Outside my window…it’s still mid 90s, the kids are still swimming and I promise, fall seems like a distant thought.

I am remembering…the pure joy of something as simple as painted nails.

I am thankful for…the delightful sound of baby giggles and the joy radiating from my children’s faces as they watched this sweet baby explore her surroundings.

I am watching…a reenactment of Clint Eastwood.  He’s got the moves down but I’m pretty sure if he addresses me by fair lady once more, I’m going to have to look into that.  I just can’t imagine Clint Eastwood approaching a woman and asking, “How goes it here my fair lady?”  I think we’re getting our heroes confused.   (By the way, the paper on the front of the bike is a hand drawn horse’s head…because that’s clearly not his bike, it’s his horse, of course.) 

I am listening…to Katie.  She is trying to convince me that it would be okay for her to get on the table.  I just told her no and she replied, “Well then how about if you don’t watch me get on the table?”

I am wondering…what poems my kids will choose to memorize.  I asked them each to memorize something to recite to Granny and Pappy next time we see them.  It’ll be interesting to see what they choose.

I am laughing…at the response of the kids the other night to Daxson’s reading.  He was reading aloud to them before they went to sleep and he read a sentence that said, “Mother and Father agreed that a tutor should come to the house every day…”  Andrew’s little head popped over the side of his bunk and he said, “Did you say tooter?”  All of the kids just dissolved into giggles.  Even Dax got a good chuckle out of it as he realized their interpretation of tutor.

I am reflecting…on a friendship that makes my heart smile. 

In the schoolroom…we’re moving onto 6 weeks of Jamestown studies, reading A Lion to Guard Us and Surviving Jamestown.

Around the house…finishing up thank you cards and catching up on emails.  Long forgotten emails.

In the kitchen…Auntie Pie tonight.  Although in this house, I guess we could call it Mommy Pie but Alex named it and now it is what it is.  And Auntie Pie it is (which just for the record is really Taco Salad served with Fritos).

I am wearing…GAP shorts that are an unidentified color with a Target Knox Rose olive green tank top.

We are preparing for…our 2nd co-op meeting by reading a few scenes from Hamlet and watching some youtube clips.

Someday I am going to miss…this.

I am reading…Circling the Sun by Paula McLain.

One of my favorite things…discovering new-to-me old places.

A peek into my day…

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Outside my window…two eager little scientists are happily experimenting with goop.

I am remembering…this spontaneous playdate right before William’s surgery with some of our favorite people.  Belle gave hula hooping lessons to the boys, Joe and Gavin practiced shooting hoops and Katie soaked up the thrill of having another girl in the crowd.  Later, Belle had the simple idea to use chalk to draw herself a house and the next thing we knew, a neighborhood developed on the driveway. 

I am thankful for…a new opportunity that has come my way.  I’m going to be a contributor for Corpus Christ Moms Blog.

I am in awe…of Jessica.  She is an incredibly talented seamstress, a budding beekeeper, a homesteading guru and now she can add leather work to her repertoire. 

I am watching…nothing these days.  We didn’t realize there was only one season of The Man in the High Castle, so while we’re waiting for some new episodes, we’ve been making wise use of our quiet night time catching up on reading.

I am listening…the ding-aling of the timer, letting me know my herbal tea has finished infusing.

I am wondering…if there is some way to access my iTunes account (where I’ve downloaded audio CDs) so I can listen to it on my phone?  Any advice?

I am laughing…about William.  He wanted to be Indiana Jones, but he said he needed some stubble on his chin.  He asked if I had an idea of how he could do that.  I’m pretty sure my face reflected the blank feeling I had in my head.  He disappeared for a bit and when he returned he had stubble on his chin.  He had taken bits of paper, colored them and taped them to his chin.  Later when he was complaining that his chin was itchy, he decided that his method might need to be revised. 

I am reflecting…on this thought from The Man in the High Castle, “Fate is fluid.  Destiny is in the hands of men.”

In the schoolroom…it is our week off.  We’re making good use of our time.  Lots of reading, playing, exploring and relaxing.

Around the house…using the week to catch up on digital photography.  Photos are uploaded, prints are ordered.  Yep, I’m still fanatic about printing my photos…cause there’s nothing more entertaining than grabbing a box of photos, snuggling up on the couch and reliving some of our favorite memories!

In the kitchen…it’s Waffle Wednesday.  Gluten free King Arthur waffles.  One of our favorites.

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

We are preparing for…a new 6 weeks of school.  Our POE plans are all about Jamestown.

Someday I am going to miss…the giggles from these kids as Grandpa Larry chases them around the house trying to get their meechees.  (These pictures are AWFUL but I love Nury’s expression in the second one and Larry’s in the last one!)

I am reading…Circling the Sun by Paula McLain and Discovering Your Personality Type by Don Richard Riso.  The kids and I just started reading Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi and we are loving it, laughing about all the subtle humor. 

One of my favorite things…being introduced to a whole new idea.  We had the opportunity to go see Uncle Bryan at work (he is a jeweler).  We got to learn about the process of lost wax casting and then we got to witness metal being melted.  It was the highlight of my little chemist’s week. 

A peek into my day…

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Outside my window…it’s September but no sign of fall anywhere near.  Today’s forecast was 91 with a heat index of 102.

I am thankful for…Mom.  She came down to sit with me while William had his surgery and then she survived a week with us…and she never once looked anything but happy and peaceful.  I don’t know how she does it, but I am certainly thankful to have such a calming presence in my life.

I am watching…Joey write spelling words on the board and William write thank you notes.

I am listening…to the sound of paper art (at least I hope we’ll be able to consider it art when it’s all done).  Paper being crumpled.  Paper being folded.  Paper being shuffled.  Katie and Andrew are hard at work drawing and writing.

I am wondering…why Katie refuses to wear her hair in a ponytail and why she won’t wear bows!  I finally have a girl and she won’t let me fix her hair (except for the 30 seconds here while she had her picture taken).

I am laughing…about this picture.  However, if you are not and you’d like to schedule an appointment with William’s hair styling, please let me know.  I happen to have a little extra pull…I can probably get you in.

I am reflecting…on our visit with Stephanie and Juancho and the philosophical discussion of school systems that took place (no need to alert the press as we did not solve the problem over breakfast, but we certainly did have a delightful discussion).  Stephanie and Juancho both teach in Houston and they are the loveliest of couples.  Both eager and bright, funny and adventurous, I guarantee that the kids who pass through their classrooms are lucky little souls.  I love that when they spend time with my kids, they take the time to listen and play and interact.  We are lucky little souls to have them in our lives! 

In the schoolroom…finishing up our first 6 weeks of school.  Looking forward to our week off next week.

Around the house…since William’s surgery, he has been having a hard time getting in and out of bed.  He decided that sleeping on the bottom bunk might work out, so he and Andrew decided to try it out (it works!).  It’s been quite awhile since we’ve used the bottom bunk, so I’m a little embarrassed to admit it, but the duvet has been neglected.  Sadly, I noticed that the boys must have thrown a wet towel on the duvet and the burgundy color from the down comforter bled through to the duvet cover, so it needed a little soaking (in Shaklee’s Nature Bright, of course!) and washing.  Washing one cover nudged me to wash the next and then the next and then, well you get it.  Have I ever mentioned what a nightmare I think down comforters and duvet covers are, but oh, how I love to snuggle under them so I continue to struggle with them season after season.  It’s Friday and all the bedding has been changed and washed.  I’m expecting my washing machine to go on strike at any moment.

In the kitchen…homemade pizza with the Savory Spice Shop’s Parmesan Pesto Sprinkle.

On the dining room table…a Missouri puzzle, in preparation for our upcoming train trip.

I am wearing…a new shirt from Charming Charlie (seriously, my new favorite store!)

We are preparing for…our upcoming train trip.

Someday I am going to miss…random discoveries.  Like a shirt wrapped around a book and shoved on the bookshelf.  I have no words for this one. 

I am reading…Circling the Sun by Paula McLain and Discovering Your Personality Type by Don Richard Riso.  I can’t recommend either yet, as I just started both.

One of my favorite things…melon Gatorade.

A peek into my day…Joey on his way to our Charlotte Mason co-op yesterday.

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Outside my window…the mosquitoes are back.

I am remembering…our recent visit to Austin.  Leslie is turning 40 this next month so we spent the weekend celebrating youth and beauty while it still lasts (which for Leslie will probably be her entire life…the beauty part, at least.  I suppose youth is a relative term).

I am thankful for…Audible on car trips.

I am wishing…for cooler weather so we can get back to camping.  We stopped by Palmetto State Park on the way home this weekend and while we enjoyed the hike along the trail, I’m pretty sure I might have melted in that heat and humidity if we’d stayed much longer.  Yep, I’m a certified wimp.

I am listening…to the boys as they build a Lego set to recreate the movie 3 Ninjas (flashback to the dollar theater circa 1992 with Missy and Leslie).

I am wondering…why Joey and William practically sit on top of each other to do their school work…they do realize there is an entire house to spread out in, right? 

I am watching…for strange things to come out of my dryer.  This one appeared last week courtesy of William’s pocket (William said the little guy had already died when he pocketed him so my conscience is clear as far as that goes). 

I am reflecting…on Katie’s ingenuity.  She forgot to pack her baby carrier when we went to Austin, so she used her dress as a carrier.  It worked almost too well…now I noticed all of her shirts are getting stretched out at the top.  (I was extremely happy when she rediscovered the joy of pushing the baby in the stroller!)

In the schoolroom…trying to motivate the boys to finish up their comic books for the book contest this year.  We finally got to take our first nature walk of the school year last week (it’s been so unbearably hot).  The kids filled their nature books with all kinds of observations. 

Around the house…paying bills, reconciling accounts, balancing everything to the penny (cause in my nerdy book, that’s just plain fun).

In the kitchen…gluten and dairy free lasagna.  It was really good and so creamy…if I had not baked it myself, I would have sworn there was cheese and wheat in it.

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

We are preparing for…William’s surgery next week.  He had surgery 6 years ago on September 1st.  His lucky day this year?  September 1st.  Weird how life works that way.

Someday I am going to miss…getting caught in the rain in Goliad on a hiking trail with four little children who think getting caught in the rain is exciting and fun.  (But I won’t miss getting caught in the rain with a husband who does not think getting caught in the rain is exciting and fun.)

I am reading…The Count of Monte Cristo and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.

One of my favorite things…this guy. 

A peek into my day…

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Outside my window…little people are basking in the rain…it’s been awhile since we’ve seen any (yep, they are totally dancing to the music of falling rain here).

I am remembering…3 years ago.  Katie was a few months old, I sent Daxson off to Alaska for a bit of a baby breather (it’s tough dealing with 3 wild boys, a newborn baby and a wife on extended bedrest) and I took the kids and we headed to Austin to meet up with Grandma and Grandpa Morgan who flew in from Raleigh.  So glad we had the opportunity to visit and grateful that my kids got to actually meet the folks from many of my summer stories.

While Daxson was exploring Alaska…

We visited, played, created (and probably destroyed a thing or two while we were at it).  Grandpa Morgan helped the kids paint and decorate pots and plant beautiful things for Granny for her upcoming birthday.  Then Daxson joined us for our last weekend there and we celebrated both his birthday and Granny’s (Daxson’s birthday is the day after Granny’s). 

I am thankful for…these smiles.

I am watching…Justified with Daxson occasionally.  When I watch it, I wish I watched it every night and kept up with it, but when I don’t watch it, I get so much reading done.

I am listening…to Schoolhouse Rocks (yep, I’m sneaking in this blog while they’re singing Conjunction Junction).

I am wondering…how Andrew has so much energy.  Really, it’s insane.

I am laughing…about this.  Last week Katie insisted that it was going to rain and she needed to dress both herself and Joey.  Not really sure how these outfits were appropriate for the rain, but Joey was a good sport and we both got a good laugh out of Katie’s creativity.

I am reflecting…on this and thinking I’m in trouble since I’m the Queen of Inconsistency…”To be this the teacher needs a constant self-control; to be himself disciplined; to be himself a representative of law, with even and consistent action, so that it will always be known what he will be, and say, and do. He will be consistent; unvarying, even as the law is unvarying; he will not overlook a breach of the law one day, and take notice of it severely another; neither will he speak and act as if the disobedience were against himself – he will try to concentrate the child’s attention upon the law, and make the child feel that the law has been broken, and that the law must be obeyed; that no breach of the law must be overlooked; that the law must be obeyed everywhere, at all times, and by all.” from Parents’ Review Article: Rev. Canon Parker’s ‘Discipline Part II’

In the schoolroom…the school year has gotten off to a good start (with all the usual bumps along the way, like the whiny child, the crying child, the uncooperative child, the disobedient child…you know, the usual array of drama in a room full of kids).  We’re enjoying all the read-alouds and math the Charlotte Mason way. 

Around the house…the Legos are organized, the books are shelved, the schoolroom is still in pristine condition.  It’ll all be a mess again soon, I’m sure.

In the kitchen…we just finished up the delicious Salmon burgers from this weekend.  They really are super yummy (one of the few meals that everyone eats around here without complaining)…add a little lettuce, tomato and pickle with some tartar sauce.  Mmm, mmm, mmm.

I am wearing…a skirt Mom made me with a sky blue shirt.  Nothing fancy, but my goodness, I’ve received many compliments from all of my kids today.  Must be the bright blue on the dreary day.

We are preparing for…William’s surgery.  He has an inguinal hernia with a hydrocele (who knows what caused it, but guessing his quest to be Rocky didn’t help matters).  Waiting for our appointment, praying for no more ER visits.  And asking extra prayers for what will prove to be a challenging recovery (have you ever seen this kid…he’s constantly climbing, jumping, moving…should be interesting).

Someday I am going to miss…their eagerness to climb on our lap and crowd around us to listen to a story.

I am reading…Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (for book club) and Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins…really, I’m not quite sure why I quit after the 2nd book.  Now I’m struggling to remember what happened last.  Take my advice: if a book is part of a trilogy, you really should read all three in a timely manner. 

I am inspired…by this beautiful notebook.  Really, doesn’t it inspire you to fill it with beautiful thoughts?

One of my favorite things…spending the day at the beach with some of our favorite people.

A peek into my day…

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Outside my window…I look out and see this kid sitting, relaxing, while reading the Penny Saver.  I’d be willing to give a penny for his thoughts.

I am remembering…our old kitchen and playroom (I was looking through old pictures to find one of Joseph when he was little but I ran across this instead)…my goodness, I forgot about the wood paneled walls!  And those bar stools…where in the world did we get those?  Oh and the random door!  And the mint green formica…be still my beating heart! (The bar stools are missing in the renovation pictures, but just in case you’re worried…we did update those, too!)

I am thankful for…a little girl who likes pink.  Even if that’s all she likes.

I am watching…Downton Abbey with Dax at night.  I’m feeling quite British these days as I’m also listening to The Lake House by Kate Merton (read by a British narrator) and I just finished The Summer Before the War (which took place in England) and Me Before You (another book that took place in England).  Right.  I’ve got to go for tea now.  No really.  Herbal infusion though not black tea.  Does that count?

I am listening…to some little person pecking away at the piano keys.

I am wondering…where the time went!  Look at how tall Belle is getting!  I swear she went from this…

to this overnight!

I am laughing…about William’s reaction to my new Eddie Bauer capri pants that I had on the other day.  I asked him if he liked them and I could tell he was really struggling to come up with an appropriate response.  Finally, he said, very slowly, “Yeeesss, I like them, but aren’t they, well, aren’t they a little short for you?”  Welcome to the world of fashion where the laws of reason don’t always apply.

I am reflecting…on this thought from Me Before You…”Just a few weeks away from home could rub the familiarity right off someone.  I felt like she was on the path to being someone I wasn’t quite sure of.  I felt, weirdly, as if I were being left behind.”  I wonder if this is how I’ll feel someday when my kids grow up and travel without me.  I wonder if anyone ever felt this way about me when I began traveling.

In the schoolroom…we are wrapping up our school year.  This is our last week!  Then it’s a week off before our summer plans begin.  Summer plans are all done and ready to go…a few of our upcoming favorites are our United States history and geography (these plans are full of great literature, copywork and narration opportunities!) and Lego StoryStarter (for Language Arts) plans.

Around the house…sorting through loads of toys and stuffed animals.  The birthday marathon is about to begin and with it a dozen new toys will need to find a place to be stored, so it’s out with the old and in with the new, I suppose.

In the kitchen…all kinds of herbal remedies…Valerian Tincture, St. John’s Wort oil, a Buckwheat pillow with lavender (that I sewed myself…amazing, quite honestly!).

I am wearing…a black skirt and a sleeveless top that’s white with the outline of flowers in black and gray…gosh, I am terrible at describing things.  It might be easier to just show you…

We are preparing for…summer.  It’s already getting quite hot.  We were playing with Belle and Joe the other day and Belle asked if I minded if the kids got a drop or two of water on their clothes…clearly, Belle and I view “a drop of two of water” a bit differently!  The kids had a blast, though, and Lori was kind enough to let us borrow dry clothes for the ride home. 

Someday I am going to miss…watching MacGyver in the middle of the night while I rub Katie’s growing pains with Roo tucked closely into my side.

I am re-reading…To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee in preparation for reading Go Set a Watchman. 

One of my favorite things…these two.

A peek into my day…out for a walk around the neighborhood.

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Outside my window…school books cover the patio table.

I am remembering…this.

I am thankful for…for this dear friend.  We’re so alike in so many ways…it makes it so easy to understand one another.  Add to that the fact that she’s known me forever and it makes our friendship a bit like a pair of old jeans…comfortable, familiar and lovely.

I am watching…weeds sprout up all around us this spring, wondering if any of them happen to be useful.  We recently went out to the Oso Wetlands Preserve and took a “Smarty Plants” tour with Sara.  It was so fun to learn to identify plants in the wild…just too bad that the tour didn’t take place in my neighborhood…that would have been so useful!

 

I am listening…to the water run as Andrew fills up a container for another “experiment.”  Who knew water and a color tablet could, repeatedly, be so fascinating?

I am wondering…which curriculum package to purchase for next year.  Yep, I’m moving over to a boxed curriculum.  I’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments!

I am laughing…when I remember a conversation with Katie earlier this week.  She was trying to get her bag zipped but it was really full and she was having trouble.  She started screaming.  I told her, “Screaming won’t help.”  She screamed again just as the zipper gave way and the bag zipped shut.  “Oh yes it will,” she calmly replied.

I am reflecting…on this thought from our book club book, The Summer Before the War, “It occurred to Hugh that in all the long years of affection, they had never hugged each other, or so much as slapped each other on the back, and he thought it sad and strange that it would take a war to wipe away the cold formalities of life.”

In the schoolroom…our favorite days are Fridays…Shakespeare, herb studies, itsy bitsy yoga, art, chemistry, cooking and music…all the fun stuff packed into one day.  Ooh la la!

Around the house…piles of laundry, all lined up to be folded and put away…just as soon as I post this.

I am celebrating…life!  These two beautiful souls both have April birthdays so when we had our book club meeting yesterday, we were able to wish them both birthday wishes (although, in hindsight, where were the cupcakes??!!).  Sheila was my cooperating teacher back in my student teaching days…she taught me to be organized, to have high expectations and to laugh…loud and often.  Jessie is a new addition to our book club and full of everything good to be adored…she’s artistic, thoughtful, well-traveled and brimming with all the joy that naturally goes along with being in her twenties.  You can read about her traveling adventures here.  Happy Birthday ladies!  Here’s to another year of good wine, good books, and good friends!

In the kitchen…AIP snacks.  The Lemon Macaroons might just be addicting.

I am wearing…nailpolish, lipstick and a purse that matches my outfit.  Weird, I know.  Not to worry, I won’t make the same mistake twice.

We are preparing for…this kid’s 7th birthday.  Holy moly!  Where did the time go?

Someday I am going to miss…having my head chopped off by a budding photographer.

I am reading…Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (a book club selection that is right up my alley) and Mercy in the City by Kerry Weber (I started this a few months ago but it got buried under a pile of stuff…when I recovered it, it was a bit like meeting an old friend that I hadn’t seen in awhile, “Oh, you, I’ve missed you!”)

One of my favorite things…snuggling up for MacGyver.

A peek into my day…if only I could pull off that headband.

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Outside my window…our tea is brewing.

I am remembering…that all of these little people began with dinner at Bennigans.

I am thankful for…the chance to catch up with old friends and a quick visit with Granny and Pappy (sorry for all the photos, but everybody needed their individual picture with Granny AND Pappy!)

 

I am watching…Covert Affairs at night with Daxson.  It’s no Veronica Mars, but it’s keeping us entertained.

I am listening…to the breeze as it ruffles my curtains.  I wish I could bottle this temperature to reopen in the middle of the summer when the heat feels unbearable.

I am wondering…how other people do it.  And by it, I mean everything.  I feel like some days all I do is cook, clean, repeat.  Other days it feels like wash, fold, repeat.

I am laughing…as I flip through the (400+) photos Joseph took on my phone when we were grocery shopping.  It’s fun to see the world through his eyes.

I am reflecting…on the boomerang errand, as described by Gretchen Rubin…this week feels like boomerang after boomerang.

In the schoolroom…we finally got our act together and got our Herb Fairies video made for the contest.

Around the house…laundry piles, but clean floors.  Give and take.

In the kitchen…AIP meals.  I’m a little tired of meat, veggies and fruit.  And by a little, I’m not really being honest.

I am wearing…my boots.  Some things just make me happy.

We are preparing for…Easter Sunday!

Someday I am going to miss…this missing tooth smile.  Right now I’m just trying to adjust it.  It is the result of Katie’s most recent bright idea.  Dancing on a booster seat?  Even if that booster seat is on the floor?  Probably not her smartest idea.  After she knocked her tooth out and managed to give herself a nice bump on the head, I tried to comfort her.  But she wasn’t upset because she was hurt.  She was furious that her tooth had the audacity to fall out.  Lots of spunk in this little girl.  The tooth fairy has visited; the missing tooth is now tucked safely away in the pink box that she received from Dr. Moore’s office; now we just wait 3 or 4 years for a new tooth to grow in.

I am reading…Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry as part of my intentional reading list for 2016.

One of my favorite things…this couple.

A peek into my day…

 

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Outside my window…happy little people.

I am remembering…William’s face when he went up to receive his award for 2nd place in his grade level for his division at the Regional Science Fair.  He had that same smile all the way across the stage.  Such pride and wonder, all in one.  Both boys did a beautiful job with their projects and they both had a great experience presenting to the judges.

I am thankful for…moments like this.

I am watching…Covert Affairs at night with Daxson.  It’s no Veronica Mars, but it’s keeping us entertained.

I am listening…to Andrew hum a jolly little tune while he’s playing in the dirt.

I am wondering…if my kids will remember this moment, celebrating another year with Grandpa Larry, as joyfully as I will.

I am going…a little crazy reading about the AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) diet and making meal plans.  I’m tagging along on Leslie‘s journey…we begin Monday.

I am pondering…Voltaire’s words (as written about here), “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.”  I could write an entire post about those words and how often I allow the perfect to be the enemy of the good around here. 

I am praying…that this book will make a difference.

I am laughing…about Katie’s reaction when Daxson showed up with this guy for breakfast last week.

She seems much more receptive than the last time Andrew showed her a caterpillar…

I am admiring…Jessica and her entire backyard.  She’s got a few amazing different projects going from raising bees to growing strawberries to making her own purses to collecting fresh eggs from her chickens every day to experimenting with growing sweet potatoes to watching butterflies emerge along her fence.  You can read about her recent project, making coon skin hats, from beginning to end over here.  I am inspired.

I am planting…medicinal herbs in my spring garden.  I started with lemon balm, calendula and chamomile.

I am learning…more than I ever wanted to know about allergies and asthma.

In the schoolroom…we recently finished these darling Leap Year time capsules.  Let’s hope we remember to pull them out in 4 years ; )

Around the house…William needed buttons to do his math with the other day.  Then Katie discovered the button box.  I forgot how delightful something so simple could be.

In the kitchen…a fresh batch of homemade chocolate.  William has been asking for days to make some and this morning was full of opportunity.  We’re now (anxiously) waiting for it to cool.

I am wearing…my Lularoe leggings!

We are preparing for…life with a rebel ; )

Someday I am going to miss…quiet Friday morning art lessons.

I am reading…my cousin Craig’s latest novel, October’s Letter (that’s right…I’m related to a bona-fide published author!); The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin (I just finished her fascinating book Better than Before…so loved that book, but I’m a lover of all personality boxes, so having another way to categorize myself makes me happy!); The Church of Mercy.  When I finish October’s Letter, I borrowed We Never Asked for Wings from the library (I loved Vanessa Diffenbaugh’s book The Language of Flowers so I’m hoping this one will be just as good!), so that’s next in line. 

One of my favorite things…watching this little girl explore the world around her.

A peek into my day…

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Outside my window…there’s a kid going up and down, up and down.  William invented a pulley system that has a swing attached to it.  The kids can literally sit for hours going up and down, up and down.  Quite the little engineer.

I am remembering…Grandma Belcher.  Thanks, Mom, for sharing this picture.  It makes my heart warm with memories.

I am listening…to the boys humming the theme tune for Star Wars.  This tune is getting.really.old.  I pray for patience.

I am wondering…why kids always have room for dessert, but they can’t seem to finish their veggies.

I am going…to try to get an order ready for Mountain Rose Herbs.  I’m out of elderberries.  I seriously need to just plant my own herb garden.

I am pondering…Madame Manec’s comment in All the Light We Cannot See, “I’d expect that if God wants us to see something, we’ll see it.”

I am thankful…for a selfie stick.  We finally all fit in a picture.

Around the house…the Lego box exploded.  There is a special place in Heaven for those of us who have to endure tiny plastic pieces.  Seriously, it takes a force of nature for me to keep my mouth shut each time I step on one.

On the counter…a box of kleenex.  This cold requires no small amount of kleenex.  Probably worth buying stock.

I am wearing…dark gray corduroys and a many colored striped sweater.  It’s nice to actually get to wear a sweater.

We are preparing for…the spelling bee and the science fair…tomorrow!

Someday I am going to miss…watching this kid run around with his backpack.  Not really sure the obsession with the backpack, but I do know that it is filled with treasures and he keeps it on all.the.time.  Seems like every time I glance out of my kitchen window, I see him darting around the backyard with it.  Last week, he also had a briefcase he carried with him.  He looked like he was on a super spy mission.  This week, the briefcase is gone…perhaps he delivered his highly confidential package.

On my iPod…The Whole Brain Child by Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson.  Absolutely fascinating.

I am reading…All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr; Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs; High Five by Janet Evanovich; The Church of Mercy by Pope Francis.

A pile of library books is desperately craving my attention (and I am desperate to get started reading them!)…The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald; Better than Before by Gretchen Rubin (so excited about this one…who doesn’t want to master the habits of everyday life?!); A Disease Called Childhood:Why ADHD Became an American Epidemic by Marilyn Wedge.

A peek into my day…early morning snuggles.

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