FOR TODAY - Monday, January, 24, 2009

Outside my window...I'm greeted with a beautiful day, even though we are supposed to get sprinkles of rain today. It's bright, sunny, & promises to be beautiful no matter what weather might come.

I am thinking...about how good God is to me. He constantly amazes me!

I am thankful for...my husband having a good job, in a time when the economy is so shaky, & many are in fear for their jobs.

From the learning rooms...I am trying to learn some new things in Paint Shop as I work with graphics. Having great fun doing it!

From the kitchen...I hear the hum of the dishwasher, & coffee is awaiting me.

I am wearing...pj's.

I am creating...a craft with Elliot & Emily today. They love craft day!

I am going...to start our homeschool day as soon as I post this.

I am reading...my Bible, Adventurous Prayer, & Purpose Driven Life.

I am hoping...that I can accomplish everything on my 'to do' & 'want to do' list today. If not, there is always tomorrow.

I am hearing...Emily picking up her building blocks, & her singing as she does so.

Around the house...I took a break for a week from finishing up my organizing of the last little bit, so that is on the list to do this week.

One of my favorite things...cuddling up with Elliot & Emily for our storytime.

A few plans for the rest of the week...get my Bible study lessons posted, work on some graphics, take the kids shopping for games, & do my meal planning.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...a picture of Emily at just a few weeks old. I was going through all my digital pictures this weekend, & it was a walk down memory lane. I can't believe how fast she & Elliot are growing up!

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FOR TODAY - Monday, January 19, 2009...

Outside my window...it is night, so all is dark, quiet, & peaceful.

I am thinking...about the dessert that we didn't purchase tonight, & now I wish we had!

I am thankful for...having my computer up & running after being without it for a few days. It made me realize that this little 'box' is such a blessing, in that it connects me to so many that are gifts to my days.

From the learning rooms...I am learning that I need to make the most of every single moment that I am given with Elliot & Emily. Looking through pictures this past week, brought home to me how quickly they are growing up. I want to fill their memory banks with days filled to the brim with love & laughter.

From the kitchen...I hear the quiet hum of the dishwasher, which reminds me of the wonderful meal we had tonight as a family, & brings gratefulness to my heart for God's blessings.

I am wearing...pajamas.

I am creating...a dvd of our family for each of my brothers & sisters. They will cherish it, as it chronicles our growing up & our parents that are no longer with us. Memories are a bridge to our past. I'm thankful God gives us a way to revisit days & people.

I am going...to work on my website after I post this.

I am reading...my Bible, & Stories from the Bible to Elliot & Emily.

I am hoping...that our nation will pray for our new President everyday. He needs our prayers whether we are happy or unhappy about him as our new leader.

I am hearing...the keys as I type.

Around the house...total quiet after a day of hearing Elliot & Emily laugh, play, & enjoy being a little boy & girl. I see Emily's cooking utensils beside me - & smile when I think of how she was baking me a 'cake' before she went to bed. I miss them, & can't wait to wake up with them tomorrow.

One of my favorite things...turning on my computer & seeing mail from the wonderful friends that I've met via the computer.

A few plans for the rest of the week...take some things to Goodwill, celebrate my son's birthday, do a few digital scrapbook pages, & finish 2 lessons of my Bible study.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing - one of our pugs seems to think she is a baby. She 'loves' her pacifier...

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FOR TODAY - Monday, January 12, 2009...

Outside my window...it is dark & quiet, seeing as I am posting this at 10PM.

I am thinking...about all that I want to do tomorrow.

I am thankful for...being able to accomplish so much in our decluttering & organizing today. What a great feeling!

From the learning rooms...to live in the moment & enjoy it to the fullest. I don't ever want to miss something as I live it, because I am busy thinking ahead to the next moment, or thinking about things I need/want to do.

From the kitchen...everything is clean, put away, & waiting for us to meet there for breakfast tomorrow.

I am wearing...blue sweat pants & a soft gray thermal top.

I am creating...my meal plans for the week.

I am going...to bed very soon, after a long day of cleaning.

I am reading...My Bible, 10 Principles for Studying Your Bible, Adventurous Prayer, & The Purpose Driven Life.

I am hoping...that I can finish up the little bits of organizing & decluttering around the house tomorrow.

I am hearing...nothing but the sounds of my keyboard as I type this post. Everyone is in bed.

Around the house...I see the 'fingerprints' of life with Elliot & Emily tonight. Tiny pink shoes left by the table, a Princess tiara on the counter, the stuffed beanie animals that Elliot was enjoying before bed. I feel so blessed as I see these reminders of the little people that share my life.

One of my favorite things...telling knock-knock jokes with Elliot & Emily, & the resulting squeals of laughter coming from them.

A few plans for the rest of the week...finishing up the things I want to do around the house, getting my meal planning done, getting the next chapter of my Bible study done.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...the moon outside my window tonight -

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FOR TODAY - Monday, January 5, 2009...

Outside my window...it seems as though the entire world is still asleep, even though it is near 9AM. It's so quiet this out there this morning. I am greeted by an overcast look as I peer out my window - something that I am not used to seeing here in Las Vegas.

I am thankful for...this brand new year to see all that God has in store for me. I have asked Him to open up His Word in a new way for me as I read through it.

From the learning rooms...I am learning more about using blogger & loving it.

From the kitchen...my coffee is awaiting me, as well as a few dishes that I didn't load into the dishwasher last night before bed.

I am wearing...my Disney Minnie Mouse red plaid nightgown. Emily has one to match, & she loves it when we are in them.

I am creating...a new scrapbook page today.

I am reading...The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. After having it for years, & wanting to read it, I decided what a lovely way to begin a new year.

I am hoping... that God gives peace & comfort to Joyce. She lost her 40-something husband yesterday morning. He died in their car, as she was trying to get him to the hospital. My heart breaks for her.

I am hearing... the music from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, & of course, the kids singing along with it.

Around the house... I am thankful to look around & be able to tell that it was the weekend. A fun, full weekend, with not a lot of time to pick things up yesterday.

One of my favorite things... lying in bed each morning with the kids, talking about our day, laughing, singing, & praying before we get up.

A few plans for the rest of the week... continue with the organizing of our closet & garage, scrapbook a page or two, write some 'real' letters (not email), enjoy Elliot & Emily to the fullest each day!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...My sweet granddaughter, Avery Shade is 1 today -

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FOR TODAY - Monday, December 30, 2008...

Outside my window... it's bright & sunny, & I can't help but thank God for the beautiful area He has allowed us to live in, as I look at the mountains. The streets are quiet & peaceful.

I am thinking... about how I want to get my website up to date, especially Emily's blog. Something about the New Year, makes me want to have everything in order & 'lined up'.

I am thankful for... the blessing of getting to share my days with Elliot & Emily, & for all that they bring to my life.

From the learning rooms... I am learning that God has a perfect plan for my life, & that He will bring it about in 'His' time & give me the grace to wait.

From the kitchen... I hear the hum of the dishwasher, reminding me to be thankful for the food that we have, & for everyday modern conveniences.

I am wearing... pajamas, & am debating staying in them all day after a very busy past couple of weeks.

I am creating... new pages for my website.

I am going... to bake cookies with Elliot & Emily later, & make wonderful kitchen memories with them.

I am reading... Adventurous Prayer.

I am hoping... to be able to get the Christmas decorations put away today.

I am hearing... the music from the cartoon 'Little Bill', & listening to Emily hum along with it.

Around the house... I have sweet reminders of Christmas morning lingering, as the children are playing with the new toys, & still talking exitedly about Christmas.

One of my favorite things... watching Emily put away silverware & the dishes in the cabinets that she can reach, as we unload the dishwasher. I cherish training her & watching her work with such joy.

A few plans for the rest of the week... plan our family New Year's evening, get decorations down & put away, reflecting on this past year & thinking through on what I want 2009 to bring.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Emily, sharing Christmas with her special friend -
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