I'm back...I just don't know how regularly yet.

My absence has been due to several things, and I will probably post about most of them over the next few weeks. One of which was a shoulder issue I got while working out last year...which made even typing painful at times for the better part of last year. Luckily, I found out I don't need to have surgery for it, so I'm slowly trying to get back to my "normal" routine. The orthopedic surgeon did tell me I'm not to do any weight machines or free weights until I gain full (or mostly full) and fluid range of motion in my shoulder again. HOWEVER, I could return to the dance classes at the Y, and I have been doing the two classes a week for the last five weeks!!! I really miss doing my full schedule of working out, but I am glad to be able to do that.

On New Year's Eve, I received a steroid injection in my shoulder which caused my blood sugar/diabetes to get totally out of control. A few hours after my injection, it spiked up to 436. Yikes! I knew it was going to mess up my control, so I had asked for some 70/30 insulin ahead of time. The new person I saw only prescribed Regular insulin...which was a mess until I could finally get the 70/30 again about nine days later.

One of the other things that has just happened on Sunday is a very close friend of mine passed away. Emotions are all over the place right now.

For now, I'm glad to be back posting. I hope you all had a great 2014.

Arkansas friends...or those with friends in AR, please share.

The son of one of my dear homeschooling friends will have a show on your local PBS station; it's called Paint with Kevin. It will be airing in the morning at 10 a.m. If you don't live in AR, you can see shorter videos of him on YouTube under the same title...or on his website.

Thanks so much!!! Have a great weekend!!!

Fitness Check-In: 4/2/14

Even with everything going on with my mom, I still managed to get some workouts in.

Monday: Fitness 101
Tuesday: Nothing
Wednesday: Step class
Thursday: Dance class (I was a little late as I slept in a little.)
Friday: My dance class
Nothing over the weekend

My absence

On March 22nd, my mom suffered a mild stroke, and she was hospitalized until Monday, the 24th. However, my sister and I have been trying to come up with a plan for her future care since she also has other major medical issues (diabetes, Parkinson's, and major heart disease-including two open heart surgeries already). Trying to research care facilities and other things have taken up the majority of time over the past week and a half. If there are any other sudden absences, they will probably be due to helping out Mom.

Even though I know you didn't have a choice but to wait for me to post again, I do appreciate your patience and reading my posts.

Weight Loss Check-In: 4/2/14

There have been a lot of things going on in my life over the last week or two. I'll try to post about it later, but suffice it to say I should be back at regular posting this week. (At least for a little while.)

Back to posting stats: Since the last time, I've lost 1.6 pounds; Gained 1/2" in the chest; Hips stayed the same.

Philippians 1:11

May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation – the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ – for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
~Philippians 1:11~

As moms, homeschoolers no less, we have the tendency to give until we don't have anything left to give. We empty ourselves on a daily basis...even hourly. If we don't remember to fill ourselves up, we've got nothing to give to our families. We're meant to be filled with the fruit of our salvation or righteous character. What is that fruit? Galatians 5:22-23 gives us quite a list: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Some days, I remember fairly well to have most of those.

When things don't go the way I planned, do I remember to control my reaction? Do I practice self-control? I know I try to...and have to ask for extra grace on those days when I just don't “feel” it. How about you? Are you reactive or pro-active? (I don't mean the acne program either.) We are to PROduce fruit and be PROactive. We are not meant to be spectators in our own lives. God wants to actively use us. When I haven't practiced self-control, it means my day has revolved around me and my feelings rather than what He might want to teach me in those situations. Like John the Baptist says, “He must increase, and I must decrease.” Why is that the way it is supposed to be? The last phrase of the verse has it absolutely right...”for this will bring much glory and praise to God”.

Wow! Has this covered a lot or what? Usually, we're really good at producing most of the fruit most days. On days where we've failed, we just need to remember to go to the One Who modeled this for us. When we fail miserably and feel like we were fruitless the entire day while our kids were watching, we can always lead them back to the Word. Let them see how Jesus would've handled it. If need be, we need to apologize to them for anything said or done while we were “out of control”. It's very humbling, but they realize we aren't perfect. The only One who was and is perfect is Christ Jesus.

Dear Heavenly Father~
I don't even know where to start today. I need so much the fruit the Holy Spirit gives. I realize there are days I do pretty well, but, on other days, I fail to produce anything. I pray, in those moments when I am reacting to things, You will put Your Hand over my mouth, keep me in my place, and quiet my spirit. Give me Your peace and patience, Lord.
Yielding to You~ Amen

Fitness Check-In: 3/17/14

Monday: Fitness 101 (Beginning Step/Hand weights/mat work)
Tuesday: Int/Adv Step
Wednesday: 50 min on the bike and all but one of my weight machines
Thursday: Dance
Friday: Dance (no belly dancing in the morning as back was still flaring.)
Nothing this weekend because we were enjoying a visit from my sister.

Weight Loss Check-In: 3/10/14

I never was able to do the stats for last week, so here are the stats since two weeks ago:

Lost 1.1 pounds...and all of my measurements stayed the same.

Philippians 1:10

For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return.
~Philippians 1:10~

How do you convey what really matters to you? You discuss it all the time, don't you? What do your children believe is important to you? Homeschool curriculum? Their grades? Their penmanship? How often do you talk about Jesus to your kids? For that matter, how often do I?

Each day as I study (and write) these devotionals, I get just as convicted as I think you will. Just today at lunch, I spent quite awhile probing my kids for their thoughts on the curriculum we're using. Other than praying over our meal, we didn't speak about Him. I truly believe the saying that, “Christ is the head of every house, the unseen guest at every meal, and the silent listener to every conversation.” What exactly did He see and hear? What does He see and hear at your house? I know some days we forget that. We can be so wrapped up in what's happening in our lives that we don't remember that He is there with us.

When we remember He is with us, it makes us more aware of what choices we're making each and every day. When those choices are following His will for us and our kids, we know we are living lives that are pure and blameless. What a relief that can be! (<-- That's this font's exclamation point.) Imagine what it would be like to never have to second guess ourselves. How much freedom would you experience? We wouldn't have doubts about WHAT we're using to homeschool our kids, HOW we're homeschooling them, and most importantly WHY we're homeschooling them. If you don't know the what, how, or why you're teaching your kids, now is the time to pray asking for the Holy Spirit's guidance to help you find your own motivation. I can tell you it is very difficult to stay on course during this journey without knowing your own motivations. To avoid burnout, we need to always be mindful of the fact that Christ is the head of every house and every homeschool. If He has truly called us to homeschool, He is faithful to equip us to do just that. That is how we, as homeschoolers, live in a way that is pure and blameless.

Father God~
I would love to feel what it's like to live a pure and blameless life. I feel like I fail in so many ways on a daily basis. Show me how not to feel like that. I want to relinquish control to You. If I need to change my focus or resources for homeschooling (or any area of life), please bring it to my mind. I want You to understand You really matter to me...and I want my kids to know You matter to me, too.
In Jesus' Name~ Amen

My Diabetic Journey: Part 2

In December 2006, I had my worst experience with diabetes. Although I thought I just had a really bad stomach flu that was going around that year. I had vomiting and diarrhea...and NOTHING stayed down. Not even spoonfuls of liquids. (I had just gotten news of a particularly painful emotional nature and was a complete wreck!)

After about two days of trying to take care of me on their own, it was my daughter who called my mom, who was a LVN, to come help. I remember lying on the bed facing the wall and trying to get some rest when my mom walked in the room. When she started talking to me, I remember how serious her voice and face immediately got. She told the kids to call 9-1-1, so I could go to the hospital ASAP. I begged and pleaded not to call for an ambulance because I had no insurance and that was just going to cost even more money. They got in contact with one of the deacons from a church we had been attending who rushed over and got me in their SUV. I was in the ER shortly after that. I remember sitting in the wheelchair and starting to slump down when my mom pounded on the double doors for someone to come help me right away. They came out and took me in the back. I don't even remember them taking my blood, but my blood sugar/glucose level was 720!!! YIKES!!! I had diabetic ketoacidosis (aka DKA).

I was in the ER for almost 12 hours before a room finally opened up in the ICU. I was extremely dehydrated to the point where they gave me over 12 units before I even thought of having to use the restroom. I was in the ICU for another 2.5 days before I was transferred to a telemetry room where I spent another 2 days. I was put on insulin while in the hospital. After my release and seeing another doctor, I was also put on Metformin. I continued take both of those daily up until last year.

I thought I was well-controlled on my meds because I knew just how much to take of the Humulin and the Metformin. I was following and eating plan I thought was working because I knew how to control my levels...until the hormones would kick in once a month. (I would always spike to over 200 no matter what I did...until we discussed using Depo-Provera to stop my cycles. It worked...BTW.) How much Humulin 70/30 was I taking every day? It was a sliding scale but between 35-50 twice a day. I was taking 1000mg/1 gm of Metformin twice daily as well. That was keeping me in check and my doctor/NP happy.

Late in 2012, my dd, N, and I decided to research diets to find one that we thought we could stick with long-term and would be relatively cheap and easy. Discipline wasn't really the issue because we were already working out at the Y 5-6 days a week. That's when we came across Atkins. Since being on Atkins, I haven't had ANY Humulin or Metformin for a year!!! Praise the Lord!!! It has truly been a Godsend for us.

I do still check my blood sugar...especially when I add new things back into my diet or if I'm not feeling too well. It's been just fine. That is the first thing I always go to check now.

I am living proof you can turn this lifestyle of Type2 diabetes around. (I should mention that when I was taken to the ER I was not overweight, so you can still have Type2 and be at a normal weight.)

Have a blessed day...and thanks for reading!!!

Fitness Check-In: 3/8/14

Monday: Fitness 101
Tuesday: Step
Wednesday: Rest day because my lower back was flaring up.
Thursday: Dance class
Friday: Belly Dance class in the morning then taught my own dance class in the evening.

(Can I just say I am SOOO sore from my shoulders down to my ribcage!?!) I'm also thinking of saving money to take Pilates again. I really do miss it.

Philippians 1:9

I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.
~Philippians 1:9~

I think it's safe to say this verse sums up exactly what you and I want for ourselves and our children. We want our love for others to overflow so much into our kids. How do we make sure we are full of love instead of being at our wit's ends at times? Are you like me? Sometimes I don't feel like I have that much to give, but I know Who can fill me again. We need to make sure we have spent sufficient time with our Father. He fills us with love (and patience), so we can pass it along to those around us. It's only from our own resources that we can share with others...especially those closest to us. If our entire family is overflowing, His love naturally flows from our house to the world around us. Isn't that what we want? Or better yet, isn't that what He wants?

The second part of this verse is fairly easy to see how it relates to homeschooling. What does He want for our kids after His love has been planted in their hearts and lives? He wants them to “keep on growing in knowledge and understanding”. In Proverbs, we read over and over how the beginning of knowledge is the fear of the Lord. Are you making sure your children have a healthy fear or respect for the Lord? How do you help them to have that? Mainly, that comes from natural consequences...and discipline if rules are not followed. One consequence can be, if they don't finish their work, they don't get to play. You have the distinct privilege of making sure all of their work helps them to grow in knowledge and understanding. Are you yourself continuing to grow in those areas? I can assure you the day is coming when they will ask you questions to which you may not yet know the answers. You need to be in the Word daily studying for yourself what He wants you to learn, so you can pass it along to your children.


Dear Father God~
I know You love me and want the best for me...just like You do for my kids. There are days where I just don't know how You do that for all of Your children. I want You to fill me to overflowing, so I have plenty to give to my children and family. Part of loving You and my children is making sure we all continue growing in Your knowledge and understanding. I know I want to follow Your will for my life...and I want my children to learn to do the same. As we love You more, we naturally grow more and more.
Your Loving Child~ Amen

Fitness Check-In: 3/1/14

Monday: Fitness 101 class
Tuesday: Step
Wednesday: Modified workout in the Fitness Center due to time constraints
Thursday: Dance
Friday: Taught my dance class (Sparse turnout due to flooded streets in our are but still fun)
Saturday: 45 min on the bike and all my machines but the glutes
Tomorrow is my day of rest.
Have a great weekend! Happy March!

Sleepless on a Wednesday night...sigh

Finally, I'm catching up on sleep I lost on Wednesday night. For some reason, I only slept 4 hours, and I was up at 3:30 in the blessed morning...which is definitely NOT my normal hour of arising. I just couldn't get back to sleep, and I was pretty brain-dead for all of Thursday. It's a wonder how I stayed upright during the dance class that morning. I hadn't felt that sleep-deprived since my kids were little.

Philippians 1:8

God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.
~Philippians 1:8~

The beginning of this verse, “God knows...”, reminds us how He knows everything about all of us. He knows how much we love others...especially our families. God knows our hearts and what we really desire for our children. Sometimes we can't even put into words or actions just how much we love them. We need to get to know our children and teens, so we know how best to help them in every area of their lives. Homeschooling moms are in just the right position to learn everything about their kids. That can make it easier to choose how best to proceed with their middle and high school years. In our homeschool, I have them do a semester's worth of career studies around 8th grade especially if they're unsure of what their career path is. Once they knew what they wanted to be, we could then determine whether they need a college-preparatory, vocational, or general diploma. From there, we discussed and planned how the next four years will look in high school. During this time, I had to make sure the goal is really theirs...and not what I wanted for them.

If those goals are not theirs, they will just get more and more frustrated...and so will you. If the frustration is lasting and/or grows worse, it is up to you to sit down and re-evaluate what the source is. Do they still have the same goal? Are the resources we're using just not right for their learning style or goal? This is where we need to show the compassion of Christ. Part of the definition of compassion is “a strong desire to alleviate the suffering”. After re-evaluating, we need to get them motivated again to stay on their path. If this is truly their goal, it won't take much to do that...even during the middle of diagramming sentences or an algebra lesson.



Dear Heavenly Father~
Sometimes I feel such a weight on my shoulders in teaching my children. I want so much to do what's right by my children. I love them SO much and only want the best for them. Please help me to turn over whatever dreams I may have for their future, so their dreams can be realized. Help us also to make sure those same dreams are aligned with what You want them to be, so they can help further Your Kingdom.
In Your Hands~ Amen

Fitness Check-In: 2/24/14

Monday: Fitness 101
Tuesday: Step
Wednesday: 10 min on the bike, most of my weight machines, and about 20 min of the dance class. (FUN!!!)
Thursday: Dance
Friday: My dance class (It was SO fun to see some young girls in my class! We had a blast!)
Nothing this weekend. I really need to get motivated to do more on Saturday.

Weekly Weigh-In: 2/24/14

This week's stats: Gained 0.3 pounds, 1/2" in the chest and hips. Lost 1/2" in the waist. Heading to Fitness 101 this morning. 

Philippians 1:7b

You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News.
~Philippians 1:7b~

God's special favor, His grace, is what's required to get through each and every day. We all know there are some days that we need even more of it just to get the bare necessities done...daily housekeeping, language arts/English, and math. During times when life is a daily struggle or hourly one, we need to remember to lean on His everlasting arms to hold us up. Maybe you're in one of those valleys right now. Keep the faith! He will be there to get you through it. If you're on a mountaintop, thank Him for the wonderful view...and enjoy every minute of it!

Do you ever wonder how you're going to deal with being cooped up in the house every day with the kids for the duration of their schooling? It can be a daunting task. Whether we are suffering from “cabin fever” or out enjoying the day, we should still be sharing the gospel. We have Good News to share every day with everyone. No matter what we're going through, it can't compare to the agony and anguish our Lord and Savior suffered before His death. In the shadow of the cross, we have a whole new perspective of our own circumstances. He does care about every detail of our lives and the lives of our children. Because of that, we need to show Him how much we appreciate His love and sacrifice.

According to today's verse, we are to “defend and confirm the truth” of the gospel. How are we meant to defend the truth? When I think of defensive action, I think of sports which is unusual because I watch very little sports. Defensive players are meant to protect their end zone, goal, or basket to the best of their ability. This leads me to believe we are meant to protect the truth of the gospel. We must not let anything harm the purity of the gospel. If we don't know how to do it ourselves, we need to study our Bibles. Our kids will find it much easier to defend it if we can show them how to study and discern alongside them...and by doing so, we also confirm the truth of the Scriptures.

Father God~
I pray for the wisdom to learn the Scriptures effectively. I would love to be able to aptly defend the truth. Please also help me to learn how to teach my kids to be able to do the same. We need your grace to help us get through each day. Help us find those things we can use to accomplish everything to confirm and defend our faith. Bring to light anything in our home and schooling that doesn't do that.
In Your Service~ Amen

Fitness Check-In: 2/17/14

Monday: Fitness 101
Tuesday: Step Class...and worked on my own choreography.
Wednesday: Light day in the Fitness Center since I had to take kids to the dentist.
Thursday: Dance...and more choreo work.
Friday: My dance class!!! SO fun!!!
Nothing over the weekend, but I'm hoping to change that this week.

Weekly Weigh-In: 2/17/14

This week's stats: Gained 3.6 pounds and 1" in the waist. Lost 1" in the hips. Chest stayed the same. (I know that was due to eating things I either don't normally eat or more frequently than usual.) Back on it today with Fitness 101 and normal eating. Lesson learned.