The Simple Woman's Daybook

For TODAY ...

Outside my window ... the sun is shining, the lake is calm and still like a sheet of glass, the squirrels are running wildly, and someone from the city is outside spray painting lines in our lawn (identifying the water/sewer/gas/etc).

I am thinking ... about my UPS package that's arriving today and the fact that I'm hoping it arrives later this afternoon when I'm home because the delivery of it requires a signature!

I am thankful for ... my God, my husband, my kids, my family, my faith, my church, my friends, my doctors, my home ..... my LIFE!

I am wearing ... jeans that are too short, a brown T-shirt and my Hilfiger sweatshirt (you know, the one that I bought for Monte for Christmas last year and then shrunk it down so much that it now fits me!).

I am remembering ... Monte's late wife and my kids' mama, Kelley.  I never knew her, but she is always in my mind, especially coming into the holiday season.  I'm looking for creative ways to remember her and honor her memory during the holidays.

I am going ... to meet with Colin's preschool teacher in 45 minutes.

I am currently reading ... The Bible.  Amazingly enough, there are no other books that I'm reading at this moment!

I am hoping ... for Christmas to reflect its true meaning in our house this year.  For it to be less about the materialistic side and the presents (though we will still be giving presents to the kids!) and for it to be more about the birth of our Savior.

On my mind ... How wonderful it was to have my husband and kids home on a four day weekend and how much I'm looking forward to having them home for TWO WEEKS during Christmas (no, Monte isn't taking two weeks off of work, but the kids have two weeks off of school!).

Noticing that ... my house drastically needs to be cleaned - especially since we cleaned out the garage and my "storage pantry" for extra kitchen items has been demolished!  My counters are covered with bowls, serving platters, coolers, a coffee thermos ...... :)

Pondering these words ... "Your love, oh Lord, reaches to the heavens.  Your faithfulness stretches to the sky.  Your righteousness is like a mighty mountain.  Your justice flows like the ocean's tide."

From the kitchen ... This week features Tater Tot Hotdish (at the request of my husband!), Spaghetti, Chicken Cordon Bleu, Meatloaf, and steaks on the grill.  All with lots of various side dishes! :)

Around the house ... the laundry is washing, the radio is playing, the counters are screaming of how they need to be cleaned (can you tell that this is on my 'to do' list today?!).

One of my favorite things ... is seeing the outfits that Ellis chooses out for himself.  They always make me smile :)  What tops it off, though, is when he's modeling the outfits and he still has food on his face (because he almost always has food on his face)!

From my Picture Journal ... Colin and Elijah all dressed up for Thanksgiving ...

... and Abby, post bath, lots of crazy hair!

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