I've always got these fantastic intentions every time I finish writing a post... I feel like a weight has been lifted nearly every time and so I tell myself, "Wow, that felt good! I'm going to be sure to do this more often!" And then weeks go by without another passing thought regarding my writing. I'd like to say, "Well, I really don't have the time. I'm simply too busy!"Transparency time... I'm not too busy, I'm too lazy ;)

So news update first.... Trevor did SWIMMINGLY on his midterms.... He scored 100% on his programming midterm and while he didn't earn a perfect score on any others, he did receive wonderful marks. I'm incredibly proud of him.... He's my superstar!

Eli's arm isn't healing as quickly as we'd hoped. We saw Dr. Riaz, an orthopedic surgeon one week after his arm broke and our hopes of a quick recovery were dashed. On that very first appointment, he told us to expect him to be casted for 5 to 6 weeks and suggested (well, I'm being polite here.... ) that Eli should avoid all physical activity, at least until the 3 week mark. We've been back to see him twice since then and this last Friday, he took x-rays and could clearly see the break in black, rather than grey (which indicates healing.) Dr. Riaz changed Eli's cast and then lowered the boom on us. Rather than returning to recess and full days at school tomorrow, he's chalked on another 6 weeks from now of inactivity. Yes, the cast comes off on November 26, but for 3 weeks after that Eli's not to be playing like a 5-year old. Big, fat bummer. I'm more than willing to enforce what he's 'suggested' simply because I don't want to take unnecessary risks, but we're not happy about it. That brings us to the end of the first semester.... Meaning the first half of his first year of school is totally restricted.

I have been volunteering about once a week in Eli's class for the last month and a half or so (thanks to my dear, local 'family' Kirsty) and I have learned a lot about myself. First, and most surprising, I'm not a child-hater after all. I've spent my entire adult life believing that I couldn't stand random children to whom I had no personal tie (and even if I had a personal tie, sometimes I STILL couldn't stand them ;) ) Second, I learned that maybe God does have a different plan for my life than to be a nurse. I should know better than to believe that because I injured myself, God's plans for me simply ceased to exist. Since I 'KNEW' that God created me with nursing in mind, I felt like I no longer had a purpose of any kind once I learned that my back wouldn't allow it to happen. I know that it sounds ridiculous on so many different levels, and I certainly didn't believe it on a conscious level but I think that's why I was so lost when my doc told me to let it go. Anyway, I've been enjoying working with Eli's class so much that I wonder if maybe teaching (or becoming a T.A.) might be an option for me. I love teaching kids new things. I love listening to the funny and interesting things coming out of their mouths. I know that I really wouldn't have any interest in working with kids older than 9 or 10 unless I taught high school bio or something like that. I don't know.... I've still got at least 2 years before I can start to pursue anything at all, but I do feel encouraged because something other than nursing has captured my attention, for now anyway.

Our pastor spoke on gifts a few weeks back and since then, I've been wondering a lot about what my gifts are and where God wants me to work within the church. I haven't felt a lot of peace regarding worship and I'm not sure if God is telling me that He wants me somewhere else or if it's Satan attacking my desire to lead people in worshiping. I don't really feel like I fit in or that I'm needed on the team I'm on and I really feel like 4 years away from public singing has taken a toll on my voice. Different people have mentioned to me that maybe I should use my past and testimony to speak to teens and young adults about consequences. One lady said that she didn't believe that kids really understand why partying and whatnot are so bad.... If God will forgive them, why not have some fun while they're young. Boy, did I ever live that way when I was younger.... And I'm still paying for many of my decisions just like Trev is still paying for his past choices... Anyway, believers, you can be praying for wisdom from God that I would know where He wants me to be.

Trev's having surgery this morning (I started this post a few days ago and now it's Wednesday).... He's having his uvula removed! I may have spent my last sleepless night waiting for my husband to be transformed into a horrible noisy pig! Trevor was explaining to each of the kids last night what the doctor was going to do and both kids had hilarious reactions! When Trevor told Eli that his surgery would stop his snoring, Eli said, "Oh, so Momma won't have to sleep on the couch anymore?" and Sam said, "You mean so that you can sleep with Momma? In her bed?" Funny that they both have basically the same reaction.... They've seen us sleeping separately so often (and have been wakened themselves by his noise) that it's just become normal for them.... They can't imagine having their parents sleep together!

My 30th birthday is coming on Saturday and I have a feeling something is up.... I'll let you all know when I know!

A quick slideshow....

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