Hello blog friends!

Thought it might be nice to post an update seeing that the last time I posted something was December 2nd!  But, life has been busy and energy has been low.  I can only do so much, physically and mentally.  I'll just quickly sum up the past few months .......

The holidays went well.  We kept things very quiet, in terms of activity and gifting.  It was actually a very enjoyable season.  The past few years have gotten pretty crazy and we didn't like it.  So this year, we set our minds to keeping it simple and stuck to it.  It went very well.

I have been growing like crazy!  I'll post a few photos so you can see my progress ........

This was at 25/26 weeks.

And here I am (headless!) at 30 weeks.

I've been measuring quite large for my dates.  I didn't have an ultrasound until 26 weeks .. and believe me .. we were on the lookout for two babies!  Only one baby was found .. a very healthy one, thankfully.  But the baby was turned sideways.  I've heard many accounts since about a second baby hiding behind a sideways baby .. even on ultrasound.  So, my mind still wonders.  Last week, after a delightful trip to the spa (a pedicure and prenatal massage), the baby did turn head down.  I had an appointment with my midwife the next day and my measurements were still almost 5 weeks ahead.  We thought maybe the big measurement was due to the the transverse positioning.  So I don't know.  My placenta is low and I need to have another ultrasound around 35 weeks to determine that it has grown far enough up and away from my cervix.  I may still have them check for two on that ultrasound, just to be sure.

I'm feeling so big and already so uncomfortable.  I wonder where 10 more weeks of growth will go!

We are still planning on a homebirth and are getting excited about it.  Although it does feel like I need to get everything a little more prepared around here.  That is next on my list.

I was still planning on switching to cloth diapers for this little one.  Sometimes I feel up for it .. other times I feel like I can't handle something new and so different.  Looking into gdiapers though .. which seem like the best of both worlds.  My hubby has given me the go-ahead for these diapers, even though they won't be as cost-effective as straight cloth.  So, in my clear-headed moments, I'm trying to decide.

On the homeschool front, things are going quite well.  I added in lots of extras just after Thanksgiving and it totally overwhelmed us all.  We took a few weeks off around Christmas and when we picked back up, I went back to our original workload.  It was very well-received and has been very manageable ever since.  I truly don't know how something will work until we try it.  Thus, there are a lot of unused items sitting on the shelf.  I don't want to waste money .. but to give things a try, we must purchase.  Not sure how to get around that, except that I think I now have a pretty good idea of what works best with our family.

So .. there's our few months in a nutshell.  Hopefully, I can get back here to check up on more of you sometime in the near future.

Blessings!

Yes, I have spent so much time lately caught up in my "every day".  After reading Amy's latest post and also the link to Lorrie's blog, I'm saddened and humbled, yet encouraged and inspired.  What a mix of emotions!

I've been tired, not as tired as I was initially, but still tired enough.  It has been hard to keep up with everything ... myself, my hubby, my kids, homeschooling, character development, laundry, dishes, cleaning, cooking, etc, etc, etc.  I have been overwhelmed!  Priorities shifted from what has always been most important - my relationships with the Lord, my husband and my children - to just "getting by".  It's been hard and I have been wondering a lot lately ... how am I going to keep up with all of this?  Next year, we add a new baby to the mix.  What will happen then?  I've been caught up in concern and worry for all of this, instead of moving forward in prayer and faith.  That's been the story about everything lately ... not giving enough to the Lord and trying to figure it all out myself.

Well, I hope that's about to change.  It feels SOOOO hard when I'm SOOOO tired ... but I cannot do this myself.  I'm trying to reach out to the only One who can pull me through, but I am not trying hard enough or maybe it is that I am not surrendering enough.

That said, my life is about the bare minimum lately and I haven't had energy for anything extra.  It's always a joy to come here to blogland and visit with everyone ... but it honestly doesn't happen much anymore.  Love and blessings to you all ... and hoping to stop by to see many of you very soon.

Just a quick note .....

I think the real me, the old me, the energetic me, HAS RETURNED!  Yippee!  WooHoo!  I have energy!  I can sleep!

I seriously didn't know if I'd ever feel normal again.  I was on the verge of insanity.  I had 12 weeks of sleepless nights and exhausted days.  I am praising the Lord that it was just a product of the first trimester.  The past several days have been just heavenly.

Somehow, we have kept up with school through it all so that is comforting.  During the time, though, I wasn't on top of my children and their attitudes and behavior like I should have been.  So the old mom is back and it makes the house feel so much more peaceful and enjoyable.  Everyone was out of control!

Ahhhh ... it just feels so good.  I hope to catch up with blogs soon.  Blessings all!

It has been quite a crazy few weeks.  We celebrated Lily's birthday earlier in the month.  She really enjoyed her roller skating party.  Actually, we all did!  I never made it onto skates (not sure if I should have anyway) but I would have loved to.  Otherwise, it was a great time as always with family and friends.  We just love to be together!

She's an amazing girl and one of a kind!  I can't even begin to describe her right now or explain how blessed we are ... I'd need more time than I have.  I love her so much and cherish every moment with her.  I LOVE YOU LILY and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

After that, we were preparing for my stepbrother's wedding.  That was here in a flash.  But now it has come and gone.  It was a trial for our Lily who isn't too fond of the spotlight.  She was the flower girl.  She did well .... all for walking down the aisle, that is.  We had a great weekend (and, yes, it lasted ALL weekend!)  Here are some photos of my beauties ....

This week, we enjoyed our first visit with our midwife.  I've been longing for this appointment.  Usually, we are in for a visit around 8-10 weeks and have an ultrasound and know for certain that all is well.  This time, with the midwifery care, we waited until the 12-week mark so we could have the best chance at hearing the heartbeat.  Well .. no problem there .. we heard it loud and clear!  It was so strong!  Plus, one midwife suggested taking a calcium/magnesium supplement before bedtime to help me sleep.  I took one two nights ago but was interrupted repeatedly by a sleepless child.  So I tried again last night.  I woke up once for the bathroom but slept soundly before and after!  Yippee!  I was up and raring to start my day by 5:30am.  And I've felt really good today.  So hopefully that is going to make a difference.  I have been totally desperate for sleep for weeks now ... I was beginning to go just a wee-bit crazy.  Now, if I can just get over the smell of the tablets which for some reason smell like rubbing alcohol to me.

Now, we've got ourselves almost completely caught up with schoolwork.  That feels really good too.

So maybe it is on with regular life now .... maybe ....

So .. just HOW do you stop life from taking over?  How?????  I can't seem to figure it out.

This is Lily's birthday week.  My firstborn is turning 7!  Oh my!  Where did that time go?  Anyhoo .. it brings with it all the birthday hubbub.  Tuesday was my mom's day.  We had mom's group and then Grammy brought all her birthday surprises.  We managed to stop all of the fun midday for piano lessons ... but still little school got accomplished.

Wednesday, I got a call first thing in the morning about a terrible crisis with a dear friend.  Well, that changed that entire day.  Plus, Grammy was still here and took the kids on another major walk that lasted at least two hours.  I managed to do a little schoolwork that day too but completely forgot to prep the kids for Awana.  Pathetic .........

Thursday we had dentist appointments.  So until we got up and got ready, we had to go.  Our dentist is near Grandma's, so we had to stop in for a quick (?) visit.  Then, I stopped to deliver dinner to my dear friend and talked with her for an hour.  No sooner did we get home than Lily was being whisked away for birthday shopping with my dad and step-mother.  We had to run errands as well.  So another day goes by and NO schoolwork done ......

Today, my friend's husband got called to work unexpectedly and so we had two extra kids at the house.  I was delighted to help out.  But, alas, another day with no schoolwork.  Lily is gone now with John's parents for birthday shopping.

OH MY!  I can't even get the typical schoolwork done.  How am I supposed to implement this new routine of mine????  I am good at keeping appointments.  If I had to have them at school every morning by 8am .. I'd have it done.  But keeping ourselves in line when we don't have that accountability?  Well, I wonder if I will EVER be able to do it.

Geesh.  I could just slap myself.  And to top it all off .. I didn't exercise once this week.  I'm not sleeping as badly but it isn't necessarily good either.  I still wake up A LOT but I am getting back to sleep.  And I've managed to actually get some 15 minute power naps this week.  I usually just lay there in the afternoon and can't fall asleep.  So it is improving.  Thank you for all of your kind words and prayers!!!

So ... maybe NEXT week I'll start that new routine ... yeah, maybe .......

Yes, goodbye Flylady.  Well, as far as learning anything new that is.  I am still trying to keep my sink and countertop continually clear.  It's amazing how good that makes me feel.  But as for expanding my Flylady techniques .. it'll just have to wait.  I'm tired and icky and just trying to keep up with my life as it was .. I just can't take something new on right now.  Well, in addition to my new obsessions, that is.  Remember, I've moved onto natural childbirth and cloth diapering.

Also .. I am trying to figure out some sort of daily routine around here.  I have got to get some sort of system going .. and so far, NO good.  First of all, I am NOT sleeping.  Like last night, I tossed from 1am to probably 5-6am.  Can I just say ... AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!    It is driving me crazy!!!!!  I have not had good sleep since the end of my pregnancy with Sam which was over 2 years ago (well, that might be wrong .. I think when I started T-Tapping, I started to sleep better .. so I had about 3-4 month reprieve).  Anyway, it's back and it's getting old .. and so are the grumpies that go along with it.

I had a nice evening last night.  My hubby had to help my step-brother move his entire house-full of furniture so it wasn't our typical Sunday.  Since he was gone, I took the time to tidy up, catch up on laundry, and prepare our school schedule for the upcoming week.  So I woke up today feeling 'ahead of the game'.  I'm excited for the school week ahead because I am really hoping to stay on task and not play any catch-up.  That would feel really good!  (Edited to say:  It was not a nice evening without my hubby whom we usually get to spend all of Sunday with .. but it was nice in the sense that I got accomplished last night what I typically wait until this morning to do .. and it has made today go much more smoothly!)

Also, I'm not getting morning quiet time.  However, two nights ago, I believe, when I couldn't sleep, I spent about an hour or two in quiet time at about 3am.  That worked!  So maybe that is why I am not sleeping.  Hmmm .....

I need to set up a special devotional time for the kids.  I skip this way too much and I could just kick myself.  That should be the most important part of our day!  Seriously, I think I need some sort of check-off list for the main things to do .. even down to getting dressed and brushing our hair.  Too often, Lily is sitting at the table doing her math in her jammies at 1pm.  Now, my boys take the initiative to get themselves dressed first thing in the morning.  Not Lily.  She needs Mom to keep on her.  Or at least some sort of accountability.  So developing some sort of listing or schedule is going to be a task for my week.

I am also going to try to force myself to get back to T-Tapping.  The last thing I feel like doing is exercising but I think it will help my days (and my nights!) significantly.  At least, I hope so!

So, I'm making goals for the week and hoping to accomplish them.  If only I can get over this feeling of wanting to go back to bed .........

My Luke is such a helper.  It's just in him.  I never taught him to be so giving and in tune with people's needs .. he just is.  It is totally how God made him.  And he never ceases to amaze me.  I just experienced a prime example.  After my 20 oz. of water a bit ago, I made a dashing trip to the potty.  There was no time to evaluate how much TP was left on the roll.  Well .. there was not enough.  I called to my Luke.  "Luke, I need you buddy ...... I'm in the bathroom!"  He says, "Coming Mom!"  He opens the door, doesn't even look at me, heads straight to the stack of extra rolls, turns and hands it to me, and runs right back out the door.  I just watched him ... amazed.  He knew just what I needed.  What a man! 

I'm still around!  I'm just tired and icky and tired and icky .... and trying to accomplish some schooling in between.  We've been incredibly busy and amongst it all I'm still trying to find peace with the decision to home birth.  I'm praying about it .. but I need to pray harder and let go of the need to try to work it all out in my mind.  I want to go where the Lord is leading us.

Otherwise, I'm reading my books and anxious to go under midwifery care.  I won't have my first appointment for almost 3 weeks.  In the meantime, I'm keeping a food log.  I have very large babies and, in the past, I have never paid attention to what I was eating.  I just ate what I craved and for some pregnancies that meant ice cream every night!    Well, in retrospect, that could have contributed just a smidgen to my babies' sizes.  I know that I grow big babies .. but maybe they don't need to be quite so big.  So, anyway, in an attempt to keep my baby its' appropriate size and also to keep my health in check, I am paying much more attention to my habits during this pregnancy.  It feels good.

As far as the home birth thing, my hubby is much more at peace with it than I am.  But I am the one birthing and so the decision is resting mostly on my shoulders.  It is hard to get all of the medical-ness of my past experiences out of my head and also all the 'what ifs' about the delivery itself.  Again, I just want to go where the Lord wants us to go.  So it is more about seeking Him than anything else.

Alright .. I'm ready for bed .. and it is only 6pm.  My hubby isn't even home yet!  But Grammy is visiting .. so the kids are occupied and maybe I'll finally make it to the shower for the day.  Ick!  I know ....   

Home birthing and cloth diapering.  I don't know that I'd call them addictions .. but right now I'm certainly addicted to trying to find out all the info I can on both.

This pregnancy came before we had planned it (but not before He had planned it ).  We have little maternity coverage, only coverage for emergencies and certain complications.  So we decided to check out other options (options that were floating around in my head anyway .. I'm just amazed at how the Lord works .. giving us a little nudge in the right direction).  I had found out about two midwives that do home deliveries in my area earlier in the summer, so we decided to check them out.  Since then, I've read 'Ina May's Guide to Childbirth' and have ordered several other books.  I'm inspired to say the least.  (Addicted maybe?!?)  Ha!  I just want information, ya know.

And now cloth diapering.  Wowee, they are just toooo cute.  But there are oodles of options.  The gals at Sonlight have aided me in narrowing it down and also answer any and all questions with that tried and true, been there done that, kind of advice.  It's great.

Wait until everyone hears about this.  First it was homeschooling .. now home birthing and cloth diapering .. everyone will surely think I've gone off the deep end. 

In other news, I'm tired and icky.  Not vomiting sick, thank goodness .. just icky .. and bloated.  You'd think I was 4-5 months pregnant.  I was a complete dud this week on our little vacation.  It's good we told everyone, because they'd have surely found out anyway.

We have been back to school this week after a scattered two week period.  We accomplished one week's worth of school within that two weeks though .. so it didn't get totally wasted.

Lily has completed her Explode the Code #7 and I had planned to move her on to #8.  BUT .. I don't have #8.  So we switched gears.  We picked back up our Sonlight Language Arts and began Rod & Staff English 2.  Surprisingly, I am really liking the combination of the two.  The Rod & Staff lessons are short and fun and meaningful.  We do it orally to keep the handwriting load manageable.  I am liking this combination much better than I thought I would.  Language Arts was one I had yet to figure out .. I couldn't find what would work for us.  Now I think I have.

So .. a good week here .. even though I am so tired.  And now, we prepare for another mini-vacation .. the last one for a long time.  All our summer activity is dwindling now .. and we are left with just some weddings and weekend activities in the fall.  I love it, every time the seasons change.  We have been having some cool days and nights around here .. so I'm getting excited.

Ah, I love these.  Like .. love, love, LOVE them!  My pastor shares them every-so-often in church.  We even had the opportunity to see Rob Bell in person but, by the time we decided, it was sold out.  Total bummer.  Anyhoo, they are short films, usually narrated by Rob Bell.  The one we saw yesterday was titled, "Rain".  (Oh, goodie, goodie, goodie .. I just found out that you can actually watch it on the site .. jackpot! .. look for the option when you click on "Rain"!!!!!!)  It made me cry, it was that good.  I think it was the parallel of our love for our children and His love for us, His children.  I find that being a parent makes me able to come at least a little bit closer to understanding His love for us (of course, on a totally different scale).

If you've seen it, or any of them, I wonder if you love them like I do.  If not, I hope you someday get the opportunity.  I've never read his book but have heard excellent things about it .. and am planning to get it for my hubby and I to read.  Check out the site if you'd like any info.

Also .. praise God for His miracles!  Three weeks ago, a young man from our church was making a u-turn and hit directly on his driver's side by a log truck.  Praise God, he was in the front seats of church yesterday morning!  Doctors haven't seen anything like it.  They profess that this NEVER, NEVER, NEVER happens.  Well, how great is our God!  We are praying for a complete recovery .. and believing God for it.    

Isaac turned 4 this week .. hooray!  He's a wonderful little boy.  But ... 4 doesn't seem so little anymore.  We call him our little squirt ... and I mean that in a totally loving, endearing, special way.  It's just like he doesn't grow out of his "babyness".  My cousin called him a little "ball of love" when he was a baby ... and that is exactly what he seems like still today.  You can just love him up!!

Anyhoo ... it took me back memory lane ...

Here I am in the last days of pregnancy with him (yes, I get huge ... and to think I'll look like that again soon!).  His has been my only unmedicated birth ... and it was the greatest experience.  Everything moved quickly, and while I requested the epidural, I was already ready to push.  It wasn't in my plans (I previously loved my epidurals and made my request immediatly upon arrival at the hospital) but I was so thankful for how it all worked out.  I'll never forget the quiet moments in between contractions when I could really digest that I was about to birth this baby and feel every bit of it!  But it was unlike anything I'd ever expected.  It was easier, more rewarding and I recovered so much quicker.  I planned to do the same with Sam, but the induction did not go as planned and I ended up with an epidural once again.  Anyhoo, back to Isaac ... his birth was awesome and so was our adjustment period following. 

Here is a photo of him when he is just a few months old ... check out the hair!  And those droopy cheeks ...

Oh, he was such a good baby ... adjusting to him was so incredibly easy.  He'd sleep in a basket on the kitchen countertop while the kids would play around him.  He just went with the flow.  Thinking back on this time, it seems so long ago ... but yet, I can't believe that he is now four.

What a great little package!  Happy Birthday to our precious Isaac! 

That we are expecting a new little one in May!

It is very early into this, but we told the children and our family and friends today at Isaac's birthday party.  I couldn't hide it last time around, but we tried to and it was so hard.  So we went for it this time.

I am praying faithfully for this little one.

So ... here goes the ticking ...

My pastor shared a little analogy this Sunday that really opened my eyes.  Here it goes:

If we are in a boat, out in the sea and throw our anchor to land for help .. do we pull the land to us?  No, we pull ourselves to the land.

So it is with prayer, or our reaching out to the Lord.  It isn't about bringing him in line with our will (our wants, our desires, our requests) but rather us pulling ourselves to Him and His will (knowing more of Him, wanting more of Him, just enjoying Him).

I've envisioned this every morning this week in my quiet time.  I close my eyes and see myself throwing out my anchor to Him and drawing near.  It's really been something.

This also goes along with something else we heard this weekend.  A man was speaking about people saying that they want more of Jesus.  This is something I've said myself.  And He said that the Lord is all that He ever was and all that He'll ever be.  That it isn't about me getting more of Him but rather about Him getting all of me.

Good thoughts.  Hope they bless you as much as they've blessed me. 

... by Flylady!

A fellow Sonlighter has recently become obsessed with it .. so I thought, hey, why don't I finally go check it out!  Then I went over and read Amy's 'Clean Heart, Clean Home' challenge again.  My house isn't too terribly bad but I oftentimes get subconsciously overwhelmed by all that needs to be done and the continual basis of it all.  I kept up well until Sam came along, which is about the same time that homeschooling started to become more of my focus.  So, a few new habits are certainly welcome!

So far my goals are to keep my kitchen sink and counter free of dishes (this always really bothers me for some reason .. and makes me feel that the house is "unclean") and I'm going to get up and get myself showered and dressed right after my quiet time.  I don't think I can do what the Flylady heavily suggests though .... wear my shoes in the house.  I think showering and dressing myself in somewhat decent clothing should do the trick.

Anyhoo, that is my latest "thing".

Looking forward to December Amy ... for the challenge!

We are getting ready for Isaac's birthday .. and here's his photo for his invitation ..

Oh, we had such a wonderful night last night!  My soon-to-be (step) sister-in-law and her family invited us to their house for some horseback riding.  Lily has been very interested and we wanted to try her out around and on the horses.  She really did well and absolutely loved it!  Luke and Isaac got some time to ride as well.  Sam just screamed when he got close to the horse (which he usually does when close to any large animal) so he just stuck to the four-wheelers.

It was a beautiful night.  We all had such a great time around the barn and the horses, taking rides on the four-wheelers, enjoying the cool breezes, and each other.  Here are some photos ...

Lily and soon-to-be-aunt Alicia

Little Lily and the great big "Cash"

Sam, safely watching with Grammy, from *outside* the fence

Lily's concentration

Check out that turn!

All smiles!

Now, check out that smile ... what a ham!

Our quiet and humble Luke .. he loved it, really he did.

Ah, Sam found his comfort zone, on the four-wheeler with his uncle, Justin.

Lily took a long enough break from the horses to squeeze in a four-wheeler ride.

And I got to ride too!  Good William .....

John just kept to the four-wheelers with the boys, which he greatly enjoyed as well.

That phone call in the middle of the night.  We got it.  Almost 3am and the phone rang.  I had taken an antihistamine before bed to try to alleviate some of the congestion in my head .. so I was a little foggy.  But still, I could clearly hear my Isaac on the other end of the phone.  He was crying, moaning, and barking.  Yes ... croup.  That awful, dreaded croup.  And we weren't there!  Oh, that feeling.  I knew he was in good hands with John's mother but still every ounce of me wanted to be holding him in my arms.

John went to get him immediately while I started to steam the bathroom and hunt down the Vicks.  In the meantime, Sam woke up crying (remember, he went to bed at 6pm) but thankfully he settled back down to sleep.  So I was ready for Isaac when he came.  We sat on the rocking chair (my dear hubby put the rocking chair into the steamy bathroom for me) and I did my best to calm him down.  He was still crying and scared.  But we sat, and rocked, and I talked.  I had been praying amongst it all, as was John .. but he came in and put his hand on him praying while I did the same.  I'm good at praying for comfort and rest and healing, but I'm not so good at believing God for it.  This time I put all my energy into believing God for His healing power.  I prayed that the tightness in Isaac's chest would be loosened .. that he would be free to breathe.  I just saw the analogy of what was happening to Isaac with what happens to us in this world.  We can get all tightened and tensed up, but the Lord wants us to be set free!  I remembered the healing of the boy in one of the gospels when Jesus told the father that he had to believe.  I think the Lord was showing me my unbelief and that it was okay to really believe Him for healing and restoration.

Well .. within a few minutes .. Isaac suddenly stopped crying and laid his head back.  It was like he was instantly fast asleep.  At first I felt concerned.  But then I realized that he was free .. no barking, no crying, nothing to be scared of .. that he was breathing easily.  I kept on rocking him as he lay back on my arm seemingly fast asleep.  A few minutes passed and he popped his head up and said "I'm okay Mommy".  I took him out of the steamy bathroom and into our bed where he slept soundly, without a "bark", all night long.  Amazing, I tell you .... amazing!

John and I have been reading a book about protecting our family and searching for God's truth regarding the protection of our family.  In particular, I've been wondering if good health and long life are always promises of God.  Like, is sickness from Satan himself?  Is it an all-out attack?  But does God allow it?  Or does He allow it because we don't believe?  Last night, I put all I had into believing.  And my precious Isaac made a complete turnaround.  I was really in awe.  And I feel that the Lord was telling me something in the process.  Not that I have all the answers .. because I still feel like I have so much yet to learn.  But still, I think this was a big step.

It's a journey ... a continuing journey ... on and on ... little steps, big steps ...

Isaac has been good today.  He woke up and still had some of the croupy sound to his breathing.  But no coughing.  He started to cough around lunchtime and it wasn't barky .. it sounded like a normal, productive cough.  Now, he's resting.  Praise the Lord! 

Ha!  Well, kind of .. ha.   I really do feel alone.  My littlest man fell asleep after swimming at the pool today (at 6pm .. so here's hoping he sleeps all night), the three other children are spending the night at Grandma and Pappy's house with their cousins, and my hubby is off getting fitted for a tuxedo (he's in his cousin's wedding in the fall).  So here I sit ... all alone.

You'd think I'd find something constructive to do .. like catch up on laundry, or mop the floor, or reorganize (or organize period!) the playroom.  But I find that I cannot focus so well when I'm alone.

This aloneness doesn't happen very often.  I was looking forward to it but now I think I take that back.  Well no I don't.  Am I confused or what?  It's nice to have this time to renew my appreciation for my family .. and hopefully convey that once the house fills back up again.  But still, in the moment, the house feels quite empty.

It's so easy to just get caught up in the circumstances.  For instance, when my kids return, they may walk in the door and immediately need something or everyone may want to tell me about everything all at once or maybe there will be some slight disciplinary issue ... well, I can let those circumstances just send me into a frenzy.  Or I can step back and appreciate their excitement or embrace the fact that I'm the one (the blessed one!) that takes care of their needs and be the Lord's helper in molding their precious hearts.  But, then again, they may walk in that door and I will have a pleasant circumstance, which is quite likely.  Point is, either way, *I* need to be the same.

I believe it was last weekend upon one of our church stops (we are church-a-holics!) that I was reminded of this ..... not to be so affected by the circumstances.  Oh, yes, that was last Saturday night.  He was speaking about thermostats and thermometers (something you've surely read about on email).  But when he said it last week, it really hit me.  It was like God opened my eyes to the influence I am on my family.  I am a thermostat .. and not always a good one.

This week I've been off.  We've been busy and I haven't been feeling well.  Circumstances, you know.  And I set the thermostat way low .. like down toward tension, and irritability, and frustration.  It's just spread like wildfire.  If I take responsibility for my own actions and attitude, I can pick us back up.

And that is my hope .. to take it up to the top .. like up toward love, kindness, gentless, self-control.  That is, when my family returns and I'm not all alone.

But in my own strength, I cannot accomplish this.  Thankfully, "it is no longer I who lives, but He who lives in me."  Praise the Lord for new mercies every morning.  Oh, I love Him!

Other reminders from last week .. praise and worship being a part of every single breath I take.  Not just a song, or a sermon, or a prayer, or an occasional thought.  EVERY BREATH!  I'm striving .. oh, I'm striving ....

Thanks for listening to my rambling ....

Be blessed everyone! 

Our homeschool is closed.  We are on a school vacation.  No one is here.  Well, right now we are, but not for long.

This was honestly in my plans since we were starting amidst the summer season.  But, still, after two good weeks of keeping up with the "schedule", it is a bit frustrating to know that we will not be schooling at all this week.  I initially thought that maybe we could keep up .. but no way!

Monday, we traveled about an hour and a half to meet up with two other Sonlight moms.  It was a delightful meeting.  I was a bit unsure of what it would be like to meet two women who were, not necessarily strangers, but really just occasional acquaintances through our discussion boards.  We didn't know much about one another except what could be gained by "just happening" to post on the same threads.  Even though I was hesitant, I was hopeful that we would make a connection.  And I believe we did.  I met one mother who reminds me so much of myself at her age.  She is determined to homeschool but presently has two children under two years of age.  After leaving, I realized that I was her age when I had two children of similar ages and that I too was pretty set on homeschooling.  It was a joy to see her excitement.  The other mother was more experienced.  She has taken one child through homeschool to graduation.  She has two in the midst of the journey and another closer to the beginning.  It was so encouraging to hear her success story plus the wisdom she has gained a long the way, in terms of curriculum and life experiences in general.  Plus, the kids all had a great time together and were really instant friends.  We really had a wonderful time and I look forward to continuing a deeper communication with these women now that we've actually met .. and meeting with them again in the future. 

Yesterday, we traveled about an hour to an amusement park with our extended family.  It was another great day.  (We have many as we usually meet weekly to swim together.)  My mother is one of 8 children so our family is HUGE.  We are very close and grew up being very involved in each others' lives.  Now, the next generation is quickly growing and we are intent on keeping them as close as we all were.  So let's see, we had our matriarch, my 81 year old grandmother, keeping right by our sides .. there were 4 of her daughters present, one of which is my mother .. there were 5 grandchildren or grandchildren-in-law, one of which was me .. and then 9 great-children, 4 of which were mine.  So what does that total .. 19!  Imagine, 19 of us, sticking together through the amusement park.  It was really a fun time.  We, of course, love to be together, but it is great to see the kids loving to be together too.  By fall, we hope to have t-shirts made to more easily identify our "people".  Plus, it would be fun and cute, too.

Today, we are meeting some family at the state park which is thankfully a local stop.  Tomorrow, we will travel about an hour and a half (or more, I really don't know) to spend time with friends on their boat on the lake.  And now Friday, we will probably go the state park again with Grandma and cousins.

Summer is quickly coming to an end and I think we are all feeling that.  Thus, the desire to get in all these fun activities.  It's catching up with us though.  We're tired and run down.  But we'll hopefully keep up until the end of the week and regroup for going back to school next week.

Honestly, though, this is part of the joy of homeschooling, at least for us anyway.  We love having the freedom to do things on a whim and usually during times when the rest of the world is not doing them.