Daybook - Monday, Sept 13th

outside my window . . .  the grass is crisp and crackly from the late summer sun and lack of rain.

in the kitchen . . . recipe books laid open looking for a barbecue sauce recipe - a newly discovered favorite!

around the house . . . boxes are slowly filling and anticipation is growing!

listening to. . . my two middle ones enjoying a mid-day movie.

thankful for. . . 18 years of a joyful marriage, yesterday was our anniversary!

creating . . . plans in my mind for our new house

one of my favorite things . . .  leaving the windows open to the cool, dry air of fall nights.  

milestones in the past week . . .  

:-: Toddling L (previously known as Baby L) has begun to be a real flirt out in public.  She's waving hello and good-bye to everyone she sees!   

:-: Our house is complete!  All but the touch-ups to paint, etc.  We are expecting to have the walk through next week and close Friday or the following Monday.

a few plans for the upcoming week . . .  

:-: Tomorrow is Holy Cross Day.  I've planned nothing, yet, but I just might be able to manage a small celebration of some sort.

:-: Wednesday my middle son, H, turns 11.  We are planning a "with friends" party in October (after we are moved in), but we'll still have a nice family celebration.

:-: Thursday all the kids head to Va Beach to visit grandparents.  Toddler L will stay home with Erik and me, but it'll be like "old times" to have just one. :)  Erik and I will have a more proper celebration for our anniversary then.

:-: PACKING!

:-: And finally, one of my best friends was just diagnosed with lymphoma.  She starts chemo Thursday.  Pray for her if you would.

Daybook - Tuesday, Sept 7th

outside my window . . .  we woke to a subdued, slightly foggy morning.

in the kitchen . . . a new dishwasher is sloshing away.  I think a batch of 5-minute artisan bread dough is in order this week. Haven't made it in a very long time!

around the house . . . packing, packing, packing.  I started on my china cabinet, but it is not nearly as rewarding as one would hope.  Four boxes later and I've barely made a dent. I think I'll have to work in some other areas to get the feeling of accomplishment that will spur me on to keep at it.

thinking about . . .  our new home and how we'll "live" in it differently.

listening to. . . "Charlotte Talks" on NPR.  Something about war prisoners.

thankful for. . . kind words from a few of you - you've encouraged me to at least keep at the blogging a bit longer - if only modestly, and a chance to finally be in bible study!

one of my favorite things . . .  my son's new MacBook.  He doesn't like me liking it, but I do!  

milestones in the past week . . .  
:-: Baby L has officially left "babyhood" - she is now 2 and a TODDLER.  
:-: Eldest son, S, started high school at a small, Charlotte Mason private school nearby.  
:-: We started our 8th year of homeschooling with H in 6th and E in 3rd grades.  
:-: Our new home is almost complete!  We expect to have our first inspection late this week, or early next.

a few plans for the upcoming week . . .  
:-: packing 
:-: Daughters of the Holy Cross meeting 
:-: packing 
:-: maybe a walk through of our new home 
:-: packing 
:-: our 18th wedding anniversary coming up on Sunday.


and a photo . . .

We learned about the cave paintings of places like Lascaux this week
and decided to give it a try, too!

The Rest of Summer

We've had a busy, busy summer in which we've rested and played and visited and more!   Would you like to see?

Sent H and Farmor off to Sweden for nearly 3 weeks!  They toured churches, castles, museums.  H also got to meet extended family on his Dad's side - lots of them!

Made forts and watched movies on rainy days.

Watched our house go from dirt to nearly completed.

Picked blueberries in Little Rock, AR with our good friends.  And then made some awesome blueberry pies to celebrate Jeffrey's 13th birthday (in the white shirt).

Enjoyed playtime with friends.

Felt a little sassy.

Got some sand under our feet, some sun on our skin, and some saltwater in our noses.

Celebrated 40!

Sent our eldest off to High School!

Started another year of homeschooling the other two.

And welcomed our Baby L into the Terrific Twos!