Sick

Like I said before "We tried" but I guess I was really just fooling myself to think we could escape a whole winter with nothing but a mild cold when I've got kids who just troll for germs!!! My sweet ones didn't want to be alone in their misery so very generously shared and now I'm down for the count. Jacob and Esther seem to be working on it as well. And it's Spring break for our Homeschool Center for Pete's Sake!! Oh well, It's raining and cold anyway. So all this to say I think I'm going to take a small blogging break until my fever goes away!!!

We Tried!!

We tried so hard to escape the sickies this winter - and almost made it!! Abbie and Sam woke up with fevers and terrible coughs this morning - Abbie sounds like a seal :0)!! The sad thing is, tonight was supposed to be Abbie's very first overnight event with her little friend. She's sick enough not to care - but I'm sure her little friend will be very sad!!

There is the most beautiful chorus of birdsong outside my window right now. The birds know it's spring - now we just need to let Old Man Winter know it's time to move along and let some of that healing Spring air arrive here in the Pacific Northwest.

Best Friends

Some fun pictures of Esther with her best buddies - her brothers and sisiters!!

Week's Beginning

FOR TODAY March 23, 2009...

Outside my window...Cloudy skies - tiny breeze. I think were having a typical grey Pacific Northwest drizzly day

I am thinking...about what it looks like to be the wife and mother God wants me to be - not what the world expects it to look like or even what the church expects it to be - but what God wants

I am thankful for..The really fun day we had on Saturday!! Such a great time we had!!!

From the learning rooms...Starting our new units on Eyes and Ears and American Folklore

From the kitchen...We just finished buttermilk pancakes for breakfast - I'm finishing my menu for the week next.

Verse for today...Philippians 2: 5-7 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant (the part I'm working on)

I am creating...a birthday gift and my wrap - I went into a very fancy yarn shop this weekend - I almost had to ask for a tissue to wipe the drool off my face :0) It did inspire me to find more creating minutes in my day!!

I am going...Grocery shopping sometime today - not terribly excited to go - hopefully it will seem more fun later ;0)

I am reading...Philippians and Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind by Ann Ross - silly book

I am hoping...Esther's tooth comes through soon. It's just hanging around just making her fussy at night. I can feel how swollen her gums are - poor thing!!

I am hearing...Ruthie tidying the kitchen - the others getting out some coloring things

Around the house...Tidying up - a bit more cleaning up in my bedroom - a good floor sweeping and maybe if there's time a mopping

One of my favorite things...Long rides that start out early in the morning

A few plans for the rest of the week: A potluck Boy Scout Court of Honor on Thursday evening - I think Daniel has achieved a new rank - if he did, I get a new pin to add to my collection :0) For sure he's earned some new merit badges (sewing for me!!) He's working so hard to get Eagle!!

Here is a picture I'm sharing: another picture of the snow geese we saw on Saturday - the farm was so pretty and that distant line of white in front of it were hundreds more geese!!! I wish my camera could have captured the rugged Olympic Mountains that were behind all that - they were just gorgeous!!!

For more Simple Woman Daybook entries you can visit: http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Lovely Day

Our big boys were at a youth convention (Dare 2 Share) today learning to share their faith. A wonderful thing for them to do for sure!!

The rest of us decided to play:

A beautiful church on our drive

As we drove between ploughed and unploughed fields we came across this enormous flock of snow geese - we've never been so close before!! They were incredibly noisy!!! There were at least 500 of these honking birds!!! They will be flying home to the Arctic soon.

We stopped in a tiny town and had hot cocoa and shared a cinnamon roll (a sweet older lady offered to take our picture)

We had to stop and play by the water. The pungent salty smell of the Puget Sound made us all hungry for clam chowder!!A beautiful old barn

We saw many of these magnificent birds!! No wonder they are our national bird - they are amazing!!

More Bald Eagles

The farmers in this area plant huge fields of daffodils and tulips. The color is breathtaking!!! (The tulips weren't showing any color yet - but the daffs were something else!!)

Then finally we came across a field that was the home to about 75 swans - they were beautiful!! So very graceful!!! They also will be flying away soon.

What a fabulous day we have had - God made so many wonderful, beautiful things and it is so great to get out and see them!!!

Six

Turning six years old is a big deal!! And our sweet Abigail has reached that milestone!!

Abigail - my sweet little funnyface has the very best giggle in the world and keeps us entertained daily with the joy she shares with the world! What fun she is and I'm so glad God put her in our family!!
Monkey time

Abbie will make a wonderful mommy one day!! She loves her baby sister!

Happy Birthday, Honey Bun! We are so proud of you and love you very much!!!

Love,

Daddy and Mommy

A Bit O' the Irish

Today we are enjoying all things Irish. We started the day with our once a year box of Lucky Charms. We will be doing more studies of Ireland and St. Patrick.

Did you know he was an English boy who was enslaved by the Irish for many years during which he became saved - after he returned to England he became convicted to return and preach the gospel to the Irish. His obedience to God changed history. The Irish church became so strong that it was the force behind evangelizing all of Europe during the Dark Ages. A very important reason to remember St. Patrick for sure!!

We also are going to make Irish Soda Bread and watch Riverdance. We will top it off with an Irish dinner and green sherbet for dessert. Through all this fun today my message to the kids is that obedience to God's will can not only change our own life but many around us!!!

Here are some pictures of my daughter in her Irish Dance class

A New Week

FOR TODAY March 16, 2009...

Outside my window... Grey rainy skies and a stiff breeze, it's going to be a stormy week

I am thinking...about my morning routine. I think it needs some changes for my days to run smoothly. Spring is a good time to make morning changes as it's starting to get lighter earlier - there's less temptation to stay all snuggled under the covers!!

I am thankful for..This brand new week with a clean slate - to start new. Last week was an icky week!

From the learning rooms...A St. Patrick's Day Unit. Learning all about Ireland - the culture, traditions, history and mapping it. We're also learning all about St. Patrick who was a passionate missionary who spread the gospel over much of Europe. It should be fun and interesting.

From the kitchen...the menu for the week is all planned - Yahoo - today I'm making our yogurt and granola. We're having hamburgers for dinner and tomorrow is an Irish dinner with green sherbet for dessert. Fun!!!

I am wearing...Denim skirt and cozy pink top

I am creating...my wrap with my pretty teal yarn. I haven't gotten very far but I have worked on it!!

I am going...Grocery shopping and to the fruit stand and then birthday gift shopping for a certain little girl whose big day is this week in our home!! (more on her later!!)

I am reading...Philippians and The Darcy's Give a Ball

I am hoping...That I can set a cheerful tone in my home this week. I haven't been very joyful lately and I want to change that. This is my current prayer and the change I'm desiring to to make in my life.

I am hearing...The kids playing with Esther in the living room - and coughing - they are all still a bit snuffly

Around the house...General tidy up and laundry - of course. I want to get my kitchen good today

One of my favorite things...Praise music and Hymns - I love both!!! They both have so much to offer and they both lift my heart and remind where my focus ought to be!!

A few plans for the rest of the week: We have a birthday this week so we are getting ready and then celebrating!!

Here is a picture I'm sharing: We woke up to giant snowflakes falling yesterday - they were just huge!!! - This mini snowstorm was followed by a major windstorm that knocked out our power for a time.

For more Simple Woman Daybook entries you can visit: http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

I Spoke too Soon

A couple of weeks ago I said I thought Winter was over and Spring was here to stay. When am I going to learn? Never say stuff like that out loud!! (Other things to never say out loud are: My child is completely potty trained and We haven't had any ear infections this winter!! :0)

Anyway, a quick and effective snowstorm swept through our area yesterday and brought Winter back. I almost got out the Christmas music!! It was only about 20* outside last night! My poor primroses are shocked to death (literally) at the change in temperature.


The sun came out today but it's very, very cold.
So today after school the kids spent the day doing this:

And this:

I spent the day indoors. It's just too cold for those afflicted with Spring Fever!! I found a new Honey wheat bread recipe to try and it turned out lovely although I think I could have made it into three loaves instead. This is to go with our chicken soup all filled with yummy veggies from my trip to the fruit stand yesterday. I have never visited my fruit stand in the snow. Since it's an open stand, I froze my tootsies right off and I didn't quite get that wonderful springy, summery feel that I love but the veggies sure made the soup yummy all the same!! :0)

One day down with Daddy out of town. Just a couple more to go. Well, I gotta get off this computer and go finish cleaning the bathrooms so I can work on my Spring (yoo hoo - we're waiting) shawl.

Daybook Time

FOR TODAY March 9, 2009...

Outside my window... Snowflakes falling pretty heavily, dusting the branches of the fir tree and leaving silvery drops on my bare maple tree. It's looking very wintery this morning. I'm not sure but I don't think this was predicted.

I am thinking...About my week ahead - Hubby is leaving town today for a few days.

I am thankful for..My Mom's successful surgery. She's starting to feel better. I'm so glad. We had such a wonderful visit on the phone this weekend. I'm looking forward to Easter when I think we'll see my parents!!!

From the learning rooms...A bit of a slow start this morning since Daddy is home getting ready to leave and they all want to be with him - plus he let me sleep in this morning as I probably won't get much while he's gone. Thanks Honey :0)!!

From the kitchen...Yogurt and Chicken soup - I always want soup when it's wintery outside and several kids have bad colds so chicken soup is just the thing!!

I am wearing...soft grey skirt and pink and grey top, slippers as usual and a super wiggly baby (this is a challenge to type!!)

I am creating...a crochet shawl with the beautiful laceweight alpaca yarn my sister gave me for Christmas. This will be my something new for Easter.

I am going...Grocery shopping and to the fruit stand before Wayne leaves - hopefully I won't forget anything!!

I am reading...II Corinthians and The Darcy's Give a Ball. I'm just starting this book - it's a continuation of Pride and Prejudice - it looks fun!!

I am hoping...The kids colds don't turn into ear infections or get any nastier while Daddy is gone. So far three are down so there are a few to go :0)!

I am hearing...The kids eating their breakfast - I made homemade granola this weekend and the kids said this batch turned out good. They seem to be eating it right up :0)

Around the house...General tidy up - the floors need a good sweeping!!

One of my favorite things...The fruit stand!! I just love the smells and colors and atmosphere.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Just regular week - just our normal routine - I like regular routines!!!

Here is a picture I'm sharing: My fruit stand shopping - this was a picture from the end of the season last fall - since I haven't done a big trip there yet - that's for today!! I just love the colors of all that yummy stuff God made!!

For more Simple Woman Daybook entries you can go to: http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

March

In like a lion!!!

Friday Hunt

Here we go - one more scavenger hunt from Simply Stork. She's sure done a good job of giving me stuff to write about, and a way to look around my house a little differently as I go about my days this week!!

Today we were to find:

1. Something handmade
2. A picture of my kids
3. What is in my purse right now


I just finished this doily - it's the second one I've made. It's going to be given to our nursery lady at church. She is such a sweet gal. Since I don't leave my kids in the nursery - I've spent lots of time rocking and nursing babies in the nursery rocking chair and have really gotten to know her. I just want to thank her for a job that most people don't notice

It's so hard to catch all these kids in the same place for any candid shots any more I had to use the formal photos we had taken just a couple of months ago to get them all. (I cheated and used to photos already up on my sidebar)

I don't carry a purse. It's a diaper bag for me. This very cute bag I have now was made by a dear friend. Isn't it sweet?
And of course, it's filled with baby stuff. A crochet project for me and my wallet, keys, chapstick and mints. I will throw in a baby blanket on top of all that when I leave the house.
So I'm off to get ready for my homeschool co-op classes. I'm running late - gotta go. Have a great Friday!!!

Scavenger Hunt Thursday

Our scavenger hunt is well underway - and it's been really fun!! So for today we were to find:

1. My favorite book
2. Something pointy
3. Something that makes me giggle

Here goes:

The book one was super hard for me. I love to read - do it all the time - and I have about a million favorites (Well maybe 300 :0)!! I love all the Little House books, the Mitford series, the Lord of the Rings, Narnia books, Jane Austin, Agatha Christie, most mysteries, adventure books, shampoo bottles if there's nothing else, really anything with words on it!!! To pick one is impossible - so I picked my favorite one recently read:

Anne of Green Gables - you can see how well loved it is!!
Something pointy:
These scissors are sharp!! I use them for my crocheting and any other projects I'm doing. While they are a very nice pair and super handy, how they came to live at our house wasn't so fun. They are actually a souvenir from the local ER after my #2 son fell off his skateboard and needed stitches in his chin. Although if you asked him he wouldn't say he fell off - he would say he was doing an awesome trick and miscalculated his landing :0).

Something (or someone) that makes me giggle:

This wonderful man - after almost 21 years married still has the ability to make me giggle like a schoolgirl!! God was giving me the ultimate blessing to bring him into my life!!

Simply Stork is the mastermind behind this game. Go see her beautiful place - it'll be fun!!!

Scavenger Hunt - Day Two

To ward off the winter blah's I'm participating in a scavenger hunt. Today we were to:

1. Find some pennies
2. Find something that gives me joy
3. Find some buttons

So here goes:

My penny jar in my pantry - it holds up my cookbooks. Where do all these pennies come from? Well, I'll show you:
I don't know why but every time I sweep my floor I end up sweeping up pennies. I don't know where they come from - maybe they have babies - but there they are without fail in my dust pan. So I pick them up and put them in the jar. One day I'm going to cash them in and get a pedicure!!

Something that brings me great joy is gardening - especially my veggie garden. Since I have a fairly serious case of the winter blahs and it made me so happy to look at pictures of last year's garden I'm putting up three pictures:

My lettuce patch:

Yummy French Fillet and Romano bush beans

My pole beans haven't done their climbing yet - but my pumpkins, squash and peas have gone crazy!! I can't wait to get into the dirt this year. I'm making some changes that I hope will boost production. I'm busy reading all my garden books and catalogs. Bring on the sunshine!!!

Here are a few of my buttons awaiting a completed something to put them on. I haven't done much sewing lately. Wiggly babies and gardening trump sewing any day (at least that's my mood for the moment :0)

So there's my scavenger hunt for today. My friend Simply Stork has more and she is a way better photographer than I am so she has really cool pictures!!

Scavenger Hunt

My friend over at Simply Stork decided to do a scavenger hunt to help out those with writer's block. As I've been blue the last few days and haven't had much to say I thought I'd jump in and give it a try. So today's hunt was to include these three things:

1. Something with a story behind it:
2. Something that brings comfort:
3. Something that comes in small packages:

So here goes:

1. This was my first Depression Glass pitcher given to me by my husband. I had seen it in a sweet little antique store while we were on a camping trip on the coast (4 hours from home) about 12 years ago. I fell in love with it but being the frugal person that I am I would not spend so much on something just for me. Many months later he surprised me with it for my birthday. I was just shocked that he kept that secret for so long!!!

A cup of tea always makes me feel better. The smell just soothes my senses and the sweet creamy taste just makes everything fine. This morning I had a headache and I just really wanted that yummy Cream Earl Grey!! It made my headache go away.

Something that came in a small package: Esther - of course!! She was just few hours old in the photo and her ears were the size of a quarter (really!!). At just over 6 pounds she was just a peanut.Wow!! Has she changed!! Now a wiggly, squishy chubby little thing!!

Head on over to Simply's place to see more fun stuff.