Not Quite Ordinary Observations

For Today...Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Outside my window...clouds covering what we thought was going to be a clear blue sky for the day; a dozen or so mosquitoes hovering around and bumping against the window.

I am thinking...about a discussion Doug and I had yesterday. It is one thing to be saved from bad actions, learning that certain behaviors are destructive to us and that salvation through the blood of Jesus can save us from those things. But, that’s not the end. There is also being saved to a growing relationship with Christ. Both are essential, but so many Christians stop after the first part and never pursue the second. Oh how I hunger to see that change!

I am thankful for...a very relaxing weekend in the midst of several busy ones; friends who come to visit (a friend from Memphis came and spent the weekend with us); flexible days, and spontaneous fun (we decided on the spur of the moment to head to the Memphis Zoo yesterday); life in a small town.

I am wearing...green long sleeve top that might get too warm today; black leggings

I am creating...not really anything. Hopefully soon my creative juices will start flowing again.

I am remembering...living in the Memphis area. Other than very dear friends and the zoo, nothing remains that attaches us to Memphis. That is a very freeing thought. I didn’t like living there, and although yesterday’s trip was a good one, I am so thankful to not live there anymore. So thankful.

I am going...to get a lot of writing done this morning. I hope.

I am reading...Then Sings My Soul, Book 3 by Robert Morgan. Definitely a book worth having, even if you already have the first and/or second book(s). I think this last one in the series is by far the best of them all! Review coming Thursday on annhibbard.com.

I am hoping...still…for a cold snap to help reduce this mosquito and buffalo gnat population.

I am hearing...the whir of the computer, the scratch of Olivia’s pencil on her paper as she works on language arts, Steven whispering in the book corner as he reads to himself, the tap of my keyboard.

On my mind...prayer needs.

From the learning rooms...not entirely sure for this week. I didn’t have my “preview day” yesterday, so I’ll be working on that this afternoon. I know there will be more astronomy, and rural Arkansas is such an awesome place to take the book learning and then apply it to study of the sky. So few lights, such flat land, and so much visible in the night sky! It’s breath-taking! A telescope is definitely on our list…

Noticing that...I have gotten to see a lot of the pains of teaching and training pay off lately. Steven is showing signs of becoming such a gentleman, Olivia is taking initiative and doing things that she would have left undone before, and Angela is conquering many of the things we’ve repeatedly battled over the years. The fruit is worth the fight, my friends. Without a doubt!

Pondering these words... “I’m not like other people! I don’t like pain! It hurts me!” ~ spoken by both Daffy Duck and Frank Burns. (Just in case you needed proof of how light and fluffy my ponderings can be sometimes!)

From the kitchen...leftovers. Exciting, I know.

Around the house...a few projects that need to be finished. We moved the computer last weekend, but haven’t quite finished moving the “extras” that had piled up on the desk.

One of my favorite things...spontaneity and flexibility.

A few plans for the rest of the week...typical week, then birthday celebrations on Saturday.

A picture worth sharing...PopPop gave Steven this patch from his own flight jacket. Steven is wearing PopPop’s name proudly!

ROAR!!!

We’ve been hearing a lot of that over the past few days.

Typically when we least expect it.

It’s coming from our little Steven cub. He has adopted the habit of hiding around a corner when he knows someone is coming. Then, he jumps out and roars.

Yesterday he got Olivia. It was hilarious! I had given her the book she was supposed to be reading to Steven. We thought he’d gone on to his room and was waiting for her. But no, he wasn’t in his room. Their hall makes a 90 degree turn right before his room, and he was waiting right past the turn. She had no idea. He jumped out and roared at her at the most opportune moment. She screamed and claims she jumped nine feet. Angela and I heard the roar and the scream from the school room and just about died laughing!

He got her again today. One of these days, she’ll learn.

But, she’s not the only one who needs to learn. He got ME today, too!

Our dining room and school room make a U shape, with the foyer at the base of the U. It was time for me to go over Steven’s school work with him, so I was headed to the school room. I was coming from my bedroom, through the kitchen and dining room, and I called his name as I was walking through the dining room. No answer. Complete silence. I should’ve known then. Yep, he was waiting in the foyer and jumped out at me as soon as I rounded the corner…

It’s really quite funny…especially when it happens to Olivia!

Having Fun Anyway

It’s funny how you can be sad about a change of plans, but still see it as a blessing at the same time. Yesterday I was supposed to head to Little Rock with Doug to go to a conference. The kids were ecstatic to get to stay with one of their favorite people. But, as we were making our way to the door to load up and leave, we got a phone call that changed all of our plans. The kids and I ended up staying home, and Doug headed to the conference a little later than planned …alone.

I had already planned our school week for three days, so we decided to stick with that. Yesterday I got a couple of little things done, but mostly I just hung out with the kids. We watched lots and lots of Bugs Bunny, played some games, and enjoyed each other’s company.

And this morning? I was going to let the kids sleep in, but Angie and Steven were before 7:00, and even Olivia didn’t sleep past 7:30. Steven was even dressed before he came in to snuggle! They all did their chores in record time and then disappeared to the back of the house. It’s after 11:00 now, and I’ve hardly  heard a peep out of them except when they have emerged to show me a Lego creation.

There is one thing that is about to drive me nuts, but I’m glad I’m allowing it all at the same time. Four out of the five of us like to be dressed. Sometimes Steven and Angie will ask to eat breakfast in their pajamas, but typically they are like Doug and me – they don’t feel like their day has really started until they are dressed. Olivia, on the other hand, could live in pj’s! She rarely gets to stay in them very long because she just doesn’t get with the day very quickly and smoothly if she’s still in pj lounge mode. Today, though, I have let her stay in her pajamas. She’s absolutely delighted! The only requirement I’ve given her is that I need her pajamas before I wash the last load of “darks” today because that set needs to be washed. Yep, she’s a pretty happy camper today!

So, here I am, sitting in the living room in front of a fire that I don’t really need (it’s not that cold out!) but sure am enjoying,  getting some writing and computer work done. Laundry is going, and it will be time to figure out lunch in a little while. But, for the moment I sit here peacefully. I hear laughter, quacking, and mooing from the back, but I’m not worried about them. I’d be lying if I said that I still wouldn’t have rather been with Doug. After all, the Skit Guys were at the conference, and I haven’t seen them in person in about ten years! Even so, I’m enjoying the day.

Oh! I have to share my interaction with Steven last night. I went to tuck him into bed and started playfully snuggling with his stuffed puppy. He laughingly pulled the puppy away, so I asked him what I was supposed to snuggle with.

“You’re supposed to snuggle with…” he began enthusiastically. But, then he stopped and a look of awareness set in. “….oh, wait,” he finished. (He usually tells me I’m supposed to snuggle with Daddy.) He then informed me that I could snuggle with him. In fact, he said he and his sisters could all three snuggle with me so I wouldn’t be alone.  He’s so sweet to his mommy – as long as I don’t try to take his Harvey Puppy! (And no, I didn’t take him up on his offer. I kind of preferred to actually try to get sleep last night, something I knew I wouldn’t do with a child in my bed!)

Yep, it’s been a good couple of days.