Thoroughly Awesome Thursday

~School is soaring. It's amazing. I think we're doing so well that we actually got the week's work done today. Jamin will have "some" work. Jared has one book to read. None of us know what Cy is doing these days....but hey...he had all the credits he needed after his 10th grade year...I'm not worried.

~I cried over and over trying to read *Corrie Ten Boom* today. When Corrie says "Father, God go with you" I could barely choke the words out....and his response "and with you daughters." ARGH. I need to read more of these types of Christian hero books to the children. We had spent a lot of time when the older 4 were younger reading biographies to the children. I've been focusing on classics lately...but the biographies would hold the attention of the whole crowd too.

~Jamin and Jared volunteered today. This was the first day back since Christmas break. They enjoy this ministry. Josiah dropped them off and then he ran to the library!

~We got the REAL *Jungle Book*, because the little ones LOVE the Great Illustrated Classics, but the older ones do not. Dorothy, thanks for the King Arthur suggestions. I WANT to read these to the boys. I know they will love them - but that edition was rough. Do you think the ones you mention would work for say 8 - 18??? LOL (I don't even try to keep Zander and Stacia occupied...they listen and run).

~Josiah picked up a book for me from the library that was recommend by Jill, a Cyber friend. I am really looking forward to digging into this book. I'd never stopped to consider the affect that my hypothyroidism and hashimotos disease would have on weight loss. I know that I gain weight really quickly when my meds are off....and I KNOW that I CAN gain 4 lbs in a week - though everyone tells me that is impossible and I would have to eat an excess of 16,000 calories....not necessarily. I simply hadn't realized that "duh" of course there would be things I should consider....like upping protein so my hair doesn't fall out, or the fact that losing weight will usually be slower for me (10 lbs in a year when you're watching VERY carefully what you eat and riding the bike faithfully LOL), or that I need to really focus on metabolism. Metabolism....how could I have forgotten that THAT would be part of the weight loss equation? I know my metabolism is sluggish - I deal with it every day when I'm freezing and it's 68* outside. ::snort:: Oh: The title? *The Thyroid Diet* by Mary Shomon.

~After trying for 4 nights to watch an old Cary Grant movie, I gave up and sent it back. Northern Exposure arrived from Netflix. I've never watched this but its set in AK - may be fun. I plan to watch them at night (trying to go to bed before midnight) and if they are fun, I'll share with the children. LOL

~I worked on co-ops; both.

~Josiah wanted Chicken Divan. He will only have two dinners at home this week (one last week)- tonight and Sunday. I wanted to cook his request...but I am out of Broccoli. I did clean my desk (oh and behind the fridge too!) and found some gift cards. I had thought they would work for Sunday dinner this week. It's our tradition to eat out on Sunday. Just one of those things Mike has done for over 20 years to spoil me. Probably because I told him I'd only be a Pastor's Wife if I could eat out every Sunday. ::snort:: I talked to Josiah and the children and we decided to eat out tonight, using the gift cards, and make Chicken Divan on Sunday.

~Picked up Jamin and Jared and headed to Red Lobster, armed with 3 $25 gift cards. A HUGE treat. We ordered. The littles were doing good. The older boys began to talk about the last time they were at RL. It was nearly 5 years ago - my 38th birthday. I was very great with child. The price of the ticket sent my blood pressure through the roof - though I didn't realize that was what was happening. I didn't feel well but did produce co-op the next a.m. My dear friend, Brenda, is a nurse. She took one look at me, asked questions, and made me to call the hospital. I did. I went in. They wanted to induce immediately because of my bp. I refused. I went to bed and gave Zander a few more weeks to cook. They finally had to induce about a week early because my blood pressure simply wouldn't cooperate. I assured the boys that though it IS January, and we DO have co-op tomorrow...I am NOT going to go into labor or bed rest. We were having a good time. They brought our salads and little veggie plates for the youngers with ranch. Stacia devoured the baby carrots - 3 plates of them. I began to think that I should have SAVED the cards so we could eat out when Mike was home. I really felt bad that we were splurging so big when he wasn't with us. The waitress came and apologized for the long wait. I'd honestly not noticed. I told her not to worry. She asked if I wanted to talk to the manager. I couldn't think of a reason I'd need to talk to him. ::snort:: The manager came out and GAVE US OUR MEALS!!! I guess the wait for the food was 55 minutes. We have the cards to use again later...and a big box of leftovers too! ::snort::

~Bummer Mike JUST left a message on the machine...calling to say goodnight and we were yelling into the phone "Mike"...."Dad".....strange phones.