A week or so in review

I always find that whenever I've not blogged for a while, I never know where to start?!? Should I go back and catch up and recount all that has happened since I last blogged? Or do I just start with today?

Well, how about an abbreviated version of the past several days?

Kolbe had his birthday party and it was grand. I made him a basketball cake. The first time it broke while coming out of the mold. The second time was a charm and barely completed before the party.

He had a wonderful time opening his presents! He got lots of transformers, bionicles and Hot Wheel tracks. What more could a 5 yo boy ask for?

The following weekend was Easter and we had family over for a BBQ. Craig took off on Holy Thursday and Good Friday (the first time he's been home for the Triduum in over 3 years) and built the kids a swingset. They've REALLY been missing their old swingset (which he also built). I'm so proud of his skills and the fact that it was made with love. Of course, he had to buy himself some tools to build it!! LOL!! ;-)

Here's a birdfeeder the girls built with their dad. We've had so much fun watching all the birds!!


A project isn't worth doing if it doesn't call for new tools. Specifically, Craig bought himself a compressor, air nailer and air hammer (don't know if those are the proper names) as well as a new tool belt. All together the tools cost more than all the parts and wood for the swingset!! LOL!

This week Craig had to travel. No big deal EXCEPT he's been home for the past two weeks, something that never happens except around Christms time. So, of course our homeschool wasn't as focused. Whenever Craig is home, we don't get as much done. We love him so, we do!!

Sophia started her speech therapy 2 weeks ago. FINALLY!!

And we've decided that we will go to the local birthing center for this baby. Our insurance isn't covering as much as we'd like and I had resigned myself to the idea of having a midwife attended hospital birth. But Craig gave the go ahead for the birthing center. YEAH!!

So of course I offered to not enroll with MODG if he didn't think it was necessary. I don't know that Craig ever thinks anything is necessary. But yesterday morning he called me and told me to send in the re-enrollment form with the full payment. DOUBLE YEAH!!!

I love how I no longer nag or give guilt trips or hound him for what I want. Letting go and letting him be the head of the household with the final decision has given me so much peace. Especially because I can stew over decisions forever. For example, I was so undecided as whether to re-enroll or not. Its not like its a neccesity. It is definitely a luxury at this point. And I know how many other expenses we have. And so I was going back and forth all of February and March. The MODG Yahoo loop I belong to had a GREAT discussion on being submissive to our husbands (not a doormat, rather recognizing their authority).

And while I don't have a problem with this, its also never occurred to me to actually lay my problems at his feet and just ask for his decision. The women on the loop were suggesting (for those on the fence about enrolling or re-enrolling) to give the decision to their dh. And so, I did just that. At first Craig was surprised because he leaves most homeschooling decisions to me and just gives the okay to release the funds. But this time I really needed a decision to be made without the second guessing. Men are good at that, you know. They don't second guess themselves. Women, on the other hand, can second guess themselves to death!! LOL! I think it has something to do with men being natural decision makers while women are more the deliberators. We can investigate and research and list the pros and cons to any decision. But we sometimes lack the ability to make the final decision and live with the consequences.

And so, while we usually make decisions together, I learned that sometimes I need to hand over my problems to him and ask for more than just his opinion. Its okay to ask for his final decision because I just can't.

In other news, in two weekends we're going to Houston to a Catholic homeschooling conference. The keynote speaker is Laura Berquist ... YEAH!!! But I think the best part is that we're going alone! ALL the kids are staying behind with grandparents. I can't begin to tell you how excited I am! And we're flying there too!! No nauseating drive!!

Well, that was a recap of my days here at home. Today Craig gets home and he called to say to meet him at the zoo. This past week I've been feeling homesick for "the woods." I told him how a bunch of families were going to the zoo. This morning he called to say good morning and to suggest we take our own trip. The kids are so excited!! And of course, so am I! I love homecomings!! With every year that passes I'm amazed how much my love grows for this man!

Enough mush!! Have a great day!