Rainy Fall Daybook

A very dear friend of mine writes up these "Daybooks" from time to time, and I really enjoy reading them.  I think they give a lovely little peek into our lives and so I thought I would try it.  Let me know what you think, and if you like it I will try to do more of them from time to time.  So, here we go:
Rainy Fall Morning Daybook

Outside my Window: I see grey skies and my lawn starting to green up again.  I am not personally a fan of the reddish stain on my back fence, but on mornings like this it looks so beautiful with the vibrant green of my juniper and subdued grey of the sky. 

I am listening to: The kids are watching a Christmas Spongebob.  I let them watch TV Saturday mornings, which they take to full advantage.  I can also hear the puppy thumping around playing with his toy. 

I am praying for: My husbands continued success at the school he is at right now.  Only one phase left.  Its hard on him, and I am sure he is physically and emotionally drained.  So I pray for a renewal of strength so he may push through, and return to us.  I am also praying for our country and the upcoming elections. 

I am wearing: my jammies.  It is Saturday morning.  :)

I am thankful: that my husband was able to call me for a few minutes yesterday, as he is between phases of his school.  I am thankful his care package got to him because it was a huge fiasco getting it to him.  
I am thankful for a warm dry house on a cold wet morning.  I am thankful for Saturdays and a quiet break from our school week. 

In the Learning Room: Seamus is *mostly* potty trained.  Finnigan is really good at drawing and has been working hard to learn how to read.  Liam is quite the reader now, and is really getting good at cursive. Brenna is doing exactly what a one year old should do.  

I am pondering: Christmas.  Should we stay here, or make a trip?  What few things from my and their huge wishlists should I get the kids.  What things would they like to open versus what items will really get used and loved.  I love getting the *perfect* gift, it takes so much thought and planning, but it is one of my most favorite things in life.  My mother has this gift, she is a perfect gift giver, I think she taught it to me, and I hope to eventually teach this to my children.

From the Kitchen: Because it is Saturday, and I can take my time, I made the "big" pot of espresso instead of the small pot.  This also leaves me a little extra to share with my Italian baby Finnigan who likes a little coffee (with a lot of milk and sugar).  Also, we need to go to the store and are running low on basics, so I let the kids have leftover pizza rolls for breakfast.

I am reading: The Betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni.  A book written in the 1800's that takes place in 1600's lakes region of Italy (near where we lived).  It is considered on of the greatest pieces of Italian literature.  I am reading an older translation of it, and so far it is good.  I have only just begun though, and it seems I can only read a few pages before sleep overtakes me.  So I may be on this one for awhile.

Plans for the rest of the week: I have a few playdates scheduled with some friends.  I need to nail down and then get supplies for our All Saints costumes and get going on the craft I said I would bring.  I suspose I should at least buy pumpkins at the store for carving.  Pumpkins generally fall into my husbands tasks, but this will be the second year in a row he is gone, so I should really make an effort for these kids.  My lovely next door neighbors have offered to carve with us, I should really take them up on it.

A Picture Thought: because I miss him so much

A Prayer that I Like:  "Oh my God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love You.  I ask pardon for all those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love you. "

~ A prayer given to the children of Fatima by an Angel.  I find myself praying this many times a day, both when I need the reminder myself, and also when I think of how our Nation is falling away from the truth.  Short ejaculatory prayers like this are sometimes all I can manage in the normal busy pace of my day.

So there you have it, my first ever "daybook".  What did you think?