August Updates

What a month it has been since I last wrote a post.

Moving update - I mentioned that we will be moving again. Even though we are only moving about 15-20 minutes away, it feels the same as when I was 27 and we made a cross-country move. Being almost 40 and pregnant has a way of adding strain to your body! We are part of a church with some amazing people who will come out on moving day and lend their help to loading, unloading, and cleaning. But still, these final days before the move are like crossing the “wall” in a marathon. I felt DONE weeks ago, but we have to keep pressing on.

Baby update -I mentioned in my last post that I am pregnant with Baby Boy Model 2018. Only 10 weeks to go! I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes two weeks ago. As a result, I have drastically changed my diet. We were hoping that diet alone would be enough to keep my blood glucose down, but nope. I started an anti-diabetic medicine last night. I will still keep to the diet recommended by my naturopath – no grains, no refined sugars, no potatoes, light on the sugary fruits. Going without my one soda a day and/or one coffee with sugar a day has been an adjustment. Some days I feel better and see a big difference in my health. Other days, I want to throw in the towel and believe that I would be better off with my Mt Dew and breads.

So far I have tried NOT to think about labor and delivery. This has been an adequate way of avoiding the fear of labor. But, after the move, I need to get serious about planning my birth experience (humanly speaking, of course).

School decisions – In my last post, I spoke of a decision to put some of our kiddos into public school. In the past month, there were changes (more re-routing) of that plan, but my three youngest children begin public school in two days. I'm an emotional wreck over it. But, I know that I cannot teach them this year.

Several people have suggested that I keep them at home and take half a year off for my health. I get that... but, the thing is, I do that about every year. And the boys education may be suffering. I did NOT say it is suffering, just that it may be. In past years we offered experiences and education to the kids that they couldn't have gotten in public school. Being able to go on “field trips” weekly rather than twice a year is great. Gathering with a co-op with a variety of ages melded together was very positive. Being able to travel to see my parents every other week was wonderful. Having a flexible schedule to work around Daddy's crazy schedule was amazing. But, still, I have to wonder if a year (or more?) in public school might add another element to their education that our home schooling cannot provide. Time will tell.

I took Joshua, my 6^th grader, to his first ever open building last night. The halls were full of tiny sixth graders learning to use lockers for the first time, finding their classes, and getting reacquainted with some old friends. Josh did great with his combination lock, and seemed confident about finding his classes on the first day. God fortified me and I did not cry during the whole experience. I kept a running prayer in my mind as we walked the halls and explored a new school. It is a scary time, but I have to trust that we are making the best decision for the kids with the information that is available to us now.

Josiah (3^rd grade) and Jeremiah (1^st grade) have their open house and meet their teachers tomorrow. It's certainly a new era for our family. But, I am trusting God to carry us through.

My oldest, Rebecca, is now in 11^th grade. She was hoping to enter public school but we were unable to reach a compromise with the school district about how to count her previous school credits. The school accepted NONE of them, insisting that they could only accept “accredited” curriculum credits. In the end, Rebecca decided to home school again. She will be working under the care of a veteran homeschool mom close to home. Rebecca will drive there several times a week to be instructed with their younger kids. She will be participating in our homeschool co-op again and she will begin the Tapestry of Grace curriculum that is offered through the co-op. (We have loved our Notgrass curriculum, I highly recommend it! But, it is easier to switch her to the same program being used by the family who is teaching her this year.)

The other two big kids, Nelson (9^th grade) and Lydia (8^th grade) are happy to continue learning at home under our roof. I will be as hands-on as I can be or need to be until the baby is born. Then, Daddy will be home on a family medical leave and he can take over. Thanks, Paul!

I can't think of anything else to report right now. As your family starts another year of school, or goes about whatever work is set before you – I pray blessings for you as I write. My heart's desire is to see Christian families THRIVE. May the joy of the Lord be your strength! God bless.