Turning 44..

  I turned 44 on Sunday! I definitely feel older. I've been trying not to think about that in 6 years I will be 50!  I guess that's not really a bad thing..but, I've always been the baby of the family..so it makes it a little harder for me to think about.  Turning 30 was hard for me too.  It seems to me that the older I get, the faster time flies. Is that just me..or is it that way for everyone?  At first I thought it was just the year, then it was also the week..and now lately it seems that even the days fly by.  I remember being a child and it seemed like time almost stood still.  I think the hardest part of seeing the time fly by as it does for me, is seeing my kids also seeming to growing older so quickly too.  It has also seemed to give me an urgency to make the most of my time here on earth..as if I want to be sure and do everything that God wants me to do. And, to also walk as closely as I can with him.
  2011 was a rough year, healthwise for me.  It was a huge reality check in getting older. I am doing ok though. The medicines that they have me on for the fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue and the arthritis/degenerative disc disease seem to be helping me some.  The ruptured disc still hurts me if I do certain things.  I have had to learn to work around it.  The medicines have also seemed to have numbed my brain somewhat..or that's how I feel sometimes. I think that they make me a little more tired than I already am... but I am pushing my way through the fog...and that's been a good thing. I am trying to keep myself busy so that I don't have time to feel sorry for myself,  and to keep my mind going strong too:)  Last fall I started teaching  at Sam's homeschool co-op.  I am the new strings teacher...and I love it!  I feel so blessed and honored that they asked me to do it.  It's such a great way to put the gift of music that the Lord blessed me with to work for the Lord. They are such great kids too! It's only on Fridays during the months of September through the first week of December.  Then they come back in Jan. and go through to the end of March.  We have a concert the first week of December and then a final spring concert at the end of March.  It's been such a good thing for me.  I am loving putting the music together and watching the kids learn new things, and then me learning to conduct..which I had never done before..was amazing!!  I just praise Yahweh for all the good in my life!!

The picture is of me directing the strings ensemble class in the December concert. Both classes did a wonderful job!!  I was so pleased that they asked me if I would be the teacher next year too..How awesome is that!! :)

I really want to try to start blogging regularly again.  I just seem to stay so tired.  That and the migraines that I have quite often really cause me difficulty when I try to sit down and type. The scrolling of the screen really does bother me.  I have also been staying busy knitting and doing lots of interesting learning with Sam. That's one of the really nice things about homeschooling.  I love that I am always learning right beside him.  It's funny how there are so many things that I've forgotten and am now learning over.  That and lots of new things too!  The 12 chicken girlies..:) keep me busy too.  We have had such a mild winter here that it hasn't seemed to slow their egg laying down much, if at all.  On average I usually get anywhere from 9-10 eggs a day. I think there may have been one or two days when I only got 6 eggs..and some days where I got a whole dozen!!

There are also some days when you get the nicest and sweetest of surprises.  Like this!!

As I end this post.. I am hoping and praying that this is just the beginning of many more.  A verse that we read in Sam's history lesson today comes to mind.  We were reading about John James Audubon.  The verse was Matthew 6:26.   "Look at the birds of the shamayim(Heavens) for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into storehouses, yet your Father of the shamayim(Heavens) feeds them. Are you not worth more than they?"   I had the privilege of having a dear friend that often calls me to talk and pray together; call me tonight.  I am so thankful for her calling, because I really needed prayer tonight.  Our prayers brought me back to this verse.  I went and got Sam's notebook and looked at his copywork of this verse.  It made me smile.:)  This verse means so much to me..I often worry and worry.  I really needed to hear it today and the Lord led me to it through Sam's lessons:) I am always thinking of my on-line friends. I can't wait until the day when we all meet in person together with the Lord. I keep all of you in my prayers. Please keep me and my family in yours.         I am praying that it won't be long until he comes back for all of us!

With Love and Hugs,      Jerelene

Apron Giveaway Contest

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Thankfulness and friends...some of them furry :)

Hello to all my friends:)  Thank you so much to all of you that have been checking in on me..either here or on Facebook.  I actually did alright with the epidural steroid shots.  I felt rough for the first couple of days..but after that I have gradually felt just a tiny bit better.  I also went to see a new doctor.  He goes to church with us and so I knew him and his wife.  I know his wife better because he isn't always there with her.  He is often at the hospital with patients.  He is very kind and took lots of extra time to answer all my questions and discuss everything with me.  He did want to know what happened with the other doctor which was awkard for me because I know that they are sort of friends...so I treaded gently with the subject and was as kind as I could be and sort of chalked it up to not clicking with each other.  My new doctor suggested another couple series of epidural steroid shots.  But he won't be sedating me..and that makes me extremely nervous.  He is giving me valium to take before I have it done.  He said after we do these then he will get me in with another doctor in the office that deals with neck pain and migraines.  He said he would probably give me injections in my neck. That also scares me to death...but I would love to have some relief.  I think the steroids have lowered my immune system even more than it already was.  I've had a sore throat, eye infection and ear ache all week.  The dizziness returned this week with a vengence and the headaches as well.  My Mom has been checking my blood sugar.  It has been higher than it should be.  At one point this week it was lower than it should have been.  I had felt bad all day and couldn't figure out why.  My Mom had me drink some orange juice and that seemed to have helped a little.  I was suppose to get my glucose and potassium checked again after 2 weeks which was last week and I forgot.  So I will be making a call to the doctor's office Monday to set up a time to do that.  
My Mother is doing very well from her surgery.  I couldn't be happier:):)  She was sent home from the hospital the very next afternoon.  She went in for a follow-up with the surgeon on Friday and he gave her an excellent report..:)
I am so relieved...more than I could possibly put in words.  
My friend Diana also had surgery..she had both knees done.  I have been keeping her in my prayers as well.  She is a brave lady:)  I'm glad she will be able to do all the things she wants to without pain, when she is all healed up and done recovering.  She doesn't live to terribly far from me.  Maybe when she feels better she can meet me at our mall and we can visit and shop..and maybe have a coffee or tea too:) Diana,  I am keeping you in my prayers.
I have been having daily prayer...(if we're able) with my sweet friend Shelley.  We are recieving such a blessing from praying for each other and everyone on our prayer lists...
My sweet Mother gave me this beautiful mug before she had her surgery.  With me not feeling well..it gave special meaning to me.  It isn't just beautiful on the outside.  It is beautiful on the inside too..

It reminded me to be thankful for all the little things that maybe I've been forgetting about.  I think sometimes..speaking for myself of course..that when we feel badly..we just sort of forget all the wonderful things that God does for us on a daily basis.  The pain medicine of course has made me groggy and not thinking well.  But now since I'm not as medicated I have no excuses.  So many things have been jumping out at me every time I take a sip out of my sweet coffee mug.  I have a wonderful family...I have a roof over my head...I have food on my table..I have the most wonderful friends that a person could ever ask for.  Old ones, new ones, even ones I have never met...  But each one of them are precious gifts from God.  For each kind word,  and each loving prayer, I thank all of you :)  I am SO grateful :):)

I'm especially grateful for these little furry gifts from God.....I've had lots of good days,  and lots of bad...

And on the bad days, these little guys are busy loving and caring for their Mommy....And yes, Teddy is is here and loved too...he just doesn't like laying up close to me like these two fur babies...He has more fur and doesn't get as cold as they do...

Aren't they just adorable?  They are like little heating pads.  I just love them so much.   My family has been really helping a lot too.  It is so hard having to realize that some things I just can't do.  And that I am just going to have to make adjustments depending on how I'm feeling each day.
I go back in to see my rheumatologist on Tuesday.  Next week will be a busy week for me.  I'm hoping it all goes well.  
I've made a new friend that is suffering with such similar health issues as I am.  It has been so helpful writing back and forth...she gives me some encouragement which I definately need.  Thank you so much Tabby :)  If you have fibromyalgia like I do...her blog is full of information and encouragement. I am so glad to have met her:)
That's all for now.  I'ts been a long day and I am ready to head to bed.....
I hope everyone has a wonderful and rested weekend..
1 John 4:7 “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” (NIV)


With Love and Blessings,
Jerelene

Mothers, Flowers, Chickens, Maci, Health and Prayers

A lot has happened since I was on here last...I know that most of my friends see me on facebook too...but to be fair...I'll post on here too...and try to tell a little more than I did there. I started my morning today...off with a nice brunch of pancakes...I'm hoping today will be better as far as feeling better..than yesterday. Isn't it funny, how even at 43 yrs. old, that when you're sick..you still think and sort of want your Mother? I have found that I've always tended to be that way...strangely enough, even more so as I've gotten older. My Mother is such a dear lady, she was always..when she was younger and in better health...the dear one to invite visitors, or any of the people from our church...esp. the newest members... home for a lunch after church...sometimes keeping them there visiting and then playing board games and having pizza that evening. My Mother truly had the gift of hospitality. I don't see that in people as much these days. I guess because everyone is on such a strict budget? Or maybe they are so busy with their own families they feel overwhelmed at the aspect of company...I'm not sure which it is.. Church was always a pleasant time for me..even as a child. I feel like I learned so much more from all the time spent with the older people in the church. We didn't have the big youth groups that the churches have now. My time with the older people gave me insight into so many interesting and valuable information...(good information) that I would have never learned from young people my age. Sadly, I think the young people today...(which I hope I don't hurt any one's feelings) miss out on so much from being separated from the older people. They have such wisdom to share..it's a shame to miss out on it. :) Anyway, my dear Mother, will be having a surgery on her hernia next Friday..She is diabetic and always seems to have a hard time with things...so please remember her in your prayers if you could. This picture was taken quite a few yrs. ago..probably when my older kids were young.. She was as beautiful on the outside as she was on the inside...and still is :)

I know this picture was posted on my facebook..as well as the one at the bottom. But, as I've not been feeling well over this summer....my flowers have been a big blessings to me. They have given me great pleasure..either from the window or in a vase, jar or cup :) Roses, Hydrangeas and daisies of any kind are favorites to me...I do like my black-eyed susans too. I had a couple of rows of Zinnias last year, planted in the garden. The butterflies loved them and they looked beautiful brought in and put in a vase. I sure wish I'd been able to (I forgot) plant them this year. But I've made do with what I have...the chickens have kept me busy...so I didn't really have time to feel sorry about anything I didn't plant....except the giant pumpkins...I had promised Sam that I would (try) to plant some again this year...It didn't happen :( It is so exciting watching them grow from a tiny orange ball into a huge pumpkin..and they make such nice pictures...

One thing we did have plenty of was corn :) Every year Mark says..."I don't know...I think maybe we shouldn't plant the corn," then I say "Please!! Please!! " :):) I LOVE to watch it grow and see it blowing in the breeze...and the eating it part..isn't too bad either:)

The chickens have NOT been enjoying this heat...and no one...including myself...has been enjoying going out to feed and water them...on the days that we have had excessive heat warnings. It was brutal...I took frozen 2 liter bottles and big frozen blocks of ice out to them. I also put ice cubes in their water containers. I froze goodies that they could share from me and took it out to them..such as left over food that is edible for chickens...or tomatoes that fell off onto the ground. They LOVE left over spaghetti noodles!! I think they think it's worms :)

The barred rocks are almost the most friendly I would say...that's the black lacy looking ones. We have one of them that's named Bitsy...she was and is still...smaller (just a little) than the other ones...She kept getting hold of the camera strap...and then trying to pull it and run:) She made the funniest noises when she got hold of the strap..and looked so disappointed when I wouldn't let her have the camera :) They are funny...and so fun to watch :)
Maci is growing like a little weed :) She is crawling and pulling up! And...saying Momma like crazy. When Sarah is eating...she begs for her food...and screams when she won't or can't give it to her :) When that little girl smile....it just makes me melt...I just love her SO much. I hate it because I've not felt well...it seems...since she's been born. I didn't mean for that to happen..it just did:( I'm hoping that soon I'll feel better and be able to do more with than I have in the past. She has her Aunt Liz's smile...that big, beautiful smile:) Being a Grandma...is beyond words...It just MOVES you...totally...into wanting to be even a better person, Christian, woman, everything:)


I know I promised to tell you about what's been going on with my health...and got carried away with everything else...I had a sedated mri done of my neck...it showed quite a bit of degenerative disc disease just like the lumbar region...of course. And it also showed foraminal stenosis and foraminal encroachment in a few places. Disc osteophyte complex in a couple places..flattening of one of the dural sacs and dehydration of three of the interspaces? I'm not sure about some of the stuff on the paper...but, I do know that the foraminal stenosis and encroachment means that I most likely have some pinched nerves. The doctor just would not discuss the neck pain with me at all. He did an electromyography on me and huffed and puffed and sighed the whole time. I had taken Sam in with me...my in-laws drove me because I've not been driving much due to dizziness..High blood sugar and low potassium is what the lab work showed...that's another story. Anyway, the doctor evidentally was rolling his eyes at me quite a bit while doing the test too. I came home with a couple..(one was really bad) big bruises. He and I for whatever reason..were not clicking..I went ahead and had epidural steroid shots in my back on Wed. I was scared to death!! It actually went ok...he did not say one word to me before or after. So I got a call from my family doctor and he had sent notes back to them saying I have carpal tunnel in both wrists..one much worse than the other and that I needed to be referred in with a hand surgeon. The pain is radiating down from my neck into my shoulder, elbow and wrist and hands...still he would NOT address my neck. So I told the nurse at my family doctor's office what had been going on and asked to be sent to another doctor. There is one that I go to church with...I should have asked that to begin with...but didn't. So I go to see him next Friday. He loves God and is a very, very kind person. I am relieved...I still see the foot doctor at the other place..but he was very nice. He even said he thought I was having some major issues of radiculopathy...with my arms and legs...So I felt pretty rough after the epidural..esp. that night. Yesterday...I felt ok when I got up...then I think I did too much...was up too much and I was running a pretty good fever. I called after hours at the surgi-care where they did the procedure and the nurse was very nice..(all the nurses were incredibly nice before, during and after my procedure.) They said the fever could be due to the steroids putting my body into overdrive...trying to heal itself...or I could be getting infected..but to just take it easy...stay down(take it easy, which I seem to sometimes have a problem with :) and drink lots of cool fluids. My temp was down some when I got up this morning...I'm hoping it stays down..I am still sore, but they said it could take a while. So many people that I've talked to...have so many different outcomes with the epidurals...they either help...or they don't...But sadly pretty much all of them that had ruptured discs tell me that they all eventually had to have them fixed surgically. I'm praying that doesn't happen. But I've had this pain..in the lower back and neck for a couple of years...So, I'm trying hard to be optimistic and to put my faith in God. It's sometimes hard for us to do..or at least it can be for me..but I've been praying so much more than I ever have before...Not just for myself...myself at the least...but more so for my friends...(a couple in particular:) and my family...A dear friend so sweetly gave me the nicest little book...on arthritis..it is full wonderful, and promising Bible verses...I have been praying with these verses and have found them to be a blessings to me...

I am suffering and in pain. Rescue me, O God, by your saving power. Then I will praise God's name with singing, and I will honor him with thanksgiving Psalm 69:29-30

I am so thankful for all the wonderful friends that I have...even if I've never met you in person...The prayers are still just as important and the kindness that you bestow upon me still as precious....

The picture at the bottom I also posted on facebook..It's of my moonflowers...It's such a blessing how God even gave us such beautiful things that we could enjoy at night:)

I'll end with this...

And so, dear Christian friends, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is. Romans 12:1-2

I have found the last verse to be very important to me these last couple of months...

That's all for now....May the love of Yahweh be a blessing in your life....

With Love and Hugs, Jerelene

Friends and Prayers

Hello to everyone!

It's been a while since I posted anything. The last time I was on I mentioned going to the doctor. The doctor said the x-rays that they took showed Degenerative Disc Disease and that I needed an MRI of the neck and lumbar. So, I went to have the mri's done and I freaked out in the machine. The tech that was doing the test wasn't very nice about it either. I managed to get the lower back done...all the while boo-hooing and crying and praying...I have been having a hard time walking and getting around so I just knew that I really needed to stay in there for that one. I was close to the opening on that one..so they were able to get that one finished. I had to be rescheduled for the one on my neck. They redid it last week with sedation. I have since then, found out from the nurse that I have spinal stenosis in my neck. I got the feeling that it might be pretty significant, but I don't know yet. I go back in to the orthopedic doctor Friday morning. From what I understand..the spinal stenosis is a progressive problem and doesn't go away on it's own. I think it usually progresses to the point that they have to operate, depending on how compressed your nerves are. This might explain the shoulder pain, the dropping things, and the numbness I've been having in my cheeks and lips.. I have a ruptured disc in my lower back with arthritis in the facet joints. The doctor has put me on oral steroids first to see if that gives me any relief...and I'm going to physical therapy. I think the steroids have helped a tiny bit. I am able to walk just a little while without my legs locking up at the hips...but if I do too much...then I start having trouble again. I'm just moving very slowly and awkwardly. The foot doctor gave me inserts for my shoes..I was diagnosed with Plantar Fasciitis. The inserts are suppose to help raise my left leg up to be even with the right and to help my feet not to be flat..He also gave me a steroid shot in my foot. That was CRAZY painful :( And to make that worse....my foot hurt worse for 2 days afterward. And it hasn't helped at all :( I went back yesterday and the foot doctor seems to think that some, or all, of the pain in my foot may be related to what's going on with my back and neck. He said he was going to speak with the orthopedic doctor about it...he looked at my mri results from both mri's...both doctors are in the same building so they can easily discuss things with each other........I am somewhat close to feeling slightly depressed about it all...I guess maybe I am actually depressed about it....When I push to do the things I want to do...it just backfires. My family has been pretty helpful to me. But, I still hate relying on everyone else to do things for me..

So, if you could...keep me in your prayers. I know I need to keep looking upward...and not downward (except of course to pray :)...but it is hard to not feel a little overwhelmed. I know that I have some of the most wonderful friends to pray for me...and I appreciate it SO much.

I had the nicest present come in the mail...just out of nowhere...and I had been thinking about this person...and I came home from church...and there was a box on the table!! It was full of goodies...

this person is just an angel to me :) It's been a couple of weeks ago..I just haven't felt like getting on..but this dear friend couldn't have picked a better time to think of me! The holy spirit must definately have led her to think of me...and I am so appreciative!! Marci..you are such an angel and a dear, dear friend!!! I love you bunches!! Thank you so much :):)

Then after all that...I was suffering with a kidney/bladder infection and a cold...and another dear friend who was recovering from surgery...sent me a huge and lovely fruit basket!! She is a dear sister from church who I just love dearly :) My camera has quit working for me :( So, I don't have a picture of the yummy fruit basket...But, just imagine...yummy grapes, bananas, apples, oranges and pears...Thank you so very, very much Shelley :):) I am over my cold and infection now..and I am grateful for that!

Even though I might not be feeling super...I am super blessed :) ...to have such wonderful and dear friends..

Speaking of friends....I have made a new friend from South Africa...Thandi :) I LOVE to meet new people :) You can meet her here :) Thandi, I am so glad that came here to visit me...I hope to get to know you better :)

Oh, yes....Marci, you were also so kind as to send treats for the furry babies...so here's a couple pics of them getting their presents...And Mickey was the first one to grab one :) Thanks!!!..from Teddy, Mickey and Peanut :)....(I just realized I don't have a pic of Peanut on the sidebar...note to self....I must add him!! :)

I am feeling just a tad better....but, lots of trouble sleeping and still hurting quite a bit. I have spasms really bad at night when I try to lay down :( I guess I'll find out more on Frid.....

One last thing.....Maci is crawling...really well!! In to everything!! And she is pulling up and standing...I don't think it will be long now and she'll be walking..She is SUCH a cutie!!

I will end with my very favorite verse from the Bible.

He giveth power to the faint: and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings as eagles: they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 40:29-31

With Love and Blessings and Hugs too.......Jerelene

Hot weather & Blessings

Hello to all my dear friends :) Boy, has it been HOT here! I hate when it is this hot and humid. I don't mind it being in the 80's; but when it is up in the 90's and very humid...it is miserable:(

I have been keeping myself busy with the our chickens. I just LOVE it!! I don't even mind cleaning up after them....Yeah, ask me in a couple months and I might not be as thrilled. But, for now...I am loving the feeling of farm life :)

Our garden is suffering from all this heat. Poor Mark has been watering things. But the heat is quite hard on new little plants. I am hoping we get some rain soon. We had big storms come through last weekend...but all we got was a few sprinkles. You would think after ALL the rain that we had in the spring..that I wouldn't be asking, or hoping for rain. But now that it's so hot..we need it desperately. I'll just keep praying that God will bless our garden.

I started a new prayer book & journal with the other ladies at church. We pick partners, and then each of us prayer for each other, our families, and specific people that God has touched our hearts to pray for. I feel like this is such a blessing for me..It has brought new friendship to me that I was definitely needing. It is so nice to have someone call everyday and for us to pray together. It has really helped my prayer life. The book talks about asking for the baptism of the holy spirit daily. That the holy spirit will help us to be able to pray better and to want to live in a closer walk with God. I am SO thrilled about this!! It has been a new experience for me to pray in front of someone else...that was something I had never done..and frankly was a little nervous about. But, since we've started. I feel like God has blessed me and helped me to be able to pray in front of others...and not be so nervous about it..:)

The book is called 40 days...Prayers and Devotions to Prepare for the Second Coming...by Dennis Smith. It has honestly changed my life for the better :)

I also just started reading the book called...Where God Was Born by Bruce Feiler. So far it is a wonderful read and I am enjoying it (as often as I can :)

I suffered from a horrible migraine last week. I woke up Friday morning with a horrible headache starting. I still had it on Monday...so I ended up going to the doctor. They give me a shot which finally brought me some relief. They also gave me some pills to keep on hand if another one was to start. I honestly think that the heat had a lot to do with it. On top of the headache...I have been still suffering with some back issues...neck, lower back and hips. After my last visit with the rheumatologist..he ordered some x-rays of my lower back and hips. He suggested that I try to keep moving around. Well, I think maybe I did too much! My heel and foot that I've not had trouble with in a long time...started hurting me...really bad :( I was diagnosed with plantar faciitis a long time ago. Any time I get up and do too much, it will start giving me troubles. The doctors office said that it could me a bone spur too so, they made appointments with a podiatrist and orthopedics doctors..in the same building for later this month. When I was a teenager I saw an orthopedics doctor because of curvatures and one of my legs being shorter than the other...So I am anxious to see what they say. I wonder if one of my legs are still shorter and giving me troubles? It was bad enough..having trouble moving my hips..and then add in that I can hardly walk on my left foot. I love to (try) to get out and help in the garden and mess with my flowers and roses..so, this has been a hard thing to accept. I am just praying and hoping that God will give me some relief..or heal me from feeling the way that I am :)

On a more happy note, my sweet little chickens...really are sweet! They jumped on Mark when he went out to put them up for the night. They are nice little hens :) We all thought this was hilarious :) They do it to me too...but not like they do to Mark...

Sam really likes them too :)

I'll end my post with a beautiful Bible verse...

"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power" _Eph. 1:17-19

May Yahweh bless you abundantly and fill your hearts with love :)

Love and Hugs.......

Jerelene

PS...Be sure to scroll down and visit some of MY friends....

You'll love them too!!

A beautiful day!

It's a beautiful day here :) The windows are open and a gentle breeze is blowing in. Just had to start off with a cute picture of Peanut lounging around :) He enjoys a nice day too! High temp. of 82 and lots of sunshine. I am so very glad that it is NOT raining!

Maci is recovering well from her pneumonia. She is still a bit of a fussy girl..but, I think that may be from teething (she has 2 bottom teeth)and she may also be a bit spoiled:)

Mark has finally been able to get back out into the garden. It was just TOO wet for a good while with all the rain we've had. The tiller had quit on him as well, and so he's got it fixed now and going. The boys helped him get the corn planted..and finally the beans and cucumbers too. I'm a little aggravated with him. I had a row of Black-Eyed Susan's that I had planted last year. I told him I would transplant them...and he didn't wait. He tilled them down....Man, was I mad..Or should I say, disenchanted:)

Every time I make a promise to be back and blog...life steps in and says no :) I just haven't been able to find the extra time with Maci here..to actually sit and write, much less upload pictures...which on my dinosaur computer...takes forever. I LOVE blogging..and I think it is actually good for me. I especially LOVE all my friends in the village :) Even though I don't comment...I do check in on you when I can...Love and hugs to each one of you!

There has been so much going on. Sam had his first cello recital last weekend. He did a WONDERFUL job!! I am so proud of him. He is coming along nicely. It is a pleasure just listening to him practice:)

My chickens...all 12 of them are getting so big!


The are 4 to 5 weeks old now. My Isa Browns were a little older than the others...they're the ones that I think are closer to 5 wks. old. I think Mark and Sam are probably going to be working on the coup and pen this weekend. I feel so blessed to have chickens. It is something I've wanted to do for a long time. It has been a wonderful learning experience for Sam as well. It's amazing, but they seem to grow overnight.

I learned this week, that one of my dearest friends is moving to another state. I am happy for her, but sad as well. Her husband had lost his job and has now found another wonderful opportunity somewhere else. She started in the homeschool co-op that Sam attends, at the same time as we did. It just wouldn't...and won't, be the same without her. Sam has made a very sweet friend in her son as well. I know he is very sad about it too. She is one of the most thoughtful, sensitive and caring, and loving people I' ve ever met. I am so blessed to have been able to get to know her and be her friend in the time that she has been here...Tamara...you will be greatly missed...Love and hugs dear friend :)

Health wise, I am feeling better. All the iron-infusions seemed to have helped. I mentally esp., seem much clearer and stronger. Physically I still have a few hurdles to go. The fibromyalgia and arthritis often leave me feeling weak and very achy. My neck and lower back have been the biggest struggles. The medicines have helped everything but my lower back and hips. There are many days when I struggle just to walk around..and lift and carrying Maci, is extremely hard for me. I know in my heart...even though the doctor hasn't come right out and said anything; that I need to lose weight too. I would love to start walking...if my lower back and hips would just cooperate :) I go back in next Wednesday to the rheumatologist. I guess I'll try to question him some more about the back issues.

We are getting ready to partially finish up for this school year. He has some science and math that he is going to continue to work on over the summer. With Sarah having the baby, and me having had surgery...he still has to finish some of his Math. The science is just to encourage him to read and learn something fun over the summer. I am probably going to have him do the summer reading program at the library.

I had the nicest day yesterday. One of my neighbors from across the street came over and told me she had something to give me. I told her I'd be over as soon as I got done helping Sam with schoolwork. I went over and she had a beautiful teapot for me. I just LOVE it! While there her husband said, "Well, if you like that one, I've got another one you can have too!" She had given me a gorgeous black with speckles teapot. The spout has a little bird..looks like a chicken:) He then brought out a cow teapot. Her eyes are faded off (I think I can get my oldest daughter, Elizabeth to put some back on for me) but she is adorable. She has a cowbell and a tail!!


What a nice gesture and it made my day!! Then to top it off...the neighbor next door to them, gave me 2 of these beautiful and huge yellow roses! They really are huge and they smell heavenly!! It was his 70th birthday yesterday(the neighbor) and my youngest daughter Sarah (Maci's Mom) turned 19 as well :) Happy Birthday (yesterday :) to Sarah! She was a big girl when she was born 9 lbs. 9 oz. Wow, how time flies!

It was a nice day for birthdays and I am so glad that that my sweet neighbors thought kindly of me and made my day special as well:)

This verse just sort of jumped out at me, and so I thought that it would be a nice way to end my post. Much Love and Hugs too, from me to you :) Jerelene

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:25