Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY: December 22nd

Outside my window...
the sun is shining through the tall pine trees, the ground is covered with brown leaves - we never got around to raking this year - and it is a COLD 25 degrees this morning!

I am thinking...
that I have a LOT to do today to get ready for our trip up north

I am thankful for...
the fact that God, the King of kings who created the universe and knows the number of hairs on my head, willingly came to live among us, born as a helpless baby in a simple, dirty stable, so that he could grow up to be the Lamb of God, to offer himself as a sacrifice in my place and pay the penalty for my sins

From the learning rooms...
Cornerstone Academy is on "Christmas Break" :-)

From the kitchen...
chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast; and another batch of peanut butter balls to take to Grammy's with us


I am wearing...
my fuzzy pink robe over my PJs

I am creating...
finishing some felt coasters

I am going...
to Massachusetts to visit my extended family for Christmas! we haven't traveled at Christmas for a LONG time, but decided to make the 14 hour drive this year to celebrate with both my dad's side of the family on Christmas Eve and my mom's side of the family on the 27th; and see Mark's mom and sister in between; Alex will be flying in to meet us up there, so all 7 of us will be together for Christmas!

I am reading...
some favorite Christmas children's books :
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey, by Susan Wojciechowski
The Legend of the Candy Cane, by Lori Walburg
Alabaster's Song, by Max Luxado
The Candle in the Window, by Grace Johnson
Jacob's Gift, by Max Lucado
Gift of the Magi, by O.Henry
A Cup of Christmas Tea, byTom Hegg

I am hoping...
for our van to be repaired quickly and easily today, so that we can travel as planned!

I am hearing...
"Breath of Heaven" being sung by Sara Groves

Around the house...
two of Sarah's friends, my "other daughters", spent the night on the couch last night ; gifts are mostly wrapped, but there are still a couple of stragglers to be done and the the kids are going out to buy one or two more things this afternoon; the duffel bags are down from the attic and ready to be packed; the house looks like two college students have recently come home with a bunch of their stuff which is s-p-r-e-a-d out everywhere! Mark is working from home today so is sitting at the kitchen table with his laptop and a cup of coffee

One of my favorite things...
hanging out with my family, watching Christmas movies, eating Christmas cookies and drinking hot chocolate

A few plans for the rest of the week:
driving to Massachusetts
Christmas Eve at Victoria Station Cafe with about 60 of my relatives
making a snowman!
hugging on my soldier son for a few days
laughing, playing, and relaxing with my family
hanging out with more relatives at the Cafe on Saturday
( my sister's beautiful cafe has become the favorite family gathering spot )

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

We went to the airport Saturday to meet our friends Carla & Morgan as they returned from Ethiopia, where they adopted these two precious, long-awaited children.

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