And speaking of great worship music...

We sang this song in church on Sunday...I hope it blesses you as much as it does me.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

My daybook...

Monday, November 16

Outside my window...probably the coldest day we've had yet. We had to bundle up to go to school this morning, but the air is crisp and the sky is blue and beautiful.

I am thinking...about phone calls I need to make and projects I need to work on. And Christmas shopping!

I am thankful for...a job that doesn't feel like a job. It doesn't take me away from home too much, I still get to be a mom first and foremost, and I get to work in a low-stress, interesting environment.

I am wearing...jeans, a green sweater, brown boots and a gray scarf.

I am remembering...spending Saturday afternoon at the river with Agent K and Pirate Boy, throwing rocks into the water, watching how long we could see a leaf floating downstream, dipping toes into the frigid water on a sunny, chilly, fall day.

I am creating...Agent K asked me last night, "Mom, did you forget about our November pajama pants?" So, um...yeah. I haven't been too creative lately. Really need to get on that.

I am going...back to school to pick up the kids.

I am reading...lots of manuals on library software.

I am hoping...that Agent K and Pirate Boy will be able to get along when they come home from school. They've been like cats and dogs for the last couple of days, and having to constantly correct them is getting old.

On my mind...determination to resist the urge to buy, buy, buy and make Christmas all about gifts, especially for the kids. I don't want them to be completely focused on "getting," and heaven knows our house doesn't need any more clutter.

Noticing that...I have a few lonely cauliflower and carrot seedlings in my sad, unsuccessful little winter garden.

Pondering these words..."If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." John 15:18-19

From the kitchen...dinner tonight will be Asian chili-glazed chicken (spicy and tangy, a family favorite), rice, and salad.

Around the house...vacuuming, room-cleaning for the kids, and changing sheets.

One of my favorite things...is great worship music. I could spend the entire church service just singing.

A few plans for the rest of the week: work, chores, Awana, sewing, playing, reading, cooking.

From my picture journal...

Pirate Boy jumping on the hay maze at the pumpkin patch

Madam Libraaaaaaaaaa-rian

Many moons ago, when I was a sophomore in high school, I auditioned for the role of Marian the librarian in my school's production of The Music Man. Sadly, I lost the role to a girl who was older, taller, blonder, and had a better voice. But this week, life imitated art as I began a real-life adventure of my own and, for the first time in almost ten years, started a new job. What job, you ask? Why, I just happen to be the new librarian at my children's school.

This week has been a fun, interesting, learning experience as I've made the transition from library volunteer to official, paycheck-earning, in-possession-of-my-own-key school employee. Most people have been wonderfully supportive and welcoming. One volunteer peered at me over her glasses and asked, "do you have any experience in a library?" I resisted the urge to tell her, "no, but you get what you pay for."

I am extremely blessed to be able to be at school with my kids, and to keep my usual schedule of taking them to school in the morning and picking them up in the afternoon. I'm even more blessed that they were so thrilled that their mom was going to be the new librarian. Pirate Boy asked his teacher if he could make an announcement to his class to break the news, and every day at recess, Agent K and I make sure to spot each other through the library window to wave and blow kisses.

Pirate Boy has even been inspired in thinking about his future career. The other day, as we drove home in the car, he told me, "I think I'm going to be a librarian when I grow up." He was thoughtful for a moment, then turned to Agent K. "K, can I borrow your copy of 'Click Clack Moo' so I can read it to kids when I'm a librarian?"

So, that's my latest enterprise, and the reason I've neglected my beloved readers so shockingly lately. I promise I will do better at working some time to write into my schedule.

In the meantime...

Ssssssshhhhhh!

A fall breakfast treat

The temperature was due to dip down into the 60s today, and indeed it has, so last night I decided that, if I must be cruel enough to drag my children out of their warm beds for another school morning, I could at least send them off with a tasty, tummy-warming breakfast. I originally got a recipe for Pumpkin Pie French Toast from Closet Cooking by way of Foodgawker, and decided to tweak it a bit and make it ahead so I could get food on their plates more quickly amidst the hustle and bustle of getting ready in the morning. Without further ado, I give you Overnight Pumpkin Pie French Toast. I hope it will make one of your chilly fall mornings a little sweeter!

Overnight Pumpkin Pie French Toast

2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup pumpkin puree
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon*
1/2 tsp ginger*
1/8 tsp nutmeg*
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 slices of bread (thick slices are best, but in a pinch you can use sandwich bread)

*I substituted about 1 tsp of Penzey's Cake Spice for all of the spices called for -- I love this stuff!

Mix the eggs, milk, pumpkin puree, vanilla, spices and brown sugar until well combined. Arrange bread slices in a glass baking dish and pour egg mixture over. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, heat a skillet over medium heat and melt 1 tbsp butter in the skillet. Carefully place the bread slices in the pan and cook until each side is golden brown and the middle of the bread is fully cooked. You can serve the French toast with maple syrup, but it's just as delicious plain.

Dear Kiran...

We saw his picture for the first time several years ago. A little boy with big brown eyes in a small, serious face, skinny arms and legs poking out of his school uniform of shorts and a crisp white shirt. Our previous sponsored child in Colombia had graduated from her local program and Kiran had been assigned to us as our new child.

Kiran lives in India. He's fourteen now, and he enjoys bicycling, reading, art, and playing hide-and-seek. His chores at home include cleaning, carrying water, and buying and selling in the marketplace. He writes letters to us regularly, always with drawings decorating the margins, usually stylized flowers in jewel-tone colors. He calls me Mummy, and himself "your loving child." He tells us about school, and the weather, and local festivals and holidays, and he always, always tells us that he is praying to God for us.

Here's the part where I confess that I am the most worthless sponsor in the history of Compassion. I read Kiran's letters, and then I put them on my desk in an attempt to add writing a reply to some vague, mental "to-do" list. Months of my good intentions flow by and meanwhile, Kiran grows taller, looks older, gets promoted in school...loses his father.

The first letter came from Compassion. "We are sorry to inform you of the death of your sponsored child's father." The family status in Kiran's online profile shows a clinical, "Parents were married, are now separated by death." Then came the letter from Kiran himself. "I am very sorry to inform you that our Father was expired with health problem, our family members are all in sad. Please pray for our family." A family's grief, wrapped up in a few polite, clumsily translated sentences.

I thought of this family in abject poverty whose lot in life has inexplicably become even more heartbreaking, and I wondered what I could tell him. I mean, really. What could this rich, spoiled, comfortable, white Westerner possibly say to a child who has known nothing but hardship and pain, and whose burden is now heavier?

But I tried. With tears in my eyes, I wrote that we loved him and are praying for him, and for his mother and family. I told him that God is "a father to the fatherless and a defender of widows." I told him how smart and strong he is, and that we are his family too. It seemed so paltry and pathetic compared to what I wish I could do -- scoop him up in my arms, comfort his mother, ease their struggles -- but it was all I could do, and I hoped my heart wouldn't get lost in translation. I've honestly never felt such frustration and impotence and downright shame at the life of luxury that I lead while so many millions of people in this world are suffering.

I finished writing and gathered up a recent photo of our family and the picture that Agent K and Pirate Boy drew for Kiran. I wrote once more that we loved him and, for the first time, I signed the letter as Kiran always addresses us: "Mummy and Daddy."

For what it's worth.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

My daybook...

Monday, November 2

Outside my window...a beautiful fall day...bright blue sky and not a cloud in sight. Of course, it's supposed to reach 80 degrees today, so that kind of takes the spin off of the whole "beautiful fall day" thing.

I am thinking...about a decision that I have to make. I hate making decisions! I always wish God would just drop an anvil on my head to show me what to do.

I am thankful for...a nice three-day weekend and fun with my family on Saturday evening.

I am wearing...jeans, a gray sweater, gray ballet flats and a blue scarf.

I am remembering...watching Pirate Boy get so much entertainment out of sorting his Halloween candy.

I am creating...it's time for November pajama pants! I have cute turkey fabric for this month.

I am going...upstairs to do laundry.

I am reading...a letter from our child in India that we sponsor through Compassion.

I am hoping...that I will end the day with peace and confidence that I made a good choice (see again "I am thinking").

On my mind...our pastor's message yesterday about how much we take Jesus for granted when we should be "amazed" by Him as the disciples and onlookers always were.

Noticing that...the ants in my kitchen are swarming all over the bait I put out for them. *Cue mad scientist laugh*

Pondering these words..."Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death -- even death on a cross!" Philippians 2:5-8

From the kitchen...I made some really good caramel corn this weekend, and today I'm making a turkey casserole and brownies for a friend who's having surgery this morning. Our dinner tonight will be salmon (steak for McGyver), zucchini fritters and homemade rolls.

Around the house...laundry, vacuuming, room-cleaning for the kids, and changing sheets.

One of my favorite things...is sleeping in on weekends!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Bible study, library day with Pirate Boy's class, Awana.

From my picture journal...

Encouraged

My breakfast in bed on Saturday, created and served (along with a nice cup of tea) by my own Chef Agent K.

I believe I've mentioned before that parenthood isn't always a walk in the park. And there are some children that are more of a challenge than others. But God is a God of encouragement, and he never leaves us empty-handed. So today I'm thankful for all the little moments that buoy me up just when I need it, that remind me of what great little people my kids are and how blessed I am to have them, and that point me toward the hope of His plans for their future. I'm thankful for a God that can mold them into kind, considerate, compassionate, Christlike people. And I'm thankful for a God who reaches out to me in the small things, even a piece of smiling toast.

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

2 Thessalonians 2: 16-17

The Simple Woman's Daybook

My daybook...

Monday, October 19

Outside my window...gray skies and steady rain.

I am thinking...that I forgot to put out some slug poison in the garden yesterday. Those slimy little pests are nibbling off my broccoli seedlings!

I am thankful for...being done with a really busy week/weekend and back to my usual routine. It's so nice just to be at home today puttering around while it's cold and wet outside.

I am wearing...black lounge pants, black t-shirt and gray jacket.

I am remembering...seeing my kids come running to meet me when I came home from a women's retreat yesterday afternoon. There's nothing like hearing "Mom! Mom! Mom's home!" and getting big hugs when I haven't seen them since the day before.

I am creating...candy corn pajama pants and Christmas shopping lists.

I am going...nowhere I don't absolutely have to today.

I am reading...my e-mails, trying to get caught up after the weekend.

I am hoping...that the flag football game that Agent K was supposed to cheer at today will be cancelled instead of moved indoors.

On my mind...the speaker's words from the retreat this weekend, about turning the things that make us upset or anxious into opportunities for God to work.

Noticing that...most of the leaves on our maple tree are bright red now. So pretty.

Pondering these words...on listening for God's voice throughout the day: Is this what Jesus would want me to say, think, or do? Will it please Him? Is it what God would want me to focus on? Am I relying on His strength or trying to do it myself?

From the kitchen...Agent K made some really delicious lemon-glazed gingerbread muffins yesterday, and tonight for dinner I'm going to make a nice hot pot of chicken soup with spinach and potstickers in it.

Around the house...laundry, vacuuming, room-cleaning for the kids, and changing sheets.

One of my favorite things...is a day where I get to be productive in my home, making it a nicer place for my family to live.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Bible study, library day with Pirate Boy's class, Awana, parent-teacher conferences on Friday.

From my picture journal...

Last weekend, McGyver gave Pirate Boy my old hand mixer to take apart. He went to town on it, and when he put it back together, it still worked.

Portrait of the artist as a young girl

In Agent K's class, one of their assignments is to keep a journal, which they write in daily, usually first thing in the morning. Last week, K brought home her September journal, which is hers to keep now that she's started a new one for October. Of course I had to take a look at it, and of course it is full of entries that are absolutely priceless, a few of which I'll share with you before I put it away in the keepsake bin to be saved for the moment in her adult life when it will be most mortifying.

9-2-09
I shudder in distaste at my shirt. Today is chapel day and I have to wear Logo (editor's note: a shirt with the name/logo of her school on it. And also: "shudder in distaste?" Seriously?). It doesn't look good on me! It is almost time to go. Good luck to me!

9-3-09
The Logo went OK. But I wouldn't wear the sweater again (editor's note: I'll give you three guesses who picked out the offending sweater and told her she had to wear it.). I promise I will never wear boots in summer. That was a good promise!

9-9-09
It was late at night and the phone rang. My parents were asleep so I went downstairs to anser it. As soon as I picked up I herd a voice. It was Jonny Depp! He wanted me to be in Pirates of the Caribean 4! (editor's note: obviously the "creative writing" entry for the month. Also obviously, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.)

9-14-09
The wedding went really well. People were flashing pictures at me. I felt like a movie star. (editor's note: it's good practice for the red carpet for Pirates of the Caribbean 4, I guess.)

9-29-09
Parker just got moved next to me. I am going to give him a paper of rules. One of the rules is going to be do not look at each others paper. Another is do not talk meanly. Another is do not talk unless it is an emergency. I had better get to work. (editor's note: I'll bet Parker had no idea how much his new seat assignment was going to build his character.)

10-5-09
My invisible pig had piglets! 15 of them! My brother and I named them all. (editor's note: the sad, sad plight of a child whose parents won't buy her a dog.)

I just can't wait to pull this out when her fiance is over for dinner someday.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

My daybook...

Monday, October 12

Outside my window...gray, gloomy, damp and cold. It feels like winter came overnight.

I am thinking...that I am feeling overwhelmed by the logistics of everything I have to organize, oversee, and accomplish this week. I was awake at 3:30 trying to make mental plans to get it all done.

I am thankful for...the rain that's expected this week, we really need it.

I am wearing...jeans, a black sweater and black shoes.

I am remembering...sitting by the fire with Pirate Boy last night while he roasted mini marshmallows on a skewer (we didn't have any big marshmallows).

I am creating...something fun. I've decided to start a "Pajamas of the Month" club for my kids, where I make them a new pair of holiday-themed pajama pants each month. I've already got some cute black fabric with candy corn on it for October.

I am going...to Macy's this morning, they're having a Columbus Day shoe sale and it's that time of year again.

I am reading...Food Network Magazine, looking for new recipes to add to my winter repertoire.

I am hoping...this week will go quickly and as smoothly as possible.

On my mind...I've got to start making lists to pin down all the things that float around in my head. I invariably get up at least once or twice after I've gone to bed at night because I remember something I forgot to do, and I can't relax and go to sleep until I do it.

Noticing that...my tomato plants are still going strong, lots of new little green tomatoes coming on.

Pondering these words..."He must become greater; I must become less." John 3:30

From the kitchen...homemade granola, our favorite chocolate-banana bread, and for dinner, chicken and bean tostadas with Mexican rice.

Around the house...laundry, vacuuming, room-cleaning for the kids, and it's time to put on the flannel sheets!

One of my favorite things...is having a fire in the fireplace. I always sit right up next to it to get warm and just can't tear myself away.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Pep squad practice for Agent K, Bible study for me, helping in the library with Pirate Boy's class, parents' pizza night at Awana, pep squad performing at a pep rally, a field trip to the pumpkin patch with Agent K's class, our school's annual Walk-a-thon fundraiser, women's retreat with my mom.

From my picture journal...

Dahlia 'Barbarossa' from my backyard