Good Health and Blue Birds

#2 woke up without a fever for the first time in a week! What a wonderful thing. I am sure it will take him a few days to completely recover, but having no fever is fabulous. Hubby and I are carrying low-grade fevers, nothing to scare you into bed for a week, but enough to make you slow down a bit. So far #1 is hanging on to good health with his fingernails.

As I lay on the couch a day or so ago, with my head feeling ten times its size and unable to breathe easily, I just wanted to feel better. I started to complain and then caught myself. The topic for the Ladies Retreat in March is whining, and I was about to whine! I guess God was getting me ready for the retreat a little early.

I saw two bluebirds this morning. They are fat and bright blue, a refreshing sight for tired, sick eyes. I also saw a robin a day or so ago, so I guess the birds are in agreement- Spring is HERE!

Spring Fever

Wednesday, #2 slept all day. And I mean ALL DAY!! He didn't appear to be sick, other than the extreme fatigue, but I left him alone to sleep since that is so unusual. Thursday he woke fevered and has been fighting it ever since. I don't think it is the flu since there aren't really any stomach issues, but the poor guy is knocked flat with this fever.
Thursday afternoon I also started feeling fatigued and fevered, and though my fever hasn't been as extreme as #2's, it is still there. So classes for me are cancelled tomorrow, first time ever! I imagine the students are crying.
In the meantime, the dog still needs to go out, fever or not. After lunch today I took him out for a few minutes, and was shocked to see that spring arrived at that moment. The sky had cleared, the birds were singing, rainbows were bouncing off of puddles, it was so uplifting my fever spiked. Spring fever!

4-H Blues

Imagine my surprise when I opened an email a couple of days ago and discovered cumulative records are due today. I thought they were due next month! I am certain they have always been due in March.

So we have frantically put together records in order to get the boys' projects in. Cumulative records cover the last three years of your 4-H projects in detail. They have come in very handy as we apply for scholarships and awards, but they are certainly trouble to put together.

Honestly, I am tired of 4-H. We have been in it for eight years now, and we have worked very hard at it. The boys have had great experiences and should have super memories when they are older. But right now, in the midst of school, teenagers, book writing, and all the other "shtuff", I just feel like quitting.

God knew what he was doing when he only gave me 2 kids.

 These are pictures from Achievement Night a few weeks ago. Both boys had a book chosen to go on to District where it will be judged against books by kids from many other counties. Believe it or not, #2's book was his cooking project. #1's book was on Personal Development and Leadership.

I Remember Teenhood

I really do remember a lot about my teen years. I remember the trouble I got into, the control issues I had, and the frustration at not being independent. What I do not remember is school. I remember very few of my high school classes and teachers. I guess social life was much more important. Go figure.

Anyway, I try to raise my children based on my memories, but if I don't have any memories, it makes it kind of hard. One of my children is not a studier. I also do not remember being a studier, but I know I graduated high in my class, so I must have done alright. My non-studying child does what he considers to be alright, but not what I consider acceptable.

Therein lies the dilemma. I could tell him until he gets certain grades his life is over, but I know (remember) how I would have responded to that when I was his age. But if I don't tell him that, then he will not get the scholarships needed to get him through school without a BUNCH of debt.

So I told him. It didn't go well. Now I wait until he calms down- and I calm down- to broach the subject again. God grant me wisdom with words.

Habakkuk

I have a lot of writing to get done in the next several weeks. I am working on a play for the youth group to perform at Family Night in two weeks. TWO WEEKS! Yikes!! Also the Ladies' Retreat is in a month, and I need to make a couple talks for that.
The topic the ladies chose is "Whine and Cheese". We will be talking about why life is not all easy cheesy after you become a Christian and why you shouldn't complain and whine about that. This morning I think God told me to use Habakkuk 3 for the scripture.
I missed some of my devotional readings last week because of chaperoning a youth trip. Today when I was catching up, in two separate books, Habakkuk 3 showed up. So I am guessing that is what God wants me to share. Just in case you don't know that particular scripture:
Though the cherry trees don’t blossom
and the strawberries don’t ripen,
Though the apples are worm-eaten
and the wheat fields stunted,
Though the sheep pens are sheepless
and the cattle barns empty,
I’m singing joyful praise to God.
I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God.
Counting on God’s Rule to prevail,
I take heart and gain strength.
I run like a deer.
I feel like I’m king of the mountain! (Habakkuk 3:17-19 The Message)

Even though things look really bad, even ARE really bad, we still have reason to rejoice. The Lord of all, my Father and Savior, is in charge of everything. And that is reason enough to sing, dance, and shout.

Captain Is Still Here

 These two pictures were taken on #1's birthday. As you can see the dog was still with us at that point, and he remains to this day. He is still a wild child, and he sends me over the edge at times, but mostly I can handle him.
He is goofy and curious, and that leads us to lots of laughter. He chases butterflies, bites his own feet while trying to walk, and runs into doors and walls because he can't stop once he gets going. He likes to eat ice, MUST be with people, and acts just like #2. No wonder they are in love with each other.

SIXTEEN

I did not intentionally ignore #1's birthday a couple of weeks ago; I was having trouble getting Blogger to accept my pictures. So here are the few pictures I have of his birthday.

 New clothes from Grandma, and money from all of the grandparents, which always seems to fit just right.

 Momma got it right with the Van's shoes. They are flat skate boarding shoes that he seems to have a passion for.

And that is all of the pictures. We had a surprise party for him at a coffee house local to our town, but of course I am not allowed to take pictures of that! We rented the back room for a couple of hours, and he had a good time visiting with friends and enjoying a little coffee. He did ask how long Dad and I were staying, and I told him the whole time. BUT we would stay out in the main room and leave him and his friends alone. I know how it works by now.

#1 is an enigma of sorts to me. I think I have him figured out, and then he shifts everything on me, but overall I enjoy being with him. He is witty and a deep thinker. He is kind to kids that aren't his brother. He surprises me with hugs and words of love every now and then. He even told me a few weeks ago thanks for making him read the Bible so that he knows what is really in it instead of just what people say is in it.

He is having some struggles with growing up. He isn't sure what he believes about God and Jesus just yet, but he is thinking and processing, so I am not going to get scared just yet. He doesn't seem motivated by grades or money or cars, so I can't quite get him moving in the direction I would like. I do think he is very responsible though, and I am VERY proud of him and what he has accomplished in 16 years. He is a good young man.

He only has one year left at home- officially- though we may stretch it into 2 years. He will mostly be at the community college next year for school, and I am hoping that will let him have the independence that he is longing for while still allowing us to offer some guidance. We will likely be looking at colleges next month to get an idea of what he likes and desires. Sixteen will soon be eighteen.

Can You See?

I decided in January that for my birthday I would like to try contacts again. I have worn the same glasses for 5-6 years, and I haven't worn contacts all that time. I had been giving my eyes a break. When we moved here I developed some allergy that would make my eyes burn and water in the evenings. Wearing contacts became very difficult, but in the last year or so the allergy has diminished, and I thought it might be time to try contacts again.
At the same time, my eyes have been changing, or else my arms have been shrinking. So I thought I would need bifocals. I actually had been given a prescription for bifocals the last two years, but the doc said it was such a low prescription he didn't think it was actually necessary. So being the miserly person that I am, I didn't change the glasses.
Move ahead to January 2013. I am now 43 years old. It is certainly time, or so I thought. The doc tried me with contacts, and we are still trying out prescriptions! It seems that I do not need bifocals, but need to lessen the strength of my prescription. I was overcorrected and that was why I couldn't see. It wasn't the doctor's fault that I was overcorrected; my eyesight has improved in the last year or so.
So here I am on the third contact prescription, and I think we might finally have it right. I can see to read, cook, clean, etc. without reading glasses, so I am excited to be able to see again.
Funny that this should happen as I am feeling a new insight into God and what He is doing in my life. I feel like the guy that asked Jesus for sight and it took two tries to get full sight. Just as my doctor is slowly pulling my eyes into alignment with my brain so that all looks clear, God is pulling my spiritual eyes into alignment with His will, and it is becoming clearer week by week. Perhaps in 43 more years I will be able to see clearly without any help!

He Told Me Off!

A few days ago the boys and I had to go somewhere, so we put Captain in the kennel outside. Hubby was already gone somewhere else. Hubby returned home before we did, and wouldn't you know it, Captain was OUT of the kennel. It seems he pushed back the fencing on the kennel and crawled out.
So now Captain has to be crated when we leave the house. This morning was one of those times. Hubby had to go to work and the boys and I had Geography Club. Captain went in the crate fairly easily, and I rewarded him with a couple treats. He cried when we left, but that is normal.
#1and I returned an hour and a half later and let Captain out right away. He started crying and whimpering, then suddenly turned to angry barking, then back again to the crying. It was as if he was saying, "You left me. I'm so HURT. HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME!? Why do you hate me so? WHAT?! Am I not good enough for you and your fancy car?" He was like a woman on emotional steroids. It was funny.
You may be wondering why #2 didn't return with us. Yesterday in PE he hurt his wrist. He seldom lets anything get to him, but the look on his face was one of pain, so I was a little concerned. This morning it was still swollena nd he said it hurt, so I scheduled a doctor visit for an Xray.
Thankfully, nothing is broken. It is just a bad sprain and he has to wear a brace. His dad said #2 really wanted the brace (looks cool for the girls I guess), but now he is regretting it. Those things are hot! So the brace often comes off and I am not sure how much good it is going to do. Glad he is ok, though.

January Spring Peepers?

The weather has been so crazy here lately that the spring peepers have made an extra early appearance. I have often heard them about mid-February, but I don't think I have ever heard them in January!! Now that I am out in the evenings walking the dog, I have noticed the loud chirrups of the tiny frogs calling to one another. The dog doesn't seem to notice. He is much more concerned about the rabbits he scents.
Then, have you heard?, Punxatawney Phil did not see his shadow yesterday. So it seems the frogs are right. Spring will be early this year. I know that if you base spring's arrival on the ability of students and teachers to concentrate, it is definitely spring around here already.
I started counting down the days about a week ago. I do enjoy school and being with my boys and even their friends, but I am sooo ready for it to be over. I have heard of moms burning out on home schooling and I am wondering if that is my problem. I certainly feel drained.
Anyway, I finished my book for good last Wednesday. I have sent it to two people to read, and I will be looking for agents this week. Pray for a quick agent search and speedy sale to a publisher. #2's teeth are in need of repair!
Some of you are probably wondering about the dog. Thursday a week ago I had a very serious talk with the family about Captain. He was on my very last centimeter of a nerve, and I needed him to go away. The weather was changing and perhaps it can be accredited to that, but he has been fairly well-behaved since. Perhaps he was just having some spring fever himself. Anyway, I am pretty sure he is with us to stay. I asked God to remind me of all of the bad things Kelly did and all of the joy she also brought us. I am sure Captain will do the same. I know #2 is definitely in love with the little guy. I think Captain will be the friend that he needs to get him through the next year or so of forgetful teenagerhood.
So it seems we are all still here, though wishing spring were farther along so we could take a break. Maybe I will just walk the dog more often; it will be good for all of us.