Not Quite Ordinary Observations

For Today...Monday, November 21, 2011

Outside my window...much water, both falling from the sky and gathering in the yard. I’m so greatly enjoying this!

I am thinking...about how quickly Olivia is growing, physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. Oh, and she is adding left-hand chords to her piano playing. I’m so thrilled to hear the progress she’s making!

I am thankful for...the rain; the fact that the rain held off this morning long enough for me to get home from my walk with Karlyn; the delight of watching Olivia’s boldness; a few days off of school to create with my kiddos; my amazing and thoughtful husband.

I am wearing...black knit capris and the lightest weight short-sleeve shirt I could find without digging into my summer tub. It’s WARM today!

I am creating...Thanksgiving napkins out of an adorable goofy turkey print! (We just don’t have the ability in our family to be completely formal for Thanksgiving!) Gifts with the kiddos for them to give to each other. Gifts for my sister-in-law and niece, hoping to have them done by the time we see them this weekend.

I am remembering...our wet spring. It had become a rather faded memory because of the dry summer.

I am going...to try to squeeze a good deal of writing in between sewing sessions with each of the kids this week.

I am reading...um, well, come to think of it, nothing right now! I just finished Remembering You by Tricia Goyer and A Plain & Fancy Christmas by Cynthia Keller, both for review. I think I have a children’s book up for review next week – a good thing since I won’t have much reading time this week!

I am hoping...for a productive week.

I am hearing...rain, thunder, the sewing machine.

On my mind…surrendering the above hope and my entire to-do list to the Lord, so that I won’t get caught up in what I think needs to be done but will instead be submissive to His leadership.

From the learning rooms...a week off!

Noticing that...Legos appear to be very appropriately named, at least for my household. Olivia told me this morning that she read that the name Lego is based on a Danish word meaning "playing well together” or something like that.

Pondering these words...So many Bibles, so many Bibles – and so little thoughtful reading of them. The next stage is the Bible as source of prooftexts; the stage after that is the Bible as quaint relic; the next, the Bible as antiquarian magic; the next, implacable ignorance – and all the while, a growing hunger for something wise, something stable, something intelligent, something prophetic, something true. And the hunger is not satisfied. The only answer is the fulfillment of Jesus’ prayer in John 17:17. ~DA Carson’s commentary on Amos 8:11

From the kitchen...leftovers today. But we’ll be eating well – maybe a little too well! – Wednesday through Saturday.

Around the house...projects, laundry, and the need for some cleaning before Thanksgiving celebrations and Christmas decorations.

One of my favorite things...rain.

A few plans for the rest of the week...the aforementioned sewing Monday through Wednesday, church Thanksgiving celebration Wednesday night, our immediate family Thanksgiving Thursday, Browning Thanksgiving in Judsonia Friday, Hibbard extended Thanksgiving at our house Saturday. Didn’t I say something about eating a little too well? Oh, and cheering on the Razorbacks against LSU on Friday while still marveling at the way this season has turned out for not just our favorite team but for our favorite conference! I try not to be too fanatical about football, but this is just fun stuff, folks!

A picture worth sharing...field goal!