We really use our weekends for rest. That means at least half the family stays in their PJs all weekend. There is a reading, snacking, a little homework, a little yard work, and this weekend a very special event: Audrey has decided to clean her room!
For the last month we couldn't see the carpet, but in the scheme of things it just wasn't worth fighting with her about. Then out of the blue this weekend she just decided to clean. She has literally worked for at least 12 hours on her room and it is starting to look good! I am so proud of her, but I am also a little proud of our parenting--instead of fighting with her to clean up we gave her time to figure out for herself that she just can't live with her floor a foot deep in clothes and trash and who knows what else. So far she has removed 5 lawn and leaf bags of trash. I am so excited and proud of her. Now we just have to see if it'll last. But we will take it as a little victory.
We were hoping to get some deck-sitting in yesterday but if it never really warmed up to the point that we could comfortably sit outside. It is really getting nice out in the back yard. THe flowers are coming up, the trees are leafing nicely and the grass is getting nice and green. I fertilized a few weeks ago and that seems to have given the yard a jump-start. I even had to mow this weekend! So maybe the thermometer will jump enough for us to get out there for some time this afternoon and enjoy the fresh air.
I have a rare opportunity this week to speak at the Nation Day of Prayer luncheon in Colorado Springs. I literally have no idea why they chose me out of all the people they could have asked. I suppose our story is a pretty good one, and I suppose that prayer has been a big part of the last year plus journey. I have my outline together and I am confident that I have something to say. I just hope it is well received. THe last time I spoke in public was to a bunch of middle school students at Denver Christian. They were a great audience!
In fact, I have been asked to be the graduation speaker for the 8th final grade chapel. That is going to be a tough one because I want to inspire the kids and make them laugh and generally not be boring. I am thinking that I will tell them all the things I wish I knew going into high school. Things like, make friends--high school can be pretty lonely and isolating if you don't make an effort to meet people. Or get involved--high school gives you the freedom to try all sorts of stuff from student newspaper to sports to theater to fine arts. Not too many other opportunities like that in life where you can just pick something and give it a go. Fortunately I have a month to come up with this one.
Joanne is hanging in there. She is glued to her Kindle the last couple of days--apparently she is in the middle of a pretty good book. The Kindle has been awesome for her. She has the Fire so she can get on-line with it but still mostly just uses it as a reader.We are still getting a ton of use out of our iPad. We manage all the family's email accounts through that thing and it is the best device I can think of to do that on. It's not quite a laptop replacement for me, but it has become that for Joanne. Remember, that iPad was a generous gift from Joanne's friends and in the early days she used it to communicate. In fact I still have the screen saved where she wrote "popsicles" for the first time, followed closely by the word "orange." You can't imagine how fast I moved to get her orange popsicles. If I remember correctly that was considered contraband in the hospital but we snuck them in much to Joanne's delight.
I guesss that's about it.
Prayer requests:
1. This is a selfish one but I would really prefer not to bomb on Thursday at the NDP luncheon. I hope that I can minister to the folks that are there and that our story/message would be well received.
2. Joanne is still struggling with depression, loss of identity and frustration with her limitations. She needs a "win"--something good to happen for her to lift her spirits.
3. We should find out next week what sort of financial support we will get from Denver Christian that will either allow us to keep the girls there or force us to go to plan B. We literally can't image having them anywhere else so this is a BIG need.
4. Praise!!! Joanne is sleeping better. I think we finally have a combination of meds that are allowing her to get through the night. This is a HUGE deal as she was sleepless for literally a couple of months prior to this new regimen.
Toben