Journal Thoughts

*For Today March 9, 2009*

Outside my window...

We've had really pretty sunshine the last few days that have been so nice. We've had the blinds all open and windows open all weekend. Today however, they are predicting rain or snow. It's pretty cold out too. No snow please.

I am thinking...

About Parent Teacher Conferences we have this week. It's always interesting to visit with Kendle's teacher and talk about the progress she's been making. I like her teacher a lot and that she pushes Kendle to do more. I'm so grateful for good teachers who really care about their students.

I am thankful for...

The ability to purchase medicine. Our whole family was so sick this week (some still are) and I don't think I would have made it through without being able to take medicine to help me feel better. It's something so small that I usually take for granted, but it really is a blessing.

From the kitchen...

I made a menu last night for this week again, it makes everything so much easier for grocery shopping and planning. I always leave one night open for leftover/cook's choice so we have a little flexibility in case we change our plans for a night. I also don't have to deal with everyone asking me what's for dinner, I can just point to the paper on the fridge. Last week I made some pumpkin muffins that were really yummy that the kids could have for snacks. The recipe calls for using whole wheat-flour, but I think when I make them this week I'll do half wheat, half regular flour. I guess you can also substitute apple sauce for the oil to make them extra healthy.

Pumpkin Muffins

1 cup whole wheat flour (or regular flour)

1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup light brown sugar

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 can (15 oz.) 100% pure pumpkin

2 large eggs

1 1/2 cups granola (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, line or grease muffin cups.

Beat sugar and oil until blended, add pumpkin and eggs and beat well. Gradually stir in dry ingredients. Spoon batter into muffin tins. Bake 15 - 20 minutes.

*Optional, press small amount of granola onto top of batter in each muffin tin before baking.

I am going...

To do a quick house clean-up, give Morgan a bath, and get ready for my primary meeting this afternoon. After that I need to go grocery shopping and drop off some books.

I am reading...

I FINALLY finished reading "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle". It was a huge disappointment, in my humble opinion. I feel like I wasted the last three weeks on it. The ending had no closure and left me feeling like - "what the heck happened?" There were parts in it that were good and I thought it had a lot of potential to be very interesting, just didn't measure up to all of the hype I heard about.

I am hoping...

That I don't go crazy with Kendle only having half-day school week because of parent teacher conferences. The "I'm bored" line has reached an all-time record in our house, it's driving me crazy. This weather had better hurry up and get warm so she can play outside.

I am hearing...

Just quiet, Morgan is just starting to stir around in his crib in his room. Our neighborhood is almost completely silent this morning.

Around the house...

It was kind of chilly this morning when I woke up, had to turn the heat up a few notches and grab a sweatshirt. I'm sitting across from the piano, and I can see that some fun little person put about a thousand new hand prints and smudges all over the side of it. That will be on my list of things to clean today. I got a good start on laundry over the weekend, so there is only a few loads to finish today. On Saturday we put Kendle's bed on some of those riser things you can buy to give her some extra storage. She has enjoyed her "tall" princess bed as she says. I'm thinking I'll buy her some clear under-bed storage containers like I have to put her off-season clothes in to free up room in her closet and dresser. She really wants to repaint her room pink, but I'm not so sure about it. I'd rather do it something more neutral, but we'll see.

One of my favorite things...

My KitchenAid stand mixer. I use it all of the time to make cookies, bread, whatever. I've had it for almost 4 years now I think, and it is probably getting kind of tired from all of the use. Too bad KitchenAid doesn't have a trade-in/trade-up program because I'm thinking I'll need a new one before too long.

A few plans for the rest of the week...

We have PTC's tomorrow night, Riley has soccer practice all week with a game on Friday night and a game on Saturday. Saturday they play Pasco so it should be a really good game. Other than that we don't have a lot going on, just hoping to enjoy the week and hopefully get to see some sunshine. Hopefully Riley and I can get a date night in there somewhere.

Something I want to remember...

Last night Riley was really tired and miserable from his cold and was laying on the couch watching something on TV. Pretty soon, I mosied over to relax on the couch by him. Next thing I know, here comes Kendle, and then Morgan and pretty soon we are all just scrunched up together on our big couch. It was kind of comical, but I took a mental snapshot of it in mind because I know it won't be too far in the near future when our kids won't want to snuggle with us on the couch like that. It was great and a good feeling knowing that our kids want to be where we are.

Happy Monday!

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