16 Days

16 days ago tomorrow, Paul left on a missions trip to Brazil. This is the first time he's ever done anything like this and the first time he's been out of the country while not on a cruise.

16 days is not that long, relatively speaking. It's only a bit over 2 weeks. But it seems like forever since he left. I've come to some conclusions while he's been gone:

• I don't like being in charge all of the time. It's exhausting.
• When Dad's not here, our routine disappears. I'm not sure why this one is true, but it is.
• When Dad's not here, we all sleep late. Every. last. one. of. us. Even Emma and Ben who are usually very consistent with their wake up times. I know why this one is true. (Paul is known in our house as the sleep Nazi)
• Our church is empty without Paul, even though everyone else is there. And I know I'm not the only one who feels this way.
• At least half of the time our door was left unlocked all night long. And the flowers wilted before anyone remembered to water them.
• My young boys need the strong hand of their father consistently in their lives. It is very evident that Dad has not been around these past few weeks.
• I didn't realize how accustomed I am to hearing from Paul every few hours. To only hear from him every few days was hard. The knowledge that I couldn't reach him even if I needed to was hard. Thankfully, I didn't need to reach him.

16 days. I'm glad it's over and he'll be home tomorrow. We need him.

Random Thoughts

• Paul has been gone for a week. I've been able to talk to him about every other day, which has been nice.
• He is doing well and enjoying the experience. He is working hard, building buildings and he has been able to preach a couple of times at the local church, along with teaching the locals.
• I'm ready for him to come home. It's not the same without him.
• Zack and his cousin Jacob flew here yesterday and then left today after church with Paul Jr. for Florida. This is their first trip with no adult supervision other than themselves. They were almost beside themselves with excitement.
• It has been hot. Really hot here this summer and especially the past few weeks. I'm ready for Fall. No, make that WINTER.
• I'm attempting to start school this week. I say attempting because I have so much to do to get ready for it. We will do something to start this week even if it's not the whole thing.
• Zack played for the offertory in church this morning. He did a fantastic job and I think everyone in our church is as proud of him as Paul and I are. His first piano teacher even played a duet with him after church, just for "old times sake".
• Ellie is attending a classical "school" one day a week. They will tutor her that day and give her the assignments for the rest of the week which she will work on at home. It is a very rigorous school, something that will challenge her. I'm hoping I can keep up!! I know she can.
• Anna will be doing something totally different because the school does not go past 9th grade. I will blog about it after we get started and I know more about it.
• Sam is anxious to get started as a first grader. He is a joy to teach because learning is still fun to him.

My Seven Children

Poor Ben. I tried to trim his hair and I messed it up. Badly. I thought maybe it wasn't so bad, but my big kids assured me. It was VERY bad. So Zack took pity on Ben and gave him a buzz. He still looks cute.

Sam and his buddy Zack

Awwww. These 2 little guys were so excited that Zack was coming to visit. They went to bed last night, but awoke when they heard Zack come in and then just had to come out and see him and sit in his lap. It does my heart good to see my children loving each other.

My four sons. It amazes me that 4 boys, raised by the same mom and dad and in the same home can be so different in personalities and looks. Each one is special and each one is loved.

Jacob, my nephew, and Zack. They are 10 hours apart in age and have waited their whole lives to live near each other.

The whole gang of boys.

Of course, in the midst of pictures, there was some fooling around and some showing off of strength.

Not to be outdone, Sam had so show them his strength.

With a little help from his big brother.

And here she comes, the little princess. She is walking so well now she can even walk in her shoes.

The first picture and the worst picture!

Emma: Mom. Am I really related to all these people? Puhlezzz!

That's better.

My seven children.

Ben even has his special happy face on.

Paul-21

Zack-18

Anna-15

Ellie-12

Sam-6

Ben-3

Emma-1

My heart is full today. It would be overflowing if my husband were here....

Emma Grace

Ellie decided to paint Emma's toenails one evening. I don't know how she ever painted such small spaces.

Are they not so cute????

She fell asleep eating one afternoon with her hands folded like this. Too cute.

Awww.

So sweet. (and sticky!)

Saying Goodbye to Dad

Paul left early yesterday morning for his missions trip to Brazil. It was tough saying goodbye to him, especially for Sam and Ben.

"Circling" up and praying that God will bless the people going and the people there and the effort.

"I will miss you Dad but can you bring me back a monkey?"

Goodbye Paul. I will be counting the days till we pick you back up. Our family is not the same without you!!

Dad's New Hammock

Paul received his hammock for his missions trip the other day, and oh what excitement there was when he set it up. (Anything is exciting for 3 and 6 year old boys!)

Careful Dad...

Isn't it a bit low??

An inch clearance? Is that enough??

Whew. I didn't think he was going to make it without scraping the ground.

Especially when you add Benjamin! But they did it.

Ben thought it was great. Dad was hoping he'd be able to sleep in it for 2 weeks.

Sam thought the whole thing was fun!

And couldn't wait until his turn.

Dieting

I am a professional dieter. I have been on several different diets over the years. Low calorie, low carbs, low fat, protein power, weight watchers, think thin, weigh down, and a few more I can't think of.

They all worked.

While I was ON.

Problem was, I didn't stay ON. After a while, I got off. And didn't get back on. And gained back everything I lost. And then some.

I was frustrated to the point of not wanting to try to lose weight. I hated the thought of doing all that work and losing the weight to eventually gain it all back. And I was pretty sure I would gain it all back because I didn't want to stay on a diet for the rest of my life.

While I was pregnant with Emma, I was introduced to Zija, a wonderful all natural health product. Zija helped me tremendously while I was pregnant with Emma, so much so that I couldn't wait to try their weight management system after I delivered her.

She was born 13 months ago. I started on the weight management system a few months later, and the first 40 or 50 pounds seemed to fall right off. Then I got off track for several months, busy with other things and I didn't lose much more weight. I hadn't been exercising or on a "diet" up to this point.

Paul suggested we check out the local gym. I was all for that. I enjoy going to a gym and exercising and I knew I would love going with him. So we checked it out and joined about a month ago. We have been very faithful in going 5 or 6 days a week for an hour or two. But we refuse to go on a diet. We eat normal food and don't count anything. We do try to make wise choices, healthy choices. (Come on, you can't eat cake everyday and expect to lose weight!) We try not to eat after supper and try to drink mostly water.

After a month, I've lost 20 more pounds. I've got my stamina back and feel pretty good.

I still take the zija religiously. It is complete nuitrition, along with an energy boost and appetite suppressent. Some days I have to remind myself to eat. They came out with a new product that helps you burn fat while you sleep and helps you sleep better. I have noticed an improvement in my sleeping in the few days I've taken it. Zija works so well because it is from a tree that God created. God always knows what's best, doesn't He?

I'm excited that I'm losing weight without dieting and getting healthy in the process!!