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.