Thankful Tuesday

1. Paul's mom came home from the hospital last week! She went back today for a check-up. She needed some fluids as she was dehydrated. The plan is to push the next chemo treatment back one week so that she can have her IVIG treatment one week before the chemo (she had it 4 days after the chemo this last time), and they're also going to give her antibiotics a week before the chemo. Please pray she won't get pneumonia again this time!

2. We had a FABULOUS time at the beach on Wednesday and Thursday. I'm grateful for perfect weather, safety in travel, and the time we had to enjoy God's creation together!

3. We attended a home school picnic at a park on Friday afternoon. There were more than 75 home schooling kids and parents there and lots of yummy food! Nadia had fun decorating her cupcake with several different frostings and sprinkles. She was about to take a bite, and I had to remind her to take off the wrapper first (which she did after I took the picture). I love how her eyes shine in this picture. I am making progress slowly but surely in my photography skills! What a fun hobby!

4. Nadia and Ian had their first soccer games on Saturday, and I was thrilled with how well Ian did!

5. My parents celebrated their 45th anniversary a few days ago. I am thankful that Paul's parents and my parents have honored their wedding vows for 40+ years!

6. We have all been healthy for almost two months (some of us had the flu in early July).

7. The high temps dropped about 10 degrees on Sunday and are supposed to stay that way this whole week. I greatly prefer the 70's over the 80's when we can't go swimming. In particular it makes mowing the lawn, soccer games, and walks to the playground far more comfortable. Last week the boys didn't want to stay too long at the playground during Nadia's gymnastics class, but yesterday it was not a problem.

8. Paul originally was told he'd have to teach 3 labs in the spring, but it turns out he only has to teach 2 (like this semester) since his lecture class is a large one (although a lot smaller than what he had at Bloomsburg). He'll be teaching MWF in the spring, and his 12+ hour day will be Wednesdays (it's Mondays this semester). He doesn't see the kids at all on those days. This means he can pick Nadia up from gymnastics at 5:30 on Mondays starting in January, which will be a big help. The long day on Wednesday next semester won't be a problem because the kids have AWANA and I have choir on Wednesday nights.

9. I have been dreading resuming the job search for Paul, but I finally forced myself to check the job posting websites. I found one tenure track job that interested Paul - teaching physical chemistry at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. The application is due October 15. I am also pleased that Paul is interested, as that tells me the semester is going well so far.

10. I'm so thankful I have a daughter whom I can enjoy "girly" things with. On Sunday morning before church I painted 20 fingernails and 20 toenails.

11. A couple of weeks ago we took our very large coffee table out of the family room. The kids and I have LOVED the extra space. It was the first piece of furniture Paul and I bought after we were married. The top could be pulled up high so it was easy to eat or drink off of it when seated on the couch. We got 13 years of use out of it, and now I just need to buy a collapsible tv tray for Paul to use at night instead.