Birthday Wish!

December 30, 1969

Happy Birthday to you


Happy Birthday to you


Happy Birthday dear Tish


Happy Birthday to you!





To my sister! Happy Birthday dear sister, enjoy your day!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today December 28, 2009

Outside my Window.... sun is shining with a chill to the air.

I am thinking...how next Monday we will be typing 2010.

I am thankful for..... the ring my husband gave me at Christmas. It is simple and small it replaces my wedding set. The kids didn't like mommy not having a ring saying I was married. Funny how they notice the little things.

I am wearing....fleece jammies, still moving slow taking every advantage of Christmas break.

I am remembering...my childhood Christmas's we spent in Michigan with family. Thinking of all the family from then and how it has been 25-30 yrs since I seen them.

I am going...to call the dentist today. My son lost a filling. While out we need to stop by the grocery store.

I am working on....finishing up a quilt. Just about done too.

I am hoping...really hoping that this coming year will bring joy less trials

On my mind...the coming year and what is coming with it.

Noticing that...I am fearing what is to come with our living situation. I don't see us holding on to the house this year, as we have been for the past 2 yrs. Only by God's grace have we made it this far. I know not to fear that God is in control, but some of the options my husband speaks of scare me.

Pondering these words...Fear not for I am with you.....

From the Kitchen... Swedish meatballs and whole wheat egg noodles, meatloaf and mash potato's and spaghetti and burritos.

Around the house....pick up a bit, start some school work need to stay on top of math. Washing laundry.

One of my favorite things...getting time to relax and quilt.

From my picture journal...

Happy New Year

Merry Christmas Wish

From our home to yours! Pray everyone has a very Blessed Christmas.








Merry Christmas,

Some enjoyments of Christmas around our home

Love looking at the Christmas tree. The lights twinkling with the sweet ornaments collected over the years.





Then there is the goodies being made with help of little hands.

Peppermint bark.



trains made of candy used as ornaments and adoring the cousins gift bags. Tomorrow Hot Cocoa cupcakes, Carmel popcorn and fresh made bread and rolls.

dressing up pretty in our best for Children's Choir Christmas Presentation. With a new dress for Missy made my mommy.

Getting to make a ginger bread house and eating the candy as we work. (The best we have ever made)
Trying to upload video of baby girl singing not having luck try later.

Merry Christmas

Tara

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today Monday December 14, 2009


Outside my window....the sun is shining, today is warm doesn't feel like winter.


I am thinking...how good it feels to get the laundry just about caught up.


I am thankful...for our Lord's mercies and the blessings.


I am wearing..my nightgown late start today...


I am remembering...to lean on God each and every day.


I am going...with my children to Holiday Lights..The boys are playing with their orchestra tonight.


I am creating...a Christmas dress for Marissa


I am hoping...that January doesn't bring the freezing cold such as last year.


On my mind...an old old friend.


Noticing that....with each trial we have encountered bring my family closer to Jesus and to each other.


Pondering these words....."The word of God stands forever."


From the kitchen....soup and sandwiches tonight not sure about the rest of the week. I really need to go shopping.


Around the house...picking up down. Couple of the kids room need me to go through them. I hear a couple of the children outside and one on the piano practicing for Christmas.


One of my favorite things....hearing the laughter of me children and my husband.


From my pictures...baby girls first concert performance. All 4 of my children afterwards together.



To see more daybook's visit The Simple Woman's Daybook. Thank you Peggy for hosting this every week.

Almost 2 weeks.....

.....with out a post. I don't even think I have been to the blog world.

Here are some pictures from the a couple of things the past couple of weeks.

Collin on the radio with a few of his orchestra friends. What a complement to be asked...

Monday night was the children's Orchestra concert

Here is Jonathan preparing at practice just before.

Nathan just after his orchestra played...

and little Marissa her very first concert...she has sat for 5 yrs listening and watching her brothers. She has been so excited to finally be old enough to be part of what her big brothers do..

My blessings that gift me daily... I am proud of you! Congratulations on a awesome concert.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today November 30, 2009

Outside my window...Sun is almost up...the warmer weather is the forecast for today after two very cool days.

I am thinking....the lessons of faith that my family has been learning...praying that I can be understanding to others who are only beginning the journey.

I am thankful for....our God that never forsakes us...you look around there are many blessings.

I am wearing... walking clothes...I lost 10 lbs big incentive to keep going...

I am remembering....last year we had some real bad freezes in January. I am hoping we don't this year...Almost lost all our plants..

I am going....to be doing two walks today.YEAH. Orchestra practice resumes today. Next Monday is the recital...I am excited it is baby girls first time...

I am reading....I wish I still need to finish many.

I am hoping ....it will turn out to be a beautiful day's on Monday and Wednesday right around 3:00 to 4:00 . I do not like walking in the cold....

On my mind....a friend's husband who is sick.. Hopefully he goes to the Dr. today.

From the learning rooms....try to get back into the swing today. Math, music and LLATL.

Noticing that.....time flies by just way to fast anymore...

Pondering these words....."Thanks be unto God for HIS unspeakable gift" 2 Cor. 9:15

From the kitchen...today..turkey pot pie.. Tues Ham slices and mash pot. Wed left over prime rib..Thurs ? Friday ?

Around the house....Christmas decorating is beginning. Thanksgiving is packed up.

One of favorite things....holding the very soft bunny rabbit that seems to be very content being loved on my humans.

From the picture Journal...flowers baby girl picked and placed just so on her mommies desk.


To see more daybooks visit The Simple Woman's Daybook. Thank you Peggy for hosting this every week.

Update on the baby...

The baby rabbit won't leave....

Twice now we have taken her outside set the baby down. Just will not move, placed her on the deck hopped over to Jon's feet. She is eating and doing duties so, not worried there.

Not sure what to do with the baby....Jon placed her on my desk as I was working and she just sat there.

She is ok she was hopping around her cage last night, scared my out of sleep.

Anyone ever encounter baby rabbits before? Any info would be great..I thought maybe as she gets bigger she may then be ready to go.

Thanksgiving pictures.....

Missed the picture of all the food.....

Baby!

My one son Jon, not sure how......but this is the 3rd rabbit he has caught.

If you have never felt a wild bunny they are so extremely soft.


Yes it is only a baby was all by herself.

This was a very hard picture to get. It didn't take her long to feel the need to jump.
She finally did make a get away right out of my Nathan's hands.
So onto another adventure, as we are preparing Thanksgiving for 23 or more ......we had to tear out the dishwasher and the trim off my built in bookcase next to the dish washer.

The baby was recovered and is safe and sound to show to the cousins tomorrow. So that all 8 can take part in releasing her back to the wild.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today November 23, 2009

Outside my Window....the sun has begun it's morning journey. The grounds are wet from all the blessing of rain.

I am thinking.....all the things I need to do in the next few days. Trying not to stress over them. I am trying to have mental schedule.

I am thankful....a couple of days with out the children, I miss them when they are gone. I was over due for regroup and refresh.

I am wearing....nightgown soon I will be dressed to begin the day.

I am remembering....to be understanding, this is a short fall of mine.

I am going....for once not orchestra....I do however need to go finish the grocery shopping for Thanksgiving dinner.

I am reading....this should really say crafting...seems all I get to lately. Since Christmas is around the corner.

I am hoping.....thanksgiving dinner comes together nicely.

On my mind.....my oldest son and his father's bond is growing. I love seeing their relationship grow but I am feeling so left out.

From the learning rooms.....we are taking a break for the next few days. Then when we do the kids found some hands on Egyptian books. So we will be crafting and learning when we resume.

Noticing that......I want to get away, the kids are still talking about the New York trip 2 years ago. They would love to go again.

Pondering these words...."Doesn't matter where we live as long as we are together as a family"...my husband.

From the kitchen....the next few days easy quick items since I will be so busy with the thanksgiving feast.
Tonight hot dogs
Tuesday Cincinnati chili
Wednesday sandwiches and soup
Thursday THANKSGIVING
Friday left overs

Around the house....serving platters are out. Cleaning and cooking just lots of preparations happening.

One of my favorite things....watching everyone come and relax and just enjoy themselves all day.

From my picture journal.....this week a flock of thousands of bird circled my house daily. This picture is only a part of them.
To see more daybooks visit The Simple Woman's Daybook. Thank you Peggy for hosting this every week.

Thanksgiving Blessing to everyone.......

A sweet surprise

A dear friend today surprised me with a birthday present.
It isn't even my birthday.

A thoughtful friend that is also someone I have learned I can count on threw many things.
A friend I know will pray with me when needed the most.

With this friend we don't get time together as we once did sharing tea, crocheting or knitting together and most of all our daily talks.

Today I received a wonderful reminder that she still thinks of me as a dear friend; As I her.

I pray this friendship is one that I have for many many years to come.

My friend if you read this you are very special to me and my family! Love you sister in Christ.

Thanksgiving dinner?

I am so excited for Thanksgiving this year.

I have always wanted a huge Thanksgiving. Likes ones I remember during the Navy days. While hubby was deployed, friends would reach out to us that had no one.
Great memories that made the day good in time of loneliness.

This year the my family has reached out to ones that have no one. My SIL is managing a deaf ministry so she has 3 friends coming and my hubby invited friends that have been very gracious and dear to us. And then cousins may be coming from out of town. This is adding up to about 29 people. Wow!

I have the menu planned out already. Monday is the big shopping day! Hubby wants me to take Tuesday and Wednesday to prepare most of the dishes.

Turkey
Prime rib

asparagus
corn
mashed potatoes and gravy
broccoli
spinach salad
yellow squash
sweet potato casserole - hubby is already asking and bragging. (makes me happy)
Stuffing made with homemade bread
fresh rolls
fresh made cranberry sauce and relish

pumpkin pies a apple
cookies for little ones

The appetizers I still playing around with
Deviled eggs
turkey roll up
cream cheese and red pepper jelly with crackers
stuffed mushrooms
or go with the old veggie platter and cheese and cracker

HELP!
Looking for any ideas anyone has on the appetizers. These listed are just ideas and not sure since I have so much cooking going on already I would like simple easy little prep.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today November 16, 2009

Outside my window...sun is rising giving the clouds the most beautiful fire outline. Little chill in the air with dew covered grass.

I am thinking....how nice it was to have dinner with friends.

I am thankful for...the time I have had in our country home. Why has having this house been a trial since the beginning. It always seemed to work out and we felt God wanted us here. Now 6 yrs later and we still are fighting to hold on. Every time we are ready to walk away a blessing comes our way to help hold on longer.

I am wearing.... pink nightgown just woke up. Hubbies coffee is brewing, good thing for spell check it obvious I am not awake enough to type.

I am remembering....to eat healthy. It is hard I love eating the not good for you foods. It is a constant decision to be making. Being away from the house is the hardest. It has begun to pay off so now I have a incentive!

I am going.....it is Monday we have orchestra practice our recital is Dec 7.

I am reading....school books about all I can fit into the week so far.

I am hoping....to be a size 10 again. I thought 12 was fat back then oh how I would love to be that today.

On my mind....math, out of 4 children I have one that is having trouble retaining facts. How do I help him? There has to be away for him so it is not so hard and frustrating to both of us.

From the learning rooms....definitely a math lesson. Then we have music, and later silent reading. If time allowing some history.

Noticing that....the year feels as though it is speeding up. Each day goes by quicker, one week to prepare my list for Thanksgiving. We are shopping on Monday then spending Tuesday and Wednesday preparing. Full house this year I am so excited!

Pondering the words...."Remember the days blessings. Forget the days troubles."

From the Kitchen....chicken and yellow rice I think. Need something in crock pot. Tacos and nachos, 15 bean soup, steak and onion sub. Some of the meals for the week.

Around the house....laundry there are piles everywhere I turn. I have never fallen this behind and had such a hard time catching up. Oh I know who the 4 little calibrates names are. I believe they will be helping hang some laundry today.

One of my favorite things....sharing 16 yrs with my husband. Yesterday was our anniversary!

From my picture journal.....ladies tea with family.

To see more daybooks visit The Simple Woman's Daybook. Thank you Peggy for hosting this every week.

Plans for today.....

Lets see if anything goes to plan.

Pick up house. Not a lot to do today, my amazing 13 yr old cleaned the kitchen by himself last night. WITH OUT BEING TOLD!!!

Laundry is started..looks as rain is due today. So we will need to keep an extra eye on the line.

Math needs to get done corrections made and a decision made with my 10 yr old. Is he not getting or not trying? Fact sheets are going to be priority.

I need to get my walk in before all of this or the walking will be lost....and the trampoline sometime before dark.

3 of the children are out playing at the moment which is good they are not trashing the house.

Kids have their choir today so the day is shorter for us with school and chores. Missed last week due to sickness around here.

Now off of here until tonight, washer just beeped ready to be hung. Then I am going for my walk, it is a good thing.

Blessing to everyone,

For Today November 9, 2009.....

Outside my Window....absolutely beautiful fall weather. The breeze coming in the window is so refreshing and enjoyable.

I am Thinking....Thanksgiving is on my mind.

I am Thankful for.....family. That my husband has parents that love him very much and have never walked away from him.

I am wearing...walking clothes getting ready to do my morning walk.

I am remembering....how much it means to my husband to have an all from scratch homemade Thanksgiving dinner. I love cooking it for him...a memory for my children.

I am going...drop books off at library, stop at a store and go to orchestra with my 4 children. They are all doing so good with their instruments. The first recital is Dec 7, it is around the corner.

I am reading...patterns..working on Christmas presents does not leave me much time between schooling 4 children and tending to our home.

I am hoping...to finish hand stitching a quilt I pieced last year soon. I have 2 boys asking for a quilt from mom for Christmas. Trying to figure out how to pull this one off. One doesn't care about the fabric so I could do his easily. The other son wants camouflage which means buying fabric and right now that is not in any budget around here.

On my mind....the families that are suffering from a lost loved one's right now. Two senseless shootings that took innocent life's this week.

From the learning rooms...daily math, reading always and for the oldest memorizing a poem. The other boys grammar and the youngest is learning long vowel sounds. This week the youngest who is 6 just was moved into Saxon 2 math. She is so excited!

Noticing that....the sun is setting earlier. Which means I need to get out sooner for my trampoline work.

Pondering these words....Every time I come to this section. I become stumped, makes me wonder if I ever have any deep thoughts. I am so in the here and now at this moment that there is not much intellectual thinking going on at this time.

From the Kitchen....enchiladas and nachos, tonight. Chili tomorrow, homemade pizza on Wednesday. not sure of Thursday and Friday just yet.

Around the house....Work continues at a slow pace with the remodeling. The drive is not there with the possibility we could lose the house. Prayers are need.....

One of my favorite things....joy of my family having a good time.

From my picture Journal...finished piecing the quilt top. Picture doesn't truly show it. After I sandwich I will try to get a better picture.

To see more daybooks visit The Simple Woman's Daybook. Thank you Peggy for hosting this every week.

Wonderful gift!

A pair of violin earrings that were being sold at orchestra. They are so cute. My son took all his money today and bought then for his mommy. What is so special is he has been saving and saving ever penny he gets.... Here is my sweet thoughtful son.