Outside my window…it’s clearing up.  Yesterday it was cold and rainy.  I really didn’t want to leave the house today.  So I didn’t.  Lucky me.

I am remembering…the pure joy on this kid’s face when he volunteered at the Renaissance Faire.

I am listening…Katie stacking and restacking little cups.  Knocking them over.  Putting them on her head.  Then doing it all over again.

I am wondering…why my sewing machine consistently outsmarts me.  Sat down to make dilly pillows with the kids the other day…just a quick seam here and a quick seam there turned into an entire afternoon devoted to figuring out what the issue was.  (No need to examine my stitches…I am a self-proclaimed un-perfectionist when it comes to sewing…I’m just impressed when I actually manage to sew something!)

I am going…to start the drudgery of doing our taxes.  1099s to get ready.  Reports to print.  My brain wants to be excited…I like the way the numbers all line up and it all makes sense, but I just can’t quite get there…there are just too many other things rattling around in my brain, vying for attention.

I am pondering…St. Teresa Benedicta’s words…”When night comes, and retrospect shows that everything was patchwork and much that one had planned left undone, when so many things rouse shame and regret, then take all as is, lay it in God’s hands, and offer it up to Him. In this way we will be able to rest in Him, actually to rest and to begin the new day like a new life.”

I am thankful…that these little guys (and gal!) all get to grow up together.  Their lives are defined, not just by their own experiences, but by the experiences they share together.  Lots of beautiful moments shared together.  The fact that they’re all cousins is just the cherry on top.

In the schoolroom…we’re back in the swing of things.  Lots of history and science (as well as science fair projects).  Herbal studies are taking center stage for our nature studies and the kids’ reading goals are ready and posted on the wall.

In the refrigerator…homemade elderberry syrup.  Ooh, our herbal studies are well underway, but they deserve a post all of their own.

I am wearing…black pants and a pink t-shirt, covered by a coral zip-up hoodie.

We are preparing for…the Tournament of Scholars.  Joseph will be participating in the Spelling Bee and Science Fair.  William will be participating in the Science Fair.

Someday I am going to miss...the whole inside out shirt thing.  Not really sure what the fascination is with wearing them inside out, but every one of mine has gone through a phase of it.  Last time I wore my shirt incorrectly was when I attended the 7:30 am Mass and got dressed in the dark…I didn’t discover that my shirt was on backwards until I got home.  Personally, wearing my clothes incorrectly was rather embarrassing…not fascinating.

I am reading…I have declared this to be a year of intentional reading.  I have an entire list (part of which is inspired by Modern Mrs. Darcy’s Reading Challenge) ready to go.  Right now I’m knee deep in All the Light We Cannot See, High Five, The Church of Mercy, and Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs.  Lots of reading.  Lots of intention.

One of my favorite things…from this past Advent was taking this little gang Christmas caroling.

A peek into my day…

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

Outside my window…it is bare.  The big ash tree that has given us shade for all these years was finally declared rotten…so today we said farewell.  The stump will be gone soon, too, but for now it makes a fun addition for backyard play.

I am remembering…a beautiful, bountiful Thanksgiving dinner at Mom and Dad’s…and I am so very thankful.

I am listening…to Joseph and William’s voices, recording a book for Andrew on the Sparkup, their voices a tiny hum amidst all the noise of Andrew and Katie who are building with Duplos and imagining a world all of their own.

I am going…to try to remember all the thoughts bouncing around in my head.  Seems like an idea bounces in and before I can react, it bounces right out again.

I am pondering…Sometimes, in order to move forward, we have to let go of dreams and of vision. We have to see how our carefully crafted ideas of the way things should be might not be part of God’s plan after all. We have to come up with new visions, ones that are colored and tempered by the experiences of life. The trick, I think, to doing this successfully, is to believe that the new vision really can be better than the old one, even if the old one was very dear, indeed. –E. Foss

I am thankful…for quiet moments early in the morning before little sleepyheads appear.

In the schoolroom…Advent plans are well underway.  There are Jesse Tree readings and ornaments to hang.  Our Advent books are all wrapped and labeled to be opened each day.  We plug along through Advent with our regular Math and Grammar, but our science and history correlate to the season.  This year, inspired by the scents of the Christmas season, we decided to embark on an herbal study.  We’re studying herbal use throughout history (this is a rich topic and so related to this season…the most obvious being the Wise Men and their gifts) and the science of using herbal remedies, using this awesome kit and game.  Our reading is focused around the Herb Fairies and this lovely book by Lesley Tierra.

Around the house…it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…we tried to hold out on decorating the tree, to keep in tune with the true spirit of Advent, but we just couldn’t wait.  So the tree is decorated, the lights are up, and if it weren’t high 70’s outside, I’d say it’s feeling like Christmas is in the air.

In the refrigerator…parsley pesto.  And it’s good.

I am wearing…a cotton knit skirt that Mom lovingly whipped together for me and a blue t-shirt.

We are preparing for…obviously…Christmas ; )

Someday I am going to miss…William’s nonstop talking.  Joseph’s constant humming.  Katie’s squealing.  Andrew’s chatter.  But just for today, a little silence would be nice.

I am reading…Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum books.  Yes, that’s right.  I’ve doubled my years since the first time I read this series.  I thought it would be fun to re-read them…just to see if I still have the same sense of humor I did when I was in college.  Turns out, yep, these books are still as funny as the first time I read them. 

One of my favorite things…this girl…

A peek into my day…

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

Outside my window…it is perfect.  Sunny.  Forecast for today is mid-70s.  I wish these kind of days were more common.

I am remembering…another little Superman from years ago…hard to believe this superhero is already getting his driver’s license.

I am listening…to the creak of the boys’ swings and their conversation about Superman.  Seems some fascinations with superheroes just never fade.

I am wondering…how other people get a good family picture.  Here’s the best out of a whole bunch that were taken…

p.s. thanks, Joseph, for the cross-eyed look…it certainly makes the picture an authentic representation of what our lives are usually like ; )

I am going…to have to think about winter coats for a few of these little kiddos.  It’s hard to think about heavy clothing when it’s still so warm outside, but I know how the wind doth blow…one day it’ll be beautiful and sunny, the next day it will be shivery cold.  I better get on it.

I am pondering…the thrill of going up the slide rather than down it.  Every kid does it.  Without fail.  And every kid loves it.  Without fail.  Why?

I am thankful…for a successful first camping trip (with the kids, that is).  Somehow, I got really lucky and not only do I have an amazing sister and an amazing sister-in-law, but they both double as my best friends.  Having both of them there, along with their awesome kids (who, of course, double as my awesome nephews!) and husbands, really made this first camping trip with the kids special.

We camped at Stephen F. Austin State Park, which was beautiful…lots of tall trees and hiking trails.  It’s located on the Brazos River and it’s about 30 minutes from the outskirts of Houston, so it was a bit humid.  We had the park to ourselves, which made for a relaxing adventure (no need to worry about the kids bothering anyone).  The following day we headed into Bellville to visit Newman’s Castle.

In the schoolroom…Thanksgiving plans are in full swing.  Last week our focus was on the Wampanoag Indians.  This week we’re focusing on the Pilgrims.  Next week, of course, will be a week of reflection on the First Thanksgiving.  Lots of great books, a few crafty projects, a couple of specially chosen DVDs and some Thanksgiving tunes.  We’ve got this holiday covered.

Around the house…trying to sort through toys before the Christmas onslaught.  Would love to hear how you keep things simple and organized.

In the refrigerator…all the ingredients for kolaches are waiting to be thrown together…Andrew has been asking for them since our camping trip.

I am wearing…black yoga pants, a purple Merit t-shirt, and a dark gray knitted shawl.  The shawl is a bit of an exaggeration but a crisp morning calls for a little fall accessory.

We are preparing for…A Year of Mercy.  Not sure what that’s going to look like with the kids yet, but my reading list is ready to go.  Here’s what I’m planning…

The Church of Mercy: a collection of Pope Francis’ thoughts regarding his vision for the Catholic Church, which is namely a call for mercy, service, and renewal.

Mercy: The Essence of the Gospel and the Key to Christian Life: a theology based book looking in depth at the essence of the gospel (yea, I totally just used its title to describe it).

Mercy in the City:  the memoir of a young lady who decided to spend Lent living out the Corporal Works of Mercy

The Second Greatest Story Ever Told: Now is the Time of Mercy

With God in Russia and He Leadeth Me:  The first book, With God in Russia, tells the story of Father Ciszek and his journey to Russia where he was imprisoned as a “Vatican spy” in labor camps for 15 years.  His faith gave him the courage he needed for each moment and upon his release, he offered forgiveness and mercy to his captors.  He Leadeth Me, the spiritual memoir of his journey, is meant to be read alongside With God in Russia.

Someday I am going to miss…seeing Katie in her pink tutu.  Every.single.day.

I am reading…The Worry Cure by Robert Leahy.  Daxson and I have been reading bits of it together, laughing at our scores on the assessments.  I’m also reading Cocktails for Three for a little light reading.  And I’m back to Genesis in the Bible.  No specific book for our December book club.  Instead we’re going to each talk about the book(s) that have changed our lives.  I’d love to hear about your life-changers in the comments! 

One of my favorite things…an excuse to pull out my camera.

A peek into my day…William is pretty impressed with himself.  After reading The Flying Hockey Stick, he decided to invent a flying contraption of his own.  He “invented” this handy propeller.  I’m still waiting to see where he flies off to.  (The Flying Hockey Stick has been re-published by Purple House Press.  If you haven’t hopped over there to see all the old gems they are re-publishing, it is totally worth your time. Keep an eye on their bargain basement…tons of awesome deals!)

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

Outside my window…it has cooled off.  It’s breezy and beautiful.  I think it might be 89, but after such a long stretch of upper 90s, this feels delicious.

I am remembering…our first time taking the kids to the go-kart track.  Andrew was still a baby!  They were all so little!

I am listening…to the rustle of the trees and breeze with an occasional grumble of the trash truck, which is closely followed by Katie’s panicked cry, “Thunder!”  No thunder.  Really.  It’s just the trash truck.

I am wondering…about my kids’ attention spans.  Seems like there’s so many distractions these days, I sometimes wonder if we’re doing this next generation a disservice with all the tv, social media and technology.

I am going…to get my thoughts and plans together for our first co-op meeting this Friday.  It’s just a small group of us, but it’s chock-full of academia…Spanish, PE, drama, and literary analysis.

I am pondering…acceptance.

I am thankful…for Daxson.  I love listening to the lull of his voice as he reads with the kids each night…they so look forward to that moment when they all settle in and his voice carries them away.  Right now they’re reading My Side of the Mountain and thanks to the readers on the Read Aloud Facebook group, we have a whole list of books to explore once they finish that.

In the schoolroom…we are traveling down the Alphabet Path again this year and having a grand time.  In addition to weekly letter formation, letter of the week saints, animals and fairies, we’ve learned about alphabetic science topics including apples and birds, creeks and dinosaurs (we’re in the midst of studying electricity right now for “e” week).  Our family time is filled with poetry, author studies, crafts, cooking projects, songs and so much more!  The big boys are tagging along the path with us, tailoring the work to their level, so while Andrew and Katelyn are being exposed to tons of amazing stories and topics (through books, songs and fingerplays and hands-on projects), William and Joseph are using those stories as the basis for their copywork, dictation and writing.

Around the house…a new refrigerator!

In the refrigerator…our first attempt at homemade, baked donuts.  We made them in honor of “d” week…delicious.

I am wearing…white shorts and a purple tank top with a glittery butterfly on it…a kickback to my early college days.

We are preparing for…William’s First Confession.  I love how they pour their little souls out when preparing for that first confession.  All their little secrets are spilled with such fervor!

Someday I am going to miss…these toothless grins!

We are celebrating…Joey’s 2nd place prize in the story writing contest, hosted by Rainbow Resource!  William was so disappointed that he did not place in the contest, but he’s more determined than ever to practice all year so that next year he can try again.  Either way, they both had their book “published” on Lulu Jr. so we have these gorgeous books to remember the occasion with!  Here’s a little peek at the outside of both books and the inside of Joey’s book…

I am reading…Abandonment to Divine Providence (again…apparently I need to review this topic often) and Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella…hilarious….seriously, so hilarious!

One of my favorite things…Joseph.  He had his picture published in the paper a few weeks ago and was so excited to imagine himself famous (which was later confirmed, in his mind, when a gentleman approached us at church exclaiming that he’d seen us in the paper!).  When the lady from the book contest called to tell me that she’d be calling later in the day to surprise him, I mentioned to Joseph that someone was going to call him later that day.  He asked me who and since I couldn’t say, I very vaguely said, “Oh I’m not sure.  Just someone who wants to talk to you.”  Instantly, he looked at William and said (without a hint of pride…it was so matter-of-fact), “Oh someone must have seen my picture in the paper and would like to speak with me.”

A peek into my day…

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

Outside my window…it’s blue skies and breezy.  There’s something magical about my backyard.  It isn’t the size of my yard.  Or the view.  It’s the shade and the breeze.  There’s always a nice, cool breeze.  Really.  The heat index is always in the upper 90s these days, yet we’re able to spend a huge chunk of our day outdoors.  Nobody’s sweating profusely.  Nobody’s complaining.  It’s really beautiful.  I am so very grateful.

I am remembering…last Sunday’s trip out to the University.  To think that this whole thing started out there 13 years ago in a tax accounting class…

I am listening..to the wind rustle the leaves and Katie scream, as she tries to avoid every boy in this yard.

I am wondering…why it is so hard to keep these tiny little area picked up.  It looks nice now.  Give it 5 minutes.  Ha, who am I kidding?  Give it 1 minute.

I am going…to have to decide soon where I go next on this fitness journey.  I’m over halfway through my 21 Day Fix (and loving it!).  I have so many little cheerleaders!  Plus Dax decided to join me, so there’s some extra accountability there (in addition to the awesome Facebook group led by my team beachbody coach, Cecilia McTague).  So much encouragement, accountability and inspiration!

I am thankful…for Sculpey clay.  I have a terrible confession to make.  Every week, for the past eight years, I have packed the Mass bag with coloring books and crayons, lacing cards and books for the little kids, but I still spent half of Mass trying to keep them entertained.  Until recently.  I discovered that the absolute best thing for the Mass bag is a few little balls of Sculpey clay.  It keeps little hands busy throughout the entire Mass.  It doesn’t require so much concentration that they’re not listening.  It doesn’t crumble or stick to anything.  Really, it’s quite brilliant.

In the schoolroom…We just finished reading Macbeth (have I mentioned how much we adore Bruce Colville’s adaptations and, of course, we love Edith Nesbit’s adaptations, as well) and thanks to the suggestion in The Story of the World Activity book, we made the witches’ brew…next time I think I’ll replace a few more things with fruits…it felt like I served up a serious serving of sugar to the kids.

Around the house…trying to keep all those school books organized.  Pretty soon we’re going to be like the family in the book The Children who Loved Books…the books are going to take over our house!  We’ve already taken two loads to Half Price this summer, but as the number of readers increases and they each develop their own tastes, our book collection just keeps growing.

In the refrigerator…finishing up Grandma Nury’s jar of pesto, Andrew’s Paleo brownies and a bowl of homemade coleslaw.

I am wearing…olive green shorts and a coral Land’s End decorative tank top.

We are preparing to celebrate…Daxson’s birthday.  He’s not much fun to shop for these days…his list is coffee and whiskey.

Someday I am going to miss…being asked to hold her hand while she scoots along on her scooter.

I am reading…The Goldfinch.  Desperately trying to get to the end before the book club meeting, but it seems like this book just keeps growing.

One of my favorite things…bike rides with the kids.  Since Katie can still ride on the front of mine and Andrew can keep up better these days, we can actually go at a normal pace.

A peek into my day…

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

Outside my window…it is sunny and hot, but breezy.  One kid is flapping around in the pool, one is concocting sand creations and the other two are hopping around in the shade.

I am remembering…date night with Joey a few nights ago.  He was so thrilled to be out with just Daxson and me.  Unfortunately, his eyes were bigger than his stomach and after eating every.single.course at PF Changs, he learned that we might just be right about all things in moderation.  He’s already vowed to eat less next time we go out (as in skip the soup, appetizer and dessert or maybe just skip the dinner portion).

I am listening…to the buzz of the neighbor’s weed whacker and the birds chirping.  Seriously.  These kids are strangely quiet…each in his own little world.  I’m not complaining because give it five minutes and this backyard will be full of little voices competing for attention.

I am wondering…how people with big families do it…it literally took us three weeks to get through a summer cold!  I can’t imagine if there had been another kid or two!

I am going…crazy trying to make some decisions about curriculum and book choices for this next year.  Usually by this point everything is ordered and ready for the new year.  I’ve been debating about MCT, Homeschool in the Woods’ timeline and IEW’s PAL.  Last night I finally made a final decision about MCT and the Homeschool in the Woods’ timeline package.  We’re going to try them both.  Still debating IEW’s PAL.

I am pondering…Elizabeth’s words…”Sometimes — often, really — our children teach us our most important lessons. I think maybe that’s the way it’s supposed to be; the most important lessons and the hardest ones for us to master are the ones that they grasp before we do. And so they lead us by their examples, and we find ourselves someplace better.”

I am thankful…for such a fun visit with our dear friends…a trip to the Botanical Gardens, an afternoon of goop and toe paint and Jen’s birthday…a multitude of reasons to celebrate!

In the schoolroom…summer plans are keeping us busy…daily math and reading, our tinkerlab, poetry tea time and the Renaissance.  Our minds are being filled to the brim!  Joseph and William are also preparing their stories for the big story contest (both are convinced that their stories are first prize worthy…we will see!).

Around the house…beds are changed, floors are scrubbed, laundry is done.  Until tomorrow.

In the refrigerator…Joseph has been cooking breakfast and bread, so we’ve got leftover squash rolls and berry muffins.

I am wearing…black shorts and a black and white striped polo…wait, I just looked and I think this polo is navy blue and white striped…so much for matching my shorts to my shirt…perhaps getting dressed in the dark should not be part of the plan.

We are preparing for…a weekend in Austin…hoping for lots of swimming and playtime with Alex.

Someday I am going to miss…hearing the question “why?”…all.day.long.

I am reading…The Goldfinch for book club and Consider This for my own summer education (and I really do find myself considering!).

One of my favorite things…Sundays.

A peek into my day…

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

Outside my window…it is cloudy and breezy.  Thankful the rain has passed.  Praying for the Wimberley flood victims and their families.

I am remembering…Katie’s little voice calling out, “Look boys!  Look boys!” after almost every meal.  She hops down from the counter, runs to the couch, assumes this position and enthusiastically calls, “Look boys!” until everyone oohs and aahs over her accomplishment (and sometimes they join in!).

I am listening…to the whir of this spray bottle fan as Katie squirts my leg.  Again.  And again.  And again.

I am wondering…what in the world is so fascinating about whoopee cushions.  Seriously.

I am going…to try to make some final decisions about curriculum for next year…I’ve been dragging my feet for quite awhile.  It’s time to decide.

I am pondering…this blog post and wondering how often I allow Satan to steal my motherhood.

I am thankful…for Sculpey clay on rainy days…I have no idea what their creations are meant to be, but they’re happy and it kept them busy for a long time.

In the schoolroom…this is our week off, so aside from reading, we’re vegging.  Our idea of vegging?  Lots of outdoor playtime, splashing in the pool, building with k’nex, and lots of family board game time (the boys’ current favorite? Clue!).  Last week we spent the week with Five in a Row’s Papa Piccolo.  I tend to forget how much we love FIAR!

Around the house…wrapping gifts and trying to get through my to-do list before the week is over.

In the refrigerator…just finished up an apple pie (made by Joseph!) and looking forward to some cookies that William is planning to bake.

I am wearing…a jean skirt and a Glenn Beck Merit t-shirt.

We are preparing to celebrate…lots and lots of birthdays, starting with Katie’s this weekend.

Someday I am going to miss…these sweet little hands on my face as she leans nose to nose with me to whisper, “Milk, Mommy, milk.”

I am reading…just refreshing my memory on Deconstructing Penguins as I prepare for our first Book Club Detectives meeting!

One of my favorite things…whipped cream covered faces.

A peek into my day…

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

Outside my window…Katie is experimenting with a hand kite.  It’s windy enough these days…she doesn’t even have to move to get it flying!

I am remembering…my conversation with Joseph this weekend.  He and the other boys were “digging a hole to the other side of the world.”  I said, “You know it’s going to get really hot as you approach the center of the Earth, right?”  He replied, “That’s why we’re going to get a fireproof submarine.”  Right.  Of course, why didn’t I think of that?

I am listening…to Mark Levin’s Liberty and Tyranny on my iPod.

I am pondering…the difference between boys and girls.  I am quite certain I never did this with my dolls.

I am wondering…if it’s just me and my HEB or if anyone else has noticed that the apples this spring have absolutely no flavor.

I am reflecting…on what’s going on in Iraq with ISIS and I am deeply affected by the idea that those mothers sometimes have to choose which children to save.  It makes my heart ache.

I am going…to really have to rethink gift giving around here…if chopstick men are so highly entertaining, why oh why do I keep spending so much on fancy toys?

I am thankful…for all the little helpers I have.  Although today I asked Katie if she wanted to unload the silverware (meaning unload the clean silverware and put it into the drawer).  She said yes, so I pulled up a stool and said, “here you go!”  I came back a few minutes later to discover she had unloaded the clean silverware from the drawer…and loaded it into the dishwasher!

Around the house…trying to finish up an ABC scrapbook for Katie’s birthday.

In the refrigerator…homemade coleslaw, but apparently it’s been too long since I’ve made it…it just doesn’t taste the same as usual…guessing I forgot something.

I am wearing…a black skirt and a blue Land’s End tank top.

I am creating…lists upon lists for next year.

We are preparing to celebrate…lots of birthdays.  Katie’s is May 31.  Joseph’s is 11 days later.  Then Andrew’s is 11 days after that.

Someday I am going to miss…this kid’s imagination.  Here he was Robin Hood…IN DISGUISE.

I am reading…Liberty and Tyranny by Mark Levin for book club, Elizabeth Pantley’s No Cry Discipline Solution and Three Weeks in Paris by Barbara Taylor Bradford just for fun.

One of my favorite things…art in the backyard where I don’t have to worry about cleaning up.

A peek into my day…

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

Outside my window…the broken tree has been removed and our backyard is back to normal.  Last week, the wind managed to destroy the tree that gives us so much summer shade.

I am remembering…this…I told the boys to strike a pose.  They did.

I am listening…to the workshops over at the Read-Aloud Revival member area.

I am wondering…if all kids take the destruction of the pinata as seriously as these kids (my favorite is the one of Walker!)…just check out those expressions!

I am going…to engrave Ephesians 4:32 on the walls of my house.  Not really, but I am certainly trying my best to engrave the words on the walls of my children’s hearts.  Seriously, these boys have such a lack of empathy.

I am thankful…to have found Bart amidst the air show crowd.  While we did not get to see a single plane fly, seeing Bart made the whole trek worth it!

In the refrigerator…lots and lots of berries…tis the season!

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

I am creating…a parent/child book club mirrored after Heidi Scovel’s and based on the book Deconstructing Penguins.  It’s going to be exciting.  Joseph overheard me reading the email I sent out and exclaimed, “That sounds like fun!  I wish we could join!”  Now it’s just a matter of working out the last few details.

We just celebrated…William’s 6th birthday.  We had a pinata with the usual crowd over here the day before his birthday.

On his birthday, we started the day with gifts from the brothers.

Then we headed to Austin to celebrate with family there.

There were cupcakes (baked by Auntie Leslie!) and gifts.  A candle was lit and a wish was made.

The boys learned to play chess and had plenty of WiiU time.

Katie discovered the joy of helium balloons.

The next day Granny and Pappy took William to get him outfitted as a Texan (because of course you’re not a real Texan til you have the boots and hat to prove it!).

I am reading…Miracles and Massacres by Glenn Beck and The Story of the Von Trapp Family Singers on my Kindle (I am LOVING this story!).  I have a book list in my notebook and I am just itching to get through all the books on it!

One of my favorite things…a walk amongst the wildflowers.

A peek into my day…

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

Outside my window…it is so windy.  All those plants I planted a few weeks ago…well, let’s just hope they survive this wind.

I am remembering…Easter morning at Grandma Nury and Grandpa Larry’s…a delicious breakfast, followed by a money egg hunt and confetti eggs…lots of smiling faces.  Happy Easter!

I am listening…to the sound of running water (perfect…considering the name of this blog!)…but for once it’s not me running water…Daxson’s washing an apple.

I am thinking…about my favorite bible verse.  Phil 4:6-7, but this morning rather than reflecting on the first half, which is usually my focus, I’m finding such peace in the second half…”and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”  Mmm, guard my heart and mind.  I like that.

I am going…to try to make it through the rest of my to-do list for the week…it’s our week off and I may have been a bit overzealous in making plans.

I am thankful…for time spent with Stephanie and Juancho.

Around the house…loads of laundry, bills to pay, and planning to be done.

In the refrigerator…finishing off the lamb cake (it’s amazing how long it takes this family to finish off a cake…with six of us, you’d think it would be long gone by now, but there’s still half left!), munching on plantains, and devouring strawberries (that were on sale for $1) like it’s nobody’s business.

I am wearing…gray checkered shorts and a salmon tank top.

I am creating…lots of random lists and ideas for next year.  Nothing inspiring yet.  Nothing written in stone.

We are preparing to celebrate…William’s birthday.

Someday I am going to miss…confetti egg wars (and the mess that goes along with them).

I am reading…Miracles and Massacres by Glenn Beck for book club and The Story of the Trapp Family Singers on my Kindle.

One of my favorite things…Saturday mornings when Daxson fixes french toast.  (It’s one of the kids’ favorites, too!)

A peek into my day…

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