Here Is the Rainbow I've Been Waiting For . . .

Yeah, the Son is shining on me!! God is good!!

My kids helped me through the shopping and putting away and lunch. They are done with today's lessons. Last night I sold the monstrous bookcase that hogged a corner of every one of our living rooms since 1996! I don't care if I have to look at gently boxed books and "things" until the movers come and re-box and pack it all. It's kind of like we're getting somewhere. I love just getting things done.

Stuff. I like it, but I don't want to be beholden to it. I like nice things, but I'm not banking on them any longer. I'm grateful for what we have. I would like to get rid of a few things we have - I know someone else may be able to put to good use. Knowing the economy is rocky, the yard sale/garage sale I'm planning on for April may not do well, but the way I see it: it should. The very reason the economy is rocky, I think, means people should come by and see what we have - at steep discounts. I have some gently used candle accessories from Party Light that for dollars a person can buy as a gift for someone (in the original box), skirts I bought at Talbot's in perfect condition (but my fat arse won't be able to wear for at least a year, realistically, as I haven't been able to wear them in two years anyway). May as well unload what doesn't fit now. I've dropped almost ten pounds since last week. I had a stomach thing, yeah? I expect to see at least half of it back by tomorrow. Just kidding. But, I do think I'll continue to fluctuate until I get in a routine of exercise. I have kitchen items and all kinds of things I'm sure the kids will find in their rooms as we start to sift through it all.

For the first time in my life, I'm at a let-go point where I'm not dreaming about what we'll buy to replace it all. Maybe because I know we're going to buy a new living room suite . . . but in my heart, I know it is because I'm satisfied with being grateful for what we have. I feel really good about my life and the direction in which it is going, especially spiritually.

I know earlier I had written about Squirrel Boy's struggles with math - and our struggles to help him. It's really his struggle and he has to learn how to fix it. As his parents, we can only help him as far as he will allow us. It seems like he wants me to coddle him along. He wants me to sit with him while he does his homework today. At least, that is what he asked me to do before he went to bed last night. I was rather non-committal, but if he remembers and asks again, I may sit with him. He wants to work at the table, but does not want to be alone in the room. He can hear us "having a good time" and he gets distracted. Unfortunately, I think he may see school work as hindrance to his fun - who wouldn't/or didn't? Unlike his siblings, however, he has a hard time getting over the fact there are "have to's" in life so he gets worked up - and in the process tries to wind us all up (admittedly, he usually succeeds as he is fiendishly unrelenting) - . . . . . So, where I failed him a very long time ago was in letting him have these stupendous fits and not insisting on the very best from him. Usually, worn out and battle weary, I would accept any.thing,he.turned.in.to.keep.the.peace.at.that.point. God, I wish I had been stronger then. I'm stronger now - I've learned to tell him the truth: it's wrong to push everyone else around and hold us hostage because you're angry because you aren't getting your way. I will NOT go to hell for you. I love you, but I'm not going there. If you listen to me, you may avoid it, too.

Strong words, I know. But this boy is strong-willed. He needs strong, firm, truthful, and loving admonishment.

So, dear friends, thank you for your prayers. I know when he comes through the door today it will be a decisive moment. Pray he did make some sort of positive contact with his teacher. If not, pray I stay strong, firm, truthful and loving. I know I shall be those things, but all the same, the extra prayers do help.