Our Homes and the Fire

Here is an email I just sent out to friends and family: Hello to all, I just wanted to send out an update. We found out this morning that my parents and grandparents homes have burned to the ground. There is video of it at http://video.knbc.com/player/?id=170532. Our home is still in grave danger. The fire is headed right for it. The good thing for us is that we are so close to downtown Fallbrook. The firefighters are going to do their best to save downtown. My brother is a reporter and he has stayed in Fallbrook at the command center. He said it is concievable that the entire town could burn today. Please pray that our home is spared so that we can help my parents and friends affected by the fire. Also, please pray for his safety and for my parents and grandparents (for peace). My parents have had a great attitude about the whole thing, that it is just stuff and we are all together and safe. (It is sad, though, to lose my great-grandma's china and my other great-grandma's dolls, heirlooms, etc.) I really can't believe this is happening. So many friends affected. Where is everyone going to go? We love you all and are thankful for all your prayers and calls of support. For more posts about the fire go to our family blog...www.rfamilylove.blogspot.com

Please Pray

Please see post at www.rfamilylove.com. Thanks.

Occupational Therapy

We have been working with Joel for months trying to teach him to drop things.

Joel decided he really didn't like the texture of this crinkly pipe thingy.

Shannon has been working with Joel since he was four-months-old. She's great. We had a difficult day with Joel. He didn't want to do anything she tried to do with him. Some days he does great. Today was not one of those days. He's been at a plateau for months now. Shannon says he will be until he starts imitating more. He has kinda started imitating some but only things like banging and only when he wants to. He is much more focused on moving. He can't seem to hold still. Does anyone know if TSC can cause hyperactivity? (Or maybe it's the anti-seizure meds causing it?) Hopefully soon we will make some progress in OT.

My new business (or do I mean busyness?)

Joel has a cold so that is why I haven't had time to post lately. On top of that I have started a new business this past week - www.save-your-stories.com. I am an independent consultant for Heritage Makers. It is a wonderful company and their goal is to strengthen families so it is something I am proud to be doing while really enjoying it. This week has been mostly set up. I will be posting more about my exciting new part-time career when I have more time. The reason for adding this job to my already insane schedule/life is that with Isaac out of work so much this year and all of Joel's medical expenses the past two years we have gotten ourselves into debt. Isaac wanted to get a part-time job to start paying it off and I didn't want him gone more than he already is. Most of my new work can be done from home, so the kids don't lose any time with either of us. Please pray that this goes well for me. Adding a new part-time job to my very busy schedule basically means I don't have time for anything but necessities like kids, church, school, doctors, therapists, business, dishes, cleaning, and laundry (which I am getting really behind on.) Did I mention that Isaac started his new job last Monday? We are so pleased to have him working again. He is on a demolition crew and has been working a jack-hammer and moving cement chunks all week. Add to this he has a daily drive of 3 hours. Poor guy has been coming home in the evenings with no energy left. Since Isaac isn't home much anymore and has no energy when he is home, I have taken on a lot more around the house. I am praying God will provide me the strength to continue doing everything to His glory. I will try to be better about blogging more, the day just needs to be longer than 24 hours.