Nicole's Daybook

Outside my window... Sunny and hot, hot ,hot!!

I am thinking... about those times in my life that I was clearly hearing from God to do something, and the peace I felt when I did them, and how I had difficulties in relationships because of my choices to follow what God was asking me to do. I pray that my kids learn to hear that inner voice from God, have the courage to follow It's lead, and that I have the courage to be supportive instead of condemning.

I am thankful ... for a laid-back lifestyle, and a house full of homebodies.

I am wearing... sweaty running shorts and a Hawaii t-shirt (it was one year ago today that Rick and I went to Hawaii ... sigh.)

I am planning... Rick's special days coming up. His birthday, our 10 year anniversary and Father's Day are all within 5 days of each other. It better be a rockin' week for him, huh???

I am creating... Dawson and Brynne's U.S. History binders for fall.

I am going... to be really fulfilled at the little church I started attending this past weekend. No bells and whistles and 'look how great we are and how big we are getting!'. Just learning about God and His love and meeting the needs of people in our community.

I am reading...  Her Daughter's Dream by Francine Rivers (about 20 pages left), Seasons of a Mother's Heart by Sally Clarkson (homeschool play group moms book study), What Your Second Grader Needs to Know by The Core Knowledge Foundation, and More Faith in My Day by Emilie Barnes (daily devotional).

I am hoping... that Dawson has a good week and that his heart is protected.

From the learning rooms... Eli and Brynne are doing great with their daily reading assignments! They have each independently read 5 books, and Brynne even read one that was 60 pages long! They are working on their Farm units this week.

Noticing that ... I don't like to feel like someone is controlling me and mine.

From the kitchen... With summer, my two-week meal plans sometimes get moved around, depending on who is here. (Like last night .. Rick had to work late, Dawson is out of state, Kyndal was working and it was just Eli, Brynne and me. No sense on fixing a big meal. They had some Book It! coupons from Pizza Hut, so they had pizza and I ate bran cereal with strawberries and blueberries.) That's why you see repeats of meals.

Tuesday ~ Chicken and bows
Wednesday ~ Fend for Yourself (kids) and Wine Wednesday (not kids)
Thursday ~ Slow cooker BBQ chicken sandwiches and salad
Friday ~ Pork quesadillas
Saturday ~ Grilled hot dogs and brats with chips
Sunday ~Chicken fettucine
Monday ~ Grilled salmon patties and long-grain rice, fish sticks for the kids

Around the house... my garden is needing watered extensively to keep the blistering Oklahoma sun and heat from laying my veggies on their sides.

One of my favorite things... The routineness of my mornings.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Today my sister and niece are visiting again for a few hours on their way back from the Big 12 Women's Softball Tournament in Oklahoma City. Brynne is getting her hair cut off again (she hates long hair in the summer!). We are going to go to the library this afternoon. And Rick is working late again (got a job to get out). Tomorrow we are making our first trip to the water park. The kids are psyched! On Thursday, we will recuperate. On Friday (or Saturday) we are going to FarmFest at the zoo. And I need to go do my big grocery trip on one of those days. Sunday we will go to church and then relax the rest of the day. Dawson will be home then.

From my picture journal.

Oh how I wish this was the view I had right now ....
This was my view from my lounger on the beach in Kauai a year ago.

Lots of women Daybook. See what they have to say at The Simple Woman's Daybook.