Life's Challenges

Church, homeschool, food, injuries, health...what else will we deal with this season?

Church -we're back to our preschooler crying when I leave.  (he has some new teachers)

Homeschool -so many other challenges are slowing our progress.  We're just not getting as much done in a day as I would hope to.

Food -avoiding dairy, soy, corn, chocolate, and wheat leaves me hungry and struggling to find easy go-to snacks and has turned my grocery shopping upside down.

Injuries -our oldest sprained her finger on her dominant hand...everything has been hard for her.  I've had to help her wash her hair, write her school work, and many other little things you don't think about until you can't do them normally.  Thankfully she got her splint off this weekend and is on the mend!

Health -we've had two illnesses so far.  I am thankful that they didn't spread through the whole household and our littlest guy has been fortunate to not get sick.  Praise the Lord!

My hubby is in the process of starting a new medication for his arthritis that takes a while to start working -it could be December before he starts feeling the benefits.  In the start-up process, he may get worse physically and we are seeing some of the effects already.  His cane is back out, but not needed every day, and I get to blog a little more too...

We have more to come this week as well.  I will be taking our baby in to see a pediatric dentist for a lip tie.  He has either a Level 3 or Level 4 tie of his upper lip.  It makes breastfeeding harder for him because latching on properly is difficult and he is unable to nurse fully.  I had an awkward, but overall pleasant experience of going to see a lactation consultant.  She recommended a pediatric dentist vs. an ENT because of our family history with his older sister having a lip tie that interfered with her teeth.

The interesting thing about a lip tie is that many of the symptoms are identical to food intolerance symptoms.  I don't believe getting his lip tie revised will cure him, but I do hope he'll be able to nurse better and perhaps some of his symptoms will lessen or go away.

Finding God in the Busyness

Some seasons of life are just crazy busy.  So many demands on how you spend what time you have.  I'm in one of those seasons right now.

My every waking hour, and even those I spend sleeping are dictated by the needs of my children or husband.

The pressure was mounting and my sanity was faltering.  I found myself overwhelmed, self-doubting, self-condemning, angry and frustrated.  Those are times I need God most.  He is my rock.  My stability and my sanity.  But how do I find time...how do I make time when so many responsibilities are pressing in on me?

Priorities.  As simple as adjusting my priorities and as complicated as keeping them in check.

For me, this is how I am trying to put God first and actually spend time with Him:

At our 4:00-ish AM feeding, I read a devotion on an app I found called Sprinkle Jesus.  It is usually pretty good.  A quick verse each day with a short devotion. My baby gets fed nutrition and I get fed the Word and some good application.  I pray during feedings to as often as my mind remembers.  Sometimes, I have to admit, I forget...work in progress!

Getting ready in the morning (when I have the opportunity to get ready all at one time), I play worship songs to remind me of where my focus needs to be.

Our first school subject of the day is Faith & Character.  We talked about priorities as a lesson and hopefully my children and I will help each other stay accountable.

I bought a clip-on book reading light so I can read my bible and not wake up the baby when he is sleeping.

These are the little things I am working to fit into my day and use the time I have and the opportunities I have as wisely as I can.

The Rare Evening to Myself!

It actually happened.  Our baby went to bed at a decent time and I've had the past hour all to myself!

I spent my time organizing and preparing our homeschool things for the coming week, as well as a couple items for organizing throughout the coming year.  It feels so good to have some time to have my thoughts and choices all for myself and not interrupted or influenced by my family.

I found another homeschooling group in our area that has activities for extra curricular learning as opposed to our other group that is purely for social gatherings at the park once per week.  I was even more excited to learn this new group is the same group our church hosts monthly for a mom's night out!

The first "Educator's Fellowship" night is this week.  I am hoping to be able to make it as long as my health and our little guy's health holds.  Our preschooler had a nasty cough last week and we've all been exposed.  My throat has been feeling scratchy and thick like the beginnings of a cold, but God-willing, I am praying that my body will be able to fight it off!