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 April 1^st started out just like any other day.  My kids were having a blast playing April Fool’s Day jokes on me and each other.  They did fun things like change the cereal boxes – so that the Raison Bran was in the Honey Comb box.  In the afternoon my niece and nephew came over to play.  They all went outside.  It was a beautiful spring day. The boys decided to toss the football around. 

My 8 and 6 year old boys just adore their 15 year old cousin.  And I felt confident enough to let them play outside while I was inside getting some cleaning done.

And then it happened.  The football landed on top of the patio awning. Jake, my 8 year old, decided he could climb to the top and retrieve it.  And the other kids tell me he did fine going up and reaching it, but on the way back down….

I’m sorry – but just retelling this story makes my chest constrict – and I have trouble  breathing.

On the way back down his foot got caught, and he lost his hold.  He fell backwards, his tangled foot causing him to turn upside down so that his head hit the concrete first – 6 feet below.

My daughter came running inside screaming for me.  She was talking so fast I couldn’t understand her.  When I got to Jake I was scared.  He was trying to get up and walk to me, but couldn’t.

I gathered all 6 kids into the van and rushed to the hospital.  I have no idea why I didn’t call an ambulance – I was in shock.  I couldn’t keep Jake awake while we were driving – he kept slumping over in his seat. The other kids kept talking to him – trying to keep him awake.

At the Emergency room they did a CAT scan of his head and neck – and then came to me with the bad news.  He had two skull fractures of the parietal bone with bleeding on the brain.  They prepared us to be transferred to IU Medical center 3 hours away. At the last minute they contacted a neurosurgeon at a local hospital – only 20 minutes away.

By the time I got to the second hospital Jake was not responding to his neurological checks.  They were talking to us about brain surgery and a possible neck fracture.  They transferred him to the pediatric ICU.  Some things that happened in this time are a little fuzzy to me.  All I know is that I called someone to start the pray chain, and everyone I knew was praying for my little boy.

The neuro doctor decided to wait on the brain surgery.  It was so hard to sit there looking at my precious child all hooked up to all the monitors and machines.  But I knew it would have been even harder to watch them wheel him into surgery to open his head and mess with his brain.

I sat in that chair next to his bed and prayed like I have never prayed for anything before. My poor little child, who taught himself to read at age 4, who sometimes annoys his big sister because he answers her math questions faster than she can, who asks questions like ‘do fish have eyelids?’ and ‘how does the I in soldier make a /j/ sound?’   was vomiting and losing control of his bowels and bladder, and unable to wake up.  And I prayed and prayed.

 And God heard me – and answered my prayer.  God reached down and put his hand on my precious child and healed him.  Because the next day…

Jake just woke up.  He sat up in the bed and asked if he could play video games.

It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen.  The doctors were amazed.  Everyone who was praying was amazed.  It was such a great thing – I think some people don’t believe me when I tell them how bad he was. 

I know God granted me a miracle that day.  And I will spend the rest of my life thanking Him for it.

God has great things planned for my little man.  And I will do my very best to prepare him for whatever God has in mind.

There has been a lot happening in our lives. 

Our newest little bundle of joy was born Feb 5^th.  She is amazing.  I am so in love with her. God has truly blessed us.

Shawn graduated with his BS degree.  He received high honors and was inducted into the National Honor Society.  We are all so proud of him.

We got a new camper and have been having a blast!!  We have been camping a few times now.  The kids love it.  We even thought about starting a family camping blog.  I will let you know if we do that.

I am researching stuff – and going through things on the shelf – to plan for next school year.  Kayla will be 6^th grade, Jake 4^th, Jarek 1^st. I'll write another entry to talk about what I am planning.

A while back I asked God for wisdom.  I told Him I wanted to walk closer to Him, and to follow His will for my life.  The way to achieve that is to spend quality time with him.  If you want to build any relationship, you need to put time and energy into it.  It is the same with God. 

So I have been trying to be consistant in my Bible study and prayer time.  I really want to know God better.  I want to be able to hear His voice, and KNOW it is him.  I don't like wondering if what I am hearing is God, or my own thoughts.  So I spend more time with Him, so I know His voice.

And here are the things He has been telling me. 

One - I need to honor my husband more.  I need to ask him what he wants me to spend my time on, then do it.

Two - I need to be a better house keeper.  My home is quite disorganized.  I use the excuse that it's because I am pregnant and don't have as much energy. But God has been telling me to quit making excuses and just work at it.

Three - I need to also be better organized in my homeschool plans.  I am not teaching my children to be consistant.

Four - here's the big one... I need to dedicate time and energy into the children's program at church.  I would love for my church to have AWANAs.  And God keeps putting it on my heart over and over.  I feel that He is telling me to make it happen...some how.  I know God is the one who will make it happen..but I believe He is telling me to be open to do anything He commands to make it happen.

I pray that I can  say YES to God..no matter what He ask me to do.

to God be the glory

We spent the weekend at my MIL's house.  She is such a wonderful mother-in-law, and I am very lucky to have her. We only get to see her a few times a year even though she only lives about 200 miles away.

This weekend was very relaxing and enjoyable.  Usually when we go to visit her it can be stressful.  This is because she lives in a 2 bedroom apartment, and my BIL and his family stay with her when he is not incarcerated.  So on the weekends we are visiting, there are the 5 of us, plus MIL, plus BIL and at least 3 others, depending on who he has "custody" of at the time.

But this weekend it was just us and MIL.  And selfish as it may sound - I loved having her all to ourselves.

We made a HUGE Thanksgiving feast - especially considering there were only 3 adults and 3 kids.  We had turkey, ham, sweet potatoes, cole slaw, deviled eggs, dumplings, dressing, sour cream and chive potatoes, cranberry sauce, fruit salad, pumpkin pie, apple pie and ice cream.  It was YUMMY!!!

One of the greatest parts of the whole weekend was that it was calm enough for my 10 year old daughter to be in the kitchen with me and MIL.  And considering that my MIL is an amazing cook, this was a great learning experience for my daughter. I was overwhelmed as I stood there watching Grandma teach grand daughter the art of cooking.  The lessons she learned from Grandma were far more improtant than anything I could have written lesson plans for.

I almost cried with the joy of the moment.  And I praise God for providing times such as these. I pray my daughter will have this memory for the rest of her life.

I know I need to update...but seem to have no creativity right now.  So I will try and put a baby counter on the site and see if it works.

sorry...can't figure out how to make it work.  sigh.  pregnancy brain damage I suppose.

But as a reminder - this baby is due Feb 7th - my 40th birthday.  And it is a girl.  We are very excited.  So only 10 weeks to go.  I am enjoying every moment of this pregnancy, and not wishing it away.

Well after much prayer and a year on the waiting list, we finally got Jarek's evaluations done at the Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center. We now have an "official" diagnosis and a plan of action.

Sensory Processing Disorder and ADHD combined type.  We have started occupational therapy to help with some of the sensory issues, and after another appointment with the family doctor we have a prescription for adderall.  We have not started the prescription yet, but plan on doing that today.

I have really had to pray about the ADHD prescription.  I have read sooooo much about parents not wanting to "drug" their children.  And I respect any parent who makes that decision.  But I expect the same for those of us who choose to use the medication. 

I believe I used to feel guilty about medication because I had the notion that it was for MY benefit.  I felt like I was asking for ADHD medication because I was going insane and needed help.  And that made me feel like a bad parent.

But I have come to understand that this medication is for my child's benefit.  He can use the medication to help him gain control of his actions, to be able to concentrate and LEARN.

So we will try this and see what happens.  If God tells us to do something different in the future, we will be open to His leading.

In my last post I had been talking about listening to God.  I have been praying about my PURPOSE, and what plans God has for me.  I wanted God to tell me what ministry He wants me to work on.

Well, He answered me loud and clear.....because we are pregnant!!!   I am so excited...and a little worried!  My youngest child is 6.  It has been a long time since having to handle an infant and all the things that comes with them.  But, I know that God planned this, and the joy in my heart sometimes threatenes to overwhelm me!

My ministry is right here in my home.  I have 3 amazing children already, and now a new young one on the way.  I am thrilled that God gave me this assignment.  Being a Mom is what I always wanted to be.  I pray that through God I will be the mother He has planned for me. 

Posted in Bible study/prayer journal

This is from Lysa Terkeurst's book What Happens When Women Say Yes to God.

   Lysa says....

When God is speaking to me about a particular issue, I cannot escape it.  Around every corner there is a sermon or Bible study lesson or speaker's topic or conversation with a friend that is consistent with what I've been hearing from God in my time alone with Him.

 Think about having a conversation with another person.  You both speak and you both listen.  The same is true with our conversations with the Lord when we're one-on-one with Him.  We shouldn't be doing all the talking.  God wants us to pour out our hearts to Him, and then He wants to respond to us.  Jesus shared this parable:

The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice.  He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.  (John 10:3-4)

 Now let's read this verse with some clarifying remarks added in:

The watchman [Jesus] opens the gate [a way for us to have direct communication with God] for him, and the sheep [you and I] listen to his voice.  He [God] calls his own sheep by name [He speaks to us personally] and leads them out [providing us with direction].  When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice [they know his voice because they have spent time with him].  John 10:3-4

 Jesus is the one who provides a way for us to be able to talk with God and hear from God.  God calls us by name.  He wants to have a personal connection with each of us.  Think about when you call someone's name.  You know that person.  You are calling on them so the two of you can connect in some way.  This verse is telling us that the way God wants to connect with us is to provide direction for us in life.  He has gone before us and sees the dangers and trials we will face.  He is telling us the way to go, the perspectives to keep, the things to avoid, and the things to hold fast to.  Most of all He is speaking to us because we are His own and He wants a relationship with us.  He loves us, adores us, treasures us, and has a good plan for us.  He longs for us to know His voice and listen to His voice.  The only way to know and trust God in this way is to spend time with Him.

 When we invest in spending time alone with God, He will speak to us, and what we hear from Him in these quiet times will be echoed in other places.  Listen for God's voice and then look for the message to be confirmed.

 Is God speaking to you?  Are you listening?

Posted in Bible study/prayer journal

I have recently begun to pray earnestly and study God’s word concerning my purpose.  It’s an age-old question: 

“Why am I here?” 

“What is my purpose in life?”

 I know why God created humans.  We are here to glorify God.  That is the plain and simple answer.  But now I want to go beyond plain and simple.  What does that mean “to glorify God.”?

How do I put that into practice?

Here is the verse God has shown me today. 

(I really like www.Biblegateway.com for looking up verses and topics)

Romans 12:5-7 (New King James Version)

New King James Version (NKJV)

Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;

There are many Christians in our world, or our state, city, church.  And God has a plan, a JOB for each and every one of us.  He gave us gifts to be better able to do these jobs.  I’m not talking about a new car, or a nice home.  Those may be nice.  And those are gifts from God.  But I am speaking of skill, or talents, also known as spiritual gifts.  God has equipped you and me with specific spiritual gifts to be able to do the job He wants us to do.

Finding out spiritual gifts will help us to find out specifically what He wants us to be doing.

Do you know your spiritual gifts? Have you prayed and asked God to show you? Let’s pray together.

Dear God,

I know you have fearfully and wonderfully made me.  I praise You alone for Your greatness.  I pray that You will open my eyes and my heart Lord.

Show me the gifts you have equipped me with. Show me where you want me to work for You. Lord, Show me my purpose.

Amen

Posted in Bible study/prayer journal

During my recent bible study,  Calm My Anxious Heart    by Linda Dillow, she asked us to work on our life purpose statements.  Here is what I came up with.

I am resolved to:

1.  constantly and consistently be in the Word to increase in wisdom and walk closer to the Lord.    A few years ago I started praying for wisdom. I thank God He has shown me the only way towards that is through His Word and prayer.

2. to be the wife Shawn wants me to be.  To be a helpmeet to him that he can brag about.

3. to train my children to walk with the Lord.  To be consistent in my discipline.  To treat them with the same love and respect at home that I do in front of others.

4. to make my house a home that Shawn can come home to.  To keep my home ( and my attitude) in a state that people feel comfortable stopping by without notice.   To create a ‘safe haven’  for ‘weary travelers’ whether they need a cup of hot coffee and a ear…..or bed to rest in.

5.  to encourage other parents that they are capable of homeschooling if God leads them there.  To encourage Christian parents to think outside the box, and seriously pray about the decisions they are making concerning their children.  To be an example to parents that think they can’t homeschool b/c they aren’t organized enough, or don’t have enough time, or don’t have enough education, or don’t want to spend that much time with their children, or think that they HAVE to work outside the home to make ends meet, ….or whatever other excuse they are using. 

Posted in Bible study/prayer journal

It has been a very long time since I have posted.  I have missed it here.  I have missed "talking" with all my friends at homeschool blogger.  I had considered simply starting a whole new blog.  Sometimes "new" can motivate me to do more.  But I will stay here to rekindle old friendships.  I like it here, and I need to work on my follow-through!

Let me update you a little.

We no longer have any extra students at our school, but we do have an extra sister!  My 21 year old step daughter has moved in with us.   The littles absolutely adore her.  They are having a great time with her here.

We are within a few days of completing our 180 required days of school. But we will keep working on Math and a few other things over the Summer.

I am already planning on next years stuff.  I just LOVE finding new things.  I think that is my favorite hobby...researching new curriculum.  As soon as I get it figured out I will post it here.

Glad to be back. Hope to visit all your blogs soon!

Homeschool Estore.com is having a contest.  Go here for more information. 

With all that said, Here we go…… I figured with my contest, we can all get to know each other a little better. At least on the homeschooling front.

1. How many children do you have / homeschool?  I have 3 children ages 9, 6.5, and 5.  They all are home educated.
2. How long have you been homeschooling? This is our 5th year.
3. Have they always been homeschooled, or did they ever go to public/private school? We have homeschooled from the beginning.  Well, actually since the summer before my oldest child was scheduled to enter public Kindergarten.
4. Do you plan on homeschooling until graduation? God willing we will homeschool through graduation.
5. Do you belong to a co-op? We do not currently belong to a co-op.  but we have in the past, and probably will sometime in the future.  It just did not fit our schedule this year.
6. Do you school all year long, or use some other schedule? I count days starting Aug 1st, and keep track until we get to our required 180 days.  But I believe learning happens ALL the time!
7. Do you use textbooks only, or do you like to supplement with other materials? We use lots of different materials, including but never limited to: workbooks, library books, computer games, online information, board games, flash cards, family discussions, and seeking out people who know things we don't.  I consider us relaxed ecclectic.
8. Are field trips included in your school plans, or are they just family time? I "count" field trips as learning time, but I am not organized enough to plan ahead to incorporate fields trips!  Usually if a field trip opportuntiy comes up...I switch our learning time to match it.
9. Do you and your kids do crafty stuff together for school time? My kids LOVE crafty stuff!! too bad for them I am craft handicapped!
10. Would you consider everyday household life stuff ‘home ec’? Yes.  Everyday life stuff is one of the MOST important things my kids need to learn about.
11. Do you have any advice for new homeschoolers? Relax.  Don't compare your child to anyone else.  don't try to match what school looks like in your house to anyone else.  Just do what works for your family
12. Do you have advice for homeschoolers with little ones under foot? Relax, and enjoy every moment.  Taking care of little ones IS educational.

My kids love to play outside.  I am so thankful for the beautiful weather we have had so they can get out and run and jump and play.

And I love the technology to take pictures and almost immediately be able to show them to friends and family.

I had such plans to write a truly moving and inspirational post.  But by the time I am able to sit down here and write it, I have forgotten it.  We'll call that SAHM brain damage.  hehehe

well..just so you don't wonder why in the world you even clicked on my blog..here are some pictures.

here is Kayla (in red) with our extra student.

Here's my Jake..isn't he adorable?

How does he manage to look so angelic in pictures yet .....

and one of our new kitties.

have a great day!! I'm gonna go visit some of your blogs now!

My youngest son is such fun.  I believe that he is on the autism spectrum, but I do not have an official diagnosis.  But that is a post for another day.

He is definitely entertaining.  He knows some sign language.  And he makes up his own signs.  He also knows a little Spanish.  More than I know.  And one of the things we do for fun around here is pick a word  (like Hello)  and then look up how it say it in lots of different languages.

Then of course…he has his own language.  He just makes it up.  I haven’t decided if he makes it up as he goes…or if he remembers it from day to day and is saying the same things.

So there are times when he is playing or trying to tell us something that he will use an amazing combination of all of these.  Three or four signs mixed with Spanish and English and then Jarek language thrown in for color. It is quite interesting to say the least.

There are so many times that I must make him repeat himself about a million times, and then have his big brother translate for me.  It can get frustrating for him to say the least.   I am not certain that he realizes that he is doing it.  And I must remind him that I don’t speak Jarek language….so he needs to talk in English.

Well I had an epiphany today.  (amazing I know...hey...I'm still learning, too!)  A lot of my frustration comes from telling Jarek the same thing over and over and over again, and then of course he still does the opposite of what I tell him.

So maybe…just maybe…when I tell him something in Mom language…his brain is trying to translate into Jarek language, or sign or Spanish, or some combination of the above.

And maybe…it somehow gets lost in the translation.  Sometimes it seems like he is purposefully disobeying me.  It seems like he is defying me just for spite.

But maybe….he just really can’t understand what I am telling him to do.

So my prayer is that God will give me the patience and understanding to learn to speak Jarek language.

Posted in Bible study/prayer journal

I just completed a great women's bible study.  Here is a part of it that moved me the most.  It 'stepped on my toes."  God is talking to me.