After what seemed like an eternity and lots of frustration on both of our parts, my daughter is READING!  The little stinker!  She's had it in her for some time now and she's finally decided that reading is fun and a good thing to do!  I have been patient in her progress or lack of it.  I have been encouraging without being pushy.  I have not tolerated her disobedience to listen to me when told to do something (or at least try).  Persistence has paid off.  It was one of those "lightbulb" moments, you know?  She read her entire reading lesson story with only a little help and it was a long story.  Tonight, she wanted to read her bedtime story to me, so we took turns reading alternate pages.  It took longer but it was worth the time.  We are so happy for her.  I think there is no better milestone reached in a child's education than when they realize that they can read.  It opens up the world to them.  Learning becomes a new adventure.  We got her a Bible for her birthday in Feb. and tonight she said she could start reading words in her Bible, now.  Since she has a stubborn streak (it's a family trait) I knew she had to build confidence in herself before she would take off and begin to understand what groups of words mean.  We are at Lesson 72 or so in "Teach Your Child To Read In 100 Easy Lessons" and she had been getting frustrated at the length of the stories she had to struggle to read.  So we read alternate sentences.  When she came upon a word or phonic grouping she didn't know, I taught it right then.  I did everything I knew to encourage her and teach her.  Whew!  The baby can read!  My life as teacher just got easier!  I have my own method of teaching when it comes to reading.  I like to teach things to help them remember how to say a word.  Shortcuts, I guess.  It's not traditional but then, I'm not traditional!  I honestly don't remember learning how to read as a child.  I read at such a young age that it seems like I always knew.  My husband was taught a "new" phonetic way of reading that really messed him up.  He still has issues with reading and spelling.  I am blessed - we read "Dick and Jane" and I went through them so fast, the teacher had trouble keeping up.  I'm not bragging, just blessed.  I'm sure my older sibs helped me learn, like Carmen's older brothers do.  I am so glad I never made my daughter feel bad if she couldn't read a word or remember a sound.  She will read a word and if she sees it again, she has to sound it out all over again.  I'd smile and say it was o.k. but inside, I'd be thinking, "Gee, don't you remember?"  It has been good to watch her go through this because it helps me be more patient with my kids.  As adults, it's easy to just assume that your kids understand when they really are clueless about something.  That's when I start over-explaining something until the kids say, "O.k., Mom, we get it!"  Carmen is only 6 so I figured she had plenty of time to learn to read but now that she's decided she WANTS to read, it will be much more fun.  Hopefully, she'll maintain her eagerness to learn more.  I'm so happy for her - Praise the Lord!

Thanks for your prayers!  I didn't know people were praying until tonight but looking back on my day, I saw sweetness in many areas of our home today.  Thank you, thank you!  We sold our Prius (sniff) to my inlaws, it was sad to watch it leave the driveway one last time.  We'll miss our ladybug (that's what we called it).  The Camry is just fine but, dang it, it's red!  Statistic have shown that red cars get pulled over more often.  We have already become a statistic and it was too dark to see the color that night! (see that story a few posts ago.)  A policeman gave my car a hard stare tonight, as I pulled out of Subway (yes, it was too hot to cook tonight - we haven't had Subway in eons.  After eating, I remembered why we haven't eaten there in a long time!)  Anyway, I automatically thought, "What did I do?"  I can't be paranoid.  I'll just have to remain calm and under the speed limit.  God bestowed mercy on me once already so I'd better not push it!