Homeschooling and the love of learning

Yes I am not a saint. We have been homeschooling for 6 years, and realized this has been my vocation that God guided me on.  My daughter has a rough year medically.  She also started high school and through it all she loves literature.  She requested to do Shakespeare and it has been amazing year.  My son, who loves history enacted a civil war battle in my living room.  I have inspired through God's grace yearning for the love of learning.  Thank you Lord for allowing me to say Yes when you asked me to homeschool.

Narnia series

We finished The Last Battle today.  All I can say is wow.  God really worked through him.  I never expected it to end the way it did.  This is an awesome series of literature.  Each book keeps you coming back for more.  The last few books were amazing how Aslan personifies Christ.  In the book, The Last Battle, it amazing how it coincides with things revealed in the Bible and, yet in a Narnian perspective.  I was crying at the end. I just didn't expect it to end that way.  It was a brilliant conclusion to a brilliant series.  C.S. Lewis' Narnia Series is a must read.

Anatomy and Physiology

This book is awesome by Jeannie Fulbright.  It is thorough and engaging with experiments/activities at then end of each chapter. It is goes into terms may only see in a high school book, but explains them on the level of a 6-8th grade student.  She has made scientists out of my children. My kids love her books.  This maybe be the last book we do because my son will be hitting 8th grade.  She has made my children's elementary experience with science awesome! I highly recommend her books.  They are for the gifted, average, and slow processing learner. For those of you who use Charlotte Mason or Classical education this a huge resource for your homeschool. Thank you Jeannie for the ride!
http://www.jeanniefulbright.com/anatomy-and-physiology/

Curriculum time again!

Well I will be posting reviews soon and lots of links to curriculum I plan to use next year.  Keep watching.


Praising Him Joyfully,

Noelle:)

NY times article

     As a writer, this article was not written well.  First of all, why write an article until you have all the facts including a copy of DSM V in front of you.  I am not defending DSM V.  I will not jump the gun until I have all the facts.  I have a child with autism so this does impact us, but you need the facts.  I have been on facebook and people are going crazy over this article. I have learned from the past until you have proof of anything you can't prove anything.
     If the DSM V supports what the article says, then it is not fair.  We have a responsibility as a community and country to give all special needs children a fighting chance, whether they have autism or a learning disability.  I have lived this journey and believe me it makes you a stronger person.  Each autistic child is different just like each person God made is.

Praising Him Joyfully,
Noelle

Homeschooling, Special Needs, and a diagnosis

     The last couple of days I have thought alot about my faith and being a mom who has a special needs child.  God always seems to shine on the truth in the open. I am not  embarrassed about my life.  I am very grateful for it.  God has allowed me to become a special mom to a special child.  Yesterday I was humbled by the evaluator of a test I took him too.  She told me that I have done so much for him, though he has a journey still to climb, he has gone beyond what others have expected.  For the first time in 6 years, I heard someone tell me homeschooling was the best thing I could have done for him. She even told me I should become an advocate for special needs kids who are homeschooling.  She was very impressed with me. I was so humbled and almost on the verge of crying. He finally got his diagnosis of Autism.  He is high functioning on the spectrum.  Anyone who has met him would know that.  She told me he is very bright.  It is not just me being his mom. What a journey it has been! I feel blessed by Autism, because it has allowed me to see the world in a different light, the way God intended for our family.  My close support system you all know what we have been through thank you being there.
      I am proud of him and my daughter.  They are my greatest accomplishment in this world.  Homeschooling has just enhanced that.  There is only person I have to answer to and that is my Lord and Savior.  I am doing the work He wants me to do.  I feel so Blessed he asked me to do it. He has given me so much Grace through it. Thank you Lord,  for the small miracles this week and there were many.

Tapestry of Grace

As a mother of two special needs homeschoolers, I found a curriculum that will connect the dots especially for my daughter.  Yes I have tried many curriculum packages but they never worked.  Unit studies always have, she thrives on them.  For many year I wanted to try Tapestry of Grace but never did. Now I am, after downloading a free 3-week trial I can see how this will work effectively.  We have always used the Great Books approach and a classical education and this fits our work much better together.  I will keep you posted and do a review after a week or so.

Praising Him Joyfully,
Noelle

Gluten free baking

Okay so this is my second year being Gluten Free.  I have some really good recipes and some new ones I tried this year and failed.  I need to find a good sugar recipe for my daughter.  My attempt failed.  Uggh!!! So if anyone out there reads my blog and has a good one let me know.  I haven't found a really good one yet. Someday I hope to have a hang of it all.  My kids are totally gluten free, but I will be making it totally over starting after Christmas for my health and to be a great example to my children.
 On a side note after the holidays, we will be going sugar free and using agave and honey entirely to bake and use with tea and such.  We will see how it works.

Praising Him Joyfully,
Noelle:)

Special Needs Moms Rock

Special needs moms rock:
1. Because they never thought that "doing it all" would mean doing this much. But they do it all, and then some.
2. Because they've discovered patience they never knew they had.
3. Because they are willing to do something 10 times, 1,000 times if that's what it takes for their kids to learn something new.
4. Because they have heard doctors tell them the worst, and they ref...used to believe them.
5. Because they have bad days and breakdowns and bawl fests, then they pick themselves up and keep right on going.
6. Because they manage to get themselves together and out the door looking pretty damn good. Heck, they even make sweatpants look attractive.
7. Because they are strong. Who knew they could be this strong?
8. Because they aren't just mums, wives, cleaners, chauffeurs, cooks and women who work. They are also physical therapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, teachers, nurses, researchers, coaches and cheerleaders.
9. Because they understand their kids better than anyone else does - even if they can't talk or gesture or look them in the eye. They know. They just know.
10. Because just when it seems like things are going OK, they're suddenly not, but they deal. They deal even when it seems like their heads or hearts might explode.
11. Because when they look at their kids they just see great kids. Not kids with CHD/cerebral palsy/PCH/autism/Down syndrome/ADHD/developmental delay/whatever label. ♥

Christmas Wishes and Evaluation of the year

    It's been awhile since I have been on.  A lot has changed in my life the past 6 months.  First, I have been homeschooling for 6 years and my oldest entered into high school.  She is still homeschooling and loves it.  My son is going to be officially tested for Asperger's at the beginning of 2012 will continue to be home schooled too. So we will see.  I went back to work part-time working for an awesome employer, Homeschool Connections as a monitor.  I absolutely love it.
     God is sending me on a different journey than I was going to go on.  I was planning to start teaching online again and still might do that, but He is calling me on a journey he started me on in third grade--Writing.  It is scary thing to process.  As the Blessed Mother said," The Almighty has done Great Things." Nothing is impossible for God.  My son has me back on this quest, Asperger's has become front and center lately.  In prayer today, I got my answer.  I will write about it in another blog.  Great things are to come.
    I have a Christmas Wish for you all a safe and healthy Christmas and New Year.
     I want to wish all my Jewish friends a Happy Hanukkah!
     I wish everyone a very Blessed Christmas! For those on the other side of the Atlantic Have a Happy Christmas!

Please Remember that Christmas is Christmas because of Christ who dwells in us.

Praising Him Joyfully,
Noelle
 

When you thought I wasn't looking.....

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one. ♥

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals. ♥

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life. ♥

When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God. ♥

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other. ♥

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't. ♥

When you thought I wasn't looking, I felt you kiss me good night and I felt loved and safe. ♥

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given. ♥

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up. ♥

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry. ♥

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be. ♥

When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up. ♥

When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking. ♥

EVERYONE influences the life of a child.