Outside my window . . . mid-morning sun pouring in over the williamses' house, front yard trees in full spring green glory

Praising God for . . . another day, a friday! friday is craft day here.

In prayer for . . . keeping my head above water

I am thinking . . . I should go shower after Crossfit workout and getting mesquite pollen all over myself picking grapefruits

I am thankful for . . . Adam taking the littles to the zoo today; RS temple night last night

From the Learning Rooms . . . ugh. Not nearly enough going on here. Late Spring burn-out. But i recently did a Gee's Bend reading unit with the little girls and they are designing quilts based on that. Also reading lots of spring-related garden/growing/insect books with them.

I am wearing . . . workout clothes: running shoes and white socks, black knit capri pants, white tee, ponytail, pollen in my hair

I am creating . . . been working on Emmy's First Year Project Life book and the family 2014 book. ready to quilt today!

I am going . . . to Laird's Pinewood Derby race tonight.

I am reading . . . finished Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee last night. Simply Beautiful. Also read Leaving Gee's Bend by Irene Latham earlier in the week - a good human interest/history read.

Scriptures I am studying . . . 3 Nephi, Christ's visit to the Nephites

Family Scripture study . . . Book of Job

I am hoping . . . to find some sewing time. So many quilts to finish and start.

I am hearing . . . Macey's laughter ring through the house and the noise of kids puttering around on a Friday morning as they get going on school work (big kids) and get ready for a day at the zoo with Dadam (littles).

Around the house . . . cleaning up the usual messes. Downstairs has been cleaner lately but the upstairs is a nightmare. Adam made another laundry tower in the kids' hallway. I have no choice but to tolerate it. Somehow there is also a huge pile of laundry all over the laundry room floor.

One of my favorite things . . . all the yellow palo verde blooms everywhere right now

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . Laird going to Garren's bday part on Saturday. Gene coming over for another discussion with the missionaries on Saturday night.

Here is the picture thought I am sharing . . .

Sage's hands and Pan's paws

Outside my window . . . sunny but chilly weather, several construction vehicles working at our house (on the gates) and at the Williams's across the street (on their enclosed garage).

Praising God . . . for infinite grace and constant opportunities to repent; that I never walk alone

In prayer for . . . Elli Blinston's recovery; all the people we invited to the temple open house

I am thinking . . . there are several projects I should or could be working on right now: Project Life, quilts, packing, but I haven't touched this daybook in years and decided to make an entry

I am thankful for . . . a good husband, comfortable home, means at my disposal for so many pleasant and productive hobbies

From the learning rooms . . . Macey got a 97% on her Technical Writing assignment from BYU online courses; Laird was grounded today for neglecting his writing all week long; Grace and Sage have been learning about measurements of time this week

From the kitchen . . . crock pot salsa verde flank steak burritos for dinner (second night)

I am wearing . . . my Saturday stay-at-home outfit that I woke up in: baby blue yoga pants; white v-neck tee, black ribbed Gap cardigan; bare feet; hair pulled back in a sloppy bun

I am creating . . . lots of quilts. Today I worked on a baby quilt for Lucy Purdy's new little girl. I basically ruined a lovely quilt with some horrid fmq quilting. Also, I've been working on the Project Life books, finishing up last year and beginning this year's.

I am going . . . to pick up Macey and friends from a stake youth dance this evening.

I am reading . . . just finished Under Wildwood by Colin Meloy. Sadly, it was a disappointment after the first book: a bit too graphically violent, agendas/philosophies I disagree with, strong language for a children's book. Bleak House by Dickens, which I also just finished recently, was much, much better.

Scriptures I am studying . . . I've read in 2 Nephi the last few nights but need to dive into the Sunday School course of study of the Old Testament for the new year.  Also, I've been reading talks from October 2013 General Conference as part of our ward's Relief Society challenge, even though I do it anyway.

Family scripture study . . . 2 Nephi 6

I am hoping . . . the children's bronchial afflictions blow over quickly, especially Emmy's

I am hearing . . . mostly silence as pretty much everyone is gone to play elsewhere; dogs barking occasionally; the sound of drills and banging as the gates are installed on the side yards

Around the house . . . the Christmas tree, drying in the corner (I've had the ornaments put away for over a week but Adam hasn't found the time to take the tree out!). relatively clean downstairs but not up; the school room is the same impassable mess it's been for over two years; there are laundry piles on the floor in the kids' hallway, in addition to the overflowing hamper, that have been there for weeks

One of my favorite things . . . all the new Project Life products I found this week, including mini kits and mini albums for each of the kids to use on their own (these will be sunday projects)

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . Adam and I are leaving for a business trip, the annual salesman cruise. Marmee will be here with the children

Here is the picture thought I am sharing . . .

right now there are acorns on all the sidewalks from the live oak trees that line the streets