This Week at Our House #24

Wednesday, I got a call, and Thursday, cps came back for a visit. We showed them the kids' test scores, which were all in the 90 percentiles, their text books, some of the projects they have done or are working on, and John's PhD and proof of his former job as a math professor. I signed papers that gave them permission to get Rachel's medical records from Utah where she was given tests to make sure her small stature was not a disease as well as our current dental records. The social worker said she would call our references and hopefully close out the case soon. My prayer is that they will easily be able to get all of the medical records because the medical records justify us. Still we are being very cautious. We will not leave our kids home without a parent, even though we have an 18 yr old and 16 yr old here to watch the younger children. We are also trying to be as grateful to the Lord for helping us through this and providing us with miracles of protection. We have been pleading and we need our prayers of thanks to be as heart felt as our prayers for help.

1. John got his first game up on the google app store, and he had a short interview that ended with a request to contact him early this coming week. We are praying that his app will sell. If we can sell 10,000 copies, we will have enough to live on for 3 months. We are also praying that John will get a job to help relieve our financial distress more immediately.
2. Well, I mostly felt like it was another distressing week because of cps and the other things that have been going on. But, I should say that while we have had to deal with a lot of distress, our scripture study has been very intense and our understanding of the gospel has increased significantly, and we have had a greater measure of the Holy Spirit in our home. We know that the Lord is watching over us and teaching us.
3. I went ahead and sent Ruth a very detailed email about everything that has been going on in our family. Kate told me not to do that to her, but to just tell her right when things happen. I will probably hear from Ruth, tomorrow. She asked for details, so I think she will be okay. I told her to just pretend that she is a missionary in England while her family is being kicked out of Nauvoo. Ruth always loved pretending to be a pioneer.
4. Poor Kate would have liked to have had her mission papers submitted by now. But, she is working on the things she needs to have done for her part such as the dental and medical. She has a counseltation for her wisdom teeth removal this coming week. So when she is allowed, she will be prepared. She is very prepared spiritually. Kate has spent the year studying the gospel and church history. She knows a great many scriptures by heart, and they are written on her heart.
5. Johnny decided that he wants to makes his game better, by starting from scratch. But then decided he will get what he has up for sale and then do a second try with the same idea. I think the main thing he has to do is add sound effects.
6. Adam has been working on learning 3D modeling in Blender. He enjoys doing it, so we never have to tell him to get to work.
7. Rachel was crying in bed last night and Kate asked her why. Rachel said, "Didn't you know? I cry every night because I miss my cousins!"
8. Anya has been using Manga Studio to make some pretty computer pictures. She also spends a lot of time drawing.
9. Joseph and Anya had been having frequent stomach aches. I had them try a dairy-free diet and while they are feeling much better, they aren't happy about the change. I saw both of them with their heads in the fridge, chanting, "Dairy, dairy, dairy! Why does everything good have dairy in it?"
10. Joshua slept on the couch for part of the night last night. After everyone else was awake and fed and going about their morning business, I sat down to play the piano. Joshua sat up and said, "Can;t you see people are sleeping here. I can't sleep with that piano!" I sent him to his bed. He came out awake and ready to start his day 30 seconds later.
11. Arwen loves to have Anya read to her. Anya keeps books in her room to read to Arwen until she falls asleep each night.
12. Susan has these pretty red shoes that she got from her cousin. She will not call them shoes, though, she insists they are "slippers" like Cinderella's glass slippers.
13. Sam likes to sit on my lap and have me play him kid educational songs on youtube. Often when he sees me sit down with my laptop, he will immediately come and crawl into my lap in hopes that I will play him some youtube videos.

Pictures