Daybook: End of May

I can't believe it has been so long since I have written a post. I guess time flies when you are having fun. Here is a daybook post that I wrote up on Sunday, but didn't get posted until now. Enjoy!

Outside My Window: ...it has been a gorgeous late-spring day full of warm sunshine, gentle breezes and an occasional rain shower.

I Am Listening To: ...whatever Bruce has left on the television now that he's retired for the night and I'm up blogging, as well as, the rumbling sound of thunder in the distance.

I Am Wearing: ...a pink, short-sleeved nightgown. Actually, it is the same pink nightgown that I wore in the hospital after having Brinley. As ugly as it is--remember, I had to find something with convenient openings for breastfeeding--I don't think I'll ever be getting rid of this nightgown. After all, Brinley and I took some of our first pictures together in this pink nightgown.

Brand-new Brinley and the infamous ugly (but comfy!) pink nightgown.

I Am Thankful For: ...kisses from the sweetest little girl in the world.

I Am Pondering:... what a friend wrote about accepting and having peace about areas of our lives that are under construction. So many times we have the final goal in mind and become quickly disappointed when that picture-perfect goal doesn't happen soon enough for us. Its okay to have a blue-print or a prototype of something. Like my friend said, "You don't start out with the perfect pair of shoes. Often, they have to be lived in and allowed to mold to your own feet. Only then do they become your comfy, go-to pair of shoes."

I Am Reading: ...The Discipline Book by the Sears, Womanly Dominion by Mark Chanski and Don't Let Me Count To Three by Ginger Plowman. Maybe I'll be able to get at least one of these books finished this week...maybe?

To Be Fit And Happy: Brinley and I have taken a couple of walks around the neighborhood this past week. I also recently set up her pool that has a small slide as well as a sprinkler whichshe had a blast in. We've spent a little time over the past couple of weeks doing yard work as well as time just kicking the soccer ball back and forth.

From The Kitchen: Gluten-Free Chocolate Brownies

I Am Thinking: ... that it should be impossible for an individual to have a headache for more than 24 hours straight. Actually, it would be nice if headaches didn't exist at all.

I Am Creating: ... a less cluttered home--which amazingly enough seems to help create a less cluttered mind and a less cluttered heart. :-D

On My iPod: Breathing: the Master Key to Self Healing by Dr. Andrew Weil. (For those of you that are unfamiliar with Dr. Weil, he is a very renowned expert on natural health and wellness.) Although I began doing breathing exercises several months ago (and they do help tremendously!), this audiobook has wonderful reviews and I'm ready to add a little something different to my current repertoire. I figure if a $10 audiobook helps me to feel more relaxed and focused, sleep better, and feel less fatigued then it will be well worth the money.

Towards A Real Education: Starting to look into lesson planning for this fall.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty: I love this time of the year. Its warm enough to find many ways to have a good time outside, yet its not hot enough that it feels as though your body is actually cooking. The nights are still cool and very comfortable. The flowers are blooming, birds are singing and squirrels are....well, they're being squirrels.

To Live The Liturgy: As the end of May is upon us, so is the celebration of the Queenship of our Blessed Mother.

I Am Hoping And Praying: ...for those that are directly being affected by this terrible oil spill disaster in the Gulf right now.

In The Garden: Last weekend, we all worked out in the yard. Bruce mowed the lawn and Brinley and I trimmed up the flower beds.

Around The House: Brinley's nursery is coming back together. Her crib was recalled a few weeks ago because the mattress support had been known to bend or break which could have caused the mattress to collapse and a little one to become trapped. We immediately broke her crib down and she slept in her playyard until we were able to get a new crib. Since Babies 'R Us fully refunded us for the recalled crib, we ordered a new crib and matching a dresser/changer combo since the dresser we had been using was a hand-me-down from Mom and Dad. We set up her new crib immediately, but we've been so busy the past several days that we didn't get the dressers changed out until last weekend. I had no idea that was going to be an all day ordeal either. By the time I moved the old dresser out of her room, vacuumed the carpet and baseboards, had Bruce help me carry the new dresser in, unpack the new dresser, put together the railing for it, moved everything from Brinley's old dresser to her new one and cleaned crayon off the wall I was exhausted.

On Keeping Home: Did I just mention I had to clean crayon off the wall? I'm sure y'all have a pretty good idea of who put it there in the first place, but I'll fill in the details for you. While Brinley was 'helping' move all her belongings from her old dresser to her new dresser she apparently decided that the wall that her dresser had been on was too plain and needed some decorating. The sad part is, I was in the room when all this took place. While I was putting things into her new dresser--obviously my back is turned while I'm digging in drawers--I hear a noise on the wall, but my first thought was that Brinley was just running her hand across the wall. Then, when I heard her say "OVAL" something clicked, and yes folks, she had drawn an oval...and much more. She and I had a little discussion about how crayons are ONLY for paper--not for walls--and then I asked her to help Mommy clean the mess she had made. Thankfully, I live in the 21st century where there is this awesome invention called a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Most of y'all know that I try to stay away from mainstream cleaners because of their toxicity and the effects that they have on us humans and our environment. However, every blue moon, I pull out my trusty Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and quickly 'erase' what Brinley would call a 'whoops'.

One Of My Favorite Things: ...cool evenings that just beg for me to keep the window by my bed cracked so the fresh breeze can mingle with a lavender sachet that I have sitting on the window sill. My bedroom smells absolutely heavenly.

Brinley Anne This Week: ...has been a load of fun. The girl is always on the go. Bruce and I think that is how the girl stays so thin, yet can eat so much--she rarely slows down!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: In all honesty, with this headache that I've had the past two days, I haven't even thought of any plans for this week muchless made any.

A Picture I'm Sharing:

If you look closely above the electrical and cable outlets you may be able to see hint of orange crayon that my little artist decided to decorate her wall with.

...and this is the kind of help I get when I ask her to clean the wall with me. Silly girl!

Brinley-isms

"nellephent" ~translates to~ elephent

"cancakes" ~translates to~ pancakes

"yam" ~translates to~ lamb

"kiki" ~translates to~ cookie

"sapes" ~translates to~ shapes

"nanee" ~translates to~ banana

"hep" ~translates to~ help

"tat" ~translates to~ cat

"jamas" ~translates to~ pajamas

"yewwo" ~translates to~ yellow

"teek a boo" ~translates to~ peek-a-boo

"buh-buh-ooo" ~translates to~ double-u (W)

"jaff" ~translates to~ giraffe

"in-ments" ~translates to~ instruments

Daybook: First Weekend of May

Outside My Window: ...is a dreary Sunday evening.

I Am Listening To: ...Bruce snoring on the couch and Brinley putting together her 'Shapes' puzzle in the floor.

I Am Wearing: ...a white cami and blue and white toile-printed pajama pants.

I Am Thankful For: ...God's gifts--most especially the peace, comfort, strength and motivation that he has so mercifully been providing to me.

I Am Pondering: "Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself." ~St Francis de Sales

I Am Reading: ...The Discipline Book by the Sears, Womanly Dominion by by Mark Chanski and Don't Let Me Count To Three by Ginger Plowman. Although I am still working on those, does it count that I did complete the new Beverly Lewis series that I started last week? Over the past few days, I've read through both The Missing and The Telling.

To Be Fit And Happy: This past week has been full of dreariness. We may have had one sunny day in the mix, but to be honest with you I couldn't tell you which one it was. Otherwise, its been dark, humid, cloudy and windy which in turn has not made for a very active week outside of the house. After the rain gets out of the picture early part of this next week, its supposed to be much prettier and we will definately be spending more time in the good ol' outdoors.

From The Kitchen: Friday evening, I surprised Bruce with Chicken Fried Steak, Steamed Rice, Homemade Brown Gravy and sauteed Green Beans. I try not to cook a lot of fried foods and gear our menu towards baked, stewed or sauteed meats so this was a real treat for us.

I Am Thinking: ... about the coming week.

I Am Creating: ... more peace and tranquility for our home, my family and myself. God has been so good at providing different means for me to accomodate this, whether it be from other's ideas or suggestions, books I'm reading, blogs I keep up with, etc. It is so amazing how God provides just what you need, when you need it.

On My iPod: Again, nothing new this week. However, I am still loving my KSBJ app. Brinley and I listen to it at some point everyday.

Towards A Real Education: On a Catholic mom's forum that I am a part of, we have started discussing different homeschooling programs that are available-- Catholic Heritage Curricula, Kolbe Academy, Seton Home, etc. Meeting moms that have 20+ years experience with homeschooling has definately been a blessing since we are just beginning our journey.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty: Another sign of spring has made its way upon us--power outages. Since living in Mississippi and now Alabama, I've learned that power outages are especially common in the spring with the high winds and rainy weather. Nothing like being without electricity when its a good 85 degrees with 95% humidity...

To Live The Liturgy: I've been trying to think of ways over the past few days of how I can incorporate more prayer, more quiet, more meditation and more peace into my life whether that be through a daily Rosary, daily scripture reading, or maybe from Elizabeth and Danielle's new book that just came out. As much as I would like to do all three, I'm just not sure how feasible that would be right now where I am in my life. Praying for some discernment in this area.

I Am Hoping And Praying: ...for those that are directly being affected by this terrible oil spill disaster in the Gulf right now.

In The Garden: One blessing that this regular rain has given us is the lack of a need to water the lawn and flower beds.

Around The House: Bruce, Brinley and I went to a few furniture stores on Saturday to get some ideas on what styles of living room furniture that we favor. Since most every piece of furniture in our living room now is a hand-me-down from our college days, we are REALLY looking foward to having pieces that reflect our style and taste AND actually coordinate with each other. :-D We did find a collection that we really liked, but unfortunately after we spent some time looking at the measurements of the room and the deminsions of furniture, the pieces are just too oversized for our living room. Back to the drawing board we go...

On Keeping Home: I've still been bagging up things to be taken to Goodwill...and thinking about what ways I'll be able to rearrange things with all this new found space I'll have. :-D We also need to decide what cabinetry we're going to order for the garage so that I can start organizing a few more nooks and crannies in this house.

One Of My Favorite Things:... Ben & Jerry's Americone Dream. As the official description states, it is "vanilla ice cream with fudge-covered waffle cone pieces and a caramel swirl." Yum!

Brinley Anne This Week: ...has not been sleeping well. Almost every night over the past week she has woken up at least once, if not more. As soon as Bruce or I go in there to tell her its time to night-night, that we love her and we'll see her in the morning, she limmediately ays back down and goes to sleep. Not sure if its reflux, bad dreams, or what, but we're hoping that whatever it is will go away and she'll go back to her sleeping through the night routine.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: I am hoping once the dreary weather clears out of the area, Brinley and I can spend some time at one of the local parks a day or two this week. I know we need to take advantage of the mild weather before the temperatures soar and it will be too hot to do anything!

A Picture I'm Sharing:

More of my lovely azaelas--a sight I definately missed during the winter months.

Daybook: Post-62 Bags of Mulch

Outside My Window: The yard is almost completely green, flowers are blooming everywhere, and the squirrels have been using our backyard as their personal playground. I have never seen so many squirrels at once...as many as four at a time!


Beautiful, white azalea blossoms from my flower bed.

I Am Listening To: the television. Bruce and I are watching The Bourne Ultimatum while I'm blogging.

I Am Wearing: ...black yoga pants and a lavender tee.

I Am Thankful For: ...friends. Especially those more experienced Mommas that I've meet through the internet and helped me along my journey one way or another.

I Am Pondering: this wonderful article that I found over at Faith & Family.

I Am Reading: ...the same books as the previous weeks, but I've also added a couple others to the mix-- The Discipline Book by the Sears and The Missing by Beverly Lewis.

To Be Fit And Happy: During the past few weeks, we have spent a lot of time out in the yard. In fact, Bruce and I raked and bagged up all the old pine bark mulch that the previous owners had laid in the front flower beds, and then laid 62 (yes, 62!) bags of new, black, shredded mulch. The first few days following, I felt muscles that had apparently gone into hibernation during the cold, winter months.


Lovely, lilac flowers (that I honestly don't remember the name of) in my flower beds.


From The Kitchen: Last weekend, I tried a new recipe that consisted of diced red potatoes and chicken thighs seasoned in a rosemary-garlic marinade and then baked. I'm not big on rosemary, but this recipe was pretty tasty. I definitely would not have wanted the rosemary any stronger, and I told Bruce that I might cut back on it just a bit next time I make it. Along side the chicken and potatoes, we had some fresh green beans that I sautéed in olive oil. Definately not something I would want every week, but probably something I could see myself making once a month or so.

I Am Thinking: ... about the coming week.

I Am Creating: ...more peace and order for my home and our lives in general.

On My iPod: Again, nothing new this week. However, I am still loving my KSBJ app. Brinley and I listen to it at some point everyday.

Towards A Real Education:Brinley has become a pro at counting from 1-20 (and can do 1-30 at times) and Bruce and I were just talking this evening about how quickly she has grasped that. She is also starting to put more words together. Instead of just saying a single word like, "dogs" she might say "five black dogs". I imagine within the next few months she'll be talking in complete sentences, and life as we know it will never be the same...

Towards Rhythm and Beauty: Spring his fully here! Over the past few days, we have been having the 'April showers'. I'm hoping they'll just bring more 'May flowers'.

To Live The Liturgy: A little hard to believe that it is already the fourth Sunday of Easter. Before we know it, Pentecost Sunday will be upon us.

I Am Hoping And Praying: ...for those that I know that have had surgery or babies in the past couple of weeks...which seems to be a LOT at once!

In The Garden: Like I've mentioned, Bruce and I replaced all the mulch in the flower beds and added plants/flowers where it was needed. I've gotta say that all those trips to Lowe's and Home Depot lately have given us more ideas for the yard and house. This could be good...or this could be dangerous. ;-)

Vibrant, pink Azaleas growing in my flower bed. I particularly like these two because it looks as though they are growing in the shape of a heart.

Around The House: Well, after spending a lot of our time working in yard, the house looked like a tornado ran through it. So, we've been putting it back into a reasonable state over the past few days. Last weekend,Bruce also added a shade to the semi-circle window that is in the spare bedroom to help keep the summer sun out and hopefully the temperature down. Although it is only April, that bedroom was beginning to get terribly warm in the afternoons. Also, he added a privacy film to the window above the garden tub in our master bathroom. Even though it would have been nearly impossible for someone to get a view of the inside of our bathroom (or who's in it!) from the outside, I still feel better that it is now completely impossible. Bruce did such a great job on both projects. He's turning into such the handy-man! ;-) This weekend he took the time to mow the lawn, wash both cars and put together new shelving for Brinley toys and books. How did I become so blessed?!?

On Keeping Home: Like I just mentioned, since we were busy outside in the yard last weekend, we've been concentrating on the inside this past week. Laundry is no longer over-flowing from the hampers, the kitchen has been swept and mopped (thanks babe!) and over all the house is looking presentable.

One Of My Favorite Things:...is a good book combined with a few, small pieces of good chocolate. Those two things combined make for a good evening for this Momma.

Brinley Anne This Week: ...has been enjoying this beautiful weather that we've been blessed with over the past several weeks. Between the ball pit, sidewalk chalk, her 'bike', 'playing soccer' with Daddy, and 'gardening' with Mommy I think the child would just about be happy outside 24/7.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Since working in the flower beds took up a little more time than Bruce or I expected, I hoping to finish cleaning out our closets so I can take some donations to Goodwill and get the clutter out of my house. I also would like to clean off the back patio one day--it's amazing how quickly it needs that. I can't believe I am admitting this to the world, but I also HAVE to remember to clean out the fridge this week. I'm sure there are a couple of leftovers that have been shoved to the back and could now pass as science experiments of some sorts. Other than grocery shopping and possibly a quick trip to Lowe's, I really can't think of anything else for this week. Brinley and I may have to make our way to the park a day or two this week and enjoy the beautiful weather that we are being blessed with.

A Picture I'm Sharing:


Brinley getting buckled-up by Daddy so that she can ride her 'bike'.

Easter Sunday Pictures

After editing photos every evening for the past few day, I finally have them finished. Here are a few of my favorites:

Off to find some Easter eggs...

Filling up her Easter basket.

Daddy held the basket so that she could use both hands to hunt.

She did very well at finding the eggs.

Daddy stuffing eggs into his pockets because the basket was overflowing!

Daddy helping Brinley by holding her basket.

After hunting, Daddy and Brinley went through the eggs.

Brinley had a blast with the egg-shaped sidewalk chalk that was in some of her eggs. We now have the prettiest sidewalk in the neighborhood. ;-)

~Daddy and Brinley~

Opening more eggs. Brinley also enjoyed the baby farm animals that were in some of the eggs. She has such an imagination. On more than one occasion she has been caught putting her sheep-dog in A'Pexi's food bowl. I guess she thinks its hungry.

Our festive, chocolate cake to celebrate the beginning of Spring, and most importantly, our Lord's resurrection.

Daybook: Easter Sunday Edition

Outside My Window: Well, if you look out one of my back windows you will see a freshly manicured backyard thanks to my wonderful hubby.

I Am Listening To: the television. Bruce left it on after he went to bed. Other than that, the house is quiet.

I Am Wearing: Blue and white toile-printed pajama pants and a white top. No socks but pretty, painted toes.

I Am Thankful For: ...friends. Especially those that understand my crazy life right now.

I Am Pondering: ...these beautiful, beautiful words that Elizabeth recently shared:

Child of God, what have you done up to now to help the souls around you?

You cannot be content with that passiveness, with that idleness of yours. He wants to reach others through your example, through your words, through your friendship, through your service.
-- St. Josemaria Escriva -- The Furrow #880

I Am Reading: ...the same books as last week...and the week before...and the week before that, etc.: Don't Make Me Count To Three: A Mom's Look At Heart-Oriented Discipline by Ginger Plowman and Martha To The Max: Balanced Living For Perfectionists. I'll be honest...I don't think I've gotten any reading in the past couple of weeks. Maybe I will before the end of this week. Truthfully, I am ready to finish these up so that I can get started on a few more books that I've recently ordered.

To Be Fit And Happy: This week is supposed to have nothing but beautiful weather. I think Brinley will be spending lots of time outside this week--working in the yard, taking walks, etc.

From The Kitchen: Easter Sunday dinner consisted of a Honeybaked ham (yum!), au gratin potatoes, green bean casserole, baked cinnamon apples and rolls. For dessert we had very festive chocolate cake.

I Am Thinking: ...that infomercials should be outlawed.

I Am Creating: Nothing yet...but I am getting an itch to take up sewing. I've started pricing machines and looking at a few places in the area that offer lessons. However, I really don't know when I would find the time for it because I struggle to find time for the little bit of photography and blogging I do.

On My iPod: Again, nothing new this week. However, I am still loving my KSBJ app.

Towards A Real Education: This past week we focused on the importance of Easter. Although I'm sure Brinley didn't understand everything and what it means, I hope she takes some away...the true meaning of this season.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty: There are signs of spring everywhere. The birds have been out and chirping, the squirrels use our backyard as a playground, and the flowers are beginning to bloom.

To Live The Liturgy: Christ, our Lord and Savior, has risen from the dead. So thankful for Jesus' death and resurrection so that I can have eternal life. God is so good!

I Am Hoping And Praying: ..for a peaceful Easter season.

In The Garden: Bruce and I have been making regular trips to Lowe's and Home Depot. We're planning to spend time in the flower beds this weekend replacing mulch and add new plants to a few places that didn't survive the harsh winter.

Around The House: Aside from working in the yard this weekend--not Good Friday or Easter Sunday of course!-- Bruce also added a dimmer to the lighting in our dining area AND has been washing the windows little by little. Everything looks great sweetheart. Have I told you lately how amazing you are?

On Keeping Home: Mt. Laundry has been conquered once again. Unfortunately, while Bruce was outside, I spent most of this weekend taming the piles and piles of laundry that seemed to have breed overnight. It was one of those weekends that I almost wished that clothes were one-time-use and then biodegradable/compostable.

One Of My Favorite Things: "I Wov Ew." Even if she doesn't quite know what she saying yet, it is still the sweet words to my ears...and my heart.

Brinley Anne This Week: ...is continuing to change every. single. day. She is beginning to count numbers 11-20 on a regular basis as well as say words to our night time prayers with Bruce and I. She is very good at saying the names of animals and colors. One day this past weekend, she even spelled 'fox'. We were all sitting down to dinner and she kept saying 'gork' instead of 'fork'. So I said, "Fork starts with the letter F like 'fox', and she said, "Fox. F-O-X." Bruce and I just stared at each other in disbelief for a few seconds. In all honesty, we're still not sure where or how she picked that up from.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Nothing major. There are a few errands that I'd like to get done in town--donations to goodwill, the grocery store and probably the hardware store.

A Picture I'm Sharing:

Easter egg hunting on Easter Sunday.

Pictures From The Park

As I mentioned in this post, Bruce and I took Brinley to one of the local parks here for an afternoon on the weekend of her birthday. Here are a few pictures that I took (or in the case of the pictures of Brinley and I, Bruce took) while we were there. I have recently come across some pretty nifty photo-editing software so I have been playing around with that this past week in the evenings after Brinley goes to bed. I hope y'all enjoy!



Brinley being pushed in the swing by Bruce.



Brinley and a 'boon'. While we were there, another child was having a birthday party and balloons were plentiful. Since it was a breezy day, Brinley had a good day trying to keep up with this orange balloon.



Brinley had a good time going down the slide once mommy went down with her a couple of time to show her how much fun it is.



Brinley and Bruce had a good time going over letters and making words on the alphabet board.



~Kisses from Daddy~