The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

DECEMBER 22, 2008

Outside my window...snow, snow, and more snow. It is absolutely beautiful.

I am thinking...that the four seasons God has blessed us with are awesome. Spring, summer, fall, winter. He is divinely creative.

I am thankful for...a warm home filled with joyful people. We have two extra friends staying with us this week because of the snow and our house is one big, continuous party. It gets kinda hectic at times, but for the most part it is plain ol' fun.

From the learning rooms...School is on break but we have been enjoying some new Moody Science Classics. Very educational and informative. I highly recommend them to all.

From the kitchen...snacks and junk food. Yesterday was chocolate chips cookies. Today was queso and chocolate covered pretzels. Tomorrow will probably be sausage balls and beanie wienies.

I am wearing...comfy (ugly) pants, a burnt red t-shirt and a long sleeve denim shirt. My hair is up in a bun and my feet are bare.

I am creating...Christmas time memories with my family and friends.

I am going...to finish this post and go do some laundry.

I am reading...I tried to start a new book last night but I was so tired I couldn't focus on the words. Maybe tonight I will be a bit more successful...but then again...maybe not.

I am hoping...that Tim doesn't come down with a cold. He has the beginning symptoms but I do believe they will be gone quickly. Oh...the power of positive thinking.

I am hearing...the fire crackling and Cayla and Ms. Linda playing UPWORDS.

Around the house...Katie and Larah are playing in the playroom. Matthew and Lucas are playing the PS2. Ms. Linda and Cayla are playing a game. I am writing this post. Tim, Justin and Audrey are just coming in the back door from Fischers.

One of my favorite things...Christmas music and lights on the (real) tree.

A few plans for the rest of the week...hanging out at home, visiting with friends, enjoying my family.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

My Three Sons
This picture was taken a couple of years ago in Prineville, Oregon. J.P., Tim and the boys went camping and prairie dog hunting.
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I Love...

I have been given an award called the Honest Award. It was given to me by my fellow blogger and sister-in-Christ, Trudy of Trudy's Place. I have to write 10 honest things about myself and then pass this award onto 5 more honest bloggers. I am going to write about the things I love.

#1. I love being a wife and a mom. It brings me great joy to wake up every morning knowing I get to spend my days with the people I love the most. Both roles cause me to become more dependant on Christ and help me to see who I truly am. I thank God for allowing me to be at home with my family doing what I love. There are days of success and days of failure. But when I lay my head on my pillow at night, I rest assure knowing I am doing what God has called me to do.

#2. I love Puffs Plus facial tissue. I am not a picky product person...on most things. But I am when it comes to blowing my nose. Puffs Plus are my only tissue of choice. There are always other options...toilet paper, hankies, Kleenex, plain 'ol Puffs. But for me, it is only Puffs Plus. I keep an extra box under the bathroom sink so there is never a chance that I will be caught without my Puffs Plus.

#3. I love new socks and underwear...but think they are ridiculously overpriced.

#4. I love where we live. In our early years of marriage, Tim would explain to me this deep longing and desire he had to someday live and minister in the Northwest. I ignorantly dismissed his thoughts, never imaging God would call us away from the south. But in August of 2000 He did and now we live and breath this great Washingtonian air...and I have bloomed/am blooming where I have been planted.

#5. I love my sister. I consider us to be complete opposites, but we share a bond like no other. She is a beautiful person, inside and out. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't wish we lived right next door to each other. But she is 3000 miles away, blooming where she has been planted. Thank goodness for email, blogs, and phones. We know how to burn up the lines.

#6. I love wearing jeans and sweatshirts. There is nothing like an old pair of jeans with a big, comfy sweatshirt. Because of the snow and cold temperatures, that was my attire for church last Sunday. Might just happen again this Sunday.

#7. I love going out for breakfast. My favorite thing to order is a ham and egg omelet with hash browns and an English muffin topped with Strawberry Jam. This fine meal was meant to be enjoyed with a cup of hot, decaf coffee and a diet Pepsi. If this is how I get to start my day...I know it is going to be a fine one!!!

#8. I love the snow. Since I have started this post, I have left my warm, cozy computer chair several times to go gaze out my back window. The scene is absolutely breathtaking. Laying in bed this morning, I was reminded how Jesus' blood washes us white as snow. Isn't that utterly amazing and contagiously exciting?

#9. I love straws. Whether it be water, iced tea, diet Pepsi or a Starbucks, I love straws. The sad news is that I used my last one yesterday. What am I going to do?

#10. I love getting mail. Mail just for me. It is nice to know when I have been thought about and someone took the time from their busy schedule to show they care. A couple of weeks ago I received 12 pairs of earrings for the 12 Days of Christmas in the mail from a friend and this small gestured made me feel loved. So very loved.

Well there you have it. 10 honest things about what I love. Now for the 5 people I pick...

Amy at The Bullard Burrows

Patty at Peppermint Pattycakes

Alex at Alex's Blog

Christina at All That Blog

Sharon at In My Father's Garden

The Rules:

1. Post 10 honest things about yourself along with the award picture.

2. Tag at least 5 other honest bloggers that you know as well as me.

3. Have fun!

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More Snow Pics

December 18th, 2008

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Attention Fellow Bloggers

Help! Help! Help!

Knowledge Needed!!!

My wonderful and beautiful niece, Alex, needs your help.

Visit her blog here and see if you can be of assistance to her.

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Bragging On My Father

I received a compliment at church today and I write about it not to brag on myself, but to praise God for his many and mighty provisions. Larah and I were standing at the sink washing her hands, after about our 16th trip to the potty, when a kind lady stopped me. We made small talk and then she told me that she thought my children were always so nicely and neatly dressed. I thanked her for her kind words and went back to washing Larah's hands.

Later, as I was home resting in my bed...gotta get in that Sunday afternoon nap...I went back over our short conversation. I became instantly thankful to God for his wonderful way of taking care of our family. We are blessed with so many of His provisions and I hope to never take them for granted.

I would venture to say that 90% of my children's clothing comes from a small little thrift store in Morton...Jan's Thrift Store. It is not a beautiful building and it is not loaded with name brand, stylish clothing. But somehow I always manage to find great and inexpensive blessings. Most clothes are priced $.25-$.50. Some items are $1.00 and occasionally I might find something that costs $5.00.

We live on a single income and we don't have a lot of extra money. Because of the Lord's wisdom and guidance, He teaches and enables us to live frugally. I do believe God has blessed us abundantly, and continues to do so. I am so grateful for Jan's Thrift Store and that even though we can't buy brand new clothes, my children are dressed in a way that honors Him. He is so good to us!!!

Thank you Father for providing our needs. Thank you for Jan's Thrift Store.

To read how God has blessed others, go for a visit over at A Dusty Frame and take a glance at Works of God Weekend. You will be truly blessed and encouraged.

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Our First Snow

You'd better watch out...I might decide to throw this thing!
Hold on tight!
Headin' out to Fischers!

Katie, Lucas, Cayla and Larah~posing for a winter photo.

Cayla and Larah...so happy and beautiful.

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Impressive Initiative

I just went over to the kitchen sink to get me a drink of water. As I glanced up on the shelf above my sink, I noticed my pill box had been filled. (You know the kind that is marked with the days of the week for people like me who can't remember or not if they've taken them.) Cayla is the one who always fills it for me...when I ask her to. Today she must have noticed that it was getting empty. She took it upon herself to fill it...without my prompting. She doesn't know it, but she has brought a huge smile to my face. I am impressed. Very, very impressed.

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My Day with Katie

I had the pleasure of spending the majority of my day with my second daughter, 4-year old Katie Jane. We had a blast being together. We headed out about 10:30 this morning and arrived back home around 4:00. During our driving time, we sang songs, shared some Runts, talked about everything and anything, and just enjoyed each other's company. Our first destination was a visit to see our midwife. Katie sat on the bed beside me as we viewed her brother during a sonogram. She stepped on the scale to be weighed...a whole 43 pounds. She held my hand while Laura drew blood from my right arm. At that point, she declared she never wanted to be a mama. I explained that the needle didn't really hurt and that it was a small, small part of having a baby. She wasn't buying it, so I will save that conversation for future years. After Laura's, we went to Spiffy's for lunch, visited Jan's Thrift Store (where I purchased some real bargains) and did some grocery shopping at Morton's Country Market. She helped me drive the grocery cart (the kind built for kids) and learned what the colors red, yellow, and green mean. After all of our errands in Morton, we stopped for a short visit with our family friend, Ms. Jan. Katie was able to love on her little pooch, Honey Bun. Then it was time to come home. Being with Katie was wonderful. It's not very often that we get the one-on-one time that a mother and daughter need. I told her time and time again how much I enjoyed being with her and how thankful I am that God allows me to be her mother. She is such a blessing and today was a day I won't soon forget.

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Afternoon Delight

This morning I cooked down 3 pumpkins from our garden. I just finished making 2 loaves of bread that are now in the oven baking. Cayla, as I type this post, is making the two of us pumpkin smoothies. I thought I would share the recipe with those of you who like pumpkin. We found the recipe on FamilyFun.com. I am looking forward to this delicious treat made by my wonderful daughter.

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

3/4 cup milk or vanilla yogurt

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/8 tsp. nutmeg

2 tsp. brown sugar

4 ice cubes
Combine ingredients in blender and puree until smooth.

Yumscrumptious!!!

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The Simple Woman's Daybook

THE SIMPLE WOMAN'S DAYBOOK

FOR TODAY

December 8th, 2008

Outside my window...it is biting cold. There is a low cloud cover and I have heard rumors that we might get some snow soon. I think our household would jump for joy and have the need for a snow party.

I am thinking...that I have been one big grouch today. I need to wake up happier tomorrow or my family might just entertain the thought of throwing me out the backdoor. I will get happy...I will get happy...I will get happy.

I am thankful for...my family. They love me in spite of my moods.

From the learning rooms...a few more days until Christmas break. And boy howdy are we ready!!!

From the kitchen...came turkey, boiled potatoes and canned peaches for dinner. I haven't yet thought about tomorrow's breakfast. Maybe Oatmeal Cake...maybe French Breakfast Puffs...for sure something baked and hot.

I am wearing...once again...night clothes. I am sitting in bed, just as I did last Monday night.

I am creating...a new blog look and I'm lovin' it.

I am going...to put up Christmas decorations tomorrow with the help of my children. We found the Christmas CD's today so we will put on the tunes and decorate, decorate, decorate.

I am reading...not much these days. I have been correcting schoolwork. Does that count as reading?

I am hoping...that the movie FIREPROOF will be viewed by millions. Tim and I watched it yesterday with several friends from our church. Excellent movie. It hit on some hard marriage issues and presented the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I recommend it to every married couple.

I am hearing...Cayla and Lucas getting ready for bed. No Johnny Cash this week...my CD player broke. I am very sad because I have Christmas music that I would love to play right now.

Around the house...Justin and Matthew are hanging out together in the living room and all others are sleeping or are at least on their way.

One of my favorite things...is being pregnant and feeling the baby move. There is nothing like it in the world. I love being pregnant and I love the thought of new life. Only 99 more days til my due date. And as a side note...I think we may have decided on a name. I'll letcha know as soon as I get the okay from Tim.

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

Tuesday~Christmas decorations, a trip to the library and taking Matthew to see Jayne. He needs to go see her in a bad way!!! Wednesday~midwife appointment and grocery shopping.

Thursday~not much happening. Friday~church prayer meeting at Kyle and Jodie's.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

This is not the picture I had intended to post. I must have hit the wrong button. But I like it and so it stays. Tim took this picture of a beautiful Washington sunset. He was probably on horse back when he took it...up in the high country. I believe that is Mt. Adams covered in snow.

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I'm It

I have been tagged by my wonderful Sis-N-Law. So, here it goes!!! Bear with me...I'm not feeling very creative.

Two Names You Go By:
1. Babe
2. Mama

Things You Are Wearing Right Now:
1. Capris
2. Long sleeve shirt

Two Things You Want Very Badly At The Moment:
1. Popcorn
2. TUMS (This child of mine must have lots of hair)

Two people who you look up to:
1. Linda Russell
2. Dalene Pollman

Two things you did last night:
1. Visited with friends
2. Dishes

Two things you ate yesterday:
1. Bowl of cereal (helps keep me regular)
2. French Dip Sandwich

Two people you last talked to:
1. Tim
2. Myself (Do you ever do that?)

Two Things you're doing tomorrow:
1. Lunch with Lolanda (Except that I forgot to call her and RSVP...I'm planning on going, I hope she still is)
2. Christmas Party in Longview (I did remember to RSVP for this one)

Two longest car rides:
1. Texas to Washington
2. Our house to Laura's (our midwife). It's only about 6o miles, but at that very specific moment, it took FOREVER to get there.

Favorite Holidays:
1. Thanksgiving
2. Christmas

Favorite Vacations:
1. Camping (with the fam)
2. Moolack Shores (with Little Johnny Pollman and his lovely bride...and of course, Tim)
3. Anywhere with Amy

Last trip:
1. Bullard, Texas to visit my favorite sister and her family. Amy, did you know you are my favorite sister?

Two favorite beverages:
1. Diet Pepsi
2. Decaf coffee with Splenda and Half-n-Half

I'm sure I am to tag others, but it is 10:04 PM and I will think about that tomorrow. Good night and sweet dreams.

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Copper Clappers

A little humor...clean, good, funny humor by Jack Webb and Johnny Carson done back in 1968. It brought a smile to my face and a giggle to my heart. Thanks W.C. for passing this along.

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The Simple Woman's Daybook

THE SIMPLE WOMAN'S DAYBOOK

FOR TODAY

December 1, 2008

Outside my window...is a surrounding fog and a quiet, gentle rain.

I am thinking...that I married a fantastic man...the best. He loves the Lord with all of who he is and has his priorities set straight. He is a very active and involved father to our children. He makes me feel loved, secure and protected.

I am thankful for...days that can be spent with friends, a warm and happy home full of people who are glad to see me when I walk through the back door, and a bed to rest my weary body at the end of a long, but good day.

From the learning rooms...are busy and active kids. I do have to admit that it is hard to stay focused and motivated this time of year. It seems as though Christmas break should begin around Thanksgiving and end after the New Year. But I do know that is not a good idea and so we are trudging onward.

From the kitchen...are bags of groceries to be put up and remnants of paper airplanes scattered everywhere. The kids designed, decorated and destroyed an abundant amount of flying aircraft this evening. Imaginations are great when T.V. is not involved...even if it means cleaning up after them.

I am wearing...my night clothes. I am sitting in our bed as Ginger and Tim lay asleep beside me. I was ready for bed, but not quite ready for sleep. I am taking advantage of Tim's laptop being in our bedroom. I think I could get into the habit of this, but I don't know if that would be a good idea.

I am creating...a Christmas list for the kids. It's harder than I think it should be.

I am going...to find joy in serving my husband and children this week. They are treasures given to me by an awesome God.

I am reading...At Home in Mitford and The Rest of God. I don't have much time to read. Both books are excellent and I want to finish them. But unfortunately, it is going to take longer than I'd like.

I am hoping...that Larah continues to succeed at potty training. She is doing so good and I want her to keep up the good work. We have lots of parties in the bathroom celebrating her success. We dance and clap and eat M&M's. Pretty good stuff if you ask me.

I am hearing...the hum of our ceiling fan, Johnny Cash singing Cry, Cry, Cry, and Ginger and Tim breathing quietly as they sleep. I'm sure it won't be too much longer and one of them will be snoring.

Around the house...doors are locked, lights are out and all Walkers (except this one) are fast asleep. I'll be there shortly.

One of my favorite things...is knowing my boys still enjoy listening to Adventures in Odyssey as they fall asleep. I walked past their room tonight and heard something playing on their stereo. I asked them what it was and Adventures in Odyssey was their answer. I don't know why that makes me happy, but it does.

A few plans for the rest of the week...school, Christmas decorations, an overdue visit with a friend and a Christmas Party with my honey on Friday night.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

This picture is kind of blurry (it was taken with an ooVoo camera) but that's okay...their expressions are priceless.

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