Today

Outside my window...cooler and gray - not cold yet but beginning to feel like fall. We've experienced temps in the 80's for over a week. Leaves litter the yard and the ones still clinging to the trees are shades of yellow and brown.

I am thinking...that I need to check on the steer. He has a couple of wounds that we've been cleaning and doctoring. I so hope he heals.

I am thankful...for my mom. I'm thankful of the legacy she is leaving. When life was hard, she still managed to work full time and be everything to my sister and I. I don't know how she did it. Today she has my Baby, spending time with her, celebrating the 2nd birthday. I love how she loves my kids.

From the learning rooms...with Baby gone for the day, I think we will be playing some games. Made for Trade (History), Monopoly (Math) and Apples to Apples (Language Arts) are all games that require too much time to play with Baby underfoot. I think we'll start a new read-a-loud and watch a movie too.

In the kitchen...need to redeem myself for last nights dinner. We were learning about Massachusetts and the Pilgrims so we cooked clam chowder and a pumpkin/cranberry dessert. Husband is more of a meat and potatoes kind of guy. He ate it with little complaint, but soup does NOT impress him. Tonight...hamburgers and fries. He'll be a happy man.

I am wearing...black pants and a pink t-shirt. Boring!

I am creating...a huge mess. It's that time of year...switching out closets....sorting clothes. Hopefully by days end I can create a clean, organized home.

I am going...to stay off the computer today and enjoy uninterrupted time with my big kids.

I am wondering...if Leeny will be able to play Apples to Apples?

I am reading...re-reading Homeschool Supermom....Not! I LOVE that book!

I am hoping...to exhibit more love and patience toward my hubby. I have been so crabby lately and he's been the recipient of it. Not good. I have apologized but I know that I hurt his feelings.

I am looking forward to...a slower-paced week at home. We've been on the go so much lately. I miss weeks with nothing on the calendar.

I am hearing...the radio and kids making their own breakfast. Lots of stirring going on - hot chocolate maybe?

Around the house...piles of clothes ready for Leeny's closet (LOVE hand-me-downs!), bags of clothes ready to be passed on to my niece K, and just the general signs of people living here.

I am pondering...what all I am going to make with the 3 bushels of pears we picked on Sunday. Maybe I should spend some time canning this afternoon.

One of my favorite things...a visit with a friend while lingering over a good cup of coffee.

A few plans for the rest of the week...home. Other than a movie tomorrow afternoon with mom and the kids, we are home until Saturday.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing..

Can't believe this tiny baby just celebrated her 2nd birthday. Where has the time gone? This time it went by so much faster than the others.

Have a great week! For more Simple Women, go here.

Family Fun

I love when our family spends time together -with the husband. He is often so busy providing for our family that it ends up just being the kids and I. When he's along for the day, it's pretty much perfect!
He surprised us and took the day to play. We went to a local fall festival. The weather was perfect, the kids were great and we had a ball!

Bug, Baby, Bubby and I took a ride on this lopsided creation. That was quite a ride! I was very thankful for the chains that held us on. My ribs, however, were not. Next time, I'll skip that one.



They offered "Learn to Drive a Tractor" stations. My kids drive them alone all the time at home, but Leeny and Bubby had to drive them over and over again.

An old steam tractor. Bubby's favorite. He just HAD to have his picture taken on it.



My little scrawny kid tractor pulling in her flip-flops. The man next to me said that he felt sorry for the girls in the flip-flops. Little did he know that when they were done pulling, he'd be eating his words. Don't give my kids a video game and expect much but pedal pulls, no problem!

This is my little ox. She has more strength in that body (especially her thighs) than any kid I know. Not only did she win 1st place, beating all the boys, she was also the ONLY kid to get a full pull. The 2nd place winner was more than 15 feet behind her. And she was in her flip-flops too.

Best vantage point there. The kids love when daddy goes with us. He's lots of fun!

Proud little ladies.




Proof that I was there. Train ride. So often I'm the one snapping pictures, that there are none of me. I hate having my picture taken, but don't mind a few so the kids will know I really was there.

My pride and joys. I love these kids! They bring me so much joy, teach me so much about love, and show me how to enjoy life.

Overheard...

This conversation was on the way to soccer practice last week. I'm so glad that I was driving so they couldn't see my face.

Bug: What's a grenade?
Bubby: It's like a little bomb.
Bug: (quiet for a minute) Are you sure?
Bubby: Yes. They're made out of metal and you pull off part and throw it and it blows up.
Bug: Well then what are those things that fall off the tree by the playground? I thought those were grenades?
Bubby: (Laughing but trying not to) Those are walnuts. (more laughing) I just pretend like they are grenades when I throw them at you.

We will be doing a tree study soon. I'm almost scared to ask what she thinks the other trees grow. :/

Sowing Seeds

I blew it yesterday. No patience, unkind words. Not much in the way of mercy.

I'm so thankful that God's God and I'm not. Because I sure wouldn't want to follow someone like me.

Why do I start out the day well and then as the pressures of all that needs to be done build, I crumple like a stepped on soda can? You know, the day is getting away too fast and still much remains to be done, the Baby needs some attention, Bubby is moving at his pace, etc. And the selfish me wants to be done with schoolwork, so I can move on to what I want to do. So what do I do? I choose the flesh. I get grouchy.

And you know what's the worst? At the end of the day, everything had gotten done...all of it...it always does. But at what price. Instead of sowing seeds of patience, gentleness, goodness, love, etc., which I could have (and should have) chosen to sow, I sowed seeds of anger, bitterness, impatience, etc. Seeds grow. And I know the principle - you reap what you sow. Now I'll have lots of weeding to do. ARRGHH! Why did I choose to sow weeds?

Sometimes I feel like that lump of clay on the Potter's wheel. He starts to get me shaped into what He wants me to be and then SMASH! - back into a lump.

So I'm sorry. I'm sorry that after all that God has done and the price He's paid for me that I still choose my flesh. And I'm thankful. I'm thankful for God's forgiveness. So, so thankful that it's there for the taking. All I have to do is ask.

I'm thankful for kids who are so forgiving - that seem to forget (or choose not to focus) when mom is so far from where she should be. Kids that continue to love me even when I fall.

Wow! Often times they paint a better picture of God's love than I do!

Maybe that's part of God's plan. Maybe that's part of why God called us to homeschool? Maybe God has me homeschooling more for what my kids can teach me? That's a humbling thought. But they do seem to have a better grasp than me on the important stuff.