Hmmmmmm....any more questions why we homeschool?
Ugh-this just makes me ill-totally rediculous!
This little guy is such cutie-you can watch the video. I cant imagine what kind of person would do such a thing. Doenst surprise me at all, but it still is chilling....sigh....I tell ya what-If that had happend to Stinger in K-there would would have been heads rollin......
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Port St. Lucie, Florida mother says her five-year-old special needs son was voted out of his classroom by his peers at the behest of the teacher.
Five-year-old Alex Barton will be starting his summer vacation early.
His mother doesn't want him to to return to school after what allegedly happened in class at Morningside Elementary Wednesday afternoon.
"I'll never be able to send him to school again without worrying if something is going to happen," said Melissa Barton.
(hmmmm-sounds all tooooo familiar-eh)
She admits he's had behavior problems, and can be difficult at times, and says he's undergoing tests to determine if he suffers from autism and other disorders.
Barton claims a Wednesday incident pushed the lines of discipline into the realm of abuse.
"She took him and stood him in front of his classmates this week, asked every single child to tell Alex why we don't like him, in his words, tell Alex why we hate him," she explained.
After having each child ridicule the boy, she says the teacher continued belittling him.
"Then they had a vote on if he deserved to stay in the class or not," said Barton.
Like a twisted reality show, Barton says in a 14-2 vote, his classmates voted the five-year-old out of the classroom.
"I never thought she would subject my child to such mental abuse," she said.
Barton filed complaints with the Department of Children and Families and police.
After conferring with the State Attorney's office, police found no grounds for charges, but the school district is investigating the incident and these teaching practices.
Barton suspects other students may have suffered as well.
"If other parents who have this teacher or have had this teacher, come forward talk to your kids because this is wrong," Barton said.
The St. Lucie County school district is investigating the incident and released a statement Tuesday morning that reads:
"Ms. Portillo (the teacher) has been reassigned outside of the classroom at the district offices until any further action may be determined."
(Copyright 2008 by NBC. All Rights Reserved.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The video states that the teacher asked him where will he go now and Alex said "To the office" and the teacher replied that they didnt want him there either. :(
This is already circling all my boards online-parents are outraged as we all should be. Hopefully all this attention can get that lady as far away from kids as possible :) WHOOT! For MEDIA!!!!!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Why All the Hoopla?
Here's a little article on the subject of bees and the concern.....
The Growing Toll of Colony Collapse Disorder
The Apiary Inspectors Of America (AIA), the state-level regulators in the world of bees and beekeeping, commissioned a survey of colony losses this past winter. It is the best count of what’s happened so far this year since it's the only count of what’s happened so far this year (recall that lack of funding just mentioned).
The AIA talked to beekeepers who have under their control about 18% of the nations 2.44 million colonies (about a half million colonies). These are commercial beekeepers who are for the most part migratory pollinators, but not all are migratory and only make honey and some migrate but don’t pollinate, though the majority move bees, make honey and pollinate several crops during a season simply because to be a commercial beekeeper you need to do it all to stay in business. What they found is not good news.
Overall these beekeepers suffered a 35.2% loss over winter. This represents a 10% increase compared to last year. Each of the 327 beekeepers (about a third of all commercial beekeepers in the U.S.), lost on average 31.4% of their bees.
Not all losses were due to Colony Collapse Disorder, certainly. In fact only about 29% of all the bees that died last winter died from CCD symptoms. But if your bees died of those symptoms you would lose, on average about 44% of your bees. If they died of, say starvation, you would lose only about 17% ... which is right about what most beekeepers lose every winter, anyway. CCD, then, just about triples winter losses for beekeepers.
So CCD hasn’t gone away and, in fact, it is getting worse. Moreover, although Senator Boxer and her colleagues feel confident that "the $20 million will be", as Senator Casey told a friend and reporter, "put up by the Senate, at least," there are no guarantees what will happen in the House. So no new money has been allocated from anybody anywhere, and new research is still on hold or only getting started.
The one thing this survey wasn’t able to capture was the extent of colony losses in only the past few weeks due to the abnormally late spring snow storms in the Midwest. Heavy colony losses are only just now being reported, (but not confirmed) in that region because beekeepers simply have not had weather that would permit examinations. These would be the beekeepers that do not migrate to California for the almond bloom, and even though they probably have already inspected their colonies once or twice, these late storms have cut off the bees' food supply and the beekeepers can’t get back to help. Normally examinations would be complete and the bees building rapidly for the first early honey flows in May. Not this year. One wonders how much additional weight this will add to the numbers of colony losses this year. We’ll know soon enough.
This is, if you are someone who keeps bees or likes to eat, one of those bad news, bad news, bad news messages.
Find this article at: http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/blogs/bees/colony-collap
The Growing Toll of Colony Collapse Disorder
The Apiary Inspectors Of America (AIA), the state-level regulators in the world of bees and beekeeping, commissioned a survey of colony losses this past winter. It is the best count of what’s happened so far this year since it's the only count of what’s happened so far this year (recall that lack of funding just mentioned).
The AIA talked to beekeepers who have under their control about 18% of the nations 2.44 million colonies (about a half million colonies). These are commercial beekeepers who are for the most part migratory pollinators, but not all are migratory and only make honey and some migrate but don’t pollinate, though the majority move bees, make honey and pollinate several crops during a season simply because to be a commercial beekeeper you need to do it all to stay in business. What they found is not good news.
Overall these beekeepers suffered a 35.2% loss over winter. This represents a 10% increase compared to last year. Each of the 327 beekeepers (about a third of all commercial beekeepers in the U.S.), lost on average 31.4% of their bees.
Not all losses were due to Colony Collapse Disorder, certainly. In fact only about 29% of all the bees that died last winter died from CCD symptoms. But if your bees died of those symptoms you would lose, on average about 44% of your bees. If they died of, say starvation, you would lose only about 17% ... which is right about what most beekeepers lose every winter, anyway. CCD, then, just about triples winter losses for beekeepers.
So CCD hasn’t gone away and, in fact, it is getting worse. Moreover, although Senator Boxer and her colleagues feel confident that "the $20 million will be", as Senator Casey told a friend and reporter, "put up by the Senate, at least," there are no guarantees what will happen in the House. So no new money has been allocated from anybody anywhere, and new research is still on hold or only getting started.
The one thing this survey wasn’t able to capture was the extent of colony losses in only the past few weeks due to the abnormally late spring snow storms in the Midwest. Heavy colony losses are only just now being reported, (but not confirmed) in that region because beekeepers simply have not had weather that would permit examinations. These would be the beekeepers that do not migrate to California for the almond bloom, and even though they probably have already inspected their colonies once or twice, these late storms have cut off the bees' food supply and the beekeepers can’t get back to help. Normally examinations would be complete and the bees building rapidly for the first early honey flows in May. Not this year. One wonders how much additional weight this will add to the numbers of colony losses this year. We’ll know soon enough.
This is, if you are someone who keeps bees or likes to eat, one of those bad news, bad news, bad news messages.
Find this article at: http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/blogs/bees/colony-collap
The Great Sunflower Project
http://www.greatsunflower.org/
WOW! Talk abt right up Stingers alley-eh?
You plant some sunflower seeds that you are sent and record how many bees are visiting your sunflowers per half hour and send it back into them to record......Stinger will love this! GREAT Project :)
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
Saturday, May 17, 2008
2 More Weeks!!! WHOOT!!!!
Well We are almost there...man-We did it! WHOOT! Mommy doing the happy dance!!!LOLOLOLOL
We have already finished one course-any guesses as to what it was???? HISTORY! LOLOLOLOLOL. We started on The Revolutionary War on Friday and you know Stinger-he was a bundle of questions and I said okay-lets just read the story-LOLOLOLOL. So we took abt 2hours and talked abt things and what should have taken us a week-we finished in a day-LOLOLOL. It was soo funny too.....he just kept saying-"Keep going Mom, keep going!"
This weekend he was reinacting with Flamingo and Billy too-it was SOOOO funny to hear and watch! They were all outside playing and Flamingo and Billy were on a side and then him. Im not sure who was who, but I heard Stinger singing Hale to England things-LOLOLOLOL -So I guess he was English?;)LOLOLOL He got his wagon and tied things to it-put the rocking horse on top and hooked it to a bike and was trailing it ard-I guess this was his army? LOLOLOLOL. Then they all three were having sword fights outside-LOLOLOLOL. It was soo funny to watch. They were all playing so well and having a great time.
They got sunburnt even though I put sun block on them-but I dont think they even too any notice-LOLOLOL
We even got out the sprinkler and they had so much fun jumping in it and then laying on teh grass with their towels :) Today was a good day.
I love days like that when at the end of the day you look back and can only smile:)
And I cant help but think everything is tied into having Stinger at home. He's getting along and PLAYING with Flamingo and Monkey Boy. Sometimes Monkey boy gets to him though-I really think its the 5 yr old messies deal-ya know how at that age boys are so messy and not really clean-LOLOL, and they dont really care, well it drives Stinger nuts-LOLOOLOLOL. He has a fit abt him all the time.
But when I look back at how things used to be I stop and say...hmmm... our house isnt like that any more....me being so tense and sad all the time, fighting and argueing with Stinger, not letting him be out of my sight. Yes, we still have our days...but its not EVERY day now-like it was. He's talking more, he's showing remorse more, he's playing outside of his room more, hes talking about how he feels with words now-just so many things are on the whole better ard here-its amazing.
I will give you an example. Stinger has always had a hard time thinking of anything besides his own needs and wants, and doesnt remember to think abt how other feel abt things or notice how others are reacting to things ard him etc. Well today Daddy Bear and Stinger were out doing errands and they come home with a vase of flowers :) Stinger gives them to me and hugs me and says "I love you Mom" :) Later on I find out he had told Daddy Bear that he wanted to go to the flower store instead of Burger King. WOW!!!! THIS just blew me away!!!!Stinge rchossing Mommy flowers instead of Burger King! Unheard of! LOLOLOLOL Just melted my heart when I heard that!
But see its little things like that that show me he is growing into the caring boy that he truly is. The one that some refused to see....He's just needed some help to get there is all. Since he is home now more Daddy Bear and I can see when he gets stuck and we can help him now. So he isnt stuck for long.
I know this has been the best choice I have ever made for him-and it really shows.
Ive been not posting as much and you can probably guess why-homeschool researching-LOLOLOLOL
I have decided to go ahead and get Language Art books too-so as of now THIS is the Final List: subject to change at any second or moment in time-LOLOL;)
HISTORY 4 ---> Abeka
SCIENCE 4 ---> Abeka
MATH 3 ---> Bob Jones
ENGLISH 2 ---> Houghton Mifflin(these looked a little more interesting and easier to understand than Abeka)
READING 2 ---> Abeka (Hidden Treasures)-this looks really fun :)
HEALTH 4 ---> Abeka
--------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL= $42. 00 GOOD DEAL-eh?????
Anyway-this is what I have decide on doing-Ive gone over EVERY curriculum sample page I think that is out there, every manufacture-LOLOLOL...ugh.... and these I feel will be the most suited to what Stinger needs-and have I mentioned before that I am SOOO excited and that it is really too fun getting to tailor make his curriculum-how COOL is that???!!!LOLOLOL
Anyway-thats what has been going on. My garden is starting to sprout FINALLY! I was so worried that they had all gone to pot with the freezing nights we had.....but it looks liek they are a hardy bunch;) LOLOLOL I have planted Watermellon and Cantalope now too -WHOOT! Funny-but I found some lettuse sprouts that have started to come up from last years crop-LOLOLOL
Granmaw down the road let me have some of her flowers and I planted them in the front along with my tulips and daffodils. She gave me some pretty pansies, sunflowers, and bell things that are blue, and a bunch of other things that I have no idea what they are...they arent doing so well.....I dont know if Im supposed to water them or not-so when they started drooping -well I guess I was supposed to water them huh? -LOOLOLOL, so Ive started to water them but I dont know if Ive blown it -to little to late-kwim? O-well-we shall see I guess....
But Im LOVIN' the weather...ahhhhhhhhhhh- just lovin' it!
We have already finished one course-any guesses as to what it was???? HISTORY! LOLOLOLOLOL. We started on The Revolutionary War on Friday and you know Stinger-he was a bundle of questions and I said okay-lets just read the story-LOLOLOLOL. So we took abt 2hours and talked abt things and what should have taken us a week-we finished in a day-LOLOLOL. It was soo funny too.....he just kept saying-"Keep going Mom, keep going!"
This weekend he was reinacting with Flamingo and Billy too-it was SOOOO funny to hear and watch! They were all outside playing and Flamingo and Billy were on a side and then him. Im not sure who was who, but I heard Stinger singing Hale to England things-LOLOLOLOL -So I guess he was English?;)LOLOLOL He got his wagon and tied things to it-put the rocking horse on top and hooked it to a bike and was trailing it ard-I guess this was his army? LOLOLOLOL. Then they all three were having sword fights outside-LOLOLOLOL. It was soo funny to watch. They were all playing so well and having a great time.
They got sunburnt even though I put sun block on them-but I dont think they even too any notice-LOLOLOL
We even got out the sprinkler and they had so much fun jumping in it and then laying on teh grass with their towels :) Today was a good day.
I love days like that when at the end of the day you look back and can only smile:)
And I cant help but think everything is tied into having Stinger at home. He's getting along and PLAYING with Flamingo and Monkey Boy. Sometimes Monkey boy gets to him though-I really think its the 5 yr old messies deal-ya know how at that age boys are so messy and not really clean-LOLOL, and they dont really care, well it drives Stinger nuts-LOLOOLOLOL. He has a fit abt him all the time.
But when I look back at how things used to be I stop and say...hmmm... our house isnt like that any more....me being so tense and sad all the time, fighting and argueing with Stinger, not letting him be out of my sight. Yes, we still have our days...but its not EVERY day now-like it was. He's talking more, he's showing remorse more, he's playing outside of his room more, hes talking about how he feels with words now-just so many things are on the whole better ard here-its amazing.
I will give you an example. Stinger has always had a hard time thinking of anything besides his own needs and wants, and doesnt remember to think abt how other feel abt things or notice how others are reacting to things ard him etc. Well today Daddy Bear and Stinger were out doing errands and they come home with a vase of flowers :) Stinger gives them to me and hugs me and says "I love you Mom" :) Later on I find out he had told Daddy Bear that he wanted to go to the flower store instead of Burger King. WOW!!!! THIS just blew me away!!!!Stinge rchossing Mommy flowers instead of Burger King! Unheard of! LOLOLOLOL Just melted my heart when I heard that!
But see its little things like that that show me he is growing into the caring boy that he truly is. The one that some refused to see....He's just needed some help to get there is all. Since he is home now more Daddy Bear and I can see when he gets stuck and we can help him now. So he isnt stuck for long.
I know this has been the best choice I have ever made for him-and it really shows.
Ive been not posting as much and you can probably guess why-homeschool researching-LOLOLOLOL
I have decided to go ahead and get Language Art books too-so as of now THIS is the Final List: subject to change at any second or moment in time-LOLOL;)
HISTORY 4 ---> Abeka
SCIENCE 4 ---> Abeka
MATH 3 ---> Bob Jones
ENGLISH 2 ---> Houghton Mifflin(these looked a little more interesting and easier to understand than Abeka)
READING 2 ---> Abeka (Hidden Treasures)-this looks really fun :)
HEALTH 4 ---> Abeka
--------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL= $42. 00 GOOD DEAL-eh?????
Anyway-this is what I have decide on doing-Ive gone over EVERY curriculum sample page I think that is out there, every manufacture-LOLOLOL...ugh.... and these I feel will be the most suited to what Stinger needs-and have I mentioned before that I am SOOO excited and that it is really too fun getting to tailor make his curriculum-how COOL is that???!!!LOLOLOL
Anyway-thats what has been going on. My garden is starting to sprout FINALLY! I was so worried that they had all gone to pot with the freezing nights we had.....but it looks liek they are a hardy bunch;) LOLOLOL I have planted Watermellon and Cantalope now too -WHOOT! Funny-but I found some lettuse sprouts that have started to come up from last years crop-LOLOLOL
Granmaw down the road let me have some of her flowers and I planted them in the front along with my tulips and daffodils. She gave me some pretty pansies, sunflowers, and bell things that are blue, and a bunch of other things that I have no idea what they are...they arent doing so well.....I dont know if Im supposed to water them or not-so when they started drooping -well I guess I was supposed to water them huh? -LOOLOLOL, so Ive started to water them but I dont know if Ive blown it -to little to late-kwim? O-well-we shall see I guess....
But Im LOVIN' the weather...ahhhhhhhhhhh- just lovin' it!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Happy Mothers Day :)
When God planted his garden
When the wise God planted His garden,
scattering the seeds from above,
The choicest seed in His packet
Was the flower of Mother-love.
Carefully watched o'er and tended,
Nurtured by sunshine and shower,
Ever growing sturdy and stronger,
It blooms-a beautiful flower.
A flower so sweet and entrancing,
Dazzling and shining and white,
A love that guards us and guides us
Through hfe~our beacon light.
A love that steadies our footsteps,
That stretches a helpful hand,
That comforts our sorrows and heartaches,
That always will understand.
Mother-love, God's gift to His children,
With heavenly fragrance fraught;
The brightest flower in God's garden,
His truest forget-me-not.
Happy Mothers Day to all the wonderful Mothers out there :)Hope you get spoiled today ;)
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Brush it off Momma Bear.....again.....
Well its come up again on a list I am apart of..."Its your kids fault" thing-the usual......and on a homeschool group too......sigh......
1. The poor professionals and administers who have to put up with some kids
2. Parents are the ones who are at fault as they dont back the school teachers
3. Parents arent involved enough
4. Everyone Ive been in contact with has been soooo nice....ugh....
One lady made a comment abt someone I had come into contact with at Mckinley. Saying this person was the reason she now homeschooled. I wrote in telling my experiances abt this person too and how we had been treated-very similar to the first lady-and now people are just getting all upset-LOLOLOLOL
Seams we had known two entirely different people-a special needs Principle and a typical child principle.
The thing that really got to me was "In all the years I had known them-never was I treated that way." Basically saying its the parents fault and we arent willing to "work" with the school" She even went on to say if she was principle the kids would get more than a yelling at....oh...made me soo upset.......
It ticked me off to say the least that someone who had absolutely NO idea what she was talking about was making something so concerning to me sound so trivial. Its like that lady at church with the comments abt kids just needing a good spanking.
Why is it that comments like that just REALLY upset me-it make me feel so hateful inside-and I dont have a hateful bone in my body-usually.....LOLOLOL It makes me not even want to be ard people-THOSE people especially.
Anyway-I wroet back after I had gottenall upset and now I can only imagine what the list will look like tomorrow. I Just cant seam to brush this stuff off like I can most things.....
Makes me TOTALLY understand why Stinger is SOOOOOOO apprehensive abt people in general. I tell ya I totally see things through his eyes lately.. and I get it......People can be so crule and its heartbreaking to know that Stinger has probably come across most of these people.... probably more than any one should......probably more than I will ever know. Why when he sees someoen-anyone-he automatically thinks they are looking at him weird, or are saying something mean about him. He just thinks everyone is the "bad guy" and everyone ha sit in for him....:(
Kids can be cruel too-I dont even want to talk abt the stories Flamingo comes home with and tells me.....:( But we grownups, we should be different-we should know better...and yet we dont....thats what is REALLY sad....
Its just one more reason in my mind for me to not push him out there-like everyone says I should.....
1. The poor professionals and administers who have to put up with some kids
2. Parents are the ones who are at fault as they dont back the school teachers
3. Parents arent involved enough
4. Everyone Ive been in contact with has been soooo nice....ugh....
One lady made a comment abt someone I had come into contact with at Mckinley. Saying this person was the reason she now homeschooled. I wrote in telling my experiances abt this person too and how we had been treated-very similar to the first lady-and now people are just getting all upset-LOLOLOLOL
Seams we had known two entirely different people-a special needs Principle and a typical child principle.
The thing that really got to me was "In all the years I had known them-never was I treated that way." Basically saying its the parents fault and we arent willing to "work" with the school" She even went on to say if she was principle the kids would get more than a yelling at....oh...made me soo upset.......
It ticked me off to say the least that someone who had absolutely NO idea what she was talking about was making something so concerning to me sound so trivial. Its like that lady at church with the comments abt kids just needing a good spanking.
Why is it that comments like that just REALLY upset me-it make me feel so hateful inside-and I dont have a hateful bone in my body-usually.....LOLOLOL It makes me not even want to be ard people-THOSE people especially.
Anyway-I wroet back after I had gottenall upset and now I can only imagine what the list will look like tomorrow. I Just cant seam to brush this stuff off like I can most things.....
Makes me TOTALLY understand why Stinger is SOOOOOOO apprehensive abt people in general. I tell ya I totally see things through his eyes lately.. and I get it......People can be so crule and its heartbreaking to know that Stinger has probably come across most of these people.... probably more than any one should......probably more than I will ever know. Why when he sees someoen-anyone-he automatically thinks they are looking at him weird, or are saying something mean about him. He just thinks everyone is the "bad guy" and everyone ha sit in for him....:(
Kids can be cruel too-I dont even want to talk abt the stories Flamingo comes home with and tells me.....:( But we grownups, we should be different-we should know better...and yet we dont....thats what is REALLY sad....
Its just one more reason in my mind for me to not push him out there-like everyone says I should.....
Friday, May 02, 2008
A Decision...Finally...:)
Okay everyone-I think I have got it all figured out here :)
I have def decided on a Christian Curriculum. So I went online and went to the Abeka sight. I had previously not really looked into them as I had thought they were expensive-but they arent. And since I have already seen the Science book from a friend I have decided on Abeka Science. They have words highlighted and bold for vocab words, review questions at the end of each section and summaries at the beginning-not to mention not a bunch of twaddle;)( useless info talk in most textbooks)plus alot of really nice pictures all throughout it-Stinger will really enjoy it. We can sit down together and just READ-its going to be sooo much nicer than K12 was....
History- I was going to go Bob Jones until I saw and its alot more of reading-along with their Science-so I went back to Abeka and its set up just the same way as their Science book is-and its got TIMELINES!!!OH won't Stinger be pleased!!!! He's always asking me when and where and who and what and what was first etc-EVERY DAY.....wars, people and Im just not that great at that! . So it would be perfect for us. Grade 4 is abt setting up the US til present-so Stinger will totally enjoy it too :)K-so History I have chosen Abeka too :)
SO I naturally was thinking Id get Abeka Math too-but I looked up the core and index and samples and its a little advanced for our level right now--Bob Jones will be much better for him-It details each and every step and its in color-not like Christian Liberty's. So we will be doing Bob Jones Math.
And the best part of all of this is that I can get them at a REALLY good price on that used textbook websight! WHOOT!!!!!
So alls to do now is order them! WHOOT!!!! and send in my affidavid on my decision to homeschool to the school district. Then we are GOOD TO GO!!!!!!!...*big sigh of relief*
Ah.......it feels so good to be decided on and stop the wondering and worrying about what to do.
Darn Medicaid. What a headache. I just got a letter in the mail that our spendown is going to cost $899 this month as there are 3 paychecks in May. And they notify me.....TODAY........!!!!So I had to go and cancel everything all home visits, and behavior in home visits for this month. I have no idea what they are costing Medicaid, but I know we couldnt afford them if we werent on it...so I chose to just pass this month...How messed up is that? So I'll need to call in to the eligibility office at the end of May and everything will go back to normal-hopefully. How messed up is that! Its not like we will have an extra paycheck just floating ard-yeah there are three paydays-but they coinside with all of our normal bills that are at the beginning and end of the month etc--so stupid. Anyway........and we are right in the middle of our paper work being going over for our annual review.....they are such a headache-I dont even want to talk abt THAT process-them loosing my papers...certain people not sending certain papers in..deadlines....LOLOL-its totally not organised....so its no surprise I have no idea what the heck is going on month to month.....anyway......sigh.....Hopefully things will be right back to being confusing as usual come June...;)LOLOLOL
Oh-and I think my 4 rows out in the garden are duds :( I think they should have poked up by now......darn freezing weather at night......o-well-at least Ive got school all settled for next year! :)LOLOLOLOL
I have def decided on a Christian Curriculum. So I went online and went to the Abeka sight. I had previously not really looked into them as I had thought they were expensive-but they arent. And since I have already seen the Science book from a friend I have decided on Abeka Science. They have words highlighted and bold for vocab words, review questions at the end of each section and summaries at the beginning-not to mention not a bunch of twaddle;)( useless info talk in most textbooks)plus alot of really nice pictures all throughout it-Stinger will really enjoy it. We can sit down together and just READ-its going to be sooo much nicer than K12 was....
History- I was going to go Bob Jones until I saw and its alot more of reading-along with their Science-so I went back to Abeka and its set up just the same way as their Science book is-and its got TIMELINES!!!OH won't Stinger be pleased!!!! He's always asking me when and where and who and what and what was first etc-EVERY DAY.....wars, people and Im just not that great at that! . So it would be perfect for us. Grade 4 is abt setting up the US til present-so Stinger will totally enjoy it too :)K-so History I have chosen Abeka too :)
SO I naturally was thinking Id get Abeka Math too-but I looked up the core and index and samples and its a little advanced for our level right now--Bob Jones will be much better for him-It details each and every step and its in color-not like Christian Liberty's. So we will be doing Bob Jones Math.
And the best part of all of this is that I can get them at a REALLY good price on that used textbook websight! WHOOT!!!!!
So alls to do now is order them! WHOOT!!!! and send in my affidavid on my decision to homeschool to the school district. Then we are GOOD TO GO!!!!!!!...*big sigh of relief*
Ah.......it feels so good to be decided on and stop the wondering and worrying about what to do.
Darn Medicaid. What a headache. I just got a letter in the mail that our spendown is going to cost $899 this month as there are 3 paychecks in May. And they notify me.....TODAY........!!!!So I had to go and cancel everything all home visits, and behavior in home visits for this month. I have no idea what they are costing Medicaid, but I know we couldnt afford them if we werent on it...so I chose to just pass this month...How messed up is that? So I'll need to call in to the eligibility office at the end of May and everything will go back to normal-hopefully. How messed up is that! Its not like we will have an extra paycheck just floating ard-yeah there are three paydays-but they coinside with all of our normal bills that are at the beginning and end of the month etc--so stupid. Anyway........and we are right in the middle of our paper work being going over for our annual review.....they are such a headache-I dont even want to talk abt THAT process-them loosing my papers...certain people not sending certain papers in..deadlines....LOLOL-its totally not organised....so its no surprise I have no idea what the heck is going on month to month.....anyway......sigh.....Hopefully things will be right back to being confusing as usual come June...;)LOLOLOL
Oh-and I think my 4 rows out in the garden are duds :( I think they should have poked up by now......darn freezing weather at night......o-well-at least Ive got school all settled for next year! :)LOLOLOLOL
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
More Homeschool Stuff......and Tonights Game
Okay-well I think I have finally come to the realization that Im just going to HAVE to get student texts for Science, History and Math.
I talked with Flamingos Girl Scout troup leader-and she homeschools all of her kids. She is using Christian Liberty Press. They have REALLY good prices, but Ive always just not been sure abt the content of the books-if it would be dry, or interesting-kwim? So GS Leader brought out some of her kids Texts and I LOVE them! COOL -eh? Her daughter is in the 4th grade-so I saw the actual textbook that Stinger would be using-and I must say I was impressed. Not too much reading and wonderful pictures and content. Plus its a Christian Curriculum-which would be awesome. I talked it over with Dh and we will probably be using them for History, Science, and Math.
I also found a really cool sight today. http://www.thebackpack.com/used_math_textbooks.htm
I called them too and they said they made sure that there were no written marks and water damaged pages etc-if there were you would just return them and they'd send out another. REALLY good prices too-for like $10. REALLY good books too-like McGraw, Bob Jones, Scott Foresman, Macmillan, and Houghton-all VERY good NICE books. They are truly my favorite-but not Christian based. I just LOVE their content-beautiful books which are ususally ard $75 or even higher. So I could use these used older addition books( which really have the same content as the newer addition except history, and I know Stinger would like them, etc. Stinger loves his Math workbook-its like not even doing worksheets-kwim? Thats what I love abt these-they are FUN.
So anyway-Im still undecided on what books to use......any advice?
Flamingo won her game tonight-They won-6-4. She got 3 of the goals-but she also gave the other team a goal when she was goaly and her drop kick went back into the goal box-it was tooo funny!LOLOL-hehe;)She just shrugged and laughed-LOLOLOL. Such a good natured girl-eh?
Monkey Boy was making friends left and right on the playground and Stinger was in the car the whole time....nothing new. But I think we all had our own fun in our own way-kwim? LOLOLOL-Funny-eh?
Flamingo is getting really good at Soccer:)Much better than last year-its so much fun to watch her play :)
I talked with Flamingos Girl Scout troup leader-and she homeschools all of her kids. She is using Christian Liberty Press. They have REALLY good prices, but Ive always just not been sure abt the content of the books-if it would be dry, or interesting-kwim? So GS Leader brought out some of her kids Texts and I LOVE them! COOL -eh? Her daughter is in the 4th grade-so I saw the actual textbook that Stinger would be using-and I must say I was impressed. Not too much reading and wonderful pictures and content. Plus its a Christian Curriculum-which would be awesome. I talked it over with Dh and we will probably be using them for History, Science, and Math.
I also found a really cool sight today. http://www.thebackpack.com/used_math_textbooks.htm
I called them too and they said they made sure that there were no written marks and water damaged pages etc-if there were you would just return them and they'd send out another. REALLY good prices too-for like $10. REALLY good books too-like McGraw, Bob Jones, Scott Foresman, Macmillan, and Houghton-all VERY good NICE books. They are truly my favorite-but not Christian based. I just LOVE their content-beautiful books which are ususally ard $75 or even higher. So I could use these used older addition books( which really have the same content as the newer addition except history, and I know Stinger would like them, etc. Stinger loves his Math workbook-its like not even doing worksheets-kwim? Thats what I love abt these-they are FUN.
So anyway-Im still undecided on what books to use......any advice?
Flamingo won her game tonight-They won-6-4. She got 3 of the goals-but she also gave the other team a goal when she was goaly and her drop kick went back into the goal box-it was tooo funny!LOLOL-hehe;)She just shrugged and laughed-LOLOLOL. Such a good natured girl-eh?
Monkey Boy was making friends left and right on the playground and Stinger was in the car the whole time....nothing new. But I think we all had our own fun in our own way-kwim? LOLOLOL-Funny-eh?
Flamingo is getting really good at Soccer:)Much better than last year-its so much fun to watch her play :)
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Eigh-Yie-Yigh
Ive abt gone through everything out there-My eyes are abt to pop out of my skull-LOLOLOL
So here's the deal- Bob Jones box curriculum is what I REALLY REALLY want to do....but its not really in our budget right now...next year when we can plan better-yes.......anyway....so Ive opted to try and put together some things and see if I can get a curriculum together-if its better than K12-well than we will do mine -If I just cant do it-then K12 it will be.....
So THATS what Ive been doing lately-looking at EVERYTHINg-and going nutso in the process...wow-hard work!
K-this is what I have so far:
PHONICS-Phonics Skills and Stategies Gr. 2
READING-take home books(cut out and staple)
-vocab practise in books
-sun series books 6(short stories)
-beginning reading practise workbook
HANDWRITING-Handwriting Practise book-Gr 2
-Swirls and Curls made up pages-writing practise etc
Grammer/Spelling-Word Wall sheets
-Grammer Practise book Gr 2
-Primary Analogies
-Reading-Everything practise pages
-Reading Comprehension Helpers workbooks
History/Geography-Atlas of The World book
******need more History Curr***********
Science-Science Journal pages
-Student Research books(vocab, story,activity) Houghton/Mif
-Investigation workbook
-Vocab workbook
*******need more Science Curr*************
Math-Math Minutes
-Concepts workbook
******need more Math Curr***********
Character Building-Book of Virtues(on tape)
-Learning Bible
-Family Faith Treasury
-Precious Truths book
k-so thats what Ive got so far........What do you think? I just cant seam to find anything I like for History, Science, or Math-I may just have to get the workbooks on those ones online.....???
History and Science Ive got to be really picky and choosey with as these are Stingers Favorites and Math is a little on the tough side-so Its got to be good too......and not just a bunch of problesm fr him to do-kwim? decisions...... decisions......
Ive foind a couple of Science and History online through the major book companies-Houghton /Mif, and Mcgraw Hill-I really like those...but they are online...so.......I really want some good texts we can dig into......so Ill keep digging.....
But I could use the Child Craft books/ encyclopedias also-Ive got a whole set from Papa and Nana :)So Ill have to look into that too......that might could work......Hmmmmmmmmmm.......;)LOLOLOL
So here's the deal- Bob Jones box curriculum is what I REALLY REALLY want to do....but its not really in our budget right now...next year when we can plan better-yes.......anyway....so Ive opted to try and put together some things and see if I can get a curriculum together-if its better than K12-well than we will do mine -If I just cant do it-then K12 it will be.....
So THATS what Ive been doing lately-looking at EVERYTHINg-and going nutso in the process...wow-hard work!
K-this is what I have so far:
PHONICS-Phonics Skills and Stategies Gr. 2
READING-take home books(cut out and staple)
-vocab practise in books
-sun series books 6(short stories)
-beginning reading practise workbook
HANDWRITING-Handwriting Practise book-Gr 2
-Swirls and Curls made up pages-writing practise etc
Grammer/Spelling-Word Wall sheets
-Grammer Practise book Gr 2
-Primary Analogies
-Reading-Everything practise pages
-Reading Comprehension Helpers workbooks
History/Geography-Atlas of The World book
******need more History Curr***********
Science-Science Journal pages
-Student Research books(vocab, story,activity) Houghton/Mif
-Investigation workbook
-Vocab workbook
*******need more Science Curr*************
Math-Math Minutes
-Concepts workbook
******need more Math Curr***********
Character Building-Book of Virtues(on tape)
-Learning Bible
-Family Faith Treasury
-Precious Truths book
k-so thats what Ive got so far........What do you think? I just cant seam to find anything I like for History, Science, or Math-I may just have to get the workbooks on those ones online.....???
History and Science Ive got to be really picky and choosey with as these are Stingers Favorites and Math is a little on the tough side-so Its got to be good too......and not just a bunch of problesm fr him to do-kwim? decisions...... decisions......
Ive foind a couple of Science and History online through the major book companies-Houghton /Mif, and Mcgraw Hill-I really like those...but they are online...so.......I really want some good texts we can dig into......so Ill keep digging.....
But I could use the Child Craft books/ encyclopedias also-Ive got a whole set from Papa and Nana :)So Ill have to look into that too......that might could work......Hmmmmmmmmmm.......;)LOLOLOL
Friday, April 18, 2008
Oh NICE-JUST what we need......sigh....
Well it looks like we wont be with K12 next year.
Mrs C.(The Principle in charge of the district K12 Program) wrote everyone an email saying that they are required to teach "State Corriculum" so this year things will be going a bit differently. So for History and Science(our 2 biggest hits with K12)they will not be going through K12 any more. Once they have gotten a set up curriculum for all other courses they will be not offering K12 for them either.
Yes, of course they will have workbooks ONLINE and worksheets you can print off etc. NOTHING like K12 had were it was really hands on and loads of activities and extra stuff that we could delve into. Plus everything woudl be lame worksheets and online things- etc. It just seasm WAY lame and them just trying to save a buck by using their own stuff instead of forking out the $$ for a solid curriculum like K12. ButI REALLY hate the idea of online workbooks etc-yuck. Stinger and I usually do everything on the floor and with K12 it was simple as we had workbooks to follow with -Id just retell everything and hed lok at teh worksheets and pictures that we had in front of us etc. I dont think Stinger would care for up to the computer all school day with thee two subjects he loved learning about.
So Im totally bummed. Her we were actually getting to the point of liking this curriculum, getting used to it, and now we have to look for something else.
I asked Dh, "So do we want to try just this one year and see what they have-or totally switch to something new?" He said very quickly, " Just switch." He said he doesnt trust them and their idea of what a state core should be etc....
So I guess I know what Ill be doing.....LOLOLOL
Im actually excited abt it-maybe this was what I needed to have something MAKE me let loose of the Brick and Morter school for Stinger. Then we can pick and choose what curriculum would be best in each subject for him-which would be really neat. This is what Ive come up with so far:
Math-TouchMath-2nd grade
Science-library/more nature-Charlotte Mason type learning....colorful worksheets/pictures-4th grade
History/Geography-library/timelines-characters/projects-4th grade
Language-lots of reading/stories-2nd grade
Phonics-2nd grade-letter tiles/boards etc...games...
Handwriting-2nd grade
Art-incorporate with other day lessons,Enchanted Learning
Okay-this is just off the top of my head-Ive got TUNZ of stuff to go through again for the zillionth time.......LOLOLOL
Id REALLY like a whole package curriculum-well one that could outline lessons each day for me etc....that way we wouldn't get off track....
I dont know-I DO know Ive got a whole lot of research to do......
Mrs C.(The Principle in charge of the district K12 Program) wrote everyone an email saying that they are required to teach "State Corriculum" so this year things will be going a bit differently. So for History and Science(our 2 biggest hits with K12)they will not be going through K12 any more. Once they have gotten a set up curriculum for all other courses they will be not offering K12 for them either.
Yes, of course they will have workbooks ONLINE and worksheets you can print off etc. NOTHING like K12 had were it was really hands on and loads of activities and extra stuff that we could delve into. Plus everything woudl be lame worksheets and online things- etc. It just seasm WAY lame and them just trying to save a buck by using their own stuff instead of forking out the $$ for a solid curriculum like K12. ButI REALLY hate the idea of online workbooks etc-yuck. Stinger and I usually do everything on the floor and with K12 it was simple as we had workbooks to follow with -Id just retell everything and hed lok at teh worksheets and pictures that we had in front of us etc. I dont think Stinger would care for up to the computer all school day with thee two subjects he loved learning about.
So Im totally bummed. Her we were actually getting to the point of liking this curriculum, getting used to it, and now we have to look for something else.
I asked Dh, "So do we want to try just this one year and see what they have-or totally switch to something new?" He said very quickly, " Just switch." He said he doesnt trust them and their idea of what a state core should be etc....
So I guess I know what Ill be doing.....LOLOLOL
Im actually excited abt it-maybe this was what I needed to have something MAKE me let loose of the Brick and Morter school for Stinger. Then we can pick and choose what curriculum would be best in each subject for him-which would be really neat. This is what Ive come up with so far:
Math-TouchMath-2nd grade
Science-library/more nature-Charlotte Mason type learning....colorful worksheets/pictures-4th grade
History/Geography-library/timelines-characters/projects-4th grade
Language-lots of reading/stories-2nd grade
Phonics-2nd grade-letter tiles/boards etc...games...
Handwriting-2nd grade
Art-incorporate with other day lessons,Enchanted Learning
Okay-this is just off the top of my head-Ive got TUNZ of stuff to go through again for the zillionth time.......LOLOLOL
Id REALLY like a whole package curriculum-well one that could outline lessons each day for me etc....that way we wouldn't get off track....
I dont know-I DO know Ive got a whole lot of research to do......
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Testing......and Arrival of Some Tiny Critters :)
Well we loaded up to go to Brigham yet again this morning for the 15-30 min reading test.....can you say a WASTE of time....
And once again I had to explain to all the "testers" that Stinger needed me to stay in the room, that Stinger needed to have a divider/partition deal, needed to sit by himself etc...What-do they think I just make this stuff up? Hmmm Or MAYBEE I actually know what Im talking abt and these things will prevent problems not only for Stinger but the other children as well-eh? UGH-FRUSTRATING-for the Zillionth time...
So they walk away and go on and do the "whisper and looking deal in the corner" as Im rolling my eyes Im sure....They walk over abt to say something to me and I say "You know Ive spoken to Mrs C.(She is the Principle for the district and in charge of the K12 program run by it)abt all of this and she has assured me that its NOT a problem-so maybee you should call HER.
Basically my relationship with Mrs C started from the very beginning when I was questioning the districts policy on not supplying modififications for testing and IEP services etc-I called K12 they were very concerned and they called her and she called back and was more than willing to work with me then....;)Anyway-Mrs M( our supplied teacher)goes out of her way to help us-and so does Mrs C-but these other "testers" ...ugh-and thats who was there today....
Having to go through this each and every time starts me really not liking K12 and wanting to not do it again next year....But I talked with Stinger and he doesnt want to change to anything different-even if it means no more testing...so....change=bad as we all know......:)We'll proba be sticking with it. But the "you are just a parent" mentality and " I know more abt your child as Im the REAL teacher" attitude gets old REAL quick.
Stinger did Awesome! Like I knew he would. So we stopped off at the gas station for a pop and treat :)Thats our after test deal ard here :)So I was proud of him and upset at the testers...LOLOLOLOL
You know I just dont get it-he "supposedly" is in the Public School System still. He "supposedly" is to be getting IEP services and modifications, yet hissy fits are thrown by all when I want to stay in the room? Rediculous...okay change of subject......
ANTS-LOLOLOL
THEY CAME TODAY!!!!!! WHOOT!Stinger was sooo pleased. :) He's been waiting for them since he got his ant farms at X-Mas. But due to Utah weather they had a hold on them till it started to warm up. Abt 1/2 of them were dead on arrival-but they are really big and really neat to look at. Stinger is really enjoying them. We are watching Ant Wars on Tv on the Animal Planit as we speak-LOLOL. Cool-eh? Again-Im learning right along with my little guy. He cracks me up. He named the first ant to move through the tube George Washington.LOLOLOL He was in his room playing and I noticed an ant had made it across the tube to the other joining ant farm.( hes got two he has joined together with joining tubes) I said "Look Stinger- George got to the other side and went in the other ant farm!" He got up and looked and he said "Oh no Mom-thats not George -thats Christopher-Christopher Columbus."LOLOL-what a hoot-eh? As he was first to discover the other ant farm...LOLOLOL well duh Mom! LOLOLOLOLOL Too funny!
He told me the others were just ordinary-he calls them ordinary ants, but the ones that are brave and explorers have names...LOLOLOL Excellent ones-dont you think?
And once again I had to explain to all the "testers" that Stinger needed me to stay in the room, that Stinger needed to have a divider/partition deal, needed to sit by himself etc...What-do they think I just make this stuff up? Hmmm Or MAYBEE I actually know what Im talking abt and these things will prevent problems not only for Stinger but the other children as well-eh? UGH-FRUSTRATING-for the Zillionth time...
So they walk away and go on and do the "whisper and looking deal in the corner" as Im rolling my eyes Im sure....They walk over abt to say something to me and I say "You know Ive spoken to Mrs C.(She is the Principle for the district and in charge of the K12 program run by it)abt all of this and she has assured me that its NOT a problem-so maybee you should call HER.
Basically my relationship with Mrs C started from the very beginning when I was questioning the districts policy on not supplying modififications for testing and IEP services etc-I called K12 they were very concerned and they called her and she called back and was more than willing to work with me then....;)Anyway-Mrs M( our supplied teacher)goes out of her way to help us-and so does Mrs C-but these other "testers" ...ugh-and thats who was there today....
Having to go through this each and every time starts me really not liking K12 and wanting to not do it again next year....But I talked with Stinger and he doesnt want to change to anything different-even if it means no more testing...so....change=bad as we all know......:)We'll proba be sticking with it. But the "you are just a parent" mentality and " I know more abt your child as Im the REAL teacher" attitude gets old REAL quick.
Stinger did Awesome! Like I knew he would. So we stopped off at the gas station for a pop and treat :)Thats our after test deal ard here :)So I was proud of him and upset at the testers...LOLOLOLOL
You know I just dont get it-he "supposedly" is in the Public School System still. He "supposedly" is to be getting IEP services and modifications, yet hissy fits are thrown by all when I want to stay in the room? Rediculous...okay change of subject......
ANTS-LOLOLOL
THEY CAME TODAY!!!!!! WHOOT!Stinger was sooo pleased. :) He's been waiting for them since he got his ant farms at X-Mas. But due to Utah weather they had a hold on them till it started to warm up. Abt 1/2 of them were dead on arrival-but they are really big and really neat to look at. Stinger is really enjoying them. We are watching Ant Wars on Tv on the Animal Planit as we speak-LOLOL. Cool-eh? Again-Im learning right along with my little guy. He cracks me up. He named the first ant to move through the tube George Washington.LOLOLOL He was in his room playing and I noticed an ant had made it across the tube to the other joining ant farm.( hes got two he has joined together with joining tubes) I said "Look Stinger- George got to the other side and went in the other ant farm!" He got up and looked and he said "Oh no Mom-thats not George -thats Christopher-Christopher Columbus."LOLOL-what a hoot-eh? As he was first to discover the other ant farm...LOLOLOL well duh Mom! LOLOLOLOLOL Too funny!
He told me the others were just ordinary-he calls them ordinary ants, but the ones that are brave and explorers have names...LOLOLOL Excellent ones-dont you think?
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Devotion-Renewed Thinking
Okay really interesting how I get these articles at just the right time. The Lord really does provide in our time of need-eh?
RENEWED THINKING AND SOFT HEARTS
by Suzanne Benner
"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off
your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be
made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self,
created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:22
-- 24).
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind..." (Romans 12:2).
God's Word tells us that we will be transformed if we renew our minds,
but how exactly do we change our thinking or "be made new in the
attitude of our minds"?
The process begins by asking ourselves what lies we have believed.
Think about worry for example -- we all know that we shouldn't worry, but
just telling ourselves to stop worrying doesn't seem to work.
Instead ask yourself "What lie do I believe that causes me to worry?"
? Do I believe that God will not provide?
? Do I believe that God won't give me good gifts?
? Do I believe that God won't give me what I want?
These questions guided me to a startling discovery: I don't have a
problem with worry at all -- I have a problem with surrender! The
realization dawned on me that I didn't trust God to provide for me because it
might not be what I would choose. That also meant that I didn't believe
that God knows better than me what I need.
After discovering the lies, replace them with the truth from the Bible:
? God will provide. (Philippians 4:19)
? God is the giver of good gifts. (James 1:17)
? I need to trust God, not myself. (Proverbs 3:5)
? I need to submit to God. (James 4:7)
In this way, renewing our minds will change our behavior.
Yet, as we saw last week, the problem is not in our minds alone, but
also in our hearts. Therefore, as renewed minds must replace futile
thinking, so soft hearts need to replace hardened ones.
Three times the writer of Hebrews repeats, "Today, if you hear his
voice, do not harden your hearts" (3:7; 3:15; 4:7).
Why do we harden our hearts?
Daniel, in talking about King Nebuchadnezzar, tells us, "...his heart
became arrogant and hardened with pride..." (Daniel 5:20).
Thus when God shows us something, we cannot push it aside thinking it's
not important or it's too painful to deal with or He's asking too
much. We must respond to God's nudging, humble ourselves and repent in
order to keep our hearts soft.
Therefore a behavior problem is a mind problem and a mind problem is a
heart problem.
RENEWED THINKING AND SOFT HEARTS
by Suzanne Benner
"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off
your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be
made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self,
created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:22
-- 24).
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind..." (Romans 12:2).
God's Word tells us that we will be transformed if we renew our minds,
but how exactly do we change our thinking or "be made new in the
attitude of our minds"?
The process begins by asking ourselves what lies we have believed.
Think about worry for example -- we all know that we shouldn't worry, but
just telling ourselves to stop worrying doesn't seem to work.
Instead ask yourself "What lie do I believe that causes me to worry?"
? Do I believe that God will not provide?
? Do I believe that God won't give me good gifts?
? Do I believe that God won't give me what I want?
These questions guided me to a startling discovery: I don't have a
problem with worry at all -- I have a problem with surrender! The
realization dawned on me that I didn't trust God to provide for me because it
might not be what I would choose. That also meant that I didn't believe
that God knows better than me what I need.
After discovering the lies, replace them with the truth from the Bible:
? God will provide. (Philippians 4:19)
? God is the giver of good gifts. (James 1:17)
? I need to trust God, not myself. (Proverbs 3:5)
? I need to submit to God. (James 4:7)
In this way, renewing our minds will change our behavior.
Yet, as we saw last week, the problem is not in our minds alone, but
also in our hearts. Therefore, as renewed minds must replace futile
thinking, so soft hearts need to replace hardened ones.
Three times the writer of Hebrews repeats, "Today, if you hear his
voice, do not harden your hearts" (3:7; 3:15; 4:7).
Why do we harden our hearts?
Daniel, in talking about King Nebuchadnezzar, tells us, "...his heart
became arrogant and hardened with pride..." (Daniel 5:20).
Thus when God shows us something, we cannot push it aside thinking it's
not important or it's too painful to deal with or He's asking too
much. We must respond to God's nudging, humble ourselves and repent in
order to keep our hearts soft.
Therefore a behavior problem is a mind problem and a mind problem is a
heart problem.
Appreciation for Life-article
Talk abt hitting home.........enjoy :)
It’s a beautiful day and we’re at the beach. The air is filled with laughter and joy. I smile as I watch my 4 year old daughter build sand castles with her cousin. I turn to my son and my heart grows heavy. Oblivious to everything around him, he constantly sifts the sand through his fingers, watching the particles scatter as they fall.
The playground is alive. Children are laughing together. They take turns on the swings, propelling themselves higher and higher. They flitter effortlessly from the slide, to the jungle gym and across the monkey bars. I watch my 5 year old daughter join in with the crowd. Her face is filled with delight as she spins on the tire swing with two other kids. Chatting to some friends, I smile and look happy but depression sets in as I watch my son scale the perimeter of the fence. Unaware of the activity around him, he simply stares at the trees, watching the leaves blowing in the breeze.
We’re in the clothes store and my daughter is excited. At 6 years old she likes matching her clothes. She happily goes from rack to rack, wanting to buy shirts and skirts and socks. Her participation is wonderful to see. My anxiety increases as I hold onto my son’s hand. Not caring what he wears and not knowing how to match, he is crying and constantly trying to hide between the clothes racks.
At home I am relaxing on the sofa. My 7 year old daughter suddenly runs up to me and throws her arms around me in a loving embrace. “Mommy I love you so much” she declares with a huge smile. It’s a bittersweet moment because out of the corner of my eye, I watch my son staring at his fingers as he flicks them through the air.
Walking through the museum my 8 year old daughter is impressed. She happily discusses each piece with us, asking questions and offering her opinion. My son walks by my side, staring blankly at each piece. My heart is broken. He makes no comment and I wonder if he comprehends where we are.
Years go by and my children grow and mature
Taking a family stroll through the park we pass by a playground. My 13 year old daughter grumbles that she’s hot and nags us to go home. I turn to my son and can’t help but smile. He has picked up a dandelion and holding it high in the air, he watches fascinated as the seeds sprinkle and scatter through the air.
On a tour through a famous art museum, my 14 year old daughter is not happy. Refusing to look at the displays, she constantly asks when we’re planning to leave. I look at my son and he smiles at me in delight. My heart fills with pride as I watch him intently study the artwork and paintings on the wall.
It’s the perfect evening for a walk on the beach. As we settle on the sand to watch the sunset my 15 year old daughter complains of boredom. With a sigh I turn to my son and immediately get caught up in his delight. Enjoying each moment as if it were his first time, he watches the sky change color as the sun goes down.
While at the food court in the mall, I notice my 16 year old daughter with her friends. I smile and wave happily. At the age where she’s embarrassed to be seen with her parents, she pretends not to notice me and walks right by. The hurt is immediately replaced by joy as my son innocently gives me an affectionate bear hug and then happily drinks his soda.
We’re in the clothes store and my 17 year old daughter is mad. I listen in frustration as she insists that she can only purchase the latest and most expensive designer jeans. I turn away from her and break into a smile. My son is holding up a simple pair of shorts while looking at me with questioning eyes.
Stuck in traffic our whole family is frustrated. Everyone except my son who has turned his attention to a flock of birds resting on a telephone wire. One by one we smile at each other as we notice his delight. With his unique ability to appreciate life, my son constantly reminds us all how precious it is to appreciate each moment.
- By Jene Aviram
It’s a beautiful day and we’re at the beach. The air is filled with laughter and joy. I smile as I watch my 4 year old daughter build sand castles with her cousin. I turn to my son and my heart grows heavy. Oblivious to everything around him, he constantly sifts the sand through his fingers, watching the particles scatter as they fall.
The playground is alive. Children are laughing together. They take turns on the swings, propelling themselves higher and higher. They flitter effortlessly from the slide, to the jungle gym and across the monkey bars. I watch my 5 year old daughter join in with the crowd. Her face is filled with delight as she spins on the tire swing with two other kids. Chatting to some friends, I smile and look happy but depression sets in as I watch my son scale the perimeter of the fence. Unaware of the activity around him, he simply stares at the trees, watching the leaves blowing in the breeze.
We’re in the clothes store and my daughter is excited. At 6 years old she likes matching her clothes. She happily goes from rack to rack, wanting to buy shirts and skirts and socks. Her participation is wonderful to see. My anxiety increases as I hold onto my son’s hand. Not caring what he wears and not knowing how to match, he is crying and constantly trying to hide between the clothes racks.
At home I am relaxing on the sofa. My 7 year old daughter suddenly runs up to me and throws her arms around me in a loving embrace. “Mommy I love you so much” she declares with a huge smile. It’s a bittersweet moment because out of the corner of my eye, I watch my son staring at his fingers as he flicks them through the air.
Walking through the museum my 8 year old daughter is impressed. She happily discusses each piece with us, asking questions and offering her opinion. My son walks by my side, staring blankly at each piece. My heart is broken. He makes no comment and I wonder if he comprehends where we are.
Years go by and my children grow and mature
Taking a family stroll through the park we pass by a playground. My 13 year old daughter grumbles that she’s hot and nags us to go home. I turn to my son and can’t help but smile. He has picked up a dandelion and holding it high in the air, he watches fascinated as the seeds sprinkle and scatter through the air.
On a tour through a famous art museum, my 14 year old daughter is not happy. Refusing to look at the displays, she constantly asks when we’re planning to leave. I look at my son and he smiles at me in delight. My heart fills with pride as I watch him intently study the artwork and paintings on the wall.
It’s the perfect evening for a walk on the beach. As we settle on the sand to watch the sunset my 15 year old daughter complains of boredom. With a sigh I turn to my son and immediately get caught up in his delight. Enjoying each moment as if it were his first time, he watches the sky change color as the sun goes down.
While at the food court in the mall, I notice my 16 year old daughter with her friends. I smile and wave happily. At the age where she’s embarrassed to be seen with her parents, she pretends not to notice me and walks right by. The hurt is immediately replaced by joy as my son innocently gives me an affectionate bear hug and then happily drinks his soda.
We’re in the clothes store and my 17 year old daughter is mad. I listen in frustration as she insists that she can only purchase the latest and most expensive designer jeans. I turn away from her and break into a smile. My son is holding up a simple pair of shorts while looking at me with questioning eyes.
Stuck in traffic our whole family is frustrated. Everyone except my son who has turned his attention to a flock of birds resting on a telephone wire. One by one we smile at each other as we notice his delight. With his unique ability to appreciate life, my son constantly reminds us all how precious it is to appreciate each moment.
- By Jene Aviram
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Whew...........*sigh of relief* *catching my breath* ...finally LOLOLOL
Looks like Tuesdays are going to be quite busy for awhile ard here......
This was our after school schedule today:
4:00-5---->Flamingos Girl Scouts-got more homework for some badges to do....
5:15-5:45->stop at store gotta get milk, get home and run ard getting dinner ready and eat
6-6:30---->Flamingos Soccer practise
6:30-9---->LAMP training with Utah Parent Center
9:30------>kids in bed(miracle it was), Flamingos homework
Needless to say things didnt run to smoothly---STINGER....LOLOLOLOL But it was expected. Meltdown abt getting dressed, Meltdown and refusal to get out of car for soccer practice-said it was too cold to play on the playground, but didnt want to stay in the car by himself, Monkey Boy starts to cry as he wants to play on the play ground. Stinger finally steps out of the car and sits up on the top of the slide the whole time. I go and move teh car closser so he can get in the car and I can watch Flamingo and keep eyes on Monkey Boy playing.....sheesh.....
Found out not only is Flamingos game tomorrow, but pictures an hour earlier. Yes I told Stinger tonight and the fussing has already begun. But I thought Id inform him so tomorrow isnt a total refusal etc....He said "oh...its going to be the worst day of my life"Shaking his head back and forth.....So we will deal and go on......
Its hard bringing him everywhere we have to go when I know he hates it...but this is how its got to be. I used to just tell Flamingo she couldnt do things, but I realized that was totally unfair to her. So upsets are expected with Stinger now each and everytime we go out...and we just deal....
We got home, I popped a movie in the DVD and had some popcorn popped and Stinger got on the computer and I headed upstairs to have my teleconferance. Where I learned our "projects" are due in June.....sigh....
I've thought abt it and I think Im going to write up a brochure of sorts, info packet, resource list, etc, for parents of special needs and distribute them throughout the community etc. Something I wish had been there for me here. So thats what Ill be digging into for a while.
I so wish I could be on commmities, be more involved, go to support groups etc. But its hard when Stinger hates going out and interacting and just "being" with anyone.....
So Im back to the endless question-do I let him be-accept him that this is who he is and deal, pass.... on things that come up taht i wish I coudl do, or attend...or do I try and make him not so? I wish I knew what was best for him. To push-will that in any way change how things are, or just make him more upset and hard to get to places? Or just accept this and make everyone in the family learn to accept this as well???? Is it just anxiety that could be helped with ...something? I havent a clue.
All Iknow is that this is the ONE thing that isnt changing since we started homeschooling, that maybee it is possibly getting worse here...and what do I do abt it....if anything......Nims Island (Jody Foster)pops into my mind yet again and I catch myself fearing the what ifs yet again... what if this is his future? What should I do ...anyone?????:)
Does this sound more like that than something on the Autism Spectrum?
Fester...fester...fester........
This was our after school schedule today:
4:00-5---->Flamingos Girl Scouts-got more homework for some badges to do....
5:15-5:45->stop at store gotta get milk, get home and run ard getting dinner ready and eat
6-6:30---->Flamingos Soccer practise
6:30-9---->LAMP training with Utah Parent Center
9:30------>kids in bed(miracle it was), Flamingos homework
Needless to say things didnt run to smoothly---STINGER....LOLOLOLOL But it was expected. Meltdown abt getting dressed, Meltdown and refusal to get out of car for soccer practice-said it was too cold to play on the playground, but didnt want to stay in the car by himself, Monkey Boy starts to cry as he wants to play on the play ground. Stinger finally steps out of the car and sits up on the top of the slide the whole time. I go and move teh car closser so he can get in the car and I can watch Flamingo and keep eyes on Monkey Boy playing.....sheesh.....
Found out not only is Flamingos game tomorrow, but pictures an hour earlier. Yes I told Stinger tonight and the fussing has already begun. But I thought Id inform him so tomorrow isnt a total refusal etc....He said "oh...its going to be the worst day of my life"Shaking his head back and forth.....So we will deal and go on......
Its hard bringing him everywhere we have to go when I know he hates it...but this is how its got to be. I used to just tell Flamingo she couldnt do things, but I realized that was totally unfair to her. So upsets are expected with Stinger now each and everytime we go out...and we just deal....
We got home, I popped a movie in the DVD and had some popcorn popped and Stinger got on the computer and I headed upstairs to have my teleconferance. Where I learned our "projects" are due in June.....sigh....
I've thought abt it and I think Im going to write up a brochure of sorts, info packet, resource list, etc, for parents of special needs and distribute them throughout the community etc. Something I wish had been there for me here. So thats what Ill be digging into for a while.
I so wish I could be on commmities, be more involved, go to support groups etc. But its hard when Stinger hates going out and interacting and just "being" with anyone.....
So Im back to the endless question-do I let him be-accept him that this is who he is and deal, pass.... on things that come up taht i wish I coudl do, or attend...or do I try and make him not so? I wish I knew what was best for him. To push-will that in any way change how things are, or just make him more upset and hard to get to places? Or just accept this and make everyone in the family learn to accept this as well???? Is it just anxiety that could be helped with ...something? I havent a clue.
All Iknow is that this is the ONE thing that isnt changing since we started homeschooling, that maybee it is possibly getting worse here...and what do I do abt it....if anything......Nims Island (Jody Foster)pops into my mind yet again and I catch myself fearing the what ifs yet again... what if this is his future? What should I do ...anyone?????:)
Does this sound more like that than something on the Autism Spectrum?
Fester...fester...fester........
Monday, April 14, 2008
My Secret Sis-Exposed!!!!! :)
I just received a final gift from my secret sis, and found out who she is!!!!!
Thank you secret sis for the oil burner. I LOVE it!!!!!I love plugging it up and having the house smell all nice for when dh gets home :) During the day when Im reading or having a quiet time I plug it up as well as it is very soothing and helps me de-stress from the day!Im excited to go to your blog and learn all abt you {{HUGS}}Thank you for being such a strength and inspiration to me these past months{{HUGS}}
Thank you secret sis for the oil burner. I LOVE it!!!!!I love plugging it up and having the house smell all nice for when dh gets home :) During the day when Im reading or having a quiet time I plug it up as well as it is very soothing and helps me de-stress from the day!Im excited to go to your blog and learn all abt you {{HUGS}}Thank you for being such a strength and inspiration to me these past months{{HUGS}}
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