Clear skies and no obstacles in my way

Well I am sitting here at my computer looking out the window to the back yard and I see blue sky! No smoke today. Yesterday it actually rained or I guess it more like sprinkling but I think it helped clear some of the smoke away. I haven't seen the news today because Elijah immediately turned on cartoons this morning so I don't know how the fires are doing today. I am hoping they are out now or well on their way. I have a bit of a cough now but my sinuses seem to be doing a lot better. Doug had to use his inhaler yesterday for the first time in forever because of the smoke.

Yesterday we celebrated Doug's 37th birthday with my family. His actual birthday was on the 18th and we had a small celebration that day with just us and the kids. Doug is very simple he never wants anything for his birthday or for Christmas. My mom had offered to take everyone out to eat but Doug just prefers to be home and have a BBQ. so thats what we did. We enjoyed some really good steaks and potato salad from Costco that my mom picked up and one of their big cakes. The cake was good but we actually didn't have room in our refrigerator (I need to clean it out) to put it away last night so I'm sorry to say half the cake has gone to waste. I hate being wasteful especially when it comes to cake.

I was very productive yesterday morning. I moved a bunch of our homeschool supplies out of the office into the living room and made one wall of the living room into a classroom of sorts. I have the alphabet across the wall and numbers and a white board and a special magnetic calendar. I moved Elijah's easel over there and his desk so I think we can get a bit more serious with his schooling now. I'm really happy about that.

This Thursday we have our annual harvest party with our homeschool group. I am the party coordinator this year and I have been wondering if I need my head examined for taking that on. Yesterday after dinner I had the whole family helping me cut leaves out of construction paper for a leaf garland that I am going to have the kids put together at the party. They will be writing what they are thankful for on each leaf. We will also be doing a pumpkin roll relay, a corn husking contest, a pumpkin seed spitting contest, and they will be decorating sugar cookies. I have to make the cookies. Yes I really do need my head examined. There will probably be about 100 kids. So this week I am praying for peace and wisdom as I prepare for this party. I am hoping I don't stress about it.

I have also been productive in my sewing. I was able to make three baby carriers between last night and this morning. I am giving one to a very nice lady at church who has 6 kids and several of them are adopted. The other one I am selling to my friend that insisted on buying one. One is a wrap style and the other is more like a sling. The third one I made was dud. Its too small unless I find a very, very petite person. I will probably unstitch it and make it into something else.

I need to post pics of the living room and the baby carriers but I don't have time now. I need to get ready for church. I hope you all have blessed day!

Love Joanna