I'm still alive

but, I'm learning all kinds of new respect for single parents. Friday was quick. M left after lunch. We just enjoyed our afternoon after the crazy rush that was packing for the trip. The kids watched Bolt at bedtime and then were asleep. Saturday we picked up around the house and my mom took 7 to hang out with my brother. I took 5 & 8 to our churches dedication of the new building. When we got home 5 started complaining about an earache. As in screaming because she couldn't bend down to take off her own shoes. I gave her some Tylenol and told her I'd take her in to the DR in the morning. She was sleeping in my bed and cried much of the night. Sunday I took her to the Urgent Care as soon as they opened and we came home with an antibiotic for the ear infection. Sunday evening I had an event to take the kids to, but I needed to leave 5 home since she was running a fever. My mom stayed with her and the boys got to play soccer with some friends. Monday my "teacher" with our charter school came to collect our first set of samples. When she left, I fed the kids lunch and then we took off for the library. I emailed my mom and asked her to come and feed the kids dinner since I was asked to go wedding dress shopping with M's cousin. How could I say no to that?! The bride's mom was running late and we had the dress chosen before she arrived (turns out that was a good thing).

Then I encouraged her to buy the cutest red shoes! They're so fun.

Tuesday morning the boys had their first fencing class. I think we're really going to enjoy this. In the afternoon, 5 had her book club and one of the guys M mentors came over to hang out with the boys. They ate pizza and played Legos.

I took 5 to David's Bridal on the way home from Book Club to check out the flower girl dresses. She was in need of a bath from finger painting at book club and playing with bugs in the yard so we just looked, but I think we'll need to go back and try some on. ;0) She was in heaven in that store.

Tuesday night the kids just did not want to go to bed. I'm pretty tired from the late nights. I'm trying to send emails and do some cleaning up when they're in bed, but when the boys aren't down until 9:30....mom is really tired. Today is ballet/tap for 5 and hopefully an earlier bedtime for all. I had intentions of knitting an entire child size cardi while M was gone and I haven't knit a stitch! Hopefully tonight I knit!

Cyberbullying

Yesterday we were at the park. Another mom thought she saw my kids hitting their friend with sticks. They boys play a game where they throw a stick and the doggie (a little girl) fetches the stick and brings it back in her mouth. Not my favorite game, but they are using their imaginations...they've played this game for a while now. The other mom, instead of coming over and talking to me about the questionable behavior, posted to a message board about the 2 boys that were harassing the other kids at the park. You guessed it...MINE. I really struggled with what to think. I asked the boys if they hit other kids with sticks. They confessed to poking kids and saying "Get Back!" when the other kids were throwing wood chips at them and at the girls my boys were playing with (my friend's girls). If the kids we were with had been hurt or offended, the would have stood up for themselves, or come and told me. I struggle with who to believe, my own kids or the observations of the other mom at the park.

After a night to sleep on it, I'm thinking that it's not just teens that need lessons in cyberbullying. Had this mom come to me at the park, I could have talked to my kids right then. Instead, her words are posted across the internet. I have a friend on that message board who lovingly told me what was being said about my kids. I do want to know if my kids are doing something wrong. But internet posts are not the way to accomplish that. In fact, her words were not directed to me, but to another group. In the same way that she thought my kids were harassing others at the park, she is harassing us in a digital medium. Gossip. She didn't come to me...instead, she told others about me.

What I saw was that my boys were constantly being bombarded with wood chips. At 7 & 8, they know that throwing wood chips or sand is not allowed and if/when I catch them throwing things, I'll load them back up in the car and take them home. What the other parents saw was not their kids throwing wood chips, but my kids yelling at them (after being pelted with wood chips). I'd yell too if someone threw something at me. Another small child yanked my 7's sunglasses off his head and broke them into 2 pieces. That mom just watched it happen and did nothing. I hate to say it, but I'm ready for those kids to go back to school. I miss the 9 months of the year when we homeschoolers have the run of the parks, libraries, museums, and such to ourselves.

My boys could have benefited at the park, learning that their behavior was scaring other kids and changing. This would have allowed them to grow their character in the situation. Instead, the conversation is happening without us. Ephesians 4:29 – “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Happy Birthday to me!

I had a wonderful birthday weekend! It's great having a Friday birthday. My celebration started with a brunch for CBS. No, it wasn't my party, but I can think that if I want to. Then I headed over to a shoe sale to find a pair of tennies with my birthday money from my Gramp. Friday night, one of M's core group guys offered to babysit for us. M & I went out for gelato. And then we walked a bit around downtown. We didn't say out late since the next day was our church's GraceWorks weekend. We were helping out with the clean up at our local elementary school. Saturday night my mom and brother came over and we BBQed burgers. Then Sunday was a relaxed day. We finished the weekend with dinner at Tapps with M's side of the family. I really enjoyed the grilled artichoke and the S'mores Alaska. When is it not a good thing that your dessert is a pyrotechnic display right at your table?!

So...the flip side of the birthday weekend. While I was at the CBS brunch, M was cleaning our house in preparation of having 12 kids 3 & under here Saturday morning. I came home to a clean house, but somehow when dad wasn't looking...7 gave 5 a haircut!!! There's a chunk missing from the center of her bangs and the back is all crooked!!! How's that for a birthday present?! I wore my trusty white sandals Friday morning and it seems that I must get rid of them. They make my back hurt...even when I'm not standing for long. So before the gelato, I spend 30 minutes laying on ice and trying to get my back to cooperate. Saturday morning was a low turn-out. Seems there's a fever going around and some families couldn't make it. I'm not complaining here...I just wish more of our friends could have made it. Later we had a fun dinner with my mom and brother. Sunday...I'm not sure what got into the kids. They were horrid. Let's just say that they're questioning everything I say and often choosing to do the exact opposite of what they're told. I ended up telling 5 & 7 to take a 45 minute rest on their beds. If not for that rest time, they would have had to stay home and not enjoy our time at the restaurant. I'm glad that Monday showed an improvement in behavior!

And...since I have to be careful with shoes...and they're expensive...that's what I asked for my birthday. A new pair of Danskos. A pair of sandles. And the tennis shoes. What is your favorite kind/pair of shoes?

An early Mother's Day!

Over our Easter break we visited my Gramp and my Great Aunt & Great Uncle joined us for Easter dinner. M snapped this picture of me, 5, and my mom. I love it. Three generations in GreatGram's kitchen. I know she (my mom's mom) was there with us in spirit.

I planned to post this photo for Mother's Day, but I saw this contest on We Are THAT Family today. I'm so blessed to have a heritage of faith in my family. I hope that I am that blessing to my daughter.

!@#$%^&*

I don't normally use curse words. Right now, I kind of wish I did. I'd like to use them to let out some of the emotions I'm feeling right now. Instead, I'm typing here. I have to let it out in a way that my kids won't see. Sure, I want them to know Mommy gets frustrated. Right now...their tender hearts need to be protected.

M is home. It's not yet 4pm...on a Tuesday. What's this mean. Well, at 10:30 this morning he was laid off. It took awhile to finish things up and clear out his desk, then a co-worker took him to lunch. To say the least...my head and my heart are reeling.

October has been a good month...our anniversary, last year M's first day at a new job....

October has been a hard month...5 years ago my Gram's cancer diagnosis, 2 years ago losing my dad...

(Yes, we've told the kids. But, we're trying to keep the emotional level stable for now.)

And now...M was laid off. The 13th would have been his 1 year at this company. We're just a week short of that now. And the ironic thing...September 26th was my last day of work. I finally quit thinking things had settled down and I could find a less hectic balance as a wife, mom of 3, homeschooler, friend...

I'm not even sure of what to think...or do for that matter.

It's Monday alright.

Contestwise: no one is 100% right yet. I'll go with a random drawing if there is no better answer tomorrow.

Kidwise: Took 4 into the Urgent Care yesterday after she was up all night Saturday night with an earache. They said it's not infected yet. She did sleep better last night, but the cough is worse. Hopefully she'll clear out of this in time for art.

Momwise: My house is the cleanest it's been in a long time. We're redoing our loan, and the appraiser is taking photos today. You can bet that snapped us into a 'fall cleaning' mode. There's still work to do, but for today I'm happy. I'll probably take some photos for myself as proof it can be this clean. The kids are instructed not to take anything out before she comes at noon today. And, lunches are packed for the kids so I can shoo them into the backyard to eat at the picnic table while the appraiser works.

Knitwise: Ishbel it is. I looked a bit more around ravelry to see if I could find something where I would use more of the yardage...but Ysolda's design won. I am having problems with the YO's matching on both sides so I read in the Ishbel Forum a link to this post that explains why I had the problem I did...and how to fix it. I'll frog back my 20 rows and fix that after the appraiser today...I'll deserve a break by then.

Menu Plan Monday (my first time linking)

Monday

B: bagles

L: lunchbox

D: roast & red potatoes

Tuesday

B: French Toast (F-week)

L: Muffin Tin Monday...since we were busy on Monday

D: Crock Pot Lasagna (first time I'm trying this...so I'll let you know if it's good)

Wednesday:

B: English Muffins

L: freezer burritos (I made these...I might just write about it later)

D: Chicken Kisses

Thursday

B: French Toast

L: Turkey Sandwiches

D: Tortilla Soup

Friday...it's a big day...it's our 10th anniversary.

B: eggs & biscuits

L: Peanut Butter Sandwiches

D: Brisket & Oven Fries & Gravenstein Apple Pie (M's been wanting to smoke something again since the ribs he made on Labor Day. I bought him a brisket. It's 10#. I figure that's a good 10th anniversary gift since we're 'not really' buying each other gifts...we bought new bedding together at the end of summer...that's our gift to each other.)

Fearless Heart!

It's time for a new theme song for my life. These words are challenging to me. I don't have that fearless heart now...but I want it. I know HE can do this in me.

Fearless Heart! point of grace You can play the song here.

For even the most trusting soul
This world can be a scary place
So much that we can't control
In every moment that we face

When a thousand what ifs
Whisper in our ears
We remember who's we are
And watch them disappear

I wanna live with a fearless heart
Courage that's coming from trust in God
It's constantly guiding me though the road may seem dark
I wanna live, wanna live with a fearless heart

There are worries chasing everyone
It's evident in times like these
But I have found the confidence that comes
From time I spend on my knees

There's a truth I'm holding onto
As these days unfold
Greater is He, that is in you
Than he that's in the world

I wanna live with a fearless heart
Courage that's coming from trust in God
It's constantly guiding me though the road may seem dark
I wanna live, wanna live with a fearless heart

He's my strength, He's my shelter
He is with me all the way
He's my light and my salvation
Of whom shall I be afraid, of whom shall I be afraid?

I wanna live with a fearless heart
Courage that's coming from trust in God
It's constantly guiding me though the road may seem dark, yeah

I wanna live with a fearless heart
Courage that's coming from trust in God
It's constantly guiding me though the road is dark
I wanna live, wanna live with a fearless heart

With a fearless heart, with a fearless heart
With a fearless heart

Home from vacation

Wish I was still enjoying the Napa Valley. But, it is good to be home. Last night when we arrived, I thought about unpacking the car, and getting the wee one ready for bed. I didn't think about not having milk for my morning coffee. Now that my princess is awake...we're off to starbucks so I can wake up too. Then grocery shopping so we're ready for the week to start. Happy Monday.

What God is saying to me today...

Priorities...

Mine are completely out of wack!

My knitter friends, I'm sure have read this post from the Yarn Harlot. I read this on Sunday as I was home from church sitting with a heating pad on my back.

This morning, my back still aching, I'm in a chair with a cup of coffee and my Bible...and Surviving Motherhood. Check out this video.

I hear God calling me to take August to re-situate my life. Slow down. Where is your life? Do you need to slow down too?

and ps...I've got beans in the slow cooker today. Does that contribute to the slow life?

I think I can at least update...

I'm overwhelmed these days.

Momwise: How can our house be so full of clutter. In January, I spent a week emptying the kids closets and gave away bags of things. I want a week in my house without my kids. A week where I wouldn't have to cook for or pick-up after the kids. A week when I could empty their closets again without them whining when I want to give away a toy they haven't played with in the last 6 months.

Schoolwise: I've planned for school some, but I need to make a day trip to a copy center and get everything ready. Our weeks that were the most successful last year all began with me pulling out a file that had been prepped during the summer. With three kids, if I can't produce the nest lesson/page/activity within seconds, I've lost their focus.

Catwise: We've had Rex almost a year. I need to find a vet for him as he'll need his shots soon. And we'd like to take a vacation, but he requires A LOT of attention. It's hard to find a cat sitter that wants to spend a quantity of time with your pet. My mom is out of the question as she'll be going with us. I'm thinking we need to find someone to live in our house.

Knitwise: I wish for more time in the day....

Just Checking In...

I've had some fun posts planned in my head. Lots of Red White & Blue family fun. Some finished knits. Some kid art. But, the photos for all these things are on the desktop, and it seems I'm only on my laptop these days. I do need to update something...so here's the bullet points.

Healthwise:

• Only one kid had the tummy bug! That's a HUGE praise!
  
• I've not been feeling well though...something different though. I'm frustrated that I might have to go to the Dr. tomorrow.

Kidwise:

• Both boys have learned to swim! 2 down/ 1 to go.
• A lot of life feels like that (2 have learned to read, write, ride a bike, swim...and one to go...I don't want to miss the fun things that are happening right now...but I can see that my kids will demand less of me when all three can participate).

Momwise:

• I'm not sure if it's the laid back attitude of summer or what, but I'm feeling blue. I'm not sure how I want to fix this either.
• I'm not finding time for the things I need...reading, knitting, exercise.
• And I NEED to be purging too-small clothes from the kids closets.

Schoolwise:

• I'm working on planning school for next year. Mostly, this has me going through last years stuff and putting papers in the recycle bin. I'm also cutting up magazines for future collages (I save images we might need and get rid of the rest...boy did we have a lot of magazines.)
• I bought a cute ABC scrapbook for our Alphabet study next year. I've never really scrapbooked, but I think this will be a fun way to remember our year.

Knitwise:

• I CO for Cece (chic knits) for my mom. I hope I can have it finished for the start of school.
• I'm also working on finishing up some 2nd socks.

Guess that's it. I really want to work on Finding Joy in my everyday life. I think there's a book I need to buy.

*** ETA*** 7 (the one with the tummy bug that probably wasn't a tummy bug) threw up again this morning. This time I'm pretty sure it's an ear infection. I'm waiting until 9am to call the Dr. and try to get 2 appointments. One for him and one for me.

Living in the Mundane

I read Kristen's Tuesday post over at "We are THAT Family" this morning.  By the way...I love her name. =0)  Oh, did that video speak to me.  Living in the Mundane....bleaching every surface that has been touched by barf.  Finding a wet pull up that had been put back into the PJ drawer by one 4 yo...and now washing all the contents of that drawer.  I am living in the MUNDANE.  It's my decision to be stuck here or to invite the Glorious to join me...and change my heart.  Go watch the video by Christy Nockels and then there's a free song to download.  Invite the Glorious into your Mundane.  I know I'm not the only one with STACKS of dirty laundry...and kids that spill when they eat...and a house that gets messy while we're all asleep.  

Update from yesterday...We're clear this morning...but my heart won't be settled for a few days when I can be sure this won't pass to other kids...or myself...or my husband.  

Panic Attack...

My mom is in VA. She's usually my first line of defense. M is at work...and not answering his phone. I'm having a panic attack. These have been further between, but when one hits...I don't really care that it's been some time since my last.

I know that some of you reading this today are the praying sort. Please pray for me to feel HIS strength. I know in my head that GOD IS IN CONTROL...and that He won't allow me to go through more than I can handle...but today my boat is rocking. Thanks in advance for your prayers.


***Edited 3 hours later. I got a hold of M. He came home for the rest of the day. This could either be a little blip or this could mean we have a rough week ahead. 7 threw up this morning. I'm hoping it's because he didn't get breakfast soon enough after he woke up. Otherwise, it could mean a chain reaction through the family.

The biggest part of this isn't 7's tummy bug...but my reaction to it. In 1998 when I was in China, I ate something that made me sick from about the 4th of July until Valentine's Day the next year. This was worse than any pregnancy sickness...and I was pretty ill with 4. Beyond the travel bug that I had, was the mental tole that it took. And some how...this makes it all *FLASH* back. I've talked briefly with counselors before, but I've never had the money to pay for going every week. I know that I have to deal with my own demons, but for now...I just don't want to pass on my fears to my kids.

I think I push this back as far as I can in between illness. This time...I might just have to leave it to the front so I can let HIM heal me.

Finally a Washer AND Dryer.

Sometime in May, our washer quit draining.  It was frustrating.  And when it began to give out more frequently, M & I needed to discuss a new one.  On a whim, we went to Sears just to look.  We were debating the cost of repairs on the old one vs. the price of a new one.  All that balanced with the potential decrease in our water bill.  We bought a set.  We LOVED the set.  But, they were only able to deliver the Washer.  It came on June 5th.  Our dryer was scheduled for the 20th.  Then the 24th, then the 26th, then the 29th...and just Saturday I received a call that our dryer wouldn't be available until July 16th!!!   I was loosing faith that we'd ever have a matched set.  We went in to the local store.  They just happened to have a BLUE set in the store.  They could pick up the White Washer and our old dryer and we've have a SET...just like that.  Only could it really be so easy?!?  They came this morning...and tested everything...it all worked, so they left.  The delivery man placed the 'owner's manual' conveniently over a 5" scratch that had been touched up with the wrong color paint!  Seriously!  I just want a Washer AND a Dryer without drama.  We worked out a deal for a store gift card and they're picking up a year's worth of extended warranty.  I think I still need to call tomorrow about a plastic piece that seems to be falling off.  What has happened to appliances these days.  They seem to be sparkly, but where's the reliability?  Our old Washer/Dryer set was 7 1/2 years old.  Granted with 3 babies...I did a LOT of laundry.  But, our fridge is nearing 21 years old.  I'm almost scared to get a new one that might look pretty and have fancy features...but won't work.  What are your appliance woes?  

My Birthday!

M went all out for my birthday this year. I got my present early. =0) I'm really enjoying it. I've never had a laptop, and it's so convenient. I wanted a small one so I could take it with me. Then on the Friday after my birthday he planned a special dinner for me in our back yard. I knew that when he got home from work I had to leave the house for a few hours. I came home to this....

M had shopped around. The lights on the umbrella are from Target, the Wire Balls are from Pier 1. The Accordian Lanterns are from Pottery Barn, but I got those last year from my MIL...my mom reminded M about their location when the kids informed her of the plan. And the place settings, placemats, and tablerunners were another gift from M...those are from Pottery Barn. He bought beverages at BevMo. And ordered dinner from Alicia's. Even if you're not local...really check out their menu...it's fantastic...every town should have an Alicia's. We ate Chicken Ceasar Salad, Raveloi, Garlic Cheese Rolls, and Strawberry Shortcake that was to die for. The kids used walkie-talkies and M instructed them when to bring out the next course. My 2 little waiters were amazing. My princess was our entertainment...she danced in the candlelight. Not pictured is a cool dink caddy, but I can't seem to find it on the PB site either. We really enjoy our fun bottled sodas and this is a great way to carry 6. Here I was drinking a Route 66 Root Beer.

I sure hope I can do this well as I plan his birthday...it's coming up in July.

Spring Forward

Not so much springing here. Whoever invented the time change must not have had children. We're s.l.o.w.l.y adjusting to the new time. I LOVE that it's light later. I just wish we wouldn't have to 'fall back' in the fall.

I haven't done a post like this in awhile.

Momwise: I haven't used an alarm clock regularly in years. The kid alarm clock is much more dependable. 2 of my kids are early risers. 7:30 is considered sleeping in. They're usually up between 6:30 and 7. But this year, the kid alarm clock wasn't so effective on Sunday, first day at the new time, so we missed church. And today (you'd think I would have learned after the first day, but I didn't) we woke up at 9am and had to be at our field trip (that I was in charge of) at 9:45. I was able to get the kids fed, pack a picnic, dress myself, help 3 with her shoes, and get out the door within 30 minutes. That was some kind of miracle since it usually takes at least an hour for my coffee to kick in. ;0) I'm thrilled to have 3 potty trained kids, and ones that can dress themselves, and also buckle themselves in the car. A year ago, with one kid still in diapers, and needing help getting dressed, and a 5pt harness in the car...we would have totally missed the fieldtrip.

Kidwise: 6 had a wonderful birthday! Thanks for the happy wishes. 7 told 3 that it's her birthday next so she's been asking every morning if it's her birthday yet. Her birthday is at the end of April. 6 said we can just tell people that she's turning 5 instead of 4 since she's so tall.

Knitwise: I finished my Bird-of-Paradise socks. (I'll get photos up as soon as the new computer is running. Hopefully this week.) I had to finish those socks to CO for the Spring Forward socks. Perfect pattern for this week! I'm using my Scout's Swag February Sock Club Yarn. Scout got her inspiration here. I hope it's ok for me to use that link. I knew that this was the pattern for this yarn, but when I first CO the ribbing came out perfect, then I must have held the yarn too loosely because it was worse than pooling. I was able to rip back to the ribbing, and just by holding the yarn tighter get perfect pink and green/yellow stripes. Yeah! I'm loving this yarn/pattern combination. I just need to decide how many repeats to do before I start the heel.

Catwise: My BIL got some amazing shots of the Rex while he was here for 6's party. I'll share them when he sends a link. Rex is getting a little fat. I'm not sure if this is closer to a normal weight for him as he was so scrawny when we got him from the rescue. Anybody know about how many pounds an average cat weighs? Is there such a thing as average?

Blogwise: I need to find a new rhythm. I really miss getting my thoughts out. I miss taking photos and posting them. It was a "me" thing. I didn't do it for M, or for the kids, or even because I had to. I did it for me. It was FUN. It still is FUN. But it seems that the FUN is what's been sucked out of my life as I started working evenings and began homeschooling the 2nd kid. Life is busy. I don't want it to be so busy that I can't blog.

Schoolwise: I really, really miss recording my homeschool stuff. It was so easy to print samples last year when I had photographed our adventures. Now, I'm lucky if I remember what week we did what. I started a blog just for our States study. I am determined to go back and post stuff from this fall. We're having so much fun, we'll be continuing with the states next year and I'll want a record of our 2 year "Journey across America."

Shorter Days and BIG NEWS

It always happens this time of year. With the sun setting earlier each day, the kids want dinner earlier. (But why don't they want to go to bed earlier?!) I get less done in spite of my growing "TO-DO" list. I'll write a catch up post soon. But for now...

Thursday (the 9th) was my anniversary. The boys went with Nana for the weekend, and Friday 3 went to spend the night with Grandma and Pop-pop. What did I do? Go to bed at 2pm. I was feeling a sore throat coming on, and before 3 even left so that Mom and Dad could go out to dinner, I was out. This morning, I feel that the sleep was totally needed. I did get up at 7pm and had a cup of tea, but then I slept right through to 8am.

I work today and tomorrow. That leaves precious little time for pulling pages for next week's school, writing a meal plan and grocery list, shopping for groceries, and cleaning up the house, and doing laundry. I will still make it to church, but where did my Sabbath day go? I really want to achieve a 'day of rest' and it seems the harder I try the more unattainable it is.

So, someday I'll...

download photos to my computer, back them up, order prints, knit, take photos of my knitting, blog about my knitting, blog about school...I'll stop now with the list. It just doesn't make me feel better about my day.

I've been keeping up with devotions and one of those places I visit is Praise & Coffee. Here she wrote about Supermom. Don't you know I just love that topic?! Read her article if you don't know why I "LOVE" being a Supermom. Really, I don't want to be one, but the minimal level of clean that I was ok with has now given way to "Please, step over the piles!" I'm spreading myself too thin. My husband and children NEED to step up and do more around the house if I'm going to work outside the home.

And for the BIG NEWS before I go iron my blouse for work...M starts a new job on Monday. After a week with second interviews he was left with multiple offers to choose from. Ultimately, he chose the every other Friday off job. I think it will be a good fit for our family. But, I will need to continue to work until we're back up on our feet. (It's been 10 weeks with no job) Just the HOPE that comes from knowing there will be a big paycheck before our next mortgage is due is fantastic.

So, the knitting that I'm not photographing, or the knitting that I am photographing but don't have time to post...
I finished my BYOB
I CO for another smaller market bag with the remnants of Cotton-Ease and it's almost done...if I can just remember where I set the pattern.
I'm to the toe decreases on the 2nd Sanity Sock
I've finished 3 more washcloths
I have new yarn to photograph
I think I'll leave it at that. If I normally comment at your blog, but I haven't been around...there just isn't enough hours right now. I miss the time to email.

And Tammy, my only 'spelling errors' here are th in 9th, ok, and nd in 2nd! I do know what you mean about zero missed spellings.

More to pray about...

Wisdom. It's hard to make decisions that will change the future for your family when you don't even have all the information. Today, M received an offer from the Thursday interview. He's tentatively accepted that, but there is paperwork to be signed and the have projected the 13th as his start date. Then, the Wednesday interview invited M for a 2nd interview. M really feels that this would be an opportunity for them to offer him a position. These jobs really mean completely different things for our family. One job structures the week differently so that employees get every other Friday off. One job could possibly mean a 2 hour commute home because of L.A. traffic. One job will stretch M's management skills. One job will allow him to be a designer. And that's only what we currently know about the companies. We all know that things look different from the inside. We'll have lots to pray about in the next weeks. Also, while there is a job on the horizon, we still have a few weeks before we get a paycheck. I do not doubt that HE will provide though. Thank you all for your prayers these past 2 months! I know that in all this, it is nothing that I have done, and only my Father that brings peace.

Good Things

Somehow, that always makes me think of that maven who has cornered the market on 'living'. She fed my need to be a SuperMom so I canceled that subscription. Anyways, this isn't about that kind of 'good things'. It's amazing how quickly things can turn around. On Tuesday, I worked a full day training. I learned to use a register. That was the scariest part for me, but I'm good now I think. While I was at work, M got phone call after phone call. By the time I got home, he had 3 interviews scheduled!!! PTL! Yesterday's interview was near Wildfiber. The closest LYS to today's interview is 2 Old Divas. Tomorrow's interview is near The Sheared Sheep. Like how I think? I'm hopeful that one of these will turn into a job for M.

Yesterday, I was able to spend the day at the day with our homeschool group at the County Fair. It was FREE! We went as a school group, and even had a pass for parking. When we watched the cow milking demonstration, the kids all got a FREE milk to drink. And after watching the pig races, each adult got a coupon for a FREE pound of bacon. We had packed our lunches...a huge savings. So, we were able to enjoy a day out with minimal cost. I don't think I would have had the same appreciation for that last spring. I think we may be going to the Aquarium next week for FREE too.

My favorite part of the Fair was the spinning demonstration. One of the spinners has an etsy shop. I drooled over the hank of yarn that she had spun from the Ram in her backyard. 6's favorite thing was the Seep Dog demonstration. They had the Sheep Dog chase the sheep down for the sheep shearing. 5's favorite thing was grinding dried corn into cornmeal with a hand crank grinder. 3's favorite part was the Pig Races.

When I got home from the Fair, there was a package waiting for me. Allison sent me a 'pick me up'! I should have taken a photo first, but I didn't. Instead, I CO right away for a washcloth with the yarn and pattern in the package.

I typed this yesterday, but with scheduled blogger outages...I couldn't add photos. I'll try to add them later.

Faith

I was at work just to fill out paperwork yesterday, and then I needed to buy some black pants as none of my 'stay at home mom' wardrobe fit the uniform. My first full day is Tuesday. I will enjoy the work most days...I think I'll be really tired when I'm out until midnight then getting up with the kids in the morning.

With well over 100 resumes out there...someone has to call for M soon. Like everyone else, we'll be waiting to see how the economy responds to the bail-out. While I'm waiting...I need reminders like this. And a friend shared this quote with me. "Second only to suffering, waiting may be the greatest teacher and trainer in godliness, maturity, and genuine spirituality most of us ever encounter." by Ben Patterson. I know I'm learning. I know this process is a chance for growth. I would like to be more open to the training, more grounded in my faith instead of shaking like a leaf.

Knitwise: I haven't posted much. I've turned the heel on my 2nd Sanity Sock. I'll have to decide if they are going to be a Christmas gift, or open up the toe on the first sock and add a few rows before the toe decrease. I followed the pattern, and they are a bit too short for me. They would however fit my SIL perfectly...she's about a 1/2 size smaller than me. Over the weekend, I started an afghan with homespun in my stash. I don't really like this yarn, but considering it's been waiting in my stash for so long...and the prospect of 'free' Christmas gifts is enticing, I CO. Then, my middle child claimed that this one should belong to him. I did knit a blanket with homespun for when my oldest turned 5. Middle child never picked out yarn for his 5th birthday. I'll just keep knitting and decide later who this is for. No one is likely to turn away a soft blanket.