Montana Winter...

Now that Spring is finally in the air...I figured a few pictures from our winter were in order. Enjoy!

Snow Days...

Apparently Montana loves indoor water parks...so do we!

And of course, I couldn't leave out wrestling pictures....but you'll have to go to Joshua's blog to see those :)

April Daybook

Outside my window...

It's beginning to look a lot like...SPRING! It is cold and windy but the sun is shining and the snow is finally melting!

I am thinking...
I am VERY ready to be done with illness. We have been down for about 15 days now with some sort of sickness. Josh started throwing up at 4am today. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

I am thankful for...

The ability to be home with my kids! To be able to take care of them when they are sick and not have to worry about taking a day off from a job. I am also thankful for homeschooling...that I can read to them when they are sick or just know that we can get around to school tomorrow when they are feeling better. No counting days of absence or doctors notes...just meeting their needs.

From the learning rooms...

Lots and lots of sick days. Lots of reading out loud and "life" learning 

as we take care of one another and try to get healthy.

From the kitchen...

Ordered 20lbs of apples from the co-op this month. Lots of homemade applesauce, dehydrated apples, and maybe even a few apple pies to make the Papa happy :)

From the garden...

Starting tomato seeds (inside) this week. Woohoo! So excited to get the garden going!

I am creating...

Well, I am surviving at this point and not much more. I am working on a prayer shawl for my mother-in-law (who is still in a coma, 9 months and counting) and a few other small crochet crafts to sell at our next craft show...

I am going...

To be driving to the East Coast with my children the end of this month for my little sister's wedding. Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, a few other random states, Missouri, Kentucky, West Virginia, and on to North Carolina. And then back home. I am actually looking forward to it...really!

I am reading...

Through the Bible (I found a new Bible Reading Plan that I really enjoy), Weekly Torah Portions, The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace, and A Family Guide to the Biblical Holidays by Robin Sampson and Linda Pierce. I am also reading "The Wizard of Oz" to the kids :) My dear sister-in-law sent me a copy of 1000 Gifts and my husband informed me that it arrived today. I am looking forward to reading it soon!

I am hoping...

That everyone recovers quickly so we can be healthy and rested for our long road-trip this month. We also have the end of Awanas and Missoula Children's Theater before we go...so everyone NEEDS to be healthy!

I am hearing...

Abigail tell Nicole a secret...

Around the house...

You just don't want to know. 

2 full weeks of illness is hard on a house. And the Mama.

One of my favorite things...

When my kids are getting along like best-friends/ siblings should!

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

Piano lessons, Missoula Children's Theater, speech therapy, Awanas, and wedding prep ...Oh my! Then we drive 2400 miles (one way) to celebrate the marriage of my little sister to "Uncle Duke." I am so excited!

Nicole:

My little performer tried out for her 2nd Missoula Children's Theater play yesterday...our town will be performing "The Frog Prince" on Friday night and Nicole will be a "flytrap." I have no idea what that means...but she is excited and can't wait to be on the stage!

Joshua:

My little man finished his first season of wrestling and we are so proud of him! He improved so much and we can definitely see a major improvement in his strength and coordination. He wrestled in 17 tournament matches and won only one of them...but his attitude was incredible. He never once cried over a loss (and trust me...a lot of kids do). He is motivated for next year and is already "working out" with Daddy so he can be even stronger next year. I pray that his hard work will pay off with a few more wins next year!

Abigail:

Currently has stickers in her hair and is running around half dressed. Need I say more?

A picture for you...

Swimming lessons finally paid off for Nicole!

Shalom and blessings to each of you,
Leah

Check out the original Simple Woman's Daybook for more great stuff!