Daybook for August 2010

*Sigh* The last few days of August approach.  Guess it's time for my August Daybook reflection time.  (pssst! You can join in these reflections too at The Simple Woman's Daybook.)

Daybook Reflections for August 22, 2010

Outside my window...
It is dark and quiet.  Earlier there was a cloudless blue, 90 degree day shining through.  Gotta treasure these passing summer days.

I am thinking...
About how hard and overwhelming parenting can be sometimes.  How do I balance tenderness and discipline?  How can I maintain my parenting energy, even at the end of an exhausting day?  How do I remember to treasure each moment with my munchkins, even on days amidst tantrums aplenty and timeouts perpetual?

I am thankful for...
A husband who is my best friend.  Children who love my snuggles.  Parents who continue to show me what marriage really means.  Friends who pray, with me and for me.

From the learning rooms...
otherwise known as our bathroom.  Seriously.  It's where the kids get to watch Sesame Street Alphabet Podcasts on my iPod while they sit on the potty (E-Bear sits beside the potty).  

Not only is everyone more regular ;) G-Bear is crazy about them.  "Mommy!  You start with 'M'!  And 'G' makes TWO sounds!!  jah jah and gah gah.  Can you say that, Mommy?"
From the kitchen...
Baked Oatmeal is soaking for breakfast tomorrow morning.  I am so glad that I remembered to start it tonight.  It's a great way to start a morning.  I cut the leftovers into squares, wrap them in plastic and freeze them for crazy mornings when we need breakfast on the go.
I am wearing...
Now here we go again...I always do these reflections at night in pj's...so never mind.
I am creating...
My Boards study plan for the next three weeks.  Here we go again. But, this one shouldn't be as hard as the last one.  Fingers crossed :)
I am going...
to the Minnesota State Fair next week with my whole family.   Consider yourself warned.

Actually, we will probably go multiple times.  My sister is even flying in from Boston with my 1 year old niece to go to the Fair with us.  Yes, it is that big of a deal.  You should fly in for it too.  Or at least eat vicariously through us.    To make it extra fun for my letter-loving 3 year old, we are going to do the "Fabulous Fair Alphabet" this year, an game idea designed by author Debra Frasier.  Just print out the letter sheet and you are ready to go!
I am reading...
My Magnificant for the month of August.  Amazing reflections.  Awesome prayers. A mystery person sent me a free 6 month gift subscription in the mail.  If it was you, thank you, thank you, thank you.   You have no idea how it has blessed me.
I am hoping...
To make residency decisions soon.  We have many factors to consider, and things still feel clear as mud.  Still could use your prayers.
I am hearing...
T's Hem playlist.  One of our favorite artists.  Her music has a way of helping us unwind at the end of the day.
Around the house...
It's cleaner than its been for days.  Thanks to T who tidied up toys during nap time.  What a guy.
One of my favorite things...
A good, long night's sleep, somehow quite elusive lately.  Perhaps I should finish this post ....and go to bed.  
A few plans for the rest of the week...
Prayer Ortho convenes at my house this week for the first time.  I am really excited.  This is a group of orthopaedic residents' wives (and all our kiddos).  We are going to get together to pray for our husbands, their jobs, their department, the challenges we all face.  Because we can all relate.  And powerful things will happen when we pray.


Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

This is a panorama that T took while working in Kenya.  Sort of helps me to keep everything in perspective:

 Life is vast, 

simple is beautiful, 

our dirt roads look alike whether we live in Minnesota or in Africa, 

and wherever we go, God is with us.