Big changes in our lives. And good news!

Exhale with me, will ya? I got some good news, and two other breathe-worthy reports on the horizon.

First things first. Many of you have been sending me your love, energy, prayers and light. It worked, people!

I saw the cardiologist on Wednesday to follow up on my diagnosis of Bigeminy (irregular heartbeat), and she said it's nothing dangerous, just a nuisance.  A nuisance!!!  

My heart is fine, and whatever I've been doing to regulate my heartbeat has worked. (Stress reduction, supplements like Coenzyme Q10, Hawthorne, Lemon Balm and Nettle tea, Gaba).  

Also, I gave up all chocolate, coffee and alcohol.  I'm the most boring wholesome person on the planet.  Kill me now. No, seriously, I'm happy that I'm fine.

Yay!  

What a wakeup call! I have realized that I'm not 20 years old any more, and that I need to let go of some things.  The goats went first, and although I miss them, I feel freer, less stressed about having to deal with all the milk.

Steve and I have been talking more about what directions to take with Marblemount Homestead.  I'll tell you more about that in the following weeks.

Now the other news.  You know how our homeschooled kids went to public school one and a half years ago?  It's a small country school in a rural setting, with lots of teachers and administrators who care, but also a place with severe problems.  

Many kids don't have mothers at all.  There are lots of drugs, too much trauma and abuse.  There's not enough money for the resources these kids need, and many kids are out of control and act out in the classroom.

It's heartbreaking for the kids, and it's incredibly tough for the teachers.  I've heard reports of out-of-control classrooms, kids jumping on their desks, throwing shoes, disrespecting the adults.

My son Luke is in a middle school class that's especially wild.  He is doing well socially and academically, but he's bored and annoyed.  There are no AP classes.  He's tired of wasting time at school in an environment that's so crazy-making.

So we will homeschool him again.  He will still spend time with friends and play sports at school, but we're taking over the academics, so he can learn properly.  He won't have to ride the school bus for three hours a day, leave the house at dark and return at dark.

He'll be able to focus on school work, and then build mountain bike trails and play music for the rest of the day.

I have so much respect for the teachers at our little school.  Many of them care tremendously.  We received emails from Luke's teachers and other leaders at the school, imploring us to re-consider pulling our son out of school.  But Luke's mind is made up.

So starting in the middle of January, I'll have a kid at home again.

Kai will continue the semester, and then do "Running Start" at the community college.

Eva will continue as well.  She's doing great in the elementary school.  Our superintendent cares about the kids and programs, and he's implementing a lot of great things, which hopefully will make things better for the kids further down the line.

Another huge shift in our lives is my new job.  Yes, a job!  I'll work from home as a professional programs specialist for Feminine Power, the organization where I received my coaching and leadership training.  

I will make my own hours while empowering, coaching and sponsoring women to step up their leadership.  Because I tell ya, this world needs us women to uplevel.  

Cool, right?  I'm excited and feel honored that I was handpicked for this job by some of the women I admire most in this world!

So there you have it.  Lots of news, lots of movement, lots of change.

Let me finish this post with pictures of the past couple of weeks.

~~ A visit to Bellingham:

~~~ First frost and last harvest:

~~~ Record rain fall (we had 3.75 inches in one single day!!!), but also some gorgeous sunny days, and walks with friends:

~~~ Snuggles with dogs:

~~~ And spinning and knitting:

How are you all doing?