Well its happened.....
I copied this from a friend's blog and thought I'd post it since the talk has been about California and HS.
"Today it was announced that it is no longer legal to home school in our state without a CA state teacher credential. There are over 250,000 home schooled children in our state and I dare say that more 85% of them are taught by mothers and fathers who are not licensed in our state. We are members of the Home School Legal Defense Association and recommend that all of you CA homeschooling families join ASAP. The news tonight stated that criminal charges, jail time, and/ fines may be brought against parents who do not comply. ....To read more about this issue and to sign a petition to de-publish the ruling, click here... http://www.hslda.org/Default.asp?bhcp=1
You know in Germany itsstill illegal to homeschool-one of Hitlers many total government control orders. Pretty scary when you start to understand and realize how each and every day we are becoming more and more similar........sigh......
Friday, March 07, 2008
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Cross Your Fingers and Toes.....
Well today is the day-our first trial run with Mr.B here at home. We decided it was best if he just supposedly "shows up to play" ;) As last time Stinger was NOT thrilled and decided to hide-which more than likely will happen today-we shall see though. Im crossing everything that we have a good day :)Im being positive :)
He's coming over between 1:30 ish-3. This is our small window before Flamingo gets home from school. Dh is at work and things are more quiet with Flamingo being gone. Monkey Boy will be here and that should be interesting-he talked more to Mr. B last time than Stinger did.
Anyway-we shall see.......
He's coming over between 1:30 ish-3. This is our small window before Flamingo gets home from school. Dh is at work and things are more quiet with Flamingo being gone. Monkey Boy will be here and that should be interesting-he talked more to Mr. B last time than Stinger did.
Anyway-we shall see.......
Monday, March 03, 2008
Our Second Loss...:(
Well I put this off all weekend..........
Ding our 1&1/2 yr old Rottie has left us to be with Bell in Heaven.
Her hind legs just gave out on her. It was a gradual thing-little things we had noticed for awhile-when she would jump up-she would sometimes wimper. She woul dpace back and forth. About a month ago we had decided to put her outside in the kennel as she was having accidents whenever you would get upset with her etc. So Puddin' has been inside instead.
Ding was acting fine until abt Thursday afternoon. I noticed his legs were bothering him. I thought it was just the snow and him not liking to step on it. Then Friday he could barely get up-well he couldnt. He kept falling down, wouldnt eat or drink. He could get his head up and he was responding to his name, but he was shaking and would flop his head back down on the ground unable to try keep trying to get up. :(
I woke Dh up and told him something was wrong. We rushed Ding to the vet only to find out that it was irriversable-somewhat like a stroke the doc said. It was in his head. Nothing was hurt-his legs were fine. But his mind was telling him that he couldnt stand. The doc said that it was different- as a person can be treated and can come back from it with care and work, but a dog wouldnt-and with Ding being so big it would be near impossible to take care of her needs like we would have to-potty, eating, etc. He said he could give him steroids, but that it would just make him more comforteable and he wouldnt get the use back to his legs :(
Dh told me to leave as he could see I was getting upset and he talked to the doc more in detail. I went out to the car with the kids and just started bawling. I didnt hold it together too well and this made all the kids start to cry :(So I went back to the kids-told them I didnt know if Ding was going to a make it :(
Oh-it was the worst thing. :( :( :(
So we decided for Ding it was best to let him go. So the kids came in and said goodbye and I stayed back and was there holding him to the end :(
We skipped school on Friday as no one was in the best mood to do anything....
I still dont like looking outside at the dog kennel-as it reminds me of Ding-its still really hard. He was abig part of our lives. I'm still torn up about it-but Ive still got to go on for the kids and our family-but its been hard. So that alone has helped me.
We told the kids he's up there with Bell runing and playing. Now God has 2 great Guard dogs :)
I was close to Ding-close like Monkey boy was. He will be missed :(
Ding our 1&1/2 yr old Rottie has left us to be with Bell in Heaven.
Her hind legs just gave out on her. It was a gradual thing-little things we had noticed for awhile-when she would jump up-she would sometimes wimper. She woul dpace back and forth. About a month ago we had decided to put her outside in the kennel as she was having accidents whenever you would get upset with her etc. So Puddin' has been inside instead.
Ding was acting fine until abt Thursday afternoon. I noticed his legs were bothering him. I thought it was just the snow and him not liking to step on it. Then Friday he could barely get up-well he couldnt. He kept falling down, wouldnt eat or drink. He could get his head up and he was responding to his name, but he was shaking and would flop his head back down on the ground unable to try keep trying to get up. :(
I woke Dh up and told him something was wrong. We rushed Ding to the vet only to find out that it was irriversable-somewhat like a stroke the doc said. It was in his head. Nothing was hurt-his legs were fine. But his mind was telling him that he couldnt stand. The doc said that it was different- as a person can be treated and can come back from it with care and work, but a dog wouldnt-and with Ding being so big it would be near impossible to take care of her needs like we would have to-potty, eating, etc. He said he could give him steroids, but that it would just make him more comforteable and he wouldnt get the use back to his legs :(
Dh told me to leave as he could see I was getting upset and he talked to the doc more in detail. I went out to the car with the kids and just started bawling. I didnt hold it together too well and this made all the kids start to cry :(So I went back to the kids-told them I didnt know if Ding was going to a make it :(
Oh-it was the worst thing. :( :( :(
So we decided for Ding it was best to let him go. So the kids came in and said goodbye and I stayed back and was there holding him to the end :(
We skipped school on Friday as no one was in the best mood to do anything....
I still dont like looking outside at the dog kennel-as it reminds me of Ding-its still really hard. He was abig part of our lives. I'm still torn up about it-but Ive still got to go on for the kids and our family-but its been hard. So that alone has helped me.
We told the kids he's up there with Bell runing and playing. Now God has 2 great Guard dogs :)
I was close to Ding-close like Monkey boy was. He will be missed :(
Saturday, March 01, 2008
PIcky Kids Eating article
This article was REALLY good and I could really relate to it with Stinger. So Im going to be trying this method:
http://gfcf-diet.talkaboutcuringautism.org/picky-kids-eating-autism.htm
We took the long road in getting Jeff used to foods by following these steps:
1.You eat the food next to the child and comment “this ___ is yummy”. (It was important to make sure you had his attention and observed you eating the new food.)
2.A friend of the child or a highly reinforcing person eats the food next to the child comments “this ___ is yummy”. (Again, it is important to gain attention on this step and all others.)
3.In home therapy time, school, and down time have the therapists/parents take a picture of the desired to eat food and talk about it. Do drills or sort foods in the similar category. We moved from pictures to actual whole bananas and other fruits into his therapy and play activities.
4.We then put a small amount of the food on a separate plate NEXT to your child’s plate. Point to it and discuss. Eat a few off the plate and comment “this ___ is yummy”
5.The big step: Put the food on your childs plate. He/she does NOT eat the food. But has to tolerate the food being on the plate. Tell your child “you don’t have to eat the ____. It just needs to be on your plate during your meal.”
6.Next big step: put the same food on your childs plate and during the meal your child needs to TOUCH the food. Tell your child “you don’t have to eat the ____ it just needs to be touched with a finger during your meal.”
7.Getting really big step: put the same food on your childs plate and during the meal your child needs to PICK UP the food. Tell your child “you don’t have to eat the ____ it just needs to be PICK UP THE FOOD ONCE during your meal.”
8.Now we are moving: put the same food on your childs plate and during the meal your child needs to PICK UP AND PUT THE FOOD ON THE LIPS. Tell your child “you don’t have to eat the ____ it just needs to be PICK UP AND PUT THE FOOD ON THE LIPS during your meal.”
9.Guess what – the next step includes the dreded tongue! Put the same food on your childs plate and during the meal your child needs to PICK UP AND PUT THE FOOD ON THE TONGUE. Tell your child “you don’t have to eat the ____ it just needs to be PICK UP AND PUT THE FOOD ON THE TONGUE during your meal.”
10.Last step – the holy grail: PUTTING THE SMALLEST PIECE in the mouth and finally swallowing the food.
Note, it is highly possible little chewing happens the first go around. Work with your child to chew as the final step!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------worth a shot-eh? Looks really good anyway...LOLOLOL
http://gfcf-diet.talkaboutcuringautism.org/picky-kids-eating-autism.htm
We took the long road in getting Jeff used to foods by following these steps:
1.You eat the food next to the child and comment “this ___ is yummy”. (It was important to make sure you had his attention and observed you eating the new food.)
2.A friend of the child or a highly reinforcing person eats the food next to the child comments “this ___ is yummy”. (Again, it is important to gain attention on this step and all others.)
3.In home therapy time, school, and down time have the therapists/parents take a picture of the desired to eat food and talk about it. Do drills or sort foods in the similar category. We moved from pictures to actual whole bananas and other fruits into his therapy and play activities.
4.We then put a small amount of the food on a separate plate NEXT to your child’s plate. Point to it and discuss. Eat a few off the plate and comment “this ___ is yummy”
5.The big step: Put the food on your childs plate. He/she does NOT eat the food. But has to tolerate the food being on the plate. Tell your child “you don’t have to eat the ____. It just needs to be on your plate during your meal.”
6.Next big step: put the same food on your childs plate and during the meal your child needs to TOUCH the food. Tell your child “you don’t have to eat the ____ it just needs to be touched with a finger during your meal.”
7.Getting really big step: put the same food on your childs plate and during the meal your child needs to PICK UP the food. Tell your child “you don’t have to eat the ____ it just needs to be PICK UP THE FOOD ONCE during your meal.”
8.Now we are moving: put the same food on your childs plate and during the meal your child needs to PICK UP AND PUT THE FOOD ON THE LIPS. Tell your child “you don’t have to eat the ____ it just needs to be PICK UP AND PUT THE FOOD ON THE LIPS during your meal.”
9.Guess what – the next step includes the dreded tongue! Put the same food on your childs plate and during the meal your child needs to PICK UP AND PUT THE FOOD ON THE TONGUE. Tell your child “you don’t have to eat the ____ it just needs to be PICK UP AND PUT THE FOOD ON THE TONGUE during your meal.”
10.Last step – the holy grail: PUTTING THE SMALLEST PIECE in the mouth and finally swallowing the food.
Note, it is highly possible little chewing happens the first go around. Work with your child to chew as the final step!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------worth a shot-eh? Looks really good anyway...LOLOLOL
Judge Orders Homeschoolers Into Government Education
http://www.wnd. com/index. php?fa=PAGE. view&pageId=57679
This is really scary..........especially when we all know that California's ideas seam to cross over to us sooner or later-eh? Not a good sign of things to come.....
This is really scary..........especially when we all know that California's ideas seam to cross over to us sooner or later-eh? Not a good sign of things to come.....
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
The "Perfect" Homeschool Mom
This picked me right up :)
The "Perfect" Home-School Mom?
Who is the "perfect" home-school mom? Where and how does she live? Is her husband the "perfect" home-school father who always makes the right choices? What are her children like? What kind of house does she live in? Is it always clean and well organized?
The "perfect" home-school mom is one who lifts her eyes to the Lord, the source of her help (Psalm 121). She desires to have a closer relationship to the Lord, to be a Godly woman with a heart of thanksgiving in all things, to be a better helpmeet to her husband, and to be a loving mother to her children.
The "perfect" home-school mom may be somewhat (or extraordinarily!) disorganized, but still has the humbleness of mind to say, "I'm having a problem with a certain area of organization. Does anyone have any suggestions which may help me?"
The "perfect" home-school mom is one who goes through trials -- difficult trials, fiery trials -- and cries out to the Lord in the midst of them. "Then she cried to the Lord in her trouble, and He saved her from her distress. He brought her out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away her chains. Let her give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds to women" (Psalm 107:13-15 paraphrased).
The "perfect" home-school mom is one who is sometimes running, sometimes walking, and sometimes faltering, but who continues to run the race set before her with trust and perseverance of faith. She may become irritated, frustrated, or overwhelmed, but she continues to pray, to seek, and to overcome in the strength of the Lord.
The "perfect" home-school mom is one who loves the Lord and her family and will give up many luxuries of time, energy, and money to show that love is a daily way of life. She is human; but she knows Whose she is and "Who is able to keep that which she has committed to Him against that day" (II Timothy 1:12.).
The "perfect" home-school mom sees the endless making of meals, the washing of clothes, shopping, cleaning house, and lesson preparation week after week and month after month as work to give back to the Lord with thanksgiving (Col. 3:17). She understands that these chores are not just something to be finished so that she can "get on with life" or "get to the fun things" (a lie of the enemy that our responsibilities are drudgery). Instead, her work builds relationships and character into herself and her dear children as well as developing skills.
The "perfect" home-school mom doesn't get depressed when she realizes that she will have to prepare at least 15,000 more meals in her lifetime. She teaches her family by example to rejoice in serving and to be attentive to details.
The "perfect" home-school mom talks to the Lord about her husband's weaknesses and talks to her husband about his good qualities.
The "perfect" home-school mom realizes she is weak, but knows Who is strong. She learns to rest in the everlasting love of the Lord and knows that it is Him, the Maker of heaven and earth, who will give her His strength, His grace, and His wisdom to press on.
The "perfect" heart is not one that does everything right, but one that holds back nothing (not even her inadequacies) from the Lord (Psalm 51).
The "perfect" home-school mom has seen the Lord intervene in the mediocrity of daily living, taking an ordinary day and making it extraordinary.
Will the "perfect" home-school mom please stand up? Couldn't we all stand?
Don't we fit the criteria? Yes! We are "perfect" home-school moms, not because we are able, but because we know that we are unable apart from God's holy grace, and He is able.
Circumstances vary from family to family, but the promises of God and His Word never change. They continue, from generation to generation, to be a source of great joy and peace for those who have been called to His Kingdom.
"I will run the course set out in Thy commandments, for they gladden the heart." (Psalm 119:32)
-- by Naida Gomes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------->beautiful :)
The "Perfect" Home-School Mom?
Who is the "perfect" home-school mom? Where and how does she live? Is her husband the "perfect" home-school father who always makes the right choices? What are her children like? What kind of house does she live in? Is it always clean and well organized?
The "perfect" home-school mom is one who lifts her eyes to the Lord, the source of her help (Psalm 121). She desires to have a closer relationship to the Lord, to be a Godly woman with a heart of thanksgiving in all things, to be a better helpmeet to her husband, and to be a loving mother to her children.
The "perfect" home-school mom may be somewhat (or extraordinarily!) disorganized, but still has the humbleness of mind to say, "I'm having a problem with a certain area of organization. Does anyone have any suggestions which may help me?"
The "perfect" home-school mom is one who goes through trials -- difficult trials, fiery trials -- and cries out to the Lord in the midst of them. "Then she cried to the Lord in her trouble, and He saved her from her distress. He brought her out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away her chains. Let her give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds to women" (Psalm 107:13-15 paraphrased).
The "perfect" home-school mom is one who is sometimes running, sometimes walking, and sometimes faltering, but who continues to run the race set before her with trust and perseverance of faith. She may become irritated, frustrated, or overwhelmed, but she continues to pray, to seek, and to overcome in the strength of the Lord.
The "perfect" home-school mom is one who loves the Lord and her family and will give up many luxuries of time, energy, and money to show that love is a daily way of life. She is human; but she knows Whose she is and "Who is able to keep that which she has committed to Him against that day" (II Timothy 1:12.).
The "perfect" home-school mom sees the endless making of meals, the washing of clothes, shopping, cleaning house, and lesson preparation week after week and month after month as work to give back to the Lord with thanksgiving (Col. 3:17). She understands that these chores are not just something to be finished so that she can "get on with life" or "get to the fun things" (a lie of the enemy that our responsibilities are drudgery). Instead, her work builds relationships and character into herself and her dear children as well as developing skills.
The "perfect" home-school mom doesn't get depressed when she realizes that she will have to prepare at least 15,000 more meals in her lifetime. She teaches her family by example to rejoice in serving and to be attentive to details.
The "perfect" home-school mom talks to the Lord about her husband's weaknesses and talks to her husband about his good qualities.
The "perfect" home-school mom realizes she is weak, but knows Who is strong. She learns to rest in the everlasting love of the Lord and knows that it is Him, the Maker of heaven and earth, who will give her His strength, His grace, and His wisdom to press on.
The "perfect" heart is not one that does everything right, but one that holds back nothing (not even her inadequacies) from the Lord (Psalm 51).
The "perfect" home-school mom has seen the Lord intervene in the mediocrity of daily living, taking an ordinary day and making it extraordinary.
Will the "perfect" home-school mom please stand up? Couldn't we all stand?
Don't we fit the criteria? Yes! We are "perfect" home-school moms, not because we are able, but because we know that we are unable apart from God's holy grace, and He is able.
Circumstances vary from family to family, but the promises of God and His Word never change. They continue, from generation to generation, to be a source of great joy and peace for those who have been called to His Kingdom.
"I will run the course set out in Thy commandments, for they gladden the heart." (Psalm 119:32)
-- by Naida Gomes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------->beautiful :)
Saturday, February 23, 2008
God's Butterfly
This was written by a mother first trying homeschooling-having had bad experiances at PS she has seen her Kaitlyn shine since homeschooling :)
Made me smile :) :)
God's Butterfly
written for my Kaitlin By: ~AC~
A Butterfly she is to me
Though a caterpillar you may see.
Rough around the edges
A little prickly to the touch.
Your eyes have deceived you
when you thought you weren't seeing much.
To a hiding place I will send her
A place for her to transform.
Though it may seem to you a mistake
for her good this chance I will take.
Though the space may seem tight at times
Her refinement I have in mind.
I will paint her wings beautiful colors
As a new side of me she learns.
I will purify her spirit
As she concentrates on my word.
I will make evident her beauty
before I again release her to the world.
For her job will be to flutter
as she spreads my precious word.
One day she will be ready
a cocoon no longer needed.
She will spread her wings and fly
and always be by my side.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------->BEAUTIFUL-eh?
Made me smile :) :)
God's Butterfly
written for my Kaitlin By: ~AC~
A Butterfly she is to me
Though a caterpillar you may see.
Rough around the edges
A little prickly to the touch.
Your eyes have deceived you
when you thought you weren't seeing much.
To a hiding place I will send her
A place for her to transform.
Though it may seem to you a mistake
for her good this chance I will take.
Though the space may seem tight at times
Her refinement I have in mind.
I will paint her wings beautiful colors
As a new side of me she learns.
I will purify her spirit
As she concentrates on my word.
I will make evident her beauty
before I again release her to the world.
For her job will be to flutter
as she spreads my precious word.
One day she will be ready
a cocoon no longer needed.
She will spread her wings and fly
and always be by my side.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------->BEAUTIFUL-eh?
Friday, February 22, 2008
21 Rules
man-now if I could just find this one cross stitch ;)
21 Rules Of This House
The 21 Rules Of This Houseby Gregg Harris
1. We obey God.
2. We love, honor and pray for one another.
3. We tell the truth.
4. We consider one another's interests ahead of our own.
5. We speak quietly and respectfully with one another.
6. We do not hurt one another with unkind words or deeds.
7. When someone needs correction, we correct him in love.
8. When someone is sorry, we forgive him.
9. When someone is sad, we comfort him.
10. When someone is happy, we rejoice with him.
11. When we have something nice to share, we share it.
12. When we have work to do, we do it without complaining.
13. We take good care of everything that God has given us.
14. We do not create unnecessary work for others.
15. When we open something, we close it.
16. When we take something out, we put it away.
17. When we turn something on, we turn it off.
18. When we make a mess, we clean it up.
19. When we do not know what to do, we ask.
20. When we go out, we act just as if we were in this house.
21. When we disobey or forget any of the 21 Rules of This House, we acceptthe discipline and instruction of the Lord.
FortifyingTheFamily
21 Rules Of This House
The 21 Rules Of This Houseby Gregg Harris
1. We obey God.
2. We love, honor and pray for one another.
3. We tell the truth.
4. We consider one another's interests ahead of our own.
5. We speak quietly and respectfully with one another.
6. We do not hurt one another with unkind words or deeds.
7. When someone needs correction, we correct him in love.
8. When someone is sorry, we forgive him.
9. When someone is sad, we comfort him.
10. When someone is happy, we rejoice with him.
11. When we have something nice to share, we share it.
12. When we have work to do, we do it without complaining.
13. We take good care of everything that God has given us.
14. We do not create unnecessary work for others.
15. When we open something, we close it.
16. When we take something out, we put it away.
17. When we turn something on, we turn it off.
18. When we make a mess, we clean it up.
19. When we do not know what to do, we ask.
20. When we go out, we act just as if we were in this house.
21. When we disobey or forget any of the 21 Rules of This House, we acceptthe discipline and instruction of the Lord.
FortifyingTheFamily
Thursday, February 21, 2008
The Bathroom Stall--HYSTERICAL! LOLOLOLOLOL
THE BATHROOM STORY -- A 3-year-old tells all from his mother's
restroom stall By Shannon Popkin
My little guy, Cade, is quite a talker. He loves to communicate and does it quite well. He talks to people constantly, whether we're in the library, the grocery store or at a drive-thru window. People often comment on how clearly he speaks for a just-turned-3-year-old. And you never have to ask him to turn up the volume. It's always fully cranked. There've been several embarrassing times that I've wished the meaning of his words would have been masked by a not-so-audible voice, but never have I wished this more than last week at Costco.
Halfway through our shopping trip, nature called, so I took Cade with me into the restroom. If you'd been one of the ladies in the rest-room that evening, this is> what you would have heard coming from the second to the last stall:
"Mommy, are you gonna go potty? Oh! Why are you putting toiwet paper on the potty, Mommy? Oh! You gonna sit down on da toiwet paper now? Mommy, what are you doing? Mommy, are you gonna go stinkies on the potty?" At this point I started mentally counting how many women had been in the bathroom when I walked in. Several stalls were full ... 4? 5? Maybe we could wait until they all left before I had to make my debut out of this stall and reveal my identity.
Cade continued, "Mommy, you ARE going stinkies aren't you? Oh, dats a good girl, Mommy! Are you gonna get some candy for going stinkies on the potty? Let me see doze stinkies, Mommy! Oh ... Mommy! I'm trying to see in dere. Oh! I see dem. Dat is a very good girl, Mommy. You are gonna get some candy!"
I heard a few faint chuckles coming from the stalls on either side of me.
Where is a screaming new born when you need one? Good grief. This was really getting embarrassing. I was definitely waiting a long time before exiting. Trying to divert him, I said, "Why don't you look in Mommy's purse and see if you can find some candy. We'll both have some.
"No, I'm trying to see doze more stinkies. Oh! Mommy!" He started to gag at this point.
"Uh oh, Mommy. I fink I'm gonna frow up. Mommy, doze stinkies are making me frow up!! Dat is so gross!!"
As the gags became louder, so did the chuckles outside my stall. I quickly flushed the toilet in hopes of changing the subject. I began to reason with myself: OK. there are four other toilets. If I count four flushes, I can be reasonably assured that those who overheard this embarrassing monologue will be long gone.
"Mommy! Would you get off the potty, now? I want you to be done doing stinkies! Get up! Get up!" He grunted as he tried to pull me.
Now I could hear full-blown laughter. I bent down to count the feet outside my door.
Oh, are you wooking under dere, Mommy? You wooking under da door?
What were you wooking at, Mommy? You wooking at the wady's feet?"
More laughter.
I stood inside the locked door and tried to assess the situation.
"Mommy, it's time to wash our hands, now. We have to go out now, Mommy."
He started pounding on the door. "Mommy, don't you want to wash your hands? I want to go out!!"
I saw that my "wait 'em out" plan was unraveling. I sheepishly opened the door and found standing outside my stall, twenty to thirty ladies crowded around the stall, all smiling and starting to applaud.
My first thought was complete embarrassment, then I thought, "Where's the fine print on the 'motherhood contract' where I signed away every bit of my dignity and privacy?"
But as my little boy gave me a big, cheeky grin while he rubbed bubbly soap between his chubby little hands, I thought, I'd sign it all away again, just to be known as Mommy to this little fellow.
Shannon Popkin is a freelance writer and mother of three. She lives ith her family in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she no longer uses public restrooms with her 3 yr. old in tow.
restroom stall By Shannon Popkin
My little guy, Cade, is quite a talker. He loves to communicate and does it quite well. He talks to people constantly, whether we're in the library, the grocery store or at a drive-thru window. People often comment on how clearly he speaks for a just-turned-3-year-old. And you never have to ask him to turn up the volume. It's always fully cranked. There've been several embarrassing times that I've wished the meaning of his words would have been masked by a not-so-audible voice, but never have I wished this more than last week at Costco.
Halfway through our shopping trip, nature called, so I took Cade with me into the restroom. If you'd been one of the ladies in the rest-room that evening, this is> what you would have heard coming from the second to the last stall:
"Mommy, are you gonna go potty? Oh! Why are you putting toiwet paper on the potty, Mommy? Oh! You gonna sit down on da toiwet paper now? Mommy, what are you doing? Mommy, are you gonna go stinkies on the potty?" At this point I started mentally counting how many women had been in the bathroom when I walked in. Several stalls were full ... 4? 5? Maybe we could wait until they all left before I had to make my debut out of this stall and reveal my identity.
Cade continued, "Mommy, you ARE going stinkies aren't you? Oh, dats a good girl, Mommy! Are you gonna get some candy for going stinkies on the potty? Let me see doze stinkies, Mommy! Oh ... Mommy! I'm trying to see in dere. Oh! I see dem. Dat is a very good girl, Mommy. You are gonna get some candy!"
I heard a few faint chuckles coming from the stalls on either side of me.
Where is a screaming new born when you need one? Good grief. This was really getting embarrassing. I was definitely waiting a long time before exiting. Trying to divert him, I said, "Why don't you look in Mommy's purse and see if you can find some candy. We'll both have some.
"No, I'm trying to see doze more stinkies. Oh! Mommy!" He started to gag at this point.
"Uh oh, Mommy. I fink I'm gonna frow up. Mommy, doze stinkies are making me frow up!! Dat is so gross!!"
As the gags became louder, so did the chuckles outside my stall. I quickly flushed the toilet in hopes of changing the subject. I began to reason with myself: OK. there are four other toilets. If I count four flushes, I can be reasonably assured that those who overheard this embarrassing monologue will be long gone.
"Mommy! Would you get off the potty, now? I want you to be done doing stinkies! Get up! Get up!" He grunted as he tried to pull me.
Now I could hear full-blown laughter. I bent down to count the feet outside my door.
Oh, are you wooking under dere, Mommy? You wooking under da door?
What were you wooking at, Mommy? You wooking at the wady's feet?"
More laughter.
I stood inside the locked door and tried to assess the situation.
"Mommy, it's time to wash our hands, now. We have to go out now, Mommy."
He started pounding on the door. "Mommy, don't you want to wash your hands? I want to go out!!"
I saw that my "wait 'em out" plan was unraveling. I sheepishly opened the door and found standing outside my stall, twenty to thirty ladies crowded around the stall, all smiling and starting to applaud.
My first thought was complete embarrassment, then I thought, "Where's the fine print on the 'motherhood contract' where I signed away every bit of my dignity and privacy?"
But as my little boy gave me a big, cheeky grin while he rubbed bubbly soap between his chubby little hands, I thought, I'd sign it all away again, just to be known as Mommy to this little fellow.
Shannon Popkin is a freelance writer and mother of three. She lives ith her family in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she no longer uses public restrooms with her 3 yr. old in tow.
Scary.....
http://www.ocregister.com/column/nate-parents-home-1982047-government-court
theres even a comment from a mother in Utah who shares her own story....
theres even a comment from a mother in Utah who shares her own story....
Well....How About That-eh?
Today was our weekly visit with the in- home behavior helper for Stinger. There was an unexpected visitor with her this time. I had met him once before when I had gone to pick up Stinger at social group-so he was familiar to me.
I guess there has been some festering going on at Mental Health abt concerns and questions I have been having with the whole social group issue with Stinger and how is it helping him, can we have a smaller class so it is somewhat positive for him, etc?
Well low and behold I guess its been bugging them too as they have come up with a new plan-which I am excited abt-whoot! Which is why we had the added visitor today. Here's the new and improved plan for Stinger:
Teacher/Helper( the visitor)will visit with Stinger once a week-do things he enjoys here until Stinger is comforteable, then they will branch out and do things in the community together-at his home, or out and about and introduce Stinger to another child who shows traits of Autism as well. Someone Stinger can relate to and possibly feel understood with etc.
I got to know this visitor pretty well today-Ill call him Mr B.He has adopted 3 children and one shows traits of ASD, one has Adhd symptoms etc. He has 19 years experiance working with special needs children outside of his own family and me asking questions I was amazed at how informed he is abt OCD issues and ASD issues-not doctor( cant understand) things, but personal experiance type-dealing with the food issues, the bedtime issues, the weight issues, the routine issues, the gastro issues. I was just amazed at the understanding that was there-it was soooo crazy to actually talk to someone who could give me advice and totally see where we are coming from here. It was NICE-to say the least. Someone I could ask " What do you do in this type of situation?" type deal. And to have someone reply "Yes we have seen this, we have experianced this -and this is what helped us" :)
So anyway Mr.B. wanted to talk it over with Stinger. Stinger would have none of it. Flat out refused to come upstairs. I finally coaxed him to just come say hi and bye and he peeked up the stairs and ran back down....So we all went down to him-and low and behold he had vanished...LOLOLOLOL. After searching for him I found him right under our noses under the weight machine. Wouldnt come out from under the sheet, wouldnt talk or say anything. So I asked Mr B if he would just like a moment to talk with him as maybee he would open up to him if we left. Mr B says that he doesnt want Stinger to feel intruded on, yet I push him and Mr B stays and I hear them talking when we all go upstairs. Bailey was yelling-"NO!" "No-Im not going to go anywhere with you" .....
So Mr B comes back upstairs-more unphased that me by the whole thing and says it will just take time. Its all something new and it will just take time.
When they left I went down and explained things to Stinger and he is happy not to go to group anymore and is willing to get to know Mr B better. Stinger said he is kinda like Mr T-but Mr T is better. ;) LOLOLOLOL-but WOW-eh? to compare him to Mr T( was the spec ed teacher at his homeschool he really liked)is BIG-really BIG. So he is willing to give it a shot WHOOT!!!!!
I think it sounds like a MUCH better deal for Stinger-a social situation where he isnt intimidated so much by other kids with different issues and feels understood finally and is with someone who actually knows and understands him and is willing to work on what STINGER needs*very rare to find out there when it comes to helpers*
I still cant get over how Mr B gets Stinger-and he doesnt even know him all that well yet...crazy.....crazy, but COOL!!!!
So thats the BIG news! Im excited. What do you all think of this new plan? Im open for any and all comments :)
I guess there has been some festering going on at Mental Health abt concerns and questions I have been having with the whole social group issue with Stinger and how is it helping him, can we have a smaller class so it is somewhat positive for him, etc?
Well low and behold I guess its been bugging them too as they have come up with a new plan-which I am excited abt-whoot! Which is why we had the added visitor today. Here's the new and improved plan for Stinger:
Teacher/Helper( the visitor)will visit with Stinger once a week-do things he enjoys here until Stinger is comforteable, then they will branch out and do things in the community together-at his home, or out and about and introduce Stinger to another child who shows traits of Autism as well. Someone Stinger can relate to and possibly feel understood with etc.
I got to know this visitor pretty well today-Ill call him Mr B.He has adopted 3 children and one shows traits of ASD, one has Adhd symptoms etc. He has 19 years experiance working with special needs children outside of his own family and me asking questions I was amazed at how informed he is abt OCD issues and ASD issues-not doctor( cant understand) things, but personal experiance type-dealing with the food issues, the bedtime issues, the weight issues, the routine issues, the gastro issues. I was just amazed at the understanding that was there-it was soooo crazy to actually talk to someone who could give me advice and totally see where we are coming from here. It was NICE-to say the least. Someone I could ask " What do you do in this type of situation?" type deal. And to have someone reply "Yes we have seen this, we have experianced this -and this is what helped us" :)
So anyway Mr.B. wanted to talk it over with Stinger. Stinger would have none of it. Flat out refused to come upstairs. I finally coaxed him to just come say hi and bye and he peeked up the stairs and ran back down....So we all went down to him-and low and behold he had vanished...LOLOLOLOL. After searching for him I found him right under our noses under the weight machine. Wouldnt come out from under the sheet, wouldnt talk or say anything. So I asked Mr B if he would just like a moment to talk with him as maybee he would open up to him if we left. Mr B says that he doesnt want Stinger to feel intruded on, yet I push him and Mr B stays and I hear them talking when we all go upstairs. Bailey was yelling-"NO!" "No-Im not going to go anywhere with you" .....
So Mr B comes back upstairs-more unphased that me by the whole thing and says it will just take time. Its all something new and it will just take time.
When they left I went down and explained things to Stinger and he is happy not to go to group anymore and is willing to get to know Mr B better. Stinger said he is kinda like Mr T-but Mr T is better. ;) LOLOLOLOL-but WOW-eh? to compare him to Mr T( was the spec ed teacher at his homeschool he really liked)is BIG-really BIG. So he is willing to give it a shot WHOOT!!!!!
I think it sounds like a MUCH better deal for Stinger-a social situation where he isnt intimidated so much by other kids with different issues and feels understood finally and is with someone who actually knows and understands him and is willing to work on what STINGER needs*very rare to find out there when it comes to helpers*
I still cant get over how Mr B gets Stinger-and he doesnt even know him all that well yet...crazy.....crazy, but COOL!!!!
So thats the BIG news! Im excited. What do you all think of this new plan? Im open for any and all comments :)
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Thanks Secret Sis
I got the sweetest V-day box the other day. It had the cutest plaque of honey and bears on it with the saying ": Your home is where your honey is" Its adoreable. Also a sweet card with prayers and a candy heart filled with nummy chocolates :)there was also a cute little stuffed bear that the kiddoes are fighting over-LOLOLOL
Thanks Secret Sis-you are so kind and thoughtful{{HUGS}}
Thanks Secret Sis-you are so kind and thoughtful{{HUGS}}
New Additions...
Well we have a new addition to our family ard here.
Some background-
We have been REALLY trying to get the kids involved with the chores ard here. They all do great at first and then -BOOM- it comes to a halt-LOLOLOL. So dh's idea was to set a date-2 months from-and the kids who did their chores got a surprise of their own choosing...
Stinger wanted a baseball holder batting thing with a string attached to the holder deal-kwim? LOLOLOL with some balls to practise with dh and a mit that fits him.
Monkey boy-yes-OPTIMUS PRIME!!!!!!! * rolling eyes*
Flamingo-a hampster :)
So the 2 months are up and each of them got the prize of their choosing.
They are all vcery happy with their own gifts-yet I think they are all jealous of Flamingos cute littel hampster. But boys will be boys, and they cant handle things like that -not yet anyway-kwim?
The hampster is named Squeeks and he is adoreable. He's a little dwarf hamster -so hes tiny and oh so sweet. Everytime I see him Im reminded of all my hampsters I had growing up......I look at Flamingos sweet caring face as she holds her little guy so gently and I smile-she has such a tender heart for the furry ones. ( remind you of anyone????);)LOLOLOLOL
Flamingo talks to him, dances for him, and she says he understands her and listens to her-LOLOLOL-too cute eh? She rushes home everyday and checks on Squeeks and they talk for awhile and its adoreable....." I hear abt a dozen times how much she loves him and how she misses him at school. LOLOLOLOL
She went through quiet an ordeal yesterday though-he bit her( no mark) and she burst into tears not understanding why he didnt like her anymore, that she thought they were friends. Oh it just broke my heart to see her hurt so. I was vacuuming-so he was probably scared half to death of the noise and I tried to explain to her that when Im vacuming not to hold him as he thinks she is making the noise if she does-kwim? After we had a gentle talk-all is well with the world again and they are back to being best friends :)My sweet -pea-so cute.
Everyone is pretty excited abt V-day tomorrow. We got some nice treats from Nana/Papa and Grami-which the kids are excited abt opening....also Flamingo is excited abt her Valentines Party. We will be having a V-day party at home too. Ive already got my sugar cookies made for decorating tomorrow(thanks Nana). We signed up for a card swap with some other homeschoolers and we made cards and sent them and have gotten some from the other kids that we will open tomorrow. I plan on fun worksheets, stories and crafts and games for tomorrow. Just a fun day :)I think we could all use one of those-right?
Hope you all have a Happy Valentines day!
Some background-
We have been REALLY trying to get the kids involved with the chores ard here. They all do great at first and then -BOOM- it comes to a halt-LOLOLOL. So dh's idea was to set a date-2 months from-and the kids who did their chores got a surprise of their own choosing...
Stinger wanted a baseball holder batting thing with a string attached to the holder deal-kwim? LOLOLOL with some balls to practise with dh and a mit that fits him.
Monkey boy-yes-OPTIMUS PRIME!!!!!!! * rolling eyes*
Flamingo-a hampster :)
So the 2 months are up and each of them got the prize of their choosing.
They are all vcery happy with their own gifts-yet I think they are all jealous of Flamingos cute littel hampster. But boys will be boys, and they cant handle things like that -not yet anyway-kwim?
The hampster is named Squeeks and he is adoreable. He's a little dwarf hamster -so hes tiny and oh so sweet. Everytime I see him Im reminded of all my hampsters I had growing up......I look at Flamingos sweet caring face as she holds her little guy so gently and I smile-she has such a tender heart for the furry ones. ( remind you of anyone????);)LOLOLOLOL
Flamingo talks to him, dances for him, and she says he understands her and listens to her-LOLOLOL-too cute eh? She rushes home everyday and checks on Squeeks and they talk for awhile and its adoreable....." I hear abt a dozen times how much she loves him and how she misses him at school. LOLOLOLOL
She went through quiet an ordeal yesterday though-he bit her( no mark) and she burst into tears not understanding why he didnt like her anymore, that she thought they were friends. Oh it just broke my heart to see her hurt so. I was vacuuming-so he was probably scared half to death of the noise and I tried to explain to her that when Im vacuming not to hold him as he thinks she is making the noise if she does-kwim? After we had a gentle talk-all is well with the world again and they are back to being best friends :)My sweet -pea-so cute.
Everyone is pretty excited abt V-day tomorrow. We got some nice treats from Nana/Papa and Grami-which the kids are excited abt opening....also Flamingo is excited abt her Valentines Party. We will be having a V-day party at home too. Ive already got my sugar cookies made for decorating tomorrow(thanks Nana). We signed up for a card swap with some other homeschoolers and we made cards and sent them and have gotten some from the other kids that we will open tomorrow. I plan on fun worksheets, stories and crafts and games for tomorrow. Just a fun day :)I think we could all use one of those-right?
Hope you all have a Happy Valentines day!
Thursday, February 07, 2008
The Light At the End of the Tunnel
Well.....the doc called early this morning and Monkey Boy has Strep Throat :(
I guess they do a quick swab, but then culture it over night and see if it grows anything????...weird...anyway-hes got it.
So out into the blizzard dh goes to get meds for it this morning. Yes, its still snowing and yes......Im still hateing it..ugh........if its not snowing then the wind is blowing it into piles to shovel-nice-eh?
So-at least we know what it is.....He acts okay during the day, but its the nights that he coughs and coughs and gags and gags:(He sounds just misereable. But hopefully we will do the meds for 10 days and -poof- it'll be gone ;)*crossing fingers and toes*
Stinger is doing really well still in school-and get this-he told the doc his favorite subject was MATH! WOW! LOLOLOLOLOLOL unbelieveable!but oh so cool-eh?
Flamingo is having a bout of boy crazyness. Valentines Day ard the corner isnt helping things-LOLOLOL. She insists on talking abt this "handsome" boy 24/7-ist driving me crazy-LOLOL, and poor Daddy Bear I think has grown more grays Im afraid...LOLOLOLOL. We are in for a long road with this little lady if this is a forshadowing of whats to come.....help us all....LOLOLOL
I guess they do a quick swab, but then culture it over night and see if it grows anything????...weird...anyway-hes got it.
So out into the blizzard dh goes to get meds for it this morning. Yes, its still snowing and yes......Im still hateing it..ugh........if its not snowing then the wind is blowing it into piles to shovel-nice-eh?
So-at least we know what it is.....He acts okay during the day, but its the nights that he coughs and coughs and gags and gags:(He sounds just misereable. But hopefully we will do the meds for 10 days and -poof- it'll be gone ;)*crossing fingers and toes*
Stinger is doing really well still in school-and get this-he told the doc his favorite subject was MATH! WOW! LOLOLOLOLOLOL unbelieveable!but oh so cool-eh?
Flamingo is having a bout of boy crazyness. Valentines Day ard the corner isnt helping things-LOLOLOL. She insists on talking abt this "handsome" boy 24/7-ist driving me crazy-LOLOL, and poor Daddy Bear I think has grown more grays Im afraid...LOLOLOLOL. We are in for a long road with this little lady if this is a forshadowing of whats to come.....help us all....LOLOLOL
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Not Again..........
Well we have somehow let a bug in.........
Its Monkeyboy. First he had a fever, went away and I gave a sigh of relief, but I sighed too soon-now its the coughing and coughing so hard last night and tonight that he is puking....:(
I was going to call teh doc today as I went yesterday and they said there was nothing they could really do...and gosh I HATE it when they say that * rolls eyes*....grrrrrrr....
Anyway he was MUCH better today-coughing but I thought it was slowly getting better, so I didnt call the doc then tonight in bed and up it comes up again-literaly......now hes out on the couch and fine...?????coughing very little. K.......I sooo dont get that! Guess we will just let him fall asleep and then take him to bed liek we did last night. He seams okay during the day, not eating too well, but eating a little and drinking okay. So whats the deal at bed time????
So I know If I call the doc tomorrow he'll be fine again during the day and then puke at night again.....???sheesh.....and isnt it always like that-BROTHER!
So we are right back to where we were yesterday I guess....but Im calling tom morning......
Stinger is sleeping ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!!!!!!!and ist only 10:30!!!WHOOT!
Our doc wants us to try a new sleep med and it looks like its doing the trick * knock on wood*(really really quietly)..........LOLOLOLOL we shall see what tomorrow brings.....
-oh and I take back that post and comment I made awhile ago abt liking shoveling snow....ugh..we got pounded the other day-so not fun, so not peaceful when you are freezing, yet sweating as you are hauling pounds of snow and more and more and more and thats not counting what the snow plow graciously decides to dump in front of your driveway....ugh! LOLOLOLOL-that I think tops my chart of PET PEEVES!!!!
wow-what a gripe this turned out to be ;)LOLOLOL I even managed to give myself a headache-whoot!
Tomorrow Tomorrow I love ya Tomorrow....youre only a dayyyyyyyy aaaaa wayyyyyyyyyyyyy!
Its Monkeyboy. First he had a fever, went away and I gave a sigh of relief, but I sighed too soon-now its the coughing and coughing so hard last night and tonight that he is puking....:(
I was going to call teh doc today as I went yesterday and they said there was nothing they could really do...and gosh I HATE it when they say that * rolls eyes*....grrrrrrr....
Anyway he was MUCH better today-coughing but I thought it was slowly getting better, so I didnt call the doc then tonight in bed and up it comes up again-literaly......now hes out on the couch and fine...?????coughing very little. K.......I sooo dont get that! Guess we will just let him fall asleep and then take him to bed liek we did last night. He seams okay during the day, not eating too well, but eating a little and drinking okay. So whats the deal at bed time????
So I know If I call the doc tomorrow he'll be fine again during the day and then puke at night again.....???sheesh.....and isnt it always like that-BROTHER!
So we are right back to where we were yesterday I guess....but Im calling tom morning......
Stinger is sleeping ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!!!!!!!and ist only 10:30!!!WHOOT!
Our doc wants us to try a new sleep med and it looks like its doing the trick * knock on wood*(really really quietly)..........LOLOLOLOL we shall see what tomorrow brings.....
-oh and I take back that post and comment I made awhile ago abt liking shoveling snow....ugh..we got pounded the other day-so not fun, so not peaceful when you are freezing, yet sweating as you are hauling pounds of snow and more and more and more and thats not counting what the snow plow graciously decides to dump in front of your driveway....ugh! LOLOLOLOL-that I think tops my chart of PET PEEVES!!!!
wow-what a gripe this turned out to be ;)LOLOLOL I even managed to give myself a headache-whoot!
Tomorrow Tomorrow I love ya Tomorrow....youre only a dayyyyyyyy aaaaa wayyyyyyyyyyyyy!
Friday, February 01, 2008
Thanks Secret Sister {{HUGS}} :)
I received such a sweet gift this week-a beautiful calendar and nice note and today awaiting me on the front porch was a nice letter and some cute magnets. She was also so thoughtful and included some Noahs Ark stickers for my kiddoes :)
The notes were so uplifting and really picked me up this week.
Thanks Sis :)
The notes were so uplifting and really picked me up this week.
Thanks Sis :)
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