I am at a loss for a whitty title. Again.
We have begun the 2012-2013 school year. I don't know why - but suddenly adding a 3rd, full time schooling child has really changed the dynamics of our little home school in the boonies. Often, I am not done schooling everyone until dinner - and the house has never been less organized. And yet - I am thankful that YHVH has blessed me to be able to have a home to be messy, and my husband with a job that allows me to stay home and school the children.
Hubby took the 2012 Service Wide Exam in May to make chief. He tested well, and with his dinosaur points is sitting at #5 on the list (of about 80). I am so excited! We are expecting the cuts to be out any time in the next week or so. Praying this will mean we can move next summer.
Summer went by way too fast. Didn't do anything major. Camped out in the yard, swam in the pool. The kids all grew. And we are already waking up to a frost nearly every morning.
Sadly, I have 3 family members struggling with cancer. My father was diagnosed with colon cancer last year. They got it all with surgery, and he is going for follow up routinely - but they found a few more polps recently. My dad's next youngest brother was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer a few months ago and has been given 12 to 18 months to live. There is no real treatment for small cell cancer. My mom's brother had prostate cancer - stage 3. They treated it with radiation - and he was doing better, but recent tests indicate the cancer is growing again. I hate cancer.
There is so much more to say, but lunch break is over and it is back to the grindstone....
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Education.
I am so overjoyed, and sad. How wonderfully complex our YHVH made us! Our 5 children are all so fearfully and wonderfully made - and YHVH made them all so different. I have made some discoveries lately about my children's academic abilities and struggles. It was a boon for me, as I realized I am not failing them in education - but it also tore at my heart to realize that I do have a child who struggles immensely despite all the different things I have tried with him.
It is no secret that our oldest has autism. She is now what you could call "high functioning". She is in regular ed. classes in 10th grade at age 17 (she just had her birthday last week), with the exception of math. She goes to public school - and always has. It started when she was 3, and she got on that short yellow "special" bus to special education preschool and has just continued. She was always in self contained programs. She was protected in a little nest, so to speak. Until high school. She has bloomed in many ways. I look at her and marvel at how far she has come, but it is sobering also that she is nearly an adult and won't be doing normal adult things (that is another post for another time).
Our 2nd child, Esther is my right hand gal. She is 11 going on 25. Taught herself to read at age 3. Flourishes where ever she is. She went to private kindergarten at our church school in San Diego, and then I have homeschooled her from 1st grade on. Schooling is easy for her - and she zips through her work most day is 90 minutes or so. Devours books like there is no tomorrow.
Child number 3 is Jack. He is my struggling learner, in regards to reading. Math- he is a wiz. Jack is exceptionally bright, and loves to learn. He has so much to say, about anything and everything. You can watch the gears in his mind spin. He thinks about everything! However, he struggles with reading. And by struggle - I mean outright fights for every little baby step he makes in progress. It exhausts him, and rather depresses him. At 9 (almost 10), I feel I have tried everything. It is just a very very slow go. Most days it takes him 4+ hours to get through his individual school work. And it breaks my heart. I know he feels stupid.
4th in line is Pippa. Miss Penelope Pit Stop. Princess Pea. She is 5, and about 6 month ago started reading. At. Break. Neck. Speed. She is now a fluent reading with feeling. Probably reading mid-2nd grade level. (Probably better than Jack. And as I type that I cry.) Math stumps her sometimes...I used to chuckle about how well she reads, and yet 1+1=11 to her. But she is making progress there and "gets" basic addition and subtraction now. I school her sporadically, as time allows. Which really isn't more than once or twice a week for 30 minutes. Age wise, I should be starting kindergarten curriculum with her in the fall, but will start first grade instead. Why hold her back because of her age?
Israel (aka Izzy) is thus far, last in line...our caboose. He knows his letters, numbers, and shocked me this morning by pointing to a word and reading it. Izzy is 4, a sweet heart, cute as a bug's ear, and just a ball of joy. I haven't really spent any time schooling him formally. I am hoping that next fall, when Pippa settles into formal sit down instruction, I'll have some time to spend with him 1:1.
I used to think I wasn't a good teacher. That I just got lucky with Esther. Jack struggled so much with reading. I knew it was me. Then Pippa came along and picked up reading. I started to wonder if maybe Jack just had some special problems...maybe it wasn't ALL me. Now that Izzy is starting to read - and showing none of the issues Jack has, I am fairly convinced it is not me. My heart breaks that at nearly 10, the 5 year old reads better than he does. I hate to see how hard Jack has to work to learn a skill - only to realize the next day, that he did not retain it. That we are back to square one. I remember being in a grocery store when I was 20. A man approached me with some cans of cat food. He asked me to read the label and tell me what flavor they were. He could not read. I realize that my son is not much better off, and secretly fear that he will be that man someday. Jack thinks he is stupid - and I tell him he is not, and remind him of all of his wonderful talents. But when you struggle with basic reading, and your sibling that is 5 years younger can out read you - it doesn't seem to matter. I am in the process of getting Jack an appointment to see a neuro-psychologist for educational assessment. I hope that can shed some light, and maybe point us down some unknown road we haven't yet tried.
It is no secret that our oldest has autism. She is now what you could call "high functioning". She is in regular ed. classes in 10th grade at age 17 (she just had her birthday last week), with the exception of math. She goes to public school - and always has. It started when she was 3, and she got on that short yellow "special" bus to special education preschool and has just continued. She was always in self contained programs. She was protected in a little nest, so to speak. Until high school. She has bloomed in many ways. I look at her and marvel at how far she has come, but it is sobering also that she is nearly an adult and won't be doing normal adult things (that is another post for another time).
Our 2nd child, Esther is my right hand gal. She is 11 going on 25. Taught herself to read at age 3. Flourishes where ever she is. She went to private kindergarten at our church school in San Diego, and then I have homeschooled her from 1st grade on. Schooling is easy for her - and she zips through her work most day is 90 minutes or so. Devours books like there is no tomorrow.
Child number 3 is Jack. He is my struggling learner, in regards to reading. Math- he is a wiz. Jack is exceptionally bright, and loves to learn. He has so much to say, about anything and everything. You can watch the gears in his mind spin. He thinks about everything! However, he struggles with reading. And by struggle - I mean outright fights for every little baby step he makes in progress. It exhausts him, and rather depresses him. At 9 (almost 10), I feel I have tried everything. It is just a very very slow go. Most days it takes him 4+ hours to get through his individual school work. And it breaks my heart. I know he feels stupid.
4th in line is Pippa. Miss Penelope Pit Stop. Princess Pea. She is 5, and about 6 month ago started reading. At. Break. Neck. Speed. She is now a fluent reading with feeling. Probably reading mid-2nd grade level. (Probably better than Jack. And as I type that I cry.) Math stumps her sometimes...I used to chuckle about how well she reads, and yet 1+1=11 to her. But she is making progress there and "gets" basic addition and subtraction now. I school her sporadically, as time allows. Which really isn't more than once or twice a week for 30 minutes. Age wise, I should be starting kindergarten curriculum with her in the fall, but will start first grade instead. Why hold her back because of her age?
Israel (aka Izzy) is thus far, last in line...our caboose. He knows his letters, numbers, and shocked me this morning by pointing to a word and reading it. Izzy is 4, a sweet heart, cute as a bug's ear, and just a ball of joy. I haven't really spent any time schooling him formally. I am hoping that next fall, when Pippa settles into formal sit down instruction, I'll have some time to spend with him 1:1.
I used to think I wasn't a good teacher. That I just got lucky with Esther. Jack struggled so much with reading. I knew it was me. Then Pippa came along and picked up reading. I started to wonder if maybe Jack just had some special problems...maybe it wasn't ALL me. Now that Izzy is starting to read - and showing none of the issues Jack has, I am fairly convinced it is not me. My heart breaks that at nearly 10, the 5 year old reads better than he does. I hate to see how hard Jack has to work to learn a skill - only to realize the next day, that he did not retain it. That we are back to square one. I remember being in a grocery store when I was 20. A man approached me with some cans of cat food. He asked me to read the label and tell me what flavor they were. He could not read. I realize that my son is not much better off, and secretly fear that he will be that man someday. Jack thinks he is stupid - and I tell him he is not, and remind him of all of his wonderful talents. But when you struggle with basic reading, and your sibling that is 5 years younger can out read you - it doesn't seem to matter. I am in the process of getting Jack an appointment to see a neuro-psychologist for educational assessment. I hope that can shed some light, and maybe point us down some unknown road we haven't yet tried.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Hello 2012! Where have I been?
I guess I haven't been to update-y on this thing have I? Here we are. 1/6th through 2012. We made some big changes over the summer and at the end of 2011.
In August. Shortly after coming back from our trip to California to visit my mom. We moved out to the country. Not too far. About 20 miles outside of town. I (mostly) love country life.
We left our church. It was not an easy choice. The pastor/elders appointed someone into the leadership of the church who adheres to unBiblical beliefs. Beliefs that actually are directly apposed to the church's statement of faith. And this person was actively involved in prosylitizing members of the congregation to his beliefs (despite being warned by the pastor not to). We went to an elder. Then the board of elders. Finally we met with the pastor and the head elder. There was no budging. We chose to leave. In all, 4 families left.
We were hard pressed to find a Bible believing, Bible teaching church. In the end, we found a home church. It is actually a Messianic Jewish congregation. We have been learning a great deal.
Will finish this later...I must run to take Olivia to school.....
In August. Shortly after coming back from our trip to California to visit my mom. We moved out to the country. Not too far. About 20 miles outside of town. I (mostly) love country life.
We left our church. It was not an easy choice. The pastor/elders appointed someone into the leadership of the church who adheres to unBiblical beliefs. Beliefs that actually are directly apposed to the church's statement of faith. And this person was actively involved in prosylitizing members of the congregation to his beliefs (despite being warned by the pastor not to). We went to an elder. Then the board of elders. Finally we met with the pastor and the head elder. There was no budging. We chose to leave. In all, 4 families left.
We were hard pressed to find a Bible believing, Bible teaching church. In the end, we found a home church. It is actually a Messianic Jewish congregation. We have been learning a great deal.
Will finish this later...I must run to take Olivia to school.....
Thursday, September 15, 2011
A blessing from the Lord!
Hello out there, what a blessing we have had! I have known for 6 months that our washing machine (a now 8 year old Fisher-Paykel eco-smart) was leaking. We moved last month to a lovely home on acreage in the country, and when we did - it started REALLY leaking....like, it took a beach towel to catch all the water over the period of a 24 hour period. (With 5 kids I do 3+ loads of laundry a day.) So we have been looking and looking and looking at washing machines. I really liked the GE 4.1 cu. ft. front loader. Reviews seemed good, and I discovered that a dear friend of mine who has 9 children has one and loves it. But, it retails for $999. Logistically, I could not justify spending that much on a washer. So - I put it out of my mind. We have to be content with where the Lord has us.
As I said, Hubby and I have been researching machines and looking around the local shops and on the internet and found one we thought would be a good fit - for just under $700. We had been waiting for payday (yesterday) to purchase it.
Of course, I chat with my mom often - she is such a blessing in my life. Ok, daily. I admit it. So my mom knows the washing machine saga - and how I had hoped to limp our old leaky washer along until we got our tax return in February or so. But I just couldn't wait any longer. We had discussed the $700 washer Hubby was getting, etc. Yesterday, I am on-line checking our bank accounts to make sure Hubby's pay had been deposited and that it was for the correct amount. You see, working for the military - mistakes in pay are not uncommon and it is always a fear of mine that payday will come and we will only get 1/2 a pay check or something. You would not believe how often things like that happen. Someone pushes the wrong button somewhere and "whoops we accidentally took your husband off of the payroll". But that is another story for another time. So, I was on-line and discover there was an extra $500 in our account - deposited from my mom. I called mom to ask her about it. She said, "The Lord has been nagging me about it. I don't know why He didn't put it on my heart to give you the entire amount of the washer, but He didn't. He kept telling me to give you guys $500 for a washer." Of course, I thanked her profusely, and told her how grateful I am.
Ok, stay with me. So now it is yesterday afternoon. We have to go into town to take Liv (16) to her church youth group weekly Bible study. Since we are in town - we go over to Home Depot. I needed a bolt that I had lost to Esther's bed in the move last month. The poor gal has been sleeping with her mattress on the floor and when I went to assemble her bed yesterday, discovered we had lost a bolt in transit somewhere. While in Home Depot I feel this prompting to go and look at the washers. In my head, I thought "Why? We have already decided on the washer we are getting at another place." Well, the urging kept telling me to go and have a look "just because". So, I tell Hubby that I want to go check out Home Depot's washing machines -"just for grins". Thankfully Hubby didn't balk at me, or get cross at me since we had already decided on the washer for us. He is good that way. I love him.
So we saunter on over to the appliance section. The first washer we encounter is that GE 4.1 cu ft. front loader. Imagine my shock to see they were on sale for $578 (remember they retail for $999 normally). So I point this out to Hubby - and a really nice lady, Nancy says that if we buy the pair (washer and dryer) we get en extra $100 off the set. I tell her we are just buying a washer and she says, "Well then you still get $50 off". Hmmm. That brings the price down to $528. Nancy then mentions that if we are customers of PUD (Peninsula Utility District) for our electricity we get an extra $50 rebate for buying a high efficiency appliance. Well - since the move we ARE PUD customers. So, let me get this straight, I ask to make sure. This $999 washer is now going to cost us only $478? Her answer yes. I look at Hubby. He looks at me. He tells me to double check to reviews, and they are 95% good. Hubby then says, "we'll take it".
To bring this story around full circle. A few days ago Lord lays it on my mom's heart to give us $500 for the new washing machine. She doesn't understand why He would say $500 and not the entire amount for the $700 machine we were planning on purchasing - but she obeys. I listen to Him tell me to check out the washers at Home Depot while we were there for something else and get a $1000 washer for $478. God had mom only give us $500 because HE was going to provide a washer for less than $500. Isn't that just amazing? God is sooo good! If we will just trust and obey - and NOT lean on our own understand He will bless our socks off! Oh, and just a side note - yesterday was the last day of the sale. :) :) :)
As I said, Hubby and I have been researching machines and looking around the local shops and on the internet and found one we thought would be a good fit - for just under $700. We had been waiting for payday (yesterday) to purchase it.
Of course, I chat with my mom often - she is such a blessing in my life. Ok, daily. I admit it. So my mom knows the washing machine saga - and how I had hoped to limp our old leaky washer along until we got our tax return in February or so. But I just couldn't wait any longer. We had discussed the $700 washer Hubby was getting, etc. Yesterday, I am on-line checking our bank accounts to make sure Hubby's pay had been deposited and that it was for the correct amount. You see, working for the military - mistakes in pay are not uncommon and it is always a fear of mine that payday will come and we will only get 1/2 a pay check or something. You would not believe how often things like that happen. Someone pushes the wrong button somewhere and "whoops we accidentally took your husband off of the payroll". But that is another story for another time. So, I was on-line and discover there was an extra $500 in our account - deposited from my mom. I called mom to ask her about it. She said, "The Lord has been nagging me about it. I don't know why He didn't put it on my heart to give you the entire amount of the washer, but He didn't. He kept telling me to give you guys $500 for a washer." Of course, I thanked her profusely, and told her how grateful I am.
Ok, stay with me. So now it is yesterday afternoon. We have to go into town to take Liv (16) to her church youth group weekly Bible study. Since we are in town - we go over to Home Depot. I needed a bolt that I had lost to Esther's bed in the move last month. The poor gal has been sleeping with her mattress on the floor and when I went to assemble her bed yesterday, discovered we had lost a bolt in transit somewhere. While in Home Depot I feel this prompting to go and look at the washers. In my head, I thought "Why? We have already decided on the washer we are getting at another place." Well, the urging kept telling me to go and have a look "just because". So, I tell Hubby that I want to go check out Home Depot's washing machines -"just for grins". Thankfully Hubby didn't balk at me, or get cross at me since we had already decided on the washer for us. He is good that way. I love him.
So we saunter on over to the appliance section. The first washer we encounter is that GE 4.1 cu ft. front loader. Imagine my shock to see they were on sale for $578 (remember they retail for $999 normally). So I point this out to Hubby - and a really nice lady, Nancy says that if we buy the pair (washer and dryer) we get en extra $100 off the set. I tell her we are just buying a washer and she says, "Well then you still get $50 off". Hmmm. That brings the price down to $528. Nancy then mentions that if we are customers of PUD (Peninsula Utility District) for our electricity we get an extra $50 rebate for buying a high efficiency appliance. Well - since the move we ARE PUD customers. So, let me get this straight, I ask to make sure. This $999 washer is now going to cost us only $478? Her answer yes. I look at Hubby. He looks at me. He tells me to double check to reviews, and they are 95% good. Hubby then says, "we'll take it".
To bring this story around full circle. A few days ago Lord lays it on my mom's heart to give us $500 for the new washing machine. She doesn't understand why He would say $500 and not the entire amount for the $700 machine we were planning on purchasing - but she obeys. I listen to Him tell me to check out the washers at Home Depot while we were there for something else and get a $1000 washer for $478. God had mom only give us $500 because HE was going to provide a washer for less than $500. Isn't that just amazing? God is sooo good! If we will just trust and obey - and NOT lean on our own understand He will bless our socks off! Oh, and just a side note - yesterday was the last day of the sale. :) :) :)
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
All good things must come to an end.
Tomorrow we go home. Where did these 3 weeks go? I am all vacationed out and can not wait for 2 things. A warm embrace from my husband, and the cool sheets of my very own bed. This winter gal will be more than willing to trade hot and humid for the high 60's in my own home.
A little recap. We spent 2 days at Legoland - 1 enjoying the rides, and 1 at their new waterpark. Let me just say that the Legoland waterpark is wonderful. Not too big, and not too small. I was able to let the 3 older kids go and enjoy the 4 water slides geared towards "big" kids; while the little kids and I played and enjoyed the area for "little kids". And as a bonus Pippa taught herself to swim! Way to go Pip! We spent 3 days at the Disney Resort. 1 day at Disneyland with all 5 kids. 1 day at Disney's California Adventure with all 5 kids. And 1 evening/night with the 3 olders. It was nice to be able to spend sometime with them doing all the big kid things without having to worry if it would scare the littles - or if they were big enough to get on the roller coasters. My mom too the 2 older girls to the Broadway play "Mary Poppins". Ok, I went along too. It was a great adaptation of the books. Much better than the Disney movie. I took Esther up to Los Angeles to the American Girls store there. The kids spent the down, inbetween activity days in grandma's large jacuzzi. Mostly, things were very nice. There were a few times tensions ran high between my mom and I. We just do not parent the same way - and she is not used to little boys. My boys are boys. Loud, active, rough and tumble (with really big, sweet hearts). They are into guns, and explosions, digging a hole to China in the backyard, and Legos (that can get underfoot). My mom at 70 - doesn't like big loud noises, and stepping on the occasional stray Lego (who does?), or gun fights at the OK Coral. Well they are preparing to be men - to protect us womenfolk, and all of that. But that is a topic for another day. But I encourage it, embrace it - and love to watch what my little men are growing into. Of course, I have had to buy 2 suitcases to bring back all the stuff we seemed to acquire while here. Toys, books, summery - hot weather clothes that we hadn't brought enough of.
Today will be a day of laundry (who wants to take tons of dirty laundry home?), and of putting my mom's house in order from our visit. So - if I don't post before then - catch ya' on the flip side.
A little recap. We spent 2 days at Legoland - 1 enjoying the rides, and 1 at their new waterpark. Let me just say that the Legoland waterpark is wonderful. Not too big, and not too small. I was able to let the 3 older kids go and enjoy the 4 water slides geared towards "big" kids; while the little kids and I played and enjoyed the area for "little kids". And as a bonus Pippa taught herself to swim! Way to go Pip! We spent 3 days at the Disney Resort. 1 day at Disneyland with all 5 kids. 1 day at Disney's California Adventure with all 5 kids. And 1 evening/night with the 3 olders. It was nice to be able to spend sometime with them doing all the big kid things without having to worry if it would scare the littles - or if they were big enough to get on the roller coasters. My mom too the 2 older girls to the Broadway play "Mary Poppins". Ok, I went along too. It was a great adaptation of the books. Much better than the Disney movie. I took Esther up to Los Angeles to the American Girls store there. The kids spent the down, inbetween activity days in grandma's large jacuzzi. Mostly, things were very nice. There were a few times tensions ran high between my mom and I. We just do not parent the same way - and she is not used to little boys. My boys are boys. Loud, active, rough and tumble (with really big, sweet hearts). They are into guns, and explosions, digging a hole to China in the backyard, and Legos (that can get underfoot). My mom at 70 - doesn't like big loud noises, and stepping on the occasional stray Lego (who does?), or gun fights at the OK Coral. Well they are preparing to be men - to protect us womenfolk, and all of that. But that is a topic for another day. But I encourage it, embrace it - and love to watch what my little men are growing into. Of course, I have had to buy 2 suitcases to bring back all the stuff we seemed to acquire while here. Toys, books, summery - hot weather clothes that we hadn't brought enough of.
Today will be a day of laundry (who wants to take tons of dirty laundry home?), and of putting my mom's house in order from our visit. So - if I don't post before then - catch ya' on the flip side.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Over the river and through the woods to grandmothers house we go.
Hello out there! 2 days ago I packed up the 5 kids, all the suitcases, 2 car seats, and 1 stroller and headed to Sea-Tac Airport with the goal of flying to Southern California to visit my mom for 3 weeks.
The joy began as Izzy FLIPPED OUT when I had to take his shoes off to go through security. I had to drag him through the check - kicking and screaming hysterically (him not me). He is incredibly strong and I couldn't get him back into his stroller for all of his back arching and stiffening up. In the end, I moved him out of the flow of traffic and sat their until he was all cried out. After that fiasco - we resumed out journey to the gate. Boarded the plane. The plane taxied. All was well. As soon as we lifted off the ground Izzy flipped out again - screaming for all to hear that, "I am going to fall! I am going to fall!!!!!". This was coupled with him grabbing my arm and squeezing so hard that he left fingernail marks on me. Thankfully, after about 10 minutes - he fell asleep, as slept until we started our decent. While Izzy wasn't relaxed or enjoying the flight in the least - as long as we kept the shade down on the window, he wasn't screaming. As soon as we landed Izzy was happy as a clam. The deplaning went well, as did the walk to the other gate, and boarding the 2nd plane. Of course, the 2nd flight started as the first did. However, as soon as I closed the shade on the window he calmed down. This flight was shorter - and only lasted an hour. We were barely at cruising altitude for 15 minutes or so before we were starting the descent. The Lord blessed us with coming into a gate that was close to baggage claim. I rented 2 of the luggage carrier carts and got out to the curb just in time for my mom and sister to drive up. Well - we may had to wait a few minutes, but not many.
We are enjoying our time here with my mom. It is hotter than I like, of course. I am not a hot weather gal. Sleeping isn't easy, but we are enjoying our afternoons in the large jacuzzi. The kids will be sporting some nice tans when we return to Washington. I am doing laundry today - as we are headed down to San Diego for the weekend.
The joy began as Izzy FLIPPED OUT when I had to take his shoes off to go through security. I had to drag him through the check - kicking and screaming hysterically (him not me). He is incredibly strong and I couldn't get him back into his stroller for all of his back arching and stiffening up. In the end, I moved him out of the flow of traffic and sat their until he was all cried out. After that fiasco - we resumed out journey to the gate. Boarded the plane. The plane taxied. All was well. As soon as we lifted off the ground Izzy flipped out again - screaming for all to hear that, "I am going to fall! I am going to fall!!!!!". This was coupled with him grabbing my arm and squeezing so hard that he left fingernail marks on me. Thankfully, after about 10 minutes - he fell asleep, as slept until we started our decent. While Izzy wasn't relaxed or enjoying the flight in the least - as long as we kept the shade down on the window, he wasn't screaming. As soon as we landed Izzy was happy as a clam. The deplaning went well, as did the walk to the other gate, and boarding the 2nd plane. Of course, the 2nd flight started as the first did. However, as soon as I closed the shade on the window he calmed down. This flight was shorter - and only lasted an hour. We were barely at cruising altitude for 15 minutes or so before we were starting the descent. The Lord blessed us with coming into a gate that was close to baggage claim. I rented 2 of the luggage carrier carts and got out to the curb just in time for my mom and sister to drive up. Well - we may had to wait a few minutes, but not many.
We are enjoying our time here with my mom. It is hotter than I like, of course. I am not a hot weather gal. Sleeping isn't easy, but we are enjoying our afternoons in the large jacuzzi. The kids will be sporting some nice tans when we return to Washington. I am doing laundry today - as we are headed down to San Diego for the weekend.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)