Sunday Gratitudes

I'm feeling quite grumpy today, so I thought it was time to count my blessings and do a Sunday Gratitude blog.

1. Joe is working hard to provide for our family: Times are tough right now, and I'm sure that the tech field is going to take a hit. Joe is busy off training and this should give him more job security. They're making a new machine that Joe is helping to make so that when it breaks, he'll be able to service it.

2. Help from my mom and dad: My mom and dad are such a big help. I don't know what I'd do without them. Even though I'm going crazy with all of my work, I'd be more crazy if I wasn't here.

3. I have a job: and it is part time. Let me tell you how much I'm enjoying that! I don't think I'll ever want to go back to full time. I get up in the morning, get out of the house, meet nice people, am productive, and all in 1/2 the time of a full time job. :)

4. Freedom! We have the freedom to vote, and voice our political opinion without persecution. "The government is not a reflection of the people. It is a reflection of the people who vote." So go vote! :)

To bail out, or not to bail out

What do you think? At first I was inclined to say no. But since the measure was turned down, I've read some things and am thinking maybe this needs to be rethought. Although I'm not sure where we would get the money, if it would save the credit system in our nation, maybe we need to take action. My mom went to a realestate class yesterday and found out some interesting news. If you try to get a mortgage, you may be out of luck! Even if you have great credit, have saved the down payment, and qualify for a loan, the mortgage company may not have the funds to pay for your house! So not only are you ready to move into your new house, the people that lived there, think they've sold their house and are ready to move out.

Times are very uncertain right now, and maybe we need to help those that we've come to rely on to satisfy our need for instant gratification.

Meds or managing less?

I recently read an article suggested at my sister's blog. It was about women and ADD. I don't need a diagnosis to know that I have ADD. I have always been unable to pay attention to lectures at school, or one activity for very long. I also have recently read a book about right brained children. F, my youngest, is very right brained like myself. This book suggested that most if not all ADD/ADHD people are right brained. Subsequetnly we are most likely to be visual learners. Guess how most teachers teach? Verbally! Now if you aren't very good at processing material by having someone verbally tell you, are you going to be able to pay attention and sit still? NO! Not really. Luckily teachers are learning how to teach to their auditory, visual and kenistic students all at one time. This is helping, if the teacher applies what they've learned.

My point is that I'm very right brained, and ADD. So do I give up things so that there is less to distract me? Or do I take meds so I can handle all that I've taken on? I've decided that I would like to try it without meds. So I haven't signed up to teach Sunday school class, which I would love to do. I'm not going to sign up for Bible Study, which I would also love to do. I'm not going to sign my children up for unnecessary activities. Just piano for J so she won't lose what she's learned for 2 years. And the girls are going to do AWANA because that gives me an hour and a half to read without interuptions.

Luckily I can make this decision for myself easily. I'm taking on line classes so I get all of my education visually. Now I must make the decision for F, who is still in school where most of her education is given to her verbally. She needs to see things, and someday read things to understand them. She's having such a hard time sitting still and listening. She isn't hyperactive. She's learned to tap her feet and sit while looking cute in order to sit still. Her teacher had discovered her trick and double checks to see if she's understood something. Thank goodness. Still, would non-stimulant drugs help her with her attention? I'm torn. I don't want to medicate my precious girl and have her be a zomby. But even when she's reading to me, she can't sit still to save her life!

Being a parent sure isn't easy.

90 days until I see my love

Joe just left to go back home. He leaves for The Netherlands soon. He was able to get 2 weeks off over the holdidays. So now I have a countdown until I see him again. The girls and I will miss him so much. I hope this training helps him with his career, because it will be very hard for us girls.

Nutshell update and Grattitudes

What another wirlwind week. They are just flying by, which is good because that means we are getting closer to going home in the spring.

Jamie had a great week at school. Last week she had a sleep over with a friend last weekend. That was a success and made for some sleepy girls on Sunday. :)

Faith had a good week. We're still busy working on reading. Her math scores aren't too bad. Whew! Every week we make progress with her reading.

We are now three sleeps, or 2 days from seeing Joe. He'll be here Wednesday morning. The girls have an early release that day, so we'll have plenty of time to spend with him that day. :) We are so excited!

That is our week in a nutshell! :)

5 more sleeps!

5 more sleeps until Joe comes for a visit! We miss him so much. I don't know what we're going to do when we can't see him until Christmas. But we're going to just look forward to see him for next week. :)

He's my best friend, and I miss him so much when I can't see him.

Christmas is going to be so much fun!

I know, it is still 3 1/2 months away, but we just found out Joe is going to be with us for the whole break! Wahoo! I can't wait. :) He'll fly in on the 20th and leave on the 3rd. :) :) :) :) (Happy dance!)