Elena 
Join Jen and the other Quicktakers over at the Conversion Diary
1. When the new baby was just born, her mother had to stay in the hospital a few extra days due to some complications. While Mr. Pete and I were there to visit, one of the nurses came in and wanted to know how much the baby was nursing, peeing and pooping.
Much to my astonishment, my son pulled out a chart he had been keeping. He was able to tell the nurse how long the baby had nursed, on what side, and how many diapers had been changed and whether they contained poop, pee, or both!
OK, to put it in perspective, this is a kid who wouldn’t write down what he had completed every day in school on a calendar, wouldn’t keep a science notebook and pretty much refused to write anything down if he didn’t have to – so this was definitely a positive change to see and perhaps a bit of encouragement that he is going to do just fine as a new dad.
Since they have been home a week now, he has been taking care of both mother (post-Cesarean) and baby during the day, but more importantly – at night. He also has been working his regular job. My son has grown up.
2. That happy young man in the middle, is Noah – happily posing with his other cross country friends at the awards banquet
A night that was made possible by the Ohio legislature and Governor Kasich when they made it possible for homeschoolers to participate on their local sports teams. In other words, my tax dollars of over 25 years, are getting put to good use for one of my own children for a change! Noah had a great season. His running improved, he won a medal at the championships, and he made lots of friends – overall a very good experience.
3. I forgot to unload my camera last week. We had our final. week. of. soccer! It was not without its drama. I was still short a soccer ref for the championships, but after putting the word out via phone and internet, I finally found a great ref to handle the elementary league. What a relief that was!
I love this picture of Rosie vs. the soccer ball. That’s just how my little girl always attacks life- head on with her eyes wide opened!
My beautiful Izzy
and the cupcakes she made for the last game – these are little medals in honor of the championships!
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5. On my fall table, I have a little basket that contains all of the holy cards of all the funerals I have been too and most of the cards that my mom saved too! They are on the table so that we specifically remember to pray for them during the month of November.
Also have some fall candles around with pictures of my parents and grandparents, to remember to keep them in our prayers this month as well.
6. Last week, we also went out to the cemetery to pray for an indulgence for the dead, and I took a few shots of this little grave stone. I have seen it before, but the good condition of the angle and the photograph always capture my attention. I hope her parents overcame their loss and had a happy life.
7. I am in official remission for my ulcerative colitis! Interestingly, although the doctor wasn’t thrilled that I never started the Asacol therapy, he didn’t say one word about the diet I was trying out. I told him I am feeling great, everything is back to normal and even the eczema patch on my finger cleared up – but he pretty much said he expects me to flare again and then I’ll want to start the meds. We’ll see. I plan to give this diet a pretty good go first – oh, and I lost 5 pounds this month since starting it – so that’s a pretty nice bonus too!
