You are currently browsing the monthly archive for July 2010.
Blue, originally uploaded by only1geekette.
Week 1 of the BIO2004 Photo Assignments
I found this lovely blue glass vase at my MIL’s while I was helping her pack some of her stuff. I knew immediately what I wanted to do with it. Of course it would have been a ton better if I’d had a macro lens for my dslr. I’m going to work on that.
There are a few songs that I love, like really love, because they move me to be more motivated and or just really lift my spirits.
I bought My Paper Heart recently by Francesca Battistelli (okay not very recently as it was back in May I think). I only purchased it because the girls loved her song ‘Beautiful, Beautiful’ (another favorite of mine). I was listening through it the other day and found a song that gave me goosebumps within the first several moments and tears by the end.
This song encourages me more than I can explain. I often lose sight of where I’m supposed to keep my eyes. Everything has been such a struggle for me lately, and I know why it has been in some ways. I’m working to bring myself back to where I’m supposed to be.
Rainbow in Fairbanks Alaska
Our entire drive yesterday was rainy. It was bright and warm when we arrived in Fairbanks. Of course when we were in dinner it decided to rain. We came out and there was two beautiful rainbows. Of course I was only able to catch the one but still lovely. Of course this was taken with my phone.
So we’re homeschooling the girls, for as long as they’ll allow. M is pretty excited about the idea of starting school. I am too except for all the ‘getting it together’ part.
I’m going through a program so it’s not like I don’t have people I can go to direction. God how lost would I be if I had to do that!? The program is called IDEA and they seem wonderful. I’ve already checked and have my allotment for M’s schooling materials, $1,600 just for her stuff.
I’ve pretty much decided on the Calvert School curriculum. It looks fun and well-organized. I know a lot of the people who go through IDEA tend to piece out the curriculum that works best for them. That method seems so far beyond what I’m capable of at this point. I think I’d do better to have it all come in a kit for the first year. Then next year I can evaluate how I feel after we’ve done a full year.
I wish we were already moved into the house with everything set up how I like it. But that will take some time. Just more fun and exciting things to look forward too. We plan on changing part of the downstairs into our ‘class room’ of sorts.
This month we have General Orientation (actually that’s on the 13th) and then I’ll actually get to choose my curriculum and get it ordered. School starts here (public) on August 18th, my girls likely won’t start until September or so. Which should be fine just means we’ll end a little later than everyone else. Not an issue.
A very new adventure awaits!
Things going on with us at the moment:
- A trip planned to Fairbanks for a Family Day at Mike’s work
- Prepping for a move into the house
- Orientation for the girls home schooling
And because thats not enough big things going on we’re adding moving my two younger sisters up to live with us.
My parents are struggling and it is so hard to sit by and watch it happen. Going to visit them throughout the month of June was a huge eye opener. It showed me just how much things have gone downhill for them while I’ve been here away from them.
My father lost his job last year, then his toes. He has not been able to secure a job since, Michigan’s economy just isn’t supportive enough. They waited on applying for disability, so sure that he’d be able to find something and it just hasn’t happened.
My mother has tried to apply for other jobs as well since she only works about 20 hours a week (thats all the company she works for is allowed to schedule people) and needs better employment. Its the same turn down everytime. “We’re sorry but you are over qualified for the position.” Basically she’s worked too long in her career and had one to many penny raises.
Their house was to go up for sale (auction for foreclosures) on July 1st. So the only home my two younger siblings knew will be gone to whoever wants it and can afford it. They’re currently living in apartment that they wont be able to stay in much longer, because with the end of my dad’s unemployment benefits (he’s already been extended and the extension has ended) they cant afford it on my moms pay.
All these things considered Mike and I feel it’s best if S and P come live with us. The upside to this also is that I’ve convinced my parents to move up here as well. They’ll be joining us later though, once they’ve heard about my dad’s disability claim and once they’ve decided what all they need to keep before they come.
I can’t imagine how it will feel for my parents to leave some of my siblings behind. But I think they’ve finally reached a point where they need to make a positive change. They’ve been supporting my sister S who is still in school (college) pretty much undecided about her future.
S is 23 and old enough now to take responsibility for herself. The fact that she’s panicking about my parents leaving because then ‘where will I live when I dont have school’ is kind of sad. She should have a paying job and look for a place of her own.
My brother M1 is 22 and currently squatting in the house that is foreclosed on. He seems to think that he can continue to just float on through life racking up student loans for failed attempt after failed attempt at school. He is in a word a jerk. He has no respect for any authority figure (the reason he’s been let go from jobs, schools, the military). I’m not sure what he plans on doing with his life either, other than possibly another attempt at culinary school in Colorado. How he plans to pay for it this time I’m not sure since the student loans he has already have started calling wanting their money.
M2 is 20 and only ever held down one job for a couple weeks. In four years he hasn’t had a single interview… Or so he says. I have serious doubts about whether all this time he’s actually looked for and applied for a job. Yes he did apply to a couple places while I was down visiting but only after being asked and getting pissed off about it. He has no home and no job. Its sad but my parents can barely support themselves how are they supposed to keep supporting another adult?
I’m so very proud of my brother D, he’s the youngest boy at 18 and freshly graduated from High School. He desperately wants to go to Eastern Michigan University. I’m praying that God will help him get the funding he needs, so that he can stay in a dorm this coming fall, and perhaps on his downtime Mike and I could fly him up here. Provided my parents are here by then and have a place of their own. That or perhaps him and his girlfriend will be able to find jobs that will help cover a small apartments rent for them there by the school. I pray that since he’s actively trying to make something for himself that God will give him what he needs.
So the only ones left are my two sisters P and S. They are 15 and 13 so too young to get jobs, too young to have to worry about supporting themselves. Mike and I want them to have a peaceful stable environment so thats why they’ll be with us. At least until my parents are here and on their own two feet.
This year hasn’t been all bad it just really feels that way. I’m trying really hard to remind myself to lean on God, and let him guide us through this. It’s hard though.
We could really use prayers of guidance and support through this time.
