Weekly Rewind 1/4/09-1/10/09

It's been a week of cleaning up and returning to the comfort of our routines. It's always nice to take a break from our regular schedule, but it is always refreshing to return to it as well.

~We resumed our lessons this week, and things went quite well, considering we had been out of our routine for a couple of weeks. We're almost finished with Term 1 of Ambleside Online, and Scribe and Little Big Man had great attitudes as they hit the books again. We finally finished up three of our read alouds, which really pleased this Mama, as I'm hoping to get a couple more done before we take a break for Next Girl's arrival. Thank You, Lord, for the blessing of schedules and routines that help us stay grounded and focused and help us appreciate even more those "out of the ordinary" days of our lives.

~I mentioned in a previous request for prayer, my cousin was hospitalized this week with heart issues. Her heart actually stopped after they arrived at the hospital. After getting her stabilized, she was moved to the critical care unit and has since been moved to a regular room. Her potassium levels were severely out of balance, and the doctors are still having difficulty getting her heart rate to be where it should. She's developed a severe sinus infection and will have to be on IV antibiotics for three weeks once she returns home. Please continue to pray that the doctors would discern the reason behind her sudden heart failure, for strength for her and her family, and of course, for complete healing. Thank You, Lord , for mercifully sparing Michele's life. Thank You for each breath You give us. Teach us to live each moment for Your glory.

~THIS was driving me crazy...

So, while Mountain Man, Scribe, and Little Big Man went shooting yesterday, I called on Team Sparkle.....



They worked so hard and diligently, even blessing me with comments like, "This is the funnest thing I've done in my life!" or "I'd rather do this than watch a movie!" (I know...it's crazy! But am I not blessed that they had such GREAT attitudes?) Several hours later, the mess of a pantry looked like this.....




If I maintain my ambition, I'll work to actually put together a pantry inventory this week. We'll see. :) Thank You, Lord, for helping hands. I couldn't have gotten so much done without the help of my Littles. Thank You for the blessing of having them work so cheerfully and heartily.

~The saga with my nose continues. At my appointment last week, the doctor explained that the area from which she took the skin for the graft has opened up, that she can't tell if the graft is still in place (I don't think it is), and that I'll have to return for weekly visits until the area actually heals. She's still puzzled by the redness and tenderness and is contemplating additional antibiotics (I've already been on topical antibiotics as well as a 10 day round of oral..) but, of course, that's not the best thing for my Crohn's. She mentioned the possibility of the antibiotics that I'll be given during my c-section as being beneficial to my nose, but.....that's a little over 5 weeks away!:) I've researched a bit on other recommendations and came across a site touting the benefits of wheatgrass for healing of the skin graft. If any of you natural remedy experts out there know anything about it, please leave your thoughts! I'm thinking I don't have much to lose at this point. However, I am thankful for the acceptance, at least, that God has given me of the situation. It's been 5 weeks now with no end in sight, but God has used this experience to teach me much, much about my heart, and for that I am so thankful! Thank you, Lord, that nothing we go through is without purpose and that there is no peace like that which comes from trusting Your sovereign Hand.

Until next time,
Queen Mom for the Poff Clan