29-Aug-2008 - Running the race...

Have you ever had those days (weeks, months, years????) that make you feel like you're on one of those little hamster wheels that go round & round and while you're running as fast as you can, you don't seem to be getting anywhere or accomplishing much?  That's what things have been like here lately.  In case you need a visual, here you go...

I've been doing all the stuff you do at the beginning of a new school year which seems like about twice as much as usual since we changed curriculum this year.  We traveled a bit with my husband for his work.  We've also been running the roads every day fitting in appointments for everyone to get their yearly and semi-annual medical stuff done, which in our family, with so many specialists, that's quite a feat.  In the middle of all that, I spent about 2 days in bed, having thrown my back out somehow--really OUT--as in I couldn't even turn over in the bed--out.  It's much better now, but I still feel it.

I don't know what I'd do if my mom & dad weren't next door.  They've been such a blessing, willing to keep the kids while I run others to appointments and get stuff done.

We've also had our young man with us who stays here sometimes for the past 2 weeks while his dad is in the hospital.  Last week we stayed in the camper so we could be closer to him, since the hospital he's in is 2 hours away.  It looks like it's going to be an extended stay this time, as they are moving him to a nursing home for recuperation this time.  So we're also trying to decide about living arrangements for him.  He usually just sleeps on the couch-bed, but it appears he will need a room to call his own.  God will have to be creative here.

His father is in his 60's but in very poor health.  As this young man (he's 19 years old) is very developmentally delayed (on the order of an adult with Down Syndrome, but a different syndrome) he needs a guardian to see to his needs.  His father has asked us if we would do that during times he is unable to care for him and then if he passes away, it would be a permanent arrangement.  And we are more than privileged to do so.  He's a very sweet person and helpful.

So, anyway it looks like things are going to calm down a bit.  I'm hoping to get lots of cleaning and decluttering done at this house, so I can begin packing the things I want to move back to the other house.  We will leave this house functional as well, so we can spend weekends here if we decide to.

Every time I turn on the radio, the song "His Grace is Enough" by Matt Maher, is playing.  I'm taking that as God's personal message to me.  I believe it and I'm standing on it.

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14-Aug-2008 - A New School Year...

Hello, everyone!  It's been so long since I've posted, I'm sorry.  Seems like Summer has flown by and now here we are at the beginning of a new homeschooling year.  Even though our family schools pretty much year round, there is, of course, by necessity, a definite beginning and ending to each year.  And that's just as it should be.

This year will be a lot different for our family, I think.  We are planning many changes in our family and home.  For one, we are adopting a new son!  We are so very excited about this.  Due to privacy regulations, we can't share very much at all right now, I'm sorry.  But when the time comes, I'll share what I can.  It will be several weeks yet, I'm thinking.

Because we will have more than our poor little home here can hold, we are going to be moving back to our larger house in town.  Now we know why God didn't allow it to sell all this time.  He knew we'd have need of it.  He is so good to us and provides for our every need.

The move will be temporary.  We will stay there until we are able to get a house built here on our property, which we hope will be in the not-too-distant future.  We know it will be in His perfect timing, so we aren't stressing about it too much.  We ARE very much looking forward to being completely settled, though.

We will also be changing our curriculum this year.  I thought I would NEVER say those words--indeed, it makes me sad to say them.  But after much prayer and research, I do feel that this is the best plan.  We have used Sonlight for the past 3 years and have so loved it.  However, it requires much Mommy involvement. 

Now, there is nothing I love and treasure more than my children and being with them, enjoying a day spent learning together--for I learned as much as they on many days in our Sonlight school.  But I also have enough common sense to know there is only so much of Mommy to be had, and with our new addition there will be much more on my happy plate.  So I feel that to be responsible and fair to my children's education, I need to allow them to take up a bit of the yoke of their learning day-to-day.  Of course I will be right with them all the day, and I will be checking their work as it progresses, but they will have a bit more independence, not being so dependent on my presence for every new activity.

Maybe things will go along much more smoothly than I imagine, and we will return to our beloved Sonlight in a year or so.  Either way, I look forward to all God has for us in this new school year.  

I hope all of you are eager and ready to embrace a new year of learning along with your children.  Aren't we so blessed to have the opportunity to live and grow along with our young ones? 

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12-Jul-2008 - Tagged by Ginger for a Book Meme...

Ginger tagged me for this meme, about my all-time favorite hobby:

1. Do you remember how you developed a love for reading?  No, I only know that it began as soon as I could sound out the simplest of words and has only gotten stronger as I've gotten older.

2. What are some books you read as a child?  I remember reading Island of the Blue Dolphins, Ten Hats up on Top, Caps for Sale, The Five Chinese Brothers, just to name a few.

3. What is your favorite genre?  Non-fiction would be my very favorite.  But historical fiction comes in a close second.

4. Do you have a favorite novel?  Scarlett is the first thing that comes to mind.  I don't know why I enjoyed reading that, I just remember not being able to put it down.  I'll have to re-read that one to see what the draw was...

5. Where do you usually read?  Wherever I happen to be, but especially in bed or in the car.

6. When do you usually read?  Right before I fall asleep at night, I usually read for about 1/2 - 1 hour.

7. Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?  I never have only one book that I'm reading.

8. Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?  Like Ginger said, "Non-fiction- I almost always read out of order, starting with the topic that interests me most. Sometimes that means reading the book backwards. That doesn't work very well with fiction."

9. Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out of the library?  Our local libraries rarely, if ever, have the books I want to read, so I wind up buying them off Amazon, used.

10. Do you keep most of the books you buy? If not, what do you do with them?  I usually keep them, then every so often, I'll do a major bookshelf culling and take them to my nearby used book store where I can turn them in for credit toward other used books.

11. If you have children, what are some of the favorite books you have shared with them?  We do Sonlight, and have enjoyed nearly all the read-alouds.  We especially enjoyed the Amy Carmichael biography.

12. What are you reading now?  Various homeschooling books & catalogs, Managers of Their Homes

13. Do you keep a TBR (to be read) list?  No, but I need to, because I'm always seeing stuff I want to read, then when I have the opportunity to get a book or two, I'm clueless.

14. What’s next?  I do have a list that I saw on an adoption website, that listed a bunch of books about large, adoptive families that all looked great.  I'm going to find that site again, and I'll tell you as I read them.


Tag, you're it: Angie  and  CAHanbury

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10-Jun-2008 - Your $.02 needed...

Take a look at THIS, and place your vote...

I was encouraged to see the results after I placed my vote.  I would like to think it is a broad spectrum consensus from a good cross section of folks, but I don't know.  I'm not sure if folks who were homeschool-neutral would bother to vote.  So that leaves either homeschool-haters or homeschool-advocates.  At least we can be assured that we outnumber them for now... :)

Now, go HERE and read a fun analogy!

Have a great day!

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9-Jun-2008 - Have you heard?

I've never heard anything like the noise outside when the trees are full of cicadas, as they are this year.  It's hard to describe.  A loud buzz almost like an alarm sounding sometimes.  Nearly deafening in the hot afternoon hours.

Even more amazing is the interesting life cycle of these creatures.  They are called 17 year periodic cicadas. 

As their name suggests, they are only prevalent every 17 years.  In the 16 year interim, they are burrowed down in to the ground in a dormant state.  Then, on the magic 17th year, they burrow back up through the ground leaving 1/2" diameter holes all over the ground as they emerge, climbing up the first vertical object they encounter.  Then they shed their exoskeleton, leaving the shells attached to the tree trunks (or whatever surface they chose), and emerge winged creatures who fly away to mate.

It really is amazing.  It makes me wonder what part they play in the overall scheme of things.  Why 17 years?  If you know, leave me an answer.  I guess I could do some more research to find the answer, but that's not nearly as much fun as receiving answers in my comments. :)      

Here's a picture of the shed shells.                   

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7-Jun-2008 - The good new is...

I DO NOT have breast cancer.  Oh, excuse me, you didn't know there was any question, right?  Well, there was...

I was having some... er, shall we say, atypical symptoms last weekend, so I called my ob/gyn on Monday.  They were concerned so they called me in the next day.  After my ob/gyn exam & visit, complete with bloodwork and breast mutilation exam, they scheduled a breast ultrasound and mammogram to be done Friday (yesterday). 

So, I have stressed nearly all week now about what could possibly be causing my troubles.  Searched endlessly on the internet.

Yesterday my husband took me to my appointments--just for moral support.  This was my first mammogram, after all.  Have I mentioned yet that my doctor is a little over 2 hours away?  So I've been on the road a lot this week.

My first appointment was for the ultrasound.  It went well and I was able to get the tech to tell me a hint of what she found.  She told me that she would hate for me to worry all weekend about it, so she let me know that she had not seen anything at all abnormal in the ultrasound.

Then we drove across town to the mammogram appointment.  By this time, I'm a little more relaxed since the ultrasound was negative.  However, there is the element of the unknown since this is my first time having a mammogram.  I also had the unhappy experience of watching an Oprah episode years ago that talked about a woman who had had a mammogram and the machine would not stop compressing her breast, so she got squished.  Need I tell you that that image was replaying over and over in my mind?

We arrived at the breast center where I registered and found a seat rather quickly.  There was a coffee and tea bar in the waiting room so I helped myself to a steaming cup of Earl Grey tea, which I discovered I REALLY like.  My name was called and I was ushered to the changing room where I was given a comfy robe to slip into.  Then on to another waiting room.  Here, I decided I would pretend I was waiting for my spa treatment.  (Mind games--trying to relax...) 

My name was called and the torturess mammographer came to lead me to the torture chamber exam room. First she pressed one direction and then she squeezed the other direction.  When she started on the next side, I had a lot of pain.  I told her and she said, "Well, I'm using the same amount of pressure as I did on the first side."  I told her that evidently this side was DIFFERENT!!!! DUH!!!!  She wasn't sympathetic.  She was also not very well endowed, I noticed.  I wondered if that made a difference.  :)

After the mammogram was complete, they did another ultrasound.  (Don't ask, I don't know why.  They didn't know why either--I just found solace in the fact that I was getting a free second opinion.)  After the ultrasound, the doctor reviewed all the information and declared me totally normal and healthy.  Well, at least my breasts are normal... The rest of me is still in question. 

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17-May-2008 - Have you read this book?

If you are an adoptive momma, you should.  Especially if you've adopted from the foster care system...

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11-May-2008 - Awesome Mother's Day...

I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day.  I sure did!  Harold and the kids made a delicious lunch (potroast, veggies, Oreo cheese cake, cherry cheese cake, Turtle Tracks ice cream--yep, mostly dessert, my kind of meal)!  They set the table, took care of all the details and I didn't have to lift a finger!

We also had my parents over for lunch, which was nice.  They have been such a support to us, especially these last few weeks.  We've been passing around strep throat and have had several doctor appointments for other things, and they are so sweet to keep the kids (the ones who don't have to or want to go) for me when I have to be on the go. 

After my wonderful lunch, we visited with my mom & dad for a while, then after they left, the kids played and I took a nap--talk about a blissful day!  This evening we watched a movie together and now everyone is in bed.

This will be another busy week with three or four appointments and working to keep up with our school work between times. 

Church was awesome today as well.  I say awesome because I just LOVE the way our church does Mother's Day.  We DON'T do it.  Now, don't get me wrong.  The pastor does wish a Happy Mother's Day from the pulpit, and he does recognize the worth and work of moms.  BUT, we DON'T put the spotlight on old, young, new and most children.  And we certainly don't have all the moms in the congregation stand up to be recognized and give them a flower or whatever!  Why?  Well, have you ever been sitting in the pews on Mother's Day, childless, and longing so much for a child that you think you are going to die, wishing with all your heart you could stand up and be counted among the blessed?  Now, THAT's miserable, I know.  And I think it is so wonderful that we don't put women through that.

Well, that's my soapbox for the day.  I'll step down now and give someone else the floor! :)  Have a great Monday!

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10-May-2008 - Take a look...

Take a look at  Angie's blog.  She wrote a great post on adoption recently. 

I am acquiring quite a library of books about adoption.  I'm going to try to compile them and list them here eventually.

Adoption is awesome, and birth is good, too!  Here is a link to a video that Ginger linked to of the Duggar family announcing number 18!  :)  If you watch the video, take note of how clean and organized this woman's house is!!!  I'm very impressed.

Hope everyone's having a great weekend! 

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9-May-2008 - These are a few of my favorite things...

Ginger tagged me with this meme.  I'm supposed to list 3 of my favorite things.  So here you go...

1.  My favorite color, like Ginger, is ORANGE!  It's bold, bright, and happy and looking at it makes me feel energized.  I wish I could bottle the feeling I get from looking at the color orange, I'd probably get more done in a day!

2.  My favorite way to spend a relaxing evening is curled up on our huge sectional couch watching movies with my hubby and all the kids.  (Currently we're working our way through season 2 of The Waltons.)

3.  My favorite person in the world is my hubby.  He's a true servant-leader to our family.  He's the spiritual leader of our family and He takes that responsibility seriously.  He's wise and strong.  He loves us more than anything and gives his best self to his time with us.  His family is his priority and we know it.

There you have it and now you know.

I tag Mommaofmany, and Letitia (SandBetweenMyToes).

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7-May-2008 - Kids and Fish and Sibling Love...

We spent last weekend at a camp retreat and the kids got to go fishing.  They had a ball, and they all caught catfish.

Here's one of John Wesley's... 

And here is one of Cody's...

Here is William's.  He was dying to catch a fish, but didn't want to hold it very badly, so Cody helped.  :)  Please ignore the shirt.  It was a hand-me-down from a friend and I normally wouldn't let him wear this one out in public, but I knew he'd be getting nasty.  I don't like to advertise our shortcomings... :)

And here is Jonas'.  Unfortunately you can't see his shirt, which says, "Yes I am a Jesus Freak."  Much better advertising!

And here are a few of Lena "helping" John Wesley catch one.  He's such a sweet big brother. 

And, of course, no fishing story would be complete without the tale of the "one that got away"...

It was THIS BIG...  (It really was the biggest one of the day.  It broke the line...)

We had so much fun.  It was so nice for us all to get to spend time out in the beautiful Spring weather.  Isn't this a beautiful green scene?

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29-Apr-2008 - It's all a matter of perspective...

I want to share a piece that I received through email recently.  It's a good reminder for me that I indeed have lots to be thankful for...

I Am Thankful...

For the wife who says, "It's hot dogs tonight." Because she's home with me and not out with someone else...

For the husband who is on the sofa being a couch potato, because he is home with me and not out at the bars...

For the teenager who is complaining about doing the dishes, because it means she's safe at home with me and not running the streets...

For the taxes I pay, because it means I am employed...

For the mess to clean up after a party, because it means I have been surrounded by friends...

For the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means I've had plenty to eat...

For my shadow that watches me work, because it means I am out in the sunshine...

For the lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing, because it means I have a home...

For all the complaining I hear about the government, because it means we have freedom of speech...

For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I'm capable of walking and I've been blessed with transportation...

For my huge heating bill, because it means I am warm...

For the lady behind me in church who sings off key, because it means I can hear...

For the pile of laundry and ironing, because it means I have clothes to wear...

For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, because it means I have been capable of working hard...

For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it means I am alive.

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28-Apr-2008 - Hummingbirds are here!

I put out our hummingbird feeder on Saturday afternoon.  Within an hour or so, we had a steady stream of visitors.  I am suprised they found it so quickly!  The kids and I have really enjoyed watching them.  They are so very tiny.  These were two of our first visitors.

I think I'm going to get a couple of other bird feeders.  We have a great place to birdwatch next to our dining room window.  At our other house, we didn't really have a good window for observing the birds without being intrusive.

Spring has definitely sprung!  It's been a beautiful day.  Harold & the boys worked outside sprucing things up and doing a few repairs.  I caught up on laundry and cleaned out the pantry (doesn't that sound like fun?). 

Our dogs already have had several ticks on them.  I'm afraid it's going to be quite a year for that.  I'm going to need to keep the kids hair cut or their heads checked regularly. 

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26-Apr-2008 - Just to clarify yesterday's post...

"What This World Needs" (Casting Crowns)

What this world needs is not another one hit wonder with an axe to grind
Another two bit politician peddling lies
Another three ring circus society
What this world needs is not another sign waving super saint that's better than you
Another ear pleasing candy man afraid of the truth
Another prophet in an Armani suit

What this world needs is a Savior who will rescue
A Spirit who will lead
A Father who will love them in their time of need
A Savior who will rescue
A Spirit who will lead
A Father who will love
That's what this world needs

What this world needs is for us to care more about the inside than the outside
Have we become so blind that we can't see
God's gotta change her heart before He changes her shirt
What this world needs is for us to stop hiding behind our relevance
Blending in so well that people can't see the difference
And it's the difference that sets the world free

Jesus is our Savior, that's what this world needs
Father's arms around you, that's what this world needs
That's what this world needs

I think these lyrics so well express the spirit of my post from yesterday. 

I *DO* believe that there is a level of pride that goes along with many of the decisions we moms make that we perceive as "more enlightened" or "more holy" or ...whatever. 

But it's not limited to what we're feeding our families, either.  It might be our choice to homescool.  It might be our choice to dress ultra-modestly.  Maybe it's our choice of mainstream character/toys that we disallow in our children's toy boxes.  Perhaps it's that we don't "do" TV in our homes.  Maybe it is that we don't do mainstream church.

Really, it can be any number of things.  My point is that when those decisions cause us to act in an unloving manner toward other people--especially those who make different decisions for their family--then we are being prideful and arrogant.

I am the first one who will tell you that if you have a personal conviction that your family should be doing ANY of those things, then YOU BETTER DO IT...PERIOD.  However, we have to recognize that not everyone has the same convictions.  Not everyone is in the same place on their spiritual walk.  There is no way that acting in an unloving, hateful manner will convince someone that our way is better than theirs.  We will be tuned out and dismissed.  We will lose credibility and our testimony will be marred.

By all means we should be able to give an answer to anyone who asks why we believe the way we do.  We should be able to live out and defend our lifestyle choices.  We should protect our children from influences contrary to our defined choices and teach them the whys of what we're doing.  But I also believe with all my heart that all of this can be done in a way that encourages and edifies rather than repels and repulses. 

That said, I can tell you from my own personal experience that sometimes, even when you make your position known as lovingly and sweetly as you can, folks just don't like it when we do things differently.  I've lost one of my best friends over just such issues.  I couldn't, in good conscience, live out my convictions for my own family and maintain our current level of involvement with each other's families.  I expressed, as humbly and non-accusatorily as I could, my convictions for our family, but she took it offensively and our relationship has never been the same. 

Often there is a level of conviction on the part of the person who is offended, which causes the division.  But it shouldn't be because of our own hatefulness.

There's a line at the end of one of Casting Crowns' songs and it says something like, "The world needs Jesus, but sometimes we just need to get out of the way, because we're weighing down the gospel and confusing the issues."

I think the world sees us (Christians) fighting amongst ourselves and is so turned off that they have to wonder exactly WHY they need what we have. 

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25-Apr-2008 - Mirror...

Mirror   by BarlowGirl

Mirror, Mirror on the wall; Have I got it?
'Cause Mirror you've always told me who I am
I’m finding It’s not easy to be perfect
So sorry, you won’t define me
Sorry, you don’t own me

Chorus
Who are you to tell me
that I’m less than what I should be?
Who are you? Who are you? yeah yeah
I don’t need to listen
to the list of things I should do
I won’t try; no I won’t try

Mirror I am seeing a new reflection
I’m looking into the eyes of He who made me and
To Him I have beauty beyond compare
I know He defines me yeah yeah

I love these lyrics.  It reminds me that I need to be careful about WHAT or WHOM I allow to define me.

This past week, in some of my internet browsing, I have realized that there is a new or maybe not so new "legalism" that is rearing its head.

It's not about wearing dresses or headcoverings, no, this time it's about other things.  It's about what you eat, or which specific ingredients you allow or disallow in your family's diet.  It's about how "natural" or "organic" or "healthy" your food choices are.

Of course, I'm the first to admit that I think a healthy lifestyle is wonderful and so very important.  But I find that once we begin using that as a measuring stick to help us decide if we can be accepting of another person or family, then it is just the same as any other form of legalism.  A mom's worth is not any greater, just because she prepares her family's meal from the (literally) ground up, so to speak, by grinding the grains, baking her own bread, brewing her own kombucha tea, and preparing the kefir smoothies using the ever elusive kefir grains (that one can find if she looks hard enough, or has the "right" circle of friends, where she might find someone willing to share).  A mom's worth also is not any less if she opens that box of Hamburger Helper to start the night's fare.

I'm tired of reading blogs and comments that imply that folks who allow their children to eat a Snicker's bar are obviously just bad parents and the next thing you know those kids are going to be hardened criminals.  It just ain't so, folks.

Take heart, mom.  Yes, of course, your family's health is of the utmost importance.  Of course, it is your job as mom to get a healthy variation of foods on the table for your crew.  But you are not a slave to the Nourishing Traditions cookbook, nor does anything about that kind of lifestyle "define" your worth as a mom.  So, you buy your bread and when you make tea, it doesn't include the use of a scoby.  So, you actually make Hamburger Helper once a week.  So, you enjoy a Mountain Dew a few times a week.  No, those choices aren't going to put you in the nutrition Hall of Fame, but they also aren't the defining factor in whether or not the pearly gates will open unto you when it's your time to get there...

Let's stop using our own strengths and "good choices" to beat other moms over the head.  It doesn't make us look any better.  It makes us look like elitists and snooty witches.  It reveals our own pride and that's not of the Lord.  Let's encourage one another in the raising and loving of our children.  Of course, we'll share our healthy recipes.  Of course, we'll share pertinent information about natural, healthy lifestyle choices.  But let's do it in love.  Let's do it in a way that edifies one another.

Now, where did I hide that bag of chocolates?????

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14-Apr-2008 - I love this!

I found this on DeeDee's blog and I love it!  Just like DeeDee, I had a VERY MEAN mother :) growing up!  Somehow, as I grew older and wiser, she became much nicer too.  So here's to you, Mom!  --and to ALL you mean moms out there! 

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12-Apr-2008 - A Good Reminder...

Today as I was standing at the sink washing dishes from breakfast, pouting and feeling sorry for dishwasher-less self, my sweet MaKenzie comes to me and says, "Mommy, can I help you?"  I brushed her off, not answering, but thinking in my mind, "What can she do?  She's too little, and besides, with the CP, she can't stand on a chair or manipulate the stuff to wash."

MaKenzie continued, "Mommy can I wash the spoons?"  I thought, "Okay, she can maybe put the washed, rinsed spoons into the dish drainer when I'm done, then she'll feel like she's accomplished something." 

So, I said, "Yes, you can do the spoons.  I'll tell you when I'm ready."  Thinking silently to myself, "Now, go play so I can get this done."

That's when God used her to remind me...

"Can you teach me how to be a Mommy?" came her sweet voice. 

And however obvious it should always have been, it hit me afresh.  I am.  Every day.  I'm teaching--whether I mean to or not.  For good or for bad.  I'm teaching my girls how to be a Mommy.  It's such a sobering thought.  *I* am what my kids will think of when they think of "Mommy" and it will become their standard--their measuring stick--their plumb line. 

Lord, help me to be a good mom, a loving mom.  Help me to find ways to reach out and help me to find ways to help my children who CAN'T reach out to do so.  Help me to encourage and accept their help even when it's not really help, but more work--help me to find these times of fellowship with your gifts of my children more precious than a clean sink ever could be.

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9-Apr-2008 - A couple of fun videos for your viewing pleasure...

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9-Apr-2008 - Love this video I stole from Ginger!

At first glance, this is a funny video--but when you think about the true implications, it's really not funny at all, it's very sad.  I'm so happy my children are home with me and we are free to pursue things that aren't on the test.  (Oh, is there supposed to be a test? :) )

I've edited this entry because I just felt the need to say that this is not at all what I experienced during my school years.  In fact, I'd have to say that if anything, my school erred on the side of delight-directed.  I did, of course, have the obligatory math, English, science, civics, history, etc.  But, I also had at least 2 classes each day of either music appreciation, band, choir, piano, etc.  I know of at least one year where I had all 4 of those classes.  So out of 7 classes in my day, 4 of them were delight-driven.  Is that awesome or what?

(Just a side note here, looking at that last paragraph, you'd think I would be able to play the piano well or at least carry a tune--I don't know WHAT happened!)

Having said that, I do realize that if I were to put my children in public school at this time, this WOULD be the reality.  It is really very sad that things have changed so drastically in the past 20 years or so.

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25-Mar-2008 - Public School Rant!!!

Last Wednesday, a friend from church got news that her mother had had a stroke.  She asked if we would mind if her 5 children stayed with us while she went to be with her mom.  We said, "Of course not!" 

That makes 15 of us, which has been interesting considering our space limitations.  But with some structure and creativity, it's working.

The kids are in public school.  One of them has to be on the bus (bus stop is 20 minutes away from my house) by 6:15 each morning.  Then I have to come back and get the other 4 ready for school and have them there at 8:30. 

Like I said, it's all working, but my heart breaks for them. 

The two boys are both 7 and they are in 1st and 2nd grade and they both have ADHD and IEP's.  Their school participates in the Accelerated Reader program.  Both boys have learning disablilities, yet they are expected to participate fully and successfully in the A.R. program.  They are assigned a book to read, then they take a test on the book. 

Here's where I have issues.  If they don't pass the test, they aren't allowed to go to recess.  Well, they go, but they're required to sit on the bleachers.

I just want to go to whoever made up this system and say, "Ummmmm, if a child has a learning disability, it might be possible that reading and test-taking might be beyond their ability.  Then, if the child has ADHD (remember the "H" in that?  HYPERACTIVE!!!) and they are not allowed to blow off steam by running around during recess, aren't you creating a vicious cycle?"

Inability to focus + learning disability = poor test performance = loss of recess = even more inability to focus due to not having the opportunity to "get the energy out" = poor school performance in general + poor behavior = CHILD WHO IS FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS!!!! 

Unfortunately, it's not just these two.  Imagine how many children deal with these kinds of silly "rules"!  I would just love to see these kids homeschooled.  There would be so many positive outcomes for them.  They could wiggle their way through their school work if they needed to.  They could take breaks when they needed them to blow off the buildup of energy.  Their diet could be determined by someone who cared.  Rules blindly made by someone who could care less about their wiggle needs would no longer apply to them.

I'm so glad my wiggly boys are home with me every day!   

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