(Please visit Peggy's site to participate in the Simple Woman's Daybook project. She is on sabbatical this week)

Outside my window…. the sun is creeping over the eastern horizon spilling golden light over the prairie. Long shadows are cast across the field. 

I am thinking…. Lots of thoughts about how and where to do our family picture in these last few days of all of our children at home.  

I am thankful for… friends who come bearing gifts of food and flowers.  Football games in the field. Dinner in the freezer.

From the learning room…  It's clean!  We are not planning to spend much time in there however.  Dad will be home part of the week.  We will try to do our 3r's a couple days. Meantime I am working out Morning Time plans for January.  What should we include?  I am reminding myself to keep it simple. 

From the kitchen… there is homemade salsa from the Dog and Duck.  Addictive, it is! Leftover turkey, ham and red beans, and crockpot chili line the shelves of fridge and freezer.  This will hold us over til shopping on the first. 

I am wearing… jammies and the famous slippers.  It's early – the only time I can count on sitting here uninterrupted and even then it's not always a good time. 

I am creating…wall arrangements for the living and family rooms (almost done!)  I am dangerous with a can of paint.

I am going… nowhere today.  This will be the only day at home this week. This week we have the final practice for the Epiphany play.  There is a homeschool get together planned. We will be at church twice and will trek up to the mountains one day to visit a retired couple from our parish community. I am so looking forward to that!

I am reading… The Duggar's 20 and Counting.   Actually I just finished it but I am rereading some sections. My kids surprised me with a copy for Christmas and I have had my nose buried in it since.  I love them even more after reading the whole story.  It has inspired me to be ever more diligent, patient, and joyful. 

I am hoping… for safe travel as our sons head back to school, that we can get to the bottom of the baby colic mystery, and for a nap.  (not necessarily in that order ; ))

I am hearing… snoring from big boys still asleep, excited chatter from little boys newly awake, and contented sighs from a baby sprawled on my lap.  

One of my favorite things… see that last line <g>

A few plans for the rest of the week… work out everyone's outfits for the picture, make cakes for the Epiphany project day, hit the grocery store for New Year's eve snacks, finish packing up the maternity and outgrown newborn clothes.  

Here is a picture thought I am sharing…