Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...the sun was shining so nicely when I first got up this morning. It is now turning cloudy...might even rain later. Hopefully I can get the laundry hung and dry before that.

I am thinking...about everything that needs to get done today....cleaning, laundry, packages that need mailing, and more.

I am thankful...for a good night sleep. I actually made it to bed by 10 and read till 10:30. Made it a little bit easier to get up at 6. :)

From the learning rooms...GOTTA get planning this week! Can't believe August is almost over! Yikes!

In the kitchen...eggs and toast and watermelon for breakfast. Maybe the girls and I will do some baking this week. Might have to try making some more vanilla wafers with this recipe. They are sooo yummy!

I am wearing...a denim skirt and plum colored t-shirt

I am creating...potholders for my mom and working on putting together a housewarming basket for when our friends move next door in September. So excited for that!

I am going...to the post office today.

I am wondering...how much I can get done before the girls wake up. They went to bed late so hopefully they'll sleep a little later.

I am reading...From my Bible I read some Psalms this morning. LOVE Psalms! And still reading Lark Rise to Candleford. Also on my ipod I am reading through 31 Days to Clean.

I am hoping...that I can finish the bunk bed this week. I am so excited to get it in the house and set up for the girls!

I am looking forward to...a date with my hubby before the month runs out. We try to go out once a month for a date night, but also try to have date nights at home too.

I am hearing...the washer, a typical Monday morning sound. :)

Around the house...everyone is still sleeping. I am just puttering around getting some things done before everyone gets up.

I am pondering...what I read in my devotions this morning from Psalm 139, about how we are fearfully and wonderfully made! God has a unique plan and purpose for each of us and we should not compare ourselves to worldly standards.

One of my favorite things...getting up early to go running. I never thought I would enjoy it that much, and I am not a serious runner or anything, but it is so refreshing and gets me going for the day.

A few plans for the rest of the week: working on the bunk bed, a trip to the library, Tuesday dinner with friends.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Ellie is so happy about the new bed!

Join Simple Woman's Daybook here.

Bunk Bed Project: Phase 1

I am sooooo excited!!! We got the bunk bed put together today! Hooray! It was a long couple of days and we had a bit of a set back at one point because we forgot to figure a dimension into some of our measuring, but we got it built! And for a little under $100!

The plan we used was quite simple and with my dad's handy pocket hole tool, it made it even better! (You can find the plan here at this AMAZING website! Just search for "Classic Bunk Bed")
I think the worst part was probably sanding ALL that wood! My had is still vibrating from using the sander. LOL!

It was fun to hang out with my dad for a couple days and build something together. We both love to create and make things, and this was more fun than putting together something from IKEA. (Although that DEFINITELY has it's place too! Our house wouldn't be the same without IKEA. LOL!)
Anyway, now all that's left to do is some finish sanding, priming it, painting it, putting the slats in and bringing it in for the little princesses to enjoy. It will probably be another week or more before it is completely done, but I had to share the progress we've made. :)

Wednesday

Well, as you probably noticed, the title to this post is missing the "walk" part. My dad is here visiting for the week, and we are going to be building a bunk bed for the girls. So that has been our focus today. Going over the plans, making modifications, pricing it out, buying supplies and all that fun stuff.
Hannah, my Dad and I did go for a short walk over to Home Depot to check things out, so I guess technically we did have a "Wednesday Walk". Just nothing exciting like checking out a new park. And no neat pictures to go with it. :)
I will keep you updated with bunk bed progress. Hopefully we can get most of it done before he has to head home. I had thought when I first found these plans that I could easily do this myself, but now that we've been looking at it more and figuring things out, I am glad to have help.
Hope you had a wonderful Wednesday!

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...It is still light out this week! Well, sort of. The sun has gone down, and the sky has a lovely rose hue around the edges. Beautiful!

I am thinking...about how blessed I am!

I am thankful...For the wonderful weekend we had. Saturday the girls and I had an opportunity to serve others by baking some cookies and bringing water to a group that was doing yard work for a disabled lady. Those people worked so hard, I wish I could have brought them more than cookies! Saturday night hubby and I got to go out with our close friends who are going to be our neighbors next month. We had a great evening with desserts and drinks and a few games of pool. Then Sunday we went and checked out a new church as we are still kind of searching around. It was AMAZING!! These people were so warm and welcoming and so on fire for the Lord! We are definitely going to check it out again.

From the learning rooms...Just more reading. I should be making plans for Hannah's preschool, but haven't found time yet. At least we are not planning on doing anything too structured since it is just preschool. I mean I guess when you think about it, I've been homeschooling since the girls were born, so it will just be a continuation of all that we have been doing.

In the kitchen...Making yogurt again. Freezing blueberries we picked the other day. Menus all planned and grocery shopping done for the rest of the month.

I am wearing...My comfy knit black skirt, and a red t shirt.

I am creating...Still knitting dishcloths. Need to spend some time sewing...have to finish my mom's birthday present, and work on Ellie's quilt. My dad will be here this week and he is going to help me build the bunk bed for the girls. Yay!

I am going...To try to get to bed at a good time tonight. I've been staying up way too late this past week or so and it is impacting my ability to get up and get going in the morning like I should. I have a hard enough time getting up in the morning when I go to bed on time.

I am wondering...How other women get so much done in a day. I read some of these blogs and I feel so inadequate sometimes. These women craft, teach their kids, making all their food from scratch, have time for blogging daily, etc.......................

I am reading...Lark Rise to Candleford Trilogy by Flora Thompson...the book that one of my favorite shows was based on.

I am hoping...To wake up on time tomorrow and get more done. Most of all to have more time to play with my girls.

I am looking forward to...having my hubby around again all day tomorrow. He works so much that sometimes it feels like we don't get to see him all that often. So thankful he has a few down days this week!

I am hearing...The washing machine doing it's job, and the traffic rushing by outside.

Around the house...Feeling like going through everything again and getting rid of more stuff. Ever since we moved into this small house we have gotten rid of so much, and yet it seems like we still have so much. Thankfully, we don't have too much clutter, but some days it still feels overwhelming. Maybe someday we shall be completely organized. LOL!

I am pondering...The sermon from yesterday...

One of my favorite things...Laying my head down on my pillow after a long day. Nothing feels better!

A few plans for the rest of the week: playdate tomorrow, my Dad arriving, a teddy bear picnic in the park, hopefully a Wednesday walk, and who knows what else.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

The girls have figured out how to share the tricycle. :)

Share your day over at Simple Woman's Daybook.

Sunday Thoughts...

Some things I am thankful for this week:

191. Fresh blueberries
192. Some of our very closest friends will be our next door neighbors in less than a month!
193. Lazy mornings in bed snuggling my hubby and my girls.
194. Listening to stories "read" by our 4 year old.
195. Vivid imaginations.
196. Sweet songs sung by our little one.
197. Fresh herbs on pizza.
198. Homemade vanilla wafers.
199. Evenings spent knitting and watching one of my favorite BBC shows.
200. Green beans fresh from the garden for dinner.
201. For phones to be able to talk with family.
202. Scent of roses on the breeze.
203. Squeals of laughter as the girls run through the spray from the hose as I water the garden.
204. The joy on their little faces.
205. Hearing little ones learn scripture verses.
206. Baking cookies with my girls.
207. Having opportunities to serve others.
208. A fun evening out with my hubby and friends.
209. A "new" freezer for being able to stock up.
210. Hubby's embrace.
211. A visit to an amazing new church.
212. A convicting message.
213. Warmth of strangers welcoming us into their church.
214. Fellowship with friends over lunch.
215. Warm tea before bed.

"Give thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 5:20

Frugal Friday: Gift Idea

Looking for a quick, simple gift idea? Pick some flowers from your yard and put them in an old jar or bottle. Voila! You have a gift that will be sure to brighten someone's day.
If you don't have an abundance of flowers that you can pick, you can always find some flowers at the farmer's market (that's what we did since we don't really have many flowers in our yard) or a road side stand. Trader Joe's also has beautiful flowers all the time for reasonable prices.
And for our vase we used an old plastic snack container that I had Hannah decorate with Sharpies (under close supervision of course).
The main thing is to have fun and remember that your gift doesn't have to be fancy to be a blessing to someone.

Wednesday Walk: Turner Creek Park

For today's walk we headed over to a nearby park that we've only been to one other time. Turner Creek Park is about a 5 minute drive away. In fact, we probably could walk there just as easily. (Maybe next time!)

I didn't really plan very well for this week, so at the last minute this morning I was searching the Hillsboro Parks website to find a good park with trails for walking. I didn't realize it last time we were at Turner Creek, but they have a fairly nice loop of trails down behind the playground and ball fields. So we figured we'd go check it out and then have some play time.

The trail led down into a wooded area surrounding a little creek, which I am assuming must be Turner Creek. :) There was a little bridge over the creek and some more trails heading off on the other side of the creek. We watched some water skaters for a few minutes and hoped to see a frog or something. But no other wild life this time except for some birds up in the trees that we could only hear.

After we finished walking the loop we headed back to the playground for some more fun. The girls had fun swinging and sliding and climbing around and James busied himself on the monkey bars. He didn't climb around too much because he is pretty sore from football practice last night.

It's always fun to discover new places, and I am thinking we might go back sometime to spend more time exploring down by the creek. Maybe with our magnifying glasses.

Happy Wednesday! :)

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...It is dark once again. Meant to have time to write earlier. Sometimes the days just go by too fast!

I am thinking...About Colorado. I sure do miss it sometimes!

I am thankful...That I got to Skype with my mom and brothers today. It helps make up for the fact that we live so far apart and can't get together more than once a year.

From the learning rooms...More reading. Hannah has also been working her embroidery again a little bit.

In the kitchen...Made a new bread recipe the other day. It was super easy and super tasty!

I am wearing...Tan cargo type capris, a brown tank top and a sweatshirt jacket. It got chilly this evening! Hopefully soon to be getting comfy in my jammies.

I am creating...dishcloths! :)

I am going...To hopefully pick more blueberries this week. My friend and I found a place last week that has them for $1/pound.

I am wondering...How I can motivate myself to get up when the alarm goes off in the morning. This morning it went off and I stayed in bed till close to 9. Have just felt so exhausted lately.

I am reading...The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen. Can hardly put it down!

I am hoping...To work on some knitting tonight and watch an episode of Lark Rise to Candleford while I have it from the library.

I am looking forward to...Our Tuesday dinner with friends tomorrow! Always so much fun!

I am hearing...The clock ticking...and Ellie's binki just fell out of bed and hit the floor.

Around the house...There is laundry still to be folded and things didn't get cleaned up quite as much as usual for a Monday, but we had a great afternoon going on some errands with my hubby. And we enjoyed some frozen yogurt on the way home.

I am pondering...How to get the kids to get along better this week. It seems like all they have been doing lately is bugging each other and bickering and fighting. Ugh!

One of my favorite things...Drinking a warm cup of tea before bed.

A few plans for the rest of the week: blueberry picking, Tuesday dinner, making cookies for a church work group, and whatever else comes along.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Some flowers we got at the farmer's market last week.

Join in here: The Simple Woman's Daybook

Thankfulness

It's been awhile since I've had (or made) the time to sit down and write about some of the things in my life that I am thankful for. The wonderful blessings that God gifts me with each day. And not that I don't think about it or express my thankfulness to Him in my quiet times, but sometimes writing things down really helps me focus on just how much He has done for me. He is so good!

171. Fresh veggies growing in the garden
172. Having a yard with room to be able to garden
173. The ability to work outside in our yard
174. The first bite of the first tomato of the season...mmmmm!
175. Working in the kitchen with my girls
176. The sound of happy, giggling girls
177. Walking and chatting with a good friend
178. The possibility that that friend could become our next door neighbor (Praying, praying, praying!)
179. Long visits with friends just dropping by
180. Being able to enjoy the local farmer's market
181. The taste of raw honey...nothing can compare!
182. Snuggling on the couch with a good book on a Sunday afternoon in the peace and quiet of nap time.
183. An evening at home with the hubby, sharing popcorn and a movie.
184. The smell of drying lavender
185. Freshly cut grass
186. The fact that my girls love snacking on peas from the garden when they are outside playing.
187. Creating...cards, gifts, whatever...I just love making things!
188. Library books
189. Homemade bread
190. Taking early morning runs

"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever!"
Psalm 107:1

Just for Fun

Happy Saturday! Michelle over at So, I Married a Mennonite is doing a wedding dress link-up this weekend as she is celebrating her anniversary. It was fun to see her pictures and the otheres that linked up so, I thought I would write a post for that and share a little about our wedding. :)

We had a nice, small wedding with family and friends. We spent less than $1000 by doing everything ourselves with help from friends and family. We made our own invitations, I did all my own flowers, we picked up decorations at the dollar store, thrift store, and on sale, we had cake from Costco, some friends took pictures and we had the ceremony and reception at my matron of honor/best friend's house.

Oh, yes! The best part was my wedding dress! It only cost $15! And what's really funny is that I got it before I even knew I was going to get married. Before I had even met my husband, in fact. My best friend and I were out shopping in a consignment shop and they were having tons of sales. I don't know how I ended up over looking at fancy dresses, but I did and came across my dress there. It was pretty much what I had always pictured. Simple and elegant. And it fit! For $15 I figured it was worth buying even if I would never wear it. Where was I going to find another deal like that? So that's how I got my wedding dress. :)

Our wedding went pretty smoothly with only a few mishaps. The biggest one was the fact that we had an outdoor wedding on my friend's deck and even though it was May, it was super HOT! So all of our guests cooked in the sun while we exchanged our vows. Hopefully all the food and fun afterward made up for it. :)

And then there was the cake. When we were doing the traditional "stuff the cake in the mouth", my husband dropped the cake down inside the front of my dress! He says it was an accident, but to this day I am quite convinced he did it on purpose. ;)
Anyway, that is just a little glimpse into our wedding. We've been married for 5 years now and love each other more than ever. And we can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for us in the years ahead!

(P.S. Happy Anniversary, Michelle!)

Wednesday Walk: Orchard Park

This week for our walk we headed over to check out a park we haven't been to since Hannah was around Ellie's age. Orchard Park is a nice little park here in the Hillsboro area that has a nice little loop trail that is perfect for the girls to walk and not get worn out. Plus it has a playground with swings for some fun play time after walking.

The paved trail meanders through some open, grassy areas as well as some wooded areas. It even has a few places where you can see the little creek that runs through the park. We stopped on one of the bridges and watched the water for a bit to see if we could see any signs of life. We were just about to continue on when the kids spotted a crawdad crawling around under the water!

The girls also enjoyed looking at bugs along the way and checking out the different plants. We identified some Oregon grape plants that were loaded with berries, and some really pretty tiny flowers that we'll have to look up in our book.

After our walk, we of course spent some time on the playground. James climbed the big rock and sat up there watching everything going on below. The girls had fun swinging and playing on the bouncing bugs.
Then it was time to head home for some lunch! Can't wait for next weeks adventure! :)

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
Outside my window...it is dark, the wind is blowing gently, almost time for bed

I am thinking...about all I need to do this week

I am thankful...for fresh flowers from the farmer's market

From the learning rooms...reading lots of books from the library and our bookshelves

In the kitchen...crockpot yogurt is "culturing" :)

I am wearing...sage green shorts and my new Columbia shirt I got on vacation. I think this is my new favorite shirt!

I am creating...knitting another scarf, not sure for who yet, and going to be making more dishcloths

I am going...to bed soon...zzzzzzzzzz

I am wondering...what I can do to help our budget...how I can save more or ways to earn a little extra while still staying home.

I am reading...Philippians in the Bible, Thriving Family magazine and waiting for my next Julie Klassen novel to arrive at the library

I am hoping...to get some good sleep so I will feel refreshed in the morning, and excited to get out of bed to go running

I am looking forward to...my quiet time in the morning

I am hearing...cars driving by outside...someday we'll live in the country!

Around the house...the kids are sleeping, and hubby and I have just had some good time talking together

I am pondering...hmmmmm...I think it's too late for that. :)

One of my favorite things...spending time outside on a summer evening

A few plans for the rest of the week: hopefully going blueberry picking, school supply and clothes shopping for the boy, hiking somewhere, playing with my girls, our weekly trip to the library

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Lavender farm the girls and I visited a month ago. Lavender is one of my favorite flowers!

Join in here: http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com