Oct. 4, 2008 - Saturday - Home Alone!

I have the day home alone.  DH and dd left to go to mil's house to cut down a tree.  I have the whole day to myself!       

Can you tell I don't get much time to myself? 

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Sep. 19, 2008 - Friday - 50th Anniversary

Here is the spumoni cake dd and I made for the party:

Here is the food table:

Here is my dad:

Here is a (blurry) picture of Mom:

Here is one of me:

Yes, I look like my dad. 

Having the party was so much fun!  I was so tired afterwards though, that I didn't get up until 10:30 the next morning. 

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Sep. 3, 2008 - Wordless Wednesday - Goofy pictures

 

 

 

Come see my Ebay auctions!

~~ Stacy ~~

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Aug. 27, 2008 - Wordless Wednesday -- Our new tent

Dh bought dd a tent so she could sleep outside in the back yard.  Here is a picture of her and a close friend:

Notice how they quickly filled the tent with Barbies and horses. 

~~ Stacy ~~

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Aug. 23, 2008 - Saturday

I haven't been posting much lately because my wrists are REALLY bothering me.  I am having lots of pain and tingling, which has forced me to cut out most of my computer time.  I still plan to do the Tuesday meme, but the rest may be cast aside for a while.

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Jul. 27, 2008 - Sunday update on dd

DD didn't spend quite as much time lying down on Saturday as she had been.  By Saturday evening, she was talking about being stir crazy.  That is a good sign.   

I am still keeping her home from church since we don't have a diagnosis at this point.  Better to be safe than sorry. 

I am almost with the idea that I actually get to leave the house for a bit this morning!  Actually, I love being home, but I think the stress of not knowing what is wrong with dd has made it difficult to be home so much because the thought of "what is wrong with her?" is always there.  Even though I try to focus on doing other things, that thought never leaves.  And I can't even  except for a very limited amount of time during the week. 

I just found a really neat devotion that really spoke to my heart with all we are facing right now.  I know it will encourage you, especially if you are facing trials of any kind. 

I ended the night last night with a migraine.  Thankfully, I was able to  and I feel MUCH better this morning! 

I'd say that by the end of this ordeal, I might be looking like , except that I color my hair, so you'll never know!

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Jul. 26, 2008 - The "SATURDAY MORNING POST" -- Update on dd

Still no word from the doctor's office.  One person said it can take two weeks for mono results to come back.  Another said 5 minutes.  I am going to quit paying attention to those kinds of comments because I have enough on my mind without getting conflicting information.  We will just have to until they call us. 

DD is still resting a lot, though not doing much actual  during the daytime hours.  She usually "comes to life" for about 3-4 hours in the evening.  Since that is around the time dh comes home, he doesn't seem to think there is anything wrong with her.    Perhaps when he is home tomorrow, he will see that we really aren't  and jut making it up. 

She was up more yesterday than she was on Wednesday and Thursday, but still very lethargic.  Basically sits and draws or lies down and watches TV.  We also bought some vitamins in liquid form from the health food store.  Those may be contributing to the slight changes we are seeing in her.  The vitamins cost around $60 for the two bottles dh purchased.    (Mary, I guess that one won't work for a TT thread, will it?)    OTOH, if they help dd feel much better, and shorten the length of whatever her illness is, then it will be worth it. 

Above all else,  .  Thank you to all of you who take time from your busy schedules to check on us, but most of all, thank you for your prayers. 

Specific prayer requests:

1. That dd regains her strength quickly and her body completely heals.

2. That whatever this is, it will be minor with no lasting complications.

3. For my sanity.  I'm beginning to go a little stir crazy. 

4. That my back will not end up going out since I'm not working out at the Y right now.  It is beginning to feel a bit tender, for lack of a better word.  The last thing we need is for me to be flat on my back for several days. 

5. For all of us to find our strength in the Lord and not allow a spirit of heaviness to take root. 

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Jul. 25, 2008 - Friday S&T - Cool family facts

I learned some really neat family facts this week.  Several of us were married in a year that ends with an 8.

 

My parents are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this year.

Dh and I celebrated our 20th anniversary this year.

My oldest brother and his wife celebrate 30 years next month.

My aunt and uncle celebrated their 40th anniversary earlier this year.     

 

I am posting this entry a little early since some of you have been asking about my dd.  WE STILL DO NOT KNOW FOR SURE WHAT IS WRONG WITH HER.

 

She is still very lethargic, though she hasn't slept at all since she woke up this morning.  Basically goes from bed to couch.  I am doing everything I can to help her so that she doesn't over-exert.  I thought once we were done with the broken arm issue that she'd be able to wash her hair on her own after that.  NOT!  She gets so dizzy and weak if she stands for any length of time, so I don't want her taking a shower and trying to do her hair by herself.   

 

We are barely getting any school work done.  It takes the whole day to do math and language arts, even with skipping over much of the stuff she already knows.  (Thank God for the yearly testing we do – it helps me to “know” it is OK to skip some things because she did such an awesome job this year.)    My plan was to try to get 36 days of those two subjects done before school officially starts so that we would only need to do those subjects 4 days a week.  I may have to re-think that plan.    I'm looking ahead to when school does officially start.  If she is still struggling at that point (and I've heard that is very possible IF it is mono), we will just skip doing history and vocabulary until she is much better. 

I hate playing the “waiting game” with the doctor’s office.   Our next appointment isn't until August 12.  They will only call us if any of the test results show something significant that requires more treatment.  So, I guess it is really a good thing if we don't hear anything from the doctor’s office. 

The neighbor girl keeps asking, “Is R still sick?”  I told her today that R will be sick for a long, long time.  I have a feeling that she won't grasp that concept entirely since she is several years younger than dd. 

I've been trying to figure out whether or not to finish teaching my Sunday school class.  There are only three more lessons to teach.  At that point, I am going to take a break.  I usually do that for the fall quarter to give me a chance to focus more on getting into a routine with school.  I did tell dd that if she wants me to stay home on Sunday, I will be more than happy to do so.  I know her dad will be here with her, but sometimes it just feels better to know that Mom is nearby.   

I will continue to post updates as I can.  Since we are still waiting on phone calls from the doctor, my online time is severely limited. 

 ~~ Stacy ~~

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Jul. 23, 2008 - Wordless Wednesday - Mono?

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Jul. 12, 2008 - DH is home!

Dh arrived home safely from his trip to Toledo, and he even made it back on dd's birthday!  We didn't tell her that he would likely be home that day.    We wanted to surprise her.

Unfortunately, some of the plans changed while he was in Toleda, which means another trip back in a week or two.  He also has another trip coming up to Bowling Green, KY.  For those of you who may live in those areas, if you ever see a Carter Lumber Yard, dh does the lettering on all of their buildings.  He has done their buildings in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina.

Since he has a couple of more trips coming up soon, I will plan to let dd have another slumber party!  We didn't get that done this week because of 4-H week.

I am on my way out to pick up dd's 4-H fair projects.  It is pouring down rain at the moment too. 

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Jun. 28, 2008 - Asking for prayer

My dd just found out that her best online-friend was in a biking accident and is hanging in the balance between life and death.  Please join me in praying for the Lord to do a miracle in Rachael's body.  (Rachael's family is a homeschooling family from Utah, so some of you may have already heard of this family through other websites.)

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Jun. 17, 2008 - Oh What a Day!

We got quite a shock when we came in from the Y.  After working in the weight room for 45 minutes, followed by 45 minutes of water aerobics, there was a message on the answering machine informing us that dd's clogging group has a performance TONIGHT!    DD is really going to get a workout today!  Her instructor was quite relieved to hear that dd can make it because most of the advanced class, which is very small, won't be there.

It's been a fun week around here.  Dd and I went to the local Rescue Mission store, as well as the Salvation Army store.  I found a couple of Bibles in versions I didn't have and I got them for FREE!    With writing devotions, a new perspective on a familiar verse can really help.    I found LOTS of books at the Salvation Army store.  I had just been discussing with someone the Boundaries book by Henry Cloud and John Townsend.  I was wanting to get it for future use in teaching a class.  I found the book and the workbook for only $1.70!    I also found the workbook to Battlefield of the Mind.  Can you tell that I enjoy using workbooks?    I found a myriad of other books too that I'm looking forward to reading.  One was Feathers in My Nest by Beth Moore.  Most of the books will have to wait until summer reading club at the library has ended. 

For those of you who like to read the devotions I post, I plan to start doing a devotion on Monday (like usual), but also on Thursday.  Since it is Thankful Thursday, I thought it would be appropriate to include a devotion with my thankful list.    On Thursday, I will be posting part one of a 2-part devotion.

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Feb. 8, 2008 - Cat poop and my husband

My morning started out differently than I had anticipated -- cleaning up a pile of cat poop this morning!      Since Sammy did his business by the drapes in the living room, I had to clean them as well.  Not a good way to start out the morning.  Thank God for Febreze though!  I sprayed his pile before I touched it!   

On a more positive note, dh finally got the second job in N.C. completed yesterday.  Can you hear me yelling with excitement?   He will be driving home today.  I'm not sure if we will see him when he gets in because the driving time alone will be over 10 hours.  That doesn't include any stops for gasoline or food.

Since dd has been sick with a temp and a sore throat for the last couple of days, I have been busy working on the house.  When dh has been gone, I always try to make the house "fit for a king."   And shouldn't our husbands be the "king" of their castle?    (And even more so since he's been gone nearly three weeks!) I'm also going to make a carrot cake for him today.    He can work it off at the Y later! 

This week I have managed to straighten up the bathroom closet and the pantry closet.  I cleaned the laundry room and did a little decluttering in there.  I dusted all the furniture yesterday and will vacuum later today.  The bathroom is clean, the kitchen has been cleaned, mopped, and I even waxed the sink.  Yes, I really did use car wax to do this.   It makes cleaning the sink much easier, and it lasts for quite a while too.   

In addition to the household cleaning, I finally finished preparing for my new class which starts in March.  It is on the Proverbs 31 lady.  I had to take all of the devotions I wrote on this subject, and turn them into an outline form.  I followed up with making hand-outs that will have fill-in-the-blank sections on them.  I find it easier to pay attention if I have something to do while listening to someone speak.  I designed a postcard for our church secretary to get ready for me so that I can send out notices on this class.  I also wrote the intro for my class that will be printed in the Sunday school section of the church bulletin.

Since dh is self-employed, we have a lot of paperwork to go through for taxes.  The part that I can help him with is done.    I also got dd's 4-H enrollment papers ready to go for this year.  I managed to get all the bills paid for the month so that I don't have to mess with it once dh gets home.   I even finished one of the Bible study workbooks I've been reading.  Once I determine what I plan to study next, I will post a link to it.

I have started going through homeschool things I want to list on Ebay.  I still need to take pictures and type up the ads for all of them, but at least I have some things in a pile in my Ebay closet.    Once I actually get in the mood to start typing the ads, it won't take long to do it.  Who knows?  Maybe that "bug" will hit today and I will finish most of it before dh arrives home.  I will post on my blog once I get them listed, just in case anyone is interested in viewing the items.  I will have SOTW 3 and 4, A Beka 6th and 7th, lapbooks from Hands of a Child and much more!

I'm off to strip my bed.  Yep -- another night sweat last night. 

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Feb. 7, 2008 - Pictures

This was taken last summer after dd was "crowned" during an Honor Stars ceremony at church.  This is a rigorous, three-year program where the girls memorize lots of scripture, complete a lot of projects, and learn about the doctrines of the church.

Do you see the big batch of balloons behind us?  They were huge!  You should have seen us driving home with them!  They wouldn't fit in the car, so dd held onto the base of them, with ALL of those balloons sticking out the window of the car!  Thankfully, we only live 5 blocks from our church.  People were coming out, standing on their porches, and looking at us like, "WHAT ARE THEY DOING????"  It was pretty funny. 

This was taken just before we left for the Honor Star ceremony.  She was so proud of this dress. Many times, the parents will allow their tweenaged daughters to wear strapless, revealing dresses.  DD didn't want any part of that.  We actually found this dress at a resale shop and the skirt still had the tags on it.  We got the whole outfit for around $24.00!  God is so good!

This was taken right after the ceremony.  Unlike me, dd really loves flowers! 

This was taken about 18 months ago, after dd's first round of braces.  She is in the first month of her second round of braces right now.

This is a more recent picture of me.  When I told the ladies on a homeshool board that I spiked my hair, they had me pictured as a punk rocker.    Not quite!    They were trying to picture "proverbsmama" as a punk rocker, and the two images just didn't add up! 

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Feb. 6, 2008 - The Y, continued

I can actually move this morning!    (If you don't understand the significance of that statement, please see yesterday's blog.) 

I can still feel it in my muscles, but they hurt in that "good" kind of way.   I was looking forward to going to the Y again today, however, dd woke me up at 5:30, wanting medicine for a sore throat.  I don't know if she is actually sick, or just having discomfort from drainage during the night.  I'm letting her sleep in since she didn't sleep well last night.

I am going to use the time to work on re-writing the Proverbs 31 study to use in my class in March.  I don't have much to do on it, but time is running short to get that done.  Since dh will hopefully return from N.C. later this week, I would really like to get most of it done so that I'm not on the computer much when he returns.

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Feb. 5, 2008 - Working out at Y

Dd and I have been using the pool at the Y for about 18 months now.  We have never checked into all the other options for exercising.    DD's hs group started PE classes at the Y yesterday.  While touring with them to see what areas they would be using for their classes, we saw the pilates room, weight room, as well as the cycling room.

Today dd and I decided to try out the weight room.  We used the treadmills for about 30 minutes, followed by some of the weight lifting machines.  Those things are AWESOME!   Since I am seriously out of shape, not to mention that I have a very bad back, I only did 5-10 repetitions on the machines I used.  I can't believe how much I can "feel" it in my muscles.  The real test will be tomorrow.  Will I be able to move?   And, will my back still be in place, or will I have knocked it out of alignment again? 

Stay tuned for part 2.....................

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Feb. 3, 2008 - Musings from our home

Dh is still in N.C.  To say this job has been difficult would be an understatement.  I talked to him last night, and they finally completed the job.  He was driving 6 hours to the next job site.  When planning this trip, he was thinking he would be gone 2 weeks.  We reached that 2 week mark today.   I don't expect to see him within the next week.

Thankfully, I have been trying hard to keep dd occupied with fun activities -- having friends spend the night, out to eat with my parents, then a few times just the two of us going out to eat.  She had her friend (Madi), spend the night Friday and we all went to Cracker Barrel.  The girls BOTH loved that! 

With the snow, dd has been able to play outside more, so she is rather tired this morning and wanting to stay home from church.  Not an option, especially when I have a class to teach!   

We are supposed to attend a super bowl party/fellowship with church family this evening.  She has already told me she doesn't really care if we go, yet just a few days ago, she didn't want to miss it.  Funny how you can change your mind when you are so tired.  She informed me last night that she needs some "down" time.   I guess in trying to keep her occupied, so she doesn't miss Daddy too much, I've worn her out!    And of all things, her new PE classes with our hs group start tomorrow, not to mention clogging class tomorrow evening. 

On a more positive note, I have gotten LOTS of Bible studying done while dh has been gone.  It has been wonderful to have some extra "Mom" time to do things like that.   I am usually pretty good at spending time in the Word, but these last few weeks, I have been able to spend much more time in the Word.  I've also been rewriting a series of devotions I wrote on the Proverbs 31 lady to use in a classroom setting.  That is what I will be teaching, starting in March.  I'm close to being done with it, and am having a blast in the process! 

We are off to church now.  May the Lord richly bless your Sabbath Day!

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Jan. 23, 2008 - Something special for today

My husband left for North Carolina on Sunday for a two-week trip.  He is in the sign business.  On this current job, he is lettering two, new Carter Lumber yards.  If you live near a Carter Lumber, chances are very high that he is the one who painted the side of the building.  He has never been gone for this long so I have been trying to do special things for Rachel while he is gone.

Dean is near Kitty Hawk, NC.  Did I hear somebody say "field trip"?    (Always thinking like a homeschool mom!) 

Since the public schools were out on Monday, I let Rachel have a friend over Sunday for an overnighter.  Thursday, she is having 2 homeschooled friends spend the night.  They all attend a Keepers at Home class on Friday.

School has been rather intense lately.  We use A Beka for grammar and math.  We are in the final 20 days of grammar, so it has been tough.  Thankfully, with being so far ahead of the game, we can spend three days on one lesson to make sure she masters the concept without feeling the pressure of falling behind. 

In math she is working on all the formulas for circles, triangles, parallelograms, etc., so it has also been quite intense.  I decided today that we would go to Chili's for lunch since I had a coupon for a FREE kids' meal.  It was worth every bit of the sacrifice too!  Rachel really enjoyed that time with me -- time spent without doing school.   The food was fantastic!   We even have leftovers for tomorrow.  This will be one time when she won't complain when she hears the word "leftovers!"  LOL!. 

This evening we will attend church, then come home and cuddle under some warm blankets while watching American Idol. 

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Jan. 22, 2008 - My first blog

I have never done blogging before, so this is completely new to me.  I will start with an introduction.  My name is Stacy.  I have been happily married to Dean for almost 20 years.  We have an eleven year old daughter named Rachel.  We also have one baby in heaven, whom I miscarried at eight weeks.  For those of you who have experienced the pain of losing a baby through miscarriage, you might want to read a couple of devotions I wrote on that subject. 

Mission: Aborted?  and  Miscarried Messages  

I have been writing devotions for around four years.  Mu website is called Proverbs 31 Devotionals.

I also write professionally for a quarterly devotional book called "Pathways to God." 

I have been homeschooling since the beginning.  As all homeschoolers do, I often get the question, "How long will you homeschool her?"  My answer: "Until God tells me to stop." 

Hmmm....I can't seem to get the smilies or the link option to work.  Anyone have any ideas?  I guess I should add that while I have developed my own website, I still feel inept when it comes to computers.  (sigh)

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