Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder?

I am taking a break from blogging. 

There -I said it! Just ripped it off like a Band-Aid!

Now... onto why:

The other day, on my college coaching call, I had a startling revelation: 

I could graduate in six months!

Now, the thing about CollegePlus! is that I will graduate in six months if I stay on track -as long as life continues along its normal course, as long as I diligently study and apply myself to all of the subjects that lay ahead, and, by God's grace, I could have my degree before the spring of 2011, and before my twenty-first birthday. 

I tend to be a student who moves forward with her head down -I am a goal-oriented person, but my goal was always just to pass the next test... then the next... and the next... and before I knew it, I only had 8 Dantes and CLEP tests left... four classes to take long-distance from Thomas Edison State College... and I'm done! (Now, a killer biology test stands between me and done, so we'll see how that pans out.)

And done means that I'll have my B.A., and all the things I've been saying I'll devote more time to "after I graduate" will be staring me in the face: will I take the GMAT? Will I get my nouthetic counseling certification? Will I finally stop putting of the driving test and get my driver's license (okay, the answer to the last one is, yes... I think... my parents would probably burst into tears of joy if I did that one at last)? 

One thing I know I would like to do: start teaching an English/history class from our home. This week, I talked to my first potential students, and our conversation showed me that I have a lot of planning and preparation ahead of me there. I'm stoked and petrified at the same time. I won't be a "licensed professional" until I have my English degree... and even then, I'll still only be a twenty-year-old lover of words with very little experienced... but experience has to start somewhere, right?

With college winding down -with my book soon to be published -with finding that awesome niche with working in sync with my family -and with some other projects we have in the works, I've been thinking a lot about this blog... and how I'd like to take a break from writing here to, perhaps, fill those pockets of spare time with things like:

• more planning time for my class
• more study time
• more writing time (apart from this site)
• more home-keeping time (like taking a gardening class or a cooking class, even)
• more down-time

So, I think I'm taking a sabbatical (it's so hard to walk away!). At least for the month of July (and possibly longer), Joyfully at Home will be somewhat dormant. I know, right? Bummer. But just imagine me homeschooling my little brother (starting to teach him how to read!), studying for CLEP tests, writing to my heart's content, reading like nobody's business, learning the art of home-management, taking long, leisurely bike rides with my brother, going to the movies with my friends and my grandmother (tomorrow!!), spending quality time with my family (usually either laughing or deeply pondering at our house), staying grounded in the study of God's Word, and still thinking, stretching, and being constantly sanctified by the Lord, and you'll have a good idea of what I would have been writing about anyhow. ;-)

Now, some good news: 

• I have a review of Eclipse sitting in my drafts folder at this very moment... I may post it this month just because the movie is fresh on everyone's minds; however, I'm debating about doing so, because my last Twilight articles got so much feedback, I would probably have to field a lot of questions and comments on that one. I'm leaning towards yes, though. 
• Also, I will still be writing for Ladies Against Feminism occasionally, as well as Raising Homemakers; I also have a few guest posts due for Like a Warm Cup of Coffee. 
• Finally, since I'm going to miss posting about Elijah David's birthday (July 21st), here's a picture of my special boy:

This one's a few months old -he has less teeth now =)

I cannot describe to you how much I love this energetic, encouraging, gregarious, wizened, bossy, cute, sweet little guy. Elijah is my "special boy" -his smile warms me straight down to my toes, and he knows it. =) When he came into our home, everything changed: I learned to love and care for someone like I never had before. I learned about changing dirty diapers... and I learned about exulting over every new little trick "our baby" performed. I learned about comforting a wailing, inconsolable infant... and I learned that there is no feeling in this world like rocking a little one as he dozes off to a lullaby. I learned about little sin natures... and I learned that, as the oldest child in the Baucham home, and as the oldest of the younger set, Elijah in I have the most in common -personality-wise -of all of the Baucham siblings. 

I cannot believe he's twice the age he was in this picture. He's reading now, learning more and more about the Word, having the cutest little revelations, and looking out for his other brothers as well. Whenever I see him playing with his brothers and friends, I wish I was six years old, too, so we could grow up together -he's such a cool kid -but being an adult and being able to watch him grow up is such a blessing as well.

He's always trying to push me to get married ("Jasmine, you just need a husband! I'm sure somebody out there will want to marry you! Just try!"), but he breaks down crying whenever I'm away... and I'll never tell him, but I usually cry, too. I can't imagine life without my sweet, self-proclaimed (and uncontested) "special baby" -I'm so glad the Lord blessed my family with that precious gift almost six years ago. 

Now that I'm crying... while I'm gone, feel free to comment on this post with article ideas for when I get back. And I'll see you soon! The Lord bless you and keep you.