Daybook: New Hometown Edition

Outside My Window: Beautiful blooming crepe myrtles in purple and white and so many different kinds of birds than we are used to seeing in the valley. So far we've seen blue jays, cardinals, carolina chickadees, tufted titmouse as well as one we haven't been able to identify. We've heard crows but haven't seen one near the seed feeders. Right now our hearts leap for joy at their sightings but they're coming so often that I'm hoping we don't lose our excitement over seeing them.

Bernadette caught sight of a Crepe Myrtle fairy and managed to sketch her.

I am listening to: Pandora Quick Mix of my Bruce Hornsby, Bee Gees and If You Don't Know Me By Now radio stations. But the most exciting sounds I'm hearing are the sounds of drills as Dan and Mom create an amazing craft space for me and Bernadette.

I am thankful for: answered prayers that brought us here to our new hometown.

I am thinking: how great it is to live in a small town. The UPS man didn't drop off our package because we weren't home. But he recognized our van as he was pulling out and we were pulling into the neighborhood, turned around and delivered our new phones!

From the kitchen: More and more we are eating home cooked meals again. Moving and being without a fridge for a week meant eating out more than we'd like to.

Our first meal in our new house. The highschool band director who hired Daniel brought a spaghetti dinner over to our house. That kindness just reaffirmed that the decision to move here was a good one.

I am creating: absolutely nothing as far as crafting goes. All of my beloved fabric and tools are still boxed up waiting for the craft corner to be built. I'm so excited!

I am working on: finishing up homeschool plans and purchases. This year I really want to focus on the 'atmosphere' of our home learning. I already have a plan in my head for the sunroom for book displays, chalkboard, craft center and project boards. I'm looking forward to reading Playful Learning to glean more inspiration. I'm also loving what Meg from Sew Liberated has done for her boys in her new home. I plan on creating an atmosphere for my toddler's learning that allows for creative exploration and meets him where his interests lie.

I am going: to strive to get back on our regular schedule of mealtimes and rest times. I'm really hoping I can convince Fulton to take a nap now that he's no longer nursing since the c-section. Oh how I miss the ease of getting him to nap with nursing.

I'm pondering: Elizabeth's article about the beauty of mealtimes.

I am reading: Still reading a few pages each night of Wives and Daughters and Modern Log Cabin Quilts. I'm loving the projects in this book and I'm hoping to start a few projects very soon.

I am hoping: For a nap today, truth be told.

I am praying: We can rebuild up our savings after this move. I'm praying in gratitude that we had the savings built up to move....moving is expensive...Yikes!

Around the home: Little bits of disorganization that need to be dealt with by finding appropriate storage. Pictures still need to be hung up. Mom is making great headway on the craft center and Bernadette and I have plans to put it to use even before it's completed.

I am loving: Daniel's schedule. We had so much more time with him this summer now that he's a head director of a middle school.

One of my favorite things: The scenic drive from our hometown to Lake Jackson. I love the trees, the cows, ponds the huge statue of Stephen F. Austin that signals were almost home. I love how Fulton shouts in excitement every time he spots a train off in the distance. There's plenty of those to around to amuse a train obsessed toddler. I'm also grateful (more than I thought I would be) for being 25 minutes away from a beach. I'm hoping to make it a habit to head out there on Sundays...we'll see.

On our Imac: We recently watched Don't Eat the Daisies. I enjoyed watching a good old flick with Daniel. Now I want to rent That Touch of Mink, my all-time favorite Doris Day movie.

The children this week: Dominic took to cooing and smiling. He's starting to engage with us but he's also perfectly fine cooing and laughing at his own inside jokes. Oh he's so chubby....I can't help but kiss his fat rolls. He's my most docile baby yet and a good sleeper.

Bernadette has finally started writing a story to one of her books that she is constantly producing illustrations for. She has so many "books" that were illustrated with no words. Actually the words to all of these stories are in her head and I rejoice that she's finally putting the words to the pictures. It's amazing how easily the story pours out onto the page. And I actually find myself anticipating what happens next.

Fulton....oh how I love my little guy. I'm trying to get him back on a regular schedule that has been non exsistant since my emergency c-section. That includes getting him out of the television habit that was instilled in him while I was healing. To make this happen I'm trying to include him in more of my activities. I had a blast watching him make salad for supper last night. I'm so glad I suggested he help me cook even though I knew it would slow the process down. It was so worth the extra time.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Just continue to transition from our "anything goes" schedule to one the children can count on. This now includes starting dinner prep even earlier than planned so the children can help.