Fibromyalgia

I have fibromyalgia. It causes me to have pain some days and feel only mildly tired other days. Wikipedia explains it this way...Fibromyalgia, meaning muscle and connective tissue pain (also referred to as FM or FMS), is a disorder classified by the presence of chronic widespread pain and a heightened and painful response to gentle touch.
It has made caring for the kids hard. But God has shown me much from slowing me down. I have learned how faithful He is when I am weak. I've learned He loves me and has a plan for me. I've learned how desperately I need Him every single day.
It has had a down side too, though. My kids have had to learn that mom isn't always available for them. Katie learned to feed herself, dress herself and turn on the t.v. by herself for those mornings I just can't help her. Eli is having a harder time with this. It is very humbling to be laid up with a headache or body pain when the kids need my attention.
With the decision to homeschool came up we were a bit concerned about my health and taking on Katie's education. But my dear, sweet, blessed little girl spoke words of wisdom to me. She said 'don't worry mom. When you can't get up to help I can bring my work to your bed and we can read together there. Besides, I know how to get Elisha some snacks and a movie or read to him. I take good care of Elisha when I'm home and with homeschooling I'll always be home." She's so wise and such a big sister (as you see in the picture).
I wrote this because some people have sent me notes of concern for doing homeschooling while I'm fighting FM. But I have learned that God is faithful to provide the strength where He has led me to go. And God provided wisdom through a little girl to calm my heart just like He promises to do in His word. He is such a great God!

Eli's talking

I have been amazed over the past 31 months at just how different boys and girls are. Having had Katie 5 years before Elisha I thought I knew what I was getting into. But I was so wrong. Boys are a whole different breed.
One thing that has been frustrating to us is that Katie spoke clearly at around one years old. Her ability to tell us what she needed and why was a great asset to raising her. But Elisha is totally different. Instead of speaking clearly he makes up new words for things. For example we have figured out the "Bo Boo" means "Thank you" and "Bow Bowff" means "pacifier" and "bok ah walk" means "chocolate milk". But recently he has been changing this. He has gotten clearer in his speaking. His speaking has become more clear. And he is speaking full sentences (at least I think so).
Yesterday he came to me and looked me in the eye and with great concern told me that I hurt his feelings. I though maybe I misunderstood, but apologized and moved on. But later that day he told Katie "Titi, that hurt my feelings you yell at me". I was amazed and asked him what he said and he said the same thing. It was amazing.
This morning I'm having a bad day with my fibromyalgia. I was rubbing my back and Eli walked up, rubbed my back and said "what now, mama?" I told him I have some pain and he said "oh, no. Belle hurt you feelings". I laughed so hard my back hurt worse, but it was so worth it.
He may be slower at learning to communicate, but he certainly is making up time.

Matthew 7 : 7 & 8 comes true for the Riggan's

As you know we are planning to homeschool in the fall. One big thing we needed was a homeschool space; a desk, some drawers, a wall for posters and a white board, etc. (Yes I plan to be a homeschooler not an unschooler). These items can be quite expensive. I began looking online at places like IKEA, Target, Office Depot, etc. but didn't find anything I really liked. Besides the desks were over $100. So I prayed. Then God reminded me of Matthew 7 : 7 & 8 which reads "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." I put on the Facebook that I was looking for a desk for Katie that was cheep. I got some sassy comments about being a chick desk (get it "cheep, cheep"). But then someone told me about a website for free stuff from people in the Bay Area called freecycle. My friend looked at the site and found a "student desk, wood in Palo Alto". I went to pick it up Tuesday. Not only was this desk free (great price!) but it is perfect. It's the wood color I love and have all through my house. It has the perfect sized writing area for Katie. It has 4 drawers (3 on the side and 1 at the lap). And it fits in my dining room against the wall so perfectly that you'd think I'd planned it. Moral of the story? Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."

Homeschooling

Last November I felt the Lord nudging me toward the possibility of homeschooling. Rick and I have talked about the subject in the past, but have never felt the need. Katie was attending a wonderful Christian school and we could afford the payments even on a single income. But this feeling wouldn't go away.
I refused to pray about it because I know God always wins those arguments, so I just ignored it. Then the registration came due for next year and the nagging got worse. Finally I began to pray and argue with God. "Why should I do this, God?" I'd ask. "We have the money and can afford this wonderful school. We don't need to home school." This continued all that week. Then Rick came home and said things were worse at work. He wasn't sure he was going to have a job in a few weeks. I felt a smack on the head. OK. So maybe we wont be able to afford the school bills next year. I need to pray about this.
As I prayed I felt more pushed toward homeschooling. Then I decided to talk to Rick. He's always been against it, he'll be on my side and then we'll end this battle. After all, God said I need to submit to the decisions of my husband, right? Sunday, January 11th I sat down and told Rick I was thinking of homeschooling. I told him we needed to decide by Friday (when the registration money was due at LACS). He said, he thought it was a good idea. It's only 2nd grade, a good year to try it out. And suggested we ask Katie what she thinks. All I could think was "Are you serious, God? You got him on Your side too?"
Later that night I talked to Katie. The conversation went like this...
M. "Do you like your school?"
K. "Yes."
M. "Would you ever want to stop going to that school?"
K. "No"
M. Silently rejoices..."Really? So you wouldn't want to home school next year?"
K. "Stop. Wait. Is that an option? I didn't think that could happen."
M. "So you want to stay at LACS or home school next year."
K. "I want to home school. That sounds good."
M. "Well, Daddy and I are praying about it and just wanted to know your opinion. It'll be hard work, it wont just be watching TV and playing with your brother. And I'll be your teacher."
K. "OK. But wait mom...what about art? You don't like a mess. How will I do Art?" Etc.
So, her only real concerns were art , Spanish and PE. Otherwise she is so on board she wants to quit school now and begin homeschooling.
What's really weird is I'm excited now too. I've been asking questions, reading books and checking websites. There is so much support and options for home school families now. We still don't know how long we'll do this. At the moment it's just for 2nd grade. But as I research I'm becoming more of a fan. This may be the new Riggan lifestyle for several years to come.

When does a mom rest?

I am a full time mom. I care for Eli all day everyday (except a few hours on Thursday's when he goes to a sitter so I can work Katie's classroom). I don't have a housekeeper or a cook or a nanny. I am all those things. Now, crazy as it may seem, I am studying to be a home school mom next year too. I've been reading lots of books about time management for moms and home schooling. One thing I have taken from all my learning in the past couple of weeks is a huge question... When does a mom rest? When do I get to just read for fun? When do I get to take a shower? When do I get to go to the potty by myself? It has really bothered me that my house isn't quite clean enough or the dinner isn't quite on time. But now I'm adding several hours of teaching into my day. How am I going to do all of this? When will I get any down time? Am I going to spend the rest of my life dirty and tired? The stress was building up and starting to strangle me and make me question all I know the Lord has told me. Maybe I should send Katie back to LACS and send Eli to LAC Pre-School too. Then I went to the Lord. He brought me to Matthew 19:26 And looking at them Jesus said to them, " With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." It is amazing how God just brought all the suffering from my heart with this one verse. I cannot do it all. And it will be hard. Because with people (MENDY) this is impossible, but when God is in it, nothing can stop it. I don't know what stress is strangle holding you right now, but take heart and remember "with God all things are possible."

Pilgrim's Progress

I have tried to commit to limit the children's t.v. and movie watching more. The winter months have been getting worse and worse because of the cold outside and my body pains. But now that I'm doing better (Thank You Lord) and the weather is nicer, I've renewed my commitment.
Today Katie stayed home from school. As soon as she got up she began asking for a movie. I told her she needed to find something else (read, workbooks, play, clean, etc). It was hard for her, but she did it.
When Eli woke up the no t.v. thing was even harder. He wants to be held and cuddled or entertained by the tube. Well, I had dishes to do and I'd already told Katie no t.v. I couldn't change my mind now. So I compromised. We went online and found www.whitsend.org/radio. They play Adventures in Odyssey stories for free. I put on the speakers, turned on Pilgrim's Progress for kids and did all my dishes while the kids played quietly and listened. It was a great dramatization of the story. We all enjoyed it and I was even ministered to. I highly recommend this website.

My Budding Artist

One of Katie's Sunday School teachers is a man named Guillermo. He is an artist who works for Dream Works Studios. When there is time he gives free art lessons to the kids. This has been an incredible blessing for Katie. She has found her true love; drawing.
Yesterday she came home with a page full of animals. I was blown away. Especially the penguin in the middle. She has really grown over the past year in her abilities. I thought I'd share this page with you. There's a lion, elephant, porcupine, bunny, penguin, jaguar, fish, dog, monkey, whale, zebra, and others that I can't remember what she called them. She even signed the bottom because Guillermo said an artist always signs the work!
Enjoy!

Katie cooks

My daughter has decided she wants to be more helpful around the house. So last night she told me she wanted to make dinner. We had burritos. She microwaved the beans, grated the cheese, pulled out some tortillas and old taco bell hot sauce and said "Dinner's done". OK so she's not a gourmet yet, but she's on the right path. And at 7 I don't think I made a meal for my family. Tonight she wants to make crock pot chicken by herself. After all,"it can't be that hard, mom." Hopefully this time she'll remember vegetables and a side dish!

Eli it is...

There comes a day when your kids decide on the name/nickname they prefer. Long ago Katie had decided she no longer wanted to be called my Katie Bug.
Well, today is that day for Elisha. Belle was bugging Elisha to get his breakfast. I told Belle "Belle, leave Elisha alone." Elisha said back at me "Mama, I Eli". I said sorry and went on. Later Belle was back to bugging Elisha. I said "Belle, leave Elisha alone". Eli said, with more force, "Mama, I Eli." I said sorry and went on. Later I saw Belle heading into where Elisha was and I said "Belle, you better leave Eli alone." To which Elisha said "Oh, Boh Boo, Mama " (translation: Oh, thank you, Mama). So, I guess the 2 year old has spoken. So, Eli it is!

Our Snow Day

Katie has been bugging us about going to the snow for about 2 years. Every year we've said the same thing..."Elisha's too little". Well, Elisha isn't so little anymore. So since there was no cast on the boy (thank the Lord that's over with) we went to North Star in Tahoe.

It was beautiful. There was a few feet of snow. The sun was shinning. It was great. So off we go looking for a place to play that wouldn't put us right in the line of the snowboarders when I look at Katie and see tears on her cheeks. She was sick. She wanted to stop and lay down and possibly vomit. So much for Katie's fun in the snow day. We took her to the fire pit and had her sit for a while thinking she's just cold and needs to rest some.

Meanwhile, Elisha sees the kids ski school and begins to yell "I do that". I took him up to some deep "playing" snow and he saw snowboarders to which he yells "I do that, Mama. Diego snowboard. I snowboard". (In case you don't know "Go Diego" from Nickelodeon is Elisha's favorite show right now). But I just finished with a cast on my 2 year old, I was not about to go for a 3rd break in 18 months. Too bad buddy, you'll have to wait.

Katie thought she was better and went for a walk with Rick. But after about 5 minutes she had full tears down her cheeks; she really was sick. We went to the car, gave her Dramamine and she slept the whole ride back to Mango and Papo's (my parents) house.

Thus ended our adventure to the snow. We learned a few things though. Katie HATES to be cold! Elisha wants to snowboard. I think it would be fun to try skiing or snowboarding. Rick wants to do the Telemark and snowshoeing thing (it's an Indiana Jones meats national treasure meets weekend warrior thing). So in about 2 years we will attempt it again!