Happy Surprises

Hi, friends. :)

I have an OBSESSION with clipboards. And I think obsession is taking it too lightly. It's almost sickening. I want to use a cliboard for EVERYTHING. On the nightstand beside my bed I found these clipboards:

Now in all fairness to myself I do a LOT of work on my bed using my laptop. My  house is small and I know I can have quiet in my room. Anyway, you can see that I'm a nut for clipboards. I have one in my church bag. Another one in my co-op BIG bag. A few down at the desk. When I am at the store and I see a COLORED one (green, blue, etc.) I have to stop myself from buying it. :)

Not many people know of my obsession but a few weeks ago I let it slip. lol Today in the mail I received a WONDERFUL surprise!!!! My friend Cara Shuster Miller sent me this:

I was so happy to get REAL mail and it was a GIFT!!! It totally made my day. Who am I to be given this wonderful clipboard??? Cara decorated it herself for ME! :) I tell you... we should all do an out-of-the-blue surprise for someone. It feels SUPER!!!!!!!!

I immediately put my papers on it and will take it with me to my Mom's night/meeting tonight. :) So excited to show everyone. THANKS, CARA!! :)

Which one is prettiest???

Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window... lots of melting snow- I SEE GRASS!!

I am thinking... about my little sister tonight. Wanting to fix things for her.

I am thankful for...ibuprofen

I am wearing... sock monkey pj pants & a white t-shirt

I am remembering... that I forgot to work on National City/PNC stuff today. Must do that in the morning.

I am creating... not much.

I am going... to stay focused tomorrow and get a lot done. Lots to do.

I am reading... the same stuff I've been reading

I am hoping... the national city/PNC transition is easy

On my mind... my brother-in-law Dan, appointments for the rest of the week,

From the learning rooms... success with long division. Just takes a while but with onsistent repitition Abigail finally can do it.

Noticing that... I keep falling asleep while I'm typing

From the kitchen... dirty dishes in the sink. Dishwasher full of clean dishes. Will work on this TOMORROW!

Around the house... it's all cleaned up... except the kitchen. :)

One of my favorite things... laying down on the couch and watching tv

Praying for... my brother- in-law Dan. He's had surgery.

A Lyric or two... Take my hand and walk where I lead. Keep your eyes on my alone. Don't you say why were the old days better just because you're scared of the unknown. So take my hand and walk.

A verse to share... Psalm 139

A few plans for the rest of the week... dr. appointment (headache check), Chase's ear checkup, my sleep study consult, Keepers, co-op Mom's Night, basketball practice, prayer group, MIKE WORKING A SIDE JOB several nights after his regular job

For more Simple Woman's Daybook information and to join us, see the blog created by the initiator of this great idea!

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today (yesterday), 15 February 2010

Outside my window...LOTS of scrap aluminum and lots of snow.

I am thinking... about being home with my kids all day- thankful that they are all healthy and thankful that the Lord has allowed me to be their mother. Any moment the Lord could take one of them, or me, home.

I am thankful for...good friend who scrape off your car for you when you are an idiot who wears flats with no socks while they snow is 12 inches deep.

I am wearing... my pjs- white gown with blue flowers & blue pants.

I am remembering... that I need to change the sheets today on all beds.

I am creating... a DISASTER in my basement. Doesn't it have to look horrible before it can look good?

I am going... to get a lot done today. Breakfast, dressed, school, write grocery list, and then CLEAN the downstairs.

I am reading...  God's Word. I need to forcefeed the scriptures.

I am hoping... that Mike made it to work safely today.

On my mind... getting my house in order for weekend, overnight guests. SO EXCITED!!

From the learning rooms... lack of motivation. We took our spring break early because I scheduled too many appointments for this past week and I couldn't get everything done. Assessment is scheduled now and we are so far ahead... we will be done way before the assessment. That makes me feel good.

Noticing that... a. if I had laid back down instead of getting on here I could have gone back to sleep for 1 hour... but now I'm wide awake. b. the house is very quiet but only 1 kid is still sleeping. hmmm...

From the kitchen... empty cupboards and fridge. We really need groceries but the roads are so bad. I'll make a list and e-mail it to Mike and he can stop on his way home. That way he won't have to make a special trip.

Around the house... yesterday we made an AWESOME change in the living room. We took our tv stand/tv/vidoegames/etc. down to the downstairs. We moved our piano over to another wall freeiing up one wall completely. Then we got a flat tv and put it on top of the piano. AMAZING how much bigger the room looks & feels and if you've been here you know we need space. 7 people living in 918 square feet...

One of my favorite things... when Alison gets in my bed after Mike leaves for work and she holds my hand. :)

Praying for... a friend who has a sick baby in the hospital who will have surgery today, 4 very young children & their Dad who lost their mother/wife this week to sickness, safety on the roads for all people, confirmation on a major decision,

A Lyric or two... To hear with my heart, to see with my soul. To be guided by a hand I cannot hold. To trust in a way that I cannot see. That's what faith must be.

A verse to share... Proverbs 22:24-25- Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.

A few plans for the rest of the week... major cleaning to the downstairs, lots of school, Friday night visitors- SO EXCITED,

For more Simple Woman's Daybook information and to join us, see the blog created by the initiator of this great idea!
http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Photo Sharing by MyPhotoAlbum :: Amy's MyPhotoAlbum :: January/Part February 2010

I just posted some new pics to our online photo albums. I LOVE how you can click a button and it puts it on FB or Blogger or Twitter (although I don't really tweet much.) :) Take a look if you want. Click on the link below!!

Photo Sharing by MyPhotoAlbum :: Amy's MyPhotoAlbum :: January/Part February 2010

Simple Womans Daybook

Outside my window...it is VERY bright and VERY white. Brrrr...

I am thinking... that I want my children to remember me for my love for God's word and not my love for the computer

I am thankful for...God's provision in unexpected ways

I am wearing... a white nightgown with blue flowers on it.

I am remembering...fun days at Mount Vernon Nazarene COLLEGE

I am creating... a cake idea for this weekend. (Pink, green, & black colors, Boby Jack theme, strawberry & lemon flavor.)

I am going... to get my shoulder checked out on Wednesday. (As well as my migraines AGAIN)

I am reading... The Power of a Parent's Words, Shepherding a Child's Heart (still) I need to make myself READ.

I am hoping... that someday I will lose weight

On my mind... TOO much. Awana Grand Prix tonight, SCHOOL, dr. appointment on Wed (migraines, shoulder), dr. appointment Thursday (yearly- ugh), making a stacked cake, SCHOOL, cleaning, exercising, patience, love, hurting friends & family, so much more

From the learning rooms... My kids LOVE science & history. I can't figure this out. lol. Those are my least two favs. I think I picked great curriculum. Even I don't mind teaching it. Ethan LOVES cursive writing. This is the boy who hates writing. Funny. Blake loves everything and is great at everything. He's a better reader/speller than Ethan who is a grade ahead. Abigail has a hard time concentrating these days but we don't fight that much. ;)

Noticing that... I woke up with a headache for the 5th day in a row

From the kitchen... no baking today. Sandwiches (salad) for lunch. Not sure about dinner since we have to be at the grand prix at 5:30pm.

Around the house... the house is semi-messy. Nothing that can't be cleaned in 1 hour. Just a little out of place and a few unmade beds. Chase is walking in his walker dropping a trail of cheerios. The boys are playing legos. Ali is laying in the hallway talking to me. Ab is playing on the computer for the first time in several days.

One of my favorite things... yesterday Mike was sitting on the couch beside me while we were discussing something and the phone rang. It was his brother. While they were talking I was feeling sleepy so I leaned over and put my head on his hip/lap area. He reached down and was stroking my arm. So cozy. I liked it. We hardly ever just sit like that. (One reason is because the house is little and the kids are MANY and there aren't enough seats for us to sit together. lol)

Praying for...several things: 1. friends/family who are hurting due to a loss of some sort, 2. Financial freedom & wise spending, 3. Strength to keep exercising/losing weight, 4. Peace in regards to church, 5. Heydi- a girl we are sponsoring, 6. My kids- continued spiritual growth, LOTS OF OTHER STUFF

A Lyric or two... This the power of the cross. Christ became sin for us. Took the blame bore the wrath we stand forgiven at the cross. 

A few plans for the rest of the week... in addition to all the things on my mind listed above I plan to clean out the tv stand and get it ready to be taken downstairs to the family room. Also need to clean my desk area so we can move the computer desk over to make room for the tv where the computer currently is located.

For more Simple Woman's Daybook information and to join us, see the blog created by the initiator of this great idea!

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

 

5K in May

I started my Tae Bo in November. YES, it has helped. It is a great way to get up and get moving. Very motivating and I'll keep on doing it. However, I was wanting something MORE. A friend of mine runs a lot and is training for a 5K in March.

I thought about running but I have never been a runner. I don't like how my thighs hit together. I don't like how my chest/neck/lungs feel when I run. But I have been thinking maybe I wanted to run in something. Since I had no information I didn't really give that idea any consideration.

TODAY my SIL sent me an e-mail. She is a teacher at Dublin Scioto H.S. and there will be a 5K walk/run in May to benefit the fund for 2 students killed in a car accident in November. Hmmm.... can I do it?? I don't know. I hate running. I will probably only make it 1 MINUTE before passing out. I don't know. But I really want to. But I don't think I can. :(

I got online, found a plan (Couch to 5K) and started TODAY. I AM going to do it. I CAN do it. The Lord will help me. I will fill my heart with His words and He will give me the strength to do it. And when I cross that finish line I will give Him the glory. I can't do it on my own but with Him I can do anything.

Anyone feeling like they want to join me??

Our Father Who Art in...

Blake was working in one of his language books. He had to choose from 5 or 6 words to fill in the blanks. The sentence was: Our Father who art in _________________. Blake said, "heaven." I was happy that he got it right. It seemed tough for a 6 year old. (It's not like Mike and I recite that all the time out loud.) I was thinking he must remember it from being raised in church.

The next sentence: Hallowed be thy __________________. Blake said, "name." WOW!!! I couldn't believe he got another one right.

Thy ___________ come... "kingdom." OH MY GOSH!!! lol

Then Ethan looks up and says, "HEY!!!!! We learned that in Sunday School this past Sunday."

Why did this have an impact on me, you might be asking???? Well, my children had WONDERFUL s.s. teachers at the church where they have grown up. I LOVED my church and was thankful for those who were teaching my kids. I guess I figured that nothing could compare to what they used to have. This was just another encouragement to me from the Lord that He is in control. He is watching over us and helping us through our transition. We will be okay. He is everywhere.

Love Jesus More than Mom

Blake's Sunday School teacher told me that Blake wrote on his paper, 'I love Jesus more than Mom.' Then Blake said, "I better erase that or I'll get in trouble." lol I told Blake that it makes me SO HAPPY if he loves Jesus more than he loves me. That is the way it should be.

I truly hope that my kids will love the Lord more than they love me. No matter how much I love them and want to keep them with me forever I want them to follow God's plan for them. No matter where it takes them I want them to follow Him.

Priorities: UPDATE

Last Tuesday I had a blog titled: Priorities. I looked over what I had written and I am disappointed at my progress this week. :(

1. On a good note: I DID clean out my jewelry armoire. Thought it would take about 30 minutes but it ended up taking about 3 hours. Didn't realize what a catch-all a few of the drawers were. I am very happy to be able to see what earrings/bracelets I have to wear and can quickly grab them out when I'm running late for Sunday morning church. lol

2. I didn't draw up a plan for the basement but I have it in my mind... which is almost as good. The cost will be minimal... (Will draw up my plan today maybe.)

3. I looked into a Genesis study but didn't find one that I like. I need a good recommendation. (Even if I had found one that I liked I couldn't have bought  it yet but I think this weekend I'll be able to get one.) If you are reading this blog and you know of a good Genesis study PLEASE let me know. :)

4. Still need to evaluate my schedule. I DON'T like exercising at night when the kids go to bed. It takes away from my time with Mike and my relaxation time just lounging on the couch. Need to get that schedule up on the fridge.

5. I need to get a family devotion. It needs to be something that will keep the attention of Ali- age 4. I really want something with a lot of depth.

6. I have a few financial plans but don't want to share them here as money is not something I like talking about. It's rather personal to me. Lets just say that this year I want to step out in faith in a few different ways.

Will update you next Tuesday with my progress... if there is any. HA!

2 by Treasures

Mike has come up with a new idea and he's named it 2 by Treasures (2 x Treasures). He often has scrap wood leftover from 2x4s and feels like it's a waste to throw it away. He's going to start designing "treasures" out of the scrap wood.

His first project was a rocking chair. He completed it yesterday and Ali got to try it first. (The rocking part isn't scrap 2x4 but he's going to change it once he cuts the wood and sands it to rock.) Pretty good for his first Treasure. :)

Sweet Little Haircut

My "sweet wittle cha-ta-boy" got his MOHAWK trimmed for the first time yesterday. He's so cute. :) Big blue eyes.

Then he fell asleep.

Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window... C O L D and sunshine

I am thinking... about what to do with my basement to make it more inviting.

I am thankful for... the opportunity to homeschool my children

I am wearing... blue jogging pants, gray mvnC alumni t-shirt, socks (NEED to put on slippers.)

I am remembering... that I need to make dinner early tonight so the kids can be on time for AWANA.

I am going... to put together valentine baskets for widows on Thursday night with some ladies from church

I am currently reading... CURVES & Shepherding a Child's Heart (STILL)

I am hoping... to get my tax refund Friday

On my mind... same as usual- broken relationships and how difficult it is to go on... painful and consumes your mind.

Noticing that... the kitchen floor needs mopped

Pondering these words... There will come a time when I will have to admonish you. There will come a time when you will have to admonish me. It is dangerous for a Pastor to think that he won't ever have to be admonished.

From the kitchen... chicken noodle soup and tunafish sandwiches

Around the house... noisy, fighting kids

One of my favorite things... coffee in a coffee cup with a lid :) Think I'll make some right now.