I thought my club days were over....

....but I recently joined a new club.  The 5 o'clock...A.M.....club!  Yes, 5 o'clock in the morning.  Bright...well...actually dark and early.  There is something about having 2 hours each morning to get myself ready for my day. I found it hard to get up at 8 a.m with the majority of my children who like to "sleep in" and get my time in with the Lord that I desperately need and crave each day.  The days seemed to simply blow by and by the end of the night I am to tired to spend time with God the way I desire. My ADHD brain is far spent and I could not even hope to concentrate.  I find myself rereading the same verse five or six times before I finally even realize that I am rereading the same verse. 

So when I came across a post on this blog GirlTalk, I groaned at first, but saw the true beauty in intent behind the club. Giving myself two hours to delve into the word, to pray, or watch/listen to an encouraging message would be such a beautiful jump start to my day.  Some mornings I have a snuggly little one who rises early at my side, or a teen who wants to watch a message on youtube with me and today I coaxed Tim out of bed thirty minutes early to have some time together before he left for a long day at work.  Reading the Bible and praying with Tim before he left for work....that was a great way to start my day!!!!  

It has only been a few days, but I hope to post again next week with a good report that I am still a member of the 5 o'clock club!

One of my heroes!

 

You don't raise heroes, you raise sons.  And if you treat them like sons, they'll turn out to be heroes, even if it's just in your own eyes.  ~Walter M. Schirra, Sr.

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ Week 3

Outside my window....Beethoven, Morgan's dog, is barking in excitement for her nightly walk. The sun is quickly setting and the night air is getting colder.

I am thinking....about all the fun books we received from a friend.  At least 200 wonderful books to read with my kiddos.  Jane Austen, Mark Twain, L.Frank Baum, Betty McDonald, Grace Livingston Hill and many more amazing authors!  The kids and I have had a great time logging them into our book files and finding new homes for them.

I am thankful....for the time I get to spend reading with my children each day.  Fairy Tales for littles bedtimes, Tolkien sitting in front of the fire while kids knit, crossstitch, draw or play quietly with Lord of the Ring Legos, Jannette Oke laying on my bed with my older girls, Sugar Creek Gang sitting around the lunch table each day.  I am thankful for the time to read with my children each day we can.

In the kitchen....Morgan is making a nighttime treat for us.  Cucumber and Tomato Salad over warm rice. A meal/treat she and I have at least once a week.  SO GOOD!

I am wearing...black capri sweats and a blue tshirt. PJ's!  End of the day comfies!

I am creating...a list of all the books we own.  They are organized by author.  It will be beautiful when it is finished.  Morgan and I thought it would be a great idea, since we have 100's of books all over our home, to know what we have would save me from accidentally buying a duplicate. Which I have done...a few times already.

I am going....actually...no where. No plans...no busy schedule...no running around.  Just...home....and it's wonderful!

I am wondering...if I can get another shelf put in our hallway for our new books.  Wondering if I can get it done this week.....

I am reading...Chapter 2 of Crazy Love by Francis Chan.  I will start reading it tomorrow morning that is.

I am hoping....to finish the organizing of the books this week.  That would be pretty great!

I am looking...forward to this weekend.  We have a pretty good weekend lined up and I am looking forward to all of it!

I am learning...to put down the phone, laptop, tv controller, busy schedule, TO DO lists and look in my children's eyes.  To hear them, really see them and not miss moments with my children.  I read this wonderful post by Hands Free Mama.  It was a great read and reminder for us mammas and daddies!

Around the house...are piles and piles of books.  Tons of books!

I am pondering...on actually nothing at this exact moment.

A favorite quote for today...Chains do not hold a marriage together.  It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads which sew people together through the years.  ~Simone Signoret

One of my favorite things...snow falling outside, a warm fire, playing in the snow and coming in to hang our wet things by the fire to dry so we can go out once again into the snow to play.  (This doesn't happen often since I live in Georgia, but growing up in Idaho...this is still one of my favorite things to do when we do have the opportunity  to enjoy the snow.)

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Tuesday: School, organizing books

Wednesday: School, some more organizing of the books, tea party with the kids, and church

Thursday: Even more school and more organizing of the books!

Friday: Fun School Day, YMCA Homeschool Swim, trip to grab groceries, Family Fun "Talent" Night!

Saturday: There is talk about bike shop (my husband fixes any bikes that need repair...which is a few) or possibly a complete day of comfy clothes, snacky foods, and games (board, Wii, Xbox), movies and whatever else we decide we want to do!   It's kids choice day!

A peek into my day:

  Morgan and Becca having fun!

 Please follow this link TSWD if you would like to read other daybooks!

A most fantastic Saturday!

How does a fantastic Saturday start?  Little people fresh from their beds, snuggly blankets, Disney cartoons and a fire!  That is how our's started anyway.  There was a whole day of:

Sisters playing together!

Lots of baby doll time!

Big brothers wrestling with little brothers who are trying to kiss them! :)

There was a ton of wrestling!

Kisses all around!  

Lots of beautiful smiles!

Even more smiles!

A day does not go by without some Yoda snuggles and lovins! 

Holly put on a fashion show!

It was delightful!

Precious times!

Our day would not be complete without Becca trying on one of her prom dresses.  

Then a pile up intended to squish Max turned into a great photo opportunity for mom!

The more the merrier!!!!

Full Friday!

(Johnston)

After school was done Morgan, Johnston, Jensen and I started on the long list of errands I needed to cover.  We made it to the bank in time to cash the kids checks they had from babysitting.  They were very excited to have that task done.  Next was a quick stop at DFCS to get some paperwork one of the kids needed.  They were shooing people out as we left so we barely made it in time, but are SO thankful we did indeed get that errand over with.  Next we stopped in at Verizon, because wouldn't you know that my phone died this morning.  It's won't charge....and we don't have a new upgrade for 6 more days.  So...either pay full price for a phone or wait 6 day to get it free or half price.  Wait I shall.  

Morgan took the boys next door to Atlanta Bread Company and grab us all a special drink as a treat.  Our next stop was my friend April's house for hair cuts.  It's been awhile and kids were in great need of trims.  Tim was able to meet me there and after Morgan got her hair done they ran to Sam's club and Walmart for groceries.  I love my man so very much!  While Johnston and Jensen had their hair trimmed Tim and Morgan were able to get our last, and by far largest, errand finished.  My friend told me about Nicole's Diner that was located right across the road from their complex and since it was past dinner time I decided to give them a try.  Sure enough, good prices and the kids said the food was very good. 

 

(Johnston & Becca)

Our running around lasted a little later then we had anticipated so we were not able to do our usual Friday family night, but it has been rescheduled to be a full family day tomorrow!  Good swap I think.  Tim and Johnston decided to hang out in our room and watch the last Star Trek movie in the series...Nemesis.  Justice and Max decided to go to bed as they were both tired.  This left Morgan, Becca and I to watch a new movie....Three Coins in the Fountain.  We are loving these oldies, but goodies!

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)

Please follow this link TSWD if you would like to read other daybooks!

Around you.....

...just the nearness of you.

Tim and the girls went out and about today to grab a few needed supplies for the kids new pets they received on Valentine's Day.  While they were gone Tim picked up a special Valentine's gift for me...a new Willow Tree figurine! 

 It is beautiful!

“Sometimes your nearness takes my breath away; and all the things I want to say can find no voice. Then, in silence, I can only hope my eyes will speak my heart.” 

~ Robert Sexton