FOR TODAY January 26, 2009
Outside my window…the bare trees are dark and still against the gray sky. The kids’ play structure looks barren and alone.

I am thinking…that I wish spring would come soon. I’m anxious to get into my perennial garden and just spend some time outdoors.

I am thankful for…Brian’s safe return from Snow Camp this weekend.

From the learning rooms…Alyssa is studying her memory verse. Brian is still eating breakfast. He’s tired from Snow Camp and is having a hard time getting going this morning.

From the kitchen…we are going to have chicken and noodles tonight. We had a roast chicken for Sunday dinner and I have lots of leftovers. I love leftover chicken. The homemade noodle recipe is my grandmother-in-law’s. She cooks her noodles in chicken fat, but I cook mine in the leftover, fat-skimmed-off gravy. Then I cut up chunks of chicken into it and add a side of corn. Yummy! BTW, the beef empandas from last week were delicious. Another recipe to add to my recipe box.

I am wearing…I think it’s the same thing as last week, LOL! Stained gray sweatpants and a beat up sweatshirt. Today I have a blanket covering me. It’s cold.

I am creating…still working on that scrapbook page and hoping to start a page about Jonalyn’s birthday. Tonight our scrapbook group meets and so I’ll get it done tonight. I love our group – a little scrapbook and lots of fellowship.

I am going…to take Alyssa to piano lessons this afternoon and to scrapbook tonight. Are you seeing a pattern here? I’m a person who likes routine!

I am reading… the Bible. Our pastor has been preaching through Psalm 119 and encouraging us to read a chapter from the Bible each day. Doug and I have made it a priority to do this and we are into Exodus right now.

I am hoping…to get through lots of schoolwork today, including a science experiment for Brian. I also have a long list of phone calls that need to be made.

I am hearing…the dog chewing on her rawhide, Alyssa moving around in the classroom, and the humidifier running. Another pretty quiet Monday here.

Around the house…we are settling down for a day of work.

One of my favorite things…is having a vacation to look forward to. And now I have three – a water park trip with my family next month, a girlfriend’s get away in March and a summer vacation in July. Makes the dog days of winter bearable.

A few plans for the rest of the week: My mom is coming on Wednesday to help me clean out my kitchen cabinets. She comes once a month to help me with a project. I simply can’t do spring or fall cleaning anymore, I don’t have the time, but she is a big help to me and I do manage to get some things done.

Here is picture thought I am sharing…