I'm tired. I know everybody is tired, too but seriously, I'm TIRED! I recently came down with a cold...inevitable at this time of year, with two kids and a job in an educational institution. Going to bed at 10 PM did not help. That just made me gaze in disbelief at the alarm clock (when it screamed at me) that it was already time to awaken the day. Aw well. Just another mortal reminder of the need to rely on the God's strength. It certainly is not my own that will get me through this day.

words to contemplate today: kindness; rest ("Restful", above-right by Annette Purim); adaptable; hospitable; GRACE

verse to consider today: I Peter 4:9-10 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of GOD.

Today is the first Saturday in a while that we haven't had mandatory projects or (very pleasantly) guests. We spent it doing ... I'm not really sure what. We did rake some leaves and play outside in the wonderfully cool crisp Autumn air. We went to the apple orchard to get some apples and a pie (for a neighbor since we are on a sugar fast...although I did sneak a cookie!). We cleaned rooms and started laundry. I am cooking a roast (I can smell it now!) which is unusual for us. And plan on spending some serious scrub time (for the kids) in the tub since 'raking' leaves was primarily what the adults did...the kids ran, rolled, jumped over (through!) and covered themselves in the above mentioned leaves. It has been a fairly uneventful day. Refreshing.

Updates:

Aidan had his first parent/teacher conference this past week. We were informed that not only did we have a very intelligent child but a very artistic one, as well. I am also trying to reconcile the fact that Aidan moves toward isolating himself from the rest of the class frequently. He does however, enjoy the company of older kids (and college kids) very much. I'm trying to be balanced in my thinking about this but seem to be on the losing side. Insights? Anyone?

Olivia is still funny, silly, and adorable (even with her chopped bangs from Aidan!). She had her first experience with heartbreak. After her hair-trauma, a little boy at school told her she was no longer cute. She was crushed...until daddy went in and 'addressed' the 4-year old boy that had hurt her feelings. (Not) Surprisingly, Olivia came home and informed us that the boy was now "taking care of her.... and her best friend." Hope that works when she's 18!

Brett is Brett. Consistent. Unwavering. I don't think he's looking forward to becoming hypothyroid again but will approach it with dignity, I am sure. He will be preparing for some business travel about the same time as the hypo-ness so hopefully, it will distract him a bit.

I am working ... on too many things to list but hopefully it means growing, too. Many things about my semester at work have not gone as planned but again, hopefully that means I'm learning from it in the process of adapting. I like having a little guy in school. I like having papers to read and helping him with homework. Occasionally Olivia gets jealous of Aidan's homework so we give her some as well. I am looking forward to a short trip to lower MI at the end of the month to visit family.

Not much of a post but an sign that we are still around and kicking. Keep in touch.

Update on "Radioactive Man" (AKA Brett)

Yesterday was what we had hoped to be the last Green Bay visit to Brett's endocrinologist. It was a simple appointment to review labs (which our local hospital in Iron Mountain did not complete) and his chest x-ray. Those things looked good and within normal ranges but the doctor strongly suggested another full body scan saying it would "be a gamble not to have it." Not being gambling people we have opted for another scan. This seems easy enough but was news I was not prepared to hear. These scans are radioactive iodine scans meaning Brett must be off all thyroid hormone therapy (once again) for it to be accurate. We begin the process of making him severely hypothyroid the first week of November. By the end of November/beginning of December he should feel utterly exhausted and wondering why climbing a flight of stairs requires a nap! The scan is to be done the Monday after exams and, as a precaution should anything show up on the scan, we have a treatment date of December 15. If treatment is necessary (meaning more cancer) we will once again be separated as a family (as the radioactivity level of the treatment will be much higher than the scan).
The news is not shared to be shocking or disheartening. It is just an update on what God has decided is best for us right now. I would appreciate prayers for wisdom on how to help our kids understand and prepare for their dad's fatigue which will interrupt life as we know it. God gives strength when we need it. He gives grace. We are looking forward to receiving the supply that He wants for us.

Here we go ....

Today is the first sick day of the school year. This would have been day 9 of kindergarten for Aidan but the latest respiratory bug sacked his little nose and lungs. We are spending the day revelling in the joys of PJ's and eating Swedish Fish as we feel so led. We will be dining on pizza for supper as it was the agreed upon comfort food. So far, we have built a sick tent, had a sick pj parade, and ridden in our truck-for-the-sick (made out of cushions from the living room couches). More grand fun to come, I'm sure (probably from the over consumption of Swedish Fish!).

Since my last entry (APRIL?!?) a few events have taken place. Aidan is now in kindergarten. His second week of class we were met at the door by a slightly irritated, slightly elated teacher who informed us that our baby boy could read. This was a surprise to us. We knew he could read words like "mom", "dad", and his own name but he was reading words like"purple" and "excited". The teacher learned this (as we did) on the same week she was to introduce the concept of the letter "L" to the class. We are all a bit unsure of what to do next! Aidan has also started gymnastics. He gets his (lack of) flexibility from his father. He loves it and I am happy he chose to pursue gemnastics instead of ballet (which was his original desire!).

Olivia is back in pre-school and loving it. Her first day she was able to help a little girl who was crying at nap time by sharing her beloved "lovey". I have enjoyed watching her grow into a very nuturing and kind girl. She also began ballet. It began with the "Wee-Movement" class after which she proclaimed she never wanted to go back again because it wasn't "real" ballet like her cousin Gracie's class. The teacher observed her determination and invited her to the big girl ballet class. We went last Monday for the first time. Olivia was on cloud nine. Seven "big girls" (aged 5-8) and my 3 year old ballarina learned first and second position and how to plie. She's been practicing ever since!

I started my 12th year teaching in WI. I added History of Music I to my class load which has proven to be a challenge for me. My schedule also changed a bit to accommodate some of the changes going on at the school. I now teach 5 days a week instead of 2-3 and I am no longer responsible for the development of the voice program. It is a sad loss for me but am certain this is the best way I can serve the school. I have also added a yoga regimine to my life and am trying to cook more, which are both proving to be interesting.

For those of you who have asked, my father and Brett are doing well and continuing to recover from their respective cancer and treatments. Dad was given the great news that his one-year check up revealed no sign of the stage 4 colon cancer he had been fighting and recieving treatment for. Brett has been acclimating to hormone therapy well and had his (hopefully) last chest x-ray one week ago. The doctor is optimistic about what they will discuss this coming week at his one-year check up. Thanks to all of you who spend time in prayer for my family. I have learned much through this process and hope have become more like Christ through it.

Deaf or DUMB?

If you are sarcasm-sensitive stop reading right now. Just stop. If you don't stop, don't complain to others ( or me) that you continued to read this sarcasm-ridden entry.

Kindergarten screenings - - -you know? The day your adorable and brilliant little genius has someone else assess if he is ready to attend kindergarten. Cognitive abilities - great. Vision - great. Response to instruction - great. Adorableness - off the charts. Hearing - - - huh? That's right, my son was told he was hearing deficient. Anything 1000 Hertz at 30 decibels or below . . . nada, nothing in his left ear. So, we went to the doctor. A sinus infection. We get antibiotics. One week later we re-screen. Still, my son is unable to hear in his left ear. I run around trying to get appointments with his ENT and the recommended audiologist as I was advised to get him in "as soon as possible." I researched and researched. All the while HIS HEARING SEEMED FINE TO ME. I tell myself "self, you're just a loud mom. That's why he can hear you. He's probably been deaf for years. You probably caused it by being such a loud mom." I feel guilty that I'm a loud mom. I feel guilty I didn't catch this earlier. I wonder if the tubes in his ears (which he received at 3 years old) were a good idea or did that decision contribute this deafness. I call my nurse-sister, I call my doctor girl-friend, I call everyone I can think of who may know more than I (which was a lot of people). I then get THE message - - - on. my. answering. machine. "Um, Mrs. Habing, I just wanted to call and let you know that the left side of the audiology machine has been calibrated improperly and is probably the reason for your son's two failed hearing tests. Let me know if you want to redo it."

Not deaf . . . dumb.

Not Aidan . . . the adults!

A bittersweet day

Today is the end of an era. Let me explain . . .

13 years ago I was given the present of friendship . . . in the form of a very special cockatiel name Ginny. She (actually a he but we didn't know it at the time we named her - - um, him) was a gift from my husband for my first birthday after we were married. Ginny was my constant companion. We went everywhere together. All over the Bob Jones University campus, rehearsals, McDonald's (she loves fries), the farmer's market---everywhere. She helped me do dishes and (ironically) loved chicken soup. More than that, this bird with the crazy feather on top was a comfort to me when I was sad or overwhelmed. More than once this bird chased my tears down my cheek and caught them, letting me know she was here for me. She moved from Greenville to Detroit to Northern Wisconsin with us. Today, Ginny is moving to a new place, OshKosh, WI with her new family. Along with the various moves we experienced other changes in our lives, the biggest of which has been our lovely children, Aidan and Olivia. As the kids get older our lives get busier and I am not able to spend as much time with my beloved bird. It is a necessary adjustment but one I have felt guilty for after so many loyal years of friendship. So, enter a kind family (with a great vet) full of other birds and looking for a 13 year old cockatiel to be a companion to other geriatric birds. We have been assured this is an open-cage home with lots of tlc just the place for Ginny to enjoy her retirement. I will miss her. Ginny is the last remaining component of an era of my life. It is bittersweet. I am thankful she will be loved and taken care of (better than I can) but sad that I will not hear her loud, occasionally piercing, songs each day. Hopefully, her new family will enjoy her songs as much as I have.

A blurr into focus . . .

I was struck with a refocusing quote passed on from a very wise young woman (you know who you are). "When dealing with fellow Christians, choose your battles wisely and remember who the enemy is."

I was also confronted with a familiar passage that I tend to overlook. Its Colossians 3:23 - And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as unto the LORD, and not unto men. This also passed on indirectly by a childhood friend.

I hope to remind myself of these two thoughts often. They are a help. People are not my problem. Situations are not my problem. Satan is my problem. Any tolerance of sin is my problem.

May the mind of Christ my Savior abound.