Weather Alert. Maria, don't read this while drinking -- you'll likely spew the computer.

A STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL OF 4 TO 8 INCHES IS EXPECTED BY THE TIME THIS STORM ENDS. A CHANGE IN THE TRACK OF THE STORM HOWEVER WILL ALTER THE SNOWFALL AMOUNTS.



A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW IS EXPECTED. GUSTY WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

Things are already closing, even though the chance of snow is only 40% and the storm could easily shift directions and we only get a dusting like all the "storms" since we moved here.
Time will tell...but by my experience at the grocery store tonight I think the entire Lehigh Valley expects to be snowed in for the next 4 days.
The one thing I like about snow days is that when I head out on the streets I get the pleasure of being one of only a few  sparse vehicles driving though the beautiful swirling snow -- seeing the beauty of it before it is tainted by plows, salt, exaust and sludge.
Can't wait to see  it come!

Here is a sign your NOT in the city anymore...

Sign read on the way to the hockey rink this morning:

Baked Cow Tongue  $5.29 a pound

Weekend, please give me one more day!

Roy and Jackson were gone the past 5 days in Chicago for a hockey tournament.  I don't know why this is, but whenever Roy is out of town I get the urge to do big jobs.  This logically doesn't make sense, because one would think that having an extra adult around would make it easier to do things -- but not so in my family.  Ah, now don't rush to judgement that I'm making an implicating statement..it's just the facts.

So, I spent most of my weekend being productive.  One thing that was not accomplished that was sorely needed was cleaning my master bathroom and bedroom.  The other thing.......planning out the week with learning goals, or prepping for teaching highschool history.  The other thing not even attempted was menu planning. Therefore, I am just NOT ready for Monday.
Highlights of the weekend~

Family room accent wall painted.  Audrey loves the new paint color  -- she says it makes her think of chocolate.  She may be equal to me in my love and appreciation of chocolate.
Upstairs hallways and the stairwell also were painted and finished this weekend.
Chloe had a friend over and was able to snack on a yummy variation of caramel crunch chex mix.
I reigned one more weekend as champion of Sequence and we learned how to play Bananagrams.
Played trains, cars, and a creative game of Calico Critters.
Got in a little jumping on the trampoline.
Went for a walk at Trexler Park and let Benjamin walk most of the way (1 mile is a long way for a toddler who must stop and play in every patch of mud).
Exercised each day.
Watched Muppets from Space.  I don't recommend it.  I nearly fell asleep. It was worth it, though because Audrey's laugh can make the most dull moment joyful.
Of course, there are those constant things like laundry and cooking and sweeping that can't be ignored...but even though it seems like I did some important tasks, I am just not at all ready for the week to come. Looking back, I can't say that I should have spent my time any other way, however.  And so, Monday will come and although I am unprepared,  I'll lean on God to direct me to run the day in the direction He wants it to go. 
Have a great Monday, everyone.

Quick poem reflecting 5 minutes in the life of Benjamin.

Toddler on the table and plates on the floor. 
Rattle rattle bang means he learned to open the door.
Stomp, stomp scream means there isn't anymore
 Live Boxelder bugs on the kitchen floor.

Take away, take away get it from his hand.
Hurry clear the spot where his tantrum will land.
squirm, screech, screeeech means this one will be grand.
Spanky spanky time on his pudgy, naughty hand.

What did he say? Does he want a cracker too?
Time to go bye bye Toddler just brought over a shoe.
Quick hug, trains in hand, I think that word was new!
All forgotten, happy boy, a smile and laugh now, too!

The kids have been stealing my camera

After this picture, I promptly took Benjamin to get his hair cut!

Have I ever mentioned that I love homeschooling?

It's a pure blessing to accomplish things of eternal value every day. 
Everytime kids are bickering I have the opportunity to steer them toward Christ -- helping them see the sinful nature we all have and our need for forgiveness and grace.
When the kids are learning about natural things in science I can help lead them to see God's glory.Or when we are reading the stories of human triumph as well as terror and tyranny I can guide them toward seeing God's threads of grace woven through all of time as he sovereignly lays out the plan he has for his creation.
There are an unquantifiable amount of opportunities for me to learn more patience, more caution, and more prudence.....and even more lessons to learn in being more merciful, longsuffering, and less self-centered.

I'm a forgetful person, so now I have this post to look back at when I need it.

Do a bad job of it.

I don't think I clearly realize how true this is....and I may deny it to myself when the clarity does strike.....but I frequently DON'T do what I want to do simply because I believe I don't have the time to do a great job at it.

So this week, I am going to do stuff -- and do a bad job of it. I'll do it to my best, but be okay with it turning out...well....bad!

Here is what I will do a bad job of this week and be okay about:

1. Write a bad post on blog (hey! I accomplished that already).

2. Exercise for less time than planned and with less intensity than I'd like to.

3. Read to Audrey when I'm too tired to make fun voices for all the characters.

4. Kindof clean the bathrooms.

5. Finally finish the video montage' from our summer visit to MN.

The all or nothing approach is a form of perfectionism (ick! I'm a perfectionist?) and perfectionism is one of the results of pride. So, time for some humility and no more putting off a job until I can do it just right.