The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY September 2, 2009...

Outside my window... It's raining. It's pouring. It's awesome! I love a good thunderstorm when there's no strong winds! There's some fierce but gorgeous lightening every now and then. The clouds are thick and the forecast is calling for this through the weekend. Just God giving the earth a good drink.

I am thinking... about how much I love fall and about how much I have to do before she gets here.

I am thankful for... a home that I love, the best family a girl could ask for and a God who's love, mercy and power have no limits! (not in that order)

From the learning rooms... need to get back to school for Anya, we've taken a break while my husband has been having his medical problem. Thankfully, the worst of that is over and it's about to be completely over.

From the kitchen... coffee's in the pot, red beans, soaked and ready to go into the crockpot for tonight's beans and rice with sausage.

I am wearing... jeans and a striped shirt

I am creating.... nothing specific at the moment, although I am getting ready to get back into scrapbooking. I haven't scrapbooked since Anya was born, and she's turning 4 this month!

I am going... to church tonight! Get to learn more about my Lord and His Word! What could be better than that?

I am reading... Sink Reflections by the Flylady....gotta get a routine going!

I am hoping... the rain will calm down by the time I have to pick Noah up from school. I hate getting the baby out in it.

I am hearing... spongebob on the tv, the baby starting to fuss, and Anya telling me that the baby is starting to fuss..hehehehe...

A few plans for the rest of the week... not much of anything outside of getting this house in order

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

my honey and his girls!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Welcoming Autumn.....

It's September first, the final days of summer are upon us. Autumn is showing herself, bit by bit. A cool breeze here, an orange leaf there. Before we know it, she will be here in all her glory. What do you do to welcome her in?
Autumn is my favorite season. By the time we're done celebrating Independence Day, I'm chomping at the bit to get my fall on! I love everything about it! (with the exception of the occasional allergy) It's time to break out everything comfy and cozy. It's getting cool enough to get out all your sweaters and blankets. The softer, the better! Soon it's going to be cool enough to start drinking cocoa and spiced tea. We've already started burning a harvest spice candle. The smell makes me smile.
I've got alot to do to get ready for her this year. After being large with child and then having to attend to a newborn, my housework has fallen behind. So the very first thing I have to do is get the house in order. The next thing is to go through our clothes. Pack up all our shorts and tanktops. I have to get out all our cool weather clothes. Not to mention, weed out all the clothes that don't fit anymore, and the ones we just don't wear. We have far too many clothes. Then I want to rearrange our living room and start decorating. And, soon enough, I'll have to clean out the fireplace, get the chimney swept and start stocking up on the firewood. I LOVE having a fireplace!!! I also need to stock up on supplies for the kitchen. Everything I need to make spiced tea and maybe a little pumpkin spice coffee. I have to get my baking supplies bought. And start perusing recipes for soups. Buy some pumpkins and mums for outdoor decorations. (Walmart has their mums out already. I'm so excited!!!)
I want to be totally ready by September 22nd (the official first day of fall) so I can just sit back and enjoy the season. This time next month, I'll be sitting on my front steps, wrapped in a blanket, enjoying a steaming cup of spiced tea, a cool breeze and the beauty of the Ozarks in Autumn. What do you do to get ready for fall?

A Fresh New Day!

It's a beautiful, sunny day! The sun is warm and the air is cool. My big girl is working on her schoolwork and singing about Jesus. My baby girl is napping. My little man is at school. I'm looking forward to the day when I can take him out of there for good.

I had an encounter with God last night at church. It wasn't as powerful as I had hoped. But God's power isn't what I needed. What I needed was His love...and that's what I got. He wrapped His big strong arms around me. It wasn't the "Wham! I'm God and I'm here!" that I thought I needed. It was Him telling me "Be still and know that I am God...I'm your Daddy and I love you." I feel like just the past few weeks I've been really seeing Him as Abba, Father. I've always know He was my King and even my Friend. But never totally felt the Father in Him. I just want to crawl up in His lap and feel the love and peace He brings. And that's what happened last night. I feel new today....I was feeling so overwhelmed...new baby, cantankerous 3 year old, a house that won't clean itself when I can't find the time. But He brought me a peace and a restfulness that I haven't felt in a long time. I feel like He's bringing me into a new stage of my life. I feel like I may be growing up a little. Learning to appreciate the little things in life. Learning to rest in His love and truly see the beauty in all that He's created. Learning that, even though things don't look clear, He is in control. He knows what He's doing. And He knows the end result. He will take my hand and bring me safely to the other side of every situation, good or bad. I just have to trust Him and obey Him, and let Him take the lead. It's not my life anymore. It never really was. I just liked pretending it was. Holding onto it for dear life. I let Him have some of it. But some is not enough. He has to have every bit of it to really do a work in me. So I'm giving it to Him. Some things are harder to let go of than others...but my grip is getting looser. He's helping me to be strong. The work on me will never be done until I am in Heaven with Him. But He can do alot more work on me when I cooperate. So that's what I'm doing! I can't wait to see what He's got in store for tonight's service!

Okay, I know I've rambled on and on...but that's just what's on my mind and my heart right now.

Take care! And may our Father in Heaven be with you!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY August 20, 2009...

Outside my window... a fall-like coolness, grass soaked by a recent downpour, bright green moss growing on a long dead tree that still stands, the smell and feel of summer beginning to come to a close.

I am thinking... About how we tend to overlook the little things. How what could be seen as an adventure is most often seen troublesome or mundane. How I need to start being more of a "glass half full" type of person and learn to appriciate every moment.

I am thankful for... a hubby that cares enough to suprise me with a lunchtime visit, children that love to hug and kiss their new baby sister, the comfort that comes from a sleeping baby in your lap, getting caught in a downpour at the most inopportune moment and still being able to laugh about it and a good cup of coffee....

From the learning rooms... Anya is working on her colors and shapes, what is bigger and smaller, longer and shorter. Noah was excited about going to his second day of first grade.

From the kitchen... coffee's been brewed, last night's dinner dishes in the sink, waiting to be attended to....

I am wearing... a yellow t-shirt with a white butterfly and pink flowers on it and jeans.

I am creating... a new schedule to keep me on track

I am going... to our friend's house tonight...we're all very excited! There's so much life over there...it's because there's so much God over there! Not to mention all the people! (there are 9 people in their family) I love it!!!

I am reading... emails from my momma! I love chatting with her in the mornings!

I am hoping... it doesn't get hot again. I am SOOO done with summer!!!

I am hearing... birds chirping outside, cars passing on the nearby highway, my little girl asking questions about her school work, my baby making sweet squeaky noises in her sleep.

Around the house... Anya's sitting next to me tracing squares, Maegan is sleeping on my lap. The rest of the house is quiet.

A few plans for the rest of the week: going to our friend's house tonight and hubby may be going to Kansas City this weekend.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

I love that Anya is such a Daddy's Girl! That's the way it should be!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Gonna be a good day, Tater!

Just me and my girls today. I miss my guys though. But I feel pretty relaxed right now. Which hasn't happened in a while. Anya's working on some school work. Maegan is napping. I got my coffee and my windows open. It feels like fall outside! Already got my dishes done and my laundry going. I feel pretty good today!
I took Noah to school this morning. He had his backpack full of school supplies, his lunchbox and a bag full of he kleenexes and what not that they wanted us to buy. And he had only been to his class once before. But even with all that, he insisted he didn't need help and just wanted me to drop him off. My little Mr. Independant! He's getting so big, so fast! I sure am going to miss him! But I will definitely enjoy my days with just us girls. I will also enjoy the lack of fighting that almost accompanies Noah and Anya's playtime. Although, last night, they played very well together.
I hope everyone has a great day!

Such a big boy!

Noah at about 2 years old.......

Noah, just a few weeks ago with his baby sister! (Age 7 1/2)

My baby boy starts first grade tomorrow! (although it should be second grade) I'm going to miss the little guy! He's so excited though! We met his teacher tonight at the open house. She seems nice enough. Better that his teacher last year. She was old and grumpy. So hopefully it will be a good year. Or half a year anyway. My plan is to be ready to homeschool him by Christmas. I am determined!

Bummed...

Well, I have to send my son back to school this year. :( At least for a while. Hubby says so. He wants to see how it goes and if I can start making more of my time around here.

I need to get a schedule in place and actually go by it. I'm very scatterbrained, so if I don't have something telling me what to do, I won't get anything done. I need to spend less time online, too. It sucks my time up like it's nothing. I will still be starting Anya on pre-k stuff. And hopefully I can still go to our homeschool group on Fridays. I'm going to show my hubby that I can do it and then I'm going to take Noah out of that government indoctrination center and teach him at home as God intended!!!