Good morning

It is so cool out. I love fall. I love the cool, crisp air. I love when the leaves change color. I love to rake the leaves (sometimes.) I love apple picking, and hayrides, and pumpkin picking. I love next Fri. (my birthday, I will be 29.)

We are about to go to co-op, then Jason has an appointment with the podiatrist. Then we get Joshua at 3:00. Then prep for Bible study tonight, then soccer 5-6, then aerobics 6-7, and Bible study 7-8:00, then I have an appointment at 8:00. AHHHH!!!!! But I am in a great mood.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for waking me up. Thank you for our health. Thank you for Jason & Joshua. Thank you that I made it to Josh's school on time. Help me to be calm all the day. Lord, I love you!

In Jesus Name,
Amen!

Have a great day! -Becky

Ready for bed

It is about 10:30pm. My kids are in there own beds and are asleep. I actually made them go to bed in there own beds tonight. This is a small, but awesome victory at our house.

We went to church this morning (even made Sunday school) and then went to lunch with my cousin and her kids (she paid-she offered.) It was nice. Then after church we did nothing. We hung around the house, played some board games, watched a movie, and had dinner. We didn't clean or anything. I did manage to do the dishes and get all our clothes and snacks and lunches made for tomorrow, but for the most part we relaxed.

So now I am actually going to get in bed and read a bit. I realize that I need 7-8 hours of sleep, in addition to daily exercise, and healthy eating, so even if the house is a bit messy, I am going to bed. I am going to focus on being in bed by 10:30pm this week, and getting up at 6:30am to do my devotion. Pray that I can succeed in at least that.

Goodnight! -Becky

Amazing book

The other day I stayed up until about 3:00am, as I could not put this book down.

It is about a family who in the 50's wanted kids and could not have any. They were a pastor and his wife, so they really could not afford to adopt. But over the course of time they prayed and sought out kids nobody wanted, special needs kids and mixed race kids. They book is so good, you feel as if you are part of there family. I am actually having Jason read it as well. He likes it so far. This book went out of print, but now is back in print. You can get it at:
Amazon

I am not getting paid to write this post, just wanted to share a heartwarming story.

Now, I really am off to bed! -Becky

My dream house

this is my dream house, right down to the color and plants hanging on the wrap around porch

I am better

Hello! I got lots of rest and am so much better.

Our week went more smoothly and we got more accomplished as well. I even got another job (I know, I need less, not more) but I think it will be good. I will be doing childcare in a homeschool family's home Mon. from 9:00-2:30. I get to bring Jason. It will just be Jason and this one almost 4 year old girl. So we can do schoolwork while I work. (They need childcare as Mon. the mom brings the younger child to his therapies as he has special needs.) The family is Christian and super nice. The mom was a nanny so she could pay for college, so she does not want to treat me as a servant, since she has been there.
Wed. I will work in the office, Jason will be with a friend of mine who homeschools and will assure he does his work.
Fri. I will also be at work at the office, my mom will watch Jason. She will bring him to work with her, so he will get most of his lessons done there as well.
Tues. & Thur. we are still doing co-op from 9:30-2:00. This is great as everyday, except Wed. I will be able to get Josh from school. And everyday I get to bring him to school.

So far all Sept. bills are paid and will be paid by Oct. 3rd, including Oct. rent.

I also have two opportunities in the next two weeks to make some extra money which will be helpful as I have some unbudgeted expenses in the next few weeks:

$24 for new driver's license (mine is expiring)
$25 daycare license fee
$30 co-op insurance fee
$18 need propane tank refilled

I will be doing childcare for a temple on there Jewish holidays, the pay will just about cover all above expenses.

God is so good! We are so blessed!

I also was able to buy some clothes, as Sears online was having a super clearance. I bought 30 items for $130 including shipping. Most are for next spring and summer, but a few will be for fall. I got 2 pairs Capri's, 4 skirts, 2 skorts, 19 short sleeve shirts, and 2 3/4 length shirts, and 1 pair nice pants. I am so excited to have an entire new wardrobe for next Spring (minus underclothes and shoes, but I actually bought new sandals this summer, so they will still be good for spring.) If I lose weight as I want to, I will sell entire lot on eBay. I am sure I will make the $130 back.

Plus I still have money in my freedom account for a brake job, which I will need in Oct.

Another thing is big Jason (my son's dad) called the therapist and we are going to have a phone conference to discuss Jason (my son) in Oct. I am nervous, but glad he is reaching out as my son misses him alot. I feel good that I will have the therapist to help me with the call. Pray as we do not agree on anything, especially homeschooling!

So, I feel more optimistic than this past week.

And one more crazy thing, I called to cancel my internet for Sept. 11th (last day of my billing cycle), but they never did. Weird! I have to call about it on Monday. I hope since it is not my mistake I will not have to pay for the services from Sept. 11th on, but I have been using them so maybe that is not fair?

I am off to bed. -Becky

stress

Hello! Boy do I really feel squeezed right now. I am trying to adjust to being a single mom who works outside the home two days a week, homeschools, and does homeschool co-op, and so on and so on. It is all too much. Since alot is new I have not fallen into a good schedule. My office job is going well, I feel that when I am there working I am confident and get what I need to done. The co-op is going great. I love teaching the preschool kids. It is so much fun. Plus I have another teacher, who is great with the kids. Joshua has adjusted very well to Kindergarten.

My problem areas are as followed:

-homeschooling not working well (with me and Jason)
-stress about finances
-getting to bed by 11:00 and up by 6:30
-getting Josh to school by 8:30 and picking him up by 3:00
-keeping up with Josh's homework and school events (I missed back to school night last night, I didn't even know about it)
-keeping house clean & laundry done
-my time with the Lord
-my exercise time
-work schedule needs adjusting (as per my jobs request)

I know clearly that the first thing I need to do is commit every morning to God. This will probably alleviate lots of my stress (which I need to give to Him anyway.)

I think I just am so overwhelmed. I am not feeling that great the past few days (could be stress?) I think I have developed allergies, but not sure. Plus today I found out big Jason called the therapist. Ultimately, I want him involved with his son. But it makes my stomach hurt to think about me having to see or talk to him. I know I should not let one person have that much control, but that is how I feel. Plus, tonight Josh had soccer at 5:00, I had aerobics at 6:00, then Bible study at 7:00, but no sitter (so the kids would have had to come with me.) With me feeling sick on top of all that I said Josh was not going to soccer, I was not going to aerobics, and I cancelled Bible study.

I feel a bit relieved as I plan to put the kids to bed early and go to bed early myself, but guilty that I am being so irresponsible with commitments lately. I feel like God wanted me to focus on Jason & Joshua, but that that is not really happening. I want to put God first, be a good mom, but also have me time. Is this possible?

I hate living in this survival mode. I want to overcome.

God, please help me see clearly how you want my days to go Lord. Lord, please continue to find a way for us financially.
Lord, I pray big Jason does not fight me on everything and if he does you give me strength.
I pray that you would show me how to homeschool Jason effectively and parent effectively as well.
Lord, I do not want to forget that I know how blessed we are.
I thank you for my boys and our home.
I thank you for our family, church family, and friends.
So many people are helping me to raise my boys, please bless them Lord.

Help me to get some rest and face tomorrow head on, and with you accomplish your will.

In Jesus Name -Amen!

-Becky

Monica & I

Here is a long awaited photo of my sister in the Lord, Monica & me. We have been friends almost 10 years now, and we only have like two pictures of us. The last is over 6 years old. Monica is the big sister I always wanted and we have to talk at least three times a day. If we don't she literally may drive over just to assure we are ok. I am so grateful for her in my life. It is also great that our boys are the same age. Her Justin is 10 and her Dylan is 5. Just like my Jason is 10, and my Joshua is 5. It is so helpful to have a friend who is in the same stage of life as I am. I love you MONICA! -Becky