Thank you all for your prayers!  Yesterday was the 7th anniversary of Joshua’s death.  (I almost wrote “passing” as that seems a more gentle word. But there was nothing gentle about losing a child at 8.5 mos old!  It was brutal, shocking and the most painful thing we’ve ever lived through!)  If Joshua had lived, he’d be 7.5 yrs old now.  To be honest, I can’t even imagine life with another child in our home.  And, I’m not really one to waste a lot of time on ‘what could have been’.  It’s only painful.  So, let’s change the subject!

Remember last month when J3 declared I made him yucky eggs (the yolk was not runny)?  Well today I made him pancakes and he said I did a really good job! LOL He was very serious – almost like it was a job performance review! lol  And, I was a bit worried when he caught me adding a bit of lemon juice! I was pretty sure he wasn’t going to try them!

Today Hubs is taking a half day so he can go to J1’s therapy appt with him.  The past 48 hours have been some of the worse we have lived through.  Lots of raging, screaming and defiance.  I’ve been saying that I want J1 off all his meds but last week we had a couple of days where he took much less than he was supposed to (communication problem! 🙁 ) and, well, those were pretty hard days for all of us.  We are learning that we might be dealing with Oppositional Defiance Disorder as well as the FASD & ADHD.  I hesitate to share this on my blog because so many of you live nearby and I don’t want you to think of J1 any differently.  But I also need the support and encouragement from those of you who’ve been here and done this!

What else is new?  Well, literally new – a new laptop and new cell phone!  Argh – those were frustrating days!  And, it’s long story but now we seem to be swimming right along.  The only thing that’s not back to normal is my phone.  I had a Palm Centro.  I hadn’t use the online parts of it for several months due to the cost (an additional $30/line each month!!) but I used it like my old daytimer or Palm PDA.  Now I am back to carrying a paper calendar in my purse.  And, I have to make sure it is up-to-date with my Google calendar!  I really miss my Centro!  But last night, Hubs said I could have an early anniversary present and I ordered an iPod Touch! So, I’m hoping with the apps available out there, that I will be able to have my PDA options and even a few more programs to help my day!  So, if you have an iPhone or an iPod Touch, what’s your favorite app?

I’ve mentioned a few times on Twitter that I’m writing.  You know I work for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, right?  Well, Summer issues usually have an adoption and special learning theme.  And, I’ve been invited to write a Show & Tell article – basically a get to know you article.  To be honest, writing it is turning out to be easier than I thought! I really enjoy it!  Who knew?  In fact, I’m realizing I’m having trouble keeping it short enough! LOL  So, we’ll be skipping some things.  I’ll let you know if/when they accept my article.

My friend Ashley came over a couple of weekends ago and took family pictures of us for the article.  I love the shots of the kids and the big group shot.  But when it came to a picture of me by myself (a requirement for the article) – blech!  It’s not Ashley’s fault.  And, I’m not being too critical.  If I looked okay, my hair was flying the wind.  If my hair looked good (I know vanity!!) then I was talking to her or watching the kids.   Sigh.  I hate having my picture taken but I think I need to give her a call and ask her if she can help me try again.  And, yes, I’ll post the pictures soon.  With all the computer problems there just hasn’t been a moment to put them online!

Ok – since this post has gotten so long already – I might as well update you on a few other things in my life:  my workouts and my knitting!  First the bad – working out! No, not really!  I’m really enjoying it.  My MIL comes over every morning (Bless her!) and I run off to the gym.  While I’m gone, she feeds Sissy, gets the boys to wake up and even do a chore or two.  Sissy loves this time with her and I love getting a workout in!  Then I get home and my MIL heads off to her workout, so it’s a win-win!  :D  I’m knitting her something special as a thank you!

And, speaking about knitting….well, I’m not 100% sure who reads this – so no pictures of some projects.  But here’s a list of the things I’m working on:

  • A secret something for a secret someone
  • A secret something for my MIL
  • A rainbow booga bag for me (low priority)

And, I just test knit a Two-Tiered Tutu for my friend Becca for Sissy!  It’s adorable on her and it was so fun to knit!  You can buy the pattern here or, if you are not a knitter, I think Becca will be selling them in her Etsy store soon too!  Here’s some pics of Sissy modeling her tutu:

 

 

 

 

Well, that’s it for me! I’d better get ready for my workout! You all are such a blessing to me.  I’m not sure how I could have made it these past 7 years without you all!

You know what the best Valentine’s day present I received today?  Watching  J2 (who has severe learning disabilities) playing hangman in church with his friends.  Yes, I’d rather he be listening, but I never thought he’d even try to play a game that requires him to spell words!  It was super-exciting to me!

And, not only that – but he won! 😉

When you knead bread you have lots of time to think…  (**could be Lost spoilers – Cheryl, this is your only warning! ;-)  You can’t read this post until Saturday!)

  • I’d like a new table
  • I appreciate that this one is low enough to making kneading the dough easier and is smoother than my tile counter tops
  • However, there are cracks in this table that are turning white due to the flours.  I don’t want to worry about cleaning cracks in my table.
  • I’d like a new table that seats 8 easily
  • I wonder if I can get one that big in this room?
  • My hand really hurts.  I thought it was arthritis, but really it feels more like an injury.  Sort of hope it is so that I know it will get better.
  • **I wonder if Sawyer in the flash-sideways is no longer a con-man.  He didn’t try to con Hugo. But he knew Kate was in handcuffs and he still helped her get away.
  • Will I have enough time for this bread to rise before J1’s dentist appt?
  • Maybe I can take him…come back and make my loaves and go back and pick him up during it’s 2nd rise?
  • I’m so happy Eric is finally realizing we need a new bed!  Now if I can convince him we can live with a smaller one too!
  • **Who were the people in the temple?
  • **Is it bad that I find “Man in Locke” so fascinating?  He’s got to be a bad person, right?  Is he a person?!?!
  • I hope I can swatch for the Evenstar Shawl today!
  • It’s pretty cool that J2 is already done with his schoolwork today.
  • However, I wonder if I can sneak in an extra science lesson to catch up a bit.
  • I really need to write those product reviews!
  • And the article!  yikes!
  • I need to get with Ashley about photos!
  • I wonder how Trina‘s bread turned out yesterday?
  • I wonder if my tea is still warm?
  • I really should knit myself a new tea cozy.
  • Man…10 mins is a long time!

I hate reality.

Reality is where I have to face the facts that I can’t possible keep it all together…keep it all running…make everyone happy.  As much as I try, I can’t.

It’s not a matter of allowing Christ to work through me (Phil 4:13) – it’s the fact that ONE person can’t do it all.

I am going to work to accept that it is not my fault.

I am going to work to accept that everything is not, and will not be, perfect.

I am not going to give up on you and your needs, but I might not be the person to meet them for you.

I am not going to feel guilty about that.

hot-tea-month_btn3_lrg1

Week Two: January 10th-16th
Tell us about your favorite teas. Do you prefer black, green, white, red, or “herbal”? Do you like added flavors such as fruit, flowers, vanilla, chocolate, or spices, or are you a “purist”?

I’m a bit polirized….I like black teas and “herbal” teas.   I like my black teas to be pretty straightforward, but I like my herbal teas to be very fruity (orange or lemon).  And, while I love Chocolate, I haven’t found a tea flavored with chocolate that I enjoyed.

I have rules about tea drinking – until noon it’s black teas with no flavor.  After noon and into the evening it’s herbal only and then it’s usually something  with citrus.

Does anyone else have rules like this or am I just “special” this way?

Go here to find the other responses to these questions from other participants!