Get together!

Today I enjoyed my day because I was able to spend some time with my friend Barb.  Barb and I have known each other for lots of years but it wasn't until Nashville - earlier this year - that we realized how much alike we really are!   She sent me a text message last night inviting me and the kids for lunch today.  We had to do an early lunch as Joshua had gymnastics today but we were able to squeeze in two hours together.  Yea!!!  It was a nice day too so the kiddos were able to play outside.   They have these marshmallow guns and Stephen was enjoying himself shooting the children!   It was so good that we talked about setting this up for once a week now.  We both are in dire need of support as our kids are going buggo trying to finish up schooling.   

Looking up

On Saturday I had the opportunity to attend a Women's conference at the church where I met my hubby, where we got married, and where our children were dedicated.  It was wonderful to sit in the sanctuary again.  I was all smiles looking upon the altar where so many of those events occurred.  Truly a blessing and a renewal from me.

You see earlier in the week a friend called to tell me about the day and a half (they began Friday night) conference.  And would I like to meet her there and attend.   I made sure all was okay in the household and answered, "Yes!"   I was unable to make the Friday night session as it did begin at 6:30p.  The theme was "Looking unto Jesus."  I gotta say it - been failing at that a little bit lately.   But with this renewed and refreshed spirit things are looking as wonderful and amazing as they always were and will always be with Jesus and me.   So my thanks to Eileen for thinking of me and for following through and inviting me.  While also there I had the opportunity to connect with many ladies that I used to fellowship with.   Truly a blessing!  I won't bore you with my renewed sense of purpose but please continue to pray for our family and that we will find contentment wherever we are!  I can honestly say I am looking up!

The Injured

Okay, we have been walking regularly for a month now.  On our Thursday evening walk Bill's knee was irritating him.  (Information I was not made aware of until Friday afternoon!)  When he was getting off the train on Friday morning he said he felt his knee pop and had pain all the way down to his ankle.  As you ready in my post Friday was a run around day for me, so when I finally had a chance to speak with Bill it was 2:00 pm.  It is at this time that I found out the said information.   I suggested he go to the ER as he was still in much pain and discomfort and said he felt fluid in his knee.  He said, "Yeah, you're right!"  So some time later, about 2 hours, I receive the text that said he was at the infirmary at work and the doctor said he sprained his ankle.   He called me and I did not understand why the ankle if he had pain in his knee.  Doctor seems to think his knee gave out on him and that caused him to sprain the ankle!?  Today he is feeling better but every now and then the knee is painful.  Ankle?  No more trouble!  So who knows what is really happening!  I suggested he make an appointment this week.   Hopefully it will all go away!

Mac is bac(k)!

Yes, the iMac has returned home.  However, while I was out with Abs this afternoon the boys said they heard the dreaded noise.  I am still waiting to hear it myself.  Our new idea is to record the noise so when we bring it in they can hear what we always hear.  Let's hope that works.  Wait better yet, let's hope it doesn't make the noise anymore!!!!   We had to travel over to the mall to pick it up 30 minutes each way!  Hold on, let me back up my  day began with having to drop off Bill's car for maintenance, new tires, and a recall.   That appointment was for 8:30 am.  We did set up a rental as I knew it would take all day and I did not want to hang out there waiting.    When I returned home I had the kids get to work so that when we were leaving to go get the computer they would only have one or two things for the car ride.   It was very exciting being in a different car.  We used it all day!!   Here are some photos:

Remember how I mentioned that the mall has a carousel well the younger two desperately wanted to ride.  Here are some photos of that:

View of Carousel from parking lot.

Eager and excited Abigail

Equally as excited Joshua

Tried to capture the full scope of this double decker carousel.

I must admit it really is very cool.  The way it is situated in the window overlooking the outside.  Great idea.  The name of the mall is called Raceway Mall.  So it is only befitting to have a carousel.  The racetrack is down the road.    We ate lunch at the foodcourt and then walked around this mall for a little bit.  They have this cool store called Robot Galaxy.  Kinda like a build-a-bear but with Robots!!!  Picked up the computer and headed home as today is piano class for Abigail.  After class we picked up Bill's car and then decided to go to the little park here because we had another sunny day!!!   (A note about the park so you can all understand why I want to leave this complex sooner rather than later.  Okay so sitting there watching my kids and there were this group of boys that were playing some game where you hit a nerf football with a bat.  Okay so it goes that whoever catches ball can be the pitcher.  Two boys run, one clearly wins the other wrestles him to get the ball.  When 1st boy would not give up ball the second boy began punching him, yes, I said punching him!  Well the old boys will be boys thing wasn't working for me as he was punching him in THE FACE!!  I had seen enough,  Yup you guessed it I intervened and made boy number 2 apologize to boy number 1.  It was "unacceptable!!!"   And yes, I told that boy so!!!!)   Just a little glimpse into why I put such a short leash on my children here.    

On a separate note somehow Bill sprained his ankle!! I'll blog more on that later!

Build number two on a nice day.

What a gorgeous day this was.  The children did not get started until very late so I took the opportunity to use them and had them help me build the second book case we bought a few days, I mean weeks ago!    Finally!!!  It really helps the room look and feel bigger plus it gets things off the floor.  I am a stickler for things in their places.   So I am ecstatic that this is complete.  I spent the rest of the day going back and forth between the children working and organizing the new shelves!   I still have some paperwork to go through but all-in-all I am happy with my accomplishment!   I also was able to clean off the desk!!!  (I do this periodically but my hubby is a dumper and it get messy very very quickly.) 

This is Joshua separating the screws and such before we begin.

Now I get that the shelves don't look too tidy but it is a work in progress.   

I wish I took the before picture and then you would understand how

much better this really is.

Since the day was gorgeous I enacted the "you must walk and be outside" rule today!   Off they went and spent some time outdoors.  Joshua hurt his finger and then he was done.    Baby steps!  

Abigail explaining about a little brown dog that she

just got to pet by the name of Hershey!

Zipping on her scooter.

Josh giving it a spin.  (He had to stop due to NO helmet.)

Bill was able to arrive home earlier than usual so I said it was time for the family to walk, especially if they wanted any TV or xbox time.   (I am so sneaky.)  They complied and we all went for a walk.  We let the children go after our first section and we proceeded to walk through another section.   This accomplished two things, one - more walk time (I also walked earlier today 1.5 miles - Thanks to Dee Dee's encouragement! ;-) second - time alone with my hubby!  This was not as long because I was only wearing a sweatshirt and it gets cold when the sun starts to go down.  brrrrrrrrr!

My sweet Joshua

Joshua is my youngest and he is very very fun!   He enjoys being by himself a lot and can entertain himself very easily.  He likes to play with Abigail but I have noticed that since she can tend to dominate the play she can be frustrating for him.  He likes to play with both his older siblings and each play is different for him.  It is like him being the most popular as they both want to play with him.   He is cute and cuddly.  He loves being with the family and is having a hard time when other plans are made.  For instance, Bill and I were talking about the NJ homeschool conference and Josh overheard and was wondering where I was going.   I tried to reassure him that I would only be gone for several hours as this convention is only about an hour away.   His latest saga is his anger.   He gets extremely angry when things don't go as he planned and he usually ends up throwing something.   Last week he threw his guitar.  Today his books on his shelf were not cooperating so he threw one.  I had him stand in the corner so he could work out his feelings.  He is usually very apologetic and remorseful when it happens.  Take a look at some photos of him:

His guitar practice.  He loves playing!

Playing with Stephen and looking very much like a pumpkin.

Josh and I sharing our new chair and a 1/2.  

If you notice the computers on our laps.  See I told you that computers are very very important here.  You can also see Bill's off to the right side of the photo.  

Stephen my Eldest!

Since I posted all about Abigail, I thought I should take some time to post about each child.  Stephen my eldest!!  I absolutely love him and would be lost without him.  It scares me that he wants to return to school in a few years.  I will miss him terribly and not just because he helps so much but because we enjoy a lot of the same things and it is fun to discuss different shows, sports, and news with him.  Stephen is a very good big brother and helps me tremendously when I need to go to the store or when I have activities or functions with the younger children.  It is especially difficult for him in the apartment and homeschooling.  He often comes up with some fun things to do.  Here are some pictures:   

This is when he decided to put on some armor.  I personally

thinks he looks like an oompa loompa!

This is a fort he created.  There was actually two - the 

one they are in and the one on the bottom bunk.

All created by Stephen for all of them to use.

His latest fun thing to do is to play on xbox live with some of his friends.  The really funny thing is that these friends are back in Ohio.  He met one of them last year and only really started doing this live thing a few months ago.  Since then we have been back and he has met more of them.  How funny!   He does wish his friend Casey was on.  He misses him!  This Friday the youth group that he attends will be moving to Friday night instead of Sunday evenings.  I am hoping that he will get more friends here because of this.  Here's hoping and praying!!!

He is also digging this new card game called Killer Bunnies.  It is a ton of fun!  I still haven't won yet but I persevere!!