I thought it was a little funny to read over my last entry after almost 2 months ago.

For starters, the job that David was to have gotten fell through.  The temp agency dropped the ball.  After a week, David phoned them and found the person responsible was not available at the moment, so he left a message.  No one got back to him.  After a few more days, he phoned again.  Again, voice mail and then no subsequent return call.  Eventually, he learned from someone else in that agency that the job had gone to someone else.  David was upset, but nothing could be done about it.  The responsible party finally told David over the phone that he was sorry, and that he was claiming responsibility for dropping the ball.

A couple of weeks ago, after the agency continued to have nothing for David, we decided that it would be better for me to start working at the studio more hours per week, beginning immediately.  I have been able to work half days on the weekdays, and that still allows us time to do a little homeschooling over the summer.  The schedule has already been figured out for the fall months leading up to Christmas, since David will be needing to get to the college each day, Monday through Friday.  I will still work Sundays, and nearly all weekdays in the late afternoon to evening.  I have applied everywhere I can think of that's a safe place to work at nighttime, and into the wee hours.  Then, I can still get home from my second job before the sun comes up, and I can get some sleep before having to make the drive to a college campus or two.  Once David begins doing clinical work, he'll need to get to various hospitals early in the morning.  That's not until January 2009, but I'm hoping to find a nearly full time job, and keeping it until we can afford for me to quit ... like after David graduates.  Even I'm looking forward to that!  (We have one car, and the traffic around here is horrible if the car contains only one person.  The HOV lanes make it a little better at least.  So, it's very possible that Michael and I will be homeschooling, away from home, on some days.  We did it in the fall semester last year, and we'll do it again if we have to.)

Something that I have been looking into closely is starting up my own business.  It would allow me to make the same amount of money I do in 6 or 7 hours, yet in 2-3 hours.  I have been working on writing up a business plan for about a month, and as I realize a better idea, I can incorporate it into my plan.  I've done some research on what needs to be done first, such as obtaining a business license, filing for a DBA, obtaining a seller's permit, etc.  The Small Business Administration has a lot of info in general for entrepreneurs, but I have to do a lot of research on the local end too for the legalities.  I've been told by some that I am a "smart girl" and can do whatever I want, if I put my mind to it.  I looked at the list of qualities common to entrepreneurs on the SBA's website, and many of these adjectives have been sitting on my resume.  So, go figure...  Here's the link where I found those qualities.  Anyway, there are naysayers who think I can't make it, but that I should do a job I hate and am not good at, only because it seems more secure.  Well, I hope that someday I can post an entry that I'm going forward with it, and I'm opening my own business.  I've already had people ask me to do such services for them, and how much do I charge?

Michael is wrapping up the tail end of 3rd grade.  He should be starting 4th grade the day after Labor Day.  I am amazed at how well he absorbed his times tables.  He's enjoyed doing division, if it's quick.  When I say "long division," I hear a little groan emitting from him.  But, it's really not that bad.  The end of his 3rd grade math book has some geometry, and he was very happy to come to that.  He likes math pretty well, especially when we take the book and some sidewalk chalk outside to find a more fun way to complete his math problems.

Michael still finds time each day to occupy himself with more leisurely activities.  He has a neighbor friend whom he plays with at the nearest playground, and when the weather is not cooperating or while I'm at the studio job, he likes to watch TV or his DVDs or he likes to generally rain toys all over the living room floor.  At the moment, he's taken my laundry baskets and turned them into some sort of building or structure.  There is an odd assortment of toys piled on top, but I'm not exactly sure what it's all about.  He's also playing with a jump rope.  Bert, Caillou and some VeggieTales toys are lying on the floor nearby.  I'm guessing he was putting on another one of his shows that he makes up.  Yesterday, a mother at the playground told me that her daughter doesn't play with toys anymore, and she's only 5.  Huh.

Today is Michael's 8th birthday.    It doesn't seem possible ... where has the time gone?  I still remember seeing him for the first time.  It was a few days after he was born.  (Remember, he's adopted.)

We knew we couldn't get him a lot for his birthday, as money has been tight.  So, last night I stayed up late decorating with banners and balloons, to surprise Michael.  But the really big surprise would be inviting his grandmother, aunt and cousin for a visit today.  Michael was clueless, and we all kept quiet about it.  They all live over 2 hours away.  I am told my nephew is always wondering when he and Michael can get together to play again, so it would be a treat for him too.  My sister decided to surprise her son by not telling him either, until they arrived here.  When we heard a knock on the door, I knew who it would be, so I told Michael to go answer the door.  I missed his expression since I was in the kitchen, but I'm told he was speechless and then his jaw dropped open.  My mother swept him out to the playground where my sister and nephew were waiting.  Needless to say, both boys enjoyed each other's company and played for a few good hours.  Unfortunately, our guests needed to leave for home by about 2 PM, so we missed them all too soon.  But, it was fun while it lasted.  Actually, at the end of the visit, Michael fell on the sliding board at the playground and hurt his chin.  He cried, though there was no bleeding.  He got some children's ibuprofen and was soon forgetting the pain.  (He was also watching one of his new gifts: a DVD.)

Speaking of DVDs, they seem to be the gift of choice now.  Michael received a just-released DVD and matching CD from friends in the Chicago area.  On his behalf, thank you so much!  He loved it, and has watched it already.  He also received a DVD from my father and stepmother, and has watched that one too.  (It arrived yesterday, and totally caught even me by surprise!)  They told him that 2 more gifts should be arriving soon too, but they didn't come today.  (Michael is eagerly eyeing every delivery truck now.)  My sister and nephew also gave Michael a DVD, and 2 puzzles.  He's already put the puzzles together ... we are currently waiting for the glow-in-the-dark one to absorb enough light to see if it really glows.  Towards the end, Michael was beginning to get frustrated, but he persevered, and with help from David, they figured it out.  We got Michael 3 DVDs and 2 books.  He also got a gift from David's sister and her husband, to spend on something special.  Michael is probably forming some ideas by now of what to get, but I convinced him to wait until Grandpa's 2 other gifts arrive, just in case Michael were to select a duplicate of something that's already been purchased and soon to be delivered.  I can think of a few things he might choose, based upon what's he's been into lately.  BTW, he still loves .  He likes to put on shows with him, and some vegetables named Bob and Larry.  We still wonder if Michael's not going to be a director or an author or something creative like that some day.

Well, as our custom is, Michael went for portraits today.  I was able to take the portraits myself as I had hoped.  (We go to the place where I work.)  I had planned to buy just a portrait package and an internet service where I can download his portraits, but Michael cooperated too well, and I had trouble deciding which portrait to choose.  I ended up buying sheets instead, so it was a little more expensive, but not too much.  We had a gift card, so after using that up, we owed less than $8.  Wish I could share those with you, but they are copyrighted.  Our family and a few close friends will get something from it.  I am looking forward to getting them in my hands.

In the midst of everything today, David got a phone call and learned he got a temp job (what he was looking for).  We don't know many of the details yet, but he should be starting soon.  We are grateful that it's very close to where we live, and the wage sounds generous enough.  We are praising the LORD for answering our prayers, and for having kept us, even when we were concerned about where our next meal was coming from.  He truely does give us "our daily bread."  We still look to Him, knowing He holds us, and takes care of us.

OK.  It seems so distant to post to my journal that I almost forgot how to login.  Suffice it to say that life has been pretty busy.

David has completed another semester at college, earning a 4.0 for the semester.  His cumulative GPA is 3.84, which I understand is nothing to sneeze at. Speaking of sneezing, it seems he as a cold right now.  We are praying he'll get rid of it soon.  He has applied at a temp agency to get an office job for the summer only.  Then in late August, it's back to the books.  He should graduate in May 2010.

Michael and I are still homeschooling.  He's finishing up 3rd grade over the summer.  He would have finished sooner, but we had a couple of interruptions over the course of the school year.  He got a cold in early March that was progressing towards bronchitis.  Since he'd previously had pneumonia the year before, we didn't want to see him move anywhere close in that direction.  His doctor prescribed an antibiotic and he began to rebound very quickly.

Just after Michael started that prescription, we got word that my grandmother was dying.  David was on Spring break, but needed to do a take-home exam and homework, plus lab reports and more studying.  Michael and I went to see my grandmother, in another state, before it was her time to go.  David wanted to go too, but couldn't.  My Grandma went home to be with the Lord the day after we arrived and spent time with her.  She was 84.  I know we will see her again.  I Thessalonians 4:13-18

Love you, Grandma and Grandpa

Michael and I stayed with my mother for a week afterwards, until we had to go home because David's break was over and needed to be back in school the next day.  I wish I had been able to visit with my grandmother more than I could.

After we arrived back home, it was hard getting back into the daily schedule of homeschool.  We were finally able to get back to it fully within a week.  Michael has been plugging away at it ever since.  He's learned to write all his letters in cursive, and has been practicing writing assigned words (in cursive).  Here's a scan of his first attempt at writing his first name...

For being 7 years old, I think that's pretty good!  Michael is also enjoying getting back into multiplication.  He learned it late summer last year, but his 3rd grade math book took him back to reviewing addition and subtraction.  He was glad when they finally came to multiplication, and soon it takes him into division ... like sometime this week.  That will be new.  Later yet, he gets to review fractions, which he enjoys.

I've been looking for a full-time (or nearly full-time) job myself, in addition to homeschooling and the part-time job at the studio.  I need a job where I can work 8 PM until 2 AM, six days a week.  Those hours will accomodate David's work or school schedule for the next couple of years.  Then, I won't need to work!  I've been toying with the idea of either that or else going into business for myself, in portraiture, of course.  But, I'm not sure yet what to do.  If I did go into business for myself, I'd have to do it different hours of course, but I could earn more in less time too.

Last weekend, we went on our congregation's retreat for the first time.  It was a lot of fun.  Michael was beside himself, getting to spend about 3 days with his girl friend from our congregation.  They played together at the playground, went to the pool together, ate together, were in the same class for the children, danced together ... and generally followed each other around most of the time.  Besides getting to know some of the people from our congregation better, we met new friends and saw some old friends from our previous congregation.  (It was a joint event.)  One family travelled in from the midwest!  I was very glad to make their acquaintence.  Very nice family...

Well, Michael has finally woken up, so it's time to start our school day.

Inspired by Michael being assigned to write a poem about something that inspired him (he wrote about going to see the cherry blossoms in Washington DC, a couple years ago), I decided to try my hand at writing a little poetry.  Here's my poem below, on the same subject.

Shlepping sunscreen, umbrellas and maybe some drinks... We gawked at cherry blossoms in so many pinks.

From the Washington Monument to the White House... That ice cream we bought was really lunch for a mouse.

Tulips and pansies blooming in gardens nearby... Spied ducks swimming in fountains and birds in the sky.

Though the hot sun blazed down, a cool breeze did blow... We walked place to place, sometimes ever so slow.

By a park bench we stopped to rest our poor feet... In the trash -- a squirrel, hunting something to eat!

Then there he was again, that squirrel in a tree... Scurrying here and there, peeking out at me.

Lincoln's memorial, standing in that great hall... Each time a new photo, watching our son grow tall.

Approaching the memorial for World War II... Strains of music from a marching band, dressed in blue.

To the capital building we walked, step by step... Arriving in time just to see the sun set.

A few blocks away back to everyday life... Dinner at McDonalds without too much strife.

We descended the city, the metro awaits... Back to our car, still shlepping what seems too much weight.

By the time we got home, our son was asleep... Dreaming of french fries and squirrels and cars that beep.

BTW, we really do take a photo of Michael standing in front of the statue of Abraham Lincoln each time we visit the city, and it's funny to see how much he's grown since the last time.  I joked that we could use it like the way some people mark a child's height with a pencil inside the threshold of their food pantry.

P.S.  Tomorrow is Chubby's 13th birthday!  Our family's first teenager...

Today at congregation, a little girl who Michael likes was sitting next to him during the singing.  She likes to bring a toy sometimes, and occasionally wants Michael to hold it at some point.  Once it was a baby doll, very typical for a little girl.  Michael turned and looked at me with the inaudible question, "What am I supposed to do with this?"  The little girl was already saying that Michael could be the daddy, and she was the mommy.  I gave a slight grin and told him that was just the way little girls were.  It was cute.  Well, today, without warning, she leaned over and planted a kiss right on his lips.  I told myself I'd have to record it somewhere... Michael's first kiss (except from relatives).  I couldn't think of where in his baby book to record this, so for now, this will do.