baby updates, homeschooling news, summer's swift flight

I keep having to remind myself that Jeremiah was a preemie. You would never guess it just to look at him. At his 4 1/2 month checkup he was already matching Joshua's first birthday weight at just over 15 pounds! Mommy is developing some arm muscles, that's for sure. Developmentally Jeremiah doesn't really seem to be having any need to age-adjustment either, rolling over, "swimming" like he really wants to get crawling, and trying to sit up alone (but quickly bending over at the waist to face plant if left without support). He has the strength to stand independently already (but not the balance yet) and loves to stand in our laps and hold our hands, pushing himself up to standing. He is an incredibly happy baby and everyone who meets him comments on his endless grinning.

Can June really be almost over already??? This was our month of summer vacation before we jump back into homeschooling, and it has FLOWN by with weekly activities including picnics, field trips and more. It's VBS week at our church, but after day one, we may be out for the rest of the week - Rick's down with pneumonia, Joshua's running a temp of 101 and Ruthi is whinny and clingy like she's coming down with something too.

If everyone is healthy, Joshua is planning to make a public proclamation of his faith in Jesus Christ at a baptism service this Sunday (4th of July weekend). He is so very excited to be taking this step of obedience to his Lord. Freedom in Christ and freedom to worship celebrated together in one big weekend!

I've started a new blog (yes, another one) specifically to document our homeschooling journey. To keep up with our school year, please visit http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/InfertilityMom. Joshua and I hope to write and submit a children's book for possible publication as one of his school projects this year.

Shelly began loosing her hair last week. She brought me to tears as she shared, "this past few month between the surgery and now my hair, most of what makes a women feel like a girl or feel feminine, has been taken off or cut off me. Still, my husband looked at me like I was still the most beautiful women in the world. Not a thing to hide behind and just all out there flaws and all. And he still loves me. What an awesome gift to have." Please pray for Shelly and her family as she undergoes her second round of chemo this Thursday. My specific prayer is that she will tolerate the treatment better this time as the first cycle made her so terribly sick.