a random list of ten facts

I took the weekend off from blogging. No new posts - a couple of comments and thank yous - but in general, I let my computer sit for most of the weekend.  It wasn't planned, but seemed to be needed. It was one quiet weekend, one of thinking, and being unplugged. I think we all need a break at times.

The snow is melting.  All except for our front yard. It's almost a bit embarrassing for me -- you drive down our street and see grass, grass, mega snow, grass, grass, grass. I cannot figure out why our yard hangs on to the not so wanted snow. We've got two huge piles sitting in the front.  Sigh....was it the snow fort? 

{remember this pic? Now all I want is for that snow to melt!}

Even more embarrassing? That I had to google search how to spell embarrass. After three times of seeing the squiggly red line under the word I decided enough was enough, and I swallowed my homeschooling momma pride and looked up the word. 

I have the 30Day Shred by Jillian Michaels. I thought I'd try the easy level. As I was doing it I was thinking that it was no big deal.  Easy. Now when it takes me four times as long to sit up because my abs are so sore I'm starting to be humbled and embarrassed (practice makes perfect with spelling) about my opinion of the 30Day Shred. It might take me longer to complete it....Is there a 30Day Shred + 6 weeks?

I wrote a devotional for five minutes for faith that is published today. I wrote about joy -- and more specifically about finding joy. {Are you surprised?) I'd love for you to read it.  It's called -- I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy....

I don't think Brennan and Caleb (my seven and five year olds) got the idea behind the time change.  Instead of getting up later they've been waking earlier than ever.  Just this morning I heard Caleb wandering downstairs at a little bit past six this morning. Too early, too early, too early. However, it is cute to listen to them talk all stealth like and quiet as they pour their cereal. :) It's not as cute if they get crabby.

{Brennan}

When most people hear that I have seven kids I typically hear them gasp. I always tell the that I am so blessed by my kids.  Sometimes I forget that I have such a big family. It just seems normal for me. And I love the laughter. Oh, we laugh over here -- how could we not?

The girls and I love to watch The Amazing Race on Sunday nights. (Remember, that was the one show I'd love be on.) Anyways, I forget to record the next program at eight at night because many times The Amazing Race gets bumped back due to sports.  So sigh. Last night we arrived home, grabbed our late night snacks (which Jillian Michaels would not approve of) and settled in to watch. Once we realized that 60 Minutes creeped into the first 21 minutes of The Amazing Race we realized that we were doomed.  Oh well, we're thankful for online streaming.  And that Chopped Champions recorded. 

I have nine loads of laundry to fold today.  I'm just saying.  And will take volunteers.

I love lists (which is probably why I write so many on this blog). I'm thinking of writing a top ten list of favorite gluten free resources.  Since it's been two months since Samuel was diagnosed with Celiac Disease I've learned what products I love to use, what's a good value for your money, and to be very very careful about dining out.  He's still recovering from our Olive Garden encounter with gluten from the gluten free menu. We'll see.  What would be on your top ten list? 

{my Samuel, thanks to Hannah for the beauty of a picture}

Now this was a random miscellany monday post.  I kind of needed to be random after being away from the computer -- helped clear the brain.  Enjoy your monday -- hopefully yours is warm, that your snow melts (and if it doesn't don't be embarrassed -- I can spell it now), and that you get exactly done what you need to do. And that your day is filled with joy. :)

sharing a bit of my finding joy heart

1) I'm speaking tonight at a homeschool support group, and am sharing a bit of our story. I'd love prayers - that the words aren't just about me, but are words that reflect and direct back to the Father above. Oh yes, and prayers that my heart is calm. But most importantly, that the Lord can use me to bless those around me as I speak about His faithfulness in ALL circumstances.

2) Want to know what I'm talking about? It would be finding joy.
          (I wonder where I got that idea)

these flowers

 --which were a gift from a lifegroup at my church --

 bring me joy

3) Samuel had a great week last week. I'm having to relearn how to surrender and let go of worry. It's as if I've had to reteach myself to recognize that not every cry is one of not feeling well. He's approaching 17 months and has a wee bit of a temper at times. It's balance. And relearning. And trusting. And praising for the good days.

4) Over the course of the next week we have a follow-up visit with his amazing Pediatric GI Doctor (next Monday) and our visit with the Pediatric Immunology/Infectious Disease Doctor (tomorrow).I'm eager to visit with the doctor tomorrow and have been praying that he takes a serious and thorough look at my Samuel. I've been praying for good news and answers. And for that calm heart again. :)

5) I have only missed gluten a couple of times. I can hardly believe that I don't miss gluten more than I do -- considering it's in 90% of everything Target sells. I honestly believe that my determination in NOT eating gluten comes from seeing the change in my Samuel. A month ago he could hardly get up from the ground and now today he's going up and down stairs, climbing, walking without falling, and playing. He still has hard days, but they are less severe and shorter than they were previously. In fact, right now, he's been squirming on my lap while I've been writing this post. God is good.

Samuel with his gluten free gingersnap from Trader Joe's

6) Samuel's weight? UPDATE: I just weighed him and he's lost close to a pound in the last week. When I wrote this post this morning the last weight was sitting steady.  Then when I checked the plot on the Wii Fit he lost almost that pound.  I don't get it.  Sigh. **** He hasn't lost anymore weight, but he hasn't gained either. I don't get the no gaining because I see him eat and eat and eat --all gluten free. We've also taken him off lactose for 3months, and I chatted with his GI Doctor and we are repeating the biopsy in early summer to check healing of his gut. However, let me tell you, not losing anymore weight is a huge step in the right direction.

7) Last bit of info about me -- I wrote my post for 5Minutes for Faith. It's about rejoicing in the Lord -- in all times -- and is based off of Philippians 4. (I know you all are shocked that I used something from Philippians.)    I love that book. One of my goals for the next year is to memorize Philippians. I'm starting with chapter four. Anyone game to memorize it along with me? And click here to read my article at 5Minutes for Faith.

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Kind of a serious miscellany monday. I know I haven't updated about Samuel for a bit. I'm in a quandry right now about the medical updates. I'm debating starting a caringbridge site dedicated just for him and his journey with Celiac Disease. But, then again, I want my life interwoven and real on this blog -- and Samuel's path speaks directly to my heart and my relationship with the Lord. Thoughts?

And once again, I'd truly be blessed if you could pray for me -- 

for my talk and for the appointments with Samuel.

not by sight

Last night I had one of those WAKE UP moments.  You know, those times in life that diverge from the norm?  Maybe it's as extreme as a tragedy or as minor as a near accident -- it's those moments where you get snapped from the normalcy of everyday and can see life from a different perspective.

part of the road to ballet on a normal day

My moment came when I drove my second daughter, Chloe, home from ballet.  Normally, this would be a minor deal.  We'd drive over a bridge, and over some hills, while we joked about life or talked about ballet or sat in silence.  But last night was different.  It was snowing.  Very, very hard.  So hard, in fact, that the back roads -- from the infamous "road to ballet" -- were not plowed.  At all.  And this is a hilly, back-country road that I take.

I couldn't see.

I could hear the nervousness in Chloe's voice when she told me she couldn't see the road.  I calmly told her that I saw it -- even though I didn't at all.  I had to stop. In the middle of the road and clean my wipers -- the snow was falling faster than even those little wipers could keep up with.  But, then right after I cleaned them,  I had to keep going.  I had NO choice. Deep down, I knew the road.  I knew it was there -- I'd driven it almost every day for 18 months.  I couldn't see it.  But, I had faith.

Isn't that like life?

We're on these roads and at times we can't see the road.  We ask the Lord, "where's the path?  Could you just show us the way?  Guide us?  Give us some direction?" And yet, we are as blind to the path as I was last night.  Yet, we keep moving.  Last night, it was simply faith that I knew the road.  But, in life, it's faith that our loving Father knows the road before us.  So we move. By faith.

the road uncovered

And sometimes, it's scary.  Or hard.  Or the path seems clouded.  Yet we keep moving, keep trusting, keep believing.  We might have to stop to clean our wiper blades -- refresh our view -- but truly, we keep moving knowing that we have a Father who loves us and care for us, and ultimately knows the road underneath all that snow.

"For we live by faith, not by sight"  2 Corinthians 5:7

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On another note, I'm wanted to share with you that I'm  now a contributing writer for  5 Minutes For Faith.  I was honored to be asked to join their team, and have already been blessed working with them.  I'm sharing with you a link to an article I wrote titled -- Missing Pieces -- and no, it's not really about puzzle pieces, but more about pieces that we cling to and try to make sense of -- when we really should let them go. And, really it should only take you about 5 minutes to read it.  Get it?  5 minutes?  and 5 Minutes For Faith?  (okay. Now i'm just silly.  It's waaaay to early for me.)

I'd love for you to check it out -- and when you pop over there, would you leave me a comment?  (Click on my link the title Missing Pieces -- their link is broken)  I'd appreciate it -- as I'm the newbie. :)  But, don't leave without commenting here okay, okay, okay you DON'T have to.  I just like hearing from you so I thought I'd try the direct approach. Ha ha ha! -- I am, however,  SO blessed by your comments and notes of encouragement.  Thank you for taking your time and leaving them.

Blessings!

dreams and a quick note

Elijah staring at the Christmas lights

oh little one

sweet babe of mine

with dreams so big

what goes on 

in your little mind

what do you dream?

remember

little boy of mine

to always hope

to always love

to always believe

 to always dream

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We're healing over here in cold (and potentially snowy -- we're in a winter storm warning) Minnesota.  My little Elijah and Brennan are struggling the most, but I'm praying that by the end of the day they'll be on the mend.  I was so blessed by all of your prayers and kind comments.  You had some great suggestions!  And I am sorry that I haven't got back to many of the comments yet -- specifically for Lovely Photo Wednesday -- it's just been a different schedule with the sickies.

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Sorry for my short little rambling post.  I only had a couple minutes this morning -- we're going to a hoedown, we've got that winter storm, I've still got some sick ones, my coffee is brewing, and of course, there's ballet in the evening.  A busy, but blessed day.

 And thank goodness it's Friday. :)