Outside my window…it's bright and sunny.  The weatherman said that the humidity should be diminishing a bit for the next few days.  I'm not going to believe it until I see it, but it certainly would be lovely.

I am thinking…that I'd really like to start working with a trainer at the gym when I get home from vacation.  I'm consistently losing weight and doing fairly well, but I'd like to focus on getting stronger and I'm not sure how to do that on my own.

I am hearing…morning cartoons. 

I am thankful for…the countdown to vacation, a busy-but-not-stressful-busy week, everyone that's going on the Bahamas mission trip with Tom, a stronger sense of God's will and His direction, a to-do list that is growing smaller each day.

I am praying for…God's will – clear and strong.

Toward a healthier me….six days of exercise last week and good eating through a stressful week.  I'm still at 31 pounds lost total, but I did lose another half an inch.  Even better?   I went shopping this weekend and bought new clothes in the "regular sizes" section.  Awesome!  I'm hoping to hit the gym 3 times a week for the next two weeks before vacation and need to look at my exercise options for when I'm in California.

Inspiring me this week…this blog post on living without air conditioning.  I don't think I could live in Central Florida, without it but there are lots of tips that we could use to help cut our bill.  We tend to turn our AC on in April and don't turn it off until October…those bills add up!

From the learning rooms…we're officially done with homeschooling.  I sent in the kid's evaluations and termination letters, and will be registering them for public school early next week.  I'm sad to see this time end, but I know that it's the best decision for our family right now.

From the kitchen…here's the meal plan for the next two weeks, plus lots of fruits and veggies.

I am wearing…my workout clothes – cut off yoga pants that I turned into capris and a tank top.

I am creating…a day by day list of what has to be done before we leave in less than two weeks.  It's going far, far too quickly!

I am going…be just fine with Tom gone for a few days….or so I keep telling myself.

I am reading…whatever I seem to pick up.  I really should find a used book store before we get on the train. 

Toward a lifelong education… lots of new cooking shows, and some older ones that are new to us on the new Cooking Channel.   I love learning new techniques and getting new ideas for the kitchen!

On keeping home…we have a big cleaning day planned for Saturday, but I'm trying to get one big Purge item crossed off my list each day.  Yesterday was our bedroom, today is the refrigerator, and I think Wednesday will be a good day to sort through our book collection.  The kitchen cupboards could really use a good sorting, as well as the pantry. 

One of my favorite things…this silly post about counting down the days until we leave for our train trip, and my Dad's response to it.  I think Tom's a little scared.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  the gym, a doctor's appointment, lots of cleaning, a little scrapbooking, some family time on Friday and some more cleaning on Saturday.  Tom leaves for a missions trip on Sunday and the kids and I are trying to plan something fun each day until Grandma and Grandpa get here on the 17th.  Eep!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing…

Tom needed a quick headshot for something the other morning, and here's one of the outtakes.  Caleb's face kind of cracks me up a little.

Have a blessed week!

Read more Daybooks here, where they are graciously hosted by Peggy each week.

FOR TODAY…March 23, 2010

Outside my window…it should be a warmer, sunny day.  Back solidly in the 70's and looking toward 80's. 

I am thinking… that I could really use a vacation.  Oh wait…I just had one.  I'm feeling like I could already use another.

I am thankful for…my trip out to California, coming home, that Grandma Fee is coming in on Thursday, that Confirmation is nearly over, that God seems to be preparing me for something new.

I am praying for…a bit of wisdom, peace, an easier heart, change.

Toward a healthier me….between travel, general craziness and my sciatic nerve acting up, exercise hasn't been a big priority. 

From the learning rooms…I'm still coming to terms with the decision to send the kids back to school next year.  I'm still questioning myself about it, but I know that it's the right thing to do for this season.  We're learning about Ancient Rome, Caleb will be finished with his mathbook by the end of this week and Hanna's starting on compositions. 

From the kitchen…here is this week's menu plan.  A finish-it-up sort of week, with a baking day planned for this weekend (assuming my back feels better).

I am wearing…capris and a new heathered green t-shirt. 

I am creating… layouts, new chore lists (aren't I always?), a train unit to begin studying after Spring Break.

I am going…to enjoy having Grandma Fee here.

I am reading…My chronological One Year Bible and whatever else seems to fall into my hand. 

Toward a lifelong education… working on getting caught back up on my GNOWFGLINS class and waiting on a few books of food and healing to come from the library.

I am hearing…it's pretty quiet – Caleb's making his breakfast…that's about it.

Around the house…I had a bit of a Spring Cleaning bug last week, but it seems to have passed already.  We need to give the house a quick polish before Grandma Fee gets here.

One of my favorite things…hearing plans for my brother's wedding this fall, especially knowing that I will most likely get to be there for it.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  youth group tonight, mid week at church tomorrow, Grandma Fee arrives on Thursday, my big shopping day on Friday (and maybe some baking), Tom's birthday and the church Easter Egg hunt on Saturday and Confirmation on Sunday.  I think this is where I say Calgon, take me away!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing…

A favorite Easter Egg hunt photo from a few years ago…hard to believe how much Caleb has grown in just 3 years!

Have a blessed week!

Read more Daybooks here, where they are graciously hosted by Peggy each week.
 
 

FOR TODAY…February 22, 2010

Outside my window…a little bit overcast, but we should be in the 70's again today with some storms moving in later.   

I am thinking… that I have been a huge failure at my Lenten goals this year.  Time to refocus.

I am thankful for…a "normal" week, that Caleb is feeling and breathing better, that Hanna has had so many fun opportunities this past week, for my dear husband who supports my crazier ideas, for my salvation.

I am praying for…a more sacrificial Lent, friends who have strayed so far, that Hanna's fever is just a cold and not something more, God's continued guidance and provision.

Toward a healthier me….I was down about two pounds today, bringing my total weight loss since right after to just over  10 pounds (with a total of 20 since the day after Thanksgiving).  Slow, but steady so I'm not complaining!  I've also lost 10.75" measured over 8 spots.  Not bad.  Between the Confirmation Retreat, sick kids and general craziness of last week, I did only manage 3 days of exercise and I need to improve on that this week.

From the learning rooms…we'll finish our Winter Olympics unit and have one more week of Ancient Greece after this one.  We may take a few days off from history before starting Ancient Rome to go better with my schedule.  Everything else continues on, plus I'm adding more formal grammar and geography studies.

From the kitchen…here is this week's menu plan.  A finish-it-up sort of week, with a baking day planned for this weekend.

I am wearing…capris and a new blue t-shirt.  Quite comfortable!  I might need to go pick up a few more in other colors.

I am creating…my homemaking binder (more on this tomorrow), layouts, piecings, and lots of lists to get us through the next few weeks.

I am going…disenfect the entire house if I have to!  It's been four months since we've had any sort of illenss and both kids have come down with something different in the last five days.

I am reading…My chronological One Year Bible and whatever else seems to fall into my hand.  Two more books to finish up for review.

Toward a lifelong education… still reading  Think Orange and Deep Church  – both are challenging.

I am hearing…Caleb coughing.  There's been a lot of that lately.

Around the house…I spent all day on laundry yesterday, and everything else is feeling a little shabby…but that's what usually happens when we've had several crazy weeks in a row.

One of my favorite things…new layouts, new paper, new inspiration.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  are a little up in the air depending on how Hanna is feeling.  Hopefully, it will be simple.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing…

A favorite outtake from our Valentine's Day shoot.

Have a blessed week!

Read more Daybooks here, where they are graciously hosted by Peggy each week.