Some of my thoughts today

Don't you love my new mug? I got it for just 5 bucks at Lifeway bookstore yesterday. I went in to get a couple of devotional books to do with each of my sons before bedtime. And I saw this mug, on sale no less, and had to have it! I'm learning a lot about trust and fear these days. Through my study of the book of Esther with Beth Moore, I have discovered that I often am motivated by fear. Too often I ask myself, "Well, what if this happens?" Or..."If I do this, suppose that happens." And I become my own biggest obstacle in accomplishing things God put me here to do. I am learning that if I just trust God when he keeps my worst fears from happening, then it's a conditional trust that isn't worth much. I need to trust Him even IF my worst fears come true. IF is an acronym for "I Fear." Hopefully this new found thinking will take root in my heart, and I won't forget this lesson. Anyway, I think it was providence that I came across this mug after doing the lesson on fear. Cool, huh?

On other fronts, I am getting ready for our monthly crop at church. Last month we had 15 ladies, and we'll soon outgrow our little room. But I'm so thankful that our church lets us do this. We have great fun.

Oh, and Sally, our dog, is doing okay, I guess. Her stomach seems a little upset from the meds, and her leg is still swollen at the wound site, but the vet did take the drainage tube out, and he seemed optimistic. He said the only other option would be to surgically remove that cystic area. Hoping that isn't necessary, and that the antibiotics do the job. My grandparents had to have their dog, Buster, (age 14 1/2) put to sleep this weekend. They are crushed, but he was doing very poorly and is so much better off now. I know he'll be missed though.

Enjoying today because I don't have to rush to pick up Matthew from school. We are taking a month to a month and a half off from therapy. I was beginning to feel a little overwhelmed with everything, so I just asked for the time off. Both his OT and speech therapist feel that he's doing so well, the time off won't hurt. So tonight, we are going to Jonathan's school to see his and other science projects displayed in the gymnasium. His project was about static electricity. It was quite cool, actually. Hope he does well.

Enjoy the rest of your week.

Right Now

Taking this challenge from Lisa Bearnson to discuss what's happening right now!

Out of my window: Cloudy, grey skies, birds scratching in the leaves, and rain water weighing down the pool cover from all the icky weather we've had lately.

I am wearing: dark grey sweatpants and a light grey CKU-Orlando t-shirt, no make-up.

I am hearing: the hum of my refrigerator and the pecking of my fingers on the computer's keyboard.

I am thinking: about my friends going through such tough times...my friend, Margaret's baby diagnosed with Retinal Blastoma, my friend MC's mom who has 3 months to live, suffering with cancer; my messy scrapbook room, from months of neglect; missing my kids after having them home for two weeks...now it's their second day back at school.

I am creating: a photo-album scrapbook of our trip to the NC mountains; trying to keep up with Project 365 (more details to come on blog).

I am going: to pick up my kids from school later today. In the meantime, I'm going up to my scrapbook room to get cleaning and organizing...and hopefully some scrapping.

I am hoping: I get a lot done today, and that the new meds my allergist put me on help my sinuses and asthma; that my friend Margaret's baby recovers quickly from his surgery, and that MC's mom has minimal pain and maximum happy during her last days.

I am reading: Clean Eating Magazine.

Around the house: Breakfast dishes to clean up, laundry to do; major quiet with Ed at work and the boys at school.

One of my favorite things: Scrapbooking, of course. But there's also relaxing with a dish of vanilla ice cream topped with anything I want to put on it!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Clean the scrapbook room; take Matthew to OT and order his auditory therapy equipment; work on the checkbook and pay bills (Major YUCK!); watch Biggest Loser-couples; Plan our January crop; usual stuff like meal planning and prep, laundry, etc....

Now your turn. Let me know what's going on with you....RIGHT NOW!

OT

Looks like fun, huh? This is what Matthew gets to do every Wednesday. Matthew has a condition called Sensory Processing Disorder, part of the developmental problems he has had, along with ADD. This obstacle course is part of his weekly therapy. It builds self-confidence, builds strength and helps improve muscle tone, as well as other benefits. The lady in the photos is a student therapist, but he works weekly with a wonderful occupational therapist who we are so blessed to have met! Here is an excellent link if you are interested in learning more about SPD and its treatment.

Thursday Thoughts

1. Heading out to do some shopping in a little while. Going to Anything Goes to get Webkinz stuff for my son, whose birthday is Oct. 1st, and for his best friend, whose birthday is 9-15. Yeah, a new Webkinz to play with on-line....I mean, for Jonathan to play with! :0
Then I'm headed to Walmart to get groceries and gas. I dislike this job worse than dusting! Hear that, Mom? I hate it WORSE than dusting! LOL!

2. Tonight, after a quickie dinner, heading out to Parent Academy at Matthew's school. I really don't feel like going, but I can use all the tips I can get to help him.

3. Sadly, we had to temporarily drop speech therapy at MCG. Yesterday, we got there for his 3 O-clock, thirty minute appointment at 3:15. I got there on time, early in fact. But it takes FOREVER at that time of day to find a parking place. So we decided until she has another time slot opened up, we'll just take a break. On the bright side, I won' t have to depend on someone else to bring Jonathan home from school every Wednesday. :)

4. Monday, the 15th is mine and Ed's 18th wedding anniversary! I told him recently that I've been wanting to try Thai and Indian food. Yea, I know...I don't get out much. Last Friday, we did Thai. Tomorrow, we're dong Indian food. It will be our Anniversary get out of the house date thingy!

Okay....that's about all I've got. Hope you have a great weekend! I hope to post some photos or layouts soon!

little league and Matthew

We're in the throes of little league baseball season, and things are getting busy. Yesterday, I got my hair permed, had a neighbor pick up the kids, and then rushed home later to help them get homework done, just in time to leave for practice. We got home after 8 PM and got ready for bed. Yowza! I was so tired. At the same time, it's fun. Matthew is doing so well in t-ball. Last year, he played in the dirt and picked weeds, oblvious to what was going on. This year, the difference is like night and day. He hits the ball, runs the bases, and is pretty good at stopping grounders. He actually seems eager to do well. I know he's older now, but I also believe his therapy has helped tons! He goes to MCG to get speech and occupational therapy for his sensory processing disorder (to learn more about this, click here). He has problems with auditory, some visual, and spatial processing. Each week during this school year, we've seen improvements. The Focalin XR we have him on helps with his attention span, and there are only slight side effects. We're hoping he's going to be ready to move up to first grade. I certainly have had to work harder with him than with my older son. But we're sure that Matthew is smart, it's just harder to see sometimes. And it takes longer for him to grasp some things. But usually, when he's got it...he's got it! And he's just the sweetest child. Last night, he looked at me all sad like and said, "Moma, when you get old and go to heaven, I'm going to miss you." I said, "Oh, you're so sweet. Don't worry. When it's your time, you'll see me again when you get to...." Then he interrupted and said, "But I won't know where to go." What he meant was, he thinks when I get old and die, he's still going to be a child and won't know where to go and what to do without me." He's such a little thinker!