For Today

Outside my window... Black night skies, a beautifully glowing half moon, my world is covered in snow and it is a crisp -3 degrees outside.

I am thinking... angry thoughts about people who hurt children, and self-pitying thoughts about being a foster parent and having to deal with behaviors children should never have learned.

From the learning rooms... We are finally onto learning to read! I so look forward to the day the girls can do that on their own. My philosophy is at odds with my ambitions, as I try to let those little acorns gently unfold, but wish so much for the big oak tree! Andrew is growing by leaps and bounds as a learner; we will be making a map of Alaska out of salt dough this week, studying poetry, and he is most excited to discover the non-stop writing method of journaling.

I am thankful for... the luxury of being able to complain about the most ridiculous things. Disasters like the recent one in Haiti remind me to not take this life for granted.

From the kitchen... most recently, homemade pizza and chocolate chip cookies.

I am wearing... an embroidered, azure peasant blouse, chocolate brown yoga pants,...and my fuzzy black robe with crazy neon colored flowers and peace signs all over it!

I am reading...my various books full of teaching ideas, and I've returned to Beth Moore's devotional on the life of David for spiritual inspiration.

I am hoping... that all the kids stay in their beds tonight and that it isn't too hard to wake them for the birthday party they will be attending at 9:30 a.m. Who does that, by the way? A birthday party first thing in the morning? Are we the only ones who sleep in on Saturdays?

I am praying... for God to give me the patience that I appear to have. So many people remark on my patience...I feel like my greater gift is self-control; I am much better at pretending I am not upset, than really, truly, not feeling upset.

Around the house... Some new pastel colored curtains to brighten up the place, and I'm working on a painting to hang over the stairs.

One of my favorite things... Chocolate.

A few plans for the rest of the week... My baby girls are turning 7! We will be having their party at my sister's house next Saturday. Lots of planning for the two princesses. I always bake each their own cake, too. I listened carefully to all the advice of all the twins when I was expecting them, and have dutifully allowed each to be her own individual self--no matchy clothes, no matchy hair, and definitely, your very own birthday cake decorated just for you, every year.

For Today

Outside my window... Cloudy, grey skies, snow covered fields, and a big old moose huddled up in the snow at the top of the hill. Oh, and I can see Russia from my backyard....NOT (the moose is there, the Russia, not so much).

I am thinking... So many things. It would overwhelm you for me to list them all! My mind is a mile a minute.

From the learning rooms... We enjoyed a nice long Christmas vacation, and now we're back to work. The girls will pick up at W, and we'll continue working on the four processes (multiplication, addition, subtraction, division). Andrew will be moving forward in his Alaska studies and concentrating on mastering his times tables. We're also studying the human body and going to learn to use a compass.

I am thankful for... the holidays being over. Somehow, I feel more like celebrating now that all the stress of getting just the right gifts for everyone, and baking just the right foods, and creating just the right atmosphere, is over!

From the kitchen... can I list all the things I have done? Because Mama's taking a break from the kitchen now! I baked up some Cornish hens for dinner last night...they were leftover from the excess Paul bought to celebrate New Year's. We had them with stuffing. Paul said he's cooking Polish sausages for dinner tonight so I can run to Michaels' when he gets home from work.

I am wearing... blue jeans, gray-blue t-shirt, and a long white sweater, dark brown sneakers.

I am reading...The Get Out Of Debt Book, by Pam Young. If you've never read the book she wrote with her sister Peggy years ago, you should. Sidetracked Home Executives is a great book for organizing the home and feeling good about yourself. The GOOD book is like a mini-sequel to that, talking about how Pam learned to control her spending and giving tips on learning personal self-discipline.

I am hoping... that the New Year will bring all kinds of wonderful growth in our lives. Paul's visit with his girls in Wisconsin went well, and I'm also hoping to meet them and the grandbaby in the new year.

I am praying... for daily help in my job as mother to all these kids. This isn't the easiest job sometimes, and no one realizes more than I do how my own bad moods and lack of patience and even lack of inspiration can affect these growing lives. I take this job very seriously, and I need all the help from above that I can get.

Around the house... Now that Christmas is over, I am ready to take down my fancy decorations and resume my work in simplifying and beautifying. This week, I want to find a solution to bulky curtains...I'm thinking of painting the top third of the huge windows in my living room with some opaque window paint...I'll take a picture when I'm done so you can see. The windows give us a great view, but the southern exposure lets in so much light, you can barely see on a sunny day (and it makes all the dust specks and finger smudges more visible too).

One of my favorite things... Peace and quiet. Rarer than gold, around here.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Put all the Christmas decorations away and get back into the swing of things. Paul and I are supposed to go out on a date with another couple this weekend, too.

Happy New Year to everyone!!! And I'm sorry again about being away so long...I had a glitch involving cookies that wouldn't let me log in to my Blogger account, and I had to wait until Paul was back from his trip so he could fix my computer for me. Anyway, I hope everyone had a great holiday season.

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.

For Today

Outside my window... The sun is shining brilliantly, the kids are playing in mud puddles in the sandbox--is it really October in Alaska?!

I am thinking... so many things at once lately! What will our menu for the next week look like? Where am I at in the kids' lesson plans? Am I forgetting any appointments? So much to do, so little time!

I am thankful for... the beautiful weather, for our successes in work and at home, and for relief to Paul's pain this week (for those who don't know, my husband is a chronic pain sufferer).

From the kitchen... cinnamon rolls? I am in the mood for baking, but not sure just what. Reheating last night's pork chops for dinner tonight.

I am wearing...a pink, yellow, and orange flowery top, blue running pants, fuzzy pink socks, and a sort of burgundy colored sweatshirt tied around my waist. I was cold this morning, but between the sunshine and the ever-running dryer, am now quite warm!

I am hoping... to find a quiet minute to get organized!

I am praying... for our blessings to continue to flow. Life just gets better and better. My biggest wish right now is to save up enough to fly the gang to Ohio to visit with my grandparents, possibly in time for the next family reunion?

I am listening to...the clothes tossing around in the dryer. Sweet silence while the kids play outside!

Around the house... I emptied the kids' room of excess, after getting fed up with their bickering. It's amazing how peacefully children play when they aren't overwhelmed by STUFF! I guess they're not so different from adults, though. The more I declutter, the more I love my home.

One of my favorite things... A clean house. Time to get to work on that, now that lessons are done for the day.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Going through all the kids' toys, sorting out the goods from the bads; take some donations down to Salvation Army and toss the junk; planning the Free Art Day for this Saturday at work, practicing up on face painting--come to AYFN for some fun, free art, starting at 2pm! Working on "The Emotional House" book with Paul, as we plan out our remodeling. It's an excellent workbook for designing your perfect home, and I was happily surprised to see that he wasn't too cynical about it.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

For Today

Outside my window... It's raining, it's pouring. We still have beautiful fall foliage, it's just all wet. Lots of puddles for splashing in...if I can stand the extra laundry that will create. (have you noticed laundry is a major issue in my life?)

I am thinking... how nice it is to be totally thrilled by new pajamas. There was a half off sale at Freddy's, and I bought everyone fancy new p.j.'s; they don't want to take them off, and I'm getting hugs and thank you's every 2 minutes!

I am thankful for... the rain, the weekend, warm blankets and old time cartoons.

From the kitchen... baking bread with the kiddos.

I am wearing...um, truthfully? The blue t-shirt and pink stripey pajama pants I slept in. It is a lazy day today, until 3:00, when we have to get ready for group night at work. Homeschoolers can do that stuff, ya know! Math lessons in our p.j.'s!

I am hoping... hmm. I guess I'm hoping for a mellow weekend and getting some of the painting in the house done.

I am praying... for a little extra energy today. It feels like a good day to crawl under the covers and watch cartoons, but there really is too much to do.

I am listening to...Popeye the Sailorman.

Around the house... We need to finish painting the kids' room, and de-clutter a bit again.

One of my favorite things... Bright, red roses blooming in the vase beside me.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Finish up this week's lessons and work with Andrew on the Michaelmas skit he's going to do. I need to hunt down some bluing, so he can make a crystal garden for the gnomes. Science + Literary Arts + Culture = One smart kid! We'll try to get the girls to memorize a line or two and participate, too.

For Today

Oh, my gosh! I have just totally forgotten about my blog! Thank you, Leslie, for reminding me!!!

Outside my window... Gorgeous, beautiful golden trees and a warm, sunny, fall sky. This fall has been the most beautiful one I've ever seen in my entire life in Alaska (which added up together, is 31 years--I was born in Nevada and lived there for 9 months, then my family came to AK...then moved to Germany when I was 4, then back to Alaska when I was almost 9. And now you know how old I am, too). This is like a real fall; usually, our trees turn yellow one day, then all the leaves fall off the next, and everything stays frozen until the first snow in October...I am loving this! We even have different colors to enjoy, some trees still green, some red, it's just beautiful.

I am thinking... ugh. I am stressing out...today is our busy day, and my least favorite part is going to therapy with the foster kids. But all will be well once that is over.

I am thankful for... The beautiful fall, my cozy home, for homeschool coming together finally, and for our wonderful weekend in Seward. My elementary schoolers went to a "nocturne" (sleepover/educational seminar) at the Sea Life Center, then we all camped out, hiked out to Exit glacier and took long "explores" on the beaches. Of course, the kids' favorite part was roasting hot dogs and marshmallows!

From the kitchen... probably a nice baked chicken and some potatoes tonight. Right now, Paul's cooking up some eggs and bacon for me (I didn't eat yet today, too busy running around town dropping kids off at their weekly outside classes, plus we had our weekly home visit first thing in the morning).

I am wearing...blue jeans, a black v-neck t-shirt and the red tunic Tracy gave me before our trip to Florida, brown leather clogs and red socks.

I am hoping... that I don't stutter and stammer and turn all red throughout therapy, while I try to express that these are beautiful children who I love, and these are the behavior problems we are seeing from them, and yes I know that they are very vulnerable little people and also naturally ornery by nature of being children and human, but I would also like to know how to cope and work with these behaviors without feeling like their personal doormat.--Whew!

I am praying... for patience, the ability to forgive and still be assertive. For God to continue being patient with me.

I am listening to...eighties music! Everyone told me when I was young to cut loose and have fun, be crazy. I didn't do a whole lot of that, whatever one may assume from my pre-marital baby...I was a very serious kid. I've been reminiscing about the past, and wishing I had been a little more wild and crazy, so I would have less desire to sow wild oats now.

Around the house... I did all the laundry I could yesterday, so today all I have to do is wipe counters and sweep...too busy today for housework.

One of my favorite things... MMMM....cheesy, greasy, fried eggs and bacon. Thanks, honey!

A few plans for the rest of the week... The girls are working on learning the four processes (addition, multiplication, subtraction, and division) and their lowercase letters (Waldorf moves very slowly toward learning to read, believing that rushing it damages other developmental processes). Andrew is creating a landscape of a local area as it was 100 years ago; he will be studying U.S. history, especially as it pertains to our state, this year. He is also learning to be a careful observer of nature, and sketching what he sees through the jeweler's loupes; yesterday he drew a close-up of a section of horse tail and a fern. I love this curriculum!

And finally, I know I owe everyone pictures. I have been having trouble downloading them to websites (I think it is my virus protector interfering with the process--I do not recommend "Kaspersky's" anti-virus program at all). I'm on it, but I just don't have all day to sit and watch one picture take 15 minutes to load. The kids won't let me! ; )