A Quiet Monday Daybook

Outside my window... 
Sunshine. And it's a beautiful sight. We had lots of dark skies and white stuff then lots of rain and it's been a bit dreary out. What a breath of fresh air!!

I am thankful for...
Wonderful kids. We had a 9 day weekend with all the snow and ice. And it was fabulous. The girls were great listeners, played well together, made us laugh constantly and helped the time pass is such a great way. (I think the title of the Daybook would have been quite different if they were less than lovely.)

I am thinking about...
Not a lot . . . it's incredibly peaceful to be sitting in a cozy quiet home. I love having the kids home and had such a hard adjustment when they both started school this year but as I get into a routine on the days Haley has kindergarten, I look forward to the time of productivity and contemplation and coffee.

Learning all the time...
That I need to think through decisions a bit more before saying yes. I tend to say yes because "there's no reason not to" . . . sometimes the reason not to is that I don't need to say yes. And I'm learning that's ok. Sometimes we have to say no to good things so we can say yes to great things. There are only so many hours in the day. 

From the kitchen...
Empty cupboards and freezer and fridge. We got very creative with meals during the winter lock in and I need to go to the store. I just don't feel like leaving my cozy home while it's so quiet right now. Why battle everyone else at the store who are also out of supplies? There must be some Costco chicken in the freezer still. That bag lasts forever. I love you Costco!

I am creating . . .
My list of books read in 2012. It's a clean page of possibilities.

I am working on...
Unpacking the non-essential boxes now. Most everything has been unpacked and put away and the rest is organized in the garage (the craft/scrapbook supplies, kids overflow toys and games etc.) and I'm ready to start tackling them. A couple weeks ago I hit my limit. The tipping point ironically came when I was carrying and putting away the groceries for the week. I slammed down one of the bags (that didn't include the eggs) and said, "I'm officially tired of carrying things . . . I'm done!!" (which of course didn't last longer than a second as I had to finish putting away the groceries but you get the point. A hiatus from boxes was needed)

I am going...
To visit a friend in need of a visit today.

I am hoping...
To continue having people over to our new home for family dinners and play dates. The inaugural hosting came in the form of a gaggle of women whom I adore and who I always look forward to spending time with. We laughed, had hors d'oeuvres, drank some wine, laughed some more and it was so fun to show them around. Since then, we've had our favorite family over to watch a football game, eat pizza and watch the kids run around, up and down loving the extra space we now have. It has been amazing getting to share this incredible blessing with those around us.

I am reading...
Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
The Magician's Assistant by C.S. Lewis (the first in the Narnia series) with Hannah
The Jesus Storybook by Sally Lloyd-Jones with Haley
Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne with the whole Marsh clan (we started during the snow days and are looking forward to finishing it with many more snugly nights together)

I am praying for...
The right words to say in situations that present themselves each day. My favorite parenting book of all time is called Professionalizing Motherhood by Jill Savage. In the book she talks about the "ministry of availability" which is one of the incredible opportunities as a stay at home mom. I am so thankful for the amazing relationships and doors that open because I'm home. I pray that I use each of these in the way that God intends.
 
I am hearing...
Quiet. And it's a precious peaceful quiet . . . not a lonely quiet. 

Around the house...
Organization and tidiness. It's amazing how much I can get done in such a short time when there are little hands pulling everything out that I just put away. Don't get me wrong - the point of having a house is to live in it but it feels good to look around and see things in there places. (And thanks to a great friend who let me borrow her vacuum - mine is broken - the floors are free of all the leaves and pine cones and dirt that got brought in on snow boots this week)

One of my favorite things...
Encouraging music. It puts me in an amazing mood, makes housework so much more pleasant and sets my mind on the right track to serve my family well.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

The before and after of Hannah's bed . . . and you'd never believe it but I found it at a thrift store for $15!!! An inexpensive can of paint and what do you know? A beautiful bed suited for a beautiful little girl.