For Today

Outside my window... It's a roasting 82 degrees in my backyard. The children are all either soaking in the pool, or dumping buckets of ice cold water on each other!

I am thinking... Summer in Alaska is what keeps me from leaving. The gorgeous blue skies, the heat, the fresh air...aah, life is good.

From the learning rooms... The kids' sponsor teacher came today to look at the work we've done. Everybody had fun showing off, and we're ready to move on to the next grade levels now.

I am thankful for... butter.

From the kitchen... I'm sizzling some steak in butter and Tuscan seasoning, planning to make some yummy wraps for the kids and a nice juicy slice of steak for me and Paul.

I am wearing... Khaki cargo shorts and a turquoise-and-brown patterned, sleeveless top Tracy helped me pick out.

I am hoping... Paul will come home soon, even though he said he might be working late tonight.

I am creating... nothing. Hobbies are still piled as I work on Flylady's cleaning plan. Organization, here I come!

I am praying... That this blessed time will last forever.

Around the house... Paul found a couch and loveseat set on sale this weekend. I have been living with a very old, very beaten up hand-me down couch for so long...It is so wonderful to have some decent furniture.

One of my favorite things... the smell of anything cooking in butter.

A few plans for the rest of the week... enjoy the sunshine as much as possible, continue organizing and catching up on things that have been pushed to the back burner.

For Today

Outside my window... Faint white clouds are dusting over the pale blue sky. Grandma's out in the yard with all my sopping wet children. A little breeze is stirring up the trees, but it's still warm enough for splashing in the pool. A beautiful day.

I am thinking... about not thinking about the things that stress me out, and trying to enjoy the sunshine.

From the learning rooms... Still just enjoying the great outdoors.

I am thankful for... the blessings of children who have grown up grateful to us for things we never thought we would receive any thanks for. It helps to know we mattered, in little ways and big.

From the kitchen... I'm hoping Paul gets home in time to BBQ something up for dinner.

I am wearing... pink cargo pant/shorts, and a pink flowery top, all ruffled around the collar. Thank you, Tracy, for helping me pick new clothes!

I am hoping... to begin paying our debts up soon.

I am creating... actually, I'm cleaning. My creativity kicks in better when I have a clean space to work in, and my hobbies need a focused area.

I am praying... for the day I never have another bill collector call my house.

Around the house... laundry, laundry, everywhere!

One of my favorite things... quiet time.

A few plans for the rest of the week... to get the kids' things together for their teacher, coming on Wednesday to finalize their grades.

Outside my window... Soft white clouds with a blue sky behind them. The leaves on the trees are in various stages of growth, from brand new buds to broad green leaves. The swingset and slide and a couple of bikes are waiting in the yard for the kids to rejoin them.

I am thinking... Of all the lists of things I need to get done!

From the learning rooms... We will still be doing a bit of school here and there, but for now it's summer vacation and the weather for outdoor play is so rare...I guess you could call the next couple of months "gym class" !

I am thankful for... the trip to Florida! Thank you, Caleb, Chip, Tracy, and Eric, for all your generosity that made it possible for me to be at Caleb and Chip's wedding and to experience playing in the ocean for the first time in my life.

From the kitchen... Oh, gee, I guess I'd better get something out of the freezer! Something easy, because it's warm today and I don't want to hover over the oven...maybe a pork roast, or meat loaf?

I am wearing... a yellow sundress that reaches to the floor and makes me feel a little like a princess.

I am hoping... just hoping, in general. That our finances will stay secure for a while, that the work I am doing will have positive results, that my husband's health (Paul had to be in the hospital last week with kidney stones and vomiting blood, probably due to an esophageal tear) and the little guy's health will return full force and problem free.

I am creating... a surprise for Caleb and Chip. Shh, no telling. I'll post pictures of it when it has safely arrived at their home.

I am praying... for my loved ones' health, for daily guidance in my choices, and for help achieving all the things I hope for.

Around the house... the children are working as a team to clean up their own messes. Carefree summer days often lead to casually dropping clothes on the floor, and wet swimsuits, and grubby hands leaving splatters on the counters, jelly dropped on the floor from hurriedly made PBJ's...Time to clean before we can play anymore!

One of my favorite things... the memories we made in Florida, which have inspired me to create memories like that for my children and for my husband and me. Time to start planning and saving for vacations!

A few plans for the rest of the week... Laying low at home while Paul gets better, some barbecuing and a little birthday party for the little guy, who was sick on his birthday last month.

A picture thought I am sharing with you:

Remember to take time to enjoy your day!

For Today

Outside my window... Warm blue skies, Paul barbecuing sausages on the grill, kids scooting around on their bicycles, and finally some green buds showing up on the birch trees on the hill.

I am thinking... Life is good, even when it's very hard work.

From the learning rooms... No work today! It's the weekend!

I am thankful for... sunny days and getting to sleep in my own bed again. (I have been gone the past few days at the hospital with little guy, who is doing much better now).

From the kitchen... my baby's making me some brats and fries.

I am wearing... black knit capris and a pink capsleeve shirt. (starting to catch on to my uniform, yet?)

I am hoping... to have a fun time shopping with my sister tomorrow.

I am creating... pretty clothes out of ugly ones, with some sewing machine magic.

I am praying... to always have God's help at the job of parenting...without Him, I know I would be a failure. With Him, I can do anything at all!

Around the house... catching up on the laundry and some organization before I leave this little family to it's own devices for a week.

One of my favorite things... peaceful Saturday afternoons.

A few plans for the rest of the week... a couple of intense days of school to make up for the time I'll be gone, and then pack my bags to catch a plane to be at my baby brother's commitment ceremony!

For Today

Outside my window... Soft clouds all across the sky, an open sandbox and a yard strewn with toys. No sign of green buds on the trees yet.

I am thinking... of how to do better, be better; as a wife, as a mother, as a person overall.

From the learning rooms... Amy is thankful for bananas, Sarah is thankful for basketballs. Andrew is excited about the Wright brothers, and made many paper airplanes today.

I am thankful for... forgiveness and second chances.

From the kitchen... an invented concoction of funny little round noodles, peas and carrots, a handful of dill, and a cup or two of cottage cheese.

I am wearing... black knit capris and a blue capsleeve shirt.

I am reading... the Alaskan Gardener.

I am hoping... to get little guy healed this week, physically and at least for a little while, emotionally.

I am creating... still mulling over that doll I want to make for him.

I am praying... for God's mercy on the hearts of the new little ones, and his vengeance on those who hurt them.

Around the house... popsicle wrappers, colorful drawings, paper airplanes, and washed but not put away laundry.

One of my favorite things... when my husband brings me a treat home after a long day.

A few plans for the rest of the week... really just taking things one day at a time right now.

For Today...

Outside my window... soft blue skies and bare trees on a dry-grassy hill. A glowing moon peeping in my window.

I am thinking... how blessed I am to be trusted with such challenging work.

Homeschooling... teaching the girls their letters by creating a picture a day of something they are thankful for; today, Amy is thankful for apples, and Sarah is thankful for Andrew. Taught Andrew about atoms, protons, neutrons, and electrons, and had a wonderful conversation with him showing that even though science says God didn't do it, scientists' theories of how matter came into being directly follows the order laid out in Genesis. Loved seeing the laughter on his face as he recognized the possibility that Science and belief in God don't have to conflict.

I am thankful for... my home, my husband, my healthy children.

From the kitchen... the only thing I came close to cooking today was cheese tortillas; the little one is sick, and my hands have been very full.

I am wearing... black knit capris, black and white wool socks, and a pink men's dress shirt.

I am re-reading... The Creative Family (by Amanda Blake Soule) The author also has an enjoyable blog: Soule Mama

I just watched... Rent, for the first time the other night.

I am hoping... that everything will be okay when I am in Florida, both with me and at home.

I am creating... actually, just planning to create, a doll for the new little one.

I am praying... for wisdom, serenity, and grace.

Around the house... a lot of laundry, today. Spring in Alaska brings lots of mud, and little guy's tummy bug has also resulted in a good bit of wash.

One of my favorite things... the sound of crickets chirping. If I try really hard, I can pretend it's coming from outside and not from the tarantula's cage! : )

A few plans for the rest of the week... group at work, prepare for Mother's Day, get little guy well so we can have his birthday party, and go shopping for clothes to wear in Florida.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you:

Summer's On It's Way!!!

I hope you all can understand that I stayed away from my blog for a long time because of some unkind commenters, who were perfect strangers to me. I think I have cleaned my presence off the internet, but for now I am moderating comments. I was really naive when I started this, and am still learning to protect my heart when I publish my life to the internet.

I borrowed this format from another blogger, and am giving her credit here: The Simple Woman's Daybook

This One's Dedicated to the Ones I Love.

Here are some recent pictures of Wes and Eliot. So hard to wrap my head around him being a Daddy.

His little boy looks like such a doll (Although I hear he's quite adept at making trouble). I can't wait until I see them again.

Playing in the dirt in their backyard.

Can you find the baby?

This shot just kills me! That face! The Ernie pumpkin! The cuteness!