Is it really Wednesday?

My Brittany is doing better. She was having trouble getting her breath by Monday, she just didn't have enough air to talk and breath at the same time...so off to the doctor we went. We left the office with a prescription of Prednisone and an inhaler. No antibiotic because, apparently...you have to be sick now over 12 days for them to write a prescription for an antibiotic. I was quite miffed at the laptop computers that everyone was carrying around with them...I just wanted the person to look at us...and not the computer screen. Our doctor has moved on...not in that practice anymore...hmmm...wonder if that wonderful Obamacare that is promised us has anything to do with it? Brittany was asked every question imaginable...which was entered into that computer...and as I sat there with my sick daughter, who just wanted to be back home in bed I wondered just who was getting this information. A few days of bed rest...and she is getting stronger...she has had the sweats today...so that makes me think she is about through with this nasty virus. I am now searching for a new doctor's office...which hopefully I have found via a good friend.

I have been feeling under the weather myself...nothing like what Brittany has. I just think I am tired...I barely slept all last week...then with her being sick and all of our festivities and then yesterday...my mom had her second injection (so I was with her all day in the surgery center)...I am just beat.

Decided to take the day off and just give myself a rest. Brittany and I watched a movie that we have been craving...it is about John Keats. Called...Bright Star. We liked it very much although it had a very sad ending. It made me want to look up the poetry of Keats...did you know that he died at the age of 25? He died thinking he was a failure. If you like 19th century movies...and pretty dresses and bonnets...you may want to give it a try.

That's about it for now, (my mom is doing really great with these injections, by the way)...I am going to see what else I can get myself into...
Blessings!
Joyce Marie

Our Graduate...

Graduation day was lovely. I woke up and did my makeup and and hair...put on some clothes and headed to the grocery store for a few last minute items. Brittany stayed home and rested as long as she could...fighting that fever. Back home...things put away we had plenty of time to just relax and finish getting ready. Outside for pictures...in front of my mommy tree (my first Mother's Day. gift in this house). She looks good doesn't she? Her fever was nearly 102.

At the convention hall...we registered and had to wait for about 45 minutes before we met in a room with the parents and graduates (40 kids in all). They gave us our instructions...told us to get our kids dressed in their cap and gown and for us (parents) to leave. So, Dennis went and picked up my mom...and I followed their request...dressed my daughter, gave her a big kiss on the cheek and went out to the lobby to wait. At 4:30, we were able to go in and find our assigned seats. Parents were to sit at the right side of the stage...I was anxious and by this time just ready to get this job done. My tissue in hand which I didn't use, I am happy to say...the doors opened and the music played and that lump in my throat grew so big I thought I would choke...It was nice to watch the kids walk up the isle. I looked at the other moms...none of them looked like I felt so in my head I gave myself a talking to and swallowed the tears that so desperately wanted to flow. After a prayer and a great speech given by a past homeschooling (a handsome young man with a young family). The graduates were sitting beside the stage...opposite of us...when the child's name was called, we were to go up the stairs, cross the stage and meet her in the middle. At the call of her name...we headed up and there she was...my beautiful daughter smiling directly at me. At that moment...I think I released a sob. With hugs and kisses and I love you's we handed her her diploma...and she handed me a beautiful white and scarlet carnation. One more hug from me...we crossed the stage...met for another hug in the back of the room and then went back to our seats...a final prayer and that was it. A beautiful ending to a beautiful homeschooling life. I managed to get through the whole thing without one tear(I have a fear of sobbing in public)...I was so proud of myself...

Back home, Brittany made it to the couch and couldn't move...the Lord gave her exactly the energy she needed to make it through. It was amazing. One little thing that she told me...that I keep thinking about...they took a series of pictures of the graduating class...we'll have them by October...for one, they went outside...Brittany said she looked up at the sky...and as clear as can be...she saw the face of her Pappy(my dad)...looking at her and smiling. She told me it made her feel better...whether it was the fever...or that she was just thinking of him it doesn't matter...maybe God gave her a little gift...but in her mind...it was her Pap...and I think she'll hold on to that forever.

I wish that I was feeling more poetic, in my heart I have so much to say...but...I am so tired today and thankful for plenty of leftovers so that I don't have to do more than warm food up...at least for today.

Thank you so much for your prayers for her...she told me God gave her the strength to get through(I told her she had many praying for her)...she has been ordered to rest for the next two days by the doctor...except for teaching tonight that is exactly where you can find her...

Blessings dear friends,
Joyce Marie

Hey everyone...

Thank you for your prayers...Brittany made it through her day fever and all...made it home and collapsed on the couch. Fever still around 102...which is driving me crazy...woke up with a fever again...medicated her up...this is our party day...and tomorrow...I think a doctor visit is in order.

Blessings to all of you this Sunday...thank you for your loving prayers...

Joyce Marie

just a note...

My daughter still has a fever...with two Aleve...it is hovering just below 101. I guess this virus or whatever just wants to have a grip on her...I am calm, cool and collected...hair and make up already done...last of my grocery shopping already done...now all we have to do is relax until this afternoon. I told Brittany to just pace herself...but her little eyes look so sick. It makes me sad.

We'll just keep chugging away...
Blessings!

Tonight my head and heart are full...tomorrow things are different. All the love and devotion that we have put into our little homeschool will end. A new chapter for us...as my daughter keeps lovingly reminding me...not and end, just a new chapter...with many more books to come.

The top two pictures are first day of school pictures that I found this week as I sorted through stacks of memories...the first one cracks us up...that was her favorite skirt...that little turquoise skirt. She wanted to wear it every day...I think she loved it because it was bouncy. When we began our school...I took our third bedroom and painted it that vibrant blue color and cream...I had found a sweet abc boarder that matched it beautiful...we lasted up there a year...and then found it easier to do our school work at the table. The second picture...I am pretty sure she was about 9 or 10. This picture was taken in our office...where we also tried to do school but ended up at the table...LOL. The last picture is our favorite picture taken this spring...we are calling it her "official" graduation picture.

She is still running a low grade fever...as soon as the sun began to set...her fever began to rise. Thank you for your prayers...if you could keep her in your prayers for tomorrow...I have a feeling she will be feeling pretty rough when it comes time to get dressed...we have to be at the center at 2 for rehearsal...and then they'll take a picture of all the graduates...Dennis will go and pick up my mom and bring her...the ceremony is at five. I don't feel excited...I have a rather large lump in my throat. I am hoping that it will go away by morning...

Off I go to get some sleep...an early day for me tomorrow and my fingers are crossed that we have a fever free girl.

Be Blessed!
Joyce Marie

UPDATE!!!

At 11:48 we took her temp and she was 98.7. YAY! So I am alternating between Tylenol and Ibuprofen...like when she was little. Hopefully this will stick and she'll be back to her sweet self tomorrow morning. On a lighter note...she is perched on the sofa painting her nails for tomorrow...so maybe things are looking up!

What is keeping me focused today...


Philippians 4:6-7
Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.


Amen!
Joyce Marie