The Simple Woman's Daybook

 

Outside my window...the sky is pale blue as the sun is making it's appearance over the trees.  A small slight breeze is blowing and stirring the very tops of the trees, but all else is still.

I am thinking...of the very long list of things I need to accomplish this week.  Very long indeed.  Maybe I will put it out of my mind for just a bit.  ;)

I am thankful...for Sundays.  For a day to nap, sit and read, play games, build with Lego's, or do whatever ones heart desires.  I love the day to just relax and unwind before the new weeks is upon us.

In the kitchen...the smell of Tim and Max's breakfast is still lingering.  Amazing how it can take 30 minutes to make a meal for these men and only 5 minutes to throw it in as they rush out of the house this early morning.  

I am wearing...the same as every early morning.  Comfy grey sweats and light blue tshirt.  Comfy, comfy, comfy!

I am creating...a new video for Becca.  I was able to take 16 YouTube clips and put them all together into one smooth video for her to watch and practice her dancing.  It was my first time using Corel VideoStudio for this type of project, but it turned out great!  She was very happy with it and requested a few more so I am working on her next one. 

I am going...to hopefully get out of the house at some point today and take a few of the kids to get their hair cut.  Becca has been faithfully growing her hair out and is asking for a little style cut.  Jensen is needing his "Bieber" hair to be trimmed.  :)

I am wondering...oh....so....much.  With all I have to do this week...I'm wondering if I might not want to lock myself in my room and just come out next Monday.  Wondering if I could actually get away with that?  No.  I didn't think so.  

I am reading...Winnie the Pooh series with Jensen, Jameson, and Holly and The Hunger Games with the older kids.  

I am hoping...I can get through my major project of this week....Summer Clothing Switchout!!!!  That's just one of the things on my plate this week...but it's a doozy!  It usually takes us two weeks to accomplish this...I'm praying we can get it done in one.  (Any prayers you want to send my way I will gladly accept!)

I am looking forward to...celebrating Father's Day this weekend!!!!!!  Love hearing the kids plans for him and what they want to do to surprise him!

I am learning...that having Christ like love for people can be a big job sometimes.  Learning to love like He does, to have that unconditional, ungrudging, compassionate love.  It is something I am daily dying to my selfishness and learning to love like He does.

Around the house...Becca is downstairs doing her Math on one of the computers while Justice just finished walking Beethoven (Morgan's dog).  The rest of the kiddos along with three extras are still asleep, but soon I will start hearing the doors opening and shutting as one by one the groggy eyed critters will emerge from their caves to snuggle up in heaps with blankets drug from their beds. 

I am pondering...after an all nighter with Becca I am a little foggy and trying my best not to ponder!  ;)

 A favorite quote for today..."Which side should I put my tattoo on?"  blank look from me to Becca...after pause...."Your right mom...I need two....one on each side! Thanks!"  as she prances from the room to apply said tattoos to BOTH sides.  This is what happens when Becca stays up all night! ;)  I'm still trying to figure out where the tattoo thingies came from.  (I asked Becca and she said a church slumber party she went to this past weekend.)

One of my favorite things...is watching Becca putting together a new dance.  She has been working on a dance this past week to the song "Breakthrough" by Britt Nicole.  It has a hip hop flare to it which is new for her so I'm excited to see the finished work.

 A few plans for the rest of the week:

Monday:  Light school (Math and English only), summer clothing exchange, haircuts, date night with Tim!

Tuesday: Light school, summer clothing exchange continues, lunch with the older girls and Jasmine to work on their girls conference, Date night (Tim and the older boys)(me and the older girls)

Wednesday: Light school, summer clothing exchange continues. dance practice for Becca and her friends, youth at church

Thursday: Light school, sigh...I wish it was done...but...summer clothing exchange, working on girls conference, Tim's date night with the youngest four Jeffries

Friday: Free day for all the kids, girls conference starts

Saturday: Girls conference all day, guys cooking for all at the conference

Sunday: FATHER'S DAY!!!!!

A peek into my day...

Jameson and Holly snugging under Jameson's blanket.

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The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ Week 2

Out of my window....it is dark.  The sun has long gone to bed.  The house is settling down for the night into quiet, peaceful, rest.

I am thinking....about  the book/devotional we are doing as a family.  "Crazy Love", by Francis Chan.   I was able to start working through this weeks homework with Johnston.  We had a wonderful discussion about what will we say when we come face to face with God.  Johnston pondered for a few minutes and then replied, "I would be speechless."  How true....what words would I speak...how could I speak upon seeing my Heavenly Father for the first time. Speechless.

I am thankful...for the way God gently brings things to my attention.  Usually through a perfectly timed devotional, a fellow blog post, a scripture from a daily reading, my hubby, one of my children, He is faithful to guide me.

In the kitchen...all is quiet.  Faint smell of freshly baked apple pie lingers teasingly.

I am wearing...grey sweatpants and a pint tshirt.  Comfy homeschooling attire!

I am creating....some new videos for my younger students to watch for school.  Tim gifted me with a new program, Corel VideoStudio Pro5.  It is a wonderful program.  We are learning to make Lego Brickfilms as well.  What fun it has been!  I look forward to watching the finished product.

I am going...to take a few of the kids to get much needed haircuts tomorrow.  We might make a day of it and add in a stop to INK, the library, grocery shopping, and possibly a visit to a park (weather permitting).

I am wondering....what we are doing this weekend.  Nothing on the calender as of yet.  

I am reading....Crazy Love by Francis Chan.  Amazing book so far...I've only read chapter one.  We purchased the small group workbook to go with it and are doing it with our oldest five children. 

I am hoping....to get back to playing the piano daily again.  I have one of our keyboards set up in my room for the kids to practice their lessons, but I would like to get back to playing myself.  I well remember how I enjoyed playing as a teen and young adult.  

I am looking forward to....starting our garden this year.  It will take many years to get it just right, but phase one will go in this year.  Each of the kids will have a private garden as well to do with the veggies as they wish.  

I am learning....to let go of people who I thought were my friends, but ended up not being what a true friend should be.  I have learned much in this area and as painful as the learning is....I am thankful that God has taught me this much needed lesson. My prayer, "Lord, please remind me to be a true friend, not scared to speak up for and into my friends lives, not to turn away from a friend just because they might stumble or make a mistake (as I have done plenty in my life).  Help me to use You as my example of a true friend.  May I not judge, but stand true."

Around the house....nothing much has happened this week.  We are digging up tree stumps...or should I say the kids have been given the challenge to dig up tree stumps in our back yard to earn some extra money.  A few of our go getter's have already started working on their stumps.  This is the next step in preparing our new pool area for this summer.  

I am pondering...on the topic of getting chickens or not getting chickens.  The thought of fresh eggs is very tempting.  Much prayer and thought is going into this project before it can become a reality.

A favorite quote for today....When we walk in the will of God, we find safety. But when we live outside of God's will, we forfeit His protection. - Stormie Omartian.  My daughter, Morgan, posted this on her Facebook wall.  

One of my favorite things....sitting on the couch after everyone has gone to bed, working quietly on my laptop, random hymns playing from our Pandora channel, and having Morgan on the other end of the couch quietly working or playing on her laptop.  Enjoying the peaceful ending of our day.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Wednesday: Haircuts, grocery shopping for end of our week, stop at the library, 1/2 price fruit slushies at Sonic.

Thursday: School, Bible Study at a friends home, Justice has his TAPP (group for young adults on the Aspergers/Autism spectrum) meeting,  Tim and Becca are going on a dinner date, working on Johnston's film project.

Friday: School, family night!!!!!  

Saturday: I HAVE NO IDEA!!!!  :)

Sunday: A day to worship, fellowship, rest, regroup for the new week!

A peek into my day...

 Johnston and Ratatouille

  Jensen and Catnip

(The kids received these two cuties for Valentine's Day and cannot stop spoiling them)

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