February - more like Flyingbyuary

Okay, so I know that title doesn't work that well, but it's good enough for me today.

I know February is a short month, but that doesn't mean time usually moves faster! It has moved surprisingly quickly though, considering all we've had on our already overflowing plates. I'm glad February is almost over. To me the start of March means that spring is springing.

I need crocuses and daffodils and green buds. I need the hope of renewal and rebirth. I need a fresh start so very badly. Here are the fresh start areas I'm looking forward to:

Frankie -

Sending Frankie away was difficult, but she really needed it. We are optimistic about her impending return (a week from today). We are cautiously optimistic, only because her choices are out of our hands. That being said, we are hopeful because she has fantastic skills and support. We pray she will choose to use these resources.

Health -

I am so so so so so so (did I mention so) very sick of illness. Since Max has been born, we've visited the ER twice for me and twice for Max. We've visited our pediatrician's office seven times in the past seven weeks (although one was for a well-baby check). The RSV has been the most persistent condition we've had to deal with, and it kills me to have Max back on oxygen. He hates it. I don't know if babies his age (ten weeks) are capable of deliberate behavior, but he rubs his face on me to remove his cannula and thrashes his head while I am putting it back in his nose. Hopefully, he'll be done with oxygen by the middle of the week. Also, I have signed up for Weight Watchers so that I can start planning now for our March 1st start date. I'm apprehensive (having failed at losing weight so many times before), but I am motivated. It's past time for me to start taking better care of myself. Michael says he's going to join me in it, and I hope he will.

Homeschool -

I've decided I'm not a huge fan of the K-12 curriculum we have chosen for Adam. We're still using it, but we're shopping for a more unit based approach. I think we've found a good one at www.movingbeyondthepage.com It's more unit based, and encourages a more critical thinking mindset.

House -

Tomorrow is about getting organized. Then, starting this week my dear friend, Nicole is going to help me actually deep clean. I know it's a little early for spring cleaning, but I don't care. I need to feel like my house is manageable, especially since winter is entailing a lot of time being INDOORS in my house.

Finances -

I haven't really had a chance to delve into that as much. Too many things are in the air. I need to figure out a way to bring in a source of income, and I actually want to start purchasing and selling scrap gold because I have an amazing in with a refinery (via my dad) and can actually get a significantly higher sell price than almost any other place. As my dad says, there are people out there who want to sell their gold, and do so all the time - I just have to find them.

Ugh - that's enough talk about what I want to start anew with. It's all overwhelming, and talking about it in big chunks reminds me of how overwhelming it is. Since I can't deal with it all at once, I'm not going to.

The most prevalent thing for me right now is that we are on the mend from this horrible RSV thing. This weekend is simply about rest and cleaning. I know these sound like opposites, but it's just about finding a balance.

And on that note, it's time for me to go nurse the baby. (When isn't it time to go nurse the baby?)

February Dinner Calendar

It's been a busy year so far and we're only in month two! Nothing remarkable has happened, which isn't a bad thing - actually, it's kind of nice. We pass our days together - homeschooling, watching old school Sesame Street, taking drives. It's peaceful and exhausting and stir-crazy making, and in its own kind of way, lovely.

Thomas is increasing his vocabulary - besides Mama, Daddy, No, Night Night, and hi, he also knows the word 'nana (as in banana) and can sign the word for "more." Everything is a phone to Thomas and he "talks" to people all the time. In fact, if you get a phone call from me and I'm not there, it's probably Thomas calling you while I've snuck away for necessary reasons. He seems to have a penchant for calling Frankie's therapists on a (sometimes) daily basis.

Max is growing by leaps and bounds and has his two month checkup this week. I bet he'll weigh in at least 12 pounds. He's finally (finally!!!!) off of oxygen and I can schedule the tank pick up as soon as we clear him for a couple more nights on his monitor.

Michael and I are looking to recarpet our heavy traffic family room. We also want to replace our Rubber Ducky yellow walls with a soft cocoa-y color.

I am planning a get together of other home schooling families for Valentine's Day, and I'm excited for new friends for both Adam and myself.

Frankie is still at Second Nature, and we are making plans for her transition home. I pray with all my might that she can make a go of this and turn her life around.

Adam reported to me today that he didn't want to meet new people right now because he is shy. If you know him, you just snorted, and possibly did a spit-take.

Like I said, not much happening. Looking at different home school curriculum possibilities for Adam, continuing my quest for a cleaner, more organized home and life, and looking forward to starting Weight Watchers on March 1st. Honestly, it may not be an exciting life, but the older I get, the better "less excitement" sounds.

Until next time .... (oh, and the dinner calendar is below)

Since it didn't print, tonight was dinner out, and tomorrow is Tacos. You can take it from there.