Well, our PreK4 year has begun.  I must say, it is a struggle for me to know how to properly homeschool Helana.  She was finally given a loose diagnosis of PDD-NOS by a pediatric neurologist at the University of Kentucky Medical Center.  He has ordered more tests, such as speech evaluation, hearing, a MRI and an EEG.  Joey has recently started a new job, so these tests will have to wait until the insurance begins on Oct. 1st.

There are days when I see such an improvement in Helana, particularly  her language skills.  But then I am reminded of our struggle when we sit down to learn handwriting, or to color, or anything that requires even the tiniest bit of focus.  It is as if a wall goes up and her eyes fog over.  She truly enters her own reality.

She really took an interest in the women's gymnastics portion of the olympics this year.  She loved the uneven bars and I had to keep a watchful eye out cause she tried to swing from the bar in her closet.  Now I believe in encouraging a child's interests, so I signed her up for gymnastics lessons.  She has always been a daredevil and fearless, so I figure this would be right down her alley and a healthy way to release this energy.  Yesterday was her first day and, even though I explained to the coaches Helana's situation, they were painfully impatient with her.   One lady, after knowing Helana for only 2 minutes (no exaggeration), actually screamed at her to "Sit down now!".  Naturally that scared Helana to death and she promptly decided to shut them out.   The wall went up.  She had a wonderful time once they bounced and jumped and played on the bars, but in her own reality, paying very little attention to what was going on around her.  They kept looking at me like, "why can't she follow directions like the three-year-olds?". 

 Sigh.  I've paid for the month and will continue to take her and see if things get better.  Supposedly she will have a different instructor next week.  Ya know, the more I think about it though, the angrier I get at the lady who screamed at her.  Such people should not work with small children.  I realize I am going to have to get "tougher" for Helana's sake and lay aside my passivity when necessary.

I continue to pray for wisdom and direction.  I know this is for a reason and my character is being molded for God's purposes.  The toughest part is being in the cocoon. 

Last Wednesday we had a "colors-of-spring" scavenger hunt.  We explored our yard for the beautiful colors God has painted with this spring.  We discussed the flowers, grass, trees and bugs we found along the way.  It was a fun way to get exercise, review our colors and learn about nature.

I have to admit, it isn’t easy making the choice to home educate Helana.  Not because I doubt my abilities, but because my extended family cannot seem to grasp the fact that I am going to homeschool.  They say things like, “when Helana goes to school….”  Or, “the Christian school would be better”.  It is enough to make me want to scream.  The fact that Helana has a language delay and other “challenges” yet to be diagnosed only fans the flames. 

However, I am unwavering in this conviction because it is just that…a conviction.  I am sure that many homeschoolers would agree that it is a calling.   God has called me to homeschool, and I trust that He will provide the wisdom and resources necessary to do so.  So, while it blows my mind that the people who have known me my entire life and were witness to not only my receiving a bachelor’s degree, but also to the rather sound and prudent decisions I have always made, doubt my determination and abilities; I will push on.  It saddens me, really, to see how indoctrinated and institutionalized even professing Christians have become in today’s society.  Sorry, but the “state” does not always know best, nor is a stranger (trained as he/she may be) an expert on my child nor are they given the responsibility by GOD to raise her.

My name is Marcia and I am the wife of Joey and mother (and educator) of Helana Grace.  Helana is 4 years old.  I homeschool her and plan on doing so for as long as God directs. 

Right now we are trying to figure out just what kind of "delay" she has, whether it be high-functioning autism, sensory-integration disorder, ADHD or something else.  There is obviously something a-typical.  As I said before, she is 4 but rarely speaks more than 2 words at a time.  We have no trouble communicating with her, we understand one another, she gets her point across but by only using one or two words.  When we go over the alphabet, sometimes she will recognize them verbally and other times not.  She will not answer you if you ask her to name a color or number or even how old she is.  She has great comprehension and memory, she just won't verbally reveal what she knows.  Furthermore, she has no interest whatsoever in learning to write.  She'll scribble but that is it. 

I am new at both being a mom and homeschooling so I'd really appreciate input from some veterans.  We are speaking with a child's psychologist at the moment who seems to think she is a sensory seeker, and based on the info I'd have to agree.  However, she of course, just like her pediatrician and everyone else I've spoken with, have no advice concerning how to homeschool her.  "Public school is best.  They can get her the help she needs. "  LOL-it's like banging my head against the wall.  I have faith that since God has called me to homeschool, He will also provide the answers and give me the proper abilities needed to educate a child with a-typical needs.