Outside my window…it’s absolutely beautiful.  Clear skies, lots of sunshine, and little boys running wild.  Absolutely beautiful.

I am thinking…chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers…whoever came up with that combination was brilliant!  Here are Joseph and William enjoying their first campfire and s’mores.  As for their first campout…well, that lasted until 9:30, when both boys were still wide awake.  William was convinced, absolutely convinced, that a bear was going to get him in his sleep.  In our backyard.

I am remembering…our visit to the pumpkin patch a few weeks ago.

I am thankful…for an afternoon this week with one of my favorite people, Ms. B.  There are people who inspire us just by being.  They just exude joy and gratitude and inspiration.  Ms. B is one of those people.

In the refrigerator…all the ingredients to make some stuffed red peppers.  I’m winging this one…I don’t do that often (I’m a dedicated recipe follower), but I’m imagining what I want them to taste like.  Let’s see if I can make them taste that way.

I am wearing…gray shorts and a blue shirt.  It’s November and it was high 70s today.  Sometimes I wish I lived somewhere with four seasons, but then I remember that we get to play outside comfortably all year round…I stopped wishing.

I am creating…a grocery list.

I am going…to have to take Joseph shopping soon.  He’s outgrown all of his pants.  Again.

I am inspired…by all the people on facebook who are taking the time this month to name all the things they are thankful for.  I think I need to re-visit the idea of One Thousand Gifts and the task of keeping a list of those things I’m grateful for.

I am reading…Killing Lincoln by Bill O’Reilly.  I don’t usually read history books because most are pretty dry and put me to sleep, but this one has me on the edge of my seat.

On my iPod…Simply Charlotte Mason’s Reaching Past the Fear

I am looking forward to…stress free holidays (do those exist?)

In our learning room…finally opened up our lab set and did an experiment.

Around the house…trying to sort clothes to pull out the cold weather clothing (although this could be in vain since I’m wondering if cold weather is ever really coming this year).  Really, someone out there must have a better organization system for organizing kids clothing.  It’s a huge task to get out each season’s clothes.  Please share your method with me!

I am pondering…silence.

I am praying…for Mom’s recovery and our little friend, Levi, and his mama.

One of my favorite things…board games (I know this picture is a little blurry, but I had to share because if you look hard, you can see Katie is holding a card, too!)

A peek into my day…

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Outside my window…night has fallen.  The temperatures have not.  Seriously.  Where. is. fall???

I am thinking…this video is great!  It definitely captures life with boys.

I am thankful…the simple things keep these boys happy.  Tonight it was paper airplanes…such squeals of delight.

In the refrigerator…The Pioneer Woman’s Sunday Night Stew…yep, I know it’s only Thursday, but I just couldn’t wait.  (an added bonus…it’s a gluten free and easily adapted to being an allergen free recipe!)

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

I am creating…a grocery list.  That’s the extent of my creativity these days.

I am inspired…by this story and this one, too, and I am loving the thoughts shared here.

I am reading…The 10 Habits of Happy Mothers by Meg Meeker.  I’m on habit #4.  Still reflecting on habit #1.

On my iPod…where is my iPod?  Time to add some fresh encouragement to it…any suggestions?

I am looking forward to…a visit with my little animal loving nephew soon. 

In our learning room…we are studying insects so I figured what better way to study them than to have some live ones to watch.  This thing is awesome!  Everyone is completely captivated by it (including Daxson).

I am pondering…control and faith and the thin line between the two.

I am praying…for Mom and a speedy recovery.

One of my favorite things…all of us in one picture…and all of us looking at the camera.

A peek into my day…

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Outside my window…the rain is still falling.  I love the sound of it.

I am thinking…I can’t get enough of dresses and bloomers and hair bows…who knew little girls could be so fun to dress?

I am remembering…Joseph’s surprise tonight when his tooth fell out.  He claims the tooth fairy pays $2 per tooth.  Really?

I am thankful…for all the rain.  It’s been awhile.

In the refrigerator…a gluten free berry cobbler and some chicken, cooked and diced, ready to be added to my pot of chicken tortilla soup.

I am wearing…a green sleeveless top and a black skirt (that my very talented sister-in-law just whipped together for me).

I am creating…nothing.  I find myself too busy to create lately…soon, though, soon.  First in my mind…that beaded scarf I’ve been wanting to knit.

I am going…to finally have to do some shopping for this sweet little girl!

I am inspired…by every mom I meet.  We are all superheroes.

I am reading…The 10 Habits of Happy Mothers by Meg Meeker.

On my iPod…Simply Charlotte Mason’s Language Arts the Charlotte Mason Way

I am looking forward to…some fall weather. 

In our learning room…we are loving all of our curriculum this year.  One of the highlights is definitely Classically Catholic Memory.  We get together with Jessica, Walker and Gavin every two weeks to introduce the new material.  I am amazed at how well they’re learning (and retaining) all the memory work!

Around the house…laundry, as usual.

I am pondering…suffering.  I am eager to hear about Kirk Cameron’s new movie, Unstoppable.  Do you have tickets to see it?

I am praying…for our little friend, Levi, and his mama.

One of my favorite things…reading to my kids (especially when they are all quiet and listening at the same time).

A peek into my day…

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

Outside my window…it’s sunny, beautiful, but so very hot.

I am thinking…I’m losing my touch at multi-tasking.  Case in point…I was just thinking of my to-do list while taking a shower and when I turned off the water, I realized that I had no idea what I had washed…turned back on the water and took another shower and realized that if I can’t even think while doing something, I might not want to try actual multi-tasking right now…hoping my brain returns soon.

I am remembering…Andrew’s response lately when he’s told to do something…”No problem, Mom, no problem.”

I am thankful…that I actually filled out so much in both Joseph and William’s baby books…now to start Andrew and Katie’s books…oh and to update Joseph and William’s…

In the kitchen…freshly baked chocolate chip cookies…dairy, egg, and soy free again…we’ve walked this path many times.

I am wearing…jean shorts and a pink v-neck t-shirt.  Tomorrow I’m going to make an effort to remember jewelry and a little lip gloss…crazy, I know!

I am creating…plans for this next school year and having so much fun doing it…our science and history plans are awesome!

I am going…to make my grocery list tonight and I plan to pull my Taste of Home Slow Cooker book out to help with the menu planning because nothing beats cooking in the crock pot!

I am reading…Savannah Blues by Mary Kay Andrews, while waiting for my first book club book to arrive so I can get started on it.

On my iPod…the same old stuff…Mother Culture by Karen Andreola, Childlight conference talks, Family Life Center CDs…inspiration to keep going each day.

In our learning room…Presidents and more presidents…and more presidents.  When we went to Barnes & Noble this weekend, bet you can’t guess what book Joseph chose…yep, a new presidents book.  I’m your lifeline if the million dollar question ever involves presidents.

Around the house…ooh, I can finally do a little cleaning.  It’ll take some major restraint from doing it all.

I am pondering…Jeremiah 29:11-14 and finding such comfort and joy in these words…“For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope.  When you call me, when you go to pray to me, I will listen to you.  When you look for me, you will find me.  Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, you will find me with you, says the Lord…”

I am praying…with St. Paul.  “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, through prayer and thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.”  Such words of comfort.

One of my favorite things…big brother singing to the sweet baby girl.

A peek into my day…

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Outside my window…it’s sunny, beautiful, and hot.  Oh how I wish we had a pool.

I am remembering…a beautiful baptism.

One of my favorite things…little girls with bows!

I am thankful…for the big trees in our backyard and the shade they provide…I think I might have already said that, but really…how would I survive a Texas summer without them?

I am thinking…of dinner yesterday.  We had just finished eating and we turned on our History Channel Presidents documentary.  We watched the section on Franklin Pierce and how he lost 3 sons, including one that he saw die in a train accident.  It was said that his wife died soon after and then Pierce spent the remainder of his days after the Presidency drinking.  Joseph looked up and said, “Well at least we won’t have to worry about that with James Buchanan…he wasn’t married, so he didn’t have any problems.”  Oh dear, is that what he really thinks of marriage and wives?

In the kitchen…today was Waffle Wednesday, so fresh waffles and berry syrup.  Mmmm!

I am wearing…olive green shorts and a striped v-neck t-shirt.  I don’t match.  As usual.

I am creating…a list of things to do.

I am going…to hang all my diapers out to dry soon.  They are in desperate need of some sun bleaching.

I am reading…Hold on to Your Kids.

On my iPod…Nicholas Sparks’ The Best of Me

In our learning room…Presidents and birds.  Plus all those fun summer plans that I labored over during the spring…literacy centers, math centers, and lots of reading.

Around the house…catching up on laundry.

I am pondering…this thought from Susan Macaulay…”Look well at the child on your knee.  In whatever condition you find him, look with reverence.  We can only love and serve him and be his friend.  We cannot own him.  He is not ours.”  For the Children’s Sake

I am praying…for grace in parenting.

One of my favorite things…listening to Andrew said, “K, coming!”

A peek into my day…

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

Outside my window…it’s sunny and beautiful, but incredibly hot.  Daxson just pointed out that it’s not officially even summer yet…guess it’s going to be a hot one.  At least we had a beautiful and mild spring!

I am remembering…Joseph’s excitement on his birthday when he discovered Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Gary got him a bike…a real bike.

I am thankful…for big trees and lots of shade.  Couldn’t make it through a Texas summer without them.

In the refrigerator…fresh berries.  I just adore summer and all the fruit that the season brings.

I am wearing…a striped shirt and black capris.  I’ll be so happy when I can put the maternity clothes away!

I am creating…Katie’s announcements.

I am going…nowhere these days and loving it.  I actually like the “no driving” restriction that always follows my babies’ births.

I am inspired…to plant sunflowers.

I am reading…Hold on to Your Kids by Gordon Neufeld and Gabor Mate.

On my iPod…The Sundays.

I am looking forward to…Katie’s baptism and Andrew’s birthday.

In our learning room…Presidents and birds.  Plus this week we’re adding in all those fun summer plans that I labored over during the spring…literacy centers, math centers, and lots of reading.

Around the house…just a little here and a little there…Daxson’s still pulling most of the weight around here, but at least I’m a little more helpful than I was last week!

I am pondering…monotony.

I am praying…to find grace in the midst of chaos.

One of my favorite things…big brothers eager to hold baby sister.

A peek into my day…

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

Outside my window…it is sunny and beautiful.  The weather channel says the heat index is 98 but with the shade and the breeze, it feels delightful.  Katie and I have been trying to spend a little time outdoors with the boys each day and just like her brothers, she is loving the warm air.

I am thinking…these days pass too quickly.

I am remembering…6 years ago…I was bringing home another sweet baby.

I am thankful…for my husband.

In the refrigerator…not much.  We are at Grandma Nury’s mercy these days since I’m on bedrest.  I am so thankful for Nury’s delicious cooking!

I am wearing…knit pants and a pink v-neck t-shirt.

I am creating…2013-2014 school plans.

I am going…a little stir crazy.  Bedrest with three active boys is not an easy feat.

I am inspired…to blog again…these days pass so quickly and I wish I could record it all.

I am reading…Karen Andreola’s Pocketful of Pinecones.

On my iPod…Mother Culture by Karen Andreola…finding so much encouragement in her words.

I am looking forward to…a routine once again.  I just dread chaos.

In our learning room…we are spending the summer studying the presidents and birds.  I’ll post detailed plans soon because we are having a lot of fun!

I am praying…The Divine Mercy chaplet with Trish Short.

One of my favorite things…big brothers meeting baby sister for the first time.

A peek into my day…

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

Outside my window…I can hear three little boys squeal with delight as they toss water balloons through the air.  There are some good things about living so far south…one of those things is that water fun begins early for us.

I am thinking…my to-do list continues to grow.

I am thankful…for simplicity.  Our egg hunt was simply eggs with birdseed, confetti eggs, and a few eggs each with a hershey kiss inside.  Three very happy boys.

In the refrigerator…the tea is cooling until it’s time to add the strawberries and lemonade; the dressing is made for the blackberry salad; the lamb cake (which looks eerily like Marley, the dog) is half eaten.

I am wearing…a hot pink shirt (it’s the only one Target had in my size) and jean shorts.

I am creating…next year’s curriculum…it’s going to be a fun year!

I am going…to try to blog about our Lent and Holy Week sometime soon.

I am inspired…to get things done.  I have 8 1/2 weeks (if even) before this little one arrives and about a million things to do.  I did get the school room closet organized this weekend…here’s a peek.  I should have included a before picture…you’d be much more impressed.  Go ahead…ask me where something is.  I actually know!

I am reading…Ray Guarendi’s Discipline that Lasts a Lifetime.

On my iPod…Scott Hahn’s Salvation History.

In our learning room…finishing up our school year with Five in a Row amongst other beautiful things.

Around the house…laundry, organizing, cleaning.

I am praying…the Hail Mary often.

A peek into my day…

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

Outside my window…it is dark and rainy.

I am thinking…my to-do list continues to grow, despite my efforts to cross things off.

I am remembering…William’s sweet little voice tonight as he sang Hail Mary to me because “even mommies should have someone to sing them to sleep.”

I am thankful…Andrew finally took a nap today.

In the refrigerator…salmon patties.  Really, I can’t figure out why these are such a hit around here, but they are.

I am wearing…maternity clothes…finally dug them out.

I am creating…a routine once again.

I am going…to be buried under 1099s and taxes for the next few days.

I am inspired…by Ann Voskamp’s day planner…I haven’t actually filled one out yet, but I did manage to print some and have them sitting near my school planning.  Perhaps next week will be my week to get back to planning.

I am reading…a cheese shop mystery and browsing my shelves for a good parenting book to re-read.  What’s beside your bed right now?

On my iPod…nothing, but I plan to fill it back up soon…any good suggestions?

I am looking forward to…finding out whether this new little one will be dressed in blue or pink…and ending Joseph and William’s argument about which gender God has decided we need (Joseph believes it’ll be a girl, “God knows we need a girl because we don’t have any so I’m sure that’s what He’ll send” while William is adamant that God is sending a boy, “God better send a boy…or else.”)

In our learning room…I am loving that we can get started even earlier than we used to…now the kids can work on some of their independent work while I make breakfast…

Around the house…laundry, laundry, laundry.

I am pondering…William and the questions he comes up with…(after listening to me sing “Rock a Bye Baby”) “Mommy, what happened to the baby?  Did the mommy catch him?  Did the baby fall on the mommy in her chair?  Mommy, people don’t really hang their baby’s cradles in trees, do they?”

I am praying…with Joseph “for all the little boys and girls everywhere, especially the ones who don’t have what we have, like a bed to sleep in, a mommy and daddy to snuggle, and food to eat.”

One of my favorite things…watching Roo nod yes when asked a question.

A peek into my day…painting 101 with Daddy.

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

Outside my window…it’s crisp and cool, but the forecast says we’ll be back in the 80’s by the end of the week.

I am thinking…a little cardboard, some chalk and duct tape set the stage for an afternoon of fun.

I am remembering…my date with Daxson last night at a wonderful little restaurant.  Dinner without interruptions…I didn’t have to remind a single person to eat nor did I have to get up even once to refill a drink.  A wonderful meal…that I didn’t have to cook nor did I have to clean the dishes.  A conversation with Daxson, a relaxing meal, delicious food.  Seriously, who would’ve thought that two hours could be so priceless?

I am thankful…for a lovely visit with Mom.

In the refrigerator…pumpkin pie and some delicious chocolates I picked up from a local chocolate shop.  Sure hope Santa will add some of those chocolates under the tree.

I am wearing…a long sleeve gray t-shirt and corduroys.  Really need to pull out those maternity clothes soon…think everyone is tired of seeing me in cords, but that’s about all that fits these days.

I am creating…Advent plans.  Right now they’re all in my head, but I plan to get them on paper this weekend…and I’ll make my best effort to share.

I am going…to finish up my Christmas shopping this week.  Just have Daxson left to shop for and that’s just a matter of picking up a few gift certificates.  Feels so good to have it all done so now I can focus just on Advent and the opportunity to prepare for the coming of Christ.  Elizabeth Foss shares her thoughts about shopping over here.

I am inspired…to shed some materialistic goods around here…as much as I can before the toys begin arriving for Christmas.

I am reading…Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25.  I am seriously hooked, can’t seem to put it down.

On my iPod…Hail Mary, Gentle Woman by Angelina.  Soon I’ll download some Christmas music…it’s time.

I am looking forward to…reading Mitten Strings for God by Katrina Kenison.  My yearly Advent reflection.

In our learning room…catching up on quite a few things…from science lessons to social opportunities.  We’re long overdue.

Around the house…we’re almost finished decorating…still need to hang our stockings.  Not sure why we went through so much trouble when renovations are about to begin and I’m sure a nice layer of dust is going to cover everything, but right now we’re all enjoying the sights and sounds of the season.

I am pondering…how to encourage and cultivate a love for our Lord in young children.

I am praying…for our little friend in Houston at the children’s hospital as he continues a good fight and his family, especially during this holiday season.

One of my favorite things…laughter.

A peek into my day…

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