In our regular life this week…
This has been a tough week. A certain someone in my life has decided to take our family for a ridiculous ride that only proves to hurt innocent people who don't deserve it. My disappointment with that, although not at all a surprise because I knew exactly what he was going to do right from the start, has been a bit draining emotionally. Honestly, if it wasn't so tragic it would actually be funny. But, I will persevere, I will do my best to protect those who need protected, and I do have an incredible peace about me because the pain caused will be totally his own cross to bear. I can hold my head high.
I have also struggled physically with a nagging cold all week, feeling worse each day. I was feeling particularly rough on Thursday night and was not sleeping well. At 1:00 a.m. Eli came into my room doubled over with a severe stomach ache (his second one in a couple of months). Nothing works to help ease the pain of this stomach ache, so we were up until 4:30 a.m. We tried to pass the time catching up on WWE episodes. He and I finally drifted off around 5:00 a.m. and then I had to get up at 6:30 a.m. to work at our garage sale. It was a long day. I was feeling really bad by last night. Today I am on the couch trying to heal up, and will likely be here tomorrow, too. The kids are just relaxing and playing. We've needed a day like this for a while.
All the other petty regular life annoyances have just made this a No Good Very Bad Rotten Week. But next week will be better. I just know it.
I have also struggled physically with a nagging cold all week, feeling worse each day. I was feeling particularly rough on Thursday night and was not sleeping well. At 1:00 a.m. Eli came into my room doubled over with a severe stomach ache (his second one in a couple of months). Nothing works to help ease the pain of this stomach ache, so we were up until 4:30 a.m. We tried to pass the time catching up on WWE episodes. He and I finally drifted off around 5:00 a.m. and then I had to get up at 6:30 a.m. to work at our garage sale. It was a long day. I was feeling really bad by last night. Today I am on the couch trying to heal up, and will likely be here tomorrow, too. The kids are just relaxing and playing. We've needed a day like this for a while.
All the other petty regular life annoyances have just made this a No Good Very Bad Rotten Week. But next week will be better. I just know it.
In our homeschool this week…
Things weren't much better in this area, either. We worked steady all week and got everything done we had planned. But, our chick hatch did not go well. We only had three eggs pip. Two of the chicks died before they could unzip. The third struggled to finish unzipping for 48 hours and was still breathing, but not going to make it. We assisted in his hatch and, as a result, he was not able to stand on his legs. He suffered for two days before we had to make a tough decision to cull him. That was devastating to me, and to the kids. We certainly got a full dose of the Life Cycle of a chicken from this unit. Unfortunately, we learned more than we really wanted.
Our black swallowtails are now chrysalises. Maybe we will have some success with their emersion from their cocoons.
Our 2013/2014 school year starts one month from tomorrow. As usual summer is flying by! Amazing that we will be starting our third year of homeschooling!
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| Rest in Peace, sweet Spike |
Our black swallowtails are now chrysalises. Maybe we will have some success with their emersion from their cocoons.
Our 2013/2014 school year starts one month from tomorrow. As usual summer is flying by! Amazing that we will be starting our third year of homeschooling!
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
We've had fun at swimming lessons this week! Eli and Brynne are good swimmers having taught themselves from years of going to the water park. But, it's been so awesome to see them progress in official swimming skills like floating, breast stroke, back stroke, and diving.
A favorite thing this week was…
The kids would definitely say their favorite thing was finally saving enough money between the two of them to buy Minecraft for the Xbox. They have been saving for a couple of months. Mine would be all the "I love you's" and hugs I got from my kids this week. Those have been nice.
What's in the kitchen this week ...
Gosh, I've just been making whatever is easy and kid-friendly. I haven't felt good so haven't eaten much. I've got a good grocery list prepared for next week. Still easy meals, but a little more healthy because they are planned. And as I am also worried about Eli's recurring stomach aches (and the scary thought suggested by someone that it could be his gall bladder) I am watching our fats and preservatives, especially late in the day. I don't want him suffering like that anymore.
What we're reading ...
Mom: Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter, Trim Healthy Mama by Serene Allison and Pearl Barrett, Couponing Made Easy by Christi the Coupon Coach.
Eli: Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney.
Brynne: Life with Lily by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher.
Read-aloud: Poppy and Ereth by Avi.
Read-aloud: Poppy and Ereth by Avi.
Things we're working on…
Swimming, friendships, Scouting achievements. I actually switched out my winter and summer clothes this week, finally. Funny, it took an impending garage sale for me to get with it. I have been digging through crammed drawers, an overstuffed closet, and a storage tub in the basement for the past couple of months. But now everything is nice and organized!
I’m grateful for ...
Peace, happiness, a calm spirit, my husband, my children, my family, simplicity, small town living.
In the garden…
I'm starting to get some green beans growing. Some jalapenos have finally appeared! And, I might have a ripened tomato this week!
What's coming up this week ...
A photo, video, link, or quote to share (silly, serious or both!)…
Poor Spike! We hatched chicks this spring also and ended up with 16 of them! We do have a barn and some old hens who no longer lay well so we welcomed all the newcomers! Unfortunately we also got 5 roosters! I love listening to them though!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you didn't decide to move to Australia like Alexander did after his "Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day!" I pray that next week is a better one!
Mmmmm .... Australia. I might think about it! :)
DeleteOh, it does sound like a rotten week but I'm impressed with your attitude about it. Thank goodness for God. I'll pray with you that next week is a ton better.
ReplyDeleteI actually started tearing up over the story and picture of the chick. I know how hard that would be in our house, so I'm so sorry it went so poorly.
Yeah, we won't be doing chickens again. It was a great lesson, but just too much for this heart to take. Sad.
DeleteAwww. We had the same experience with our chicks, but we started with more eggs, so ended with more chicks in the end. It was tough though. It makes me realize how brutal farm life can be. My city kids had a tough time with it all. Praying that next week brings many blessings.
ReplyDeleteIt was just so sad, Laurie. This week will be better. I just know it!
Delete(((Hugs)))
ReplyDeleteThank you! :)
DeleteOh, my, it has been a tough week. Praying this weekend has been restful and restorative.
ReplyDeleteYour garden pics look amazing! thanks for sharing
stopping by today from The Homeschool Mother's Journal
I have gotten lots of rest this weekend and am feeling better today. Nothing sitting at the pool for a few hours this afternoon can't cure. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteNicole - it just stinks when the momma is not feeling well...so sorry and hope it is all healed today! So sorry to hear about the chicks 8( I am not too knowledgeable about them but it sounds so sad when you would have to put one to rest after helping it have life. AH Minecraft...oh boy we have three kids in the house that a HUGE Fans...(minecraft b'day coming up in a few weeks for Zachary - going to be 9) I pray your week next week ROCKS! XO
ReplyDeleteYes, Minecraft is an obsession here! If they aren't playing it they are watching Youtube videos about it. Crazy!!!! Brynne's birthday party is in a few weeks. It's at the bowling party, but I bet I could throw in some Minecraft decorations .... hmmm ......
DeleteSo sorry you've had a rough week. Hope things start getting better soon!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sarah. It will all be fine. God is good.
DeleteSatan is at work, my friend and he's after our families. Praying for you. We'll get through this. (My week and yours) God will ultimately win! ((hugs))
ReplyDeleteYou are so right Cheryl! Sometimes I feel like Satan is saying out loud, "Let's see what you got, little girl." Well, this little girl's got a lot. A preacher of ours often said, "When are we going to stop looking at how big our problem is and remembering how big our God is."
DeleteWow, you've had quite the bumpy ride! I love how you hang in there and look for the bright spot!
ReplyDeleteSo are you starting school Aug 12th too? *cheesy grin*
btw... can't help but be somewhat jealous of your awesome garden photos!!
~Sheri
We are actually going to start school on August 14th. We try to stay on the public school schedule since we still have one in public school. BTW ... I am going to be in Portland the weekend of October 25th. It's my niece's 1st birthday. Think we could hook up for lunch? I would SO love that!
DeleteWoo Hoo1 I would totally drive out to Portland to meet you for lunch! That would be a great week too! You pick the place and I'll show up! *doing the happy dance* ... I need to get out more, lol....
Deleteps... does Eli get too caught up in minecraft? I am referencing it towards Andrew's ability to not get too consumed with it, kwim? Just haven't ventured there yet... so curious.
ReplyDeleteIt's actually Brynne who is obsessed with it. She loves to build! Eli plays it for a bit, but then ventures off to play with toys. She can watch Youtube videos about it and play it (sometimes at the same time) for hours every day!!!
DeletePraying this wek is better for you Nicole! You have been in my prayers!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michele. Just knowing you are interceding for me makes me feel so much better. Keep those prayers coming!!!
DeleteI'm sorry you had such a rotten week. Sometimes it seems to be raining trouble doesn't it. I appreciate your optimism that it will get better. God Bless you this week.
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking up at This Week... With Great Peace Academy.
~~Renee
Being negative only gives the trouble makers more power. And no one can have power of me and my family. Gotta just trust God and his provision, whatever that might be.
DeleteThis week is a new start! So sorry about the chicks. It took 3 tries before we were successful. It sounds like your humidity may have been too low at the end. It the sac inside isn't moist, the chicks can not easily hatch. We had a lot of problems with humidity during our first 2 incubations which resulted in no chicks.
ReplyDeleteIt was definitely a humidity problem, in my opinion. The experience was so sad! The lady who was going to take our chicks has offered to let us "babysit" a few of her hatched chicks for a few days so the kids can have that experience. I thought that was really nice!
DeleteI'm sorry you had a rough week. I really hope you and Eli are feeling better. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you deal with the difficult situation.
ReplyDeleteI hope this week is going much better!