Feeling God's Guidance

This past week has been the worst of my life but through it all I have felt God guiding me and the people who we have encountered. I would not be able to cope without knowing that God has a purpose for everything he does, even when I do not understand it!

Tuesday, my Dad drove to the hospital for surgery. After this surgery we thought it would be a new beginning for us. I never dreamed that new beginning would be without my Dad. While he was having surgery he had a massive stroke. He never regained consciousness but we believe that he could hear us and he did squeeze our hand when we talked to him.

How do I know without a doubt that God was with me, guiding me and the people we meet?

-Mom and Dad did not want me to come to the hospital. I knew I had to be there.

-He allowed me time to talk to Dad about his salvation and when I told dad that he would get a new body in heaven, he squeezed my hand! This was during a time when he was not as responsive.

-My parents have not been to church for sometime (a great concern for me). Their old Pastor, who was visiting the hospital, was lead down a different path and found my mom in the Critical Care Unit crying. He was able to pray with dad and reassure him of his salvation. Dad squeezed his hand so hard the Pastor stopped praying for a moment!

-I was with Mom when all of the tough decisions had to be made.

-I was able to be with my Dad when he went to heaven.

I continue to pray that God will guide me and help me to know when I need to be a crutch for my Mom and when to let her go it on her own. That we can find a new routine that draws us closer together. That I can help my husband and children deal with their grief. That I can become closer to God!

It's Raining!

Until today Aiden was doing great with the potty training. I told someone that potty training him has been a non-event. Aiden decided on his own that he was ready to start wearing "daddy underwear" and until this morning he has only had two accidents, both outside. I expect some accidents while potty training but today was no accident! First, he peed on the carpet in our room (ok, this probably was an accident). However, 10 minutes later Aiden decided it would be fun to stand at the top of the stairs and see how far he could pee down the stairs, laughing all the while. I would like to say that I remained calm and explained to him that this is not where we pee but that was definitely not the case! I called Rick and said "Guess, what your son did?". He assured me that he did not teach him how to do that. I would just like to know where he got the idea to do such a thing?

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

I can't believe that my baby girl is 6! One of her requests was breakfast in bed. Of course she wanted to eat in our bed and watch tv.


Breakfast in bed (waffles with whipped cream and blueberries).

Daddy and Emily

Emily's cake.

I am having some majoy mommy guilt because Emily wanted a party and I didn't get my act together in time. She still said it was one of her best days every.

Workboxes

We have been using Sue Patrick's Workbox System for about a month.

What we love:

• We are are using more of the games, puzzles and fun learning items that we have around the house.
• Emily has one box where she works with Aiden. She loves to be the teacher.
• She can see that there are fun things coming up and will stay on track to get her math and reading done.
• I have lots of art books and workbooks that have just been sitting on the shelf. I have actually starting using them. (Emily is only in Kindergarten, and I wonder how I have already accumlated so much stuff.)
• It keeps us on schedule.

What we have changed:

• I have to admit that we only used 12 of the boxes for about two weeks then cut it back to 6 (9 on a really good day). I love the system but it would take us from 8:00 am until lunch to complete 12 boxes.
• One of the main purposes of the workboxes is for the child to learn to work more indepedently and since Emily is not able to read directions I decided it was best to slow down a little.

This is something we are going to continue to use next year. I am even planning on adding a set for Aiden (3 at the most) since he wants to do what Sissy is doing.

Mother's Day

I have the greatest husband and kids every! I was served breakfast in bed on Mother's Day. Rick even went out and purchased a tray just for the occasion. Of course I spoiled his plans a little when I got up at 6:00 am. I had no problems climbing back in bed with a good book and waiting:)

On Mother's Day I can't help but think about and pray for all those families who are unable to have kids and for all of us who have lost a child. Rick and I struggled to get pregnant and I remember how hard Mother's Day was. It always seemed like everywhere I looked there was someone pregnant. I thank God everyday for my kids. Sometimes it may be with a clenched jaw (*grin*), but they truly are blessings!

Friends

Rebekah and Emily

Home again!

Dad is looking and feeling much better! He is off most of his medicine and they think they have the bleeding stopped. He is going to have to have surgery to remove the spots on his kidney. They hope is that the bleeding has completely stopped so they don't have to remove his kidney. We are still waiting to find out what is going on with his lungs. I am so blessed that we are homeschooling so I can focus on my family right now!