower.  All the guests appliqued a block for the quilt and Mom did the rest…she did a beautiful job arranging it and sewing it together.  The beauty of this quilt is not just the fine details of each stitch and block, but it’s the love that went into creating it.  Here’s the finished project.  Thank you to everyone who took the time to make a square for Andrew and thank you to Mom for all of her hard work…together we all made a very special gift for little baby Andrew.  (You can’t see it in this picture, but each block has a handwritten message for Andrew by the person who appliqued the block…he’ll always know how much his birth was anticipated and how incredibly loved he was before he even arrived!) 

Outside my window…it’s beautiful and sunny. 

I am thinking…sometimes it really is enough to just be.  To just watch.  To just listen.  To just breathe.  To just soak it all in.

I am thankful for…Mom and all her help for the last two weeks.  What a blessing to have someone come and live with us and take care of us! 

I am remembering…when Joseph was about 18 months old.  He wasn’t talking much those days, just a few words here and there.  I was trying my best to put him down for a nap and he was being most uncooperative.  I was quickly approaching the point of losing all patience and just saying forget the nap.  He must have been able to sense my impatience and frustration (because they always can) and suddenly he wrapped his chubby little arms around my neck and breathed in a nice, long deep breath.  Then he uttered the sweetest, most memorable thing…”Mmm, mmm, mmm…Mama.”  Just what I needed to remind myself that a lost nap is not worth lost patience. 

From the learning rooms…well…we did start back to school today.  Not with our official curriculum for next year (since I’m still tweaking it and I need to gather all the supplies in order to be ready to start with it plus the fact that I included a lot of cooking projects and considering that I can’t cook right now, I don’t want Joseph and William to miss out on those fun projects), but with a modified Before Five in a Row/Little Saints program.  Basically I just wanted something to do with Joseph and William each morning during this transition time so that our days feel somewhat normal.  Today was beautiful.  Our morning went smoothly.  Both boys were actually disappointed when “school” was over and we headed outside (it’s been awhile since they’ve been that enthusiastic about lessons). 

From the kitchen…Beginning today, we are at Nury’s mercy once again.  She mentioned yesterday that today’s menu would consist of milanesa and mashed potatoes…how lucky are we?!

I am wearing…the ugliest outfit of all time.  But it doesn’t rub my incision and it’s easy for nursing.  Sometimes fashion must be sacrificed for comfort (10 years ago, I never would have thought I’d find myself saying that…life has some sense of humor). 

I am creating…a list for Daxson so his days feel more organized since he’s basically back to being Mom and Dad (now that my mom returned home).  This list should keep us on top of things (like laundry and meals) and perhaps it will make the days a little smoother. 

I am reading…Attached at the Heart by Barbara Nicholson and Lysa Parker, reminding myself why I do the things I do and why I’ve chosen to practice attachment parenting.  Sometimes a simple reminder such as this gives us all the encouragement to carry on.

I am hearing…the songs on www.starfall.com as Joseph clicks away. 

Around the house…let’s see…oh, right, nothing, since I’ve been told to continue to stay off my feet until my 6 week check-up.  There is grace here, if I just accept it. 

One of my favorite things…ooh, this is a tough one right now because all things newborn qualify as my favorites…watching them sleep, listening to them squeak, holding a tiny little hand in the palm of mine.  Mmm, but I think right now my favorite thing might be a combination of newborns and bigger kids…seeing the bond building is a beautiful, beautiful thing.

Here is a picture I thought worth sharing…

Outside my window…it’s breezy and sunny.  It’s also incredibly hot.  It’s only April and today the temperature is expected to be 95.   

I am reflecting…on a thought my doctor said to me today.  “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience.  We are spiritual beings having a human experience.”  Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

I am thankful for…an Easter that was filled with life and joy.

 From the learning rooms…we’re just plugging through the remainder of our Sonlight plans, working on RightStart Math, and continuing with our phonics lessons. 

From the kitchen…Easter Sunday leftovers.  Nothing like the traditional Easter meal…ham, green bean casserole and sweet potatoes.  I ate so much of those green beans last night that I was sure I was going to burst.  And can you believe it?  My picky little eater loved the ham.   

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

I am creating…a list.  There is always a list in progress.  One that shows what needs to be done.  It’s my thoughts, organized on paper, ready to be crossed off.  I always, always make a list.  Sometimes I actually remember to look at the list.   

I am still smiling…as I remember listening to Joseph and William play last week.  I could tell Joseph was getting very frustrated with William and suddenly I heard him exclaim, “Lord, give me patience!” 

I am reading….Parenting with Grace by Gregory Popcak. 

I am hearing…William shouting, “Get me Daddy!” and Joseph calling, “Find me Daddy!”  And I am wondering how little boys thrive without a daddy around to chase them and I am thankful that Daxson is here for that.   Day after day.  I am blessed to have a husband who does not have to travel for his job. 

Around the house…there are always things to be done.  Diapers need to be washed; laundry needs to be done; the floors could use a good sweeping.  And here I am.  Sitting outside while the kids play happily.  All those things inside can wait.  Trust me, they’ll still be there when we are done playing.

One of my favorite things…watching Joseph’s eyes get big when he feels the baby inside me kick.

Outside my window…it’s breezy and beautiful.  We headed out here as soon as we could.  We’re making up for lost time.  Yesterday we came outside to run off some energy and were swarmed by bees.  Perhaps a neighbor hit a nest when mowing the lawn.  Regardless, we ended up inside ALL day.  Two little boys, lots of energy, no naps.  It was a long day.  A very long day.   Today there is not a bee in sight.  The temperature is just right.  The sun is out.  All is right with our world again.

I am thinking…about grace.  It’s what gets me through each day.  I can’t imagine being a mommy without the gift of grace. 

I am thankful for…a few moments to reflect on this busy life. 

From the learning rooms…today we’ve moved the schoolroom…yep, you guessed it…outside.  We’re doing our Draw Write Now lesson with sidewalk chalk on the driveway.  We’re reading, reading, reading (that’s the great thing about books…they’re incredibly portable!).  Later today when we head inside, we’ll continue with our RightStart Math.

 

From the kitchen…homemade coconut ice cream.  We made the batter yesterday so today we’ll make it into ice cream.  It’s meant to be our dessert for Easter Sunday but I have a feeling we might need to sample it a little later today. 

I am wearing…jean shorts and a pink t-shirt.  With this baby belly, I think perhaps I look a little like an Easter egg.

I am creating…next year’s curriculum.  Adding to it.  Looking at it.  Reflecting on it.  Thinking that perhaps I need to take a little from it.  After all, there are only so many hours in a day.   

I am still smiling…when I think about the other afternoon.  We built a fort and the two of the them played inside it for what seemed like hours.  Joseph read book after book after book to William and when they were tired of that, the two of them decided to bring some play food in with them and fix one another snacks.  It was so nice to hear them playing together nicely.  No squabbling.  No arguing.  No teasing.  Perhaps there’s a chance for a friendship between them yet. 

I am still reading…One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, constantly reflecting on the gifts in my life. 

I am hearing…William ask, “Please kiss it Mommy” as he just bumped his knee and Joseph calling to William to join him for a pretend picnic (they’re pretending to be on their way to Austin and they’ve stopped to have lunch). 

Around the house…I’ve caught up on the laundry.  Today that feels like enough.

One of my favorite things…watching Joseph and William play.  Those little minds are always working.

Here is a picture I thought worth sharing…

Outside my window…the clouds are dark and look heavy with rain.  So far, though, we haven’t seen a drop.

I am thinking…raising children is not an easy task.

I am thankful for…a very helpful little 3 year old. 

From the learning rooms…Joseph loves to practice adding and subtracting.  Here he is last week acting out some addition/subtraction stories with his teddy bear counters.

 

From the kitchen…lasagna.  We are still on a dairy free diet for the most part, but every now and then, we like to indulge.  I knew lasagna was a good choice when I asked Joseph if he wanted to help make it and he asked, “What is lasagna?”  Sometimes I forget that we’ve been dairy free for so long that Joseph has forgotten some of the traditional cheesey dishes! 

I am wearing…dark brown pants and a striped t-shirt.  I don’t match but at least my belly is covered! 

I am creating…a list of all the things that I’d like to get done before the new baby arrives…and thinking that the majority of it will probably never be done.

I am still smiling…as I remember how Joseph was giving William manners lessons last week.  Every time I turned around, there was Joseph reminding William to use nice words like “please” and “thank you.”  Now if only Joseph would remember that actions speak louder than words and perhaps he should practice what he preaches (although that seems to be a hard lesson for each of us)!  (I will say, though, that Joseph’s lessons seem to be very effective as I’ve heard William use the word “please” each and every time he’s asked for something.)  

I am reading…One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, and already I am inspired.

I am hearing…Joseph, as he sounds out the word curious. 

Around the house…I hung some pictures today and consider that a huge accomplishment, since they’ve been sitting there waiting to be hung for a very long time.

One of my favorite things…Sundays. 

I am offering up…the aches and pains of pregnancy for the health of a beautiful new baby.

Here is a picture I thought worth sharing:

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: