Monday Morning Daybook

Outside my window...
I see snow, a little bit of sun through a mostly cloudy sky, and my neighbor's recycling container at the end of their driveway. That reminds me...

I am thankful for...
the fact that every day is a new beginning. Also, my husband made it safely to and from work during the nights when the weather and roads were pretty bad over the weekend.

I am thinking about...
spina bifida and adoption. I go through phases of forgetting, really, that I have a child with a variety of special needs. Our daily routine is just that: routine. Then we have a particularly challenging day or two, and I become analytical about it all, and sometimes anxious, if I'm being perfectly honest. But, like I mentioned before, I'm grateful that every day is a chance to start over.

Learning all the time...
The kids are into origami right now. What great timing (with the freezing weather and all..)!! I ordered more paper from amazon which hopefully will arrive today.

Also, we started working on our annual geography fair project last week. This year's country of choice: Zimbabwe.

From the kitchen...
Not much. Scrambled eggs and peanut butter sandwiches, anyone? Trying out my new breadmaker is on my list of things to accomplish this week.

I am creating...
organized closets, hopefully. I have ideas swimming around my head about how to rearrange for the new baby. We've been working on purging clothes, toys, books, etc.

I am going...
to a friend's house today, just for fun, if everybody's health is OK. This evening is taekwondo. Somebody is extremely excited that his new belt level involves jump kicks.

I am hoping...
for some parenting inspiration.
for a relatively low-key week.
to do some freezer cooking.

I am reading...
Oh my goodness, you should see my nightstand. It's a bit ridiculous. I have a bad habit of starting several books at once. Right now, I'm in the middle of:
Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Wayne
When Children Love to Learn by Elaine Cooper
Maria of Guadalupe by Paul Badde
The Proper Care and Feeding of Marriage by Dr. Laura
John Adams by David McCullough

I am praying for...
My little guy in utero
Phil, Sara, Sam and Luke who just moved to Hong Kong
Kristen and Cathy, friends who died recently, and their families
for my kids - each in different ways

I am listening to...
kids chatting in the kitchen, somebody on the piano, somebody just jumping out of bed upstairs


Around the house...
a few random boxes of Christas decorations that need to go back to the basement, fire in the fireplace, and legos everywhere!!

One of my favorite things...
hot chocolate.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
doctor's appointment tomorrow. I totally look forward to hearing the baby's heartbeat each month.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
no time to download pictures right now, but I'll post something later about a fun project we did on Friday.