The Simple Woman's Daybook- May 25th edition

For Today...

Outside my window... Dark with just a hint of the morning light peeking through the trees. I think we are supposed to have more rain today. The sun came out yesterday for a little while...I almost didn't recognize it!

I am thinking... about all the men and women of all the Men and Women who have given their lives so that we could enjoy the freedoms we have today in this country. I am hoping that we continue to enjoy those freedoms in the frightening days that are ahead!! Come quickly Lord Jesus!!

From the learning rooms... we are pretty well done for the summer, but I spent a good bit of time last week getting our "summer reading list" together. We "swam" to the library late last week and checked out 22 books off the top of the list and so far we are enjoying them! David cleared out a space on a low book shelf in our living room for the girls to keep their library books (so they don't get lost) and Aly now refers to that shelf as "The library"

I am thankful for... the love between my girls. Oh, it isn't always love...sometimes it is pure-tee venom!! But, last night the girls were eating their hot apple-pie that their Daddy brought them. Lili had finished hers but was desperate for more. She went up to Aly and asked, "Aly, may I have a bite of your apple pie?" To our delight, Aly broke off a piece and said, "Sure, Lili" Lili thanked her and then gave Aly a kiss. Oh how I pray that they will stay close as they grow!! The moment Aly became our daughter I wanted her to have a sister, and as David said when we started Lili's adoption..."The Lily of the Valley has a Lili for our Aly"

From the kitchen... Um...uh...well...uh...Okay, I don't have a clue!!! Gimme a break...it's 6am!!!

I am wearing... black pants, a red tee-shirt and my Birks. I woke up at 5am, couldn't sleep, got up and had my bible study, finished cleaning up the kitchen, started some laundry, got the trash up in the kitchen and straightened up the living room. And now here I sit!! Whew...got a lot done before 6am today!!

I am reading... are you kidding? 22 books from the library!!!

I am hoping... that I like the laundry detergent I made yesterday! It was super easy to do and if I am pleased with the results, we will save a good deal of money and I won't be loading up my family with a bunch of chemicals from the other stuff!! Both David and Aly have very sensitive skin and so this could be a really great find!!! I'll let you know the results...I have a load of towels I just washed in the dryer right now.

I am creating... our homeschool Fall reading list. I LOVE the online features from the library. I can look up all the books, save them on "my list" and then they send me an email when the books are all ready to be picked up!! WHOOO HOOO Then we get to go to the library and have fun finding new treasures and reading instead of losing my mind looking up all the books on the library computer while keeping my kids from running loose.

I am praying... for a few personal requests, and for wisdom in teaching my daughters. Not just the school stuff...but the life/heart/mind/soul stuff!!!

Around the house... getting the pool ready for summer and the homeschool ready for fall.

One of my favorite things... is when I actually get some alone time in the morning before the girls get up. I love love love my time with them when they first wake up, but I am much less frazzled when I have had some time to do my bible study before they get up.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Aly's last gymnastics classes before the summer break. It was supposed to go all through the summer on an abbreviated schedule, but you know those darn wrenches!! Always jumping in when you don't want them too!! Oh, and I have to get her registered for her VBS programs. She is attending two this summer and is so excited! She loves going to VBS!! Last year she was too young to go the one at our church, so she just went to another one. This summer she gets to go to BOTH!!! Happy girl!! Lili has to wait one more year until she is old enough. Unhappy girl!!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... okay...well not a picture, but a video. I cannot believe how much Lili has changed in the last year. This was taken in January 08.

This next video was just one short year later in January 09. BTW...the "poem" she is saying is a poem that David's grandfather used to say to him when he was a child. I have heard it all of our married life and he taught it to the girls as soon as they were able to talk!! It is quite cute!!

To read more Daybook posts or learn how to participate, visit The Simple Woman's Daybook.In HIS Mighty Grip~

April 27th Edition

For Today...

Outside my window... The sun is shining very brightly, yet there are extremely dark clouds off in the distance. It is amazing how those dark clouds make the brightness of the sun that much brighter. Do I even need to expand on the thought there is a WHOLE sermon AND a song somewhere in the above statement???? Wow!!!

I am thinking... about what the next few years will hold for our family and how he is preparing me for it. I see so many things that God is trying to work in me right now. I pray that I will listen and learn!!!

From the learning rooms... continuing to make the transition to full time schooling in the fall. Or rather should I say "official" homeschooling in the fall. I have to officially register with the school board as a homeschooling family in August. Trying to get all of my ducks in a row early so that it doesn't catch us off guard and so I don't spend all summer obsessing over it!!

I am thankful for... a God who thinks I am worth it, even when I don't!!

From the kitchen... are you kidding me?? I just got up!!! I'll get back to you later...maybe.

I am wearing... my black housedress and my Birks

I am re-reading... or rather still trying to read "Fields of the Fatherless", but it is hard as I haven't been to the eye doctor yet. My glasses are really not working and I need to get my eyes checked.

I am hoping... to get a lot accomplished this week. There is a lot to accomplish!!

I am creating... a paths toward making our lives more simple and less complicated. I am really tiring of complicated!!!

I am praying... for wisdom for David and I in dealing with some issues with our little Lili. Please join me in that prayer!!

I am listening to...Lili. She just got up and is currently sitting on the potty, singing. It is hilarious!! I have no idea what she is singing, but she is singing the mess out of it!!

Around the house... ..I am planning,organizing, cleaning, creating and attempting to maintain a nest for my brood. Like I said before...I'm really getting quite tired of everything being so complicated!!

One of my favorite things... is those few last stretches before I fall asleep at night.

A few plans for the rest of the week... re-arranging, organizing, planning, dreaming, accomplishing...oh, and always LAUNDRY!! :-)

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

This is Alyson the morning after she was placed in our arms. (Dec 2004) It is also the day before her first birthday. We couldn't believe that we got such an amazing smile out of this little pumpkin this soon!! She bonded with us quickly and has never looked back!! And now to think that it is 4 years later and we have been blessed with TWO amazing children!!! How did that happen?

To read more Daybook posts or learn how to participate, visit The Simple Woman's Daybook.

In HIS Mighty Grip~

The Simple Woman's Daybook...April 13th Edition

For Today...

Outside my window... The Sun is shining, but I see dark clouds off to the North!!

From the learning rooms... a little math, a little geography, working on our books of the Bible, catching up on Aly's journal from all of our adventures last week.

I am thankful for... A friend who thought of us last week and passed on tkts to Disney On Ice when they could not go. The girls were so excited and had such a wonderful adventure! More pictures from our adventure later in the week.

From the kitchen... getting ready to go make a big blender full of Green Smoothie. For dinner I was thinking maybe Taco Salad.

I am wearing... My black house dress.

I am reading... still reading "Fields of the Fatherless" but I haven't gotten very far as I my eyes are bothering me. I desperately need to get new glasses!!

I am creating... plans for the spring and summer. Lots of stuff I want to do with the girls and lots of projects I want to get a grip on.

I am praying... for David as he continues in school. He is doing well and I pray for that momentum to continue! We are counting on him!!!

Around the house... continuing to get the girls room organized as well as Lili's old room. Cleaning out some cabinets in the bathrooms also.

One of my favorite things... is getting caught up on laundry!!!!

A few plans for the rest of the week... just getting back into our routine after being out of everything last week for spring break.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

...RESSURECTION EGGS...

Stop by The Simple Woman's Daybook for links to others and to start your own. Thanks for dropping in today!In HIS Mighty Grip~

Simple Woman's Daybook- April 6th Edition

For Today...

Outside my window... it is overcast and 75 degrees.

I am thinking... that I am not a fan of pollen. Nor are my sinus's and my eyes!!

From the learning rooms... not a lot formally at the table today as the girls and I are heading to the grocery store later. There is always lots to learn while we are there!! We will work on memorization in the car. When we get back we will do some reading. (We got some new readers this weekend and Aly is very excited about them)

I am thankful for…my Daddy. He will be 75 yrs old in a few months. We have lived here with him since my Mom passed away two years ago and we are so blessed to have him in our lives. I am so thankful that my girls get to see him every single day of their lives now and not just talk to him on the phone like before! These are the memories they will have forever!! We all will!

From the kitchen... My hubby requested some of my Vegetarian Chili...so that is what I will make for tonight (with plenty of leftovers!) I think I am going to let the girls help me make some Banana Coconut bars this week...we found a great recipe!

I am wearing… my jammies still! I am heading to the shower when I am done with this post. :-)

I am reading... "Fields of the Fatherless" by Tom Davis Wonderful book that has been on my bookshelf for a long time. I kept meaning to read it, but never got around to it. It is wonderful!!

I am hoping... that I can get Mt. Laundry under control this week!! Holy Cow!!!

I am hearing... Aly playing on her computer next to me. She was working on a reading game where she can form words, but now she is playing a "Handy Manny" game.

One of my favorite things... is smelling fresh bread baking. I won't get any made today, but hopefully tomorrow!!! YUMMY

One of my other favorite things just happened...Lili woke up and ran down the hall and jumped up into my arms to tell me "Good Morning" She is such a little snuggle bug and I love to snuggle with her. I just LOVE those first few minutes with them when they first wake up!!! I have always told them first thing in the morning that I missed them so much while they were sleeping and recently Lili started saying that back to me first thing. I am so blessed!!

A few plans for the rest of the week... well, since most of the world is on Spring Break around there this week, we don't have gymnastics or choir practice or Mission Friends this week. That means we won't be running around like crazy trying to be somewhere on time. So...hopefully we can get some projects done or at least "worked on" without sacrificing any school time. I have an apron I need to make, I have to finish going through the girls clothes and weeding out all the stuff that doesn't fit anymore. We have a few other family projects that I would love to get to!!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

The first picture is Aly the morning after she was placed in our arms in Dec 2004. The second picture was a few weeks ago...what a difference 4 years makes!!! I still don't know how she got so big! She is so smart and strong and beautiful. She is my Amazing Alyson...my gift from God!!!

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In HIS Mighty Grip~

The Simple Woman's Daybook- March 9, 2009 edition

For Today...

Outside my window... The light is just starting to peek out and it is 54 degrees. It is supposed to be a beautiful sunny day with a high of 74.


I am thinking... that I wish I hadn't woken up quite so early...the clock read 5:34!!

From the learning rooms... we have some science experiments and some copywork to do. We are also behind on our bible verses and need to review what we have done so far.


I am thankful for…the fact that my legs didn't hurt as much today as they usually do when I get up. Thats a good sign!!!

From the kitchen... I haven't the slightest idea...I'm still half asleep...anyone have any good vegetarian suggestions for dinner tonight?

I am wearing… my blue nightshirt


I am reading... some articles that I printed out a while back and never got around to reading. There are a BUNCH of them I am trying to weed through.


I am hoping... to not fall asleep today while doing something important since I woke up so early this morning!!!!


I am creating... a new life for my little family...one step at a time.

I am hearing... the hum of the air purifier across the room. I love the QUIET of this time of day!!! As I say that, I hear a bird starting it's morning serenade right outside the window.


Around the house... I ALWAYS have a project in the works...they just never seem to get finished. But today I need to try to get caught up on laundry!! I spent most of the weekend outside with the girls and didn't get it caught up on Saturday.

One of my favorite things... is quiet early mornings before everyone gets up. I have always enjoyed that time alone, but I don't get it too much anymore. I MUST start going to bed earlier so I can get up and have my alone time!!!!!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...it is a picture of my Dad's hand. I don't know why, but I just am drawn to this photo. His hands have seen so much and I took this picture not too long after my mother passed away. I guess it is just sentimental and I remember all the love in these hands over the years!!!

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins."

1 Peter 4:8

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