Comp Exam Begins.

It is official . . . My comprehensive

examination course has officially

begun! In two weeks, I will

receive my exam questions and

will be given 28 days to write

my 50 page responses to the

questions. This is all to be

done in a "Zen-like", stress free

environment . . . You know, the

kind of environment that I had

in my "old life".

However, I am totally confident

that God will get me through this

process as my family and I

embrace changes in our lives.

I will be writing my comps on

planes, trains, automobiles,

hotel rooms, hospital rooms,

and in the freeeezing Michigan

weather. But, in six weeks, this

will only be a memory.

Ready or not . . . Here I go.

On the Road.

Luke and I have taken our homeschooling

efforts to an all new level. Seriously, as

crazy as this entire school year has been,

I can honestly say that the Lord has

truly blessed each and every moment.

For those who are anal to the max and

used to a serene schooling environment,

I must say that he and I have adapted

pretty well.

Tremendous growth, learning, and

understanding have taken place in

hospitals, intensive care units, critical

care rooms, surgical waiting rooms,

CAT scan testing rooms, airplanes,

rental cars, limos, and in our new

home under construction. Kudos

go to Luke as he has endured much

this year, as has our entire family,

but we are excited that we have

been able to continue our

strong commitment to homeschooling

as well as many of the other

activities that constantly take

place within our crew.

Action.

Yeehaw! The order of the day today

included sheetrocking the great room

and the kitchen!! All of this was

accomplished while it was only 40*

outside and snow, snow, snowing.

Sheetrocking gets homebuilders

pretty darn excited as the finishing

touches are soon to take place. The

guys will begin taping and texturing

on Monday!

I say, after taping and texturing comes

painting!! Oh, yeah!

Watch Your Backside.

Holy Cow! When I was busy, busy

painting the garages, there was a

bench that had a 3x3 foot square cut

out of it. The only crazy thing was

is that some JOKER put the square

back in the cut out part. As I was

busily painting along, minding my

own business . . . You guessed it,

I feel smack dab down the hole -

4 feet down mind you. Luckily,

except for this huge honkin'

bruise, a bruised ego, and some

minor cuts and scrapes, I was

back to painting within moments.

House building=Never a dull

moment.

Monday.Monday.

Ready.Set.Go.

*Run up to new house. Line guys out.

*Hook up generator. Take it back to

rental place.

*Run to Home Depot. Pick up doors

and roofing material.

*Run back to new house. Drop of

doors and roofing material.

*Rush to orthodontist. Get

Luke's braces tightened.

*Hurry to the building

department. Meet with

plans checker.

*Run to rental house.

Fix a meal for my family.

*Take a sweet trip back to

the new house. Meet

hardwood floor installer.

*Dash to Ulta. Pick up

hair products. (A total

must if I am to continue

at this pace.)

*Take Mike for a little

spin around the

neighborhood so that

he can get some much

needed air.

*Throw laundry in and

out and all around.

*Watch "Halloween

Wars" with Luke.

(He has been planning

this since yesterday!)

*Toss BIRTHDAY

WEEKEND plans around

in my head . . .

Whew.I.made.it.

Happy, Happy Birthday Mike!

Happy, happiest birthday to my bestest

other half! 53.years.old. Who can

believe that? Mike and I have been

together since he was 20 and I was

14! Holy Smoke!!

We are excited to get the birthdays

on around our home and cannot

wait for the big celebration next

weekend!!

Wishing my man a happy,

happy birthday persuades me

to share just a few of the reasons

why Mike is so very special:

*He is kind!

*Mike is a super hard worker!

*He is the BEST husband.

*He is an awesome Dad.

*Thinks decisions through.

*Never gossips.

*Loves the Lord with all

of his heart.

*Explains things.

*Patient.

*Loves to cook.

*Does not like scary

movies!

*Puts his family FIRST,

always!

*Up for any challenge.

*Keeps things in

perspective.

*Mike provides the BEST

support and comfort!

*Positive.

*Rational.

*Loves holidays!

*Mike is a wonderful

caregiver.

The list could go on and on

and on! We are so thankful

that he is ours and that we are

lucky enough to celebrate the

big 5-3 with him!!

Happiest birthday, Mike!

I.love.you.

Garages. Check.

Woot! Woot! The garages are

d.o.n.e. done!! I could not have

done it without the help of our

boys!! They work so hard and are

so committed to the building

project! We could not be prouder!

They have been out there helping

us for months and we are so

very grateful!!!

Sam took this picture of me after

HOURS and HOURS of

painting. And, yes, I do realize

that I look like a soldier in the

picture . . . I was a wee bit tired

and would not allow him to have

my face in the picture. Just the

same, the deed is done and they

look be-a-uuuuutiful. The

sheetrockers are going to hang

the downstairs sheet rock on

Monday and texture the upstairs

next week. I think I see more

painting in our future!!

Bring.it.