Transitions & Blessings

This year has been full of transitions.  :)  :)  

 I've learned that "transition", is not a bad or unsightly word; God loves writing our stories, seeing more in us than we see in ourselves. :)

Like an audience of a play, some parts of the story catch us by surprise.

We can't see beyond the next act, but rest in the knowledge that His story is perfect ...  :)

 We enjoy these views every day, by the way!!  :)

 As you may know, Ashlyn & I jumped into the Community Bible Study last August, studying the Books of Daniel & Revelation. I'm thankful for our wonderful new friends in CBS- serving alongside others is undoubtedly a blessing!

 

I'm grateful that within our own transitions, trials, and changes, we can unknowingly bless others. I co-taught the three year olds this year, and was touched by what a mom shared with me. All those Wednesday's I didn't feel good because of my toe, or because of my 3rd round of antibiotics etc. ..... somehow, I made a difference in a child's life.   :)  This is obviously an example of what God does through us, and I'm amazed!

Yes, I plan to share what I learned in my study of Daniel & Revelation, but it's going to need to be in a separate post- coming soon.

 We're thankful for CBS friends!  :) Ashlyn is going to miss her new friends very much, as she'll go to "regular" school this fall, no longer attending CBS with me as a homeschool student. I'm confident she will make more friends in her new school, hopeful to keep in touch with the ones she made this year.

 During CBS' sharing day (last day for this year), we were treated with harp music!!!  How lovely!

If I can learn how to upload a video from my new (to me) iPhone, I will share harp music in the near future.   :)

 

And ... here's Antonin enjoying his track season with Timberview Middle School.

I'd say he transitioned well from a homeschool/private school experience, to a very large Middle School with three hundred 7th graders! Yes, that's only the amount of students in 7th grade.

 

 Antonin's favorite events are the jumps and long distant running. He's finished well!  :)

 Antonin's looking forward to 8th grade, choosing his "extra" classes for this fall. I'm excited for his opportunities- it's fun watching him grow up and try new things.  :)

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Like I've said, seeing mountain scenery every day (or on a weekend hike), is wonderfully breath-taking!  :)

 I was SO excited to hike with the family this past weekend, as my toe is now well enough. Yay!

 

                                            Our upcoming 5th grader at Ranch Creek Elementary  (unless The Classical Academy works out for her); I know she'll do well!   

Our rising trumpet player & runner/jumper ... will be 8th grader at Timberview Middle School

 And ... last, but not least .... Caleb!!

He will experience more transition this fall, with changing to Liberty High School for 10th grade (transferring from a Charter school to our neighborhood school; a change he requested among a variety of reasons).

We're proud of  his hard work this first year in High School, including job shadowing a Water Company guy (testing water, etc.). We know he will have many more interesting High School experiences, as he prepares for real life in the real world.

By the way, he's still working through his Drivers' Ed. I wonder when he will ever finish the Online program so he can take his test and begin practice driving. Oh well, if he's in no hurry, I guess I'm not either!

 

One more thing- remember how I needed toe surgery ... then healing ... and how I was newly hired as a Sub, but not needed?

As soon as my toe was well enough to wear my most comfortable dress shoes, I received a CALL to Sub!!  I worked two half days last week!!!

 I'm newly amazed at this story God's writing, and Yes, He's in control.

Transition is not a bad word. It's giving up control and trusting, even when things don't make sense (like... why didn't we choose the neighborhood High School for Caleb when we first moved here?).

 

Moving onward & forward into our 10th month here.... anticipating a great year ahead!!! :)



Spring News

It's spring in Colorado Springs! :)

 

Spring mountain weather is amazing!

Yesterday morning, there was snow, sleet, lightening, hail, rain & thunder .... then by Noon, the sun shown brightly and melted most of the snow. The sky was clear, and free of clouds. It was as if the morning winterland was just a dream!

 

Now I see what people meant when they described Colorado snows melting in one day!  They must have been talking about the spring snow storms.

Winter snowfalls are cold, and stay around a day or two. Rain never falls in the winter; one can watch dark storm clouds roll in, without fear of an impending downpour.

When it begins to drizzle rain, one knows that spring has sprung!!

And ... yes, today I discovered that spring snow really melts the same day it snows.   :)

 The sunsets here are amazing, too, even while clouds roll in!!

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As for my toe, I am pleased that it's healing nicely (I wear a bandage all the time, except for when soaking and air drying it)!!  :)

 

 

The Foot Doctor told me I had had a staph infection ... the "ok" type that responds to antibiotics.

The reason the infection wasn't going away, was because it was down in the toe too far. I don't understand why antibiotics couldn't reach down into my toe ... but all I know is that the surgery was necessary for complete healing, and I'm finally on my way out!!!!    :)

After 4 rounds of antibiotics, I admit I haven't felt completely myself since January.

It will be SO nice to be done with meds this week. Woo hoo!!

As you can see, my toe isn't back to normal yet, but I'm confident the swelling will eventually go away ..... the Dr. doesn't appear concerned, anyway (and I'm a worrier).
I just resumed wearing tennis shoes yesterday, but not without a slight limp.  :)
Hopefully, I'll be able to wear dress shoes in a couple more weeks, as wearing sandals and flip flops is chilly around here.  :)
I'm amazed how God works out all details- even in the midst of impatience.
I was recently hired as a substitute tutor at a school on Friday's.
So far, I haven't been needed at all! At first I felt frustrated, but realized that with my toe surgery and the healing process, subbing would have been a challenge these past two weeks.
Closed dress shoes is part of their dress code, so I would have needed to ask permission to wear sandals.
I know a Friday subbing job will come open at just the right time- probably when I can wear my most comfy dress shoes. I have a feeling my toe is the reason nothing has been available.   :)
Thanks, God, for looking out for me .... just please help my impatience.  
{Oh- and I'm looking forward to being available more days in May, and in the next school year}

Speaking of school....

I'm preparing Ashlyn's homeschool records, to give to her new school.
Next fall, she'll attend an Elementary School in our neighborhood, if the one I'm subbing at doesn't end up working out for her (a wait-listed school).
We're finishing up 4th grade strong, excited for 5th grade.
She's nervous about attending a "regular" school, but I know she will be just fine after the first week.

We are leaning towards changing Caleb's high school, as he's taken a strong disliking to his Charter School.  *sigh* .... First Baptist Academy in Illinois was the best fit for him, and not many other schools are like it. If we DO end up changing from his present Charter school, he will attend our neighborhood High School- Liberty High School.  My mommy-heart breaks, disliking another change for him, but all I can say is .... it's tremendously difficult choosing a High School when moving into a new area!! 
We're making a final decision soon, needing parental wisdom.

Antonin is doing well at Timberview Middle School, and we're thankful for his adjustment to 7th grade. He's excited for 8th grade, where he's able to choose his "special" classes. Wow- it's unbelievable that we'll have 10th, 8th, and 5th graders in the fall! 
Aahhhh ... time goes by MUCH too quickly!!!!!!!!!!!

God has been gracious to us this year- in a new state, new home, new schools, new church, etc.
As He's busy doing 1,000 things at once, I'm looking forward to His answers and guidance in the near and distant future(s)!!   :)



Still healing .... (& Easter too) :) :)

My toe surgery went well last Thursday morning...

My entire toe was numbed; I was flat on my back, unable to see or feel anything.

The pain began later- around 1AM Friday morning, when the numbness wore off. My entire toe throbbed relentlessly, at times pain shooting up my leg. I got out of bed (so I wouldn't wake Richard), and walked around the living room & kitchen praying and crying.

 I didn't know what to do!

 My natural instinct was to sit on the floor, pull my leg up-close to my body, and massage my foot.

Surprisingly, that worked!! lol!!  Thank God for giving me instincts!  :)  :)  I was soon able to fall back to sleep.

Later that morning (after the sun was up), I prepared water & vinegar in the tub (following Dr's directions) ... then fought against the desire to immediately take my toe OUT of the water & vinegar!! I was to soak it for 20 minutes, but it stung terribly in the water/vinegar. Ouch!!

As I took the last of the bandage off my soaking toe (gauze had stuck to toenail area), and saw there was an ugly, gross toe in place of the one I use to have ... I suddenly remembered that it was Good Friday.   ;)

My toe pain (and ugliness) was nothing in comparison, to what Jesus did on the cross for me, so I thanked Him all day long for the gift of Salvation & His Grace ... especially while soaking my toe!!!

Here's how my toe looks most of the time- all bandaged up.  :)  :)

 

I waited one week and two days to take a picture of toe with bandage off, since it wasn't pretty  (I felt nauseated looking at my "new" toe, without its toenail). Can you tell it's less swollen than in my last post?  Yes, everything is healing, just very, very slowly.

 I'm supposed to let it air dry for about a half an hour to an hour, sitting in one spot (not walking around). Then, put on a new bandage for the next 12 hours.

Yes, I spend a lot of time in the bathroom, between soaking my toe, air drying, then bandaging it. Sometimes I hear worried kids' voices, "Mom? Mom? Where are you?"   :) :)

When they hear my voice yelling out that I'm taking care of my toe, they ask if they can watch ...

they find this toe experience interesting ...[I cringe inside thinking I was never like that as a kid]

Yes, I'm still taking antibiotics, unfortunately. I'm so ready to be finished with meds.  lol!

 

We enjoyed a nice little Easter, though I wished I could have done more.   :)

The kids dyed eggs the night before.

 Look at the designs- very pretty! 

 

Easter morning, we went to church early, so I could practice once more with the Easter choir before service started.

What a beautiful Easter Sunday, praising & worshipping our Risen Savior.  :)

Our kids reminded us on the way home, that every day is Easter in the life of a Christian, so we should be just as happy all the time. Yes... yes, it is.

It's amazing how much children listen when you think they aren't.

 

We ate a yummy Easter meal, complete with ham, veggies & potatoes!  :)  :)

Oh- we also gave our kiddos candy in plastic eggs, even though they claim they're too old for such things.  :)

We trust everyone had a wonderful Easter, celebrating New Life!!!

He is Risen~ The Lord is Risen Indeed!!!

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 I know this last photo is quite random, but I thought it was amazing!

We were watching the sunrise, and you could still see the moon above the mountains.

So pretty!

~8 months in the West~

Where in the world does time go?!?!

~We've lived in the West for 8 whole months now~

 Richard often takes us on hikes, and I love the exploring experience.  :)
The return of warmer weather means more outdoor fun!  :)

 Woohoo!  We survived our first winter in Colorado Springs!

Neighbors tell us it was snowier and colder than usual.

We didn't think it was too bad ... not much different than a South Bend, IN winter.

I think we can definitely handle future winters.  :)

Umm ... not that winter is entirely over yet, of course.

Even though we're experiencing beautiful spring weather, natives say we'll have more snowfall through the end of April- possibly even May. Spring's snowfall will be "different", in that it won't hang around for a couple days (will melt the next day). At least, that's what we're told.

 {I just love the changing views of Pikes Peak~ Sometimes there's a pinkish glow out our window}

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Since early January, I've been struggling with an infection in my toe.  :(  :(

No, it's not pretty to look at ... but I can't explain it over the phone (no, it's not an ingrown toenail).

I tried all sorts of home remedies along with my prescribed medicine  ... essential oils, white vinegar, apple cider vinegar ....  nothing helped it heal completely. The home remedies also kept things stable with my being inbetween Doctors, waiting for appointments, visiting Urgent Care, etc., etc.

Long story shorter, I'm now consuming a 3rd round of antibiotics (when will this end?), and will have toe "surgery" this Thursday morning, with a Podiatrist who will clean out the infection.

  I must have stubbed my toe too many times, since the Podiatrist said the paronychia was likely caused from trauma. No, I don't normally cut my toenail so short (the toe on the right is more like it), so I'm thinking my toenail sank into my nail bed and caused the infection.  :(  :(

I'm not thrilled at all about Thursday morning, but tired/weary of an infected toe and being on meds!!

 I'm sure it will take awhile to heal, since I'll also lose the toenail in the process. 

I really wish they'd knock me out for the procedure .... but I'll be awake, attempting to ignore what's happening (toe will be numbed).

 

 

Hopefully, Friday I'll feel well enough to take a placement test at Pikes Peak Community College.

The math classes I took in Illinois won't transfer over to PPCC, since they were "developmental" classes, so I'm studying, hoping to take more classes in the fall.   :)

It's time for me to resume continuing my education, now that we're settled in our new home  (well, mostly).   :)

 

Perhaps in another two weeks or so, I can share about our various school decisions for the kids. It's been a challenge choosing what is "best" for the family, and for each child.

We really MISS First Baptist Academy in Illinois!  How simple life was  ....

 

 God's always at work behind the scenes, doing 1,000 different things at once!

[Reminding myself  ... that waiting is ok ...]    :)   :)

 



Braces

My braces are off (before 40)!!!  :)  :)
Here's my new look

 

 De-bonding day was much worse than getting braces on ... or perhaps I think so because of my sensitive teeth?  I was SO glad when the polishing/cleaning was over!   :)
Yay- it's great not having metal (braces) in my mouth anymore!!!
Since I'm new to the area, none of our neighbors or new church friends have noticed anything different about me. I've been attending Community Bible Study since August, so the Bible Study ladies are the only ones who've noticed my "new" smile.   :)
  I feel like saying something to our neighbors and new church friends.
"Notice anything different about me?", I'd ask.   :)
They'd stare at me in awkward silence, "Um ... I give up-?"
Haha-  no, I don't think I'll say anything. Perhaps they'll have an "Aha!!" moment one of these days. ;)

My Illinois Orthodontist did the majority of my orthodontic care, for approx. 1 1/2 yrs. After our move in July, I transferred to a Colorado Orthodontist, who fine-tuned my teeth for 5-6 months.
I wondered when my braces would ever come off, because he kept fine-tuning (I'm ultimately grateful he's a very detailed Orthodontist, of course!!!).   :)  
I just hope I can keep my teeth looking good for many, many years.
The total time in braces: 2 years and 2 months!
[now it's "retainer time"]
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Remember our school choice decisions?  We were given our first choice school for Ashlyn!!!
 We will feel comfortable with her attending 5th grade at this chosen school, if a different Classical school (wait-listed) doesn't work out for her.  So ... I guess we're still making decisions, and getting a step closer.

More to write later ....    :)