Same great blog, fun new look.

After receiving some compelling feedback from some special folks,  I've decided this blog will remain open.  I don't really know what that means since I've obviously taken to posting a lot less.  I guess it means occasional pictures of the prince and funny anecdotes of family life......and very rarely, maybe a little more from my own heart.  We'll just have to see how God leads.  For now though, we've made it a lot more fun to look at and will hopefully be updating the sidebars soon.

Happy summer!

My Simple Woman's Daybook - June 19

Outside my window...

 Sunny and breezy.....beautiful. 

I am thinking...

That it might be time to close down this blog.  It seems maybe it has outlived it's purpose.

I am thankful for...

...an elderly dog that has the courtesy to wake me at 6 a.m. on a Saturday morning to inform me she vomited on my bedroom carpet.  >:-(  

(OK, yes, that was sarcastic.)

Towards an education...

.......still chugging along with history.....but very, very lightly.

From the kitchen...

I thought, for a brief time this morning, that my coffee maker was broken.  So I considered doing what any other coffee-loving person would do - driving to McDonald's in my pj's.  But McDonald's coffee really is sort of yucky (and driving to Starbucks would have involved crossing a major highway and changing out of my pj's) so I rigged a way to get one hot cup of manually perked coffee.  
Therefore, see my Favorite Things below.  ;)

I am wearing...

cotton...again

I am creating...

 Lesson plans and curriculum ideas for next year....still.....and also researching some online classes.  

On my iPod...

Reaching Your Child's Heart  - a GREAT talk put out by Simply Charlotte Mason.

I am reading...

You Can't Make Me (But I Can Be Persuaded): Strategies for Bringing Out the Best in Your Strong-Willed Child

Lots, and lots, and LOTS of good stuff in this book!  This may become my new favorite parenting resource.

I am hoping...

For a very blessed Father's Day for my sweetie.

I am praying...

For a gentle heart towards my children.

I am hearing...

A sweet baby boy chewing cinnamon raisin bread and babbling at the dogs.

(Have you ever noticed that when adults - or even older kids for that matter -  chew with their mouths open it's gross but when babies do it, it's adorable?!)

Around the house...

My house is very, very dirty.  There's just nothing more I can say about that.  

One of my favorite things...

Quiet Saturday mornings and fresh, hot coffee....at the same time. 

A few plans for the rest of the week...

 We've battled Strept Throat and goopy noses this week.  It will be nice to have everyone well again.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

Six teeth now!

My Simple Woman's Daybook - June 6

Outside my window...

 It's HOT and the pool is beckoning yet again today.  

I am thinking...

That the homes pictured in Southern Living Magazine don't look like they serve as classroom, playground, and haven 24/7 like mine does.  

I am thankful for...

....the many opportunities I'll have this summer to love some difficult-to-love people.

Towards an education...

"Mom, there aren't that many presidents who had good character."
Yep, Sweetie, you got that right.

From the kitchen...

Olivia has nearly mastered a copycat version of Starbuck's Frappaccinos.  My blender is getting a lot of use on these hot June afternoons.

I am wearing...

cotton

I am creating...

Lesson plans and curriculum ideas for next year.  We'll return to the Ancient Civilizations and we'll also have a high schooler!

On my iPod...

Keep Changing the World by Mikeschair

I am reading...

Imitation of Christ and am finding myself SO challenged by it.

I am hoping...

For a quieter week.


I am praying...


For a sweet friend with a bad back.  :(

I am hearing...

Girls trading Silly Bandz.  I'm sure someone somewhere is making a small (or not so small) fortune off these colorful rubber bands!

Around the house...

I conquered laundry mountain (Mr. Neverest) yesterday and that feels good.  

One of my favorite things...

Summer evenings with dinner by the pool.  

A few plans for the rest of the week...

  A homeschool convention and time alone with my honey.  Yep, I said alone.  Brayden was officially weaned last week.  It's very bittersweet indeed.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

I'm glad to see my old prom dresses are good for......ahem........cartwheels!

I've always likened us to a traveling circus.......

............this just confirms it!

Yep, that's the guy with the arthritic ankles and post-surgical neck!  God love him!  (I sure do!)

My Simple Woman's Daybook - Pentecost Sunday Edition

Outside my window...

 Last week's rain is causing our grass to grow faster than we can keep up with!  Our lawn gal (Olivia) is hoping to get to it between the showers this week.

I am thinking...

That this long-time favorite book to read to my babies sure does sound different when read by 
Oma with her thick Indonesian accent!  
(Indonesian cats evidently make a sound very different from the "meow" of the western world kitty!)

I am thankful for...

The Holy Spirit.

Towards an education...

Most subjects are winding down for the year.  However we're just finishing our third unit (of four) in history.  June and July will see lots of current events and president studies.   I'm OK with that.  Reagan, Carter, Bush x 2, Clinton and Obama are just too interesting to rush.  

From the kitchen...

Lots of roasted veggies from our local farmers market.  (I find if I get enough variety in there, everyone can find something they like.)

I am wearing...

A cozy soft skirt and t-shirt on this rainy Sunday afternoon.

I am creating...

Order in my home.  It's coming slooooooowly.


Someone who would know once told me to expect to wait at least 6 months until the fog of bedrest and 
c-section lifted.  Brayden is now 13 months and it is just lifting.  Praise God it is lifting.

On my iPod...

This wonderful product created by the writers of our history curriculum.  While on my weekend run, I can also get a head start on our history studies for the week.

I am reading...

Simplicity Parenting.....still.  I'd also like to dig into Signs of Life

I am hoping...

For respite soon for August.  Poor guy works so hard for so many people.

I am hearing...

Lots of ear clutter!
Folks often comment to me that they imagine our home is very quiet since we have girls.   Those folks need to stop by one day when we've got flute practice AND karaoke going simultaneously!  

Around the house...

Last week's laundry got folded.....yesterday.  ;-)


We're doing a lot of straightening as we anticipate a visit from a very special friend.  

One of my favorite things...

Friends who know me and love me anyway.  

A few plans for the rest of the week...

 Swim team season is here.


A dear friend and her daughter come to visit as they go college hunting.  The fact that they're looking at colleges means her daughter is just a couple years away from the age when my friend and I met.  

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

My Simple Woman's Daybook - May 15

Outside my window...

August's green thumb really deserves some kudos these days.  The yard is all abloom thanks to his efforts.  I'm thankful at least one of us enjoys yard work!

I am thinking...

That life is meant to be lived as a marathon, not a sprint.  
(Why must I have to relearn that over and over?)

I am thankful for...

A husband who recognizes when his wife is wilting and takes appropriate action.

Towards an education...

President John F. Kennedy, the Vietnam War, and Vatican Council II......lots to explore  this week.

From the kitchen...

For a myriad of reason, we're cleaning up our eating.  I'm pulling out one of my favorite healthy cookbooks for some new ideas.  Baked chicken is getting boring.

I am wearing...

Running shoes, running shorts, running shirt....and lots and lots of sweat. 

I am creating...

Order in our home...........God help me.

On my iPod...


First, a confession:  I'm a closet "iPod addict".  Really.  Maybe one day I'll write a post about how much I rely on my iPod on a day to day basis.  August had no idea he was creating an addict when he gave it to me for Christmas!


 Jason Gray  (He's got a great testimony.) also an apologetics talk called
"Can You Be Catholic and Evangelical?"

I am reading...


Simplicity Parenting.....still.  I'd also like to dig into Signs of Life

I am hoping...

That I'll soon have lasting relief from my persistent back pain.  :-(

I am hearing...


Four sisters in the kitchen at once, kind words, and pots banging.  Sweet.  

Around the house...

There's clatter in the kitchen as yet another cooking competition is underway.  

Today's secret ingredient:  lemon.

All the laundry is washed and dried.  (Ahem, notice I didn't say "and folded"?)

One of my favorite things...


Empty Sunday afternoons, slow paced runs, and cool spring breezes.  
(Oops, I guess that's three favorite things!)

A few plans for the rest of the week...

Eliza finishes her music classes this week.  Marina's and Olivia's online class wraps up this week.  Orchestra is already done.  
Our weeks are clearing out as the school year winds down. 
What am I saying?!  Swim team season starts tomorrow!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

A handsome specimen of one of our "Knockout Roses" courtesy of my handsome gardner.  ;-)

In Praise of BABIES

Apparently, a french filmmaker has recently released a documentary in which he follows 4 babies - all born in different parts of the globe - through their first year of life.  Although I haven't seen it, it looks and sounds like an adorable film.  And if you're local, I happen to know it's playing at Vinegar Hill.

You can read a review as well as watch the very cute trailer here.  (Yes, Marina and Olivia, it's fine if you click over and watch the trailer.)