Baby Sam Has Finally Arrived!!!

Here is Samuel, 1 1/2 hours old, getting ready to take his first car ride.

We are headed home from Laura's to meet his brothers and sisters.

Snugglin' with the Lucas Boy

on his first day home! Cuddle time with Papa!

Morning number two at home...

sleeping peacefully in Mama and Papa's bed.

Read more...

The Simple Woman's Daybook

THE SIMPLE WOMAN’S DAYBOOK
FOR TODAY
MARCH 23, 2009

Outside My Window...the sky is grey and I can hear my children playing happily.

I am thinking...our time with Josh, Kathy and Johnathan passed too quickly. They were here and now they’re gone.

From the learning rooms…we are on Baby Break!

I am thankful for...my husband. He is so busy with life, yet always finds the time to be a wonderful husband and father.

From the kitchen...waffles for breakfast, grilled hot dogs and hamburgers for lunch. Not too sure what is on for dinner…..probably left over Pasta e Fagioli. Thanks, Cari, for the recipe. It was delicious and one that has been added to my list of favorites.

I am wearing...my “very sexy” purple maternity dress.

I am creating...not too much these days!

I am going...to give birth soon. I know I am!!! I know I am!!! I know I am!!!

I am reading...the newest edition of No Greater Joy.

I am hoping...to give birth soon. I am hoping!!! I am hoping!!! I am hoping!!! (I'm only 6 days overdue.)

I am hearing…my washing machine, Cayla’s bird chirping merrily from the bedroom, and the kiddos playing out back.

Around the house…we are patiently awaiting the arrival of Baby Sam. Did I say patiently???

One of my favorite things...empty laundry baskets.

A few plans for the rest of the week…hanging out at home….enjoying my kids.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...My Aunt Susie is a magnificent photographer. She recently sent me this picture entitled "Spring." It was taken from her patio in Rio Vista, CA on the first day of Spring 2009.

For more Daybooks, feel free to join Peggy and others at The Simple Woman.

Read more...

I Couldn't Have Said It Better

Read more...

The Simple Woman's Daybook

THE SIMPLE WOMAN’S DAYBOOK
FOR TODAY
MARCH 16, 2009

Outside My Window...the temperature is 41 degrees, the winds are blowing and the rain is coming down. Dreary, dreary day in the big town of Randle.

I am thinking...how blessed we are to have so many friends and family praying for us and the birth of Samuel. We are surrounded by a genuine love like I have never known before.

From the learning rooms...a continued Spring Break.

I am thankful for...my oldest daughter Cayla. We were able to spend some one on one time together this afternoon and it was much needed. She is a beautiful young lady and I count it an honor to be her mom. And for those of you who know her and know her long hair...she donated 11 inches to Locks of Love today.

From the kitchen...Matthew and Larah made crepes for dinner. Matthew took the time to teach her how to crack eggs...although he says she still needs practice. I am amazed at how patient he is with her. While the crepes were cooking, he gave her "Break Dancing" lessons. I'm thinking they had a pretty good time bonding in the kitchen.

I am wearing...black capris, Costco socks, a short sleeve shirt with a long sleeve denim shirt over it and my hair is styling up in a clip.

I am creating...nuttin' much these days.

I am going...to give birth soon. I know I am!!! I know I am!!! I know I am!!!

I am reading...the same thing that I have been reading the last few weeks...Mother.

I am hoping...to give birth soon. I am hoping!!! I am hoping!!! I am hoping!!!

I am hearing...Matthew, Cayla, and Lucas playing Settlers of Catan and the crackling of the fire.

Around the house...Tim, Larah, and Katie are in bed, the above mentioned are continuing their game, and here I sit. The spring cleaning is complete and we are ready for our family from Texas to come for a visit tomorrow.

One of my favorite things...is learning new things about myself. God is at work in my life and although some changes are needed, I am excited about what He is doing. I am sure to suffer through some growing pains, but I will be growing with the One who created me and sustains my life. How exciting is that???

A few plans for the rest of the week...there is absolutely nothing on the calendar. We will be busy enjoying Josh, Kathy and Jonathan....and hopefully Baby Sam.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...For some reason or other, my camera is not downloading onto my computer. Therefore, I am unable to put a before and after picture of Cayla. So instead here is the logo for Locks of Love.

For more Daybooks, click here.

Read more...

Carrots Galore

The kids spent some time yesterday processing carrots from our garden that were planted last year. They have remained in the ground all winter and now they are absolutely sweet and delicious. After the processing procedure was complete, I decided I'd better get to using some carrots...for there was an abundant amount. So last night's dinner preparations consisted of Carrot and Rice Casserole (which turned out to be mighty fine), Carrot Raisin Salad, and Carrot Cake for dessert. We still have a ton of carrots. Do you have any recipes worth sharing?

Read more...

The Simple Woman's Daybook

THE SIMPLE WOMAN’S DAYBOOK
FOR TODAY

MARCH 9, 2009

Outside My Window...it is still dark. We have a new dusting of snow on the cold ground.

I am thinking...that the coffee I am brewing smells mighty fine. I am hoping to enjoy a cup by myself before the kids start rising from their beds.

From the learning rooms...we are taking this week off to get some things done around the house. Lucas will keep up with his reading and Justin will continue to work on his deadlines, but other than that we are on Spring "Cleaning" Break.

I am thankful for...each one of my children. They bless me daily.

From the kitchen...I'm thinking about making French Breakfast Puffs for breakfast (depending on how long this post takes), left over spaghetti for lunch and baked potatoes for dinner. We will delight in fresh carrots from our garden as a snack.

I am wearing...my Cabela's slippers and a purple dress that my husband finds simply unattractive. He only has to suffer through it for about one more week. Then it will be no more. This purple piece of flowing cloth is very comfy and non confining...important criteria in the last weeks of pregnancy.

I am creating...a response to an email that I received this past week. A response that heeds much thought, prayer and guidance from the Lord.

I am going...to enjoy my last few moments, hours, days of being pregnant. There is no feeling like the feeling of life inside my body. I am really, really, really ready to hold our son, but I am saddened to be done being pregnant. Only our Creator God knows if I will experience such life inside me again. I want to cherish every moment.

I am reading...still working on Mother. It is an easy read and it isn't very long, but I rarely take the time to sit down and just read.

I am hoping...to have a productive and happy week. Even though we are cleaning all week, I am hoping to have fun with great attitudes.

I am hearing...the hum of my computer and the fridge. My house is extremely and unusually quiet.

Around the house...all the children are sleeping. SHHHHH.....

One of my favorite things...a genuine smile.

A few plans for the rest of the week...hopefully a haircut, spring cleaning, AWANAs, a Laura appointment, a cleaning day with my friend Jodie Kyodie and enjoying my home, kiddos and husband.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

This is a picture of my niece, Alex, and her pig, UB, at her first ever FFA show. She won second place in her class of showing. Great job, Alex.

To read other Daybooks or to write one of your own, plan a visit over at The Simple Woman. You will be blessed.

Read more...

Proof We Live in a Small Town

Today I had the privilege of traveling (out town) with Matthew, Katie, and Larah. Our plans included going to WalMart to do some grocery shopping, stopping by a McDonald's to order a snack for the girls (they were given McDonald dollars for Valentine's Day by their really sweet and thoughtful Mamaw D.), and then on to see Baby Sam at Ms. Laura's.

Katie was curious as to what order we were going to do our errands. She kept asking me about going to the Chinese place. After her asking about 5 times, I became a bit irritated as to why she kept asking about Chinese. There was absolutely no Chinese place mentioned in my plans. I had already told her time and time again...WalMart, Mickey D's, and Laura's...in that order.

Finally after listening to her (not only hearing her but actually listening to her) I realized that she thought McDonald's was a Chinese restaurant. I'm pretty certain that goes to show we don't get out much. My 4-year old doesn't even know about McDonald's. Do we live a sheltered life or what???

Read more...

The Simple Woman's Daybook

THE SIMPLE WOMAN’S DAYBOOK
FOR TODAY MARCH 2, 2009


Outside My Window...the sun has set, ALL the snow is melted, and it is about 50 degrees.


I am thinking...and wondering about my mom. I am about to have a baby in a couple of weeks and I wonder what it will be like without my mom. She has severed our relationship and I wonder what emotions I will feel at the birth of our son.


From the learning rooms…things are being accomplished. Although, we are preparing to take a few weeks off to get ready for Samuel and company coming. It is a nice time to take a break as spring (I think) is soon to arrive.

I am thankful for...my new furniture and my most wonderful husband who bought it for me. And another big PRAISE GOD!!! We paid cash!



From the kitchen...we had a Mexican casserole for dinner (made by my great friend, Kendra). An apple pie is on the counter cooling down awaiting the kids to finish up their schoolwork.


I am wearing...a black dress and my slippers. Not looking too great, but I am comfortable.


I am going...about the house these days in great anticipation of having a baby. So many thoughts flood my mind...How will labor and delivery go? What time of the day will this child enter our world? What is he going to look like? How big will he be? What will his cry sound like? What will the kids think? Will he be our last? How will Larah adjust to not being our "baby"?...the list of questions goes on and on.


I am reading...Mother.


I am hoping...my sister and her husband are having a great time in Napa Valley. I miss talking to her, but am so glad the two of them were able to get away together...alone.


I am hearing...Lucas and Cayla at the kitchen table working on school work. Katie and Larah in the living room playing. Katie is being fairly quiet while Larah is being VERY loud. Imagine that.


Around the house...things are in somewhat of an order. We need to do some deep, spring cleaning but for the most part everything is organized. All of Samuel's clothes are washed and folded. Now I just have to find a place to put them as I don't have a dresser for him yet. The carseat and diaper bag are ready to go.


One of my favorite things...is a spur-of-the-moment lunch with a friend. I was blessed with such today.



A few plans for the rest of the week...a dentist appointment for three kids, a midwife appointment, grocery shopping, more spring cleaning, school with the kids, a trip to the library, and AWANAs.


Here is picture thought I am sharing... Larah is learning to dress herself. I think she needs some serious fashion help!!!

For more Daybooks, visit Peggy and others at The Simple Woman.

Read more...