This Week at Our House # 11

1. John finished his last full week at his current job. He's being laid off. This coming Wednesday is his last day of work. He hates this job a whole lot, so we do not feel particularly tragic about it. But, there are not many jobs out there. He has had a a few interviews in the last two weeks. Hopefully something will come up soon. For now, John will work 3 days this next week and then begin applying for unemployment.
2. After lots of trouble with nursing the baby and not being able to get anyone to wake Adam and Rachel up for school, plus missing Saturday morning cuddling time with my kids, I've decided to quit training for the half marathon. I will still run 3 to 5 miles 3 days a week. I will still have to work out problems with my milk supply, but I will be more available to my kids. Maybe I will try again sometime when I am not nursing a baby. For now, I will work on picking up my speed for short distances. I actually do not feel too bad about this decision. After years of thinking about it, I have finally gotten myself into a good exercise routine. I will continue with short distances. 
3. Ruth turned 15. She had a lot of fun with friends rolling skating for her birthday party. I took a chance and bought her a cheap-o mp3 player. I scored. She loves it. She has learned how to download her music on it and is looking forward to having her music on her bus rides to and from school. This year Ruth will learn to drive. I need to pick up the Utah state drivers book so she can begin studying to take her permit exam. She is excited for that change. I am excited that in a little over a year from now, I can send someone else off to run errands. I think it will be wonderful!
4. As usual, Kate is my right hand man. She always makes herself available to me.  She plays with the little kids and they all adore her. She cooks, she cleans, she does her school work and enjoys it. She thinks of others before herself. Kate is just awesome! I will miss her terribly when she heads back to public school in the fall.
5. Johnny had an uneventful week. Because I have been spending so much time feeding the baby, I have not had enough time to get to his school work, so in a way, Johnny has been enjoying a nice little school break. He's been spending the majority of his time reading the Ranger's Apprentice series.
6. Adam was back to school this week and not too happy about the homework part. I am not too happy about the homework part either. I didn't like elementary school homework when I was in elementary school and I like it even less now that I am not in elementary school. Still we press forward. I tell Adam to do his homework and Adam grumbles and does it.
7. Rachel got her first, "I am an awesome student" pink slip from her teacher this week. Her reading has improved tons and she has even moved up a reading group. 
8. Since I spent a huge amount of time feeding the baby, Anya took my couch sitting time and cuddled with me a lot. I am glad that she is finally taking the initiative to get some attention from me. I worry about Anya not getting enough time with John and I because she is quiet and generally happy to just hang out in the back ground.
9. Joseph came on a shopping trip to the City Creek mall for Ruth to spend her birthday money. I had to keep a close eye on him every second. I would continue to think that Joseph is a disaster waiting to happen, except that now I am his teacher in church on Sunday. While he is at least as energetic as the rest of the boys, he actually pays a little more attention. I am glad to know that he is normal and not just a tornado that never dies down. 
10. Poor, poor little accident prone Josh. Saturday morning, Josh jumped on my bed, somersaulted off and seems to have fractured his collar bone. He has been one sad little boy the past two days. I will bring him to the doctors tomorrow for an official diagnosis. I am fairly confident, in my own diagnosis, though. You can actually wiggle the bone out of place a little. From what I have read, however, his break is not too bad because he is still using his arm and hand.
11. Arwen, spent the whole week breast feeding. She ate for 2 hours straight Friday morning before she was satisfied. I have tried solid foods on her. She just does not want them. I do want want to push her away, so like I said, I am giving up on the half marathon. 

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