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.

SNOW

We have SNOW . . . lots and lots of SNOW!! 8 1/2 inches to be exact. The kids (and dad) have had the last two days off and tomorrow's school has already been canceled. We have been having a great time playing games, watching movies and of course, playing in the snow. Yesterday we built a snowman and a snow fort which, of course, spawned a giant snow ball fight. (Got the idea from a friend to fill a cooler with tightly packed snow to make bricks) and today it was sledding. I'm sure this must be frustrating for some people to be stuck inside or are tired of the white stuff outside but WE ARE LOVING IT!! Bring it on!

I'm so thankful for such a fun surprise vacation . . . and there is something so blasted cute about my kids in snow suits!!

A Rainy Saturday Daybook

Outside my window...
Wet, wet and more wet. We had some snowy rain (of which the girls were debating whether to call it swain or row) and we were hoping for some sticking on the ground. Not yet - the weather man says maybe tomorrow . . . or the next day . . . or some other day . . .

I am thankful for...
Friends that make you laugh so hard your face hurts the next day. Then they start your day off with a smile by sending a text saying how much their face hurts from laughing so hard the day before. You know who you are . . . I'm thankful for you.

I am thinking about...
Chore charts. I don't require the girls to do enough around here to help. They are plenty old enough to take care of some things around the house. If I do my job well as a mom, I will eventually work myself out of a job. (at least the dishes and laundry . . . someday?!)

Learning all the time...
That I take on to much and wear myself out to the point of exhaustion. This is not a new revelation. But for some reason I never get the point . . . or when I do, it doesn't last very long. Why do I have to fall on my tush again to remind myself? A nap is in my future. I'm exhausted.

From the kitchen...
Homemade bread. I got a bread maker for Christmas. I feel like such an amazing house wife when I serve my family fresh homemade bread. (Don't tell them I just poured in a box and pushed a button ok?!)


I am creating . . .
A blanket. I realized it's been a long time since I've sat down and crocheted. I love doing it, it's relaxing and the finished product is quite fun.


I am working on...
The 2012 calendar. There's something rewarding to me to fill in the new boxes with our family's activities (must be the type A ocd list making side of me?!). I got a new calendar that has a meal planner, grocery list and to do list attached. It's wonderful. I wish I would have invented it.

I am going...
To take a nap. Enough said.

I am hoping...
That we have a wonderful long weekend as a family. Tonight it's nachos for dinner and a family game. I love these people I get to live with!!

I am reading...
Love that Multiplies by The Duggars. I know they are a bit controversial. People love them or hate them. People agree with them or think they are crazy. I happen to love them and am amazed by the way their family works together, loves eachother and stands by their convictions. Having 19 kids is not for me . . . but I greatly admire the principles they are raising their children with and learn something new each time I watch them. I'm also starting the Narnia series with Hannah. It's been a while since we've sat down and read a chapter book together. I miss the snuggling time and the connection a good story can make.

I am praying for...
My dear sweet friend Meaghan. On her way down the stairs to do laundry, she fell and broke her ankle. And when I say broke her ankle, I mean really broke her ankle. The ER doctors said this kind of break is usually only seen in major car accidents. She's already had two surgeries and will be laid up for a loooong time. Moral of the story: Don't do your laundry!!
 
I am hearing...
The washer and dryer. I am backed up with laundry as all my spare seconds have been spent on setting up our new home. I guess we need clothes. Wait!! Reference Meaghan's story above. I am not ever doing laundry again. Sorry family.

Around the house...
It feels wonderful. I sooo love our new home. I can't say it enough. God is so good. Our furniture is in place. The walls are painted. Family pictures are hanging on the walls. We are home. And it feels incredible.

One of my favorite things...
My new Keurig coffee machine. My hubby surprised me with this incredible invention for my birthday. I can't get enough of it. I want to make 5 cups of coffee a day just because I love it so much. We even found hot chocolate, apple cider and green tea. It's so fun!!!

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

Hannah started basketball again and we've been having so much fun cheering at the games. Haley took some pictures with  my phone today. Go Hot Tamales!! 

House Projects . . . post one . . .

Alright . . . this is bound to be a lengthy multi-posting adventure. I don't even know where to start . . . or where to stop . . . so here it goes.

We had been living in the same home for 5 years and had planned on moving at that point . . . and then life happened . . . and medical bills happened . . . and the market happened . . . and on and on and on. We looked at each other, or bills and shook our heads.

And then . . . God provided an incredible to-good-to-be-true opportunity for us to move.

I spent the first month anticipating the impending move going through each drawer and cupboard and closet and box getting rid of every last thing we didn't need (or could live without) . . . we are gonna have one smoking garage sale when the weather changes!! This process was long and tedious but made the actual packing of boxes so much easier.

Then came the boxes . . . lots of them.

We were plugging along . . . going crazy fast (anther long story for another time . . . but the keys were delayed six weeks due to some bank issues with the previous owners) The actual moving date happened fast and furious with one week notice!! Yahoo!!

December 19th, we took a break from the packing/moving crazy-ness to attend Travis' department Christmas party. We dropped the girls off with their Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Ryan. They were excited to spend time with their cousins and we were excited for some much needed date time with some fun adults. We were two blocks away from their home at a stop light discussing the best way to get to the highway when we were slammed into from behind by a 93 man who "didn't see us." It was a movie moment . . . and not in a good way. The police were called along with the aid cars to check for concussions or other serious injures. No one needed to go to the hospital but we both suffered severe whiplash, Travis strained his back (his entire seat broke in the crash) and I suffered severe cervical strain (the seat came and wapped the back of my head and it hurt like crazy). I have very limited range of motion and we both have lots of discomfort. Because Travis' seat broke, the car was declared un-drivable by the police officer so we got to wait a half an hour for triple A to come and tow us (thank the good Lord for triple A - thanks Dad for the yearly subscription!!) The tow truck driver was not used to the new vehicle he was driving so the first few stops and gos were NOT good for the necks!! Travis said (in his tone of sarcasm you really have to hear to appreciate) "No, no. We're fine. Just whiplash over here." Made me laugh and forget about the searing pain in my neck. To make a long story even longer, we got to spend our date night getting x-rays and icing our aching bodies . . . not the fun we'd pictured. We now have a million phone calls, insurance adjusters, claim forms to fill out, appointments with doctors, massage therapists (not as fun as it sounds when you hurt) and chiropractors.

And yet . . . the Marsh's don't quit. The move must go on. On the 20th, we finally got the keys!! It was an incredible moment when we stood in the living room and prayed a prayer of gratefulness, joy, and dedication of this home to God's glory.

The girls were more than a little excited to run around and explore the space that would be there own in just a few short days. (and please note the beautiful wallpaper on Hannah's wall and gorgeous golf themed wallpaper border in the girls bathroom . . . and please note the sarcasm)

I have some great, hardworking friends who jumped at the challenge and said, "Crazy wallpaper? Two bedrooms, a bathroom and a kitchen to paint? Two days to do it? Bring it on!"

Haley even jumped in to help one day . . .

It was the craziest, busiest two days (also including a visit from a carpet cleaner, house cleaner (they had three cats - not conducive for the allergies/asthma), carpenter (to patch a crawl space in the master bedroom) and electrician (to replace the gorgeous (again with the sarcasm) 1990's track lighting with a beautiful new chandelier). . .

 
And before you knew it, in about five hours (with the help of 7 strong guys, a moving truck, four Costco pizzas, and my friend Melissa helping me direct traffic and furniture at the new house) everything was moved

And you should have seen the effort put in by the swing set crew!! Our dear friend Dick came early that morning to disassemble it, take down a portion of our old fence, load it into his trailer, put back together the fence then haul it to the new house. (It still has to be reassembled but we have some time before the weather turns. The backyard is so ginormous - I can't wait for them to run and play!)

It was starting to look like a home . . . there was furniture (although our bed didn't get set up for another day - we were so blasted tired we slept on the floor!) The girls came home, were thrilled to see their rooms and equally excited to celebrate Christmas the next morning in our new home. We had a lovely Christmas. It was a breath of fresh air to stop the motion for 24 hours. We snuggled and read the bible story of Jesus' birth and drank cocoa with candy canes and enjoyed Santa's special delivery . . . an X-Box Kinetc . . . the most fun invention I have ever seen. The elves have really outdone themselves this year!!! (Santa may have waited in a ridiculously long line at Walmart the day after Thanksgiving to save $300 on this great new toy . . . Santa may have cut his leg while crazy customers pushed their way through . . . but Santa was a hero on Christmas morning . . . and oh - the gift of family fun and adventures and memories for years to come . . .)

And then the whirlwind continued . . . cable guy, ADT security guy, painter guy to paint walls and ceilings in living room, dining room, and family room . . .

 And even a stove and fridge delivery from Lowes . . .

And the continual stream of boxes as we attemtped to locate and set up our stuff . . .

And as I look at this cursor anticipating more words . . . and re-read this post that I've been working on for two days (as I am continually distracted with more boxes, more coats of paint, more jobs, and more organizing) . . . I am at a loss . . . I think I must end here. To be continued . . .

And if you see her, can you please tell the unpacking/laundry/dishes/cooking/cleaning/painting/child-raising fairy that I need her help over here? She may not know where I've moved to . . . but please tell her to hurry!!

Books Read in 2011

There are so many millions of blog postings I could write about: the move and the setting up of the house and the car accident we were in two days before our move and the delays of fridge deliveries and celebrations of Christmas and my 31st birthday and thoughts on the new year . . . all of which will come. But since I read a friend's post last year, I have been keeping track of all the books I read in 2011 and couldn't wait for the day when I could post the list. This in no way is a recomendation list . . . there were plenty wastes of time in this list . . . it's merely a compilation . . . and I must admit, I originally wanted to read 100 . . . and then as it got closer to the end of the year, I thought 80 was a reasonable goal . . . drat the move - I was one short. (But I'm secretly celebrating that I finished a few more than my avid reader friend in Spokane . . . I love you Sarah . . . but I beat you this year!! Hee hee!!)

So here they are . . . in their wonderful, terrible, entertaining, thought provoking, pointless, encouraging, depressing, hilarious glory. Read on!!

1.       Vanishing Act by Jodi Picoult (search and rescue worker finds out she was abducted by her dad as a little girl – now mom and her dad is awaiting trial in Arizona)

2.      The Sunflower by Simon Wiestenield (holocaust survivor recalls story of being asked for forgiveness by Nazi solider – debate of decision and ramifications)

3  Bringing up Girls by Dr. James Dobson (research and advice on raising girls of quality and character in the current society)

4.       The Pact by Jodi Picoult (teen suicide deemed at possible murder –boyfriend claims suicide pact)

5.       Twenty Pageants Later by Caroline B Cooney (sisters - one in pageants one as backseat supporter. middle school pageant brings two together)

6.       The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (roman type “game” to the death of member of different districts in country – controlled by Capitol)

7.       Loves Enduring Promise by Janette Oke (second book about Marty and Clark and their growing family – build school house and church,  girls get married)

JANUARY

8.       Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (second book in hunger games series)

9.       Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (final book in hunger games series)

10.   Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani (single pharmacist in southern town)

11.   Summer at Tiffany by Majorie Hart (true story of two young women who leave small town in Iowa to get a job at Tiffany in New York – first ladies hired there)

FEBRUARY

12.   The Sheen on the Silk by Anne Perry – crusades and story of mystery and plots for control

13.   A Scarlet Cord by Deborah Raney – Christian love story of man in witness protection

14.    Mercy by Jodi Picoult – man kills his wife when she asked him as she was dying of cancer, goes on trial , police chief having an affair

15.   Loves Abiding Joy by Janette Clark – book four in Mary/Clark series train trip to west to visit Missie, clark falls in mine to save two boys and has to amputate leg

16.   Just Between You and Me by Jenny B Jones – Christian romance, aunt goes back home reluctantly to raise niece, faces fears

17.   What was Lost by Catherine O’Flynn – latch key kid turns spy with tragic ending

18.   Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman – true story of accidental death of their 5 year old little girl and the journey they’d been through 

MARCH

19.   Twig by Elizabeth Orton Jones – Haley’s first chapter book about a little girl and her adventures with a little elf and a fairy

20.   The Ultimate Reality Show by Clay Jacobsen – Christian man gets swooped up in helicopter to participate in a week long survivor type show

21.   A Heart for the Prairie by Laurel Oke Logan – true story of author Janette Oke

22.   Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult – a custody battle for three frozen embryos between a born again Christian ex-husband and wife now living in a lesbian relationship

23.   Where Mercy is Shown, Mercy is Given by Duane “Dog” Chapman – story of the bounty hunter, his family and journey

24.   Safely Home by Randy Alcorn -  story of persecuted church in China and glimpse into prison and business practices as well as story of martyrs and heaven  

APRIL

25.   The Gift of an Ordinary Day by Katrina Kenison – a mothers memoir of whats important moments in the journey and not just the destination

26.   Heaven is For Real by Todd Burpo – true story of 4 year old boy who, during life threatening surgery goes to heaven and describes Jesus and angels and throne etc.

27.   Sarah Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan(with girls) – story of prairie family who sent away for a new wife and mom from Maine

28.   Harvesting the Heart by Jodi Picoult – a story of a young girl abandoned by her mom at age five then faced with becoming a mother and dealing with the stress

29.   Beautiful Things Happen when a Woman Trusts God by Shelia Walsh – progression of lessons learned by 10 people in the bible and her story of depression and growth 

MAY

30.   Healer by Carol Cassella – family loses everything in pharmaceutical research moves to small town where wife becomes doctor of clinic for migrants and discovery of connection

31.   Susannah’s Garden by Debbie Macomber – a 50 yr old women has to put mom in assisted living and face what ifs of the past

32.   Mr. Poppers Penguin by Richard and Florence Atwawter – read out loud with girls in preparation for the movie story of man who raises penguins in city and creates show

33.   Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik – story of a book club and their lives together through ups and downs and experiences

34.   A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick – a mail order bride comes to discover plan to rescue lost son and twist continues as she planned with the lost son

35.   Playing by Heart by Deborah Raney – an author writes in a bed and breakfast and falls in love with the owner by notes written back and forth

36.   The Peculiar Miss Pickett by Nancy R. Julian – read with Hannah story of magical babysitter who, when she takes off her glasses, has amazing things happen

37.   Hope is Contagious by Kenneth Hutchesrson – incredible inspirational story of Antioch’s pastor

38.   Summer of Glorious Madness by Christy Yorke – bipolar man and his therapist and their journey through life with eachother and the many sides of the illness 

JUNE

39.   Oxygen by Carol Cassella – anesthesiologist charged with death of little girl having surgery story of litigation and truth of events

40.   The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender – a young girl discovers talent to taste people’s emotions through the food they make

41.   Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Green – a Jewish girl hides a German boy on the run from a POW camp

42.   Glastonbury Tor by LeAnne Hardy – quest of young man through monetary looking for forgiveness and his place in the world

43.   Huge by Sasha Plaley – Wil’s story of attending fat camp forced by her fitness club parents

44.   Priceless Memories by Bob Barker – biorgraphy of famous tv host

45.   The Chasm by Randy Alcorn – a look at Christ’s sacrifice and the gift of grace

46.   Sold by Patricia McCormick – a first hand account of the sex trade industry in India  

JULY

47.   Across the Wide River by Stephanie Reed – story of the Rankin family who helps in the escape of slaves during the mid to late 1800s

48.   The Boy on the Bus by Deborah Schupack – strange mystery of lost boy replaced by look alike

49.   The Help by Kathryn Stockett – interviews of black maids during 50/60’s

50.   Moonface by Angela Balcita – true story man gives kidney to wife

51.   Forget Her Nots by Brecount White – teen girl who has ability to read flower messages

52.   The Ultimate Gift by Jim Stovall – gpa leaves billion to grandson after 12 mnths of tasks

53.   The Ultimate Life by Jim Stovall – family sues for billions and gson has to reprove tasks

54.   Three Weeks with my Brother by Nicolas Sparks – true story of trip around the world with his brother includes family stories all throughout  

AUGUST

55.   The Liberating Truth by Danielle Strickland – a liberal view of God’s plan for women

56.   Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda – girl adopted from India by family unable to have children. As a college student she travels to discover her roots and attempt to find birth mom

57.   From the Garden to the City by John Dyer – the redeeming and corrupting power o technology

58.   A Spoonful of Poison by M.C. Beaton – detective Agatha Raisin solves crime in small village

59.   Distant Shores by Kristin Hannah – couple discovering who they are and what they want after kids are in college and hubby offered job of his dreams in New York

60.   The World-Tilting Gospel by Dan Phillips – intense look at what the bible says about the gospel and living as an outrageous Christian

61.   So Much to Say Made Mathews Band by Nikki Van Noy – over detailed history of 20 years on the road

62.   Your Eight Year Old by Louise Bates – developmental and emotional overview

63.   What I Call Life by Jill Wolfson – teenage girl forced to move into group home 

SEPTEMBER

64.   Playing Hurt by Brian Goins – a guy’s strategy for a winning marriage

65.   Skipping a Beat by Sarah Pekkanen – man reevaluates wealthy life after heart attack

66.   Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult – amish woman accused of killing her baby

67.   Refuge on Crescent Hill by – woman inherits grandmas house and discovers passage to underground railroad

68.   Become a Famous Writer before you’re Dead by Ariel Gore – tips and ideas

69.   Little Bee by Chris Cleave – refugee finds family whom she met on beach  

OCTOBER

70.   The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer – author goes to island to write about effects of war and loves the life there

71.   Things I Learned about My Dad (in therapy) by Heather B. Armstrong – compilation of essays about fatherhood

72.   Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin – fictional biography of Alice in Wonderland told through the eyes of Alice

73.   The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad – first hand look at Afghani life

74.   Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult – teacher wrong-fully accused of rape with a minor tries to start over in a small town only to be harassed and framed for another crime

75.   Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult – seven year old talks to God after divorce and miracles start happening around her

NOVEMBER

76.   Amish Grace by Donald Krraybill, Steven Nolt, and David Weaver – school shooting in Amish community and their response

77.   Grace by Elizabeth Scott – young girl trained to be suicide bomber purposely fails then has to escape

78.   Picture Perfect by Jodi Picoult – life in an abusive relationship with a celebrity

79.   Jars of Glass by Brad Barkley – family dealing with loss in different ways

It's FINALLY Happening!!

It's a long and personal story . . . one to detailed to type and send through blogger-space . . . but after much prayer and paperwork and processing and waiting for months and praying some more . . . we are MOVING!!! And yes - we are crazy to move four days before Christmas but I can't tell you how much we've needed this end result. And we can't wait to spend Christmas in our new home!!!!

I am taking lots of before and after pictures to share the process of setting up in the new space . . . our new space . . . a space to laugh and grow and fellowship with those around us and rejoice in God's goodness.

Kindergarten Fun

I recently had the opportunity to join Haley and her kindergarten class in the infamous building of the milk carton gingerbread (but really graham crackers) house. It was a messy, great time. Haley borrowed Hannah's shirt (two sizes to big) because, "Mom, it's perfect. It has the gingerbread man on it!!" She's right - it was perfect!

The last picture shows her incredible, patient, organized teacher - we are so thankful to have him as a part of Haley's education. It was soooo fun to watch the full gammet of techniques. From the type A kiddo whose roof was perfectly covered with pretzel sticks exactly lined up in a row. And the kid who haphazardly threw things on with way to much frosting and no plan what so ever. To my favorite, the kid who put two things on his house and then ate the rest of his bag of decorations (ie - candy). The grand finale of the volunteering was carefully carrying the finished houses back to the classroom (and fixing a few falling roofs on the way) and wiping down each kid. They somehow managed to get frosting on their hands, on their faces, in their hair, on their clothes and all over the table and floor. Sorry janitors - you don't get paid enough for gingerbread house day!!

What's not to love about Kindergarten? It took everything bit of adult restraint I had not to jump in, grab a milk carton and get to work!! As grown ups, we don't have as many opportunities to be so creative in such a fun and silly way. And the gingerbread house Haley made is sitting on a shelf gradually losing it's decor as little fingers rip things off with each passing by!!