Courageous Joy

Thursday? Really????

*Today began with BREAKFAST! I USED to make breakfast for all the children every day. Then we began to drift. The older ones wanted up early to get a head start on tough subjects and I let the littles sleep in, I had baby #9 and I only wanted to sleep in all the time. NOW....I began to think this over this week. I got up this a.m. (duh) but instead of heading for either my Bible nook, the computer, or my bike...I headed for the kitchen. I made pancakes, smoothies, fruit platter and something else. All but Josiah got up for breakfast. I figure since he works so late at night - he needs his sleep more than breakfast. I've been thinking that if we are all in the habit of getting up and having breakfast at 7:00, we will be able to spend a few minutes with Mike in the mornings when he is back. We find it really HARD to have a meal with HIM when he is home....so maybe this will be a good thing. We'll see. Today the children were thanking me for breakfast. Tomorrow will be a challenge....and how I'll fit working out and study in remains to be seen. Several children thanked me for breakfast and asked if we are going to continue. One said, "it is sort of nice to know there will be a nice meal and a family to visit with". Ouch....sort of ouch - a good ouch. LOL Of course, they are all putting their orders in now. I reminded them that I have to be at speech therpy by 8:30 tomorrow...then co-op, so if I cook someone may well have to clean up. They agreed. Guess I'm cooking.

*School went WELL - really well today! I'm not sure why. ::snort::

*Arielle and I had a great time talking about different places I've lived while we worked on our "Merry Christmas Language" book.

*I made a huge pot of soup for lunch - it was AWESOME and used a lot veggies - my goal.

*While we were eating lunch, one of the boys asked "Who is driving us to House of Faith?" WHAT? Today is THURSDAY?

*Worked on produce co-op newsletter, order form, and price list. Today really IS Thursday?

*Stacia took her first nap of the week.

*Arielle wanted to go to the library. Josiah had 2 hours before having to leave for work. Arielle and I ran to buy things for Saturday's tea and then I took her to the library.

*Ran home, said goodbye to Cy, woke up Stacia, and headed to get the boys....

*I FORGOT where I was going, was lost in thought, and headed for SAN ANTONIO!!!!! Good GRIEF. I was late getting the boys. ::snort::

*We went to get gas on base and the gas pumps weren't working. THEN we got locked down on base. Nolan had brought "The Story of Little Babaji" and so we read. I was thankful I was NOT in the jeep ahead of us....totally open and it was in the 30's...I thought of Cindy and her jeep thing. LOL

*We ran to Sam's to get gas...and then to look at lights.

*9 p.m. and I settled down for our Tabitha Advent reading.

*Read a bit from the "Dinosaur Book" to Zander and Nolan.

*Read blogs while I tried to get Stacia down.

*Frustrated I've not had time in the Word today....but there are 40 minutes left in the day.

*Remember the story about the soda that spilled and the live enzyme product that cleaned it right up? It didn't. Dark splotches have appeared - I need to try to shampoo carpets before the tea on Saturday.

*Zander has been waiting for Stacia to go down so I can come read more dinosaurs to him....and she is finally down...just 3 minutes ago. Hope he falls asleep quick too. I'd like to get at least 10 minutes in the Word and then bed for myself...before the whole circus begins again.

*Choosing Joy and even hilarity through it all.