Mental Health Day (Toben)

Call me a big softy, but when one of my girls needs a mental health day from school, I'm all for it. I pay a lot of close attention to how they are both physically and emotionally. I know when they are at the end of their rope. So when Audrey woke up yesterday and said she needed a mental health day, I was happy to oblige. If I had pushed it and gotten her to school, I think she would have started a downhill slide that might have taken us a week or more to get out of. She has become much more resilient lately, but still, when she gets stressed, tired, sad, or whatever, it still can put her in a funk for days. So Audrey spent the day at home. To her credit she spent a lot of the day studying so that when she went back today she was in a good spot to tackle the tasks ahead of her.

My mom was always good about mental health days too. I learned it from her: there are some things that are more important than school.

Joanne's folks are still in Seattle. They went up to surprise Gran's sister for her birthday. And I guess it was quite the surprise. I am so glad they got to do that! They come home Saturday. 

Big Cherry Creek football game this Friday night. I think we are going to try to go. I guess their games are a bit of a mad house and tons of people show up for the games. But I guess that is to be expected when you have a student body of almost 4000.  Not sure how their handicapped facilities are in terms of parking and seating, but we'll find out.

Looks like I am getting some new responsibilities at Family Talk. I am going to be doing some writing for them. I have always said that I wanted to make my living as a writer and here is my chance. I am so excited to get to work with the marketing team. Such a great group of people! I'll keep you posted on how the new deal works out. Hoping I can be a real asset to the team.

Joanne had a great visit with Holly yesterday. I call her "Happy Holly" becasue she is always upbeat, even with the challenges that we all face in everyday life. I have never seen her without a smile at the ready. It is so good for Joanne to get visitors. On Tuesday Shanna came over for a time of prayer with Joanne. I just love that!

Did I tell you that we went to Vail this past weekend? On Monday my Dad came and picked us up and we headed for the hills. if you turn off of I-70 there is a dirt road that takes you behind Vail and drops you off on the far side of the mountain in a little town called Minturn. It is a beautiful drive and it is about as closee to hiking as you can get without putting boots on the ground. It was so fun for Joanne to be out in nature. 

After our driving adventure we ended up in Vail and Dad treated us to lunch at Sweet Basil. Joanne and I used to go on dates to Sweet Basil 25 years ago so we have a deep and meaningful attachment to that place. The food is amazing and the ambience can't be beat. We sat near the patio and were able to watch all the people srteam by. There was a food festival going on so the place was packed. then back in the car for the drive home. We hit major traffic and it took us almost three hours to get home (usually it would take about half that time). But we survived it and in spite of that it was still a  great day. 

That's about it. Life goes on and even feels sort of "normal" sometimes. 

Prayer Requests:

1. Praise that school is going well for the girls! Audrey has signed up to be the schools mascot. I was shocked when she said she was going to go for it but she is stoked. Please pray that she has an opportunity to get involved in some way, whether as the mascot or in some other capacity.

2. Praise! Joanne is off Morphine. Coming off that medication was terrible and gave her flu like symptoms for two weeks but her body has finally adjusted. She is in a little more pain than she was, but she is more alert. She has real moxy to come off such a powerful drug that she has been on for a year and a half!

3. Praise for my new opportunity at Family Talk! Should be a blast and it is for a ministry that I really believe in. God is good!

Toben

Comments

[Gwen]

Mental health days are so much more important than perfect attendance! You are a wise & sensitive father to be in tune with your daughter's needs.

[Linda Hughes]

Your in laws are enjoying great weather in Seattle! If we make it to Monday it will 51 days w/o rain and will set a record. What a wonderful opportunity for you at Family Talk! I always enjoy reading your updates. Mental health days, I love that idea. Praise God He gave you that insight for your precious daughter.
Linda in Sunny Seattle :-)
Posted by: Linda Hughes 

[Kim Feth]

Thanks for the updates, it's nice to hear some good news when it happens. We are continuing to pray!
Peace,
Kim Feth
Apex, NC

[Pam HOuston]

Praise God for Joanne's bravery in coming off the morphine! Such an answer to prayer... What awesome news and a big, big step...also praying that your Audrey will get the mascot position at Cherry Creek HS. That would be so much fun for her and allow for so much hilarity and expression, and also Toben, praising God for your "dream job" at writing. God is good...all the time! You guys have the most awesome family and what a wonderful day you had with your Dad's chauffering...enjoying the beauty of the Rockies, up close and personal. I do miss our times of being able to go up to the mountains when we lived in Lakewood, Colorado years ago. Such happy memories...
Blessings and my prayers are with you all,
Pam Houston><> from So. Cal.

[Stacey Frazier]

Mental health days are a total necessity some times. Whether work or school, it is much needed. You are a great dad to see the need for those types of days for your girls. My dad never would have gone for that when I was growing up. He was too strict about things like that. He still is.

[Cathy]

Hi Toben and Joanne! I just discovered your blog today, and WOW...what a witness and testimony of life and faith in Christ! You have such love for your family, and it is wonderful to read! Toben, you have a real gift of sharing and expressing yourself in simple ways. My favorite author is Gladys Tabor, 1899-1980. She wrote about her daily life and her thoughts and struggles and animals and children. Just daily stuff...but it touched my life. She wrote 41 books all together. I have been a member of a Christian Writers group for over 40 years because I appreciate the written word. After all, Our LORD is the Living WORD! :) Anyways, I looked over your blog, and will be reading and PRAYING for your prayer requests! The LORD wants our prayers to be very specific, and I love that! He cares for us in every detail.

If you get a chance...please listen to this read sermon by C.H. Spurgeon from 1860. It is about True Prayer and just wonderful!!!
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=770494616 Joanne...listen to this also...and You will be blessed! ♥♥♥

[Margo]

My parents used to do that for us too. I remember getting up one morning and my Dad looked at me,did a double take and said "Do you feel OK? You look like you feel bad. You wanna stay home". And I did feel bad(not all physical) and I did stay home and slept in and just chilled. It was nice that my parents were so observant and knew what was important. You are a good Dad and your kids will fondly remember that and talk about it with their friends.

[Jennifer]

I wish I had had mental health days in high school, would've done better to help steady me. Thank you for the updates Toben and will keep praying for more praise moments for Joann, the girls, and everyone else!

[Wendy Eland]

This is the first time I have seen your blog, what a ministry. Joann I am really glad you received a mental health day,often these days there is so much stress and pressure for our young people today, it so refreshing to hear about your sensative and compassionate dad. I will conintue to pray for you and your family. Good Job DAD!!!
Wendy
Iowa

[sumon]

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when that’s what you need. And the ability to adapt well to any device is great. The overall look is a little too plain for my
taste, but a user can change that with custom typefaces. Twenty Ten is still my favorite.
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