Karate Test

Jacob's karate studio closed down, due to the economy, after being in our neighborhood for over 20 years. Jacob began this Korean-style karate called Soo Bahk Do at East Winds Karate when he was 5 years old, and worked hard to become a midnight blue belt (black-belt equivalent in other styles) in Oct. 2007. It was crushing for all of us when his studio closed. We decided to try the karate classes at the YMCA where we are members, and he likes it. It is Shorin Ryu Japanese style, and is similar to his previous style, but different enough to be fresh, exciting and new for Jacob. He does have to start at the bottom again, which disappointed him for about 5 seconds. He is delighted that a couple of friends are taking the class with him. Jacob was scheduled for his first white-belt test this past Sunday. First of all, I was so relieved that Sabbath testing was not going to be an issue as it had been with Soo Bahk Do. However, Jacob had been sick since Thursday, so I was worried about his energy level and ability to exert himself. He was feeling better on Saturday. For the first time, I didn't have to give him Advil to keep his fever down, and it only peaked at 101 and by evening came down to normal, so I knew he was finally over it, but he had no energy, which worried me. We decided to go ahead and give it a try since it was only a little white belt test. We fully expected this to take about half an hour and not be physically demanding, so headed down to Melbourne at 8:45 a.m. Sunday morning without breakfast, planning to eat out afterwards. Boy, did we get it wrong! We discovered that they were planning on taking 3 hours, and 21 students were participating. I was horrified. I just didn't see how Jacob would survive working out for 3 hours when he had just been sick and without breakfast. We decided that we would try it, and if he couldn't do it, he could leave and test another time. Amazingly, the test lasted from 9:30 to 1:00, with me writhing with guilt the whole time (still am). I kept my eye on Jacob for signs of paleness and passing out, but he did fine with no food or water. I wish I had made him a soy banana strawberry smoothie, but am so proud of him for being so strong and brave, and he passed his test with flying colors.

Tears for Michelle

My sister called me this morning to tell me that her young niece died. She was 26. Michelle was my sister's husband's family, but I lived near them and watched her grow up. When she was a teenager she would babysit my boys, and I was so grateful to have her help, because she was so loving and sweet with them. She had a brilliant mind, a beautiful face, and gentle, serene spirit. But inside she tortured herself and suffered depression, and after many attempts over the years, was finally successful at finding the peace and rest she craved. Oh Michelle, I miss knowing that your bright, beautiful spirit is no longer in the world. I can only find comfort in knowing that you are at peace, at last. I can't wait to see you again in heaven.

I Miss You, Randy

My friend Randy Welch died last night. He was only 45. I wish I had stayed in contact with him when I moved away from Zephyrhills. When I was a single mom, Randy, his wife Tammy and two young sons, Scott and Robbie, helped me with anything I needed. They would never accept a dime from me. When I bought a trampoline for the boys for Christmas, Randy agreed to bring it home in his truck. When I got home from work, his whole family was finishing putting it together! Randy was a true friend to me, and I don't think he knew how much I appreciated him.

Are we learning anything???

I am going to catch up in this one big blog.

We are always busy with birthdays and holidays at the end of the year! It begins in September with Conrad's birthday, followed by Brandon's in October. In November, we had a big birthday bash at the Cocoa church for my dad's 75th. It was a surprise party, and most of the family and friends came. Even his brother, my Uncle Harold, and his daughter flew down from Ohio for it. We had fun! My son Brent's birthday is the same date (he turned 19), so his friends came too. We had a comparatively quiet Thanksgiving with my parents.

December was its usual whirlwind of activities. We went to the outdoor "Cracker Christmas" festival at Ft. Christmas on my birthday. Jacob got sick and we couldn't go to our homeschool party at the park where we decorate gingerbread houses, so we decorated his house at home. Judson graduated with a Bachelor's from the University of Central Florida! Jacob's homeschool band had a Christmas concert. I enjoyed every moment until I hurt my back, and for about a week I could barely move. Conrad was so wonderful and made sure I didn't have to do much, and thank God it improved. We had been collecting items for our homeschool flea market (a homeschooler owns it), but, after two months of piling up things to sell, my back was too miserable to move, and we couldn't go. All that stuff went to Goodwill. Cocoa church had a huge Christmas party. I've never seen the gym decorated so beautifully. They hung long strands from the ceiling, and it looked like it was snowing. They arranged little seating areas so that the huge gym felt more intimate. Sara Cook rented a jumpy house/slide for the kids, which was brilliant, because the kids mostly stayed outside and the adults (especially those without kids) could stay inside and converse in peace. The food was set up all around the perimeter, and it was delicious. The next weekend we had a party at the Titusville church too, and it was great, but on a smaller scale than Cocoa. There was a nice outdoor fire pit, but my back was miserable at that time and I was relieved to go home. I accompanied for our choir's Christmas cantata, which we performed first for Titusville church and then at Cocoa church where my parents are members. It was fun. I really did my Christmas shopping last-minute because of my back. I couldn't order online, because I couldn't make up my mind what I wanted. The only online ordering I did was some stocking stuffers from thinkgeek.com, and I bought my mom some beautiful Phillip Keveren piano music from sheetmusicplus.com. His arrangements are beautiful. Back in November, I ordered some beginner Christmas music for my piano students, so they knew a lot of Christmas music by the time Christmas came. I adore Christmas music. Their hands-down favorites were arrangements from the Nutcracker, so I will keep that in mind for next year. Christmas Day was a perfect day. We opened stockings and gifts at home and then went to my parents' for more gifts and dinner. I love everything about Christmas. It's so much fun, so beautiful. I love giving presents, I love the parties, baking, crafts, music...but it felt really good to put it all away and get the house and our schedules back to normal. In Jan. we celebrated Judson's birthday (son).

A couple of weeks ago my mom asked me to drive her around because her back still hurt from Christmas. That was a Tuesday. The next day she called to tell me that my dad was very sick. My dad has a neurological disorder and cannot walk. He had passed out, kept throwing up, and even though he was drinking water, his urine was very dark and, although he couldn't eat, his blood sugar kept going up. When he didn't get get better by that evening, we decided he needed to go to the emergency room. Fortunately, Brandon was visiting us, so Brandon, Brent and I went to my parents. Brandon lifted Papa into the car, Brent drove, and I followed. We took him to Cape Canaveral Hospital, where they were so good to him. They took him right away, and immediately put in an IV to control the vomiting, and to hydrate him, and ran test after test. Brent and I went home about midnight, and my mom and Brandon left around 2:30. They admitted my dad, and found that his pylorus was swollen shut, which is why his stomach wasn't emptying. They gave him a prescription for a type of antacid, and he's been doing well. We are all so ecstatic!

The weather has been very chilly. Jacob got a terrible cold and wasn't able to go to any activities for a few days. Last week I took him to the dermatologist. He is having a mole removed this week, so even if it does warm up, he won't be swimming until the stitches are out. He had some trouble reading his math, so I took him for an eye exam. He is slightly farsighted, but it's not severe. The doctor gave me exercises and thinks he will outgrow it. We'll see. Conrad and I both needed glasses at around 12 years old, and are nearsighted. Jacob thoroughly enjoyed the exam, and the secretary and doctor were very patient answering all his questions.

This week, Jacob will be rehearsing Monday and Tuesday for his musical drama performance, which is Thurs. night. I am going to Tampa General on Tuesday with some other volunteers to learn how to take care of a woman at church who is either getting a new heart (if one becomes available) or a heart pump. Brandon will be taking Jacob to musical drama and art that day, and babysitting him until I get back. I canceled piano lessons of course. On Wednesday, Jacob and I are going to the dentist in the morning and he's getting his mole removed that afternoon. I hope we get a chance to do a little math on Thurs. morning before I teach piano that afternoon, and we have the musical drama performance that evening. Friday, our homeschool group is having their fun annual outdoor Valentine's party at the park. Each family brings finger food and Valentines for each child. Today we started working on our Mad Libs Valentines, but will have to finish them this week.

I ordered placement tests for Jacob because I wonder if I'm teaching him enough. I feel like we need to stop running around to so many activities, and stay home and crack open the books more often! I am trying so hard to keep balance in our lives, but I find it too easy to overschedule. So many great activities, so little time!