Simple Woman’s Daybook: August 3rd

FOR TODAY (August 3rd)

Outside my window…

Rain. Blagh. The strangest weather…here we are in August and the temps aren't breaking the low eighties. Feels so weird when we're normally in high nineties and plum miserable. But rain, every day. Feels more like Seattle or London than sunny eastern Tennessee.

I am thinking…

I am not as young as I used to be. This babymoon is kicking me in the shins physically…still increadibly sore and finding it hard to move fast. (Not a good thing with my speedy boys!) It is coming along though. Everyday I am feeling just a bit more 'me'. It's wonderful to be able to walk normally again!

I am thankful for…

Grandmas! And husbands! And friends and family and love and meals that I don't have to think about. And definitely sleep. Sweet, sweet sleep. So elusive these last months, and even though Josiah has his days and nights all mixed up, when I fall asleep, I fall asleep. Real, good sleep. It's lovely. I feel my grumpy factor going way down. You don't realize how much you are running on fumes and adrenaline until you don't have to anymore.

From the learning rooms…

Was able to finish planning for the next eight weeks. I've decided to attack my year this way in chunks on the recommendation of more than a few friends- looked at the requirements of the law for my state, then divided and conquered, decided on days and weeks off. I really like it! I'm actually getting excited about getting started, and that's a huge thing for me. The learning room is still sort of in the ether, but I'll be looking at this week while my mom is here- she already had some great suggestions. We've been hashing out the boys different learning styles and how that plays into learning spaces. Can I just say what a huge blessing and resource I have in her?  

From the kitchen…

We are so blessed to not have to cook at all- my church family and community group is taking care of us for the next two weeks. I am sure I will be collecting recipes by the end- half the fun is getting to try all the food. I am thankful for the break, and the infusion of new things into what had become quite ho-hum. Two recipes I might have to try for lunch: Eva's Falafel Sandwiches, and this collection of 101 Simple Salads for the Season. 

I am wearing…

Real clothes! *grins* A pair of black capris, one of my favorite soft t's (gray brown), and a white tank top. No shoes. (Do you ever find me with shoes on in the summer if I can help it?)

I am creating…

Well, if milk counts…other than that, nothing. My fingers are itching to get messy and paint covered though.

I am going…

Nowhere I don't have to go if I can help it. Enjoying the babymoon and my mom's extra pair of hands. There will be plenty of time to go and things later. Right now, rest.

I am reading…

Just finished Julie and Julia. Not very impressed with it all; despite my love for Julia Child, this book just didn't cut it for me. I really wanted to see the movie before reading the book, but now I'm not so sure. Considering I rarely ever pick up fiction, and secular fiction at that, I was sorely disappointed and remembered why I don't.

I am hoping…

That this transition from four to five children continues to go well. I had many fears- so far many unfounded fears. So we'll see. We could not do this without my mom's help- she comes with every child for at least a week, sometimes more, sometimes less, and helps bridge the gap:  special things with the older kids, keeps the laundry going, etc. that really help us to find that sense of new 'normal' quickly. I wonder how it will change once she leaves…hoping we've found a good rhythm before then.

I am listening…

A Cd-set from convention. The Biology of Behavior by Dianne Craft, MA, CNHP, which explores the physical causes of behavior and attention problems in children. It is great…the whole food allergy/behavior connection issue is discussed in some depth. Learning so much about what I can do to help Isaiah.

Around the house…

Just enjoying. We had friends over to finally inaugurate the finished deck and James' new grill (his Father's Day present this year that we haven't been able to use since everyone has been sick and house bound).Ate corn and veggies straight out of the garden while the kids had a noisy fun time. It was great!

One of my favorite things…

Babies. Specifically my baby. But babies in general. Such hope wrapped up in such a tiny package.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Nix. No. Nip. Nothing. Nada. Baby loving. Giggling, coloring, swimming, laughing, chasing, catching.

 
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