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Showing posts from June, 2013

fun on the merry go round

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simple woman's daybook

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FOR TODAY June 12, 2013 Outside my window... lilacs, lobelia and purple petunias. I am thinking... that little ones growing up is bittersweet. I am thankful... for summer, sunflowers and sweets. In the kitchen... watermelon and a shopping list. I am wearing... black capris and gray t-shirt. I am creating... organized spaces.  Time to get this chaotic clutter under control. I am going... plant shopping today. I am wondering... if I should purchase next year's curriculum now or wait for a possible deal at the used book sale? I am reading... "It Happened at the Fair" by Deanne Gist.  Actually just finished it.  Good summer read. I am hoping... my dear friend is enjoying her California getaway! I am looking forward to... starting a summer book study with a few friends. I am learning... to do nothing out of rivalry or conceit. Around the house... oh boy, where do I start?  There are craft supplies on the dining room table, a shipment of books waiting for a permanent

Oop Days!

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"Oop Days!"  That's what Logan used to say when he'd drop something or he'd see something out of place.  Like a garbage can that had fallen over or a car that had been in an accident.  Logan's vocabulary has increased throughout the years and now includes the word 'embarrassed', which is what he gets when I bring up things he used to say or do when he was a toddler. The other morning we had a minor mishap with the cereal.  Someone put the opened box in the pantry upside down! No one would fess up to it but I have my suspicions as to who the girl might have been.  Even though the broom is in the picture, I did not yet start cleaning up the mess.  For once I remembered the camera before cleaning could commence.  :)   Oop Days!

Sitting in the Nest

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I'm struggling with being content these days.  This struggle is an old friend who comes to visit on and off throughout the days, months or years.  Lately though it's been really tough.  It's challenging for me to be still and rest in this current season.  In this season of making meals, laundry pile-ups, picking up after 4 children, 2 adults and 1 dog.  Changing diapers, officiating disputes, teaching curriculum, wiping drippy noses, dirty dishes, dust on furniture, cleaning toilets, disorganized pantry closets, endless clutter and the list goes on. I've noticed that I tend to struggle more with contentment when I compare myself and my situation with my friends.  I have friends who are teachers who make a difference in many children's lives every day.  Friends who open their hearts and homes to adopt precious children or open their doors to host exchange students.  A few friends are going on short term mission trips and still others who have committed to a long t

What I Learned Camping

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  We went camping for the first time in over 12 years!  I know!  Crazy!  Here is what I learned: 1.  Packing for a camping trip is hard work!  Even if you have a handy dandy 'Camping Checklist' , you will forget something(s). 2.  Racoons are very tenacious and clever.  They are even able to jump onto your vehicle when they smell food inside.  We found these footprints on the side mirror and the roof of our van. 3.  When making a Hobo meal for dinner, cut the potatoes smaller or you will be eating burned meat/veggies and potatoes that are on the hard side. 4.  Do not let your children bring juice boxes into your tent.  They will inevitably spill and not tell you until it's time to sleep.... in a wet sleeping bag. 5.  An old string of christmas lights thrown onto the campfire will turn the flames blue-green.  Who knew?! 6.  Boys will come home with all sorts of items in their pockets. 7.  Even with a 1/4" sleeping mat, the ground is hard! 8.  Do

School's out for Summer!

Ah!  I'm sitting here on a Wednesday morning with the dishwasher running in the next room, a load of laundry started in the washing machine and a cup of coffee in my hand, relaxed.  There is nothing on the calendar and no big 'to do' list waiting for me today.  I have no lesson plan to check, no activities to rush off to and my inbox only had 7 new messages to read today.  School is officially over for the summer and this week we are all enjoying some free time. As I reflect on the schoolyear and how it went, I'm not focused on the academic portion.  I'm focusing on the character of my children and how they grew.  We had a few wild rides and a few rocky paths to traverse.  Their academic knowledge did not get them through those troubles.  Their strength and faith in the Lord did.   “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is s