For Today

Outside my window... The sun is blazing on the field covered in snow. It is 10 degrees below zero.

I am thinking... Life is so precious and so short. I wish we were born already knowing the important things, so we could live it right from the very start.

From the learning rooms... The letter "q," pronouns and 5 sentence paragraphs, and studying the amazing qualities of seeds, that hold the plan for life in a tiny little germ.

I am thankful for... every moment I get to spend with Paul before he leaves again.

From the kitchen... we are having Thanksgiving early so we can enjoy it before Paul leaves. Today my kitchen will be overflowing with pies and sweet potatoes and a big, fat turkey.

I am wearing... blue running pants, black t-shirt, red hoodie

I am reading...Madea's Guide to Life.

I am hoping... that all goes well while Paul is in Wisconsin, that it is a time of mending and rebuilding relationships.

I am praying... for patience and strength, for the decision makers in Washington, and for God to be with my husband in everything he does.

Around the house... I went ahead and hung my Christmas curtains and tied them back with festive red ribbons, and put out my advent candles. I'm getting excited for Christmas, and just couldn't hold myself back.

One of my favorite things... those days when I get more done than I ever thought possible, and I can go to bed proud. Lord, please make today one of those days.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Thanksgiving early so the kids could enjoy the feast day with their daddy. Then pack the man up and send him off for a 10-day trip (a week with his kids in Wisconsin, then 3 days in D.C.).

For Today

Outside my window... Well, since I'm writing this at almost 2 in the morning, it is black night outside my window, and already 8 degrees below zero. My world is covered in snow now.

I am thinking... about how nice our weekend has been, and especially these last quiet hours before we start another week. Andrew turned 10 this week, and I've been reflecting too on everything that has happened over the last ten years.

I am thankful for... our cozy house, healthy children, and all of the good that has come out of years of struggle.

From the kitchen... getting started on Christmas cookies; I'm working on making dough ahead of time, and freezing it to be used later.

I am wearing...a blue Cincinnati Bearcats sweatshirt from my Grandmother, and stripey pajama pants.

I am hoping... to accomplish everything I need to next week.

I am praying... for patience and focus. It's soo easy to get sidetracked by little things, and to get frustrated over the sidetracking.

I am listening to...The Wire, season 3; I don't really watch it, but Paul does, so I get to listen and try to occupy myself otherwise.

Around the house... Yay! We got our new garage door this week! We also emptied out a lot of the junk we have collected! I love decluttering and simplifying. Unfilled space makes me feel richer than anything.

One of my favorite things... Staying up into the wee sma' hours with my husband.

A few plans for the rest of the week... besides the usual lessons (the girls are already up to learning the small letter o, and we're getting excited about learning to read soon; Andrew is studying about the Athabascan culture as part of his social studies unit on the history of our area), we are planning to have an early Thanksgiving dinner this Friday. We'll be sending Paul off to Wisconsin to visit his big girls next weekend, and then it'll be December before we see him again.

Sorry I've stayed away so long--I had some sort of glitch that wouldn't let me log into my blogger account.