Outside my window... Another beautiful sunny day, kids sitting in the garden munching peas off the vine and drying off after splashing in the wading pool.

I am thinking... how is it that I was completely caught up on laundry Friday, and now every hamper is overflowing again? Huh? Why is that? Why? LOL

I am thankful for... This beautiful day! Thank you, Lord! How did you know I needed more sunshine?

From the kitchen... leftovers from Taylor's birthday party; chicken wings, burgers and hot dogs, potato salad, and carrot cake.

I am wearing...dark khaki capris and a grey-blue t-shirt.

I am hoping... that I am a better person than I feel like I am, sometimes. Does that make sense?

I am praying... for God to fill me with His love again.

I am listening to...the washing machine go k-chugga-k-chugga-k-chugga.

Around the house... Home blessing day today! Emptying trash cans, washing mirrors, changing sheets, and sweeping out corners.

One of my favorite things... sunshine, a cool breeze, and contented children playing together outside.

A few plans for the rest of the week... still working on the homeschool stuff. Man, it takes a lot of organizing! And how do I not have it all together, yet?

Amy Grant song of the day.... Laura loves her little family; and she's the kind of woman, who loves them with her life...but sometimes in the evening, when the world rests on her shoulders, with four walls closing in, she'll close her eyes...It's not like she misses being younger, though she never was in Vogue magazine or on TV. Her husband loves her dearly, and morning shows her clearly, kiss her little baby girl--Laura she's the queen of the world! Can't imagine ever leaving now, now that she's been saved by Love.

Can I get an Amen?!

For Today

Outside my window... Gorgeous sunny skies with a light dusting of clouds, kids running maniacally through the sprinkler.

I am thinking... I'm never truly in love with my garden until the pea plants start winding their way up the trellis and letting their blossoms out. I will have to remember that for next year, and start those babies earlier.

I am thankful for... My husband, who works so hard so that the kids and I can stay home and enjoy the pleasures of home life.

From the kitchen... barbecuing some chicken pieces for dinner, maybe whip up some brownies for afterwards.

I am wearing... a hot pink tank top and khaki capris.

I am hoping... that my husband is blessed on his trip to Atlanta, and that the people he meets feel blessed by his thoughts and ideas.

I am praying... that I hear God better, and develop a stronger craving for His word. I want that relationship to grow deeper and deeper every day.

I am listening to...silly laughing and giggling from the sopping wet kiddos.

Around the house... I'm going to take the gigantic pile of newspapers and bags of giveaway clothes out to recycling and Salvation Army, respectively. Looking through old Home Companion magazines for inspiration for decorating (and completing multiple unfinished projects).

One of my favorite things... sunny days and taking my time.

A few plans for the rest of the week... some extra housework while Paul's away, since I don't have him to cuddle and talk with in my restless hours. Complete homeschool planning and purchases and set up our school zone.

For Today

Outside my window... A gray mass of clouds. It's about 55 degrees out.

I am thinking... I have to find ways to look for joy in my life. Instead of seeing the messes my kids make and being irritated, seeing little ones living and growing in all their playful projects instead. It's all in how you look at things.

I am thankful for... The blessings of home, a well-stocked pantry, healthy children, the kitty cat mewing at my feet.

From the kitchen... Baking a strawberry pie with my girls today.

I am wearing... A gray-blue t-shirt and black capris, preparing to do a quick workout.

I am hoping... that the clouds will release some rain and blow away.

I am praying... for patience, tolerance, a renewed sense of joy and purpose.

I am listening to...crickets chirping! I wish Rosie (the tarantula) would hurry up and eat them!

Around the house... progressing toward a less cluttered life! I am now working on putting all my homeschool planning into my computer, to reduce the piles of paperwork. Calendars and lists are going into the computer, too, and pictures.

One of my favorite things... a slow and easy morning.

A few plans for the rest of the week... working on a decluttered home, on preparing homeschool materials and curriculums, and taking time to enjoy my kids and husband.

For Today

Outside my window... It's a gorgeous July day in Alaska; the sun is so hot, there's a haze over the woods and around the mountains. Beautiful, lush greenery is calling my name.

I am thinking... What did I do to deserve this? Everyone except the teenager is sick. We all have the flu, and have had it since Independence Day. No fireworks here, just lots of coughing.

I am thankful for... modern medicine, cough syrup, Tylenol, and every moment of sleep I can get.

From the kitchen... Paul barbecued a beautiful, big turkey in anticipation of the 4th. I turned it into a soothing soup for all our sick souls, with lots of garlic and butter. (Smart Source, to be truly factual, since we are all lactose intolerant)

I am wearing... A pink tank top and my jammy pants.

I am hoping... for everyone to be better tomorrow, for my birthday.

I am praying... My hopes are my prayers. Please Lord, let this family experience a time of health. The cycle of sickness is wearing on us.

Around the house... there is a pallet of blankets on the floor for the kids to rest on while we look at stories and watch cartoons. Faerie Tale Theater is my choice of entertainment today; we watched Rumpelstiltskin and Rapunzel.

One of my favorite things... sunbathing, sigh.

A few plans for the rest of the week... to get well and go enjoy the beautiful weather before it's gone!

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!