I have a blog on Xanga. I've had it since 2003 and it seems weird that I have two. That one is closely guarded/blocked and I just haven't opened it up but to a few people who've been reading it since its beginning.

Here, I want a blog everyone can read, meaning my parents, husband, and even kids if they choose. That one, um, it's more personal.

I've made some great friends from that blog, even meeting some in person. We're a family and it's awesome. One girl is young, she's a songwriter, and is very artistic. She gives me hope sometimes when I have none, and today she wrote this:

"I will take nothing from yesterday but the lessons;
The only baggage I shall carry to tomorrow is hope;
I shall live today with perseverance to attain my hopes
And allow my lessons to guide me."

I don't know if it's from a song or what, but isn't it amazing? The line about the only baggage carried to tomorrow is hope--wow! It's moving and sometimes, I need that reminder.

*****
I'm doing a fast from the 40-Day Fast. While often times I can't donate money for hunger or world issues that move me, I love the thought of fasting and praying for such issues. I'm doing a seven-day fast and it started on Thursday. It's tough to do, but I feel myself reminded of so many things when I do it. My clarity levels are amazing when I fast, and I think emotionally and spiritually, along with physically, an occasional fast is what I need to get in check.

Homeschooling has picked up again. I let the kids have a break, and getting back to the grind is tough!

The Rock Star is going to do science, Algebra, and Spanish at a one-day academy here in Austin starting in late-August. So, I'm working on history, language arts, grammar, and geography with him here at home. Not to mention he does his fine arts (guitar) and PE (jiu-jitsu, eventually) as well. We're doing Red Badge of Courage right now and it's a tough read for him. Next, we're doing Romeo and Juliet. YEA for Shakespeare, right?

The Princess is doing math and starting to get more focused on writing. Her motor skills are not such that she can write letters too well,but she does write them legibly. I'm working on what she calls the "baby" letters, which are lower-case. I am planning on changing math programs once she's done with this book. The Man would like a more stringent math program but considering she's only FOUR, I'm keeping her at this one for a while. His educational background is such that it's more math and science based, so we have to come to a happy medium, which will happen.

Thankful

I need reminding of my many, many blessings.

My kids and husband are healthy and happy.

I'm happy and healthy.

We have a beautiful home in a great city.

We have great, supportive friends and a good church sense of community.

God has given us so much. I need a kick in the ass sometimes to remind myself of that!

Plans for the Trip, Etc...

I sent away for my passport, expedited. I can't believe I've procrastinated and didn't send it in earlier. I didn't even know it was expired until we were actually crossing the border from Mexico to the US in January. Oops! ;-) My last trip on that passport was to Venezuela. What memories...

I've been reading daily devotionals that are Biblically based and they've been easy reads. They are easily applicable to my daily life and I like starting my day with something positive and something to think of. I think I should re-read them in the end of the day because I'm sure they often apply more than I realize.

Money has been super-tight this month and probably will be for a couple more. We were lucky to book our India/Dubai trip on airline miles, because those could have been well over $10,000 for the 4 of us. But, I need to find ways to cut corners here at home, now. I'm going to do a 30-day cooking (freezing) thing fairly soon. I need to organize some new Mexican recipes besides arroz con pollo. I may try Ropa Vieja (which I think is Puerto Rican?) or something similar.

It's late, I'm off to bed. Church and a fish fry tomorrow. I love my friends! :-)

Getting Excited

I'm getting really excited for our trip to India! I'm planning on seeing some things and need to get those ideas organized so we can make some plane reservations if needed. Since I'm flying across the world, I do want to see the Taj Mahal. The Man says no. I say yes. Let's see who wins!

We plan on taking his parents to Kerala to see where they grew up/lived. I want a really good massage there. I hear they are great. My friends need to direct me to the right people, okay? (You know who you are, ladies!)

I'm excited. I can't wait to see what our trip to India reveals for us as a family. I've been praying the past few months and God has told me to use my skills as a teacher to help the poor. I didn't actually HEAR him say it, but it's been a feeling. It's been strong and I know that this trip will reveal a lot more to me than just a meeting with The Man's family and the rest of the in-laws. Hopefully he'll reveal to me what needs to be done. I'm so excited to just go!

Peace in Chaos

My life has been so chaotic, it's a blessing to get 10 minutes to sit and write. I haven't had Internet service and I have to say, I like that! I wish there was a way to pay for 1 hour of Internet/week and just have it turned off the rest of the time.

My fast was not good. I tried it but combined with PMS, I got too cranky and didn't complete it. (Damn you chocolate!) I am going to re-start today. I've been doing so much soul searching this past week and know I will do well with the fast. I've read up on it and The Man and I discuss how many people in his family do it, even though they are Hindu. The fundamental idea is there, and I really like having that religious connection with them.

Next week, The Rockstar (my son) is going to Houston to help our church youth group with some building projects. I worry because Houston is so hot and humid. But, he loves constructing and building, so I know he's going to do well and enjoy himself. While he's gone, I'm going to design his curriculum for homeschooling next year. We have only done language arts since coming back from vacation.

I'm going to try to set some benchmarks for him, not just using a curriculum and going with it. I trust curriculums, but also know for college, I need to document the skills he's mastering. So, that's on my agenda along with making the Princess' curriculum as well. She's easier, and loves so many things. She's finally reading and is in1st grade math, but I need to work on her motor skills.

We are going to India in December-January and I want to do a blog on my preparation for that trip, but don't know if I should do it here or make another one. One goal I have is to climb the steps at Tirupati but I know physically, I so need to prepare. Has anyone done it? I need to train for it, I'm sure. (Being the lazy person I am!) I'm just wanting to look forward to something, and I think it would be really cool to do things to practice for that. I would love to do it with The Man.

Well, it's Saturday. I'm so happy today because I've done a devotional from a really good book and I'm able to start my day of fasting well and with an open heart and mind. It's tough to be like that sometimes!

A lot going on...

I just got back from this beach. It's the Emerald Coast, in Florida. It has become the best beach I've ever visited, besides Isla Margarita off the coast of Venezuela. Nothing is more relaxing than a beach, a nice swim, then soaking up the sun. Until I got sunburned, life was good. The prickly feeling I still have on my arms is not fun.

Today I'm doing a day of fasting. I don't know how long it will last. I just feel the need to connect with God in a different way and after a lot of prayer, this seems to be what he's pointing me to. I hope it works. I'm getting hungry and I do try to pray and listen to some worship music to get me back in a mode I need to be in.

I hate coming back from a vacation. All I want to do is be where I was!