Happy 6th Birthday Anna!

Wasted Morning

The night before we were leaving for the weekend, Anna woke up at 1am crying. She continued to wake up every 30-45 minutes crying for the rest of the night. When I could get her to tell me what was wrong, she said her ear was hurting. By 4am I knew that I would be taking her to immediate care before we left town.

Thankfully, my Dad was able to stay with the other children on short notice. I took Anna to immediate care and the Doctor told us the pain was from some dry wax that was pushing on a membrane inside her ear. He washed her ear out and told us to use some drops and come back the following week so that he could clean the rest of the wax out of her ear.

I used the drops all weekend and gave Anna Motrin at night. The next 2 nights she still had times that she was uncomfortable, but after that, has been fine.

When we got home I had an internal battle over whether I was going to follow though with this follow up "appointment." The Doctor told me that he would be at the immediate care center on Monday and Tuesday. I decided that it would be best to be responsible and make sure everything was taken care of for Anna. I did not want to lose another night's sleep! Tuesday morning Anna was very unhappy that we had to go to the doctor again. She fussed and carried on. I told her that it was my responsibility as her Mother to make sure that she was healthy--so we were going. She settled down. Given some other things that were happening during the week, I did not have a babysitter and took all 4 children with me into immediate care.

The herd of us walked in. I may have seen some panic in the eyes of the receptionist. I told her we were there for a follow up and we signed in. She seemed a bit skeptical when I said follow up. We sat down and immediately another lady in the waiting room asked me if I homeschool. I told her yes. She then told me that she homeschooled her 6 children and for the next half hour told me her views on all manner of things in relation to homeschool and teenage children. After 30 minutes she was called back--the first person to be called back since we had walked in.

After another 30 minutes no one else had been called back. There was still another person who had arrived before us and my children were getting squirrely. Appropriately so. Isaiah was at the window *loudly* exclaiming over every bird and bug her saw in the flower garden. And banging on the window. When he started jumping off his seat and sprawling on the floor for fun my blood pressure started in increase. The other 3 were appropriately quiet, but understandably, getting impatient. I finally decided this was getting a bit ridiculous and asked the receptionist if she would wait with 4 children in tow. She said no. I explained why I was there. She said, "well if she isn't having any pain I wouldn't worry about it." I again explained that the doctor had instructed me to come back on this day for a follow up because of reasons I explained. She offered to go talk to the doctor which I watched her do. She came back and told me, "He said that if she isn't having any discomfort he doesn't need to see her." I was annoyed--really annoyed.

I walked my children out to the came with as much grace as I could muster. Here I had told Anna in no uncertain terms that she had to cooperate and it turned out that she didn't see the doctor. We were all out of sorts when we got home--I sent the kids outside to play and I made s'more mix (1 box of Golden Grahams cereal, 1 bag of marshmallows, and 1 bag of chocolate chips). It's quite addicting and I ate plenty!

I don't like the feeling of completely wasted time and effort. It bugged me all day. Aliza tried to help me feel better. She said that I was a gift to the lady who needed to talk. Hopefully I was. That would redeem the time a bit.

Changing My Perspective

At first glance this looks like a "Daddy is on his phone. Son wants Daddy's attention" moment. Thankfully, I took a second glance and took a moment to listen. There was animated, back and forth conversation happening about a game that they both enjoy. In that moment I knew again that I had to change my expectations, modernize my perspective. Because nowadays Dads and sons can work together to build imaginary lands and conquer other worlds while working together to build a strategy and share resources. Son asks Dad how that game is made and maybe he can make a game some day. Dad and Son are talking and have a solid relationship and have something they enjoy doing together and I can't really ask for anything more than that.

A Fun Day for Everyone

Josiah has had his first deep sea fishing trip. That is pure joy on my Father's face.

The overnight wind shifted the departure time from 6:30am to 8:30am which was just fine with my boys. Josiah woke up a bit apprehensive when it was still dark outside, but he quickly caught the excitement.

We didn't get the motion sickness medicine in him early enough, but he didn't let an early bout ruin his day...plus Daddy got more medicine in him and then Josiah was good to go. Josiah told me how every time they put the hook in the water they would almost immediately be reeling in a fish--sometimes two at a time! 

Meanwhile, my girls joined Janell's family to watch a play of Beauty and the Beast. I opted to stay home so Isaiah could nap. I actually took a way longer nap than I meant to, but that's ok. Janell sent me me pictures and I texted back saying, "Roses?" She said, "I walked past them and said no and Jeff went behind me and said yes." Each of the girls had a rose and they were absolutely thrilled with them. Best Uncle of the Day!

Aliza and Anna both thoroughly enjoyed the play. I heard all about it and they wished that they could see it again.

We all met at my parent's house to see the catch the men brought home and eat some supper together. It was a big day for everyone--except me!

Joy Dare::October

3794. Throw logical reason to the wind and play in the puddles

3795. Science taking over the counter

3796. Celebrating Isaiah
3797. Visiting with family
3798. Everything about Aliza's baptism
3799. The honor of being trusted
3800. Anna loves her Aunt Brandi so much--there were alligator tears after we said good bye
3801. Once in a while I turn around and a beautiful moment is happening

3802. Living the after school life with Meghan and the boys--homework at the table, folding laundry, wet and muddy rubber boots
3803. I keep on reaching out
3804. Visiting on our neighbor's porch
3805. Isaiah is 2 years old
3806. The change of season in the air
3807. This girl and her aunt

3808. Lots of wanting to play outside
3809. There's nothing better than digging a huge hole
3810. A day just to do things we enjoy
3811. Hairbrush microphone
3812. Family dinner book club
3813. Rainy weekend
3814. "This work is urgent; yet I am no savior. I am responsible to play my part fully in the Body of Christ, with Godward trust and tenacity." (I can't believe I didn't write where this came from!)
3815. An advantage of a small church--a sermon to answer your child's legitimate question
3816. Aliza standing between Jeremy and I to take communion
3817. Anna choosing all the project life cards for her album
3818. I keep learning more about my children and I'm amazed
3819. The price was better than I could have asked for and Anna gets to take gymnastics
3820. I think she smiled the whole time

3821. Writing what I know to be true in my heart
3822. Hanging out in the children's classes at CBS
3823. Afternoon walk
3824. Remembered how nice it is to visit Mom's house
3825. Driving the lawnmower

3826. Isaiah putting 3 and 4 words together
3827. A lost toy started a cleaning spree
3828. Playing together instead of screen time
3829. Listening to the children carry on the book club discussion (Charlotte's Web)
3830. The discussion let to them telling each other what character qualities they see in each other
3831. The main thoughts are on paper
3832. An extra stop at the plant nursery
3833. Isaiah throws a "please" on the end of every request and it's so stinking hard to say no
3834. Everyone with hair washed, dressed up and shoes on=family pictures
3835. Wonderful surprise scrolling through facebook
3836. End of the day snuggles
3837. Figuring this speaking thing out--feeling utterly unqualified
3838. Looking out the window at this project success

3839. A boy napping with his trucks

3840. Met a new friend today
3841. Spoke the words I wrote and it was well received
3842. Anna so excited to do her CBS homework
3843. Swinging and soaking up the warmth
3844. Indian summer
3845. Aliza's own Joy Dare notebook
3846. Camoflague

3847. Leaves crunching under bicycle tires
3848. Taking care of my nieces today and everyone played so well together that I got the floors cleaned
3849. Groceries bought on Friday night makes the weekend feel longer
3850. Pumpkin spice cereal and fall diffuser blend
3851. Chai and my kindle during choir practice
3852. Relaxing day
3853. Perfect fall morning for a letterbox and hike
3854. How Isaiah lines up all the toys with wheels
3855. Living room transformed into a gymnastics gym for practice
3856. So off the wall I annoyed myself
3857. Made it through 3 dentist appointments
3858. Wrapping my arms around Anna when she was disappointed in herself
3859. Fresh air, walking, boy cousins flying on bikes
3860. Delivered on the day of the book release. Looking forward to absorbing this one.

3861. Sonic slush
3862. Heroic husband fixed my phone camera
3863. The dance Moms get it when I'm having a down week
3864. Playing outside all morning makes everyone so happy
3865. Butternut squash soup--perfect for a rainy fall evening
3866. Coloring and reading out loud

3867. Making sure I find a couple minutes to scrapbook is good for my soul
3868. I must have done something right because Anna straightened out her attitude and became pleasant to be around
3869. We found enough chocolate to finish the cookies when I realized there weren't any chocolate chips
3870. Josiah has been spending lots of time playing in his fort

3871. I was so tired I prayed I wouldn't say anything too stupid. I think I did ok.
3872. Celebrating a new nephew coming soon
3873. Anna was pretty thrilled with her bucket of candy
3874. "I think that sign should say Jesus for President" with a tag line "Let's see what the Holy Spirit can do" --Josiah
3875. The rest I needed today
3876. Learning
3877. Figuring out how to build with the resources available
3878. Crazy excitement over a simple movie and candy night

*It's Late and I Can't Think of a Title*

Anna really, really wanted to go trick or treating. Aliza and Josiah remember going one year in Chrissy's neighborhood, but I had forgotten that Anna was a baby and that year and had never gone. Janell was happy to take her with Renee and Lydia to the trunk or treat in their community. Anna borrowed their Anna costume and off she went. She was perfectly happy to go without me and was absolutely thrilled with the bucket of candy she came home with. (She was great about sharing with her siblings!)

The days have been beautiful here and today was no exception. I just don't have the heart to keep anyone inside so our recent routine has been to scatter and do our own thing in the mornings and then scramble to do the paper schoolwork in the later afternoon to--hopefully--get it done before supper. Aliza has a certain amount of work that she gets done in the morning. She has more schoolwork to do in a day than the others.

This morning Josiah decided that he was going to build a fort in a tree. This has been his dream for a long time. He and Anna found wood in the garage and dragged out tools and nails. I was not optimistic about how successful this project was going to be. And I told Josiah that I was afraid he was going to end up disappointed. By this afternoon I was glad that he wasn't discouraged by my pessimism.

This is the tree that he has had his heart set on and has made several attempts. This time he found that a piece of plywood fit just right between the limbs. He was not at all sure about sitting on it at this point!

This afternoon he headed back out, and with some team work, he nailed in a couple supports.

Anna thought the wheelbarrow looked like a good spot for a nest. She was a few yards from the tree so I set her up with her computer so that she could watch her lesson.

Josiah was convinced the platform was sturdy when I offered to climb up and stand on it. He was super proud of himself.

The reward for his effort--he did some of his school papers in his fort. I've heard that there are some more building plans for tomorrow.

I would have been willing to do school after dark, but we did have some halloween family plans and school needed to be finished first. We had jack o lantern stuffed peppers for supper and then watched Finding Dory together this evening.

The movie did not get rave reviews from my children although Jeremy did laugh here and there. Aliza and Anna both cried. I think the theme of being separated from parents was intense for them and we don't watch enough movies for them to know that the main character is generally Ok in the end. They were so emotionally involved I did resort to asking them if they know the difference between "fanciful" and "real" stories something that is explicitly taught by BJU starting in kindergarten. lol. Of course, there was a bowl of candy this evening.

Isaiah-- 2 year Photos

Jeremy took some pictures for friends last weekend and we tagged along. After they were done, we took a hike and I asked Jeremy to grab some pictures of Isaiah. I am pretty thrilled with the results.

This is Isaiah's "I'm feeling insecure face."

This is his, "I'm not happy at all and if I look down and can't see you it will all go away" look. I rescued him immediately after this one.

Well, maybe Aliza got to him first.

We kept walking and when we let Isaiah off the path he was all smiles.

Isaiah is such a happy boy. He is playing in the sandbox now and will probably play happily there until I make him come in for supper. He runs as fast as he can to keep up with his big brother and sisters. And he likes to line up his trucks and tractors.