The Well Rounded Mama

Today...5.18.11

TODAY…

Outside my window…darkness

I am thinking… that my tooth hurts (I think a filling fell out)

I am thankful for…That I can fully trust God even when I don't understand

From the learning rooms…We've really been enjoying the books from Progressive Phonics.  We download them to the ipad and the boys actually WANT to do reading. I like that they approach reading from a different angle than our other books.

From the kitchen…Really wanted to make these Mocha Cupcakes today, but the gas tank on my oven was out.  We did have chicken tikka masala for dinner, though, so my taste buds were still happy.

I am creating…I've been scrapping more lately...feels good! (You can see layouts in the digital scrapbook album to the left).

I am going…to bed soon.  It's only 8:30, but I am so tired.

I am reading…so many good books.  I really need a whole post to talk about the great books I have read over the last few months.  Right now I am in the middle of several.  Really enjoying A Million Miles in a Thousand Years and can't wait to start Raising Kids for True Greatness.

I am hoping…for a few important emails.

I am hearing…Little Lucy, snoring at my feet.

Around the house…Sleeping little kids and a lot of little Lego pieces

One of my favorite things…Seeing real change in myself, change so desperately needed.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Some paperwork to finish up (though I finished my PILE of insurance stuff to go through!), and then who knows...

Here are some pictures I am sharing…3 years ago this week, 2 years ago this week, and 1 year ago this week (respectively)

 

 

Today...4.28.11

 

Outside my window…darkness

I am thinking… that I am really bummed that my keyboard stopped working (the entire bottom row of letters + space bar just don't work).  Thankful that I have a backup keyboard even if it does seem really small.

I am thankful for…the opportunity to be a stay at home mom and being able to focus on loving these little people instead of being pulled in many different directions.

From the kitchen…We had chicken tacos with homemade tortillas for dinner.  Haven't been baking this week since I am fasting from sweets. 

 
I am creating…a few new scrapping layouts and a whole lot of homeschooling activities/games.

I am going…to start running again.  It's hard to get up the motivation, but I know I will love the results when I finally get going.

I am reading…Too Small to Ignore and The Secret Garden (with Alaina).  Just finished 1 Million Arrows and I am still thoroughly enjoying The MIssion of Motherhood, which I am reading and discussing weekly with a friend.  I love the opportunity that nursing gives me to read.  It has been years since I have been able to read this much.

I am hoping… that I can learn to be content with who God made me and then focus on being the best me that I can be.

I am hearing…my fan.

Around the house…Little people asleep, homeschool stuff ready for tomorrow, Jason closing up the house for the night, Lucy sleeping under the crib.

One of my favorite things…Seeing the hearts of my kids grow and be bent towards good things.  Today Caleb brought me his latest Lego airplane and said, "This airplane is to pick up kids who have no mom and dad and either find their parents or bring them to new parents." 

A few plans for the rest of the week: Going to see the school production of Snow White tomorrow afternoon.  The weekend is for rest and celebrating Caleb's 7th birthday.  I can't believe he could possibly be that big!

Here is picture I am sharing…This is Katie, three years ago this week.  She looks EXACTLY like Bethany does now. When I showed the picture to Jason, he had no idea it was Katie.

Today...4.20.11

Outside my window…rain drizzling in the darkness

I am thinking… that I should really go to bed, but really I just want to make this day last a little longer

I am thankful for…the things that God is teaching me...things like learning to LOVE instead of JUDGE, learning to trust even when I can't see, and that it is the constant stream of little moments that make for a happy childhood.

From the kitchen…Thinking about a Seder meal for Friday and planning for a sunrise pot-luck on Sunday.

I am wearing…Comfy skirt and shirt.  I LOVE skirts (except when riding the motorbike...then they are kind of annoying).

I am creating…a happy childhood for my kids... full of love, laughter, and looking to Jesus.

I am going…to try to be more daring...to do the things I really WANT to do instead of just doing the things I think I won't fail at.

I am reading…No Biking in the House, finishing up Practicing Affirmation, and thinking that Global Soccer Mom might be next.  Seriously people, having a Kindle has changed my life. Not only can I get English books now, but I can finally read one-handed while nursing.  Something I have NEVER been able to do.

I am hoping… for some BIG things. Things I am not ready to share, but BIG nonetheless.

I am hearing…Lucy snoring.

Around the house…Five little people sleeping soundly, hopefully being filled with good dreams and feelings of love.

One of my favorite things…Caleb asking me about five times a day, "So, how is Bethany doing?"  He has such a big heart!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Jason has a four-day weekend for Easter + Spiritual Day...hoping to find a good balance of getting stuff done + enjoying time together.

Here is picture I am sharing…Since this week has apparently been rainbow themed, with rainbow cupcakes for a shower and rainbow sticky rice for Levi's birthday, I figured I would finish it off with some rainbow pancakes for dinner.  Who can say no to dessert WITH your dinner?