bak 2 skuL.

Well, this has been quite a week.

I forgot all about blogging this week.  I guess I was too busy looking at all the flood pictures of Vermont!

You never really think a really big storm is going to hit a place YOU call home...and then it does.

It's still hard to believe.

A week like this really makes you pause and count your blessings.

I'm so thankful my family in Vermont is safe and well, but so sad for all the damage that was done. ♥

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In-between looking at flood pictures this week, we've been gearing up for a brand new semester! 

It's here already?!

For Josh, this means setting his alarm extra early and dusting off his schoolbooks...he started his first classes today!  It's going to be another busy semester but we're ready. 

Bring it!

For Knox, the beginning of a new semester means, well...

It means learning more and more new words (like peepee, for example, which wasn't exactly next on my list of words I was hoping he would learn...though I guess in retrospect it is a good one to know).

It means getting to play with Daddy's school bag...

And, apparently, it means printing fax confirmations for faxes we have never sent. :)

(I have no idea how he does it but confirmations keep appearing out of nowhere on the printer!!)

For me the start of this new semester means working out the details of a brand new SWING group I'm heading up this year. 

I'm super excited to get started!!!

So...

Vermont, we love you!

And Semester #7 (of ?), we're glad you're here.

Miracles & Mommy Thumb

Do miracles happen? 

Yep.  Saw one today.

You may think it's little, but to me and Josh it was huge.

My thumb/wrist has been hurting for a few months...a form of tendonitis (aka "mommy thumb") from picking up Knox all the time.  I tried several home remedies but this last week it started getting worse so we decided I really needed to go to the doctor.  I called my regular doctor but he said I should see a specialist for this. 

We were stressed out about how much this was going to cost. 

We have "insurance" but the coverage is not great.  Being here in seminary, and having me quit my job to stay home with Knox, has all been a big step of faith for us as far as money goes.  God has provided everything we need (and more) every step of the way, it's been amazing.   So I don't know why we still get worried about money, but sometimes we do.

But I definitely had to get my hand looked at, so to the doctor I went.  I was praying on my way there that it wouldn't end up costing too much.

The specialist checked it out and gave me a real brace (much better than the cheap one I tried from CVS, which only made my thumb worse) to try for a couple of weeks.  If that doesn't do it he'll have to give me a cortisone shot.  He would have given me the shot today but wanted an okay from Knox's pediatrician first since I'm still breastfeeding.

That really stressed me out.  Great, if the brace doesn't work we're going to have to pay this guy for two visits.

As I was leaving I stopped to check out and the lady started to tell how much I owed. 

Then she saw something on my chart and said, "Oh no, I guess he's not going to charge anything for today.  You're all set!"

Wow.  

Sometimes people are extra nice to seminary students but this guy didn't know we were seminary students. 

I had tears in my eyes as I rode down the elevator out of the building.  It was just a gift from God.  He takes care of us in so many ways, and today was a huge reminder of that.   I love being His child.

I have received everything in full and have an abundance; 

I am amply supplied, 

having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, 

a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.  

And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches 

in glory in Christ Jesus.

Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. 

Amen. 

 (Philippians 4:18-20)

Big Day for the Men in My Life

This guy is five months old today!!!

He celebrated with oatmeal and pears for breakfast, followed by a rousing game of "chew on Freddy the Firefly toy," one of his all-time favorites. :)

This past week or two we've seen some big changes in Knox. First of all, he ROLLED OVER for the first time on New Year's Day...and twice more since then!! It's our primary goal in life right now to catch this amazing feat on video camera, but so far we haven't been there fast enough.

He also started smiling even when there's a camera around...instead of stopping whatever he is doing to stare at the camera. So there is a whole new world of Knox photos out there ready to be discovered...



And this guy started a new semester of classes today.

I thought it would be great to take a photo of him heading out the door this morning with his book bag in tow...but he was running late so I didn't think he would really appreciate it at that point if I stopped him for a "back to school" photo for my blog. :)

(For those of you who missed the Facebook hoopla over this shirt, it's not made out of boxers and it's not from a 70's costume store...it is a genuine Indonesian shirt straight from Indonesia and he wore it all day on Saturday. I think he looks hot in it.) :)

Anyway, this is the first semester Josh has done full-time work and full-time and school...plus being husband and dad. It's going to be crazy. Today is his heaviest class day...he works from home from 5:00-9:00 in the morning then has classes from 10:00-12:45, 1:00-3:40 and 6:45-9:30. Yeah, insane. The rest of the week is little lighter on classes but heavier on work and homework.

I am SO proud of him and thankful that he's willing to take on this kind of schedule to finish seminary and so I can stay home with Knox!!! He is an amazing husband and daddy...the best. I love him so much.

I woke up this morning trying to think of some little things I can do for him this semester that might encourage him when things get tough...you know, besides the obvious, which is baking him lots of cookies and keeping the fridge well-stocked with Pepsi Max. :) :) I need some more fun ideas...

Is there something you've found that really encourages your husband, or boyfriend, or dad when they are tired and have a lot on their plate? Or - even better - encourages you, if you're a man? Please comment below (or on Facebook or email or wherever) if you have any cool ideas I can try.

And Josh, try not to read the suggestions. :)