December 29th, 2011 
We sold the house! I have mixed emotions (sadness, grief, letting go…) but overall the feeling is relief. So glad that it’s over and we can move on and find closure. Heal. And rejoice!! The sale went through the Thursday before Christmas – such a blessing – we were able to buy a trampoline (and thusly nearly double our Christmas for the kids!)
Keeping to my declaration (of wisdom, stupidity?) I didn’t get a haircut the entire time we were trying to sell our house. I originally made the decision because we just couldn’t afford any extras and haircuts are definitely extra. Matt told me early on if I really wanted a haircut that we could set aside the money and do it, but somehow I promised myself I wouldn’t do it. And then as one sale fell through and the next sale was being delayed I began to worry that I would join the ranks of Crystal Gail. But I didn’t (whew!) and I took my girl and we got all dolled up last night (then went and bought me some shoes! woohoo!) I will get a picture of my new cut on here as soon as I can, but this morning with bed head and no make up it just ain’t happenin’.
This was the first Christmas (since having kids, I think) that Matt and I exchanged gifts with one another. And he did it up big – he bought me new dishes and silverware. Our first non-hand-me-down dishes since we’ve been married. I adore them! But I’m scared I’m gonna mess them up, because we’re the Parkers and we generally can’t have nothin’ nice! (I got him a coffee pot and some cologne – I’m not sure those don’t count as gifts to myself!)
I’ve put on a bit of the weight I had previously lost and it makes me sad. It’s not just the weight. As I talked about before. It’s the “why’s” behind the weight gain. It’s a lack of self-control followed by guilt. I hate the cycle. I need to just make the decision and break it again. Because I was so much happier before.
Homeschooling is rolling. With the exception of the last couple of weeks of the holidays. I’m ready for my schedule again. So next week when all the holidaying is officially over I’ll be planning and getting back to it. This year I will stick with our current curriculum plan, but I intend to incorporate a few unit studies along the way. I always get to a holiday and wish I weren’t a slacker. The kids will ask me why we’re celebrating a certain holiday and I rarely have an answer. Plus, I’m so scheduled with our current curriculum that I feel guilty when I skip our scheduled schooling to try to fit in a unit study. And I find myself (and the kids) sometimes burning out on the same old, same old. So, I’m going to intentionally schedule holiday unit studies throughout the coming year – I think it will make me a happier person! (any free unit studies suggestions are SO welcome by the way!)
We’re still working on reading through the Bible aloud with the kids. I never thought: A. that we would actually stick with this. B. Enjoy it so much. C. Not be through by now. On January 1st it will be a whole year that we have been reading the Bible aloud to our kids. I’m only in Proverbs. But I’m amazed at how much God has blessed our socks off by my determination to do this. It hasn’t been easy. I’ve discovered that the younger kids go completely nutso when I start reading it. I’ve begun praying for peace and for God’s hand over us while I read. It’s basically sheer determination to do it that has kept me going, but it’s been so great when I have that it encourages me to keep on keeping on.
With the sale of the house we were also fortunate enough to buy a dishwasher (to be delivered and hooked up in the next few weeks) and a furnace for our central heat (due to be delivered today!) The space heaters have gotten us through and I’m abundantly thankful, but I’m beyond excited about central heat! And I know that the dishwasher is totally frills and I’m also amazed at how, through prayer and God’s grace, that I’ve become content with my daily hour long dishwashing session, but I sure do look forward to the hum of an automatic dishwasher and the freed up time that will afford me!
The sicknesses have eased for now (except for one persistent cold the Baby keeps). So thankful!
I’ve spent less time at my computer lately and it’s not entirely planned. I just haven’t had the time. I actually got Photoshop from a friend for Christmas!! And I’m so, so, so excited about playing with it (though, of course daunted by learning something new!) I just have to find the time to do it!
Baby is potty training. Of his own accord. I’m not rushing and it’s not final, but he’s slowly making progress and that makes me happy.
I hope you all have a Happy New Year if I can’t make it back here before then!
November 11th, 2011 Of course, Matt The Hero, figured out how to get my computer kind of working part of the time! He found out if you bend the bent plug just right and force it into the computer and twist it just so then it will charge! So I thought I would give you a quick update. No soapboxes, no theme, no pictures, no great ideas. (If you’re not the grandparents or my St. Louis bestie feel released from having to sit through this)
We’re still battling the sickness. The 2 oldest are fever free for days now (and completely strep negative), but their sore throats and coughing is hanging on like a beast. The 3 youngers are still feverin’ and sore throatin’ and on the beginning edge of coughing. Matt and I are still mostly not sick, but my throat has become increasing sore and I just don’t feel good today.
But with all this sickness talk did I tell you about the praises in the midst? We went insurance free for the 2 months of transition from the old job to the new. We were still in the COBRA grace period and could pick up the transitional coverage at any time something went terribly wrong, but for all of us it would’ve been $3200 for 2 months worth of coverage. So we took our chance s and went coverage free. We prayed. We had one pre-November 1st scare when BigMan showed early signs of a possible UTI, but we pushed all kinds of fluids especially cranberry blends and he came through with no issues! Whew! But then about November 3 or 4th this sickness hit. We had made it to November first! With no pregnancies, no fevers, no E.R. trips! We still run off to the doc when we first started getting sick (that’s just not our M.O.) rather we waited, rested, fluided, and watched. However, 4 days into the fever with no signs of getting better and more kids getting sick by the day we decided to go to one of those weekend clinics and get a strep swab. More prayer. We didn’t have much cash on hand for that. Especially if 3-5 kids had to be seen, then swabbed, then treated with antibiotics. We prayed some more. We had however just bought an infrared heater for the house (have I kept you up to date on all that praise too? I’ll fill you in in a sec!) I called the clinic and asked about how much cash I would need up front. We had discussed if it came down to it we could return the newly bought infrared heater to afford all the appointments and medication and we would just tough it out in the cold snap that was coming this week. Come to find out they take our new insurance! And our new insurance currently doesn’t have a copay! So we took TheMiddlest (since he had been the sickest the longest) into the clinic (with the other 2 little sicklies waiting in the van with Matt to see the doc if need be). The swabbed him and it was not strep (no needed antiobiotics – woohoo! and no need for the other 2 to be seen – woo hoo!) We were keeping the heater! And we took our cash and bought Tylenol, Ibuprofen, cough syrup, peppermints, and popsicles (and rented a few movies!) for little sicklies. SOOOO thankful!
Onto that heater… I have mentioned here we don’t have heat in the new city house, right? We knew this up front, we’re renting to own, we made the agreement to handle it. It’s crunch time, the other house hasn’t sold (that story and praise forthcoming!), and it’s getting cold. So we bought a couple of small heaters as we could afford them. One of them is an infrared heater. So far we’re pleased with it. It really does heat an amazing amount of the house, it’s safe around the kiddos, and we’re please so far! But it’s not a long term solution. We had an estimate given to us about replacing the 2 ton heater/air condition that is attached to the house and they gave us a $5,000-$9,000 estimate (the upper end is to replace the duct work too). Ohmyword. It was at that point that we bought the infrared. But then by crazy God circumstances that we were able to purchase (completely above board) a 2 ton air conditioning unit from an unused FEMA trailer from Katrina. For only a few hundred dollars. It’s only an air conditioner though, so we’re looking to buy an indoor electric furnace to use with it for the heat. As we can afford it, but y’all, oh, the praises for that!!!!
So, the other house… We took that last offer sight unseen and it began to be a huge financial burden on us but we trusted through it. Through circumstances that are fixable, but out of our control that potential buyer backed out of the contract. And though it sometimes felt up and down I believe it was God’s way of getting us out of a not great situation. Following that we had a full month of no one even looking at our house. During the 2 months of moving we had other financial crunches (a tire blow out – needing 2 new tires, the heater situation, past medical debt that had to be handled NOW) and we were unable to pay our old mortgage for 2 months. We called a financial counselor, stayed on the phone for THREE hours and were told that we indeed live within our means in every.single.category except having 2 house payments and 2 utilities all the money that flows into trying to sell a house. So we tried for a deed in lieu (or cash for keys if you will) but Midland Mortgage (that’s right I’m calling them out) refused to do that. They told us we had to short sale or foreclose. (all this while the federal government is debating more bailouts for companies like Midland – they fall under the umbrella with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, by the way, argh.) So, we looked into short selling, acquiring paperwork, but still praying for a miracle. Then the realtor called and showed the house twice in 3 days. Both were interested. One is making an offer this morning in a few short hours (pray with us some more?!)
So, all of this. All of this uncomfortableness in the midst of the outpouring of blessings on us. On one of my lesser trusting and thankful days one of my best friends read to me a devotional and verse. It has blessed my heart for weeks.
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3
And particularly did you see it? The part that knocked me over? I want this race over quickly. I want all these issues resolved NOW. Yet, maybe my story is in the refining, the process, the playing this out on the stage in front of you. It’s the perseverance.
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
May I do just that. May I keep on keeping on. May I continue to do it in front of you. And may I do it with all grace and joy.
October 24th, 2011 So, to catch you up..
I’m starting our homeschooling up first thing this morning (can I get a great big woohoo?!) And though I’m super excited, completely ready, and overly happy about it I am also fully aware that it’s not all roses and happy. My students won’t just run themselves to the new schoolroom giddy with anticipation and ready to work for hours on end. C’mon. I know what this is about. Just this morning My Middlest said, “Can’t we just take this one day off?” Really?! But with all the frustrations of figuring out how to teach all these kiddos, I still love it. And having said all that, I’m super duper excited about getting started.
In order to get ready to do school I had to get the house settled enough to do that. And I think we have! There’s still tons to do, repairs, make-overs, but we can finally find our daily stuff, I’ve purged and given away all the things we don’t need, and everything has a home of it’s own. Our seasonal and outgrown clothes have a place and it’s perfect timing because the weather has turned cooler.
Speaking of, we got the house knowing the heat didn’t work, but we just had faith it would work out. It was a worry for a different day. And on that first cold snap Matt was able to fix the heat!! We had heat for a couple of days and then the heater gave out again. But it’s okay. We think we can get a motor for it (or at least temporary heat if not – have you heard of those Amish heaters? We’re looking into them.)
We sent Hokey Pokey (the dog) to a shelter because she no longer fit with our family. In the country it worked well. She could run wild and free on all that land, but here, she had a tiny yard and was really bored (chewing everything in sight) and she needed training and much exercise (she would jump up on the kids). I was angry and frustrated, Baby and BigMan were scared of her jumping up knocking them over. We couldn’t provide the things for her that she needed – exercise and training. So we prayed and hoped all would go well and gave her to the shelter. Out of the blue, I got a call the other day from a gentleman who wanted to ask some questions about her shots and medical history. He and his wife (and 2 kids plus 2 smaller dogs) had adopted her, they had 2 acres and were loving playing fetch with her. I was so relieved and so were the kids when I told them. So thankful!
Friday would’ve been the closing date on the house had the contract with that potential buyer held and it was hard to not mourn that. I had to keep reminding myself that God had released us from that contract and I needed to thank Him for that. I still ask for prayers about the house. We are looking into a short sale, but praying for a buyer.
Halloween is next week and we have no idea what we’re all going to be. But I hear rumors that a couple of us want to be ninjas and one wants to be Rapunzel and the other 2 just have yet to decide. I’ve given up my dream for a theme once again this year, but it’s all good. It’s about the kids being happy and having fun. And THAT we can do!
We’ve done a lot of work in the house since moving in and I hope to show you some of it before long. I still do not have a computer that can support photos or the editing software. But rest assured I will eventually show you a bunch of before and after pics!
I hope you have a very happy Monday and that I get a lot of non-unschooling done this morning. All without gritting my teeth once!
October 17th, 2011 So, we went forward with the contract on the house selling (see the Good Story post for the beginning to this story). But trials continued to come and the potential buyer backed out. At this point, we had been hoping that sell would go through just so we could get out from under 2 house payments even if we had to pay to get out of the house (oh how tossed by the wind our desires are – even more reason to trust in His Goodness and not in our own wants, yo?) But that didn’t happen and we had to trust again and praise Him that He got us out of a contract that we were worried about. Sounds easy from here, but not so much when you’ve just received the “back out” paperwork. But I know this has opened the door for what it is good. I’ve prayed and hoped and trusted (and then not so much) for every part of this including who would be moving next door to our sweet elderly neighbors, for Him to provide someone who would be good to them. So I have to wait upon the Lord. And that is where we are now. Waiting.
Waiting.
That seems to be the theme of this season. The lesson I’m learning. I’m ready (way, way beyond ready) to start back on our full time, hours a day school work. But I don’t have the supplies, books, chalkboard, or even place (I’ll get back to that later) to make that happen. And granted we could start where we are with what we have and do everything halfway, but it doesn’t feel right. I don’t know why, but I feel a holding back, a “Wait” whispered to me. So I’m settling into the house, settling into church, into our community, and accumulating our supplies a tiny bit at a time. I’m trying to focus on today. This moment. And spending more intentional time with my kids. I have to constantly remind myself that this is a season that will pass and that we’re building into them more than a few math lessons could anyway. And He has allowed moments of grace and relief in the midst of my worrying. The other day I was learning to play Yahtzee with my oldest and I realized he was using extensive adding and multiplication to figure up all his scoring. We’ve been watching Brain Games on National Geographic and they have been absorbing all of the science behind the fun. My oldest has found his old animal info cards and the other day he came in saying “Mom, I know I’ve told you I knew what I wanted to do a lot of times before, but this time I just know I’m going to be a zoologist!” He has told me more animal facts than I ever dreamt of learning. My middlest told me the other day after building another marble roll extravaganza, “Mama, don’t you think being an engineer would be fun?” I’ve caught my 6 year old daughter “playing school” with my 4 year old – reading to him, teaching him the alphabet, teaching him songs. My oldest has toyed with his acoustic guitar and the cd music lessons he has. Not intently, but I know he’s learning nonetheless. He has learned the workings of the sewing machine and made a few very simple things. My middlest has learned to hand-sew and made a small crude doll. The 4 year old and the 2 year old play together building train sets, blocks, and drawing and cutting paper. All fine motor skills while constantly being taught how to not fight, get along, share, and how to … wait. They are learning. I just have to trust in the process that we are not replicating school in this season. We are learning life lessons, we are learning how to love neighbor kids that are different from us, how to have grace and show them mercy and truly friend them. We are going to more field trips and listening and learning about animals, hospitals, med-flights, helicopters, American (and Arkansas) history, about settlers and their ways by going hands-on with their tools, implements, and homes. We are learning economics by discussing Fort Knox, and why we don’t just print more money when our country needs it. We are watching the news and talking about presidential candidates and why we like or don’t like certain ones. We are learning to appreciate what we have and not to worry about the future. We are still simplifying.
If you would to pray with us, these are our hopes and desires and praises: that we would be salt and light in our new community, that we would find the right buyer for our house, that we would sell the house before the weather turns too cold (we have no heat here and no way to afford it until we sell our house), that we would not foreclose on our old house, that we would have patience, wisdom, and gratitude in all things, that we would be the friends we need to be. We are thankful for the warmest weather in 114 years (allowing for more time to get the heat fixed!), that we are for the first time in years free of governmental grocery helps (no WIC, no food stamps). We are thankful for a community of friends – real life ones – I’ve prayed for years to have friends again. We are thankful for a home He provided, a great job, the settling in, and our children. I’m thankful for my marriage and His Word. I’m thankful that at night my middlest’s last question before sleep is about Jesus and the people who crucified Him. That he has such a tender heart that he is saddened for the fate of even those people. I’m thankful for tv, computer, and my community of friends online that are amazing, encouraging, and the neatest ever. I’m thankful for a fenced-in backyard, a working kitchen and laundry room, cute rooms to decorate, a husband who is hilarious, an awesome father, and who loves me unconditionally.
And I’m thankful that He’s teaching me to wait.
October 6th, 2011 Tonight there are a few things on my mind that make me feel better about life.
Tonight I like:
That the dishes are done.
That the laundry is running.
That the children are all snuggled into their beds sleeping soundly.
That the main living part of the house (aside from the sunroom and storage room) is picked up, unpacked, and mostly in order.
That the house feels more like home.
That the fall candles are burning.
That Matt grilled shishkabobs (how on EARTH do you spell that word?) and they were marvelous. That we had enough to share with 4 neighbors, eat our fill, and have plenty for tomorrow.
That though it is nearly 10 and I still have a to-do list ahead of me tonight, that to-do list contains “make menu plan/grocery list” and “lesson plan/curriculum shop”. Such ordinary normal things. That haven’t been done in ages now.
That I have visited with 3 different friends (and their super sweet kiddos!), at 3 different parks, on 3 different days this week.
That we began school this week. Granted it was only the Pre-K’er and the 1st Grader, only one day, and only partial lessons. But it’s a start.
That in his spare time my 5th grader has been reading a human anatomy book.
That Matt has decorated our porch with multi-colored lights thereby declaring the non-stop Parker Party is in effect.
That the children (and I) have adjusted well to having only one cat for a pet. It’s quiet and nice.
That less stuff has indeed made me happier so far.
That I feel peace about the old house (sold or not, issues or not) right now.
That I feel peace about most things: waiting on money to fix up this house, not fully starting school back, even not having gotten my hair cut yet. I like peace.
Tonight Philippians 4 is on my mind. Particularly verses 11, 12 and 13: 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have these verses licked. Not by a long shot. But tonight, just for tonight, they come to mind and don’t convict so much as comfort.
And I like that.
|
|
|
