So, school has begun officially, and tomorrow is Nyomi’s first day of co-op enrichment classes for the year. She is incredibly excited, to say the least.

Zoe, at now 9 months old is walking now (about 3-4 steps at a time without holding on to anything)…so “toddling” I should say. This is a very exciting time of my life, yet trying. It’s a challenge to stay pinned to the floor with my toddler to allow her the freedom to explore and learn to walk and play independently while I maintain her safety by staying nearby when really what I want to do is get on my PC and write, write, write!
I always think to myself “okay, she’ll be walking really well soon and it will get much easier”. Then I just look forward to my children’s bedtime (now 8:45) when I can spend an hour or so just writing. And I LOVE it!

Which, by the way, I must explain a little…
The book I began writing last month? Still ongoing…but I’ve begun to explore my writing itch and stretched the boundaries a bit to include magazine writing.
So, it’s a official! I’m finally exploring quite seriously my role as a freelance writer, though I guess I always have been for a few years now as I’ve written for several online venues and print magazines.
I’ve decided to build up my clips and begin to target more national consumer magazines with time.
As the professional writing part of my life begins to evolve, so will this website as I’ll want to showcase that more than my personal blog.

But, boy is it a breath of fresh air to finally discover the road I am to travel next.
Web design, podcast consulting, and internet marketing was great for a season…but that season is over for me, at least for now. At this time in my life I find great joy in writing specialty articles on parenting, childcare, women’s issue, and faith.
A local magazine in my town (Kids Magazine) will be publishing my article on slings and babywearing in the next issue, and I’m really excited about that. I’ve also submitted queries to other magazines and waiting on feedback.

A month ago while in Florida, my laptop died. It was a sad occasion and I was extremely frustrated. (I was in the middle of writing my book, remember?)
One afternoon, my husband returns from the store with…VOILA!….a Sony Vaio just for me! He says to me “now you can write your bestseller!” …and I cry and cry. I was too happy for words.

(Have I mentioned I always wanted a Sony Vaio? Well, I’m a Mac girl…but if I must go PC it’s VAIO all the way).

So I owe it to my Hubby…he’s the best!

And, Lord…you are the Ultimate Best!

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We’ve taken periodic breaks from school this summer but are still officially homeschooling off and on throughout so we don’t completely forget stuff…

Nyomi has been doing lots of reading (mostly Beverly Cleary books and one classic “A Little Princess”).  We’ll start our study unit on butterflies as soon as we get the butterflies ordered, that is…and we’re mostly just spending lots of time outdoors at parks, visiting with friends, visiting museums and the library for special programs, puppet shows, and classes.   Nyomi also just had a birthday a few days ago and is now 6 years old!  We’re really excited about this upcoming year of adventure.

Zoe is now 6 1/2 months old and is crawling, flipping, and pulling herself up to standing positions.  She’s growing quickly, as they do and I’m having a blast watching every minute of it!  She gets into everything her eyes can see.  Already I can see that she’s a handful, but I wouldn’t have it any other way

My husband is wonderful as always.  We’ve been having interesting discussions lately about politics and this upcoming election.  I’m still undecided about who to vote for, but it is becoming clearer.

Christian Ladies Connect is getting back on track with new conferences, with our latest starting no later than June 23.

Prepare ‘08 is the theme for this summer’s Christian women’s convention, and is completely and virtually online.  If you’re interested in registering you can do that here:

http://christianladies.net/prepare08/signup.html

Okay, on to get some sleep…

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Wow, what a week.

Life is definitely different now that Hubby is back home.  different but good.

Zoe is still growing up.  Here’s my little angel:

Then there’s my Nyomi who is growing by leaps and bounds and just hit another growth spurt not too long ago:

(I was playing around with my digital camera, attempting to take a good closeup in front of our house near a small tree):

I have lots going on in my personal life.

1.)  Our homeschool year is nearing completion.  Our community co-op meets only three more times before Summer Break…so we’re winding down a bit.  I’m going to begin the process of planning out our new school year for the upcoming year, which I’m contemplating it being year round with small 2-3 week breaks in between.  I just don’t like the idea of taking off a whole summer (3 months).

2.) I officially accepted the call into the ministry to teach the Word of God, as of April 2nd.  Ministry opportunities have been increasing for me immediately after I accepted this holy  charge.  I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to head up a bible study group at the Pink Collar Club.

I’ve always known God had called me to teach the Bible, but for some reason ran away from the stigma of “minister” because of the mode people place tend to pigeon-hole you in when you say that are called into the ministry.  So in the past I never wanted to portray myself as a minister…but that is exactly what each Christian is in a sense.  I no longer run away from this.  I embrace it because it is what God wants for me and for the world.  He has a purpose.  I was already doing the work, but just running away from the idea of the traditional sense of it.  But it is what it is.  God will use me in my own personality to deliver His message His way and I’m open to that. In fact, it’s such a strong calling that if I ran away from it ever again I’d be going against His will. I have to give an account for how I lived my life on this earth, and answering HIm when He calls is part of my accountability.

During this process of accepting the Call, I also discovered how to help others accept their call.  At ChristianLadies.net, I’ve invited several godly women to come on board with me and share their experiences as Christian women and special topics of expertise that God has gifted them to share with others.  So far the Lord has brought people from as far away as Nigeria to be a part of this and I am honored beyond measure.  Read more about our resident experts here:  http://christianladies.net/resident-experts/

3.)  I began a few more social networking groups as add-ons or sister sites to WAHM University and Christian Ladies Connect.  They are:

 http://wahmuniversity.ning.com

http://christianladies.ning.com

Piece by piece, it’s all coming together.  From the outside looking in it may seem confusing to some, but there really is a method to the madness.  There is a plan to all the projects that I’ve begun.  Sometimes it feels like it doesn’t make any sense to me, but I know the urgent call and the shift in seasons and the times to pick up a brick and begin building, or the seasons to put down the bricks and stop building.  I’ve had to submit to both.  Even though I don’t clearly see the whole picture, the vision is becoming clearer with time.  Meanwhile, I walk in faith and I don’t answer questions liek “WHY?”  or “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?”

I get the raised eyebrows, the questioning looks of wonder when people see the degree M.S. next to my name but notice that I’m home all the time.  I simply smile to myself.  It’s different indeed.  I homeschool a 1st grader, care for an infant, manage my home, run a home based business designing websites and podcasting, run an online women’s ministry, plus manage over 15 domain names/websites, and still have time for my husband at the end of the day…hmmm…

And what’s more is, I ENJOY it!

So I might be a little on the odd side.  But I love my life!

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My hubby came back home last night after a 2 week departure with the navy…

I’m so glad to have him back.  Especially Nyomi.  She missed him a great deal while he was away.

One thing’s for certain: you really appreciate what you have all the more when it’s gone.

Tonight I’m just happy and blessed that we’re together as a unit again.  Amazing…only 2 weeks and I’ve felt like it was an eternity.

The one thing I am finding that really helps to keep things in order while my husband is away is developing routines for my children.  It really helps to take some of the edge off of the difference in atmosphere.  When we have routines to look forward to everyday is not as challenging to look forward to each day with anticipation of what’s new.

Well…

We’re at a sigh of relief right now, with our missing piece of the puzzle back in place.

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We had a great time Sunday, taking family photos.

Here they are:

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Today Hubby and I got together for a little discussion for my podcast, Christian Ladies Talk Radio…and we talked about:

• what marriage is really about
• God’s idea of family roles - are there really any?
• common pitfalls in marriages
• what’s really important in sustaining a marriage

Marriage is so much more than the wedding day…

At the end of the show, I have a little surprise for my husband!

Listen in now (it’s only about 15 minutes)…

 

 Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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To my husband, Bob Fabien Zinga

True love is when I’ve been my worst, and yet you’ve shown me your best

True love is when my griping only yielded your patience

True love is when I feel depressed but you uplift me

True love is when I feel misunderstood and yet , you understand me

True love is when your reply is quiet, gentle, and strong…even in the cloudy moments

Your love brings strength into my life…I don’t want to live without you.

True love is you bringing a new level of happiness into my life without even trying.

Just keep on being you so I can keep on loving you.

Happy Valentine’s Day!!

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Ahh…how beautiful it is to get out of the house and take a walk!!!!!!!! It felt so good just to get out in the nice brisk cold and walk up the street a bit. By myself.

These days, any alone time I get is costly and sacred!!

Fortunately, my husband is GREAT about helping me out (holding Baby) while I can go relax in a bubble bath, or even check email (like right now).

I’m also grateful for all the wonderful comments I’ve received on Zoe’s birth. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!! She really is a blessed angel sent to us from Heaven. We’re so happy to have her be a part of our family. After losing 2 by miscarriage, Zoe is definitely our Godsend, and we prayed especially for her. We’re blessed to have her with us and thank God every day.

Well, I’m sure Zoe will wake up soon for a feeding. We’re still working on the whole fussiness bit (it’s typically every afternoon past 3:00 that she fusses while nursing- and she still won’t bottle feed). I’ve called the pediatrician and waiting on a call back now…

So I’d better go…

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As you can imagine, these days have been filled with attempts to get back into some type of regular family routine. I’ve had lots of family help– my mom has been over every day to help me out (a major God-send!) and my husband has been absolutely wonderful to me since he’s overseen dinner every night for the past week and a half and helps out a lot with the baby so I can take a breather once in a while.
Having 2 kids is definitely different than just 1 and I still have yet to discover what it’s truly like to get out of the house on time with a kindergartener and an infant.

At any rate, I’m enjoying the freedom of just resting as I heal up after the surgery. What’s really great about having a baby during this time of the year is that it’s such a beautiful season, mid-way between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Speaking of season, can it get any hotter for a mid December day? It’s around 70 or so degrees outside and I haven’t had a chance to get out and take a walk in this beautiful weather.

Now, as for web consulting business…everything is on hold for now, at least until January. Same thing for the women’s ministry (Christian Ladies Connect). I’ve been enjoying our study there (What Every Mom Needs by MOPS)…but now it’s time for me to relax (one of my needs!!)

Week 1 was tough…I barely got any sleep. This week is much better, although I’m still struggling to establish some time of structure around our home.

Every day the hours seem to mesh together and before long my morning has stretched to afternoon, evening, and bedtime. Where is the time flying?

Meanwhile, I’ve got my 5 year old to think about who’s still wanting to work on homeschool projects with me. ALthough I’m taking it easy and not too concerned about structured lesson plans for December, art is definitely top of the list. Now that I can do. The plan is to pick a few Christmas projects and just have fun with it this month. We are still working some math and reading into our daily schedule too during my down time (or when I’m not on the computer like right now!!!)

Okay, it’s time for me to go grab a nap while Baby is asleep.

–Dee

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Happy Birthday, Zoe !!!!

Zoe (pronounced “zo-ee”) Saraiah Faith Zinga was born 7 pounds 4 ounces on November 28, 2007.

Thank you to everyone who came to visit, gave flowers and gifts, phone calls, and wished us the best. We are grateful for friends and family who care so much.

We are ultimately grateful to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, for blessing us with another one of His daughters, sent to us as a special gift straight from Heaven.

Zoe, we prayed especially for you and 9 months later you arrived!!! What an awesome God we serve!

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