yesterday didn't turn out as i had planned. i ended up not making it to the midday service at church. i had so much work to do around the house it was enough to make me want to cry. actually it did. i haven't done a good job of teaching my kids, particularly the boys, to put away things after they use them, and so i spend a good portion on my day picking up after them. nerf guns and darts everywhere. clothes and shoes in all sorts of places. sketch papers and pencils on every table in the house. sigh.

i think i'm finally turning a corner in this pregnancy. i was able to wait up for Brian to get home from his deacon's meeting which lasted past 10 pm. and actually carry on a conversation with him before we fell asleep. i did wake up at 3 am., but fell back asleep and didn't wake again until the alarm went off at 5. that's huge since i've been getting up before 4 every morning for a few weeks now because i can't go back to sleep. i also feel more energetic and not so nauseous. i'm not used to feeling bad, so this has been really hard on me, not just physically, by mentally and emotionally. i guess God knew i needed to rest, so He made me lame for awhile.

after dinner last night we went over to Mueller for the kids to play a bit. i got in some walking while the kids scrounged up some school chums to play tag with. Brian left for his deacon's meeting around 7:30 - his first since he finished his training and got voted in. anytime he's gone in the evening, i realize what a wonderful husband he is. he always takes charge of getting the kids to bed, especially lately as i've been going to bed before they do. we got through the showering process, which took extra long since i had to send all three boys back in there to shampoo their hair since they'd neglected to do it the first time. i had Bible time with them and started reading Anne of Green Gables for our readaloud. I've never read the series to them, and i think they'll all enjoy it.

i don't know if i mentioned this before, but i've been working through this study called Becoming a Woman of Excellence by Cynthia Heald. it's been so good, just what i've needed at this time. i love her studies - she has written so many and i want to order some more once i finish this one.

and now for a few pictures

the kids playing tag with friends at "the wedge" last night

a recent walk to the Windsor Park library -

 William and John's baseball team

cousin Aili at the boys' game last Saturday

Margaret and Samuel deep in discussion about the The Redwall series books while heading over to toss the baseball. these two have become buddies again, just like they were when they were little.

 *****

i picked up three books when we walked to the library the other day.

i've finished A Long Fatal Love Chase and thought it very silly and disjointed. but that's just my opinion. it made me think of the tragic, melodramatic stories that Anne Shirley attempted to write.

i'm in the middle of both Slaughterhouse Five and Hard Laughter so i don't have much to say about them yet.

i must go water the garden. we're praying for rain down here. we desperately need it.