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April 18, 2026 - Saturday

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Ben, despite his complete exhaustion, went to his dad's today to hang out with Patrick and Ali. Thankfully, without my parents at the house, he was able to sleep downstairs, rather than me sleeping out in the hallway like I did for most of their trip. I know it sounds pretty pathetic, but I put a big sleeping pad out there and put a folded-up comforter over top of that. It was comfortable, in general. Slightly painful on my hips, but not bad on my back and stomach. I slept really well out there, aside from the kids getting up and down 1,000 times a night. I spent most of the morning at BJJ, it felt like, or at least driving back and forth from it. Ruby went to try out a 10am class and Jonas got his hair cut in the same strip mall during that. Then Jonas had class at 12pm, so I was back for that. He was feeling nervous, both, about the new haircut and the new class he'd never attended before. He ended up having great experiences with both. I'm proud of him for pushing past h...
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April 17, 2026 - Friday

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Dad and MJ left this morning. :( But it was a very busy day, so I didn't have a ton of time to be sad. Jenny came over this morning to hang out. I have no idea how much longer we'll get to do this, and I want to soak up the hangouts for as long as I can! Shortly after she left, we started preparing for D&D and all of the families from that to come over. Thankfully, it was a light day for D&D. Only four kids came and only two moms were there! It was hot outside, so I had kids bring their bathing suits and the younger kids all hung out outside in the sprinkler, which made it much easier on me. It was Christina's bday, so I gave her the gift I got her a while ago. She seemed very excited. :) Ben was feeling horrible from not sleeping the night before (I slept in the hallway on a blanket again) and he came home from work early. He napped during most of D&D, which perked him up a little.  There was a little chill time after D&D, then I started getting ready for t...
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April 16, 2026 - Thursday

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We had our last class day of CACH today. It was slightly bitter, but mostly just sweet. The last six months have been a challenge for me and, unfortunately, co-op has felt like more of a burden than a joy lately. I'm thankful to not have to plan anymore classes! And it sounds like I'll never have to plan any more classes EVER! Yay!! Haha that may be exaggerating a bit, but at least I won't have to next year, according to the current plan. I spent most of the day taking pictures and putting the finishing touches on the yearbook. I'm planning to send it over today! I can't wait to get it off my plate. I love doing the yearbook, but this year has been harder to keep up with. Plus, I'm looking forward to getting some fresh perspectives and some new ideas from younger people next year. Jonas did the closing prayer today. He did a great job!  *Comparing heights with Mommom
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April 15, 2025 - Wednesday

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Some photos from yesterday! We had our typical busy Wednesday, but dad and MJ did a lot to help ease the burden. First thing, the installers from Home Depot came and put in our new door!!! It only took two hours. Dad kind of took over the job of talking to the guys and looking things over to make sure they were doing a good job. Then, they took the kids to BJJ in the morning. I met them over there, after I cleaned up from the door getting installed. The house needed to be mopped and put back in order. MJ also took Clem up to her Westerville choir today, thankfully. It's so far away and takes so long! AND she bought food to cook dinner for us tonight so I wouldn't be rushed getting us out the door for small group after picking the girls up from their carol choir. Only a few more weeks of choir! I am so looking forward to it being over. Small group was fine tonight. There are a few new people who change the dynamic a little. 
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April 14, 2026 - Tuesday

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HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY RUBY DOOBY DOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love you!!!! Man, what an awesome kid she is. She's finally been getting more regulated and screaming/crying less. There is so much joy, creativity, generosity, and love in that heart of hers. God must have some big plans for her in the future! She's just so special to me and makes my heart so happy. I am so blessed to have been surprised with her 10+ years ago. She makes beautiful art, buys thoughtful gifts for her siblings, has a super strategic mind and plays chess like a little pro. She's excelling in school and making deep friendships. She is polite and a good listener. I'm so proud of her! And so grateful we got to celebrate her today with mommom and poppop! 
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April 13, 2026 - Monday

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Today was a little crazy! I cried nearly all day and felt so much dread about my parents coming. I had lots to do around the house and also really wanted to get school done, so I did that too. I had to do a little shopping, and laundry, and bed-making. We had to do BJJ and then I went over all of the things in my head that my parents have criticized over the last decade and tried to make sure those things were done too.  Once dad and MJ got here, I got a chance to talk to MJ about my feelings and the thoughts that have been running through my head and she dispelled them quickly, praise God! It felt so good to just have her say, "Absolutely not. That is satan. That is a lie. We love you. We love you no matter how your house looks or whether or not it's clean. We do not think these things and we LOVE you." I wish I had just mentioned it a couple days earlier, but I think being in person helped the convo. 
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April 12, 2026 - Sunday

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I found out that our HC is moving to Main Campus after May and I am super upset about it. I'm trying not to be, but these are my people and it just feels really, really sad to think I'm either saying goodbye to everyone I've built in with at 4th St. over the last 14 years (minus the few we were at the Warehouse) or I'm not going to CT with my HC, with whom things are fragile enough right now. By the end of CT today, I decided that I'm not going to move to Main Campus. I'll have to tell Jenny at some point, but if I'm going to Dwell, I want to go where I feel at home. I talked to Sarah Groom about the Hilliard HC and she made me feel pretty unwelcome, honestly. She mentioned that it's already very big and that they're going to close to transfers soon. It just feels like with the CT change and the Hilliard HC being a no, a lot of doors are closing that I didn't want to be closed. It's really painful.  I was feeling way off for the rest of the d...
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