Simple Woman's Daybook 5

FOR TODAY, September 28, 2008.

Outside My Window... water, water, everywhere. We're traveling this week and are at present in Northern Washington looking out over Puget Sound. It's a lovely golden morning and promises to me a beautiful sunny day.
I am thinking... how much fun we're going to have exploring the shore today.
I am thankful.... that we got to come with Erik on this business trip. It's so, so much nicer than being at home without him.
From the kitchen... kitchen, what kitchen? I'm kitchen free this week, although I did bring lots of food like muffins and crackers and cheese and cookies and yogurt.
I am wearing... my "secret-fit belly" maternity pants from Motherhood.... still. What can I say, six months later I still can't fit in my pre-pregnancy pants, and these are comfy. Sigh....
I am creating... a temporary home out of our hotel room.
I am going... to visit Stacy tomorrow. Yeah! We had the pleasure of a visit last summer and I'm looking forward to seeing her and her growing family once again.
I am reading...The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less. I've been reading it aloud to Erik on our drive. So far, so good. Good food for thought, and fun to read aloud and discuss together.
I am hoping... for sunshine today and good sleep tonight. Getting everyone to sleep in the same room can be a bit tricky.
I am hearing... the TV, and the kids laughing. And, I might add, I'm thankful we don't have a TV at home.
Around the house... whatever messes we left in the wake of leaving, thankfully not too bad as my Mom came over and helped. Thanks Mom!
One of my favorite things... traveling, road trips, although the road part of trips is a little more challenging with small people who have smaller attention spans.
A few plans for the rest of the week... playing with the kids, exploring the beach, swimming, and when Erik's conference is over, a few days in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Here is picture thought I am sharing... no pictures today.

Simple Woman's Daybook 4

FOR TODAY, September 15, 2008.

Outside My Window... it's warming up. But the days are beginning to feel Fall-ish, and there is a golden feel in the air. 

I am thinking... that I'm ready for a quiet week.

I am thankful.... for my family. We had a lovely week with my brother Jacob and nephew Joseph from Alaska. We missed my sister-in-law, though, who was unable to come this time.

From the kitchen... chocolate cake and leftover massaman curry.

I am wearing... long sleeves. 

I am creating... milk? Does that count?!

I am going... to finish getting the house cleaned up from the weekend.

I am reading... North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. Still. I took a break and read The Kite Runner. Very good, not in a feel-good way, but in a shake-you-out-of-your-comfort-zone way.

I am hoping... that Erik and Poppy will get over the cough they've had for a while.

I am hearing... the bouncing of Raphael's jumper, Peregrine's happy chatter to his little brother.

Around the house... laundry, as always, a few more dishes to be hand washed, clothes that are grown out of and clothes yet to be grown into; they all need to be sorted and put away.

One of my favorite things... happy reunions with loved ones when we've been apart.

A few plans for the rest of the week... starting school with the kids and getting their bedrooms cleaned and organized. Again.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... a few actually. This past weekend Erik and Peregrine went on an all-boys camping trip with his Dad, and I went to the coast with my brother, sister, and the other kids. 

 

My brother Jacob with Raphael.

Cousins Poppy and Joe-Joe.

Cousins Diego and Raphael.

What would your first trip to the coast be without face-planting in the sand?

Peregrine gets a fishing lesson from his Papa.

Erik and Peregrine.

Mama and Raphi.

Little toes in the sand.

Raphi loved the sand! (In total contrast to his big brother, who, on his first trip to the beach, wouldn't get off the blanket!)

If you'd like to join The Simple Woman's Daybook you can visit The Simple Woman who started it here. 

Weekend in Pictures

We had a lovely, but busy weekend celebrating my brother's wedding. Here are some pictures, in no particular order. The first four were taken by Erik's mom Michele, and the rest were taken by The Man himself. Well, The Man to me, my man, Erik.

My little brother Josh with Peregrine, usher extraordinaire. There were Hershey's Kisses on the tables, and as a little bonus Peregrine, after seating the Mothers, presented each one of them with a "Kiss". A little touch of Peregrine charm to be sure!

Can I please get some more fingers here? Raphael got his first tooth on Thursday and a whole lot of drool to go with it!

A rare picture of the five of us together....

... and another, just for fun.

The reluctant Flower Girl, who for weeks said she didn't want to be in the wedding. Who on the way to the wedding said she didn't want to throw petals; she wanted to throw toys. And who, on the way home from the wedding, insisted that she didn't want to be in the wedding!

Throwing petals after all, very seriously. 

My "little brother", his lovely bride Annie, and my Dad officiating.

Husband and Wife!

Josh and Annie wrote their own vows, and it was so sweet to hear what they pledged to one another. I still tend to think of my little brother as a kid, so it was neat to see him as a man through the eyes of the woman whose heart he's won. I wish them every happiness in their new life together and many happy years!

Peregrine's Song

As I was working in the kitchen yesterday Peregrine marched in singing. I was so taken with his impromptu song that I had him start over so I could capture the lyrics. Reading them won't be quite the same as hearing them sung with the gusto of a (nearly six-year old) boy, but I hope you'll enjoy it none the less. (That's right my friend, oh yes!)

Don’t let sin go in your heart.

Don’t let Satan go in either.

The Holy Spirit fruit is not a fruit, oh no. 

It’s not a fruit you eat my friend.

The spiritual fruit is not an ordinary fruit.

The patience, kindness, goodness, truthfulness, and self-control.

That fruit is not a strawberry!

It is, in fact- Peace! 

That’s what it is, that’s the first fruit, of the Holy Spirit, in heaven!

Do it on earth, also. That’s right my friend! 

It’s not a Grape! Oh no, that is right my friend!

It’s patience! 

Don’t let weeds grow in your heart.

Let the divine liturgy grow in your heart, and grow and grow!

Until you love Him as much as your mom and dad.

It’s not a peach, oh no~ That’s right my friend. 

It’s Kindness! It’s kindness! That’s right my friend oh yes! 

Don’t let Satan pick your flower and turn it into a weed (that he will put back in your heart.)

I don’t mean your blood heart, oh no my friend! (Not the heart filled with blood that pumps your blood through your body. Oh no~)

I mean the heart filled with love, that heart.

Do not lie. It’ll be makin’ Satin pull out your flower. (The flower of truth!) 

Simple Woman's Daybook 3

FOR TODAY, September 2, 2008.

Outside My Window...it's a quiet and very cool morning. 

I am thinking... about my little brother Josh who is getting married this weekend.

I am thankful.... that Peregrine is not getting on a school bus this week. He'd be off to kindergarten, and I'm so glad I get to keep him home, teach him, read to him, watch him learn, and love him.

From the kitchen... salad with tomatoes and basil from the garden, zucchini muffins, new potatoes, mucver. (Hooray! I've found another way my husband will enjoy zucchini!)

I am wearing... slippers; it's cool in here. 

I am creating...  a more modest neckline on the dress I'm wearing to the wedding.

I am going... to get Raphael's birth certificate soon.

I am reading... North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. Loved the movie and am enjoying the book.

I am hoping... and praying for comfort and peace for the Drews family.

I am hearing... morning traffic in the distance, my neighbor's waterfall, Cherry Jones' wonderful reading of The Long Winter from Peregrine's room.

Around the house... lots of little messes from the weekend, laundry to fold, books.... I could go on, but I'll stop there!

One of my favorite things... sleeping in on the weekend. Erik always gets up with the kids and lets me sleep as long as I like. 

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week.... resting after the long weekend and resting up for another long weekend, getting ready for our trip to Portland to celebrate my brother's wedding.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... my littlest boy, Raphael, is five months old today!

 If you'd like to join The Simple Woman's Daybook you can visit The Simple Woman who started it here.