Hello! Well we are nearly a week into Jack's new schooling regime. It is going quite well. We hardly have any fussing. The biggest problem I have is that Jack likes to chat...and when you are doing a task that is timed - say 20 minutes of oral reading, it messes with the flow of things when he decides he wants to have a deep discussion. I will say how nice it is to get his schooling done in about 2 hours. Soooo nice!
Spring is here! We are having warmer temps - up into the low 50's a few times this week. But, we are still having the gloomy, overcast, drizzly days. I have been able to turn off the oil heat boiler during the day as it gets warm enough to keep the house over 60. But most nights I have to turn it on to keep the house at 60.
News on the family front. Or rather the family planning front. I have been wrestling with the whole, "we should trust the Lord with our family size" issues. It says so many times in the Bible that He opens and closes the womb. And in an effort to trust in God more - rather than my own understanding...I have been feeling like we shouldn't be trying to take control from God. It especially hit home after watching a You Tube video on the declining reproduction rate of non-muslim families around the world - and how the muslims are literally going to take over by virtue of out birthing them. It was rather shocking that in some European countries the muslims account of 50% of the births in the nation. I think it was the Netherlands that had the highest islamic birth rate per populus. Anyway - I got to thinking. There are 2 main reasons nations' non-muslims population is failing.
(1)Abortion. In American alone millions of babies are aborted every year. WHen you think about the fact that this has been occurring for 30+ years. If all of those babies had grown up to have babies of their own, and later grandbabies - our population would be much healthier (numerically speaking). Reason (2) - birth control. It is no wonder, that in our self sufficient nation we do not rely on God for our provisions - least of these in the planning of our families? Even in the majority of Christian families - we decide how many children we ought to have. When we should have them, etc. We don't trust God to provide for the children He blesses us. How strong would our nations be if we allowed for God to lead in these matters?
So, I have been struggling. Izzy is 3. He has, by far, been the biggest challenge to our parenting. Strong willed, into everything. I won't lie. Part of me is very afraid of having another "Izzy". But then again, I don't even know if the Lord has any more for us. Well, I think hubby is struggling with this too. However, Proverbs 3:5 keeps coming into my mind, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart - lean not on your own understanding". I need to keep praying some more. I will keep you updated.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
Help for Jack - despite his silly mother.
I must confess. I have major self esteem issues. Always have. One of the joys that my dad bestoyed on me by abandoning his family for another woman, and divorcing his children at the same time he divorced his wife. But that is a whole can of worms to be spilled another time. Just be happy to know, that I have those self esteem issues. I know, I know - many, MANY people have self esteem issues. But mine are lovely. They often keep me from reaching out and asking for help. Won't you be my neighbor...
Case in point. Homeschooling. I homeschool my children. Or rather most of them. Our oldest has autism and attends school in a special program. So the rest I homeschool. I refuse to render to Caesar what belongs to God. Remember in the Bible? When Jesus was asked by the Pharisees if they ought to pay taxes to the Caesar? Well, Jesus asked them who's face was on the coin. When they told him Caesar's image was on the coin, Jesus then said, "Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's." (Matthew 22:21) I refuse to give my children's souls to the government to brainwash. For they are God's.
Ok, I know - I know. Just follow me for a bit down this rabbit hole. My mom was a public school teacher for 40+ years. She taught 1st grade most of those years. Some she taught 3rd, and a few years she was a reading specialist. But mostly, 1st grade. She has never really supported our decision to homeschool. Well, to say that is rather a stretch. She frequently tells me they "should be in school". I think she takes it as a personal affront to her that I don't trust the school system with my children. Again, another can of worms for another time. So, I have this anxiety/self esteem issue that I am not doing a good enough job with the kids at home.
Then there's Jack. He is all boy. I am sure if he was in school, he'd be labeled ADHD. He can't sit still, talks faster than his brain can think, very active. Like I said all boy. He is struggling with reading. We are working through 2nd grade with him, although he could be in 3rd. His birthday is mid-August, and if he had been going to school, I would not have sent him to kinder the year he turned 5 - only 2 weeks before the cut off date. So, the year he turned 5 - I did a pre-K type of program with him. Very loosey goosey. He wasn't interested. I did more hands on/real life learning with him. The next year ( he turned 6 - when I WOULD have sent him to kinder - if I had gone the whole school route), I did a kindergarten curriculum with him. Still with me? Good. Well now here we are *technically* in the 3rd quarter of 2nd grade. Well, he is actually doing 3rd grade math. And 1st grade work in reading/language arts ...but I digress. He is still struggling with reading. He can, MAYBE read mid-1st grade. And of course, my mom is all in a twitter (upset, in a dither - not to be confused with Twitter the message system) telling me how far behind he is and he SHOULD be in school to catch up. He is 8 now. I make sure I am working with him 1:1, alone first thing in the school day on reading. Catching him fresh - first thing. But here we are. We have been working on it for several years and he isn't making much progress. In fact, it is one step forward, 2 steps back. This is where my self esteem issues come in. I realize there is a problem here. But for fear of people finding out (or thinking) I am an incompetent teacher, I don't seek help. From traditional sources. I do, however, pray and seek guidance from the Lord. And read the Word.
Today - BREAKTHROUGH! No, not for Jack. (Well kinda for him - but not what you are thinking). FOR ME! I belong to a Large Family Living group on Facebook. I know there are many homeschooling mamas there. So, I take a deep breath, say a prayer, and post about my situation with Jack and his struggles. I ask for help from any homeschooling mama who have been their and done that. God gave me the strength to not care if they thought I was an incompetent boob or not.
And guess what??? People RESPONDED! Kindly. Sweetly. I got several, "don't worry about it - my kids didn't read well until they were older" responses. But - I also got a few responses from mamas who had struggling learners and where they found help. One lady gave me the link to HSLDA's "struggling learner" page. *Side note. We have been members of HSLDA for 4 years now. So why I never thought to check them for info is beyond me. So - on the HSLDA site, there is an article written by Dianne Craft. http://www.hslda.org/strugglinglearner/ . I read it, and then click on the "Visual Processing Dysfunction" checklist link. It is Jack to a "t". I couldn't believe it! Here it is...I cut and pasted from the aforementioned site.
My poor little guy! (Although not so little anymore - we like to keep them little in our hearts. Don't we mamas?) How many times had he complained of having tired eyes, rubbed his eyes, even said they hurt? I put him off ...knowing he eyes were fine because I'd had him to the eye doctor in the last year - and I thought he just didn't want to work at reading. Oh the guilt! But the guilt turned to joy. I kept reading. Dianne Craft mentions that there are exercises I can do at HOME (Me! I can help!!!! YIPPEE!!!!). So I go over to HER site. http://www.diannecraft.org/ There I find a book called, "Brain Integration Therapy", along with a few other items that should help me help Jack to retrain his brain. So, they are purchased and on their way. I'll keep you updated on his progress.
PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!!! Although technically this sorrow turned to joy in the afternoon - I am blessed abundantly, and so is Jack.
Case in point. Homeschooling. I homeschool my children. Or rather most of them. Our oldest has autism and attends school in a special program. So the rest I homeschool. I refuse to render to Caesar what belongs to God. Remember in the Bible? When Jesus was asked by the Pharisees if they ought to pay taxes to the Caesar? Well, Jesus asked them who's face was on the coin. When they told him Caesar's image was on the coin, Jesus then said, "Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's." (Matthew 22:21) I refuse to give my children's souls to the government to brainwash. For they are God's.
Ok, I know - I know. Just follow me for a bit down this rabbit hole. My mom was a public school teacher for 40+ years. She taught 1st grade most of those years. Some she taught 3rd, and a few years she was a reading specialist. But mostly, 1st grade. She has never really supported our decision to homeschool. Well, to say that is rather a stretch. She frequently tells me they "should be in school". I think she takes it as a personal affront to her that I don't trust the school system with my children. Again, another can of worms for another time. So, I have this anxiety/self esteem issue that I am not doing a good enough job with the kids at home.
Then there's Jack. He is all boy. I am sure if he was in school, he'd be labeled ADHD. He can't sit still, talks faster than his brain can think, very active. Like I said all boy. He is struggling with reading. We are working through 2nd grade with him, although he could be in 3rd. His birthday is mid-August, and if he had been going to school, I would not have sent him to kinder the year he turned 5 - only 2 weeks before the cut off date. So, the year he turned 5 - I did a pre-K type of program with him. Very loosey goosey. He wasn't interested. I did more hands on/real life learning with him. The next year ( he turned 6 - when I WOULD have sent him to kinder - if I had gone the whole school route), I did a kindergarten curriculum with him. Still with me? Good. Well now here we are *technically* in the 3rd quarter of 2nd grade. Well, he is actually doing 3rd grade math. And 1st grade work in reading/language arts ...but I digress. He is still struggling with reading. He can, MAYBE read mid-1st grade. And of course, my mom is all in a twitter (upset, in a dither - not to be confused with Twitter the message system) telling me how far behind he is and he SHOULD be in school to catch up. He is 8 now. I make sure I am working with him 1:1, alone first thing in the school day on reading. Catching him fresh - first thing. But here we are. We have been working on it for several years and he isn't making much progress. In fact, it is one step forward, 2 steps back. This is where my self esteem issues come in. I realize there is a problem here. But for fear of people finding out (or thinking) I am an incompetent teacher, I don't seek help. From traditional sources. I do, however, pray and seek guidance from the Lord. And read the Word.
Today - BREAKTHROUGH! No, not for Jack. (Well kinda for him - but not what you are thinking). FOR ME! I belong to a Large Family Living group on Facebook. I know there are many homeschooling mamas there. So, I take a deep breath, say a prayer, and post about my situation with Jack and his struggles. I ask for help from any homeschooling mama who have been their and done that. God gave me the strength to not care if they thought I was an incompetent boob or not.
And guess what??? People RESPONDED! Kindly. Sweetly. I got several, "don't worry about it - my kids didn't read well until they were older" responses. But - I also got a few responses from mamas who had struggling learners and where they found help. One lady gave me the link to HSLDA's "struggling learner" page. *Side note. We have been members of HSLDA for 4 years now. So why I never thought to check them for info is beyond me. So - on the HSLDA site, there is an article written by Dianne Craft. http://www.hslda.org/strugglinglearner/ . I read it, and then click on the "Visual Processing Dysfunction" checklist link. It is Jack to a "t". I couldn't believe it! Here it is...I cut and pasted from the aforementioned site.
Visual Processing Dysfunction Characteristics
A child struggling with visual processing issues will display some of these characteristics:
- Reading reversals (“was” for “saw,” “on” for “no,” “big” for “dig,” etc.) after initial introduction of the words.
- Skipping of small words when reading.
- Needing to use finger to track after age 7.
- Oral reading that is smooth at the beginning of the page, but becomes more labored the longer a child reads.
- Experiencing eye fatigue shortly after reading begins (watery eyes, rubbing eyes).
- Yawning shortly after reading begins.
- Continuing to struggle even after being prescribed eye glasses.
My poor little guy! (Although not so little anymore - we like to keep them little in our hearts. Don't we mamas?) How many times had he complained of having tired eyes, rubbed his eyes, even said they hurt? I put him off ...knowing he eyes were fine because I'd had him to the eye doctor in the last year - and I thought he just didn't want to work at reading. Oh the guilt! But the guilt turned to joy. I kept reading. Dianne Craft mentions that there are exercises I can do at HOME (Me! I can help!!!! YIPPEE!!!!). So I go over to HER site. http://www.diannecraft.org/ There I find a book called, "Brain Integration Therapy", along with a few other items that should help me help Jack to retrain his brain. So, they are purchased and on their way. I'll keep you updated on his progress.
PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!!! Although technically this sorrow turned to joy in the afternoon - I am blessed abundantly, and so is Jack.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
In shock. And grieving.
12 March 2011. Palestinian terrorists broke into the Fogel home in Itamar. They killed a husband and wife, and 3 of their 6 children. Their only tresspass? Being Jews. My heart aches. I have cried and prayed, and prayed and cried. Come Lord Jesus come. How much longer do your children have to suffer at the hands of monsters? I can not fathom...there just are not words. I pray the Lord blankets the survivors, and those touched by this heinous crime with the peace that passes all understanding.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
The Week That Was...Sick
Wow. That little gem of hubby's spread like wild fire. So, hubby got ill last Tueday night with a bad tummy bug. He was sick through Wednesday - slept all of Thursday, and finally managed to drag himself back to work Friday - where his underlings declared he looked like death warmed up.
Friday afternoon, on the way back from looking at a house (did I mention we are house hunting again?) - Izzy came down with it. In the van. All over the van. Oh joy. Then later that night - I got it. Thankfully Izzy bounced back and was right as rain in the morning, because I was about as useful as an overcooked noodle. And hubby had duty. Nice. But then, hubby's boss let him come home for an hour or 2, not once - but 2 different times during the day. That WAS nice. Such a blessing! I need to get a nice "thank you" note and a coffee off to him. So Saturday saw me dazed, and sicker than a dog - on the couch. Hubby was home around lunch time and fed the troops. I mustered the strength to order pizza delivery for dinner, and got everyone tucked into bed. Praying that God would let everyone sleep peacefully through the night.
Praise God! Not only did all the kids sleep well - but they slept in! My kids! Who usually can smell the sun rise...I got to sleep in. Seeing as how I crashed at about 9:30pm and slept until 8ish am, I got nearly 11 hours of good, solid sleep. I awoke on Sunday morning feeling much MUCH better. Still tired and weak - but much better.
So, Sunday things started pretty uneventful. We obviously skipped church. I did not want to visit these germs on anyone else. And a good thing too. By early afternoon poor Esther had it. She had what hubby jokingly called prison pallor. The poor gal was so ill - she was gray. And Sunday night - Pippa came down with it too. I was on dawn patrol with Pippa. I always bring the wee ones in bed with me when they are ill. It just makes it easier on us all. I can doze when they do.
Monday. Esther is still couch bound - looking more like she is a human incarnation of a wrung out dish rag than the sweet, beautiful 9 year old she is. Pippa, however is bounding around the house like she was never ill. It is amazing how quickly the littlest ones recover. Hubby had the day off and took Jack to swim practice. However, almost as soon as they return home at 3pm...you guessed, Jack came down with it. Jack, however surprises me. By the time I decided to send him to bed (around 9pm or so) he is improving and keeping down liquids. He is alert and talkative. Esther is now keeping down sips of liquid - but still looks and acts quite ill.
Tuesday. Jack wakes up fine. Yay! Esther is much better too. Still a bit pale. But able to eat bland foods and get up and around. Bed time sees everyone well. Olivia never got it. But then again, as a high functioning autistic teen-ager, she spends a lot of time in her "girl cave" (read room). So she wasn't around us sickies much.
What a week! I don't want to do that again any time soon. Or ever. On the plus side? Hubby was SUCH a help. Laundry, dishes, cooking for the kids when I was ill. He kept ASKING me what he could be doing. What I would like him to do. What a joy! I was so blessed in my illness to see what he can and will do to pick up the slack. It really makes me realize that despite my frustrations with him - he is a good guy. He loves me. He would swim through shark infested water to bring his family lemonade.
Friday afternoon, on the way back from looking at a house (did I mention we are house hunting again?) - Izzy came down with it. In the van. All over the van. Oh joy. Then later that night - I got it. Thankfully Izzy bounced back and was right as rain in the morning, because I was about as useful as an overcooked noodle. And hubby had duty. Nice. But then, hubby's boss let him come home for an hour or 2, not once - but 2 different times during the day. That WAS nice. Such a blessing! I need to get a nice "thank you" note and a coffee off to him. So Saturday saw me dazed, and sicker than a dog - on the couch. Hubby was home around lunch time and fed the troops. I mustered the strength to order pizza delivery for dinner, and got everyone tucked into bed. Praying that God would let everyone sleep peacefully through the night.
Praise God! Not only did all the kids sleep well - but they slept in! My kids! Who usually can smell the sun rise...I got to sleep in. Seeing as how I crashed at about 9:30pm and slept until 8ish am, I got nearly 11 hours of good, solid sleep. I awoke on Sunday morning feeling much MUCH better. Still tired and weak - but much better.
So, Sunday things started pretty uneventful. We obviously skipped church. I did not want to visit these germs on anyone else. And a good thing too. By early afternoon poor Esther had it. She had what hubby jokingly called prison pallor. The poor gal was so ill - she was gray. And Sunday night - Pippa came down with it too. I was on dawn patrol with Pippa. I always bring the wee ones in bed with me when they are ill. It just makes it easier on us all. I can doze when they do.
Monday. Esther is still couch bound - looking more like she is a human incarnation of a wrung out dish rag than the sweet, beautiful 9 year old she is. Pippa, however is bounding around the house like she was never ill. It is amazing how quickly the littlest ones recover. Hubby had the day off and took Jack to swim practice. However, almost as soon as they return home at 3pm...you guessed, Jack came down with it. Jack, however surprises me. By the time I decided to send him to bed (around 9pm or so) he is improving and keeping down liquids. He is alert and talkative. Esther is now keeping down sips of liquid - but still looks and acts quite ill.
Tuesday. Jack wakes up fine. Yay! Esther is much better too. Still a bit pale. But able to eat bland foods and get up and around. Bed time sees everyone well. Olivia never got it. But then again, as a high functioning autistic teen-ager, she spends a lot of time in her "girl cave" (read room). So she wasn't around us sickies much.
What a week! I don't want to do that again any time soon. Or ever. On the plus side? Hubby was SUCH a help. Laundry, dishes, cooking for the kids when I was ill. He kept ASKING me what he could be doing. What I would like him to do. What a joy! I was so blessed in my illness to see what he can and will do to pick up the slack. It really makes me realize that despite my frustrations with him - he is a good guy. He loves me. He would swim through shark infested water to bring his family lemonade.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
On no...not again (warning - TMI to follow)
The dreaded tummy bug has settled upon my sweet hubby. Again. Poor guy. He is the throwing up-iest man I have ever met. He gets these bad tummy bugs at least twice a year. I am praying he keeps this little gem to himself. It started suddenly yesterday evening. This morning when I woke him up for work at 6am...yes, I said work. You see guys and gals, when you belong to the military you don't get the option of calling in sick. You have to drag your raggedy ole self into what they call "sick call". Meaning you have to go see the base doctor/nurse/health person and they decide what to do with you. So my poor sick hubby went into sick call and he was so dehydrated they placed an IV and gave him 2 bags of saline. They wrote him a note to give to his command saying he can't work today or tomorrow. Hubby stumbles in the front door at about 10am with some anti-nausea meds, and some gatorade. He basically slept the day away - which is a good thing. For when the body is sleeping it is not vomiting or doing other ghastly things.
I just hate it when hubby is ill. I mean, when he is ILL - like he is now. Can't get out of bed, sleeping all day. I just feel so vulnerable and, I don't know - helpless. It is times like these that I realize how much I do rely on him. He is my rock that I lean on. He provides for us. He is my strong he-man who has the ability to make everything better - and banish the monsters from under the bed. And somehow when he is so down and out sick - I worry about living without him. I know that probably sounds corny, or hysterical. But that is just how I am. God gifted me with him - my better half, my help-meet to walk through life on earth with...and I don't want to go through life without him. When he is so ill, it hits home that people do get ill and die...and I get a morbid glimpse into what life without him would be like. And I do not like it Sam I Am.
I just hate it when hubby is ill. I mean, when he is ILL - like he is now. Can't get out of bed, sleeping all day. I just feel so vulnerable and, I don't know - helpless. It is times like these that I realize how much I do rely on him. He is my rock that I lean on. He provides for us. He is my strong he-man who has the ability to make everything better - and banish the monsters from under the bed. And somehow when he is so down and out sick - I worry about living without him. I know that probably sounds corny, or hysterical. But that is just how I am. God gifted me with him - my better half, my help-meet to walk through life on earth with...and I don't want to go through life without him. When he is so ill, it hits home that people do get ill and die...and I get a morbid glimpse into what life without him would be like. And I do not like it Sam I Am.
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