Good Things, Troubled Heart and Future Desires

Wow! Been a couple of weeks since I updated. Several good things are going on. Conner had his yearly scans done for his chiari. We did them a bit earlier this year due to concerns we had about his back hurting. The symptoms he's complaining of are most likely due to his chiari. But at this time, the surgeon does not recommend surgery. That is a very good thing! But at the same time, you hate to see your child hurt. Everytime he sneezes I just cringe for him.

Another good thing is we're going on vacation soon! I'm so ready to be away from the stresses of life and enjoy time with my husband and my kids. We're looking forward to fun times in Florida but also relaxing times together. We hope to have both.

And another good thing...on the way, we're going to stop and spend the night with some friends on the way. They used to live here and she was such an inspiration to me. She ministered to me probably more than anyone has ever done. She taught me so much about Jesus. (She still does...just from a distance.) I'm excited to see her home. My kids are excited to spend some time with her kids. My son and her son share some of the same hobbies. They both like video games...but more than that, they both like to draw. I hope her son encourages my son in the drawing area.

Now for the troubled heart...my heart has been struggling over church issues. Church is supposed to be such a wonderful place to go, a place to refresh you, a place to find rest and peace. Well, I have not been feeling that way lately. It's really troubling my heart! I don't know what God is trying to teach me but I hope I learn quickly. I hope that God makes it once again, that place of refuge for me or I hope He makes it clear to my husband and myself what we are to do. I'm tired of struggling! I told my friend the other day, it makes you just want to go to church and be a person in the pew...not get involved in a church and work. I know that's not what God has called my family to do, but sometimes, it sure would be easier.

I have this weird desire to write a book. I used to think I wanted to write children's church curriculum...and that's not totally out of the question...but I think due to life circumstances I'm feeling more drawn to a book or a ladies' conference. I've been praying about how to go about doing that. I've even thought about the theme...Hard Times - Hang On! I can even see a cover in my mind, a monkey in a giant predicament of some kind, hanging on for dear life. I've brainstormed some things but have not been sure that it is from God or from me. So, I've been praying that God would show me. This week during my Bible reading, I begin to see verses just stuck here and there that spoke volumes to me. I very clearly heard God tell me to start putting those verses in a notebook and begin to jot down rough outline of what the book could look like. I also feel like instead of a book format, to begin with it should be in a binder and prepared for a retreat presentation. Where that retreat is going to be and who it is for...I don't know. Maybe this is all for me...but I don't think so. I think God has given me this vision. So I'm going to see what happens to my notebook for this over the next couple of months.

Homeschooling continues to go well. Soon I'll be winding down yet another year. I'll now have four years of homeschooling done. Wow....how times flies! It's so much fun...I wouldn't trade these years with my kids for anything!

Survival Skills

Well, we survived our week! We had great week of homeschooling despite the added appts. Our schedule didn't seem that hectic. We just managed very well. I was very glad to have a quiet weekend though!

You know as far as survival skills and keeping going, FlyLady has been a wonderful tool for me. A friend at church introduced me to FlyLady about 6 years ago. She had five kids, one with special needs. She was this lady whom you always admired and always seemed to have it together. And she introduced me to FlyLady...if it made a difference in her life, it was sure to make a difference in my life. I do not follow all of FlyLady's rules, but it has radically changed my life. Some things I just can't make myself do...a load of laundry a day...just doesn't get done at my house. But you'll always find an empty sink!! If you've need a system to help you get organized, I'd suggest checking her website out.

On another note, we started giving our children an allowance. However, they can be fined for different things. One of those fines is a messy room. We're on our third or fourth week and no one has gotten any fines....until this week. My son got fined twice this week! I am loving this system. Having an allowance means that I don't buy them things anymore. Well, I'll still by them gifts...but routine daily excursions, anything they want they buy. If we're in the store and they ask for a candy bar, my response is...are you buying? It's been kind of liberating...I used to feel like the bad guy always saying no! Now, my response is not no but is it worth spending your money on? It's amazing that somethings are not worth it when it's their money! I keep trying to keep their heads on and help them know if it is good purchase or not. I'm sure they'll make some unwise purchases...they will learn though. It sure is tough sometimes to be a parent. But something funny happend...last night after my son got his second fine for the week...he looked at me with a perplexed look and said...I liked you a lot more before you started giving me money!! However, I am loving the system so far!!

This week will be a pretty normal week. We got medical stuff taken care of last week. Now we must just wait another week to get results for son's chiari. I must start preparing for vacation though. We are going to Orlando. I am looking forward to getting away and just playing and having fun with our kids. However, being away, can be very tiring and difficult. Our daughter can be quite controversial when she is exhausted. (That's a very nice way to state that!) And sometimes trips wipe her out. So we're hoping for a great time there.