Ten on Tuesday

1. Last week, I finished reading the Percy Jackson series. Fun reading fantasy. I'm not sure why I'm drawn to children's/young adult literature. I think I want to read Ghost Girl next.

2. My level of coffee intake has increased greatly with each child. I mostly drank tea with Chase; Stuart, a mix of tea and coffee; Sabrina, 1-2 cups a day; Annalise, I lose count. I greatly appreciate all the starbucks gift cards anyone feels like blessing me with.

3. We are going to Tina, Mo. this weekend to visit Michael's dad's grave. The kids have never really been. It's always hard, but I'm concerned with it being in the winter. It's bare and sad and cold; visiting a tombstone in that enviornment can sometimes make it difficult to recall the warm memories and remember the joy of his life. Time with our family will be wonderful and fill our hearts.

4. I've removed virtually all the toys from the kids room and boxed them up in clear bins. The kids can get toys to play with (1 at a time) and then they return them when they want another. It's been wonderful. They can take care of their belongings and not feel overwhelmed when I ask them to pick up their rooms. I'm not frustrated by their lack of concentration. It's been great so far.

5. Stuart is really learning how to read! He's been reading whole books by himself. Simple, patterned books, but reading none the less.

6. Sabrina is loving starfall.com. She feels so successful and is transferring her skills well when we read and play other games.

7. I'm trying to decorate this rental as best a can. I know that I'm not a decorator, so my friend Jodi is helping me. I'm excited. Maybe I'll actually get some pictures up of the house!

8. I'm starting to feel a little of the homemaker's ennui. I want to blame it on the winter and the mundane tasks of caring for kids and a home, but I'm sure it's because I'm not been in the Word. Days I set aside time to study in the Word, really listening to God, my joy returns.

9. Our church's series on sex has been really great. If anyone wants to come, I think you'd really like it. XXXposedchurch.com  Jubilee Church St. Louis City

10. Chase loves his chess tournaments. His first week he won both games; last week he had two draws. His teachers are always telling us how to help him improve. Little do they know, he's already surpassed our skills. We know how the pieces are supposed to move, but have no strategy. Chase loves it. He teaches us a "4 move checkmate" and then when we try to use it says, "Oh, no way. I am NOT going to let you use the 4 move check mate on me!"