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The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... My garden is growing! The tomato plants all have green tomatoes and as I was watering them yesterday, I spied one that has the smallest hint of orange. It won't be long until that first tomato sandwich of the season. Two pieces of bread, toasted to perfection, a generous dollop of mayo on both slices, and a thick slice of tomato, lightly salted, and a dash of pepper. Mmmmm.

I am thinking... about life. Each morning, I take my cup of freshly brewed coffee and step out in the new morning air to tend my little vegetable patch. I have been thinking how one's environment can play such a big part in their growth. My parent's have the space to give each plant plenty of room to grow to its full potential. My dad can take a tiller between the rows to keep the soil aerated and to stop the weeds from taking over. Every year, their garden thrives; the plants are full and lush and produce a plentiful harvest. My little boxes, on the other hand, limit severely the plants growth. They are never as big or productive, and ususally at some point the weeds grow faster than I pull them. Where all this led me was my spiritual life. If we are boxed in by all the worldly things, we can never truly blossom as fully as God would want us to, for we are stunted by our surroundings. My hope is that I am allowing my children a bigger plot in which to grow in God's love than I had.

I am thankful for... my round belly, and the kicks and squirms within that belly that let me know she is growing as she should. I treasure each day of this pregnancy and look hopefully to the moment I hold her in my arms.

From the learning rooms... we are winding down for the summer (for which I am also VERY thankful!) We should be done by the week's end. The fall will bring many changes for our little schoolroom. Sophie will be settling in at Franciscan, Olivia will be at the Catholic High School that is just around the corner from our neighborhood, and Anna and Jack will be with me at that big table, where their feet can't reach the floor. I walked in the classroom this morning, surveying how it is now and thinking of how I could change it around to make it fit our new needs.

From the kitchen... to show how much I love my dear husband on Father's Day, I temporarily abandoned my usual healthy fare to give him his heart's desire. Beef hotdogs on store bought white buns, potato chips, and raspberry lemonade for lunch. Then we packed up and headed out for a relaxing afternoon on the beach. It was lovely and refreshed my soul. We came home full of sand in our clothes, but full of smiles and laughs and the memory of a good day together.

I am wearing... my pajamas.

I am creating... baby gifts for two other pregnant mamas, both wives of Army bandsmen. The Tradoc Band Family Association is giving all three of us a baby shower this weekend. I'll post pictures of the knitted gifts after they have been given away.

I am going... nowhere today! Yippee!

I am reading... Discipline That Lasts a Lifetime by Ray Guarendi and 1984 by George Orwell.

I am hoping... to get most of the paperwork ready to send off to MODG today. It will feel so freeing to put that package in the mailbox.

I am hearing... Tony getting ready for work, Sophie in the shower, the click of the keys as I type, the hum of the A/C unit (which is my saving grace during this hot week of 90+ temperatures), and the quiet of sleeping little ones.

Around the house... is the transition into summer. School books being closed and doors to the outside being opened. Long, hot afternoons in the sprinkler, a good book under a shady tree, a glass of iced tea, and the squeals of unbridled happiness from my children.

One of my favorite things... staring out at the endless ocean, with a breeze on my face and the fullness of God in my heart.

A few plans for the rest of the week: finish the school year!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...from last year's family beach trip.






Go on over to Peggy's to read more.

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