Back into the routine...

So, summer is hard, in the area of 'things that need to get done, getting done'.  There is no routine to our days or our weeks - which is the wonderful thing about summer vacation -  but it seems that when that is the case, things slip through the cracks a bit... so, there was not much posting going on.   Sorry about that.  There were also, in spite of 'routine' things not getting done, A LOT of 'other things' that DID get done.  I just didn't take the time to write about it... 

School is starting today.  God is using this fresh start to touch my heart in ways that I have not been ready for Him to touch it in the past.  I'll share that journey with you more over the next few weeks/months, but suffice it to say that I could use your prayers as I dive into this new realm with Him. 

School is starting today and I am sitting here, at 8:30, waiting for Lon to finish something on 'the program' that I need, before I can finish preparing for the school day today.  That thing I mentioned in the last paragraph...  about praying for me... yeah! 

School is starting today and we are working in some new curriculum this year, that I'm excited about and some new subjects that will be fun (like physics, and ancient history!).  We are going to be much more focused this year.   My lessons are all entered for the entire year for most subjects, so, as soon as Lon finishes what HE is working on on the program where I have those all entered, so that I can generate the assignment sheets, I will be able to focus alot more on TEACHING, rather than 'logistics' that kept me so distracted last year. 

It will also mean that when we have our break weeks I will be able to be more 'off' - and I'm hoping we will be able to do more 'playing' during those weeks.  Going on fun trips, to Chattanooga, or Nashville, or Birmingham... etc.  Or finding cool things to do here in Huntsville. 

We are also being much more purposeful about finding time in our busy lives, to relax and enjoy life.  Play games, have a fire in the fire pit, just because, and roast marshmallows, etc.  We get so caught up in all that it takes to make this family work, that we sometimes forget to just have a good time together.  That needs to stop. 

Over the summer we were able to get a couple of 'situations' resolved or at least headed toward resolution.  Ricky now has a counselor, at the Nova Center, that helps him work through some of his tough emotions as he begins to weather the teen years (he turned 13 two days ago!) He has had some anger issues, and we are hoping to nip that in the bud.  So far so good.  Emma has had a nagging health issue that we have attempted to resolve with a naturalpath, with a chiropractor, and we finally went to a pediatrician, who ran some tests (including an MRI!) and then sent us to a Pediatric neurologist who diagnosed her and gave us a 'treatment plan'.  It's going to be a bit of a slog, to get resolution for her, too, but at least we do know how to get there now, and we know what we are dealing with.  Mayahna is working with an attachment counselor now, and that is going VERY well.  And of course in the midst of all of this, Lon and I need to keep focused on our relationship, and we sometimes need some 'outside help' with that too!!  Lots and lots of 'appointments'.  Oh, and Ricky and Mayahna are seeing a speech therapist now, too, who is working with Ricky on 'interpersonal skills' too, since his 'diagnosis' now includes 'Autism Spectrum Disorder'.  So many appointments and so much help available...  But it all takes time.  Again, please keep it all in your prayers.  It's a lot to keep track of.   

So, at the beginning of a new school year, we have some new goals and some new feelings and some new work to do.   It's gonna be a good year.