Monday DayLook - December 14

For Today: December 14, 2009

Looking out my back porch... the sun is setting and we have a deeper covering of snow .. for which I am thankful!

I am thinking... how nice it is to stay home on a Monday evening.

I am thankful for... little babies and the joy they bring!  I'm also thankful for warmth in the frigid weather that surrounds us in ND.

From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)… baby laundry.  We tend to go through those burp clothes pretty quick, and I think I need to consider the next size in diapers for baby Louis, considering how many outfits needed to be soaked this week.

From the school room... early this morning (unexpectedly) I left for town with my MIL.  Her original ride into town fell through at the last minute, so our school day was changed to 'bare bones' ... meaning I only asked the kids to complete the next math page and add the next few lines onto the current poetry selection.  This will be our last full week of school before Christmas break!  I think we are all excited.

From the kitchen... I've been trying to use up those frozen meals to make room for the bulk beef we'll be bringing back from Grandma and Grandpa Golden Acres' farm after Christmas.  There's nothing better than family-farm raised meat!

I am reading... a lot of saint stories to the kids, both for fun and school. 

I am hoping... for a white Christmas with enough snow to let the kids build a huge fort, go snow-shoeing, sled up at Grandma & Grandpa Golden Acres and cross country ski with their Grandpa Green Acres around our farm.

I am hearing... the hum of the gas fireplace and the click of the borrowed swing that lulls Louis to sleep and keeps him sleeping a little longer.

State of the house… I rearranged the living room/great room (really not that great, but it sounds cool).  It's not a huge change, but I like it.  We also thoroughly cleaned the main level floors.

A successful moment… while in town today, I found a skirt that fits and will work as part of my Christmas outfit!!

A few plans for the rest of the week…

Monday: Tonight is Angelina's last dance class in 2009.

Tuesday: It's my birthday today ... and I share the day with my brother Collin.  He was the best birthday present on my 5th birthday!  I set up haircuts for Angelina (her first salon cut - it's quite inexpensive out here in the boonies!) and myself.  Hubby and I (and Louis) will be going out to eat tonight. 

Wednesday: ALL of us - except for Louis, who has no teeth - have dentist appointments today.  I also hope to take part in a cookie exchange ... my contribution will be Divinity (and maybe another couple plates of cookies from my frozen stash).

Thursday: The Best Buy Geek Squad is coming to our house to set up my birthday/Christmas/anniversary present (new computer and printer), reconfigure our old computer for the kids, and fix our wireless access so that my hubby's work computer actually works WIRELESSLY. 

Friday/Saturday/Sunday: My SIL has plans to put together a Lahlum family musical ensemble over the weekend.  She plays the flute, Dash and Angelina play piano or sing, and Zeke and Graham sing along.

A picture memory...

My aunt's family shows and boards - they probably do a lot more, but I'm not aware of everything - horses in northern ND.  They live on a beautiful, but busy ranch (no cattle, only horses).  Each Thanksgiving, my grandfather hosts a huge Thanksgiving meal (prepared by my mom and aunts) at my aunt's ranch home; this is the one time of year my mom's side of the family get together, and we all look forward to this huge day.  My cousins, who are accomplished riders, are gracious enough to offer rides to all the 'second' cousins.  The kids love this annual outing and opportunity!