K-Fam's journey through My Father's World

• Aug. 19, 2009 - Loving It Or Losing It

Copyright 2008-2009 Sweetpetunia. So which is it? Am I loving homeschooling or losing my mind in frustration over it? Sometimes the choice is not so clear. If you'd have asked me a few years ago, I probably would have gushed forth with why I love homeschooling and that I wouldn't have it any other way. Today, I would still say I wouldn't have it any other way, but sometimes life gets hard, confidence wanes and in those times, you find out who your true supporters are. Unfortunately, those who never supported you may be sure to rub your face in it as well. I know that last week, there would have been no doubt in anyone's mind. I was definitely losing mine. Pulling my hair out at the thought that I would have to not only find but implement four different curricula, I was snapping at people and feeling extremely beaten down. I kept trying to tell myself that it would all get better once I started in and I just needed to calm down, but self wasn't listening.  So, Monday rolled around and Ninja and I started school. It was amazing. She loved it, I loved it. God spoke to us through His word in Ninja's assigned Bible reading and we were both giggling the whole afternoon over it all. We really dug into the Bible questions and had so much fun searching for answers using our Bibles, a Greek interlinear New Testament, and several different versions of the Bible. The lessons were so personal. Ninja shared with me how cool it was that she was being directed to study the Old Testament just like Jesus did, especially after our pastor's sermon Sunday was on being more like Christ. I shared with her how I'd been feeling so unbelievably discouraged about homeschooling and had nearly given up, but after reading about Satan waiting to come back and pester even Jesus at a more opportune time, I didn't feel so alone anymore. I felt strengthened for the battle and ready to hang on till all my children have graduated from our homeschool. Satan tempts everyone to do the wrong thing and all I need to do is use my sword (of truth) to defend not only my position on homeschooling but defend my children and their walk with God. Monday was a good day. There's even more good news. The Dude's language seems to be improving. He's slowing down at times and really trying to speak clearly. Yesterday, he said, "[Tink] said, 'The batteries are getting low.'" What a beautiful sentence. He's been trying to speak to his cousin this morning and everything makes sense. Right at the moment he's scripting, but at least it's in context. I've been giving him probiotic powder in his applesauce and rice milk, even on ice cream. That seems to help his mood. I was also instructed by Dianne Craft and more recently a commenter on my blog to supplement with omega oils to improve language skills. I tried giving Dude a wonderful supplement from Nordic Naturals  however, even though Princess loves them and begs for them daily, I couldn't get him to swallow the little soft gels so I got some Coromega packets. For some reason he wouldn't take those either, even after I tried stirring them into his smoothies. Finally I figured out if I pour his smoothies and the Coromega packet contents into a shaker cup with one of those ingenious little inserts to help break up the product being shaken, he drinks them down in seconds. As long as he can't see "the green stuff" he's absolutely fine with it. Oh, and speaking of Dianne Craft I really need to review the lovely products she sent me but I loaned the reading program to my sister before I got the chance to look at it. I hope she didn't lose it. The Dude also willingly ate one of his therapy foods today! I was so excited I had to call DH at work to share the good news. I guess I should explain: The Dude has serious texture issues and self-limits his food a lot. We got him in to Children's Hospital Outpatient services for an Occupational Therapy assessment in order to get him past it. Obviously I want him to eat fruits and vegetables, right? So Dude's therapist instructed me to introduce one new food per day and present that food to him 5-6 times a day in different ways, encouraging him to taste, touch, and lick them. Today's food was zucchini. I shredded it, stirred it into his gluten-free pancake batter and also sliced a piece for him to handle and talk about.  He ate half a pancake befor he realized there was zucchini in it. I'm not sure if I should have warned him about it or not, but it turned out okay. Once Dude realized there was (horror of horrors) something unauthorized in his food, he was a bit grossed out and began picking the tiny pieces of green out of his pancakes. I thought they smelled delicious, and to show him, I began munching on the shreds of zucchini he'd picked out. I don't know what got into him but I heard him say behind me, "Oh, I ate it." At first I didn't understand, but then realization dawned. He took two large bites out of the next pancake without first extracting the zucchini. Joy! Here he is in his Teddy Roosevelt/Buzz Lightyear get-up enjoying his pancakes. It seems he can't help remaining a tad suspicious. Oops, mom got distracted and overcooked a couple of pancakes, but Dude doesn't appear to mind much at all. So, I've had a very encouraging week so far and my mom and I even joined the gym to boot. Yes, a very good week so far indeed. Loving it.

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