Daybook

A Daybook for Wednesday, November 16, 2011......

Outside my window......the sun has just made its appearance over the eastern mountains, splashing light into the valley below.

I am thinking......of all I want to get done today after two days of running around, of how good it will be to go to bible study this morning and see ladies I haven't seen in a while.

I am thankful for.....health, strength, fallish winter sunrises and sunsets, cold evenings, warm house, snuggly little ones

From the learning room.....we are done with Class day. It was a great experience, but I am looking forward to having my Mondays back. The girls are enjoying the story of The Little Duke.

From the kitchen....I am going to be making one of my favorite cookies this week for a cookie exchange. Temptations, peanut butter cups in the center! Yummmmmyy!

I am reading.....the Anne of Green Gables series. All of them. There are nine or so books. I reread them every winter. And I am looking at lots of home magazines for inspiration for our next big project.....

I am hoping......for love, joy and peace, through this coming holiday season. I am hoping for unity in family and good fellowship as we all come together. I am hoping for wisdom and discernment in the coming year. I am hoping for a strong and healthy bundle of joy in May. :)

I am hearing.....the dryer in the background, my computer keys as I write this, my baby boy entertaining himself, sleepy girls awaking to the day.

Around the house.....dusting, dusting, dusting! And laundry! And baking, and floors need washing!

One of my favorite things.....drinking coffee in the stillness of the morning, before the sun if up, before the children are up, reading my one year bible plan.

A few plans for the rest of the week.....catching up on all the housework, schoolwork, and baking!

And here are more things I am thankful for this week.....

241. rustling of the leaves
242. delighted squeals of the girls on the playset
243. trimming back flowers for the winter
244. roar of the combine
245. lights on at night to welcome us home
246. little girls in ballet outfits
247. arms reaching for me
248. finding new recipes
249. our little part of earth preparing for winter
250. girls collecting leftover pinto beans from the field
251. bright red geraniums
252. peach encrusted boy
253. flannel sheets
254. cooking breakfast together
255. snow on the mountains
256. cold, windy days
257. cozy blankets
258. reading the "Anne" series again
259. shopping for Christmas gifts
260. Operation Christmas Child

Linking up over here.....

http://www.aholyexperience.com" target="_blank">http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff162/annvoskamp/multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1.jpg" >

One of those days....

It's been one of those days.....those days where I can hardly stand myself. One of those days where I am inwardly criticizing myself and yelling at myself as I impatiently deal with and sometimes snap at my children. My house can't seem to stay clean. I have no idea why! (Grin) It's not like I have lots of little ones running around, being creative in play and leaving their creativity behind. I have stacks of paper in different locations, my floors need swept, bathrooms cleaned, and kitchen floor washed. And as soon as I do one thing, there's five others to take it's place. Yeah, just one of those days I'd like to crawl into a hole and never come out.
The other night, as I was tucking in my oldest, she burst into tears. I asked her what was wrong, figuring she was just tired. She is my one child who seems  to need a little extra sleep, and we had been busy the last few days.
"Mom, I am just so selfish! And I can't seem to stop it!"
Oh my. I hid back a smile. Oh, to be able to stop it completely. To not give into flesh. To be Jesus all the time. And she's only seven. Here I am, thirty-two, and some days I feel like I act no better then a three year old.  I told her that being selfish is a lifelong battle against self. But that because we belong to Jesus, we have His strength to call upon. We have his help. It's only a prayer away. And as I spoke to her, soothing her tears, I felt as though I was speaking to myself as much as to her. He is only a prayer away. But how often do I give into the way I feel and react? Say hurtful things that I then have to go back and apologize for? I could get it right the first time. Slow down....take a deep breath.....ask what is the best way to handle this situation....and then proceed?
Help me Lord. Some days I feel as though I am doing more damage then good. Help me show Your love through me. Help me to be unselfish.

Twin Springs

One of my most favorite places to go when I was a child was Twin Springs. That is the name of the hunting cabin that my grandpa has been a member of for as long as I can remember. It is very primitive. There is no running water or electricity. Lights, oven, and fridge are all run on gas. And there is a fireplace and a woodstove. While I was in Pennsylvania visiting family and friends, I took my kids up there for their first visit. Needless to say, they loved it.....even though it was freezing cold! We had to use the woodstove every single day and night of the weekend. But it was beautiful!

Here is the cabin



Beautiful stone chimney

The "shanty". The highlight of the girls time. I wasn't sure how this would go over, but they never minded. And usually picked the most inconvenient times to go out there.

Oh fall, how I love you!

Auntie Lys with Landon, who wasn't cooperating!

Here we go!

The girls!

Gotta love the faces!

Happy boy!

Some more beautiful trees

Fall is one of my favorite seasons. Living in Arizona, if you blink, you might miss it! So going back to PA during the fall is one of my favorite things to do. And being up in the mountains has always brought me a measure of peace and quiet to my soul. Now on this trip, I must admit, I didn't feel as relaxed as I would normally. I had a cold that ended up lasting for over two weeks, and wasn't feeling the greatest, but it was still a good time. Not too mention the snoring, heavy breathing, toddler waking up in the middle of the night, and kids falling out of bed!

And here are some more gifts...between home and Pennsylvania....

221. road trips

222. fall in the East

223. leaves changing colors

224. coming home to him

225. the daily routine

226. harvest smells in the air

227. potato soup in the crockpot

228. going to bed early

229. uploading photos of our trip

230. leaves falling

231. kids playing in the leaves

232. seeing old friends

233. realizing distance cannot change friends of the "heart"

234. Turkey Hill iced tea

235. apple cider

236. Jimmy Mack's chocolate ice cream

237. home always feels the same

238. crackle of the fire

239. time with brother and sisters

240. my parents

Linking up over with Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience....

http://www.aholyexperience.com" target="_blank">http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff162/annvoskamp/multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1.jpg" >