Happy Homemaker Monday - 11/11/13

Happy Veteran's Day!  A huge THANK YOU to those who served!

 

As I look outside my window::

The sun is shining, the leaves have fallen off of most of the trees and it's cold.  47 degrees so it's not too bad but they are calling for snow at some point this week.  Yuck.  I'm not a cold or snow person, but it does make my son happy.  

Right now I am::

Sipping a cup of coffee, writing up this blog and listening to my two children play together.  My son has the day off from school and we spent the morning playing and getting books at the library.  Then we had lunch and now the kids are playing for a bit in my son's room.  So far they are playing very nicely together and that makes me happy.  Also waiting for the dishes to finish in the dish washer and the laundry to finish in both washer and dryer before another load goes in.  

Thinking and pondering::

About my son's upcoming birthday.  These last 6 years have gone by so fast.  He's been asking for a few very expensive items for his birthday or Christmas.  I'd love to be able to give my kids everything they wanted but that's not realistic.  I know I write a lot about how hyper he is but truthfully he's an overall great kid.  He doesn't get into too much trouble (nothing outside of being a typical 5 year old) and is doing great in school.  I'm proud of him.  

On my bedside table::

My friend sent me a copy of 50 Shades of Grey for my Kindle.  I've been slowly reading it.  I think she gave me the download almost a year ago and I haven't finished it.  It's not typically my type of book and I got halfway through and grew bored ... but I'm determined to finish it just because I said I would.  

On my tv tonight::

I guess it will be whatever we find while flipping through the channels.  Matthew said he wanted to watch Jurassic Park since he got the book at the library.  We have it on DVR.  

Playing on the radio::

Alvin & the Chipmunks channel on Pandora.  Yes this is the kind of stuff I'm forced to listen to with small children ... I don't mind.  

On the menu::

I may just make a quick pasta meal since I need to be out of the house a little after 5 tonight.  Joining a friend for some kind of exercise thing.  

As usual the rest of the week is TBD

On my to do list::

~Clean house

~Birthday shopping and planning for Matthew

~List more items to be sold on Craiglist.  I just sold a toy tool bench that was my son's.  He got it for Christmas at age 2 but hasn't been playing with it anymore.  It's been collecting dust in his room and he gave me the ok to sell it.  

~Buy items to put in the shoe box for Operation Christmas Child, an organization our church helps out with every year.  They hand out shoe boxes and we buy different toys and anything that will fit into the shoe box to be sent to a child around the world.  We can chose boy or girl.  Matthew wanted to pick a boy his age.  We'll be picking up another box so we can do one for a girl as well.  

What I am sewing, knitting, crocheting or creating::

I made this for my parents' anniversary.  I wanted to give them real flowers but we couldn't afford it so I thought this would be the next best thing.  I bought the wooden vase at AC Moore for $1.  I used rocks that were in our garden.  I cut out flowers using construction paper and a flower cookie cutter and then put pictures of the kids in the middle.  My son colored the vase.

My simple pleasure::

Blogging.  I love having a place to jot down my thoughts and experiences and also getting to read others.  

Lesson learned the past week::

 As much as I love my kids and being with them it's healthy to step away and have some me time.  It is also better for them to have time away from me as well.  I was able to enjoy some time away last Friday during a wine tasting event with a friend.  It was fun.  I had a chance to step away, do something for me and come back feeling renewed.  It also gave me a chance to miss the kids. 

Looking around the house::

The kids are playing peacefully with each other and toys are all over the place.  It's nice having my son home today and being able to enjoy both children.  

From the camera::

On my prayer list::

Those who are on active duty in the military that they return home safely.

My family & friends

My children

My husband

Financial issues - my husband works hard and we're able to have enough to get by but in today's economy it's tough to know what the future will hold.  Only God knows.  

Bible Verse/Devotional::

"Going to church doesn't make you a Christian.  I can sit in my garage all day and that doesn't make me a car" -- Joyce Meyer

I heard Joyce Meyer say this during one of her television shows and I've loved this quote since.  She was referring to the people who believe all they need to do is show up for church for one hour a week and that's it.  God doesn't just want your time for that one hour each week.  He wants your time every moment of every day.  Being a Christian means constantly living for God. 

--Happy Homemaker Monday was created by Sandra at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom.  Check out her page and below her HHM post is a list of others who are also participating.