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Apr. 2, 2008 - I may need an introduction...

I figured if I posted yesterday someone might  think it was an April Fools joke.  But I really am back to the land of the living.  To say that the last two months have been unpleasant, would be a serious understatement.  I would be willing to go through labor and delivery - twice - in a row - than to be sick for over two months.   

 

A book "non-recommendation" to pass along.  If you are sick, depressed, or otherwise down in the dumps, may I suggest a Jane Austen novel, or maybe a good Nancy Leigh DeMoss devotional - heck, try Calvin and Hobbes.  But I would caution you about trying to catch up on some of the classics, like say, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.  Yes, I decided it was the perfect time to read some books that I haven't yet, but want to before my oldest studies them in the next few years.  Frankenstein is no boost, to be sure. Dark from beginning to end.  A thought-provoking book about the Creator and life yes, but not good fodder for an already downcast person!!  BTW, in case you didn't know, Frankenstein is the scientist, NOT the monster.  That was news to me, literary giant that I am. 

 

But the fog has cleared and I hit the ground running.  This week Dad and oldest son are at Florida Teen Pact and having a *great* time.  They've been learning about bills and how they pass through the State Government, meeting reprsentatives, yesterday they got to interview Lobbyists who were at the Capitol, and tons of other things I get to hear about when they get back.  Check it out in your state www.teenpact.com  This week is Home Educators Week here in Florida, proclaimed by our Governor, Charlie Crist, which is such a blessing to think on, in light of the the other Homeschool nonsense going on out in California.  I'm thankful to live in a state like Florida, that recognizes the value and potential of Homeschooling Families.  (did you see that?  I used thankful and Florida in the same sentence!!)

 

I won't bore you, or myself, with all the mundane details of the last two months.  Here are the highlights:

In February, one of only two public appearances from me, was at the Showcase Night for WFHESL, our Support Group.  Each of the kids had a display of a project from this year and our oldest played a piano duet with a friend.  The other was the valentine skating party, where the sight of cupcakes made me gag.

March had two birthdays - a 14th and a 4th, two weeks apart.  I was up for some pizza for my 4 year old and by my 14 year olds b'day I took on Olive Garden.  The pizza was a little much, but Olive Garden was mmmmm.

              

March also held a picnic, I didn't go.  A piano competition, I didn't make it in time, but our 14 yos won 2nd. A fieldtrip which I did manage to make it to, but watching the IMAX screen was almost too much at one point.  The older boys took the ITBS which they thoroughly enjoyed - HA.  And finally last week I got to get out and dig in the dirt!  It was wonderful to plant and weed and rake - and then die after two months of inactivity!

 

So here I am, now in April at about 15 weeks and doing much MUCH better.  Because this week I turn 35, I am now what the medical community terms as Advanced Maternal Age , so I get to have a 2 hour ultra sound done to find out everything I ever wanted to know about this baby.  I can't wait to find out if it's a He or a She.  Our only dd is praying fervently for a girl, but I have tried my best to prepare her for another boy.  It doesn't help that a close friend of ours is getting ready to have her 7th girl!!  I am fairly certain it is of the He variety because I've already had "the dream".  What's that you ask?  Well, with each of our 5 boys I have dreamed about alligators early on in the pregnancy.  With our daughter it was spiders.  I have already had my alligator dream, so I think that settles it.  Pretty scientific if you ask me.  (My husband, and probably anyone else who reads this, thinks I'm loony, but I stand by my prediction.)  We'll know April 15th.  What a convenient date to find out about our next Tax deduction - I am soo kidding but we have family members who seem to think that's why we have alot of children. (?)

 

What else?  Trying to wrap up school in the next two months, get ready for the convention in May - which means pouring through catalogs and mapping out the 08-09 school year - aacckk.  Also trying to clean out the 'winter grunge' that accumulates along with the bi-annual clothing switch.  Here that doesn't mean storing the winter coats and boots. It means getting out all of the light colored T-shirts and putting away the dark colored ones in the attic. :)  I'm happily pitching the too-holey-to-be-worn clothing, weeding out the clothes noone can wear right now and planning the musical bedroom switch that is coming up so we can fit all our little and not-so-little snowflakes in our rapidly shrinking home.  We are going to make it live as large as possible until the Lord sees fit to move us.  Any tips you may have for making the best of smaller closets and cozy living quarters would be great.

 

I will leave with these thoughts.  Over the last two months I have run the gamut on emotions.  Not surprising.  I have gotten discouraged about homeschooling, parenting, and living in general at times. I've said before that I am a terrible sick person.  But I have realized that sickness is just one of the many "customized trials" that God has for me.  What may drive me to the brink of insanity, may not even cause a wrinkle in your brow - and visa versa.  God knows exactly what I need to mold, form and prune me into Christ's image.  We all have our own 'secret formula' that God creates in daily, handmade batches, just for us.  When that child who knows exactly what it takes to send me rocketing starts in- I have to stop and see the smiling Providence behind him or her.  snip snip   The Celestial Gardener has been very busy on me over the last two months.  My haircut may look funny, but hopefully my heart looks better  :)

 

~Cindy

 I have pics to add, but I can't get them on for some reason. lol  My tech support comes back tomorrow :)

 

 

 

your two cents

Apr. 3, 2008 - Your blog

Posted by Karie

I just wanted to say that is a beautiful blog you have. I love the water and the sunset.

Karie
www.kariesplace.robertcity.com
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Apr. 3, 2008 - Glad to see you.. well kind of..

Posted by ClagettsFLStyle

Glad to see you back and blogging.. a little..
Sounds like things are going well. The teen pact sounds interesting too.. will have to check that out.

Have a great weekend!
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Apr. 6, 2008 - <em>Untitled Comment</em>

Posted by callmekate

Glad the fog has finally cleared!

I thought about you tonight and I was glad to see you've posted again. I hope you continue to regain your energy and will keep you in prayer.

A 2 hour ultrasound! Mercy! Though, I guess my "over 35" ultrasound (8 years ago, I might add) was that long, as they were checking for a cleft lip, which my previous child was born with. It was very late in the pregnancy and you could actually see a profile of her lips. Amazing. I was pretty sore afterwards but we did find out it was a girl and after 2 boys, we were a little nervous! Maybe the alligator dream is wrong - it could be a girl!

Take care and keep us informed.

Kate

P.S. About that alligator dream - I've heard stranger things. You're not nuts. It's a "pregnant mom" thing!

Edited by callmekate on Apr. 6, 2008 at 2:40 AM
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