This Week at Our House # 34

1. This is the week I have been waiting for, for nearly six months. Exactly one month from the time our unemployment would have run out, John was offered a job!!!!! He signs the contract tomorrow. He can start anytime after that! So we made it. Well, not exactly, we made it to the light at the end of the tunnel. We will be out when the paychecks start coming again. I am trying to seriously curb everyone's "to buy when dad get's a job list". But, oh, we all feel lighter and happier, and safer, and just better.
2. I had my usual busy week with the kids in school and homework and all. By Friday, I was so tired that when John announced a job offer, I had a hard time switching my emotions from "survival" to "celebration". We went on the first date out in many months. That felt good. I can't wait to get back to normal worries and stresses. Thank you everyone for your prayers and faith.
3. Ruth loves high school and her haircut. With shorter hair, Ruth's hair is naturally wavy in a really good way. She is loving it. She doesn't even have to brush her hair now. It just falls in place.
4. Kate is struggling to manage school and homework and friends. I wish I had a good answer for her. I may have her drop down in math. She does not want to and she has a solid A, but her class is very, very time consuming. I don't think pre-cal at 14 will mean as much in her life as more friend and family time. She just really, really likes doing well academically.
5. Johnny finished his Faith in God for church. We were so slow about getting that done, there were times when I wondered if it would happen. Johnny is still doing amazing in school. That is not surprising. What is surprising is that Johnny is doing amazing socially.John and I would have never guessed that among our 3 oldest kids Johnny would have the easiest time making friends and making himself a part of the group.
6. Adam didn't realize that John got a job. He came to me about 5 hours after we announced the good news and said, "Wait a minute. Does Dad have a job?"
7. Rachel finished reading her first ever chapter book without help. I sure love checking off those milestones.I got to do Meet the Masters in Rachel's classroom this week. I always love seeing my kids in their school environment.I was going to volunteer weekly until John got a job. Well, John got a job. That is a good reason not to start volunteering.
8. Anya is starting to read a little bit. She's been pretty easy to teach, and I like that little bit of reading time that I get with her each day.
9. We have a loft room just over our front entry way and stairs. In the room there is only a wood railing before a long drop to tile. This week, Joseph has attempted to climb over that railing. That kid just keeps on giving me heart attacks. I will pray that he survives. If I knew a way to get him to obey me better I would feel safer.
10. Joshua wore his church clothes this week, but not the vest. He doesn't like the vest. 
11. Arwen is stepping around a lot more, but not walking yet. I think it will happen soon. She is also trying out temper tantrums, so I have been trying out time out.