Outside my Window:

Rain, cooler temperatures, and lots of ‘tulips’ from the poplar in the back yard littering the deck. I’m not complaining. The hot and humid summers of the south can take their sweet time getting here- I wilt!

I am thinking:

That sometimes, being a mama to boys is easier than it is to be a mama to girls. Yes, sirree. I’ve joined the GoodMorningGirls.org study of Sally Clarkson’s book, The Ministry of Motherhood. I bought and read the book a few years back, but I am really looking forward to a deeper journey through it this time. I need and want to be more intentional in this area, and this is a good place to start.

I am thankful for:

My beloved. For intentional leadership. For a quiet shoulder of support and a listening ear. For the gift that is corporate prayer with one’s spouse. For the sacrament of marriage, the sanctifying and sharpening journey we walk together in the Lord’s grace and mercy, for the day that is new every morning. And so much more.

From the learning rooms…

It seems we homeschool mamas are always trying something new, but isn’t that the beauty of it? We’re still working diligently towards the end of our school year, but I am trying a new approach to how our day is arranged this week, testing the waters towards the school year ‘next year’.  (We school year-round.) I will officially have three in school- a fact which just serves to remind just how fast time flies.

From the kitchen:

A return to center. I could write that for just about every entry here, but it is very true in this sense. As my asthma and allergy related issues continue to trouble, I’ve been headed back to a near “Maker’s Diet” that I began with over six or seven years ago and had woefully moved away from- except this time, both dairy and gluten are being removed. The idea is to give my body as easy a time as possible to heal by removing anything that is somewhat allergenic. My good friend Tonia has been encouraging me so much in this. I’m hoping maybe somewhere down the line she’ll be able to write some posts about her journey in this, because she has so much wisdom to share.

I am wearing:

Loose drawstring khaki pants, kelly green tank, and my hair in a braid. A Saturday evening grill out has left me with a thousand mosquito bites, making me feel like a flea-bitten dog; anything loose and not itchy is the order of the day.

I am creating:

I have begun to weave the creative back into my day, a few minutes here and there- currently, I’m working on illustrating/hand writing a particular verse that has touched my life recently. I’ll have more to share on Friday. It feels good. I don’t know why I write that time off as not valuable and always drop it from the schedule; ten minutes of creating can create an oasis of peace that lasts all day.

I am going:

Or not going, as the case may be. We have become a one car family, after years of having two cars. It as much an economical choice as it is a lifestyle choice. It’s been an adjustment, but has come to the point that I don’t really realize the so-called ‘burden’ any more. It does mean that I have to be better home keeper in the grocery and errand sense- but that was a skill I needed to develop more fully anyways. I didn’t realize how distracted I had become by the going. There is much more time. Imagine that!

I am reading:

Revisiting some books that have been on my bookshelf, reviewing, learning, planning, dreaming.

The Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson.

Homeschooling the Challenging Child by Christine M Field.

Vol 3, Issue 1 of the Somerset Apprentice, Spring 2011.

I am hoping:

That this new schedule works better for us. I was rapidly approaching burn out because of the crazy mis-management going on due to a mis-understanding of what really mattered in my life; more on that tommorrow. I love this quote that Ali Edwards put up the other day:

Things that matter most must not be at the mercy of things that matter least.~ Goethe

I am hearing:

Kids hollering and fighting; the rain trickling down the window pane; the noisy air conditioner kicking in, Phil Keaggy’s guitar whispering away on Pandora.

Around the house:

Pictures and ‘signs of life’ are finally going up around the house. A regular rhythm to cleaning has almost found the beat of peace. The laundry is ever a lost cause, but doesn’t pile endlessly like it used to. Most of that has to do with my mama’s visit- she helped get our life ‘over the hump’ of transition from the move and the baby, allowing me to find the center again. I am deeply grateful.

One of my favorite things:

Babies babbling. And babies giggling. And sibling’s funny faces that make all of that happen. Yup. Yessiree. That, my dears, is of unmeasurable worth.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

An overhaul to the blog, long put off. I need to unlock the archives, but I’m half worried I will flood everyone’s Readers obnoxiously.

Continuing to follow this new path and schedule, and trusting in His lead in it.

A couple of spring cleaning things- cleaning out the windows, which have been untended for years and have numerous bug issues and nests- blech! Caring for the yard and gutters, maybe planting a few things? Repairing some damage to the walls that a certain toddler who shall not be named managed to do while I was looking.straight.at. him. *ahem*. It blows my mind what kids of this age can manage to damage- they can resemble descending locusts at times…

A picture thought I am sharing:

An oldie but a goodie. Totally inspiring me today. Need some color with all this rain!

Outside My Window:

The first signs of fall (after an inexorably hot and humid summer!)- cooler breezes, an ever so slight tinge of yellow and orange barely about the leaves, and the smell of harvest- hay and tabacco are all coming in for drying this week. The smell of the chaff burning has that earthy, humus smell that’s not quite the smell of leaves burning but almost as delighful.

I am thinking-

That there is such beauty and grace in everyday if only I will have eyes to see, and ears to hear. Jeremiah’s refrain in Lamentations that “His mercies are new every morning” have been a constant meditation in my heart this summer. I have seen such healing and a peace that I have never known before, even the midst of much nuttiness and craziness on the home front this summer. I am ever grateful.

I am thankful for-

The helps that make my vocation as mama and wife easier. Chief among them is the CM Organizer at Simply Charlotte Mason; I cannot say enough how much more rational and prepared I feel this year because of it- and I like the flexibility of being able to tweak as we go. I’ve also been grateful for Elise’s Children’s Book Mondays, and my oh my, did you know that Anna is back? (Hurrah, hurrah!) I’ve been using allrecipes.com like crazy this summer- and Nourishing Days and Passionate Homemaking have so many great articles for those who pursue an alternative diet like we do due to food allergies.

From the learning rooms-

A new year is upon us! We are delighted to be jumping into Ancient Greece. We’re using the Joshua to Malachi and Ancient Greece Study Guide from Simply Charlotte Mason as our ‘backbone’, and I’ve fleshed the rest of the curriculum out from there. This is my first year to move entirely away from boxed curriculum, and I find myself delighted at the change. We also chose to put our oldest son into a wee private school around the corner from our house, at the church we attend- the reasons are many, and much prayed over. He’s been there for almost a month now and is thriving. Our daughter, who is four, also attends a preschool program twice a week. Isaiah, David, and Josiah are home with me this year. Isaiah’s physical therapy and specialist appointments have increased to twice a week, and Josiah now has the need to visit specialists for a digestive disorder. It’s a new adventure all around.

From the kitchen-

We’ve been faithfully working on meal planning over the summer, and have much improved at it. I read of an idea ( I think via Elizabeth’s shared items, but haven’t been able to find the post yet, will link when I do) of having theme meal planning over a month’s period- mexican one night, italian, soup night, meat dish, vegetarian dish, etc. Over a month- Mexican night might be tacos one night, the next week a southwestern beef casserole, next week enchildas, etc, and then the month starts over again. The kind lady said that she rotated through these meal plans over a quarter years time (so about three months and then changes it up) with a seasonal reflection of produce and recipes. It was a total ‘aha!’ moment for me- it has much simplified things while still providing variety.

I am wearing-

A plum purple v-neck long sleeve shirt (with the sleeves pushed up), and my brown Lands End knit skirt, and my favorite Birkenstocks. (Don’t ask about the hair though- humidity this summer has managed to make it a total oil slick in places yet straw dry and poufy! I cannot wait for cooler weather.)

I am creating-

Pockets of order and beauty. Our summer was a crazy one, and our home and life really began to reflect that as the season wore on. With the turn into a more familiar routine of school time, I am really working at finding the balance and ensuring margins in the day again, as well as putting our house back to rights. Tucking flowers in spaces, pulling out fall decorations, lighting candles- trying to bring everyday beauty back into rotation instead of messy chaos.

I am going-

Slowly into that good purpose. A dedicated goal of mine over the last six months has been to change habits and lifestyle and in very big way- but in a very slow, reasoned, accomplishable way. I am finding that I while I have big picture goals, I need to break them into smaller weekly and daily tasks. It has really helped. For this recovering perfectionist, I have been learning the blessing, value, and foresight of patient labor vs. frenzied busy work.

I am reading-

Miserly Moms by Jonni McCoy

Laying Down the Rails: A Charlotte Mason Handbook by Sonya Shaffer

Taking Flight: Inspiration and Techniques to Give Your Creative Spirit Wings by Kelly Rae Roberts

I am hoping-

That the pumpkin pecan spice pancake/waffle mix from Williams & Sonoma doesn’t run out any time soon. Oh my word. Yummy doesn’t even cover it. One of my few guilty weekend pleasures.

I am hearing-

The chirp of crickets and the occasional bird song. Leaving at the edge of woodland does have its advantages.

Around the house-

A keeping of order; staying disciplined about the chores that need accomplishing each day. One last closet remains to be uncluttered and put to rights (the last of my must-dos from the summer) so I will try to get to it this week.

One of my favorite things-

I love hearing Josiah as he learns to talk and communicate…the squeal of delight and dadddadddadddda when James walks in the door is not to be missed. It makes me smile every time.

A few plans for the rest of the week-

To not get ahead of myself; to walk patiently and circumspectly; to take advantage of this fresh start; to inspire my children as they begin their learning adventures this year.

A picture thought I am sharing-

Ahem. I haven’t downloaded my card all. summer. long. There’s got to be around a thousand. I should really add that to my plans for this week, no? If I could share one picture, imagine the emerald green rolling hills of Appalachia, the lazy black fences, the drowsy cows, the big oak in the back yard with hammock swung between it and the fence, and five kids in some semblance of dirt and grime twirling, toddling, and digging about, and you’ve got the picture of most of my summer. (My bathtub, on the other hand, begs for mercy.) Oh, and don’t forget the delightfully teethy and gummy smile and glee of Josiah who is almost. walking. (But who doesn’t like the feel of grass on his bare feet.)

———–

Welcome fall. We’ve missed you. Stick around for a bit, will you? No nasty storms or snow until at least November 15th, alright? Deal?

Hello friends, I’ve missed you too. It feels good to be back.

(This post was inspired by Peggy at Simple Woman’s Daybook)

Photo by Steve took it.

My life often seems to be forward march, reverse, back and forth, time-speeds-by and then-time-crawls.

This summer has been such a one- I’ve been careening toward a future and yet resolutely stuck in a past that won’t let go of me quite yet. It’s an odd feeling.

Today I glance over a new school year, with new decisions made, new books, new bags, new everywhere. My sister is newly a wife…I spent the weekend at her wedding, doting on her as all matrons of honor do. It was a lovely time, and yet there was silver mist about the edges…some things will ever be painful for me, and weddings are such an occasion.

I had to fly- our current work situations would not allow much more- and I spent much of what should have been a calm and joyful weekend caught in the vortex of our archaic air transportation system. What was supposed to be quicker, easier, faster, calmer- all opposite. I’ve never been one to have panic attacks, but I came awfully close yesterday. It is not something I wish to re-live any time soon.

I want to talk about the lessons I’ve learned over the last six months- they are too valuable not to share- but recent events have left me feeling shockingly, panic-filled vulnerable again, and I don’t know what that means for this blog. I’ve always spilled heart-words here, driven to dash my scribbles across the digital page…but I’ve felt so driven to quiet (for many reasons, online and off) that I begin to wonder what is in store for my little place here.

If there is anything I’ve learned over the last few years, it is that we cannot run from our troubles, our time-crawls, our time-evaporations…we must ever be in the moment- in and around and through- so there it is that I am today. One foot in front of the other, thoughtfully, prayerfully.

Outside my window~

A garden in full swing, and a certain heretofore neglected 64 Cherry Red Mustang, now running, out of the garage…such a simple thing really, but it brings me delight to see my husband’s ‘project’ back in circulation.

I am thinking~

That Elise says things that touch your heart and want you to be a better mama, every single day, and how she said what I was trying to say so much better: Once Upon a Time and  Sometimes. Go read, be blessed, and I dare you to try it without a box of Kleenex. She and Ann are such gifts! To unwrap one of their posts is a treasured blessing.

I am thankful for~

Vacations, the safe haven (if occasionally stormy harbor) of family, the people who know know you, past the skin and skull, deep heart level, and most of all, for grandmas. Any sort will do, but my three are the best- love to Grandgrama, Grandma Kathy, and Nana, for without whom I would a lot less sane without their assistance. (I pay back in baby snuggles and toddler kisses.) My mother, who made last week and our extended family vacation happen.

From the learning rooms~

A diligent effort to finish well. In between spaces as one year ‘wraps up’ (ever so slightly since we school throughout the year) and a new one begins. Looking forward to convention and a chance to refuel in a few weeks.

From the kitchen~

I feel like I am forever talking about food and/or homekeeping routines, but I usually write from where I am at. These last few months have been a very concerted effort to focus on these areas. They are the most troublesome for me, and that is definitely the case with food! Between food allergies and diet needs, I can’t ever seem to find a long-term workable solution. I think I am edging a lot closer to an answer that I can work with.

I am creating~

Tiny pockets of order. I realized that much of my mental stress resulted from lack of discipline in my own doings (in addition to my children’s) and that I must focus on what is prescient, what my true work is, right now, no matter how much I may dislike it, no matter how dirty (or stinky….) Sigh. It grieves me in a way I can’t quite put words to. I am not thinking of physical, home keeping type stuff, but rather, the spiritual and emotional- the deep down heart issues at the core of the problem.

I am going~

Very few places this week. It was a refreshing vacation, but so much of vacation is going and seeing, so it’s nice to have a quiet week ahead, with only a few obligations.

I am reading~

Oh gracious. I really need to update my booklist, and I have a ton of reviews I’d like to do…ha. Like I have the time. Ok, the top of the stack rightthissecond is… The Freedom of Simplicity by Richard Foster. I have been on ‘a tear’ as my husband likes to call it- devouring books left and right.

I am hoping~

I realized today that in addition to the Easter people, we oughta be the hopeful people. Because…no matter what…we have this great Hope…that gives us the freedom to dream big dreams, because His are bigger…

I am hearing~

Mighty is the Power of the Cross by Chris Tomlin on the Arriving album, via a Shawn McDonald Pandora station. You ever have these moments when something set to music just grabs you, holds you, moves you, and reminds you? Yup. I’ve heard this song, sung by him, a million times on a ton of different radio stations, but tonight, the spirit moves. Speechless.

Around the house~

The honey-do list shrunk quite a bit while we were on vacation (my husband couldn’t go with us because of work, so he got to get lots of rest and attack that darn list savagely), but there is still a lot of projects that need getting done, so that’s where I am headed next. We should be moved in some time in 2025. Ha!

One of my favorite things~

Is getting to hear those “I remember when…” stories that always happen at family gatherings. We should listen ever so much more closely to these- these personal histories that shape and form-but we don’t realize it for their very mundane, every day subject matter until it is too late to hear it told one more time.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing~

Oh yeah, summer is here. Strawberries….yum and yum. And flip flops. YAY!

You can find more daybooks here.

Outside my window…

A light dusting of snow. I am trying to act as if this is a good thing, but I am done with snow this year. It has made a mucky, muddy mess of our area (an area that rarely gets snow) and the county has been ill-equipped to deal with its’ effects. Blech. Where is spring?

I am thinking…

Of a sweet friend going through a move herself. Praying for her and her sweet kiddos- it’s been a tough season for them.

I am thankful for…

Banker’s boxes. New beginnings. Bigger rooms and places to run, a real, actual kitchen with a window over the sink. Space to breathe. For my wonderful, amazing husband, jack of all trades, mover of all things heavy. We got wonderful news about his job Friday, so to say we are over the moon right now even in the midst of moving chaos is just about right.

From the learning rooms…

We are in a bare bones, catch as catch can school schedule. Math happens just about every morning, and we are reading lots and lots. Real life learning going on right now. You know, spatial awareness- will that mattress fit through that door and how heavy is it- and let’s take bets on how long it is until mommy and daddy drop it- that sort of thing. heeeee

From the kitchen…

You know, I’m excited. We sort of got into this buy frozen family meals type routine the last two or three weeks in all the craziness of James moving to second shift. It always helps, but I am ready to cook again. And in a nice kitchen to boot! We’re only renting, but it feels a bit like Christmas right now.

I am wearing…

Jeans and t-shirt. Only notable because the last few weeks I have been living in sweats. Not exactly on purpose, but when my days started early and ended late, I often would look down at three in the afternoon and realize I never got “dressed”. Going to try to change that trend after the move is over.

I am creating…

Mess upon mess upon mess. I can’t believe how messy the kitchen was- and I am very diligent in making sure it is cleaned top to bottom at least once a week. Blech, blech, blech, yuck. Thoroughly grossed out.

I am going…

To not miss all the *loud* traffic that files past our house each night. We are moving to a lovely barn house in the middle of the country with fantastic, amazing, over the top (yes, I will take pictures and share) views of the mountain ridge. Where it is blissfully *quiet*.

I am reading…

Sort of reading three books at once, and I can’t remember any of their names right now. Ha! But it is nice to be able to read again, and be able to remember and absorb what I have read. Sleep deprivation is not stealing brain cells any more. *grins*

I am hoping…

That this move goes well, that the kids find the transition somewhat smooth, and that the family moving into this house will be blessed.

I am hearing…

Josiah babble and talk, and blow rassberries. He’s suddenly discovered he can make noise, and it is so funny to watch him feel out the sounds in his mouth. We live to make him laugh right now- what’s sunnier than a baby giggle? He definitely brightens our days.

Around the house…

You know, I’ve purged and purged and purged the last two years, and I am still amazed and the simple amount of stuff- equipment- that it takes to manage and run a large family. I don’t know how extra large (10+) families travel, let alone move. I am overwhelmed at the amount of things needed just on the first day to keep the kids going in the midst of the move!

One of my favorite things…

Nursing. I have passed quite a milestone today- 7 months. Well, so has he for growing, but I digress. This is the longest I have gone breastfeeding, with no signs of stopping so far. I wonder why it took me till number five to finally “get” it…the times we have together are sweet and quiet in the midst of noise and messes. A peaceful place.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing…

You can find more daybooks here:http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Outside my window...

After all the arctic cold, lots of warm-ish temperatures. And mud. Lots of mud. When you spin out in your own drive way (asphalt)…something has gone awry.

I am thinking…

About so many things, so many that I wish I could share- but God has ordained my silence here. I hope to be back with my readers and friends soon. About Haiti. About completion. Soon, soon.

I am thankful for…

James has begun his new job. Did I mention that here? I honestly cannot remember. It has been a whirlwind, truly. A wonderful whirlwind, but all the same, hold tight the rope as we go flying! He LOVES it. We love it. We couldn’t ask for anything better. I can’t wait to tell you the story. Some of you know the whole story via email, but hopefully I can tell it here soon!

From the learning rooms…

Diligence, diligence. We are sort of in a short-at-the-seams stage of schooling- I don’t have “enough” for the boys. Wonderful that they want more, but where to find time to search out more resources? And time to engage with it? Seeking to find the balance between the schooling needs and other relational needs for my younger ones.

From the kitchen…

Oh, it is has been crazy come dinner time for an abundance of reasons, but miraculously…we’ve managed to eat at home every night but one the last two weeks. I am so proud of that, because it means I have finally built up a repertoire of meals that I feel comfortable cooking in a short amount of time *and* have the pantry items for. I have been trying to do this for years, I tell you! It’s almost a ‘shout from the mountain tops’ success here. *big grin* (HT: Mary Ostyn, because without her book, I wouldn’t have finally mastered it!)

I am wearing…

To do lists pasted to my forehead, because it is THAT crazy around here. Well, not my forehead, but you get the picture. My brain dumps about four times a day- without the lists I would get so lost about what I am supposed to be doing and when. Thank God for iPhone alerts.

I am creating…

Messes upon messes. I know that putting the house on the market was a wise thing to do, but sheesh. Why does packing have to be so messy? At yet, have to keep everything so very clean? You can see more dust that way. And baby hand prints. And snot smears. And a million other things I don’t want to think about. Praying they don’t look too hard at the carpet.

I am going…

Nuts. Goofy, just keep holding on and laugh about it nuts. Now that we have a job-rhythm that will change again in two short weeks, I have to find an even keel for a wee bit. He will then be on second shift (which is a four-to-midnight deal) for a long time, which means our whole “day” will shift. Does that mean we need to make our big family meal lunch? Stuff like that.

I am reading…

Nothing at the moment besides my blog subscriptions. I hope to have my reading list together soon.

I am hoping…

That this week is calmer than last week. Last week I felt a bit like a chicken with its’ head cut off. Not a good feeling.

I am hearing…

The dryer thumping about. Last load of laundry. For now.

Around the house…

Selling one’s house is not conducive to living in one’s house at the same time. Let’s just leave it at that.

One of my favorite things…

The way my children giggle. I love drawing it out of them. Often. And giggling along with them.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

To find my brain. And my coffee. I’m gonna need it. The kids have taken to rising when dad leaves. Five thirty am. Yipes and double yipes. Ask anyone- I am not a morning person at all, and the care and keeping of the five under seven set is hard at the crack of zero dark thirty. Sheesh. Sanctification lessons indeed. oh. my. word.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing…

[We're sorry. The scrapbooker and crafty chica formerly known as Joy has lost her camera. Seriously. It's in a box somewhere...I think.]

Do you have any idea how hard it is to post without a picture? I’m a picture and a post kind of blogger. It is driving me nuts!

You can find more sane and encouraging daybooks here.

Outside my window…

A "For Sale" sign, and bitter, bitter cold. I am amazed the pipes haven't frozen yet; I expect it to happen any hour now. Then again, the constant twirl of the washer might be postponing that.

I am thinking…

That change is frightening, and yet invigorating. I also think that there are a lot of plates in the air right now. My plans for January have been completely upended and it's only the 3rd, but the new plans are so much the better. I've read a plethora of wonderful "new year" posts, with lovely thoughts- read everyone's new word for the year- based on Ali's thing from three years ago.  All inspiring. I can't muster the brain power to talk about everything I've been thinking about: I think the Lord has ordained for it all to "set and set" a little while longer. If I have any word right now, it is "winsome". That's what I think about when I think about what I want to be, want to do.  Or "wise". How about two: winsome and wise?

I am thankful for…

Hands and hearts and dreams and love. Paint that covers a multitude of toddler goo. Space to breathe and move.  Children that manage to weasel under my defenses and make me love them even more.

From the learning rooms…

New semester here we come! Amazingly, all house-showing and moving aside, this will be the first "normal" semester for my boys- one in which I am not pregnant and/or in the newborn fog. I find myself much more excited about the learning days ahead, and I know this has a lot to do with health and a few decent nights of sleep in a row.  I think everyone is ready to get back into our school day rhthym. Breaks are good, but getting back to work brings its own reward.

From the kitchen…

My kitchen suddenly seems quite spacious pared down to the barest of essentials. Hah! I will not be fooled. Needless to say, with showings happening at the oddest of times, I have to retreat to the 'old faithfuls' that can be fixed in twenty minutes or less, freezing double batches, and making as much as possible in the slow cooker. (I figure it has the added benefit of making the house smell really good all day long- something they say really helps with selling!)

I am wearing…

My heart on my sleeve. Everything is right near the surface right now, so full of hope! Yet admonishing myself to patience and waiting for God's perfect timing. 

I am creating…

Stacks and stacks. Box after box is stacking up in the garage. I've had a few ask on facebook why I am packing and painting and the like without an offer on the house or even a house to move to- yet- and the simple answer? Our house is TINY. We have lived in every square inch of it, all seven of us, for the last four years. It has taken a lot of abuse; almost every base board, every wall, the carpet, has the evidence of children. It needed a "washed face" for showing. And, by removing most of our furniture and toys, the house looks much larger to potential buyers. We really want to see our house sell quickly, and I'll do anything that helps that process along!

I am hoping…

To keep my wits about me.

I am hearing…

A new playlist my husband made, aptly named, "Christ". It's perfect. It's also needful. It's helping me to keep focus where it belongs!

Around the house…

Seeing if we can master the twenty minute whole house scrub down for showing. It's hard to keep the house ready for the realtors when we live in every inch of it, but we're pretty close. I hate to admit it, but having most of the furniture, and three quarters of the toys and paraphernalia packed up makes that a lot easier. I don't think we can go very long like this- but I've already purged some things we obviously have no need for. It's good to test how much is really "needed". 

One of my favorite things…

Hearing the kids talking about moving to their "farm". Now, I don't know if that is in the cards for us. Oh, it's a great hope in our family- but we have to do what is financially wise for us right now, no matter how much a little white house and big red barn might be calling to our name. We'll have to see. But I can't help but smile when we go look at pr
operties, hearing the boys discuss their plans as to where the (non-existent, not-yet-purchased) John Deere tractor will go, and where they will hang the tire swing. How much fun it is to be that age and have dreams as big as the sky!

A few plans for the rest of the week:

I know I said that Life in the Making would be moving to the new cyber digs today, but I have had nary a minute to make the final tweaks, and neither has my Geek turned painter and all around handyman. I think that the end of the week is a reasonable goal. I've got tons of stuff and goodies to give away all ready to post and go over there…soon. Very soon. I'll make sure to point you there as soon as it is ready!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing…

The new year is always about hope. This double rainbow happened about 11 am Christmas day. It felt like a benediction! It was amazing- lasting more than an hour. We just sat at windows and stared for the longest time.

 
You can find more daybooks here. 

Outside my window…

An Indian summer, after about a week straight of rain. I think it's the last hurrah before winter settles down in earnest.

I am thinking…

Sometimes homeschooling mothers give and give and give and then they
crash and burn. They look up and say, "I'm serving, I'm giving, I'm
loving…I'm utterly depleted." Why? Because we are not called to love
from the depths of our being.
We are called to love as He loved. We fill ourselves with Him, first,
and then that love  overflows. We know that He is God and that He loves us,infinitely.

So, we love our families and our friends and our seemingly unlovable
acquaintances. We love them with His love. We've drunk deep from the
well of Him and it bubbles up and out. That love is not going to burn
out. Instead, it will be like candle flames. Light one candle after
another and it just gets lighter. Brighter. Even warmer. 

~Elizabeth Foss, Sing A New Song, In the Heart of My Home

I am thankful for…

For my husband, whose strength, wisdom, and calm ways balance out my not-so-much ways…*grins*

From the learning rooms…

We are really moving away from formal "curriculum". Part of my burn out was my "rule-following" nature, thinking that if every lesson wasn't done, every book read, every "i" dotted…*ahem* We're headed down a more open, whole-books, narration sort of approach and moving more intuitively through the day. It's going much better for us all. Math has ceased to be an hours-long ordeal. Thank goodness!

From the kitchen…

Pumpkin Spice Pancakes, Sweet Potato and Hominy Soup, Apple Cornbread Bake…lots of fall flavors and colors. All, very, very yummy. Although, I did ruin a pan while making the pancakes…

I am wearing…

Jeans. Black sweatshirt. My favorite necklace, finally fixed. (Three diamond pendant James gave to me four years ago.) Hair up in a mess. My old green glasses. My hair is driving me batty. I have really thick, sorta wavy hair that is beyond sensitive to shampoo. I get the wrong formulation and my hair turns into an oil slick or a pile of hay, but nowhere in between. And I do not have time to fuss with weirdo hair. *sighs* The weather change always messes it up.

I am creating…

Calm places. Within, without. Seeking the balance.

I am going…

Severely cut back on all outings, trips out and about. Our homeschool co-op ends this Friday, so that obligation will be finished as well. We need to spend most of our days at home plain and simple.

I am reading…

The Mitford Chronicles. Again. Up to "The High Green Hills" (#5). Two more to go. I find sometimes that certain fiction helps me to calm down, de-stress. Focus in the right place. Jan Karon's novels definitely do that for me. Grace Livingston Hill is another. The Ann of Green Gables series. Little Women.

I am hoping…

That my burnout recovery continues in a fruitful way. I do not want to land in this overwhelmed, stressed out state every three to four months. That is unsustainable. I agreed with my husband that I really needed to pull back this time and truly evaluate everything that was going on. Part of that was time spent in council with close friends who know our family (and me) well. There's been a lot to think about.

I am hearing…

Piano concerti. Pandora. It was tuned there for schoolwork, and I have yet to turn it off. It's lovely. The vroom-y growls of David running his cars along the window sill.

Around the house…

The fact is, my house is too small. My husband and I both know that. BUT, it's not going to change any time soon, so we are doing some serious re-evaluations of how we use all of our space. What it is going to take to make it all work- school, business concerns. We're going to flip flop around our downstairs basement space again. Thank goodness for rough and tumble Ikea furniture that can take on a million different interpretations…it has served us well these last two years. Trying to do what we can to dampen noise, too, which has become a significant problem of late!

One of my favorite things…

The smell of freshly made bread. Oooh boy. Thank goodness bread doesn't have milk in it, or I'd be in trouble….pile it high with homemade jam, and you've got a slice of heaven, pun intended.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Burnout recovery. Which is to say, the less the better. As much time as possible spent with the children. 

Here is picture for thought I am sharing…

 
You can find more daybooks, here, at Peggy's.

Outside my window…

Gray. Rain. The trees are turning, but you can't really enjoy all the color with it being so overcast. I hope the rain stops soon.

I am thinking…

About all the celebrations this week and next. Ben's was Saturday, James' graduation is this coming Saturday, and David's birthday is next Monday. Lots of fun to be had!

I am thankful for…

Whispers and giggles, clean fresh laundry, adventures, grandparents, warm cozy sweaters and coffee on the back deck, watching the sun rise, for new mercies every morning, downy baby head perfect for kissing, gummy baby smiles and quiet coos.

From the learning rooms…

We've finished our first eight weeks. We're taking our fall break over part of this week and next…I will be working on the planning for the next eight weeks. There are definitely some adjustments that need to be made. I just got done reading an article by Inge Cannon in the Fall issue of The Old Schoolhouse that I found very helpful. It was about the idea of report cards- how they apply in a homeschool setting. I have been struggling with identifying goals and benchmarks for the kids since we have a sort of eclectic Charlotte Mason approach- Mrs. Cannon's article was invaluable in helping me think that process through.

From the kitchen…

Pumpkin something soon. Pumpkin bread, pumpkin spice cookies, something. Very soon. I have been craving it like crazy and haven't found a few minutes yet to pop something in the oven.

I am wearing…

Sweaters! YAY! I am definitely one of those people who would much rather be a tad cold and have to bundle up in sweaters and layers than be too hot. Fall is my favorite time of year. But you already knew that.

I am creating…

I've started into my Christmas lists and my projects for the craft fairs in the area. I'll definitely be stocking the Etsy shop soon. Lots of exciting stuff around here.

I am hoping…

For a definitive answer to a couple of questions facing our family.

I am hearing…

Josiah cooing. He is "talking" to me now when he finishes nursing, full of smiles. My favorite part of any day right now.

Around the house…

Keeping with the daily rhythms. Giving it a good scrub down before we leave for vacation so it stands ready for service when we return.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Packing for our vacation. Also, the hard working Mac that has stood good service for almost three years now needs some serious Dr. Geek attention. A thorough going over and tune up is required. That being said, if I randomly disappear from the online world, you'll know why. I don't foresee it being an issue though, because it is a Mac and my Geek is very good at what he does. Poor thing. We work it quite hard between our two businesses and all of James' very software heavy schooling (which is over now, yay!)…plus it has sort of been storage for my thousands of digital photographs. I've been so impressed with the lack of problems over three years. It's unheard of!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing…

(Took this at the park a few days ago. They all lined up and asked me to take a picture! Of course I said yes.)

You can find more daybooks here.