80, House Mom, Leaves

80!!!! That, my friends, is how many days of school we have accomplished!!!! Woo Hoo!!! Our goal is to get to 100 before we take off for Christmas.We finish up our school year with 140-160 days. It just doesn't take as long to accomplish everything at home. :) I hope to be done before baby gets here, and then we will take off until June or so and start next year up.

When I am done doing a few other things, I plan on getting together a Thanksgiving "unit" for the next week and a half. I also hope to start on our Christmas unit. We are doing Thankful Trees right now. Each family member has their own tree and they write things on pieces of paper (leaves) that they are thankful for and then glue them on their tree. It has been fun. I am planning on doing a Christmas Thankful Tree as well and we will write our thankful things on pieces of paper that will be ornaments.

Josiah is doing really well with his reading!! He is reading through a book about Red Foxes right now and he is really enjoying it. Math is still his strong subject, and he is breezing through it.

Katie Jo is getting better with reading. I will admit that many days I want to pull my hair out! If someone else would teach them to read, then I would take over from there. Haha!! She is doing really well with math as well. Her favorite thing is to craft. She comes up with her own masterpieces. :)

I was hoping to start drawing in Jan, but I'm not sure I will be able to get the supplies, so it may be summer before we get to that. And that is OK!!! We have slacked off on science the last couple of months. We did a little study with Chemistry, and I hope to do a butterfly garden in the spring. We will be doing history with Thanksgiving and Christmas. We will also be doing history after Christmas when we jump into "Samantha, An American Girl". I need to get started planning all that!!!

Eli is just doing his thing. LOL I'm not worried about him. He is picking up bits and pieces as he listens to the others.

We have started focusing on a verse a week to work on as a family. We started with Deuteronomy 6:4-5, then Proverbs 3:5-6, and this week we are doing 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18. I love sitting at the breakfast table going over the verses and discussing them. We started our scripture memorization with Psalm 23, and each morning we discussed a part of a verse.

I love being able to spend the day with my kids!!!!

Katie Jo came in the kitchen the other day and said she liked house moms. I asked her what that was. She said it is a mom that stays home and takes care of her kids and house. :) And she said she was glad that I was a house mom! Me too!!! If you ask me what my job is, then I will gladly tell you, "I am a house mom." :)

We have enjoyed the leaves falling! The kids have jumped in them a few times already, and hopefully we will get a few more jumps in before they are all shredded up. LOL I love when the wind blows and it looks as though it is raining leaves. What a wonderful work God has made!!!

Sorry for them being blurry! I usually do better at action shots, but they were just too fast for me that day. :)

Water

It is a nice Saturday and the door bell rings... Our neighbor was nice enough to come and tell us that there was water shooting out of our front yard! Last year this happened and the utility company just put a temporary fix on it and said they would be back in a couple weeks to finish. Well, they never came! The temporary fix wasn't fixing the problem anymore. We gave them a call and they came out eventually and fixed it up. Meanwhile, while we waited 2 more folks stopped to tell us about the water spraying out of our front yard and the kids had fun in the free sprinkler!!! They got to play in water twice Saturday because we played in the rain that morning before the thunder came. :) Here are some pics, but they aren't that good because they were taken on my phone. Our camera will be mailed in this week, hopefully, and prayerfully they will fix it!!

 Joey moved his car out of the way.

 The gutter pool!!!! LOL

The 3 Biggin's

Yep, the 3 big ones is what Josiah, Katie Jo, and Eli have become. LOL Here is a little update on them...

Josiah had his first RA race last week. He was so pumped! He and Joey already have ideas for next year. I told Eli that by the time he was in RA they would have it all figured out. ha, ha! We aren't sure what place he was in, but he did pretty good. He also had the Grand Prix in Sparks last Sunday. He won the first heat he was in, but then didn't advance after that. He was still a proud supporter for Katie Jo! 
He is also doing great with his reading! He is getting more confindent which I believe is helping. Still a long way to go, but I am proud! His love is still math, but hopefully reading will become more fun as he learns.
I have a feeling Josiah and Joy Schelle are going to have a special relationship. Josiah has taken to being a big brother again very well, and he really looks after her.

Here is his RA car. You can see that it was damaged before it even got in the race. LOL

The Grand Prix in Sparks

Katie Jo has really been enjoying the warmer weather! She has completely been in her element in the mud.
She also had her first Grand Prix race in AWANA. She came in 3rd out of all the Sparks!!! Words don't do her excitement justice!! She was jumping around and screeching after every race she was in. It was so cute! She wears her medal proudly!
She has been all about GiGi's Cupcakes lately! She plays GiGi's cupcakes. :) She bakes them in her kitchen. I checked out a GiGi, God's Little Princess movie from church and she assumed that it was because she loved GiGi's Cupcakes so much. LOL
She was practicing her swimming in the tub yesterday. She called me to show me how she could go under water and how she will swim under water once Nana's pool is ready. She even asked about swimming lessons. (I will say, that it is ridiculous how expensive they are!) I can see her on a swim team one day.

It isn't shadow on her arms; it is mud!

 She was "painting" a ball with a small broom covered in mud.

 Cake

 There is a huge smile on her face in every picture!

 Pulling Josiah into the celebration when she made the top 4!

 She couldn't be still so she is slightly blurry in most of my pics. LOL

 Happy for the others too!

 The amazing car. :)

And then, there is Eli... LOL Never a dull moment with that boy!
His chore this week is cleaning the table. We had some chocolate cake for dessert on Monday. I told him to go and make sure all the food was cleaned up off the chairs and table before we wiped it. I asked him if he was done and got it all. He said, "yes." I asked if he had thrown it away. He said,"No, I ate the pieces." LOL It is much easier to just eat the crumbs from the cake than to try to scoop them to be thrown away. I asked if he was going to eat the crumbs that got stuck on Katie Jo's pants, and he just laughed.
Eli is loving being back in Cubbies! Every time we go to church, he asks if it is Cubbies time. :) He was slightly upset that he didn't get to watch the Sparks race, but he is talking about when he is in Sparks.
He is pointing to words and asking me what they say, esp when reading a book. But, he is quick to tell you that he isn't doing school yet. LOL
His birthday is in about 6 weeks, and it is very hard for me to accept that he will be 4! He is planning on celebrating at Nana and Poppa's house and having cake, and of course Star Wars will be involved somehow. The boy is in love with Star Wars!
And it wouldn't be Eli if he hadn't done something to his face! Yep, he thought stamps would be a nice touch!

This is his lion pose. There has been a lot of growling around here lately!

 Showing me how white and shiny his teeth were after brushing them.

You can see the stamps go all the way down his chin and onto his neck.

 It reads "He is Risen"

There is a peak at what has been going on around here. I have a couple other blogs I hope to write soon because we have other big changes going on here. A couple last pictures since we have been dancing our calories off. :)

MUD!!!

I believe the pictures speak for themselves. LOL Katie Jo came up to me and told me that she had found some water. :O

Can you tell who likes mud the most?? What about who is the least into mud? LOL

I actually put the camera up too early. They found a squiggy and were using that to spread the mud out on the driveway, and Katie Jo had her dress hiked up while she was leaning over to keep it out of her way. It was quite humurous! I also should have taken a picture of the bathtub after KJ was cleaned. :P I still need to wash it.

For a couple hours of entertainment, all you need is buckets, water, and dirt!

Christmas Activities and Life

We are trying to follow Hubbards Cupboard Christmas activities this year. It is really neat and I really like it! We have done 3 days. Why is it when the weekend comes our schedule goes out the window!?! I had planned on doing the activities over the weekend also, but this weekend was packed. We are trying to get back on track today, but Joy Michelle had a rough night and is now having reflux troubles, so we will hopefully catch up tomorrow. We might get some done tonight, I hope!

We are replacing math with Christmas activities this month. Josiah is ahead in Math, so we are just reviewing and doing a worksheet or two a week. School is hard to get done right now! When my grief is close to the surface, it is hard to get it done! Here it is almost 1:00 and we haven't done anything yet. They are cleaning up and then we will do phonics.

I am just so jumbled up! I want things to go great for my kiddos and really focus on Jesus this month, but it is all I can do to get through some of the days. I know it will come in time; at least, I hope so! From reading others blogs I know it gets slightly easier as time goes by. I hope to get things tomorrow to put on Janie Beth's grave, and maybe that will help me some.

I have really been in the mood to finish up the shopping. I had fun last week going to a craft show and the mall. Joy Michelle is shaping up to be another shopping partner! :)

This December just feels alot like last December. I feel as though I am just going through the motions. My house is a mess. I can't seem to get myself in order enough to keep up with everything. I am telling you, grief takes all of your strength sometimes! I am very thankful that I have Joy Michelle to snuggle. She reminds me to slow down sometimes. When she is fussy, I just sit with her, and I remember to cherish these times!

I am trying hard to encourage my family and focus on each of them each day. Eli has really been in need of this lately. I am keeping him close to my side and having him help me with as much as he can because he is being extra "fun" these days. ;) Josiah is the one I am trying to encourage the most. I am telling you, this is way out of my comfort zone! I pray that God really grows in me the ability to encourage all those around me.

The kids can feel the grief and maybe they are grieving themselves as they are constantly at each other these days.

I will say I have a peace that passes understanding as I walk through these days. I can feel God like I did at the beginning of this year. I am very thankful to have Him so close to my side. I pray that He is close to bringing our family out of the limbo we have been in for 2 years now!

The uncertainty for the days ahead is harder some days than others. It is hard to watch the bank account dwindle!

Father, please have compassion on us! May You do exceedingly abundantly above all we could ever ask or think. May You continue to move on our behalf, and write my faith when I cannot see what you are doing and do not understand. You are in control, and I will leave the reigns in Your hands. Open the eyes of my heart and lead me in Your will. I love You! Grow me, Lord. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Re-Cap of the week

Last week was so busy! Yes, even when on bedrest there are times you must leave the house.

Monday started with check-ups for Katie Jo and Eli. They are looking good. :) Katie Jo is 40.5 lbs. Eli is 33.5 lbs and 37 in. Eli will be evaluated for his speech just to be sure he is good since Josiah and Katie Jo both had speech troubles. I have to say, I LOVE our new doctor!!!!! We also got new epi pens for Eli, and we are looking into whether to re-test now or wait a bit. Josiah had a soccer game that night.

Tuesday we did school. I went to the doc. I was 3-4cm and still 50% effaced. I am to continue taking my meds when I need them and continue to keep off my feet. Katie Jo had a soccer game that night.

Wednesday we went out and about. The kids have been wanting to see where D-Daddy (Joey's dad) was buried, so we took them out there. Then, we went and saw Janie Beth. After visiting her, we went to the mall and the kids built Joy Michelle her Janie Beth bear. We are calling her Little Janie. :) I forgot my camera in the L&D bag. :( We ate lunch and then headed home to rest. Some wonderful ladies came over to visit and brought us some things for Joy Michelle. That night was choir for Josiah and Katie Jo at church. Eli and I hung out at home and watched Funniest Home Videos. :)

Thursday we got some school done again! YAY for 2 days! Josiah went to the doctor that afternoon for his check-up. He is 47lbs and 47in. He has a dislocated knee cap. He was running rather goofily (my made up word) at his game Monday night, and we brought up his leg at the doctor. He also mentioned some double vision from time to time, so he is set up for a full eye work up on the 25th. He will also be re-tested for his speech just to be sure he is all set and not having anymore issues.

Thursday night was my semi-annual consignment shopping night. If you ask Joey, he will tell you that I plan my entire year around my Kid's Market shopping trips. :) I buy everything for the upcoming season and usually some birthday and Christmas gifts as well. We borrowed an electric wheelchair from some new friends for me to use while I was shopping in order to not be on my feet much. I got in bed about 1:00am.

Friday I had to be up and at em by 5 because Gwyn would be at our house extra early since my sister was having a little procedure done. God graciously gave me strength for the day! Katie Jo, Gwyn, and I went to a MOMs club baby shower for 4 mommies, us included, who are due in Nov with girls. It is just a chance to get together and celebrate. We got a little basket with some goodies in it. That morning we looked at the $1 movie theatre schedule. Nanny McPhee Returns is playing. We decided to take everyone to see it that afternoon since we don't know when Joy Michelle will make her appearance. It was a cute movie!! The kids all enjoyed themselves.

Saturday was full of football! As is every Saturday during college football season! We ROLL the TIDE at our house. :) Although, Josiah has become a rebel and now cheers for the Florida Gators. Katie Jo has been a rebel since last season when she decided to follow her Nana and cheer Geaux Tigers. :) We cooked out with my family that night.

Sunday I ventured to the worship service and then the church gave us a shower for Joy Michelle. I must say I was blessed beyond measure!!! We have not been here very long, and they have welcomed us in.

We spent lots of time outside throughout the week as the weather here has been lovely.

I am hoping for more than 2 days of school this week as it is a slower week. Tonight I get to celebrate Joy Michelle with one more shower with friends. :) Tomorrow is the doctor and 35 wks, and both kiddos have soccer games Tues and Thurs night and Sat morning. This ends our soccer season!!! YAY! I am ready for our evenings to be back. We are really looking at dwindling down our schedule and asking God what He wants us involved in.

Sorry for no pics! I hope to get some up soon. I have several posts I want to type up as well. We shall see what the schedule allows. :)

I must also send a shout out to my Beloved!!! He has been doing an awesome job at the laundry and kitchen duties!!!! There are also several wonderful people who have brought us dinner. :) God is providing and blessing!

Still....

I really didn't think some things would still be hard. There are still some things that I used to do that are still hard to do. I cannot bring myself to start baking again. I need to because poor Eli needs to have safe baked goods to eat, but for some strange reason it is hard to make myself bake. I loved to bake and I want to get back to that point.

I still have to force myself to make a menu and grocery list. I have just been winging it for dinner and that doesn't work when the meat won't thaw in time to cook it! The menu is so nice when I do it because I know what it going on. Today I have to write a menu and get the grocery shopping done. I have an empty paper towel roll sitting on the counter. :)

Money!!! AAAHHH!!! I have completely gotten out of the habit of telling our money where to go! Once again we have been winging it far too much and using it way too much. This is a cycle for me. I don't make the menu, the meat isn't thawed or I never took it out, so we go out to eat. I am driving myself crazy!

I am hoping to sit down and do our budget for next month and tell all our money where to go and get cash put in our envelopes again.

These issues with me also creep up when I am pregnant, so it is probably a combo of Janie Beth and pregnancy.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil 4:16

"I am the Lord your God... who directs you in the way you should go. "
Isaiah 48:17

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your steps."
Proverbs 3:3-5

I am going to give this all to God. Maybe He wants me to change some things instead of going completely back to the way I used to do things. I don't know, but I am going to ask that He show me His way. It has amazed me all the ways that things have changed for the better through Janie Beth's journey! God really does know what He is doing!! I still miss her and my arms ache to hold her, but "through the Lord's mercies I am not consumed. His compassions fail not, they are new every morning." Lamentations 3

Still...
God is still in control even when it doesn't feel like it.
God is still working even when I can't see it.
God is still carrying me even as He lets me takes some steps on my own.
I am still mourning, and God remembers even when I don't.
I am still stumbling trying to find my way on this path, and God is there to pick me up.
God still loves me even when it hurts.
God is still blessing our family, and always has been.
God is still Mighty to Save! He can still move mountains!
I still hurt, and God says it is ok.
I am still learning to let go and let God, and He says just a little more.
God still knows what He is doing.
God is still changing me, and will be until the day I die. :)
God is still BIG!

Let go and let God!!!