tidbits from my day........

*Lily will be 3 on Saturday!!! I can not believe that my full of life ,spirited, beautiful ,precious, precarious little girl is going to be 3!!! Although, in many ways, she already seems older. :)  We've been going through a rough patch lately but her sweet little hugs and precious helpful ways make it all worthwhile.

*Drew started climbing out of his crib this morning and surprised me in the kitchen as I was making breakfast....arms outstretched saying, "Mama" and giving me the most amazing "loves"....wow. That little boy just slays me. :)

*Claire helping her sister make butterflies from construction paper and making one for Drew-bee because "he can't touch the scissors, Mama. He would get very hurt and cry and we can NEVER make Drew-bee cry because he is my precious brother." And, that, slays me. :)

*The girls asking to read the bible and do our devotion this morning instead of watching t.v. :)


*We are back to 2 hr. naptimes and Mama is so very happy about that! Time to relax. Time to read!!!!

*My hubby surprised me with "Julie & Julia" last night!!! What a sweet thoughtful man I have!! I can't wait to watch it with him!!

*Beautiful day. Nature walks and clothes drying on the line. Bright sunshine & working in the garden....wow....

I really really really LOVE this life!! ♥

Open House....

I found this "daybook" type meme on this charming little blog that I love to read. I don't think she has done any of these in awhile but  I think I will start doing this once a week. I hope you can join in! 


I am wearing... .my favorite Cruel Girl Jeans, a black v-neck t-shirt, silver & black hoops in my ears, silver & gold flip-flops, wedding rings, Brighton Heart watch, my Montana Silversmith Rose ring and full make-up. (And, of course, sunglasses on top of my head! I know my little sister is laughing reading this!) (I felt bad yesterday and stayed in my pj's all day. Today I got up and got dressed. Still feeling a little puny but the clothes actually made me feel happier!) =)

I am listening to...  SILENCE....ALL 3 children are taking a blessed blessed wonderful nap!!!

I am reading... Some Fancy Nancy to the girls...Angelina Ballerina to the girls...The Ministry of Motherhood...So Long Insecurity but I am antsy, I have read all of my books and made notes and now I am ready for another book!! I am a total bookworm...absolutely ♥ books! =)

I am looking forward to...  my visit with my sister and her sweet little family. My niece's baby shower and family coming in from Maine.

I am thinking... about babies. =) 

In the kitchen:  Homemade chicken & dumplin's 

In the yard/garden... .  GORGEOUS spring flowers all over my yard (will have to post a picture this week!!) and, we are working on our garden!!! Can't wait to start canning and freezing veggies!!

Praying for... my babies to be over this sickness soon! More sleep tonight for me. We are praying most especially, for a little boy we know who has severe health problems. 

Thankful for... Jesus. Healthy children except for occasional sickness. Healthy husband. My health. A lovely home. The ability to be a stay at home wife and mother. Our wonderful marriage of almost 12 years. Sweet precious hugs from my beautiful children.

Here's a picture I am sharing with you!:

~today is a beautiful day~

~ I am going to take my kids out for breakfast!! Yes, all three and we are going to eat at the park! It's going to be so much fun and we are so excited!!!

~Going shopping today for a surprise for someone! Can't say! =)

~Housework is under control...still working on the clutter part but 15 minutes a day is doing MIRACLES!~!!! I ♥ Flylady, so much!!!


~I igot "So Long Insecurity, you've been a bad friend to me" by Beth Moore in the mail yesterday(THANKS SISSY!!!) and have already read 12 chapters...YES, I HAVE. =)

~LOVING the fact that we are HOMESCHOOLING (why, yes, spellcheck, that is one word!!!)

~Realizing that I am the best possible provider for our children. I have let other people's  doubt and insecurities waver me on whether or not, I can do this or should be doing it! Well, I believe as their mother, that God says I can and should!! (If you are not homeschooling, that's fine. Completely the decision of you and your husband. I am not here to debate over it. Yes, I feel it is the best possible situation for all children. So, there, that is my belief. For those that have questioned me in the comment section.)

~Loving the fact that Dave Ramsey has so completely revolutionized the way we live!! Maybe congress should adapt a similar mentality??? LOL

~I am so completely at peace with the wonderful fact that we have 3 children under the age of 5 whom I am completely and totally responsible for and I AM LOVING IT!!!! It is hard, at times, but sooooo much of it is my attitude and my selfishness. I am facing that and dealing with it and today, I feel like God has led me through a dark valley!!! GOD IS SO GOOOD!! And, if you need me to pray for you, if you are in a dark place, a desperate place, I certainly WILL pray for you and with you!!! God never gives us more than we can handle and raising our children is such a privilege!! We are raising the children of our mighty God!! How awesome is that??

Well, I am off to spend the day with my beautiful gifts from God! Praying that all of you that read this little blog have an amazing God-filled day, as well!

Love to you all!

♥Julie♥

simple saturday....

*I must really be tired if I can't spell "simple"! :) It's corrected, now. 


~I love the smell of freshly turned dirt! My hubby is on the tractor as I type this, discking  up the garden for planting...can't wait!

~Hanging clothes on the clothesline...love the fresh smell! (No dryer sheets needed!)


~Doughnuts this morning and the park with Daddy...

~A simple down home supper of pinto beans w/bacon, fried potatoes w/onion, and buttermilk cast iron skillet cornbread...yum-yum!!


~The latest OCHEC magazine....a homeschooling resource that is sooooo wonderful! I can't wait to curl up tonight and read to my heart's content! :)

~Planning this week's menu straight out of my collection of cookbooks...such a fun thing to do!


Hope you are having a great weekend!

♥Julie♥

daybook & links!!...

I have done a few of these before and really enjoyed doing them! I actually try to do a variation of this almost every single day and print out to keep in my homemaking binder.I often just don't have the time to post it on the blog!  I wanted to blog today and didn't really know what to blog about. This just came to my mind. :)

Bible verse:  "Love your neighbor"  Matthew 5:43(Our memory verse this week)


recipe: chicken tortilla soup & High Fiber Nutritious Oatmeal Cookies(recipe tomorrow!)


activity with kids: making cookies & homemade whole-wheat bread & pizza dough

today's target cleaning areas: laundry put away (only 2 loads today, Praise the Lord!!), bedrooms(everything in it's place)

Something Charlie needs for me to do: He's been home for 2 days...not much for me to do for him!

Something special for my husband: Making his favorite cookies.

Something special for my children: We are reading "Little House in the Big Woods" before naptime...they love it!! We read the chapter about the "Dance at Grandpa's (the sugar snow) today"..such fun!

project: working on the chicken coop! Tons of homeschooling computer work (aka research and planning) to do!!

on my bedside table: Traveling Light by Max Lucado and Crazy Love by Francis Chan...also, always, Sally Clarkson (right now, it's Ministry of Motherhood).. :)

In our schoolhouse: Oh boy, I have a bunch of links for you today!! 

*This chore chart...love it!! We made Claire & Lily's this morning and I am just waiting on a chance to laminate them so we can get started! I will post pictures once we get that done. Here's a photo of the one on the provided.  

*this blog is really cool! I found sooo many neat ideas here! 1+1=1 blog 


*Making a Peace Place: (This is something I really really want to do in our home..peace is something I CRAVE with all my soul. I strive every day to make our home a peaceful haven and can always feel the negative effects when I don't give my 110% of my efforts.) I thought this was wonderful and started working immediately to put this into effect. Please read these links and use them to make your home a more peaceful environment for your family! We could always use more peace! :)

~A Holy Experience: Making a Peace Place

~The Homespun Heart: Create Rest

~The Homespun Heart: What's on the wall?

~Preschoolers and Peace: Part I

~Preschoolers and Peace: Part II

And, I have many more to share but it will have to late until later this week..naptime/quiet time is just about over and I have some supper preparations to attend to! 

Here's a picture I would like to share with you today:

Eggs from our chickens!!! We get about 12 a day. We have about 40 more eggs in the refrigerator.. lol  I 

love having chickens..... :)

~Julie~

my daybook today....

Julie's daybook...For Monday, January 26th, 2009

*Bible verse: (Titus 2:3-8)
3.
The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
4.
That they may teach the young women to be sober , to love their husbands, to love their children,
5.
To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed .
6.
Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded .
7.
In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
8.
Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed , having no evil thing to say of you.


*recipe: Stuffed Cabbage Casserole, Julia Child's white bread, Texas Sheet Cake (supper last night; leftovers tonight) :)


*activity with kids: bundling up & taking a nature walk after naps; watching a movie and eating snacks

*today's target cleaning areas: organize & vaccum our bedroom closet, girls closet. * Clean ALL appliances * Do ALL laundry; fold & put away (this is ALL done already except the laundry; 1:45 pm)

*Something Charlie needs for me to do: take his phone to get fixed or get new one; make breakfast & lunch for him for entire week (put in freezer & refrigerator) (ALL done except the phone will have to do that tomorrow; 2:00 pm)

Something special for my husband: write love notes to put in his lunch ;)

Something special for my children: let the girls wear my high heels to play dress up; spend time just talking silly & cuddling all of them.

project: menu plan; Drew's baby book (my project for this week, lol)

In our schoolhouse: Slow & Steady Get Me Ready ( I will try and put these in a different post; maybe I will get it done today) :)

*For now, I am posting a picture that I love:

Claire, Lily, Drew & my sweet niece, Sarah, at church :)

Please join in if you wish! I have been doing this as often as I can (I just don't post it) but my little sister inspired me today! To read her wonderful daybook, go here! Have a wonderful and productive week, everyone!

Love,

Julie

My daybook..

I have searched for a name for this little project I am starting and this is the best one I can think of. I have seen some similar ideas on some other blogs called the "siimple woman's daybook" and while I love this concept, it just wasn't exactly what I wanted to do or needed for it to work. So, I tinkered with the idea some and this is what I got.. I may not share these every day although I am doing them every day and putting them in my Home Management Binder. Just wanted to share this with you today and maybe it can help you as it has helped me! I am very disorganized and I must have a system. This system works really well, so far! lol. :)


Julie's daybook...

For Wednesday:


Bible verse: "Don't worry about anything; pray about everything" Phil. 4:6

recipe: red beans and rice and blackberry bread

activity with kids: thankful tree

today's target cleaning areas: laundry, master bathroom, scrub floors

Something Charlie needs for me to do: pay electric bill & pay insurance
fill prescriptions

Something special for my husband: write Charlie a love letter

Something special for my children: read bible stories & take a nature walk

project: work on home management binder; grocery shopping

In our schoolhouse: working on shapes and sorting today. Going to play with Kylie & Alaina.

*And, I may not always get this done until I get our new computer because mine is cranky about posting pictures but I want to post a picture every day of a "memory made today". So, for now, I am posting a picture that I love:


This picture just makes me happy! And now I must get off the computer because, clearly, I have A LOT to accomplish today!! Have a blessed day!! :)
Love,
Julie