Hello, welcome to conventions and conferences week!  This is perfectly timed for me. I have laundry running, dishwasher going, and bread machine cooking, all in the works for driving to the Midwest Homeschooling Convention tomorrow. Yeah!

So, first I'll talk briefly about the Midwest Homeschooling Convention. I would like to point out that The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine will have a booth. Also Spunky Homeschool will be giving a class on blogging. Amanda Bennett will be giving a class on social media. There are a handful of classes that address special needs. One is Carol Barnier's  "If I'm diapering the watermelon than where is the baby?" (great title!!) There are tons of other speakers, workshops and vendors there. To see a full listing of events and speakers Midwest Homeschooling Convention. 

The first place I look when I am trying to figure out my convention season possibilities is The Old Schoolhouse®,  2009 Homeschool Conferences and Conventions.  You can click on the states around you and pick and chose what is the most helpful. I often look and see if there are any workshops that address special needs. I am happy to say that in the past three years there have been a notable increase in special needs oriented classes.

I have emailed the heads of conventions before, respectfully asking if they would consider hiring someone to talk on special needs topics. Special needs oriented classes can benefit everyone.

The other side of this coin is "How do I afford to go?" I find that with one income and multiple medical bills on top of the monthly budget there isn't a month when things aren't tight. So here are a few tips to trim the budget.

1. Work for the convention.  Conventions and conferences are run with the help of an army of volunteers. Usually there is a trade off that if you work, you can come for free or a reduced fee.
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2. Take along a crockpot. If you are staying overnight and have a hotel, set up the crockpot and let it cook while you are at the convention. I would recomend placing it in the bathroom where there is a solid surface and no flammables.

3. Don't forget to take a snack and a drink. If the place allows it, this simple tip can save you paying convention prices on drinks.

Well take care and all the best during this the convention and conference season. 

God bless.

 Heather lives in West Virginia. She and her husband have been homeschooling their 5 children for 7 years.  Due to a genetic disorder their children have multiple special needs. Living life to the fullest for the glory of God is their goal!  Visit Heather's at GFCF Mom of Many or Special Needs Homeschooling

Happy Easter my dear friends! This past week the Lord has been sharpening my focus. I realized that I was becoming overly concerned with academic performance and other vitally important areas were suffering. I had let our daily Bible study slide to just once or twice a week. We had also been reading about missionaries around the world and I would forget to add that in. Thanks to the Lord's gentle reminder we got back on track.

I was reading a profile of David Livingstone's to the children this week. I was driven to tears. Here is a man, a doctor, well educated and easily able to make a comfortable living in Scotland, who feels the call of the Great Commission so keenly he goes to Africa. There he finds the love of his life and years later she dies in Africa. He is attacked by a lion, 27 bouts of jungle fever, depravation of food and water, living in poverty. All this because the words of Jesus.

When Dr Livingstone was found kneeling in prayer, dead, his Bible was open to Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Dr Livingstone wrote on the side, "The Word of a Gentleman"

I looked at the faces of my lovely children. I thought, if I can help them find that kind of drive and devotion to the Lord, then there are no barriers. Whether they have a disability or not their faith in the Lord is what matters; their trust in the Lord's commands, and a heart felt desire to fulfill them.

Dr Livingstone had such a pure, solid faith because he believed in the risen Lord Jesus Christ! Faith in the Lord is the most important thing you could possibly teach your child.

God bless! Happy Easter!

Heather lives in West Virginia. She and her husband have been homeschooling their 5 children for 7 years.  Due to a genetic disorder their children have multiple special needs. Living life to the fullest for the glory of God is their goal!  Visit Heather's at GFCF Mom of Many or Special Needs Homeschooling

Hello friends! This week on the Porch we are talking about saving time. I really encourage you to check out Taming the Chaos post, it's very thought provoking and encouraging.  So now it is my turn. Hmm? When I think of saving time I think of the things that waste the most time.

Around here a big time waster is self care. Normally a child would be able to clothe and care for the basics with minimal oversight. That is not so with a bunch of kids whose executive function is not great. Executive function is the ability to line several tasks up in a row and do them in order. Such as put on undies, then pants, then socks, then shoes. That may seem simple but here, it is a big deal.

I have a friend whose child had such an executive impairment that she would get into the shower with her clothes on. She just couldn't think through the sequence. If you are in this place their is hope. That little girl is now a very good soccer player that can cope fine with her own care!

Thankfully we have found a wonderful tip to help.

We have these pictures on the front of the drawer that shirts are in. On the other drawers are pants, or pajamas. We take the guessing out of dressing. By lining up the items in order of use the kids are better able to get dressed themselves.

Other time wasters are getting out the door. There is always the jostle for coats, shoes, socks, and books. For us this gets so much worse when there is an OCD involved. We helped move along the process by a few set in stone rules.

1. You must have a all clothing including shoes, socks, or jacket on and ready before asking for anything more to take along.
2. You can only take 4 things with you so pick carefully, no getting out of the van to trade once you have picked.

This is not all our van rules. We try to keep it simple and to the point. Rules will vary from family to family, but be firm. Consistence will make for an easier time transitioning out the door.

The other big time waster that we face is medication time. If I have the medication list written out, everything flows much smoother. Also it is safer, you know exactly how much to give. Having the medications written out will also help others help you. Dad can step in and help with a medication while you get every one cleaned up for bed.

Last but not least teamwork. Try your best to function as a team. You and your husband/wife need to help each other tend to your children. The responsibility should not fall on one person. Secondly your children are part of the team. Assign them chores. Show them they too can help the family to excel.

Till next week my friends God bless!

 Heather lives in West Virginia. She and her husband have been homeschooling their 5 children for 7 years.  Due to a genetic disorder their children have multiple special needs. Living life to the fullest for the glory of God is their goal!  Visit Heather's at GFCF Mom of Many  or Special Needs Homeschooling