HOME SCHOOLING HEAVEN

Hi Friends!

Bill and I made the decision to home school the 2 youngest boys for now after the whole fiasco at Grace Brethren. We are using the ISP (independent study program) through 1st Baptist Church in Thousand Oaks. That is the same school we used last year for all 3 of the younger kids while home schooling. We made the decision with much prayer, and we did what we thought would be best for the kids. Starting at yet another new school this year wouldn't help with all the changes they've already been through. Nate has expressed fear that I am going to die and Isaac has experienced separation anxiety since my illness got worse -- so by being with me each day, we feel it will comfort them while easing their fears. They are both thrilled to be back at home. I have a lot of support from friends who are willing to help me with the schooling -- and I am feeling a bit better. So, I'm up for the challenge! Bill and I are going to use some of the money that we previously spent for tuition (and really couldn't afford) on housekeeping, etc. So, that way I won't be taking on more than I can handle.

Yesterday Nate, Isaac, and I did a field trip to the library, and we discussed what the boys are interested in learning about this year. Today we've done almost a full day of science. Also, I did some baseline testing to see where they are. For those of you who are unaware -- I spent 8 years teaching before giving it up to focus on raising our family. Cameron and Molly have Thursday and Friday off as it is now semester break for them. Also, Cam had finals this week. So, he's done at 12:20 each day this week. That makes for a quick day for him.

Tonight is Boy Scouts for Cam and Bill. They are having a Court of Honor. And tomorrow Bill is the featured speaker at the Men's Group Warrior Wednesday. Molly also has choir practice for church on Wednesday, and I have several appointment Thursday and Friday. So, it's shaping up to be a busy week. But I am no longer heartbroken and I have a renewed sense of purpose!
I am waiting for Molly to call. I promised her that when she was done with Math HIP (after-school math help) -- I would walk to meet her. Isaac is going to come with me on his bike. Annie is over playing cards with Nate, and they are having a good time. And the teen-ager, Cam, is watching TV as usual. But at least, he's into Animal Planet and educational shows!

Much Love,
Michele

Genesis 45: 5, 8

After Joseph revealed himself to his brothers... "But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. .. So now it was not you sho sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt."
--Genesis 45: 5,8

Hi Friends!

I am feeling better today. We spent the weekend around home, catching up on housework, grocery shopping, and miscellaneous stuff. We are no longer contagious, so we were able to have Brandon over on Saturday to hang out with the boys. They were thrilled as they hadn't seen him for several weeks. He is a big blessing in our lives as he is like a big brother to Nate and Isaac. Cameron doesn't interact with them as much as they'd like due to his autism. Shirlene made us some great home-made chili and a cornbread souffle, and she brought it over -- so we've been eating it all weekend.

Today we got to go to church. Our friend Annie came with us, so that was nice. I am struggling still with my severe lupus headache. The doctor is trying me on some new meds -- one of which had a copay of $150 per month, and of course -- it's not working. So, we'll keep trying for me to get some relief from the headache. The good news -- I went to church even with my headache, and it didn't get better. But after worshipping, I felt better able to cope with it.

After church Annie and I went home with the kids, and Bill stayed at the church for a meeting. He is giving a talk to the other men in our church this Wednesday. The theme is "Staying Close to God During Difficult Times." I am proud of him and I know he will do a great job!

I am no longer as saddened by the Grace Brethren situation right now. I still feel we were mistreated, and I do feel motivated to let the people involved know the laws they broke. However, Bill and I can now clearly see the blessings that will come out of removing the boys from that school. Basically, as referenced in my Bible passage above, God uses what man intended for evil to accomplish his plans and for good. Usually it takes longer to see what blessings come out of the storm, so we are thrilled to identify them already. For example, we are going to be able to restructure our budget and household, because we will now have access to the $1147/monthly we were paying for tuition. We didn't really have the money to do that anyway. More on this to follow, but we are excited about the new plans we have for the boys.

Tomorrow Cam and Molly are well enough to go back to school -- finally! Cam has finals Monday-Wednesday, and they both have off Thursday and Friday for semester break.

Currently we are watching a movie -- "Get Smart" as our family day activity. So, I need to go join the family!

Much Love,
Michele

SHAKING THE DUST OFF OUR FEET...Matthew 10:14,15

Hi Friends!

I haven't blogged for a while due to a saddening situation that has consumed us this week. I am truly disillusioned and broken-heartened. Shawnna, my sister-in-law, sent me the words of a song at the beginning of this month. It's called "Praise You Through the Storm." Shawnna -- I saved the words and I needed them today more than ever:

I was sure by now, God you would have reached down and wiped our tears away.

Stepped in and saved the day.

But once again, I say "Amen" and it's still raining.

And as the thunder roars I barely hear your whisper through the rain, "I'm with you..."

And as your mercy falls I pray to God who gives and takes away.

And I will praise you through the storm and I will lift my hands

You are who you are, no matter where I am.

And every tear I cry, you hold in your hand.

You never left my side.

Though my heart is torn,

I will praise you in this storm!

To make a long story short-- My kids have been sick (very, very sick -- high temperatures, horrible coughs, puking!) for the last 2 weeks. It's antibiotic-resistant, so several of the kids have been several different antibiotics. They have all missed tons of school, so I can only imagine the make-up work when they do go back! Also, I have now caught the illness and am on antibiotics and inhalers, too -- but we are all concerned due to my chemo-compromised immune sytem.

To top that off, we were forced to withdraw Nathaniel and Isaac from Grace Brethren today. I won't go into the details of what happened but I am beyond disappointed by how we were treated by "Godly" people. In a nutshell, you know how some non-Christians state that they wouldn't want to be Christian because they believe that Christians are judgmental, close-minded, hypocritical, cliquish, think that they are right and everyone else is wrong? Well, we met that kind of Christian at Grace Brethren and they asked us to leave the school. Please pray for wisdom and direction as we look for a new school for the boys. They are obviously confused by the situation as well! While Bill and I can behave in a Godly manner -- we can't control the actions of others.

It was raining today -- it seemed fitting! Bill went into work, and I decided to take my sickly children, my sickly neighbor (Annie), and my sickly self on a fun outing! So, sorry for exposing the rest of Simi Valley to us -- but it was necessary. I was depressed and the kids were all stir-crazy! So, we went to see Bedtime Story (which was at the $3 movie theater -- so score!) and we also had lunch at McDonald's. Then we ended it with a trip to our favorite spot ever -- 7-11 for Big Gulps and candy.

Bill is currently out in town picking up the 3 P's for us -- prescriptions, pizza, and paper plates.

I wanted something easy for dinner.

Much Love,

Michele

TOOTHLESS TUESDAY UPDATE!

Hi Friends!

Just wanted to let you know that I now have both of my front teeth again. I went to see my dentist this afternoon. He is very nice and squeezed me in. He didn't want to put a new crown on it just yet as I'm in the middle of chemo. So, that makes me bleed easily and also puts me at risk for infections. Instead, he decided to build up the tooth with a porcelain filling, which should last for the next year (if I'm more careful!). It looks the same as the crown did. Then after I'm all done with chemo, I can get a new crown.

Much Love,
Michele

TOOTHLESS TUESDAY!!!

Hi Friends!

It's toothless Tuesday, because last night I broke off the crown on my front tooth. So, now I look like white trash! The dentist is going to squeeze me in today at 4 p.m. to do something temporarily so that I look less ridiculous. Also, today I had 2 doctor's appointments -- one with Dr. Cohen (rheumatologist) and one with Dr. Menco (oncologist). They went well. My bloodwork is good except that I'm anemic, as usual. I have some new medication to try for my headaches, so hopefully -- I'll get some relief.

Much Love,
Michele

SUNDAY/MONDAY

Hi Friends!

We are all still sick. Cameron and Molly are the worst. They are hacking up mucous everywhere, which is quite gross! Yesterday, Nate threw up all over me and the sofa and his bed, so Bill turned into Mr. Clean and has been disinfecting everywhere. However, as of today -- Nate says he is cured. Isaac, too, seems better. Right now he is at the doctor's with Bill for a recheck. He is having chest and arm X-rays. Hopefully, it goes well, and then he won't have to wear his cast anymore.

Yesterday we went to Judi's for Heather's 6th birthday party. (All except Cam who was way too sick to leave the house!) We had fun, and it was good for the kids to get out as they've been cooped up in our sick house for too long! They got to use up all their excess energy in the Jumper. I, however, made the mistake of eating chocolate cake. I thought it might be OK since I had eaten oreos this week without getting a headache. But it didn't work out well for me, and I got the headache from hell! I tried Vicodin and every type of sleeping pill I had -- but I couldn't sleep last night because the pain was too severe! Finally, my sweet husband rubbed my head like a baby until I fell asleep. I don't know what I'd do without him, because the pain was so bad I was on the verge of crying which is never helpful!

I got to sleep around 2 a.m. and Bill let me sleep in until noon today. I then got up and had to take my morning and noon pills/supplements -- which was 28 pills. So, that was fun. My head is still killing me, but I'm going to fake it until I make it today. It seems sometimes that if you focus on the pain or try to rest -- it just makes it worse.

So, I'm planning to help the kids clean up their rooms today. We need to change sheets and disinfect the sickly rooms. Tomorrow I have an appointment with Dr. Cohen, and Bill is going to take me. Annie is still here. She's been a big help to us as usual, but she is scheduled for her own surgery on Wednesday. So, we'll have to let her leave eventually!

Much Love,
Michele

SICKLY SATURDAY!!!

Hi Friends!

Again this will be short, as the kids are still dropping like flies. Isaac is recovering from pneumonia and his broken arm. Cameron is recovering from severe bronchitis. He actually stopped eating for 2 days -- that's when you know your teenager is really sick! Molly and Nate have respiratory infections. Today they are both puking and running very high temperatures. Everyone is on antibiotics, and now Bill and Annie are starting to feel sick, too. I feel pretty good -- still tired from chemo, but none of their symptoms yet. We are all worried, though, since I just did chemo on Monday and my immune system is still compromised. Isaac has been attached to me all week, and today Nate threw up all over me. I'm hoping I'm protected by the flu and pneumonia vaccines that I got earlier this year during my chemo prep. Your prayers for everyone's health would be much appreciated. I'll keep you up-to-date.

Much Love,
Michele