I think we are definitely in a groove! This is a good thing. For me, keeping to our schedule is paramount, for if I don't, school won't get done.

I tell you what, Ying is still walking on air from learning to read! She is so happy and in such a good mood all the time. She isn't even fighting w/ Yang as much, which is huge!

I went out and got her the level 1 set of Bob Books, and she reads them all the time, to anyone who will listen. She's been carrying them with her where ever she goes, just in case she wants to read (or more probably in case she sees someone who wants to see her read)!

Yang, on the other hand, has been a big distraction this week. Since I don't have him doing reading with us, it's hard to keep him on task w/ anything other than the computer, but he always needs help w/ the computer, so I end up running back and forth between them. Thankfully Ying is still so excited, she's willing to wait, but I'm afraid that's not going to last very long. I have to figure out something for him to do that will keep him busy for at least 30 mins at a time (besides the TV, preferably). He has some puzzles that worked that first week, but he got bored with them.

As soon as he saw starfall.com, which is where I was having Ying do her practice reading until our readers came in the mail (the box still hasn't arrived yet!) he fell in love with it, but he's having trouble w/ the mouse. He's just not figured the whole mouse thing out yet, so I have to run down there everytime he clicks on the wrong thing, or can't get the cursor to go where he wants it. Very frustrating!

Thing2 has been trying to acclimate to the new schedule. He's been going to bed by 10p every night, which is a big deal, as I usually just let him set his own schedule. However, he has only gotten up at 6am one morning. I think once he proved to himself he could do it, he didn't see the point in doing it any more until he had to! I can relate, but I warned him not to expect me to get up and drag him out of bed every morning. If he doesn't get up in time, well, he'll just be tardy! He's old enough to get himself out of bed. I told him I will wave goodbye on good mornings, but not to expect much more than that until I wean Cindy Lou Who. I'm just too tired all the time!

His first day is Tuesday. I'm praying it goes well for him. We went to the orientation last Tuesday. He picked up his schedule and found his locker and all his classrooms. I kind of let him do his own thing, while I just hung out in the cafeteria. T2 stopped to check on me a couple of times. It was kinda cute. He was worried that I was bored. I told him I was having fun watching all the people.

It was interesting watching all the mothers dragging their kids behind them telling them how to find their classes. I was like that with Yertle too. (I guess after having a whole slew of kids, you learn where you're supposed to let up, and give them some control.) Then you had those kids who were obviously dropped off, but really needed someone's help...at least to point them in the right direction. I ended up helping one young man after I watched him circle the hub about 15 times. Poor kid. I didn't want to embarrass him, so I went and picked up two maps, then as I walked by him, I told him I picked up an extra and asked if he wanted it. He was more than happy to oblige me! So I pointed out where he was and I didn't see him circle the hub again. Now, whether he found all his classes, I'll never know, but I got my mothering fix in just the same!

Thing1 has had some ups and downs. Pierced is a handful. She loves him though. Her mood is directly related to his, which is not good. I pray God would step in and either draw Pierced closer to Himself or separate them. I do want this young man to meet my Savior and accept Him as Lord, but ultimately, my selfish request is to separate them because my myopic vision only lets me see the here and now, but I do pray for God's will...after I share with Him my own feelings about the situation, of course. Since T1 was born, we've prayed for a godly man to be her husband. We weren't specific about the timing...so I guess he can become godly later?

I don't even know what I'm gonna do when T2 falls hard for a young lady. I don't know if I can handle both of them dating! Oh my goodness! T2 has had some crushes, and an unrequited love, but these have been pretty harmless to him emotionally, so far. Why did I even think about that just now? Sheesh, I don't need to worry about it until it happens, right? (ha!)

Cindy Lou Who is just a-jabberin' all the time. She sings and talks almost non-stop. Right now it's so cute. She's added a couple words to her vocabulary, so along w/ Hi, Bye, Nee Nee, the occasional mama & dada, she has actually said bubb in T2's vicinity, so I think she might be trying to say bubby? Maybe? She so loves him! She's really gonna miss him when he's away all day at school. I mean, really!  Anyway, she's so fun right now! She's been in Wee One's Worship for 2 weeks in a row and loves every minute of it...until nap time hits her like a ton o' bricks!

Since I mentioned Yertle, I should tell you she's still w/ the fella from FL. I do believe this is a record for her. She has held down the same legitimate job since she got down there and met this fella. She has actually found a place that is willing to pay for her meds (some kind of medical trial) so that's a great thing for her, since she doesn't have insurance through her job. As long as she takes her meds, she does so much better. She traveled up here a few weeks back, and she actually seemed normal. She could hold an adult conversation and was coherent and pretty together. She has finally put some weight on and is looking healthy. She's still Yertle, and starts pushing your buttons as soon as you're around her for very long, but she's doing so much better. I'm grateful that God hasn't given up on her. His faithfulness is so evident in her life: even when we turn our backs on Him, He is always there. Someday, Yertle is going to have the most awesome testimony!

We talked to Horton & Mayzie's mom today. She stopped by to see Cat. They are doing well, and have moved to a new home. It's right across the street from their old one.  They are very happy as their former landlord wasn't very nice...he's what you might call a slumlord. This house is in much better shape and they are thrilled! It looks like Mayzie isn't signing up for school either. Cat's kind of disappointed, but what are ya gonna do?

I want to close by thanking God for the health of my children. When I think of little ones who are suffering, and their parents who suffer along with them, it breaks my heart. Please keep the family of Many Kids, especially little Lucy, in your prayers. Leukemia. Man, it just makes me tear up when I think about it.

Lord, heal this, your little one, if it be your will, and if not, take away her pain. She's so little, and just doesn't understand. She's a strong little girl, as evidenced by her quick response to the transfusions. Comfort her mommy and daddy and give them strength to meet the needs of their family through this trial. Be with her siblings, Lord, and help them to understand. Thank you that the doctors caught this early and that it is treatable. Give them wisdom as they begin to treat Lucy. Bring glory to yourself through this family! In Jesus' holy name, I ask these things. Amen.

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18