::faithful

Praying for

• Mom Pea, as we make decisions regarding her living arrangements.
• my students, that they all find a last reserve of brain power to finish their last semesters of college, and that they find work as graduation approaches.
• a friend and her husband, as they battle the cancer dragon.
• for Jen, for recovery from this round of chemo and for relief from the pain from the surgery to drain fluids from her heart and lungs.  She’s fighting a tremendous battle, breath by breath.
• for Judy Darling – Please pray for Judy to bolster her courage as she marches forward into chemo.

• drop cloths and blue tape
• cooler mornings
• Princess Grace
• GORGEOUS days perfect for biking!

::healthy

Sleep will continue to be a priority this week, this time for Mr. Pea.  He needs some rest! Last week ended up CRAZY with meetings, school things and work, and menu plans went out the window in favor of soup and sandwiches.  This week I’m committed to relaxed family dinner time, a time to reconnect, laugh and plan together.

::creative

The Great Paint Toss was a SUCCESS!!  I was so skeptical, but willing to give Dirtbike leeway.  His older siblings all got to design their own ‘teen’ rooms, so I couldn’t deny him, other than to draw the line at painting the room black.

Before, with the Army themed walls. Then two hours of taping drop clothes in place and sealing off everything that wasn’t supposed to get splattered.

During.  DirtBike and the Bestie threw the paint.

None was spilt, and only a few drops got on the ceiling.

After.  I like it.

::delicious

• Beef and Bean Chili
• Ravioli with Roasted Butternut Squash (for real this week!)
• Chicken Curry
• Grilled Chicken, Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower
• Hamburgers
• Cajun Shrimp with Garlic Grits and Spinach

::fun

DirtBike’s Birthday!  Paint Throwing! – See Above.  He’s happy and it looks super cool. I’m hoping it will inspire him to keep his room tidy.  Huh.  A Mom can dream, right?

The Architect’s stitches come out this week – yeah!  We’ll have a small bike ride with him, just to feel it out.  He’s already griping because I’ve told him he’ll have to take the clips off and put regular pedals on until he’s completely healed.  Can’t take a chance of more damage.

It’s Homecoming Week, which means major Mum Making time.  When the girls were home, we hosted a mum-making party every year, and I’d cover the pool table with the hard top and set up shop.  Always fun.  The Architect doesn’t have a date this year – he didn’t know if he’d be able to walk/dance by Homecoming.  There are still a few days left, so I’m geared up and ready to make a mum if necessary.  Fun!

Other fun – I’m starting on *shhhhh* Christmas!  Yup.  Extra freezer meals stashed, cookie dough mixed up and frozen and making lists and filling the calendar.

::looking ahead

Stitch removal for The Architect, volunteering at the concession stand with DirtBike for the volleyball tournament, a slower week!

Linking up at Suscipio – come join us!

::faithful

Praying for

• a friend who found out last week that her husband has cancer.  Praying for strength for them, for knowledge and understanding from their doctors, and for healing and recovery.
• a friend who is putting down the cigarettes. Forever amen!
• a daughter who is homesick.  Praying for some peace this week, for smiles and a few easier days in her classes.
• for Jen, as this round of the leukemia battle with a trial drug is exceptionally difficult.
• for Judy Darling – Please pray for Judy to continue to regain her strength and then some as she prepares to start chemo if a few weeks.

• healing for The Architect!
• a visit with my parents!
• veggie lasagna!
• banana bread!

::healthy

Sleep will continue to be a priority this week. We’re heading in to the busy time of year, and I need all the extra energy I can muster!

::creative

Painting on DirtBike’s room begins this week.  We’ll start prepping and taping tonight.  He’s inviting friends over on Saturday for the official paint flinging.  Promises to be fun!

The Architect is using his down time to upgrade his bike.  New frame, new parts.  I suggested a Batman chain guard, just in case he decides to fall on the bike again in the future.  He just rolled his eyes…

The Great Knitting Project is halfway finished.  It’s been enjoyable to hold and work on  these past few chilly days.

::delicious

• Vegetable Lasagna
• White Chicken Chili, Cornbread
• Ravioli with Roasted Butternut Squash (didn’t happen last week)
• Chicken Curry
• Hoagies
• Pot Roast with Mashed Potatoes,
• Cajun Shrimp with Garlic Grits and Spinach

::fun

DirtBike’s Birthday!  Paint Throwing!

::looking ahead

Wrapping up some projects this week at work, starting new ones.  A hair cut – the first in many months.  Sad, I know, but every time I had one scheduled, something more important came up and I needed to cancel.

Linking up at Suscipio – come join us!

::faithful

Praying for

• The Tatum Family…the funeral was Saturday, a day of tears and sorrow.  Please pray for Tammy and her young daughters as they face the coming days with heavy hearts.
• Judy Darling – her masectomy was successful and recovery is happening fast.  Please pray for Judy to continue to regain her strength and then some as she prepares to start chemo if a few weeks.

• rain! rain!  It started raining Friday morning and didn’t stop until late yesterday afternoon.  Aaaahhhh…..
• York Peppermint Patties
• Zataran’s dirty rice mix and gumbo starter
• cooler temperatures
• blue skies
• The Architect getting to head south to Aggieland to see his sister!  They have been missing each other. 

::healthy

A few bike rides this week, still more veggies at the dinner table, and getting some sleep this week.  I’ve informed the resident men that I am going on strike every day at 9:00 pm and sitting down on my bed to relax, read and then go to sleep.  There will be no proofreading last minute assignments, no emergency loads of laundry, no trips to WalMart for whatever it is that you need for school in the morning and forgot to tell me about last week.  There will be no dishes washed by me,either, because the BOYS will be doing them!  Oh yeah!

::creative

We’re updating DirtBike’s bedroom.  He’s ready to retire the little boy G.I Joe Army Guy theme.  Most of yesterday was spent clearing and purging.   I could not believe the stuff I found hidden in the dark recesses of the closet and slipped behind the bed:  smashed lunch remains, moldering in plastic baggies, because it was too much effort to empty the lunchbox in the kitchen;  disassembled clocks, watches and toys, because he wanted to see how they worked; dog biscuits, because….he didn’t know why those were stacked behind the books on the book case; a pile – a PILE, I tell you! – of dirty socks, most of which were actually his.

AND!!  The Architect’s next engineering class project is to build a trebuchet!!!  I am SO excited about this.  Unfortunately, it will be a small one for class, BUT…we’ll have access to PLANS, so we can build a huge one later!  I have aspirations of launching pumpkins and watermelons from the back deck…

::delicious

I’m yearning for hot meals, and the temperatures are cooperating, so I’m cooking this week.

• Steak, Garlic Potatoes, Green Beans and Salad
• Taco Salad
• Stuffed Peppers, Spinach Salad
• Potato Soup, Grilled Turkey Sandwiches
• Roasted Chicken, Peas
• Fish Tacos
• Ravioli with roasted Butternut Squash

::fun

This week, not so much.  Just ordinary life, which we will enjoy just as much as fun.

::looking ahead

Preparing for Fall Festival fundraiser next weekend, a race for the Architect, many little things at work than need attention, planning ahead for the holidays, delivering meals to sick friends, keeping up with DirtBike’s studies, making sure he’s not falling behind.  (DirtBike has dyslexia and an uncertain measure of ADD, both of which make school extremely difficult. Extra coaching for organizational skills is a constant in our lives, as well as an occasional flick on his forehead to remind him to pay attention to the book in front of him!)

Linking up at Suscipio – come join us!