The USA government still doesn't have a federal budget. People have stopped rolling their eyes and frankly...we are embarrassed. Congress is supposed to pass the budget and they can't. Well, they have tried. They can't agree. I think, obviously, that they need remedial counseling. Like marriage counseling. Trump and Congress can attend and they should be made to keep attending until they reach an agreement,
Sssheeesssh.
October wore me out. I have been having severe chronic issues and I finally reached out to my naturopath and she recommended a colonic. Which I vehemently denied. No thanks, not me. I don't need it.
I had my first one last week, and two others in the next coming days are scheduled and... it is not fun. I am not thrilled.
I hope it works. I pray it works. I don't know if there are any other options after this.
Maybe I should try a bone broth cleanse for a week? Will that help reset my colon and get everything working properly? Should I try a low fodmap diet? The Gaps diet (again? I did it once a few years ago...) I really don't know where to go from here. I would appreciate prayers as I figure it all out.
On top of my annoying health issues I have been dealing with a host of educational difficulties. It has come to my attention that both my (oldest) kids have varying levels of dyslexia and I Need Help navigating this and figuring out how to best teach them to read. Reuben is 10 and reading on a third grade reading level. He does not like reading and gets tired quickly and...just like me, when he sees an unfamiliar word, he guesses. Becky is learning how to read and struggling so much. I am trying to find help. I tried to meet with two local barton reading specialists and they both canceled on me and have not texted me back. I think they have too many clients already! And kind hearts that want to help people but poor boundaries. Our piano teacher told us about this cognitive brain development thing that we decided not to do because it's just too expensive and too much work (an hour a day) I don't think I can do that with the health issues I am going through right now.
My kids are great and so intelligent and seeing them struggling is hard! I just don't know what next step to take. Barton? Another program? Nothing? Wait? Ugh. I feel like I'm in limbo. We did buy Becky these dyslexia workbooks that just arrived yesterday and she started on them today. I hope she likes them! They help dyslexia through art, which Becky loves art. Maybe that will be all she needs.
Esther is also in the throes of the terrible twos. I love my little baby girl so much. She's also so smart! And wonderful! This is just a stage, but right now on top of everything else, it's been a bit much. Teaching a currious two year old the slow processes of emotional regulation is not for the faint of heart. God is teaching me so much as I parent her. Because, adults throw tantrums too. Just ask my Heavenly Father. He knows!
Our van is fixed! Brian installed a new-to-us door from the local pick and save and I'm back driving it. Which is great because the van has heat (but no air con) and the other car we have has air con (but no heat) so now we have something for each kind of weather. Hah.
Thanksgiving and Christmas is right around the corner. How have we arrived here so quickly? God has been so good to our family and I am so grateful to all this year and brought us. It didn't bring me the much desired baby, but thats okay. God knows what I need, and my family is beautiful, even without babies and healing.
It didn't bring us a new house, because they are all expensive. We have not been able to work on any of the renovations I want to do to our current house, because we have all been doing the best we can just to get through our day.
But, this year did bring me...more time with my mom. I'm so glad she's retired now and she usually visits once a week. It's been life changing to have her here and the kids have absolutely grown to adore her.
I've done yoga at least twice a week this year, when I haven't been sick. I've homeschooled my two beautiful school-aged kids. I've adored my cute, bumbling crazy toddler. I've done the dishes twice a day. I've done 600 loads of laundry. That's how it feels, anyway.
I've watched Totoro at least 18 times. And it's still my favorite movie.
It has been a good year, and I look forward to the next one.
Brian already told me our medical insurance will go up significantly...so it should be an interesting year. I feel that price increases are coming across the board. Hopefully I will feel well enough to garden this spring!
