The Simple Woman's Daybook- June 29, 2009

Peggy over at The Simple Woman's Daybook is on a well-deserved summer vacation. Ladies who want to join in a "summer daybook" can link up at Grandmother Wren's. Thank you Grandmother Wren!




For Today... June 29, 2009

Outside my window...beautiful sunny day-it looks like a perfect summer week ahead. If you want to head north, we'd love for you to enjoy it with us:)
(check out the forecast in my photo below)

I am thinking... how much fun it was getting acquainted with Brooke's (our future DIL:) mom, grandmother and aunt on Saturday evening. -- And what a wonderful daughter- granddaughter-niece they have nurtured through the years.

I am thankful for... Gods' provisions for our family, my husband's job, and so many blessings.

From the kitchen... No one is up yet. Left over brownies from last night. Amanda made them to share with friends at the big Rhythm and Booms fireworks display.

I am wearing... pj's.

I am hoping... to shop for my dress for Tim's wedding this week:)

I am hearing...Birds singing, and a car door closing across the street, as little ones arrive for their day at the home daycare.

I am praying...that Amanda gets into the medical study that she is applying for this morning.

Around the house... laundry, vacuuming, and, hopefully, getting some letters written.

One of my favorite things...daisies.

A few plans for the rest of the week..working with my flower pots on the deck, enjoying this wonderful weather!:)

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...*

After last weeks temperatures hitting the 90's, we will enjoy this week!

Comfortable days and cool nights--open the windows!:)

Wordless Wednesday - Summertime

Please stop by and visit Dixie over at French Lique, Texas for more pictures on Wordless Wednesday where today's theme is Blogger's Choice.


I have chosen Images of Summer...

The Simple Woman's Daybook- June 22, 2009

Peggy over at The Simple Woman's Daybook is on a well-deserved summer vacation. Ladies who want to join in a "summer daybook" can link up at Grandmother Wren's. Thank you Grandmother Wren!




For Today... June 22, 2009

Outside my window...beautiful sunny day-we are expecting our first HOT temps of the summer -up to 89 degrees. A little early for that here in the north:)

I am thinking... how fast June is already moving along.

I am thankful for... the wonderful graduation celebration we had on the 12th and 13th for Amanda's graduation. Also for all of the work that family members did to get everything ready for her party on Saturday! Also for all the miles that family traveled to be here. For those of you who traveled from Missouri and Illinois and Milwaukee, we are so grateful that you came!

From the kitchen...I have all of my plastic ware pulled out of the cabinet. You know when you get to that point when you can't find a lid to match any piece you pull out to use? We are there, and the time has come to weed out what we don't use again and re-organize.

I am wearing... hey! I'm dressed today:) I have on a white tee and blue capris.--It's also afternoon when I'm writing this- not morning, like usual:)

I am hoping... to keep the house cool this week with as little AC as possible. Soooo thankful for our new AC that we replaced a few years ago.

I am hearing...Amanda talking and laughing on the phone with a friend while they watch the same tv show. My sister and I do that sometimes too:)

I am praying...for my mom as she recovers from a fall almost two weeks ago. She fell outside and broke her right arm, her nose, and a rib. Fortunately, the arm didn't require a cast and she is now out of the sling. She is still quite bruised and sore from the broken rib.

Around the house... laundry, and catching up.

One of my favorite things...soft serve chocolate ice cream on a summer evening.

A few plans for the rest of the week..getting some summer projects in the works. Organizing our home office- and Amanda is moving into a larger bedroom downstairs- a college student has to have her space:) Her dad and I are blessed to have Amanda live at home two more years as she attends a local college for an associate degree before she transfers to a four year college.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...*

I have been away from blogging for over a week, so I wanted to catch you up with first some graduation pictures...

GRADUATION:

The graduating class of 2009 (over 400 students)

The big moment--Amanda receiving her diploma!

The backyard party on Saturday...

The tent in the backyard has become a tradition for our graduation parties.

FATHERS:

This photo segues into my "Great Dads" segment:)

Amanda with her proud dad after the ceremony.

Our fathers, whom we miss dearly--

My husband's dad- passed away in Oct. 1998.

My dad- passed away in Nov. 2006.

The newest Dads in our family:

Ben- at the birth of his daughter Sophia...

And as she is growing...

Daniel with his son Sam...

Doing loop de loops ... ("again Daddy":)

This was taken by our cherry tree:) Thanks Jess!

And Daniel is an expectant father again-- Sam's little brother or sister is due in November. The blessings just keep coming... thank you, Lord.

Thankful Thursday and The Smallest Blessings--"It's Time to Get Up!"

Sonya at Truth 4 The Journey has invited us to join her and list of five things for which we are thankful.




And join The Southern Housewife for The Smallest Blessings. Check out her blog and see what its all about.







It's 7:58 a.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2009. Our daughter has left for her last day of high school... and this morning, I woke up our youngest child for school, for the last time.
I started this ritual in August, 1981 when our son, Nathan started Kindergarten. You'd think I'd be used to it by now... I still am not a fan of early morning:)

Twenty-eight years of getting kids up for school...is over. I've stepped into another season of my life.

During the busiest mornings, I was getting six kids up and out the door to school and daycare when I worked part-time for an accounting firm as an office assistant- that was a lot of sack lunches! Then there were the couple of years that I dropped off five kids at three different schools each morning.

My morning routine is much simpler now- Amanda drives herself to school. So I can have a cup of coffee, and watch the morning news shows. Yeah, Diane and Robin (Good Morning America) and I are good friends:)

Sure, sometimes there is a longing to have my kids back with all the hustle and bustle...that's natural. But what a blessing it is to see your child as a young adult, and know that this was the goal, - the reason for all of that nurturing and teaching --that they grow up to make decisions on their own.
All six of our children are walking with the Lord. That is an unmeasurable blessing.

So my "smallest blessing" today is for this new season of my life and for the blessing of our children.


With apologies to The Southern Housewife who hosts Thankful Thursday, here are not 5, but 6 blessings for which I am thankful:

1) Nathan

2) Daniel



3) Ben




4) Tim



5) Jonathan



6) Amanda

--Let me know if you need a wake up call - I've had lots of practice :)
Love,
Mom

Wordless Wednesday - Flags/ Flag Day

Please stop by and visit Dixie over at French Lique, Texas for more pictures on Wordless Wednesday where today's theme is Flags / Flag Day. (It's funny how a grammy can work in a picture of grandkids into any theme:)

ssshhhhh :)

Thankful Thursday

Sonya at Truth 4 The Journey has invited us to join her and list of five things for which we are thankful.









1) I am thankful for the beautiful weather we have been enjoying.

2) I am thankful that we have not had to have any vehicle repairs for several months. That is a huge blessing!

3) I am thankful for our family- and extended family's jobs in this economy.

4) I am thankful for all the family and friends who are planning to come to celebrate Amanda's graduation next week and for the plans that are coming together for that.

5) I am thankful that God led our son Tim to meet Brooke, the love of his life-- and for their upcoming wedding.

Here is the happy couple:)

Wordless Wednesday - Water

Please stop by and visit Dixie over at French Lique, Texas for more pictures on Wordless Wednesday where today's theme is Water/or Wind. I chose WATER...






Photography by Sam's mom, Jess.

The Simple Woman's Daybook- June 1, 2009

Stop in and visit Peggy over at Simple Woman's Daybook.




For Today... June 1,2009

Outside my window...beautiful sunny day- clouds and rain on the way later tonight.

I am thinking...how close the end of high scho0l is for Amanda- our last child at home...

I am thankful for... the everyday things - God is so good to supply the necessities of our lives.

From the kitchen...the dirty dishes created AFTER I went to bed- someone was hungry last night:)

I am wearing... pajamas-but you knew that:)

I am hoping... to get flowers planted in my pots on the deck. There are always lots of red and white flowers on years we have a graduation party outside-- school colors :)

I am hearing...the coffee maker brewing, the usual morning traffic, a morning show on tv.

I am praying...for the family, for Tim and Brook's wedding preparations for August, for a great summer.

Around the house... laundry (of course:), a list of outside projects for Tim later today.

One of my favorite things...driving in the country and just enjoying the fields, farms, the animals and surroundings --- just refreshes my mind.

A few plans for the rest of the week...finalizing menu for graduation open house, and getting things ready for that.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...*

Amanda - Prom 2009- Senior Year

Beautiful young ladies- beautiful hearts...

Lovely...

Wonderful friends

...I hope you dance...

We love you Amanda:)

Photography by Brooke - our future DIL:)