This week at Our House # 40

1. It's October and there are only 12 weeks left until the new year!! Fall is here and the weather has pleasantly cooled down. We still run the a/c, but it is not very hot and the kids are spending a lot more time outdoors again. John had his normal week of work and exercise and time with the family. We are at a good period with our family now. Through home school and John working at home we have more family time than at any other time in our marriage. It is a great blessing to have John home and around the kids and such an intimate part of our lives. 
2. I really enjoyed General Conference this past weekend. I felt like the 15 apostles stood as watchmen on the tower in a way that I have not heard for years and I really appreciated that. I appreciated the warnings about the philosophies of man and the strong teachings on the atonement and what repentance truly involves. On a side note, the pregnancy is moving along. I have 6 weeks to go. I can hardly stand up without having contractions. I saw the midwife on Friday. The heart beat is good and I am measuring exactly right. I am having a lot of contractions-- maybe more than usual. After the midwife appointment, I took 6 of the kids to see a natural science museum in downtown Raleigh. The kids all enjoyed it and a few have asked to return. 
3. Ruth is doing well, though she is requesting prayers for help with her art class. There is a lot of work. She is graded by a teacher who lives out of state and does not reply to emails. She would like feedback to help her improve and the computer system for the school has been a big problem for everyone. On the other hand, she is in a room with all great roommates. They even have honorary roommates who prefer to be in their peaceful, friendly apartment. Apparently, there are a couple of apartments of guys that hang out at their apartment all of the time. I texted Ruth and asked what she would be doing with no good guys to hang out with during the priesthood session. Ruth called back and said they were watching it at her apartment. This is the social life Ruth craved through high school. I do feel like she has been blessed for always trying to be the best she can be. Oh, and apparently Ruth was awarded a full tuition scholarship, and she always thought she was stupid-- silly girl.
4. Kate is my right hand man. She serves in the house all day long. She spends lots of time each day taking care of and playing with her younger siblings. The younger kids all love and look up to her. When Kate decided to home school last January, I wasn't sure it was the right thing, but she prayed and received inspiration so I went along with it. As a result, she has a much more rigorous study schedule, but a lot more time with the family. She stands as a great example to the younger kids.
5. Johnny went with me as the mothers helper to the museum. He would have rather stayed home, studied, and read, but he came along and he was a great help, particularly when it came to navigating. I think I could have handled all of the kids, but I am not sure I could have made it to the museum without somewhat helping me find the way. 
6. I am finally getting the rest of Adam's school books bought. We bought a science book from half and it came in Spanish, even though it was advertised in English. Fortunately, we got a full refund. I then spent more money and ordered another one through Amazon. Adam is looking forward to getting the rest of his books.
7. Rachel has been really improving a lot lately. For her whole life she has argued for the sake of arguing. She would fight against things that had nothing to do with her and even against things that she liked simply because someone else would suggest it. She has been working really hard at getting over this and has made significant progress. We have been really pleased with her efforts to mature, work hard, and not rebel.
8. Anya loved the museum. Seeing the nature and animal exhibits are something she really loves. She skipped happily through the whole museum and has asked to go back. It is free, so we will return.
9. On Friday when I was waking the kids up to go to the museum, I told Joseph to get dressed and ready to go. The next time I saw him, he was wearing clean spiderman pajamas. 
10. Josh loved the museum. He skipped happily through the whole thing and has been asking to return. He is also drawing detailed pictures of hissing cock roaches that he saw at the museum. We have these huge woodland roaches that enter the house and they are creepy and we hate them. We are half impressed by Josh's drawings and half really grossed out. We have seen enough roaches.
11. Arwen has been asking for new shoes a lot. She finally got a little pair of link flats on Saturday. 
12. Susan came down the stairs Saturday evening, looked at Kate and said, "Ruth I did it. I am sorry." (She calls Kate Ruth and Ruth Ruth and will not say Kate at all.) Later when Kate went upstairs to see what Susan did, she found one of the glass girl figurines that she bought from the dollar store when she was 7 broken. Kate was pretty mad, but John and I were cutified and impressed with Susan's candor. On the other hand, Susan has been getting into everything!!!!!

Tender Mercies

1. Between homeschooling and John working from home, we have more time as a family than we have ever had before and as a result the kids are a lot closer and better friends.
2. Even though it has been incredibly hard with many unpleasant consequences, John's employment difficulties over the last four years has made him more available to our older kids through their teen years and I think they all have a better relationship with him because of it. 
3. We were able to start paying off debt last month and that felt so good. 

This Week's Pictures