SweetPea Castle

Before and After

It's amazing how much difference 40 minutes makes in one day.  At 1:19pm we had this:

And then at 1:58pm we had this:

It went back and forth like that for a good portion of the afternoon.  The poor children really REALLY wanted to go out and play, but that really was NOT an option with this cold virus still wreaking havoc in our home.  Perhaps soon...

Simple Woman's Daybook - 8

FOR TODAY - November 24, 2008

Outside My Window... it is very cold and overcast.  It's the kind of day where you just want to curl up with some good quiet material and a hot cuppa something.

I am thinking... I really need more tissues and chicken with rice soup sounds yummy.

In the learning room... we are not doing anything this morning and the rest of this week is up in the air.  It is not wise to try to accomplish serious learning while our heads are stuffed and/or overflowing with colds.

I am thankful for... hot tea with honey and lemon, cough drops, humidifiers and water!  Most of all, I am thankful that the Lord's healing is already promised.

From the kitchen... the dishwasher is now fixed and was run last night.  So, it needs to be emptied.

I am wearing... comfy pants and a t-shirt.  This fever makes anything else too uncomfy.

I am creating... a quiet nest for my children and I to rest and recover in over the next couple of days.  I have sewing to do, but it will not happen until I can focus better and not risk making serious mistakes.

I am going... nowhere in particular.  It is not kind to spread germs around to those who are otherwise healthy.  And, we don't need to pick up any further germs either.

I am reading... the Bible - 2 Corinthians through Colossians this week.  I am also slowly working my way through an inductive study of Philippians.

I am hoping... that this cold virus passes quickly and Eliana's rash resolves soon.

I am hearing... the children coloring nicely on the floor and Josiah starting to indicate it's almost naptime.

Around the house... are the many signs that the occupants are fighting off illness.  There are tissues and tissue boxes everywhere.  And there are various cold remedies lined up on the kitchen island for use as appropriate.

One of my favorite things... lots of honey and lemon in my steaming hot cup of tea.  I'd prefer to be drinking Chai Tea... but it doesn't agree with Josiah.  So, I'm settling for constant comment instead.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:  Sewing and knitting as I am able.  Kyra is going to cook Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday since she has plans with her fiance's family on Thanksgiving day and then works that evening.  She is excited to be learning to cook fine meals and trying something a little different than we are used to.  I am praying that she is blessed and does an amazing job.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

      

I'm not a fan of these tissues any other time than when you've got a cold.  We have a bunch of boxes of the ultra ones around for all other times.

Titus 2:3-5 ~ Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

There are many wonderful Daybooks to be read by others participating in The Simple Woman's Daybook, hosted by Peggy of The Simple Woman!

Handwashing

That's what you do when the dishwasher breaks and you have four young children.  You wash the dishes by hand and set them out all over the kitchen to dry properly.  I miss my dishwasher already.  I'll admit... I'm a wimp.  I would much rather let the machine wash my dishes for me while I tend to other things.  We'll have to see how long it might take someone to come out to fix the thing.  It's just the latch... but it's a very important piece.  You see, you can't open OR close it without the latch working properly.

Perhaps it was time for me to teach Noah and the girls how we properly wash our dishes by hand anyway.  Noah will be putting them all away for me in the morning while I get the breakfast stuff prepared.  Thank you Lord for such simple reminders of just how blessed our family really is.

Simple Woman's Daybook - 7

FOR TODAY - November 17, 2008

Outside My Window... there is a blustery wind rustling through the orchard and development.  It's going to be a chilly day.

I am thinking... it's amazing that the Lord loves me and puts up with me even when I seem to be stuck in a selfish and irritable mood.  I need to spend more time in His Word today.

In the learning room... we will be relaxing a bit and trying to just get back into the "groove" of our routine.  We've been struggling a bit too much with lack of preparation by me and lack of prope attitude by Noah.

I am thankful for... my husband and children who love me and constantly draw me closer to Jesus. 

From the kitchen... my wonderful husband is making us omelets for breakfast.  The children have already finished their breakfast and are playing while I finish up my morning preparations.

I am wearing... jeans with a long-sleeved nursing shirt.

I am creating... dresses for my girls.  I've started cutting the pattern pieces and will finish one set this week.  I've also got two custom orders that should be finalized this week.

I am going... to be home most of the week.  I need to see if I can go to Costco and I have a dentist appointment on Friday.

I am reading... the Bible - Romans.  I am also slowly working my way through an inductive study of Philippians.

I am hoping... that I can find better ways of accomplishing all that needs to be done this week.  I constantly feel like I am failing and not doing all that God wants of me.

I am hearing... the Disney Channel!  :: GASP ::  There's a special on this morning that the children really want to watch.  Then, it's going off.

Around the house... it's time to start seriously teaching my little one's the value of proper home keeping.  They should be responsible for making their beds and cleaning up their toys daily.  I confess that it is often easier for me (at the time) to take care of these things myself.  However, it is NOT good child training.

One of my favorite things... a hot cup of coffee and a high speed internet connection.  Slow internet connections really put a wrinkle in my ability to get on and off my computer quickly and back to the rest of my responsibilities.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:  Sewing and knitting.  I'm also planning to tackle the children's clothing this week.  I need to sort through their clothing and get it better organized and put away.  I am having trouble finding the clothing that I need.  I need to know if it's because we need more clothing or if it's just disorganized.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

      

Coming Later... My internet connection speed is NOT helping me to be able to upload anything this morning.

Ephesians 6:10 - 11 ~ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 

There are many wonderful Daybooks to be read by others participating in The Simple Woman's Daybook, hosted by Peggy of The Simple Woman!

He's REALLY walking!!!

This past week, Josiah has started truly walking!  He's been cruising for 2 months while holding onto furniture.  And, he's been taking 3-4 wobbly steps before falling (or sitting) down for a couple of weeks.

But, this past week he starting walking... really REALLY walking.  He's not quite 10 1/2 months old.  I managed to get a quickie video on my crackberry earlier this evening.  I'll try to download it and see if I can figure out how to post it here tomorrow.

Right now, it's time for bed.  It's been a long week and we are all quite tired around here.  It's time to try for an early bedtime and get enough rest to start the upcoming week.

Scattered thoughts

I am crazy busy this week.  Jason has health education classes for three nights and I'm trying to spend my time wisely.  So, I haven't been able to post.  But, that's okay.

I finished my two custom orders last night, photo'd and packed them for shipping today... and they will be picked up tomorrow.  Now, I'm ready for any other custom orders that might be requested.  But, I have to say that I am also enjoying this bit of "down time".

I have a diaper order that I am working with my oldest daughter on for a missionary that her church is supporting.  This family is expecting their first in February, I believe.  I am also still working on my knitting.  And, I'm starting the dresses for my girls.  Yes, I've been procrastinating on that.  I'm not sure why... just have been.

I've also been spending more focused time with the little ones.  Noah needs more assistance with his homeschool these days.  Eliana is feeling quite left out and like the proverbial "middle child".  Tabitha is doing very well with making more beginning sounds.  But, it's still quite the struggle and we don't have any more actual words from her.  I am looking into apraxia of speech information.  Josiah is getting bigger by the day and into everything.

Anyway... I am truly trying to be more faithful with my time and a better keeper of my home.  So I need to get off of here.  I just wanted to take a few minutes to put down my thoughts while I could.

I'll try to post another update sometime this weekend.

Simple Woman's Daybook - 6

FOR TODAY - November 10, 2008

Outside My Window... is another chilly autumn day.  The leaves have turned and lay all over the ground in the orchard.  It's quiet and rather serene this morning outside.

I am thinking... I have a lot to do today and really need to get busy.  But, I want to finish this post before walking away from my laptop for most of the day.

In the learning room... we are starting our fifth lifepac this week with Noah.  I am also working with the girls on their colors, letters and numbers.  Eliana is itching to do some "real" school.  So, we're working on a wee bit of preschool.

I am thankful for... time spent in the Word and prayer with God.  I am thankful that his timing is perfect and he always provides just what we need. 

From the kitchen... the sink is freshly emptied and cleaned... the dishes from breakfast put in the dishwasher for later.  The smell of fresh coffee is wafting this way, beckoning me for a fresh cup.  We will be having lasagne tonight.  The rest of the week is going to be easy-peasy dinners, since Jason has classes three nights this week.

I am wearing... comfy lounge pants and shirt... with a pair of my warm hand-knit socks.

I am creating... a peaceful refuge for my family.  I am striving for balance in my busy-ness.  I've got the same knitting and sewing projects in the works.  I am prayerful that this will be a more productive week than last.

I am going... to nurse the baby and then gather the littles up to go work in the sewing room today.

I am reading... the Bible - Acts still.  But, I also started an inductive study of Philippians.

I am hoping... that Tabitha will do well with going poppy on the potty this week.  She does well with everything else, but tends to have her bowel movements during nap or night-time when she is in a pull-up.

I am hearing... Josiah getting more insistent that he needs to nurse and then nap... NOW.  The noises of my children playing together nicely is music to my ears.

Around the house... is the chaos that shows a house that is well lived-in, but not very organized.  That will come soon... and be even easier as the children grow.

One of my favorite things... Getting to the end of my day and realizing that I really HAVE accomplished what I set out for that day... or more.  It makes me see how often the Lord really has directed my steps.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:  Sewing and knitting... and trying to clean up a bit around here.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

     

This just goes to show that not only does my husband have a sick sense of humor... but he found my camera and figured out how to actually use it.  Really cute honey... I'm sure they will LOVE this picture later in life.

Jeremiah 29:7 ~ ' Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.'

I was given this scripture during my prayer and study time right before the elections.  I don't have time to expound on what the Lord showed me.  But, I wanted to put it up here for reference... and a reminder that we are to be in prayer for our country's welfare.

There are many wonderful Daybooks to be read by others participating in The Simple Woman's Daybook!

All Your Needs

Philippians 4:19 ~ And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

I was studying in Philippians today and came across this scripture.  I've used it many times when we've been struggling financially to remind myself of God's many promises.  But, today is really the first time that I took more of the whole chapter in.

Yes yes... the Lord has promised to provide for His children.  But, what struck me about my devotions this morning was that this verse was in direct response to the Philippians having provided for Paul.  You see, it is in our providing for others... blessing them financially, spiritually and personally... that God is fully able to provide for us.

During these financially tight times, we tend to tighten our own purse strings and forget about providing for others in need.  We need to tighten our purse strings when it comes to unnecessary spending, but we need to open them wider to share what we have with others in need.

For me, this means continuing to be faithful in my tithes and offerings to my local church.  But, it also means blessing a family in need with a well-cooked meal during a time that it would bless them.  It means blessing a family that wants to cloth diaper with enough to at least get them started.  It means finding some spare change to give a one-time offering to a ministry that has been touching my heart.  And, whatever else the Lord lays on my heart in the coming months.

What does this mean for you?

Simple Woman's Daybook - 5

FOR TODAY - November 3, 2008

Outside My Window... it's a rather dreary day with cloud cover and a touch of chill in the air.  Although I saw it's supposed to warm up pretty well.

I am thinking... it's amazing how fast time goes by.  Josiah is 10 months old today.  He's getting braver with his walking and I'm sure it's just a matter of time before he is running through the house.  He'll take 3-4 steps on his own before falling or sitting down.

In the learning room... Noah has been sick (and still is) so we've not got much specifically planned.  We are trying to be wise and not attempt tasks that are not reasonable this week.

I am thankful for... time spent in the Word and prayer with God.  I am thankful that his timing is perfect and he always provides just what we need. 

From the kitchen... the dishwasher is running so that I have fresh dishes for lunch and dinner.  I am frustrated with the fruit flies that have taken over in there.  It's time to do a major cleaning to get rid of them.

I am wearing... comfy lounge pants and a blue nursing shirt.

I am creating... warm knit socks for me, a coat for my neice for Christmas and dresses for my girls... STILL.  I've also got to work on some diapers for Josiah and two new customs. 

I am going... to work in the sewing room when I am able today.  I will be out and about all day tomorrow, so I need to be focused on accomplishing what I can at home toay.

I am reading... the Bible - Acts specifically.

I am hoping... that this will be a good week and my family's health will be restored quickly.

I am hearing... the girls playing in the playroom and Josiah toddling in his pack-n-play.

Around the house... today is a laundry day.  So, I've got piles of laundry stacking.  My sewing room is also completely torn apart and needing to be re-organized before I can even start work in there today.

One of my favorite things... Curling up on the couch in the evening after all the littles are asleep... sitting with my knitting and a hot cup of cocoa.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:  Sewing and knitting... voting... dr. appointments... dentist appointment on Wednesday.  Grocery shopping and picking up filters and stuff from the hardware store.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

    

We will be starting our homeschool and sewing work as soon as I finish this load of laundry. 

Luke 6:12 ~ It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.  

There are many wonderful Daybooks to be read by others participating in The Simple Woman's Daybook!