Oct. 29, 2009 - NDD Therapy Update
Over the last few months, I've had people find my blog as they're investigating Anna Buck's Neuro-Developmental Delay Therapy that we've had my son in since last January. I had meant to blog regularly about his progress, but it appears I haven't written much (if anything) about it since shortly after we started. So I thought I'd update with some of the changes we've noticed in him since beginning:
- Reading: Before starting NDD therapy, he had a hard time reading anything more complex than a simple picture book with a few sentences on each page, even after months of Vision Therapy. However, last summer he became interested in novels written for his age level (he's 10 1/2) and started reading books like The Lightning Thief. His eyes still tire after 4 or 5 pages, but it's a huge step over a short period of time.
- Clumsiness: Many friends have told me they noticed he's much more aware of his body and a lot less clumsy than before. He's obviously much more aware of his body, and much of that change shows in drawings of people - he started drawing pictures of people with features like ears and hair and the occasional neck.
- Panic/Anger: He was always the kind of child who would fly into a panic or get overly angry over small things - losing something, getting surprised, things not going as expected. Wow, he is so much more calm as the "startle" reflex has inhibited over the last several months. If he loses something, he will just look for it and persist until he finds it instead of screaming in frustration and impatiently expecting me to look for it.
- Hyperactivity: Much of this has decreased, but I'm beginning to notice a pattern that couldn't have been obvious when he acted hyper and impulsive all the time. Now it appears to be related to his diet, and we're making some small changes (agave nectar as a substitute for sugar, for example) and considering more significant changes (like significantly reducing carbohydrates in his diet).
We still have a way to go, but it's so exciting to see the changes in him. And we started taking my daughter to see Anna as well. She didn't have as many of the obvious reflex problems that her brother had, but she has had auditory processing and brain integration difficulties that have really interfered with her reading ability and memory. Since she started in September, she is beginning to read much better than before. She has another 3 weeks of "Listening Fitness Therapy," after which the auditory processing problem should be pretty much resolved. Perhaps I'll remember to update about that when she's done!
Oct. 24, 2009 - To Treat or Not To Treat
I wrote this a couple of years ago as a fun parody of Hamlet's famous soliloquy - it isn't meant to make any kind of judgement on whether or not we chose to participate in the activities of Halloween but simply to muse whimsically on the choice. I thought it might be worth posting again for your amusement. Enjoy!
To treat or not to treat -- that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The rings and knocks of outrageously-clad neighbors
Or to turn off the lights against a sea of begging
And by opposing end it. To hide, to flee --
No candy -- and by fleeing to say we end
The toothaches, and the thousand natural knocks
A door is disposed to. 'Tis a quietness
devoutly to be wished. To hide, to flee --
To flee -- perhaps to eat out: ay, there's the rub,
For in that escape from home what chance may come
When we have shuttled off in the minivan,
Must give us pause. There's the amusement
That makes savage such young lives.
For who would bear the nicks of pumpkin-carving knives,
Th' oppressive weight gain, the proud child's costume
The pangs of despised sugar, the delayed arrival,
The insolence of teens, and the forced thanks
That persistent merit of the giver takes,
When he himself might his quietus make
With a darkened porch light? Who would Snickers bear
To walk and walk under a heavy coat,
But for the dread of chill on an October night,
The carefully planned costume, now hidden,
No treat-donor guesses, puzzles the will,
And makes us rather compliment the unknown
Than offer them hot apple cider?
Thus conscience does make givers of us all,
And thus the expense of bags of candy
Is compensated with the sticky return of children.
And creative enterprise of the moment
With this regard our apples throw away
And lose the chance for health. Quick you now,
Fairy Princess, Knight, Mermaid, Pirate --
Be all my Skittles remembered.
(c) 2007, Karen Dittman
with apologies to Wm. Shakespeare.
Oct. 17, 2009 - The Laundry Poem
composed by my very clever and understanding husband as we sorted post-vacation laundry
Laundry, laundry, so much laundry -
This is my eternal quandary.
Some's been worn and some has not
(My children do forget a lot).
Down to wash and up to fold:
So does my whole life unfold.
Wash it now and wash it later.
I am the laundry elevator.
Oct. 12, 2009 - Lake Michigan
Holland State Park, Holland, Michigan
Holland State Park, Holland, Michigan
New Buffalo, Michigan
New Buffalo, Michigan
Thursday, October 1, 2009 - (Trying to) Get my act together for the holidays (again)...
So, in light of trying to "get my act together" ONCE AGAIN during the holidays, as I sit here writing this post, my printer is feverishly at work making my Holiday Planner that will give me some direction and guidance to the holiday season I've always dreamed of... or, at least, that's what I'm hoping for... tee hee...
I posted on this last year... and honestly, I even got some of it done, but "life" got out of control and I didn't do as well as I'd hoped... so, I'm at it again this year... giving it my best shot and another try knowing that if at first you don't succeed... TRY, TRY AGAIN! (Which is probably more of my "life verse"... tee hee)
If you struggle through the holidays, please feel free to join me by buying your own copy of Sheri Graham's Holiday Planner (which includes Ann Voskamp's Jesse Tree Devotional that I LOVE), or stop back here and read how things are going on my blog... maybe through some encouragement, we can make it through the holidays together!
Sep. 29, 2009 - Don't Miss This One
"Leave it as it is. The ages have been at work on it and man can only mar it."
~Theodore Roosevelt, regarding the Grand Canyon
This week, we've been enjoying The National Parks, America's Best Idea, a film by Ken Burns on PBS. Totally worth your time, if you love the great outdoors. Now more than ever, I see the value of parks and am so thankful that a few people, long ago, saw to save some of America's best features.
Indiana is blessed to have a national forest, a lakeshore and one small national park, which offer Jr. Ranger Programs for which we are thankful. This summer our kids earned several patches and badges, learning much along the way. If you live near a park, you might consider this as it is a good hands on science program for free. (You know how I like free!) I think they even offer online options if you don't live near a park.
Swearing In Ceremony
Thursday, September 24, 2009 - 23 days AFTER our move...
We still have a few boxes to take care of... Mike's "office" is in the living room as well as my homeschool boxes and books for everyone (which we had to downsize to only the essentials and the rest went into storage). Other than that, everything is unpacked in the house and functioning! (I will be sharing video soon.)
We have some things in storage that I would like to come into the house (some frames to hang of the kids and stuff) and one day I want to go and organize the storage shed (as things pretty much just got stacked in there since it was dark when we were unloading. That will be a good feeling when that's done and I really know where everything is (I bought hair dye before moving and with all the boxes at home unpacked, we STILL never found them so they MUST be in storage... another disadvantage to unloading a trailer at night... tee hee).
I had a "down day" yesterday, and I 'spose it was just because now that the house is more in order, there's less taking up my time (until we start school in October) and so the reality of knowing no one really set in and I was feeling alone (I know I'm never alone... but that's just how I felt). So, another day... another feeling... and I know it's all just a part of this very big experience we've been called to be a part of here in Detroit Lakes, MN!
The weather has been beautiful (which only adds to being on the lake) and Mike and I are enjoying having tea in the mornings on the deck. We're anxious for the next steps now as we begin to make plans and meet people in the area. Prayers are appreciated for those to come forward who will be a part of our launch team for the church plant.
We are currently working on the church website which will have more info. and keep everyone posted there as well. Thanks so much for all your prayers during our whole packing and moving process! Things are going better and we are all glad to finally be "home"!
You can read more about things in our VERY LATE September newsletter... (wonder what I've been doing? tee hee...)
Wednesday, September 23, 2009 - Day 2: Releasing My Child into God's Hands
MY THOUGHTS on Stormie OMartian's "The Power of a Praying Parent"
Chapter 2: Releasing My Child into God's Hands
As I shared in my thoughts on the previous chapter, I really struggled with worry and fear when I first became a mom. Stormie shares in this chapter, that she too, worried after becoming a mom until she decided to give her son over to God completely:
...whenever I had fear about anything, I immediately took it as a sign to pray until I felt peace. If I didn't have peace right away, the I prayed about it with one or more prayer partners until I did. Daily I released my son to God and asked Him to be in charge of his life. This took the pressure off me and parenting became much more enjoyable. -Stormie OMartian (p.34)We only hinder what God has in store for our children when we "meddle" and try to hold on too tightly to our children. We can do it all "in the name of love"... but that's like saying we don't believe God loves our children more than us and knows what's best for them, even more than we do (which we know better).
We don't want to limit what God can do in our children by clutching them to ourselves and trying to parent them alone. If we're not positive that God is in control of our children's lives, we'll be ruled by fear. And the only way to be sure that God is in control is to surrender our hold and allow Him to full access to their lives. The way to do that is to live according to His Word and His ways and pray to Him about everything. We can trust God to take care of our children even better than we can. -Stormie OMartian (p.35)The reality is this:
We can't be everywhere. But God can. We can't see everything. But God can. We can't know everything. But God can. No matter what age our children are, releasing them into God's hands is a sign of our faith and trust in Him and is the first step toward making a difference in their lives. Prayer for our children begins there. -Stormie OMartian (p.36)Releasing our children may not always be easy... but there is no one we can trust more than the One who created our children in the womb!
Dear Heavenly Father, I give You my children again today. I know You know what's best for them in all circumstances, and even when I don't understand, I know You are always in control. When I cannot be with my children, I know You still are there and I take comfort in knowing that. Lord, please teach me how to pray for each one of my children. Each one is uniquely created by You for a purpose. Please help me to know how to help them grow in the gifts You have given them. I seek You to raise these children instead of listening to what the world may say about parenting. I chose to partner with You and ask that You are at the center of my husband and I as we parent and raise the children You've given us. Help us to raise them in a way that brings honor to You. I pray for parenting to bring joy and happiness instead of fear or worry. I trust You and rest in knowing that You love my children even more than I do. In Jesus' name, Amen.
It's not too late to join us as we pray for our children! You can check out more about it by clicking the following link: S.H.M.I.L.Y. for 30 days of prayer for praying parents... Please share a link to your blog post if you've made one on this chapter!
Sep. 23, 2009 - Autumn Thoughts
For man, autumn is a time of harvest, of gathering together. For nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad. ~Edwin Way Teale
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 - Day 1: Becoming a Praying Parent - Part II
MY THOUGHTS on Stormie OMartian's "The Power of a Praying Parent"
Chapter 1: Becoming a Praying Parent - Part II
I grew up praying every night before bed, sometimes before a meal, and whenever there was something bad going on. I knew very little about praising God or thanking Him for anything... my prayers were basically out of fear of something happening, and there wasn't any kind of "relationship" with the Lord. So, when I started having children, my prayers remained similar... "protect them from this"... "help them with that"... "keep them safe"...
Prayer is much more than just giving a list of desires to God, as if He were the great Sugar Daddy/Santa Claus in the sky. Prayer is acknowledging and experience the presence of God and inviting His presence into our lives and circumstances. It's seeking the presence of God and releasing the power of God which gives us the means to overcome any problem. -Stormie OMartian (p.19)When I began to understand prayer more and realized that God not only loved my children more than me, but had a plan and knew what was best for them, I began to change the way I prayed. Instead of praying for what I WANTED for them... I began praying for me to know what it was that God created them for and for the wisdom to know how to guide them best. SO MUCH changed after that... did I still pray for protection? You better believe it! But now I was working WITH God for the best for my children... and God and I became a team in raising them. You see, as much as my husband and I can talk about and decided how we'll raise our children... GOD KNOWS what He created our children to be... so He already has the answers... we just have to seek Him to know what to do. I don't have to try and figure out what each child would be best at... what career they should go into... or even what they should do after they leave home... Those are NOT my decisions to make.
Now, I'd like to tell you that I've been happy with all of the ways in which God has answered my prayers and that I've always gotten my way... but that's just not the case. I've questioned God and cried over the answers He's given to some of the prayers for my children. No parent wants to see their child hurt or in pain, and yet, there have been times in which I've had to endure such an answer. Some I have later understood, and others I may never understand... but one thing I must always remember is that God has a purpose for each of my children and He is preparing them every day through every experience for THEIR future, and it is that future that I approach the very throne of God on their behalf.
It's not enough t o pray only for the concerns of the moment; we need to pray for the future, and we need to pray against the effects of past events. -Stormie OMartian (p.21)I have also had our share of unanswered prayers in another way, as I've prayed for my step-son to make the "right" choices or been hurt by his words.
Possibly the hardest part of praying for our children is waiting for our prayers to be answered... Sometimes, in spite of all we've done for them and all our prayers for them, our children make poor choices and then reap the consequences. Those time are hard for a parent to watch, no matter how old the child... Instead of giving up, resolve to be even more committed to prayer... Stand strong and say, "I've only begun to fight," keeping in mind that your part of the fight is to pray. God actually fights the battle. Remember, too, that your fight is not with your child, it's with the devil He is your enemy, not your child. Stand strong in prayer until you see a breakthrough in your child's life. -Stormie OMartian (p.27-28)Another thing I think is so important to remember when praying for our children is to be aware of our hearts when praying about our children...
If you have anger of unforgiveness toward God or your child --- yes, even loving parents can have these feelings --- tell God in total honesty. If you feel disappointment and hopelessness, state it clearly. Don't live with negative emotions and guilt that can separate you from God. Share all of your feelings honestly with Him and then ask Him to forgive you and show you what your next step should be. Above all, don't let any disappointment over unanswered prayer cause you to stop praying. -Stormie OMartian (p.28)Stormie mentions making a list for her children that she would add to about specific prayer requests as they arose. I recently bought a notebook for each child that I am going to write in to my children for them to have later in life. In it, I want to include prayers I pray for them. I'm excited to start this and since I have so many children, one thing I want to do is to write in their notebook on the date they were born on (since each of them have a different birth date). I still plan on writing when there are things that arise, but this will help me to set time aside as well.
Whether you write your prayers for your children to read later in life or keep a list, the point is simply to be covering your children in prayer. I know that we have went through some very scary and difficult times with our children, but knowing that I'd covered the situation in prayer, I knew that God was in control and that things were playing out as they should. There is a peace in that that only comes from God.
It's never too late (or too early) to start praying for your children...
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You so much for the gift of my children! I am so glad that Your plan prevailed over mine to never have children. You have blessed me and taught me so much through being a mother and I pray that I will be the mother You desire me to be. Help me to know what each of my children were created for and never let my wants or desires for them to supercede Your plans for them. Give me wisdom, patience, and love on a daily (and sometimes minute to minute) basis as I raise these precious lives You've entrusted me with. I also pray that You would make sure my husband and I are unified in our decisions on our children. Lord, I don't always understand the way You answer my prayers... but I know that You are always at work. I pray that You would give me peace even through the storms of parenting. I give You back my precious children, Joseph, Nikolas, Izak, Gabrielle, Izabella, Jediah, Judah and Ezra as well as the unborn life inside me and trust You to make me the mom that each of them needs. In Jesus' name, Amen.
It's not too late to join us as we pray for our children! You can check out more about it by clicking the following link: S.H.M.I.L.Y. for 30 days of prayer for praying parents... Please share a link to your blog post if you've made one on this chapter!
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