Girls are so different! Both older boys think girls are yuck!! God forbid my husband steals a kiss in their presence. "Yuck", "Why do ya'll kiss so much", "I'm never getting married", "That's disgusting" "I hope God calls me to be like Paul and be single forever" (Can we get that in writing) ...
Oh, but not the girl. With a twinkle in her eye, she's singing a different tune. "I can't wait to get married", "Husbands aren't yuck", "I want to be a wife", "I want to name my husband Sam". Hmmm. Don't know if he'll agree to that one.
Though we extol the virtue of biblical womanhood and the blessing of being a wife and mother, we are careful to caution her that it is a calling; and not all are called. How do we say this to a 5-year-old? "God may want you to be a wife and/or a mommy when you grow up, and he may want you all to himself to serve him in a special way".
So while my sphere of influence over her is still very great, I want to be very intentional about the messages that she receives. These messages will shape her life. Twice I've encountered a principle that is convicting me to the core. I first encountered it in "Every Young Man's Battle" (book review soon to follow). "There is no line that you step over from the teen years to the adult years. God knows that; it's why He sees you as a man right now. You must begin to see yourself this way too because the person you become as a young man is the person you'll drag into adulthood. Your likes and dislikes-from food to music to movies-will follow you. More importantly, your character will be formed..."
And again in Thoughts for Young Men. The third reason young men(and women) need exhorting is because "what young men will be, in all probability depends on what they are now, and they seem to forget this". Obviously, this principle is applicable to boys and girls alike. But as a parent, these words stir me. Reading these truths frightens me, inspires me, and humbles me. I am responsible for molding the very character of people; and the truth is, the cast that I mold has an eternal effect! Now unlike a piece of clay that I can mold, my children have wills. They will freely choose to serve God or not.
So I'm in the process of making CD's for her to listen to during naptime, bedtime, and/ or quiet snuggling times with mommy. I read the book Beautiful Girlhood a few years ago and thought I might read it with my daughter at about 8 or 9. But recently I decided I would like to record it, and let it play for her at bedtime. I looked on the internet to see if there was already an audio version, and to my great delight, there is a Beautiful Girlhood audiobook. So what is my intention? My intention is to familiarize her in the virtues of Godly character
Well I've been looking forward to doing my monthly update for some time. I wanted to write about being a soccer mom, and how fun it is. All the kids started playing soccer. It's so fun to cheer them on. It's a free church league. And the best part is it's very low maintenance. One game a week, one practice a week! It's been a nice family time and we've gotten to enjoy the changing weather together in a fun way. Lots of pictures to follow...
Pregnancy update. Our newest little boy is fit as a fiddle. He passed his last echo so I don't have to see the high risk doctors again. His heart was being monitored because of the complexity of our last son's heart. This new baby, yet unnamed, has a clean bill of health as far as the eye can see. I am quite uncomfortable. I'm huge. I'm in that last month where everything hurts. I had very intense contractions for 4 hours last Sun. I was leaving for the hospital and they finally stopped. I am scheduled for a c-section in Nov. we'll see if I make it that long. I have sewed lots of cute new diapers for the baby. I now have enough newborn diapers and sized small diapers. I used terry cloth for the inside of the diaper. I bought 6 yards of fabric at Joanns with the 40% off coupon, so I paid about $12.00 and I've made 7 diapers so far. I bought 6 yards of fleece from Walmart for $15.00, I haven't used that fabric yet, I'll make large diapers with those, which will last until the children are potty trained. Last week my daughter and I scrubbed the new pac-n-play that someone gave us, and set it up in my room. Kason will be in the new pac-n-play and the baby will be in his old pac-n-play/bassinet. We decided because of his medical issues, we feel better with him staying in the room with us. So what do I still need to get for baby:
Shopping List...
Snappi's
4 or 5 newborn diaper covers.
Inserts for the diapers. I use the Wal-mart Cloth diapers for this and it works great
Plastic 3 drawer storage container for baby clothes
2 boxes of breast pads for the first month or so
2 nursing bras
Tube of Lanolin
and I think that will cover it.
Homeschool update: Homeschooling is going very well. Our goal is 5 days a week, but we've gotten a solid 4 days a week in. We just completed week 5. The twins are progressing through Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons and the Math U See Primer. Kason is quite interested in reading. He loves learning sounds and sounding out words. He's the first child I've ever had to be so interested at such a young age. He does whatever the twins are doing and loves it. While he does his machines he watches the Letter Factory. Each session is about 30 minutes which is how long the DVD lasts. He's retaining alot of that information. My oldest is progressing well through the multiplication facts. He wrote and typed his first book report. We're having so much fun studying Energy. I have this awesome Energy kit, that I got from a yard sale last year, and lots of great library books. All the kids participate in the energy study. I'm so grateful, and I truly never take for granted that I get to stay home with my family and amazing children every day. I love that in the middle of the day we can up and go to Chuck-E-Cheese or the park or musuem. I love learning with them, and just spending time with them. I truly think they are the greatest little people and I love them all to pieces.
Health Update: Anyone who knows me knows I spend an exorbitant amount of time at the Doc. Kason had been well for about 8 full weeks, which is the longest span of good health he's ever had. He got a UTI and pneumonia in Aug. and recovered without any hospitalizations. He's been fighting an infection off and on, so all his meds and machines have been increased. He's recently been seen by his PCP, pulmonologist, and hemotologist. He sees cardio in two weeks. He is as happy and lively as a little boy could ever be. I thank God for all the people in our lives that help keep him well.
Moving Update: Isn't this the story of our lives. We're always moving. Yesterday our landlord called saying they have to sell the house pretty immediately :-( The Lord gives and the Lord takes away...may the name of the Lord be praised. Do you want to know within 24 hours the Lord has provided for us a beautiful, wonderfully, marvelous home that we can move into immediately. :-) God answered every single prayer that we had in such an amazing way. Obviously the timing couldn't be any worse: I'm nearly 9 months pregnant with zippo energy, I'm in my last 2 weeks of grad school which means hello 100 page paper, my husband is gone 6 days a week working for peak season, Kason's health is growing more precarious, and we have about 2 or 3 weeks to move. But I am comforted that God's plans are not my plans and that he has never forsaken the righteous. It's amazing how God has been orchestrating this whole event without our even knowing it. Just last month I cleaned out every closet in the house, more than 20 bags went to Goodwill. Last week I cleaned the refrigerator. My school check was 3 weeks late, which has never happened in the 7 years I've been in school. But God knew that if we got it, we would have spent it and He knew we would need that money to move. Not only that, this whole move is happening when my husband is working 30 hours of overtime a week!! Didn't God think of everything. He knew we'd need a security deposit and first months rent, even though we didn't. There are so many promises that we get to hold on to because we are His people, I love being held in God's hands.
Ok I ran out of energy, so I'll have to post the pics another day.
Pregnancy update. Our newest little boy is fit as a fiddle. He passed his last echo so I don't have to see the high risk doctors again. His heart was being monitored because of the complexity of our last son's heart. This new baby, yet unnamed, has a clean bill of health as far as the eye can see. I am quite uncomfortable. I'm huge. I'm in that last month where everything hurts. I had very intense contractions for 4 hours last Sun. I was leaving for the hospital and they finally stopped. I am scheduled for a c-section in Nov. we'll see if I make it that long. I have sewed lots of cute new diapers for the baby. I now have enough newborn diapers and sized small diapers. I used terry cloth for the inside of the diaper. I bought 6 yards of fabric at Joanns with the 40% off coupon, so I paid about $12.00 and I've made 7 diapers so far. I bought 6 yards of fleece from Walmart for $15.00, I haven't used that fabric yet, I'll make large diapers with those, which will last until the children are potty trained. Last week my daughter and I scrubbed the new pac-n-play that someone gave us, and set it up in my room. Kason will be in the new pac-n-play and the baby will be in his old pac-n-play/bassinet. We decided because of his medical issues, we feel better with him staying in the room with us. So what do I still need to get for baby:
Shopping List...
Snappi's
4 or 5 newborn diaper covers.
Inserts for the diapers. I use the Wal-mart Cloth diapers for this and it works great
Plastic 3 drawer storage container for baby clothes
2 boxes of breast pads for the first month or so
2 nursing bras
Tube of Lanolin
and I think that will cover it.
Homeschool update: Homeschooling is going very well. Our goal is 5 days a week, but we've gotten a solid 4 days a week in. We just completed week 5. The twins are progressing through Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons and the Math U See Primer. Kason is quite interested in reading. He loves learning sounds and sounding out words. He's the first child I've ever had to be so interested at such a young age. He does whatever the twins are doing and loves it. While he does his machines he watches the Letter Factory. Each session is about 30 minutes which is how long the DVD lasts. He's retaining alot of that information. My oldest is progressing well through the multiplication facts. He wrote and typed his first book report. We're having so much fun studying Energy. I have this awesome Energy kit, that I got from a yard sale last year, and lots of great library books. All the kids participate in the energy study. I'm so grateful, and I truly never take for granted that I get to stay home with my family and amazing children every day. I love that in the middle of the day we can up and go to Chuck-E-Cheese or the park or musuem. I love learning with them, and just spending time with them. I truly think they are the greatest little people and I love them all to pieces.
Health Update: Anyone who knows me knows I spend an exorbitant amount of time at the Doc. Kason had been well for about 8 full weeks, which is the longest span of good health he's ever had. He got a UTI and pneumonia in Aug. and recovered without any hospitalizations. He's been fighting an infection off and on, so all his meds and machines have been increased. He's recently been seen by his PCP, pulmonologist, and hemotologist. He sees cardio in two weeks. He is as happy and lively as a little boy could ever be. I thank God for all the people in our lives that help keep him well.
Moving Update: Isn't this the story of our lives. We're always moving. Yesterday our landlord called saying they have to sell the house pretty immediately :-( The Lord gives and the Lord takes away...may the name of the Lord be praised. Do you want to know within 24 hours the Lord has provided for us a beautiful, wonderfully, marvelous home that we can move into immediately. :-) God answered every single prayer that we had in such an amazing way. Obviously the timing couldn't be any worse: I'm nearly 9 months pregnant with zippo energy, I'm in my last 2 weeks of grad school which means hello 100 page paper, my husband is gone 6 days a week working for peak season, Kason's health is growing more precarious, and we have about 2 or 3 weeks to move. But I am comforted that God's plans are not my plans and that he has never forsaken the righteous. It's amazing how God has been orchestrating this whole event without our even knowing it. Just last month I cleaned out every closet in the house, more than 20 bags went to Goodwill. Last week I cleaned the refrigerator. My school check was 3 weeks late, which has never happened in the 7 years I've been in school. But God knew that if we got it, we would have spent it and He knew we would need that money to move. Not only that, this whole move is happening when my husband is working 30 hours of overtime a week!! Didn't God think of everything. He knew we'd need a security deposit and first months rent, even though we didn't. There are so many promises that we get to hold on to because we are His people, I love being held in God's hands.
Ok I ran out of energy, so I'll have to post the pics another day.
Wow! It's been a month since I posted. What's happened? I don't really remember, nothing stands out at least.
Today we started school!!! Sadly, my kids have no idea that Labor Day is a "no work" holiday. My oldest started third grade and the twins started kindergarten. I was especially full of anticipation and excitement. I was happy to be on schedule again. It was a good, but loooooong day! My husband said, "you're still doing school?" We had a few interruptions. The refrigerator started leaking. I left Kason semi-unattended while he watched Leap Frog and did his machines, when I returned he broke the "f" off of my keyboard, and I have yet to figure out how to get it back on. All in all it was a great day. The twins turn five this week! They enjoyed Kindergarten. I'm exhausted, I'm going to drink tea and go to bed. We have ballet, and co-op tomorrow. When I have more energy, I'll share more about our homeschool plans. I'm excited about our year.
Today we started school!!! Sadly, my kids have no idea that Labor Day is a "no work" holiday. My oldest started third grade and the twins started kindergarten. I was especially full of anticipation and excitement. I was happy to be on schedule again. It was a good, but loooooong day! My husband said, "you're still doing school?" We had a few interruptions. The refrigerator started leaking. I left Kason semi-unattended while he watched Leap Frog and did his machines, when I returned he broke the "f" off of my keyboard, and I have yet to figure out how to get it back on. All in all it was a great day. The twins turn five this week! They enjoyed Kindergarten. I'm exhausted, I'm going to drink tea and go to bed. We have ballet, and co-op tomorrow. When I have more energy, I'll share more about our homeschool plans. I'm excited about our year.
I'm currently listening to:
Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord for the 2nd time. It is an amazing seminar for parents of children under 10.
Courtship. Yeah that time is approaching soon. Basically my husband and I are starting to have dialogue about the kinds of conversations we need to start having with our children regarding boy/girl relationships. I am comforted by Isaiah 28:9-10
Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
When I feel like I have to teach them everything today, I'm comforted by this scripture. Here a little and there a little.
I want to listen to:
About 10 messages from The Baby Conference
And some messages from Dr. S.M. Davis. I found this website on the Duggars website and there are some messages here I'd really like to listen to.
My iPod gets me through laundry and I'm so grateful.
When I looked under my labels I saw that I had only one posting under pregnancy, so I decided to post an update. I'm six months now, time has flown by quickly. Usually whenever you're pregnant time drags on. This pregnancy has been relatively uneventful and overall the best pregnancy I've ever had and I praise God for it! With my oldest son I had the severe form of vomitting that lasted until the day I delivered. The twin pregnancy wasn't too bad, but I was severely anemic and had constant fainting at night. My last son's pregnancy was the worst. I had gestational diabetes, a very painful lupus rash (if that's what it was), and all of his heart complications that had me at the doctor 3 and 4 times a week. So in comparison, I'm doing very well. My blood pressure, blood sugar, and iron levels are all great. The last couple of weeks I've had fainting/dizzyness, but it's getting better everyday. My energy and sanity are pretty good for a big pregnant person, I usually lose those too. The baby moves a lot but its not painful like my last pregnancy. This baby seems to be very healthy. His heart rate is good, usually in the 150's. He has had several ultrasounds and we meet with the high risk doc. to monitor his heart. The last echo of his heart looked great, he'll have another one in a couple of weeks. I am very anxious to meet the new baby and name him and cuddle him and nurse him. We have no names, so suggestions are more than welcome. I don't have much to do to prepare for baby. I need to get down the baby clothes and buy a drawer to put them in. I need to buy snappis and Lanolin. I think I'm in the market for a new nursing bra. I've been using the ones from my first birth and they're showing signs of wear. I need to get some diaper covers and make a few more diapers. I think that's about it. I went to Babies R Us this week. Not to buy anything, but just to look. That's what pregnant people do I told my husband. It was fun looking at the overpriced posh baby bedding and sitting in the recliners. I got to see those new denim diapers that I'll never pay $20 a pack for! I also went to Best Buy and looked at those super cool washers and dryers. I guess when you have 5-ish kids your defintion of cool becomes slightly altered. These appliances were pretty enough to sit and watch like TV.
3rd grade planning
Bible Study:
• Read Bible daily
• Memorize scripture
• Build Christian character through scriptures
• Continue through the Narrow Way Curriculum and Parables
Language Arts:
Reading:
• Kingdom Series: Thanks Davene! We're enjoying them!
• Kingdoms Dawn
• Kingdoms Hope
• Kingdoms Edge
• Kingdoms Call
• Kingdoms Quest
• Kingdoms Reign
• Knights of Arrethtrae
• Sir Kendrick and the Castle of Bel Lione
• Sir Bentley and Holbrook Court
• Sir Dalton and the Shadow Heart
• Lady Carliss and the Waters of Moorue
• Sir Quinlan and the Swords of Valor
• Sir Rowan and the Camerian Conquest
• Little House on the Prairie Series
• Bible Nurture Readers Grade 3
• Abeka Readers Grade 3 and 4
• Bobbie Twins Books
• Box Car Books
• Squanto Friend of the Pilgrims
• The Chalk Box Kid-Clyde Robert Bulla
• How Many Days to America-Eve Bunting
• Toothpaste Millionaire Jean-Merrill
English/Grammar/Spelling
• Rod and Staff English 3 (2 units left)
• Rod and Staff English 4-STILL NEED TO PURCHASE•
Worldy Wise 3
• Spelling Power Book C
• Italic Handwriting Book C
• Typing
Math
• Rod and Staff Grade 3• Daily Word Problems Grade 3•
Rod and Staff Grade 4-STILL NEED TO PURCHASE
• Daily Word Problems Grade 4-STILL NEED TO PURCHASE
• Review Add and Sub facts
• Memorize Mult and Div. facts
• Library books: fractions, decimals, large numbers, geometric shapes
History:
• Story of the World Volume 3
• Story of the World Volume 3 Activity Guide- STILL NEED TO PURCHASE
• Kingfisher Illustrated History Book
• Usborne History
• Library books subject 1600-1800
Science:
• Sonlight Science 4 –STILL NEED TO PURCHASE
• Jonathan Park Vol 2 and Vol. 3- STILL NEED TO PURCHASE• Library books electricity, magnetism, and energy
Spanish:
• The Complete Book of Spanish- STILL NEED TO PURCHASE
• Library books and videos
Memory Work:
• Review continents
• Review oceans
• Review Books of the Bible
• Review ABC Scriptures Set A 1-26
• Begin Presidents
• Children’s Catechism up to 71
• Begin ABC Scriptures Set B 1-26
This is our 3rd/4th grade plan for this year. The Kindergartens will be continuing Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons We'll also work through basic math using the library and Math U See Primer.
2 pieces of useful information:
The released Virginia Standards of Learning tests
The released California Standards Test
My view on tests:
I don't teach to the test at all, but given the poor state of America's educational system, any literate child should be able to meet these minimum standards. I only care about English and Math (tests), that's what you need to function in the world. If you can read, then you can learn history and science but you learn more through field trips, experiments, and living books; those are my main methods for these subjects.
I want to diligently teach English and Math. Part of their highschool graduation requirement is to pass the CLEP tests in English and Math. My school, my rules; and those are my rules. If they are ambitious and desire to take more CLEPs they are welcome, but they are required to show proficiency in English and Math. They must also take the SAT. Now that I've gone to college, I know first-hand that the first two years of college is just a review of highschool. It makes sense to just do the work once, and get the college credit for the classes. The children may choose not to go to college, but it's really of no consequence, whatever their occupational choice, they need these basic skills. They need to develop testing skills and discipline in study. They need to develop perseverance through hard and seemingly meaningless tasks. They need to develop a good work ethic. Check out College Plus Initially I was against testing because I thought it was pointless and ineffective. But since I've become an adult, every job that I've worked has required tests (reading, writing, comprehension, math, and typing). This is becoming the norm. Kids don't need to be afraid of tests, they are a part of life. Well that wraps up my 2010-2011 plan. I'm well enough acquainted with homeschooling to know that all or none of these goals may be achieved, but man plans his ways and God orders his steps. We'll see how the year goes.
Bible Study:
• Read Bible daily
• Memorize scripture
• Build Christian character through scriptures
• Continue through the Narrow Way Curriculum and Parables
Language Arts:
Reading:
• Kingdom Series: Thanks Davene! We're enjoying them!
• Kingdoms Dawn
• Kingdoms Hope
• Kingdoms Edge
• Kingdoms Call
• Kingdoms Quest
• Kingdoms Reign
• Knights of Arrethtrae
• Sir Kendrick and the Castle of Bel Lione
• Sir Bentley and Holbrook Court
• Sir Dalton and the Shadow Heart
• Lady Carliss and the Waters of Moorue
• Sir Quinlan and the Swords of Valor
• Sir Rowan and the Camerian Conquest
• Little House on the Prairie Series
• Bible Nurture Readers Grade 3
• Abeka Readers Grade 3 and 4
• Bobbie Twins Books
• Box Car Books
• Squanto Friend of the Pilgrims
• The Chalk Box Kid-Clyde Robert Bulla
• How Many Days to America-Eve Bunting
• Toothpaste Millionaire Jean-Merrill
English/Grammar/Spelling
• Rod and Staff English 3 (2 units left)
• Rod and Staff English 4-STILL NEED TO PURCHASE•
Worldy Wise 3
• Spelling Power Book C
• Italic Handwriting Book C
• Typing
Math
• Rod and Staff Grade 3• Daily Word Problems Grade 3•
Rod and Staff Grade 4-STILL NEED TO PURCHASE
• Daily Word Problems Grade 4-STILL NEED TO PURCHASE
• Review Add and Sub facts
• Memorize Mult and Div. facts
• Library books: fractions, decimals, large numbers, geometric shapes
History:
• Story of the World Volume 3
• Story of the World Volume 3 Activity Guide- STILL NEED TO PURCHASE
• Kingfisher Illustrated History Book
• Usborne History
• Library books subject 1600-1800
Science:
• Sonlight Science 4 –STILL NEED TO PURCHASE
• Jonathan Park Vol 2 and Vol. 3- STILL NEED TO PURCHASE• Library books electricity, magnetism, and energy
Spanish:
• The Complete Book of Spanish- STILL NEED TO PURCHASE
• Library books and videos
Memory Work:
• Review continents
• Review oceans
• Review Books of the Bible
• Review ABC Scriptures Set A 1-26
• Begin Presidents
• Children’s Catechism up to 71
• Begin ABC Scriptures Set B 1-26
This is our 3rd/4th grade plan for this year. The Kindergartens will be continuing Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons We'll also work through basic math using the library and Math U See Primer.
2 pieces of useful information:
The released Virginia Standards of Learning tests
The released California Standards Test
My view on tests:
I don't teach to the test at all, but given the poor state of America's educational system, any literate child should be able to meet these minimum standards. I only care about English and Math (tests), that's what you need to function in the world. If you can read, then you can learn history and science but you learn more through field trips, experiments, and living books; those are my main methods for these subjects.
I want to diligently teach English and Math. Part of their highschool graduation requirement is to pass the CLEP tests in English and Math. My school, my rules; and those are my rules. If they are ambitious and desire to take more CLEPs they are welcome, but they are required to show proficiency in English and Math. They must also take the SAT. Now that I've gone to college, I know first-hand that the first two years of college is just a review of highschool. It makes sense to just do the work once, and get the college credit for the classes. The children may choose not to go to college, but it's really of no consequence, whatever their occupational choice, they need these basic skills. They need to develop testing skills and discipline in study. They need to develop perseverance through hard and seemingly meaningless tasks. They need to develop a good work ethic. Check out College Plus Initially I was against testing because I thought it was pointless and ineffective. But since I've become an adult, every job that I've worked has required tests (reading, writing, comprehension, math, and typing). This is becoming the norm. Kids don't need to be afraid of tests, they are a part of life. Well that wraps up my 2010-2011 plan. I'm well enough acquainted with homeschooling to know that all or none of these goals may be achieved, but man plans his ways and God orders his steps. We'll see how the year goes.
Poor neglected blog. Funny how I don't blog, yet I check all my friends' blogs daily. I hope to be consistent one of these days.
I never got to announce that we're having a boy! We're thrilled, he still doesn't have a name, but that will come soon. I'm counting down. Especially since I look like I could give birth today, nevermind I have 3 more months to go.
All of the children are very well. This is our last week of school!!!!! Well, not for the twins. With our schedule this school year, they didn't get much done in the way of school. So they started Kindergarten shall we say, in June, and they will not get a month long break like older brother. He's been counting down to his break for more than a month now. I need the time to plan finish planning his third grade year. The twins will continue with Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. They are progressing much better than I thought. And Nerds and Marshmallows are great motivators for them. Yes, I have no shame. Once upon 3 children ago, I would scoffed at bribery. But at this point in my life, I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get these twins to read, so candy it is! And it makes the lessons much more fun. I wish I would have done it will be oldest instead of dragging him through the book at 3. Oh well.
Well I have more to say and lots of pictures to show, but my time is up. I'll try to contribute to my little blog a couple of times a week.
I never got to announce that we're having a boy! We're thrilled, he still doesn't have a name, but that will come soon. I'm counting down. Especially since I look like I could give birth today, nevermind I have 3 more months to go.
All of the children are very well. This is our last week of school!!!!! Well, not for the twins. With our schedule this school year, they didn't get much done in the way of school. So they started Kindergarten shall we say, in June, and they will not get a month long break like older brother. He's been counting down to his break for more than a month now. I need the time to plan finish planning his third grade year. The twins will continue with Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. They are progressing much better than I thought. And Nerds and Marshmallows are great motivators for them. Yes, I have no shame. Once upon 3 children ago, I would scoffed at bribery. But at this point in my life, I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get these twins to read, so candy it is! And it makes the lessons much more fun. I wish I would have done it will be oldest instead of dragging him through the book at 3. Oh well.
Well I have more to say and lots of pictures to show, but my time is up. I'll try to contribute to my little blog a couple of times a week.
Family life has kept me from blogging for nearly a month! We are busy busy busy!!! Who isn't, right? My vomiting has let up and I am generally more energetic.
School is in full-swing these summer months to make up for all the long sickly winter months that killed most efforts of formal education. The goal is to have multiplication and division facts mastered by the end of the summer. I've really held off on doing mult. and div. because he is so sloowwwww with doing his add. and sub. math facts. Timed tests are torture. Literally. But if he does a multiple digit add. or sub. problem he doesn't have any problems with his math facts. We're also doing Daily Word Problems by EvanMoore, every day. I would like to start teaching the twins to read. They have been very uninterested and I haven't had the time obviously. So I really want to take advantage of these summer months while everyone is relatively healthy, because I don't know what this winter will bring...well a baby, but I don't know about hospitalizations, major illnesses etc. So I'm planning ahead, or trying to anyway. A man plans his ways, but the Lord orders his steps!
My daughter was supposed to have her hernia repaired, but the day before she got a UTI, so the surgery was postponed until next week. She isn't scared at all, and is in fact excited!
My youngest jumped out of the van, (it wasn't moving) and broke his arm. He got a cool cast put on today, which he keeps trying to eat. Otherwise he has been fairly healthy. We went to the Cancer/Blood Disorder clinic yesterday. The doctor was very friendly. We did blood work and we'll talk to them next week. He has a theory about his blood that he's going to try to prove. He's lost a patch of hair in head which looks yuck! We're normally at some doc. 2X week, so every week I've made inquiries about the missing hair. 3 people said vitamin deficiency/trauma from illness and surgery. 1 person said ringworm which he started treatment for. I don't think it's a ringworm at all. Ringworms are so contagious there is no way I'd have all these people in close quarters and no one else has gotten it, nor has it spread anywhere else on his body. Hopefully the blood results will give us the answer.
Since illness has become a part of our life I've learned many lessons and made many observations. I won't go into all of them right now; but one thing I've noticed is that people, almost exclusively women, judge you for having sick kids. There is a lot of "If you aired your house out..." or "If you fed them more vegetables..." or "If you used more bleach..." "If you got out more..." Yes, I've heard all of these. And I don't want to be too critical because I've dont it myself. But I'm convicted. Weary moms need encouragement, not criticism; not to mention the fact that none of those things will cure heart and lung disease. At any rate I cling to Ecc. 7:21 and remained sobered by the fact that I've done the same thing.
I normally watch the Duggars, but haven't for a month or so. I've been too busy even for my one TV show a week. But it's a good busy. I love most all aspects of homekeeping and domestic life. I love being at home with my family enjoying life. I feel like we've been able to do that a lot lately. I have great pictures, If only I'd upload them.
I am almost done with my current semester. It hasn't been entirely enjoyable, but I've had worse. I get to apply for graduation after this semester!! Whooo hooooo. I hope never to encounter post-secondary education ever again as a student.
My husband is taking the 3 kids to the movies tomorrow. It's a big deal! The twins have only been to one movie when they were 1 or 2. They're mostly looking forward to eating popcorn. I was looking forward to taking a nap, but we have a doc. appointment. Why was I surprised when they called today?
I hope to post pictures soon.
School is in full-swing these summer months to make up for all the long sickly winter months that killed most efforts of formal education. The goal is to have multiplication and division facts mastered by the end of the summer. I've really held off on doing mult. and div. because he is so sloowwwww with doing his add. and sub. math facts. Timed tests are torture. Literally. But if he does a multiple digit add. or sub. problem he doesn't have any problems with his math facts. We're also doing Daily Word Problems by EvanMoore, every day. I would like to start teaching the twins to read. They have been very uninterested and I haven't had the time obviously. So I really want to take advantage of these summer months while everyone is relatively healthy, because I don't know what this winter will bring...well a baby, but I don't know about hospitalizations, major illnesses etc. So I'm planning ahead, or trying to anyway. A man plans his ways, but the Lord orders his steps!
My daughter was supposed to have her hernia repaired, but the day before she got a UTI, so the surgery was postponed until next week. She isn't scared at all, and is in fact excited!
My youngest jumped out of the van, (it wasn't moving) and broke his arm. He got a cool cast put on today, which he keeps trying to eat. Otherwise he has been fairly healthy. We went to the Cancer/Blood Disorder clinic yesterday. The doctor was very friendly. We did blood work and we'll talk to them next week. He has a theory about his blood that he's going to try to prove. He's lost a patch of hair in head which looks yuck! We're normally at some doc. 2X week, so every week I've made inquiries about the missing hair. 3 people said vitamin deficiency/trauma from illness and surgery. 1 person said ringworm which he started treatment for. I don't think it's a ringworm at all. Ringworms are so contagious there is no way I'd have all these people in close quarters and no one else has gotten it, nor has it spread anywhere else on his body. Hopefully the blood results will give us the answer.
Since illness has become a part of our life I've learned many lessons and made many observations. I won't go into all of them right now; but one thing I've noticed is that people, almost exclusively women, judge you for having sick kids. There is a lot of "If you aired your house out..." or "If you fed them more vegetables..." or "If you used more bleach..." "If you got out more..." Yes, I've heard all of these. And I don't want to be too critical because I've dont it myself. But I'm convicted. Weary moms need encouragement, not criticism; not to mention the fact that none of those things will cure heart and lung disease. At any rate I cling to Ecc. 7:21 and remained sobered by the fact that I've done the same thing.
I normally watch the Duggars, but haven't for a month or so. I've been too busy even for my one TV show a week. But it's a good busy. I love most all aspects of homekeeping and domestic life. I love being at home with my family enjoying life. I feel like we've been able to do that a lot lately. I have great pictures, If only I'd upload them.
I am almost done with my current semester. It hasn't been entirely enjoyable, but I've had worse. I get to apply for graduation after this semester!! Whooo hooooo. I hope never to encounter post-secondary education ever again as a student.
My husband is taking the 3 kids to the movies tomorrow. It's a big deal! The twins have only been to one movie when they were 1 or 2. They're mostly looking forward to eating popcorn. I was looking forward to taking a nap, but we have a doc. appointment. Why was I surprised when they called today?
I hope to post pictures soon.
Everybody is doing well. Exceptionally well in fact! I just haven't felt much like blogging. It's been a chore trying to keep up with housework and laundry. I have a certain amount of energy so I have to pick and choose what gets done each day. My big chore for this week is doing my daughters hair which desperately needs to be done. However I have 4 or more scheduled doctor's appointments this week (energy suckers right there), so I'm not sure when I'll get to her hair, but I pray very soon.
We're able to go back to church! The Sunday after the baby's surgery we all went to church as a family! It was nice to be back at church altogether and Kason did much better than I thought he'd do. Understandably, he is very scared of strangers, so I thought he'd scream being around a whole lot of people. But he did very well. He started coughing night before last, and my stomach started knotting up. Oh no! This never ends well. But he has no fever and no difficulty breathing, which are all good signs. We do see infectious disease tomorrow, which I really want to cancel because I don't feel like going to Norfolk and I don't think he's "sick". But he has an appointment today in Norfolk that I'm rescheduling so I better make this one. He is supposed to be seen every week by "somebody".
My husband and I went for our first OB appointment yesterday. I was very pleasantly surprised. Aesthetically, it was beautiful, which seems so stupid but it's so important. I need to be surrounded by niceties right now! There were pictures of babies and mothers and Jesus and scriptures. A big plus. The whole reason I won't go back to my old doctor is because of the office and the staff. The doctor was very nice. But I truly got the feeling that in general they don't like kids. There was never 1 picture in any room of babies. There were tons of posters about contraception and all the pens, tablets, diagrams, and paperweights, were from pharmaceutical companies promising to stop your menstrual forever. The nurse asked me if my baby was a "barrier method failure"? Excuse me. And then lectured me at my 6week check up to use birth control and if I forget or "it" breaks, to call them immediately so they can give me the morning after pill. Uh, I didn't ask you for anything other than to check my incision. I was furious! Not to mention she made some snide remark about us not "waiting" the full six weeks before resuming our "normal activities". She said she didn't know how we had time with our baby in the hospital. Yeah...so I've had enough unpleasant experiences over there that I won't be returning. Anyway the appointment was good and we saw 1 heartbeat and everybody seemed to like children.
My biggest news is that Kason is completely weaned!!!!Whooo hoooooo! Mothers Day morning was his last time nursing. I'm so grateful to God that I was able to nurse him this long. He truly needed my special comfort for all these months. He now has nothing to wake up for in the middle of the night so he sleeps. In fact his bedtime has been 11pm since the day he was born. He just never got tired before 11pm. Two months ago it went down to 9:30. This week he's down to 8pm and he sleeps until about 6:30 pm 7, although he's still sleeping right now and it's 8pm. And the absolute best part is, I haven't gotten engorged at all!! No pain or soreness, nothing! My milk is quietly going away until another couple of months when I'll need it again. God thought of everything. I'm continually amazed that he loves us so particularly. Who am I that he is mindful of me?
My thoughts have been consumed by vacation lately. I don't consider myself the vacation sort of person. In fact a couple of years ago my husband and I went to a timeshare and I told the saleswoman that I'm perfectly content and really don't desire to go once or twice a year anywhere. I remember feeling so happy about staying at home that every day was like vacation to me. Oh but lately, all I can think about is vacation. Kason got sick on Sept 1, 2009 and has been sick nearly every week since. When we're not in the hospital we're at the doctor and when we're at home we're administering 7 meds, 3 of them twice a day. I'm mentally, physically, and spiritually worn out. It's a type of fatigue you can't really describe in words, but if you've dealt with a chronically ill child, you know what I'm talking about. So the plan is as soon as the baby is well for 4-6weeks consecutively my husband and I are getting away by ourselves. This whole ordeal has been a trial for my husband as well, and I can see he's worn out. We already have babysitters and we're exciting. I don't want to sight-see, I don't want to go on walks, I don't want to watch TV, I want to rest and sleep and sleep and rest. I'll let you know how it works out.
"Moooooom Kasey threw up in his bed"!...I gotta go.
We're able to go back to church! The Sunday after the baby's surgery we all went to church as a family! It was nice to be back at church altogether and Kason did much better than I thought he'd do. Understandably, he is very scared of strangers, so I thought he'd scream being around a whole lot of people. But he did very well. He started coughing night before last, and my stomach started knotting up. Oh no! This never ends well. But he has no fever and no difficulty breathing, which are all good signs. We do see infectious disease tomorrow, which I really want to cancel because I don't feel like going to Norfolk and I don't think he's "sick". But he has an appointment today in Norfolk that I'm rescheduling so I better make this one. He is supposed to be seen every week by "somebody".
My husband and I went for our first OB appointment yesterday. I was very pleasantly surprised. Aesthetically, it was beautiful, which seems so stupid but it's so important. I need to be surrounded by niceties right now! There were pictures of babies and mothers and Jesus and scriptures. A big plus. The whole reason I won't go back to my old doctor is because of the office and the staff. The doctor was very nice. But I truly got the feeling that in general they don't like kids. There was never 1 picture in any room of babies. There were tons of posters about contraception and all the pens, tablets, diagrams, and paperweights, were from pharmaceutical companies promising to stop your menstrual forever. The nurse asked me if my baby was a "barrier method failure"? Excuse me. And then lectured me at my 6week check up to use birth control and if I forget or "it" breaks, to call them immediately so they can give me the morning after pill. Uh, I didn't ask you for anything other than to check my incision. I was furious! Not to mention she made some snide remark about us not "waiting" the full six weeks before resuming our "normal activities". She said she didn't know how we had time with our baby in the hospital. Yeah...so I've had enough unpleasant experiences over there that I won't be returning. Anyway the appointment was good and we saw 1 heartbeat and everybody seemed to like children.
My biggest news is that Kason is completely weaned!!!!Whooo hoooooo! Mothers Day morning was his last time nursing. I'm so grateful to God that I was able to nurse him this long. He truly needed my special comfort for all these months. He now has nothing to wake up for in the middle of the night so he sleeps. In fact his bedtime has been 11pm since the day he was born. He just never got tired before 11pm. Two months ago it went down to 9:30. This week he's down to 8pm and he sleeps until about 6:30 pm 7, although he's still sleeping right now and it's 8pm. And the absolute best part is, I haven't gotten engorged at all!! No pain or soreness, nothing! My milk is quietly going away until another couple of months when I'll need it again. God thought of everything. I'm continually amazed that he loves us so particularly. Who am I that he is mindful of me?
My thoughts have been consumed by vacation lately. I don't consider myself the vacation sort of person. In fact a couple of years ago my husband and I went to a timeshare and I told the saleswoman that I'm perfectly content and really don't desire to go once or twice a year anywhere. I remember feeling so happy about staying at home that every day was like vacation to me. Oh but lately, all I can think about is vacation. Kason got sick on Sept 1, 2009 and has been sick nearly every week since. When we're not in the hospital we're at the doctor and when we're at home we're administering 7 meds, 3 of them twice a day. I'm mentally, physically, and spiritually worn out. It's a type of fatigue you can't really describe in words, but if you've dealt with a chronically ill child, you know what I'm talking about. So the plan is as soon as the baby is well for 4-6weeks consecutively my husband and I are getting away by ourselves. This whole ordeal has been a trial for my husband as well, and I can see he's worn out. We already have babysitters and we're exciting. I don't want to sight-see, I don't want to go on walks, I don't want to watch TV, I want to rest and sleep and sleep and rest. I'll let you know how it works out.
"Moooooom Kasey threw up in his bed"!...I gotta go.
The surgery Monday was a complete success. My baby no longer has a hole in the heart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so thrilled and relieved. There was a complication during the procedure. Instead of the procedure lasting 2 hours it lasted nearly 8! It was a very tough day for all of us. He spent 1 day in ICU and home we went. He is so happy, and looks as if nothing has happened.
So this procedure may or may not fix a lot of the problems he's had lately, but what it will do is decrease the volume in his blood vessels. His enlarged heart will not get any bigger. He won't go into heart failure. He doesn't have excess blood pumping to the right side of the heart. He should start growing. These are all good things.
The procedure may not fix the lungs, which has been the source of most of his problems. Time will tell.
A new problem was discovered during the course of the procedure, so he's being evaluated by Hematology right now and we'll meet with them sometime in the future. We'll also see Infectious Disease next month.
In other news...my dryer broke :-( How will we go on? God will sustain us like he always done. A family has offered to buy us a dryer. How amazing is that?
The rest of the family is very well. Aside from struggling with wicked thrush and intense fatigue I'm making it too.
So this procedure may or may not fix a lot of the problems he's had lately, but what it will do is decrease the volume in his blood vessels. His enlarged heart will not get any bigger. He won't go into heart failure. He doesn't have excess blood pumping to the right side of the heart. He should start growing. These are all good things.
The procedure may not fix the lungs, which has been the source of most of his problems. Time will tell.
A new problem was discovered during the course of the procedure, so he's being evaluated by Hematology right now and we'll meet with them sometime in the future. We'll also see Infectious Disease next month.
In other news...my dryer broke :-( How will we go on? God will sustain us like he always done. A family has offered to buy us a dryer. How amazing is that?
The rest of the family is very well. Aside from struggling with wicked thrush and intense fatigue I'm making it too.
I never realized how contradictory the word almost really is. All+Most. They are total opposites. You can't be all and most at the same time. Very deep and convicting!
We're home and everyone is ok. I'm too sick and tired to really post. But we are home and the baby is doing alright. Thanks for your prayers.
It was so nice while it lasted. Good health I mean...We're back in the hospital. The baby started with fever on Sat. and continued to decline. We went to the ER on Mon. He didn't have pneumonia so they sent him home. The fevers continued and he became very lethargic. We had a pulmonology appointment on Tue. During the 4 hours he was there, he didn't wake up and when he did he was very listless. He had another chest x-ray which showed increased vascularity. His blood vessels are swollen because they're working so hard. He needs the surgery in a couple of weeks in order to help him. They won't do the surgery if he has a fever or any other infection.
At Pulmonology she noticed that he wouldn't bend his head down. Fever plus neck stiffness made her increasingly worried. So he had a neck x-ray which they thought revealed an abscess between his spinal cord and his throat. He then got a CT-scan to confirm. During the CT-scan he stopped breathing. They manually gave him air until he started breathing again. The CT-scan didn't show an abscess, but inflammation in the neck. He then got a spinal tap and lots of blood work. So we're here. Please pray that they can find the source of the fevers and that he can have the surgery soon, and that we can all have strength, energy, and faith.
At Pulmonology she noticed that he wouldn't bend his head down. Fever plus neck stiffness made her increasingly worried. So he had a neck x-ray which they thought revealed an abscess between his spinal cord and his throat. He then got a CT-scan to confirm. During the CT-scan he stopped breathing. They manually gave him air until he started breathing again. The CT-scan didn't show an abscess, but inflammation in the neck. He then got a spinal tap and lots of blood work. So we're here. Please pray that they can find the source of the fevers and that he can have the surgery soon, and that we can all have strength, energy, and faith.
God has answered so many prayers lately, for which I am grateful. The baby is sleeping through the night!!!! That's big. No more nursing every 3-4 hours. And he is eating food!! Very big news. He's eating applesauce, yogurt, ice cream sandwhiches...I'm excited. And he's healthy. He's not sick, not even a little bit. His lungs are totally clear, no cough, no congestion, no nothing. I've been praying for months, and all my prayers were answered at the same time. Thank you God.
