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.

Outside my window…you’ll find me.  We’re playing outside.  Looking in my window right now is pure pleasure.  We cleaned up every toy, every misplaced item.  I almost hesitate to take the kids inside.  I know the order is short-lived.

I am thinking…it is so easy to get caught up in my own little bubble over here, to forget that there’s a big world out there where life is moving along for everyone.  A nice long chat with a cousin in Maine this morning reminded me that life is happening, dear loved ones are growing older despite my tendency to keep everything stagnant in my mind.

I am remembering…Andrew’s reaction when Daxson walked out of his office a few days ago.  Andrew had just woken up from his nap and was out of sorts, crying, when he heard Daxson’s office door open.  Instantly he stopped crying, popped his little head up, and opened his eyes wide.  As soon as he saw Daxson, he clambered down from the couch and rushed to the window, exclaiming, “Da! Da! Daaaa!”

I am thankful…for well-behaved children at the grocery store this morning.

In the refrigerator…a peanut butter and pickle sandwich (because that’s what I crave at 10:00 at night) and lots of Thanksgiving food to prepare.

I am wearing…black pants and a pink t-shirt.  I’m not quite ready to pull out the maternity clothes, but I’m finding few things left that fit.

I am creating…beeswax candles with Joseph and William at William’s insistence.  He has such fond memories of making beeswax candles last year when we went to the Honeybee convention and luckily I had a beeswax candle kit in the closet.  A perfect craft for a fall day.

I am going…to get busy with my Christmas shopping soon.  I always try to finish all the gift shopping before Advent begins…it certainly makes for a much more focused Advent.

I am inspired…by Elizabeth Foss’ Advent and Christmas plans in Real Learning and I finally plan to follow the plans this year.

I am reading…sadly, nothing in print.  I’m early to bed and early to rise and in my few spare moments, I’m poring over electric cooktop reviews and double oven recommendations.  Feel free to add your thoughts in a comment.

On my iPod…I honestly don’t know right now.  The last walk I took was before the morning sickness hit and that was the end of September.  Hopefully soon my energy will return.

I am looking forward to…Thanksgiving.

In our learning room…this week we will follow Five in a Row’s plans for Cranberry Thanksgiving (we have an old used copy, but I just noticed it must be back in print, because Amazon is offering it new)…one of our favorite Thanksgiving books.

Around the house…winter clothes are all pulled out, washed, and organized.  It always seems like such a huge task to sort clothes.  I’d love to hear how you store and sort your little ones’ seasonal clothing.

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…for America, for our leaders, for our liberties and for a sweet little five year old who is currently in Houston at the children’s hospital, still fighting for his life and for his mama and the pain she must feel each day as she holds his tiny hand.

One of my favorite things…crisp Autumn days and mulled apple cider.

A peek into my day…

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

Outside my window…three little boys are being chased by Daddy.  There’s lots of squealing and screaming, but those smiles stretch from ear to ear.

I am thinking…if I just let Him, He does a great job guiding my life.

I am remembering…our grand adventure and the priceless memories made last weekend with Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Gary, Auntie Leslie, Uncle Dustin, and Alex at A Day Out with Thomas.

I am thankful…for new life growing inside of me.

In the refrigerator…Grandma Nury’s cooking…I am so thankful for Grandma Nury and all of her delicious food.  I’m afraid we’d be eating cereal and only cereal right now if left up to me.  These days just the thought of food is enough to do me in.

I am wearing…gray shorts and a pink and white striped tank top.

I am creating…a pile of books I want to read this fall…now if only I could stay awake past 8:30.

I am going…to download pictures to Shutterfly soon.  I’m long overdue.

I am wondering…if I will ever feel caught up on all the things that need to be done.

I am reading…This Country of Ours by H.E. Marshall, one of many books on my shelf that I’d like to preview before reading to the boys.

On my iPod…Glenn Beck’s radio show.

I am looking forward to…the Vice Presidential Debate.

Around the house…we’re schooling.  We’re playing.  The big boys are taking good care of this mama.

I am pondering…the idea of motherhood as a form of idolatry and I am praying that I have not lost perspective…it’s so easy to make motherhood an idol.

I am praying…The Memorare, mostly because it’s just so comforting.

A favorite quote for today…”Yes, there are days when we have to encourage them to conquer the slides of life without our help. But there are also moments when we are God’s gift and his provision, his hands and feet for these little ones – protecting, training, guiding, clothing, rocking, feeding, sliding.” Katy Rose…read the rest of Katy’s story at the MomHeart blog.

One of my favorite things…cold honeydew.

A peek into my day…

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