I would appreciate your prayers today as the journey continues...
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
On my way...
I would appreciate your prayers today as the journey continues...
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Faith~ The substance of things hoped for...
I have struggled for weeks whether to put this on my blog or not. (Because after 11 kids, pregnancy is not always considered a celebrated thing with my extended family), and that alone causes me enough stress! That is why, for the most part, we have kept this to ourselves. But I feel it is time to tell you of the journey. Maybe one of the most misunderstood and confusing one of my life, until now! But I have come to the point where I must share with others God's faithfulness and pure love that he desires to share with His children if we allow Him to show us HIS way and not our way. (This is a long one, so bear with me!)
On February 28th, I suspected I might be pregnant with my 15th child. (11 on earth and 3 in heaven) The home pregnancy test confirmed my thoughts. A faint pink line was seen! I took it very early in the morning and my heart leapt with joy as it has with all of my children. I then sat down for my morning devotion time and opened my bible to Psalms and just began to read without looking at where I was specificly. I soon read, "...you knit me together in my mother's womb, I am fearfully and wonderfully made!" I began to cry and lifted my hands to the heavens and began to thank Him for this little life inside of me. That is where it all began...
I always take two (have been known to take more) :) pregnancy tests. The first one was so faint that I thought I better make sure there was no mistake. 3 days later, the line was there but still very faint and not really any darker. Because of pervious miscarriages, I began to be a little concerned. With one of those miscarriages, the same thing happened so it is always a fear of mine. The next day, I began to spot. So I called the doctor and they decided to do my blood work and told me that it is not uncommon for spotting early in pregnancy but just to be safe, they would check my hcg levels. On March 4th, my levels came back 30.6. (To quickly explain, hcg levels should double early in prgnancy at least every 3 days.) The first level tells nothing, they must do another one 3 days later to see if they are increasing. March 7th, my level had only risen to 34. Knowing right away that was not good, I was devestated! The nurse said this was inevitably a miscarriage and to call if I had any other questions. I then asked if she had ever seen levels do this and everything be okay, she said, "Never!" I spent the day and the next 3 days, mostly crying and feeling angry and dreading the days to come and just wanting it to be over. I went to bed that night and as I was almost asleep, I felt the Lord gently speak to my heart and ask me if I had loved this baby yet. I said back to Him, "NO it is too hard to love something I am going to lose. But God, since you are asking me too, I will." I began to speak out loud to God and this baby and allowed myself to love this child and told God whatever plan He had, whether this child was in me for 2 more hours or 8 more months, I loved it and knew it was a gift from Him.
They continued to check my levels to make sure they were going down. 3 days later on March 10th, my levels did something unexpected, they nearly tripled to over 103! The nurse could not figure out what was happening. So every three days, my levels were checked, and they continued to soar. Once they get to over 1800, they can do an ultrasound and should be able to see something. Mine levels did just that so an ultrasound was scheduled for the next day. Well, it did not go as I had hoped. They saw something that may have been a sac but to small to measure but not unheard of with what my levels were. So 3 days later they did another one and the sac was measurable! It only measured 5 weeks 2 days but it had grown signifcantly! The doctor was very optimistic. I was still a little concerned because I was still spotting and the dates were off about 2 weeks or more! But hope began to rise within me. Another ultrasound was scheduled 1 week later and the news was not good. The sac had grown a touch and there was now a yolk sac seen but it did not look like it should. That night, another emotional rollar coaster! Very down and feeling sad, I began to go upstairs to bed and my husband said to me, "Do you believe God is able?" I said, "Yes!"
He then asked, "No, do YOU believe He is able to raise this baby up and can do a miracle for US?" I would love to tell you st this point I had enough faith by this time to not fall back into my what my flesh felt, but not so! At that point I was mad because I just wanted this whole thing to be over! I was tired of the emotional drain! I just could not imagine after all that I have seen and been told, that this pregnancy could end up okay. I then made a choice because of my husbands incredible wisdom, to go to my room get on my knees and pray. I asked to touch the hem of my Jesus' garment and to be made whole! I let God know that I believed He could and would bring this child to existence and until I saw any proof to believe otherwise, from HIM, I would believe! I prayed with my husband and oldest daughter, and my heart was released to His plan, for the time! Being reminded ofthe coutless times in the bibe that Jesus said to people who were healed, "your faith has made you well!"
So, another week of waiting for another ultrasound but the doctor suspected I would miscarry within the week. A week passed and my levels were checked again. At my last appointment, the doctor had said that my levels would begin to drop during the week and he would be shocked if that did not happen. My husband asked him if he would do another ultrasound next week. The doctor said not unless they jumped 10,000 or more. But that was a very slim possiblitly. The next week, my levels jumped over 25,000! Another ultrasound was scheduled that day. Not good news. The sac had not grown much and still no baby. He wanted to schedule a d&c and my husband happened to be out of town just to make things more difficult! So I said yes, but I would have to talk to my husband first and would let the doctor know if anything changed. My husband left his meeting early and that night we were on the way to the hospital with every intention of having a d&c. I walked in feeling sad and desperate. We sat and waited and I asked my husband what he thought and what he would do. He said he was not going to tell me what to do, it was up to me but he had some scripture that God had given him as he prayed for me on the way home from his meeting. (He had prayed to God that I would ask him him for advice!) It would have been so much easier to just be told what to do! But then my husband knew that God could not accomplish in me what He wanted too! It would have been his because he told me too and I would have missed the chance to see God work in my heart! (Oh, how wise!)
I was signed in and made my way up to the room. We talked the entire way up and stopped in the hall. My precious husband began to remind me of what faith is...the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things NOT seen! What is our hope? That this child is living inside of me! What is the evidence of things SEEN? That there is no baby on the ultrasound And the evidence of things NOT seen was that God knows what is happening! If I do this d&c, my hope is gone because I can no longer have faith that the baby is okay! I soon began to see that the d&c was MY desperate plan to move on, not God's! I could not have both faith and follow MY plan for the whole thing to be over! That devestated me! I always want my life to be led by faith and to think that I might make a decision that would break God's heart was too much to handle. The nurses had been waiting for me and soon came and asked if I was ready. I said I did not think I could do this. She then led my husband and I to a room to talk. We prayed and I my decision had been made. A nurse then entered and asked what I was thinking. I began to reveal my heart to her. She said she was a christian and if God was sharing with me not to do the surgery, then I should not do it. She started crying and hugged me. I said to her that God sent her to me! She said, "NO today, God sent YOU to me! I needed to be reminded today that God is still God! Thank you!"
My husband quickly made me aware that only five minutes after I decided to walk in faith, God had already began using our situation for others! It was incredible! My husband and I left the hospital walking hand in hand and my spirit soaring! I walked in feeling like a coward and left, feeling strong and secure in what I knew, that God is faithful and always wants what is best for us!
The journey has not ended! Since that day, I have not spotted once! I feel all of the pregnancy syptoms that I usually have with all of my "normal" pregnancies. I have faith that God is faithful and CAN bring this little one to life and maybe just maybe has kept it hidden for a time because He has a better plan than I could ever think of! Tuesday of this week, I am going for a second opinion because I feel that God has laid that on my heart. Not sure why except that maybe He wants another doctor to see His hand. God has not spoken to my heart that this child is alive inside of me but He has spoken peace to my heart that His plan is best whatever that plan is. He kept me from making one of the worst decisions of my life and spared me the turmoil. He asked me to love this child and I have never swayed from that! I am in love with this little life and know that it has been given to me for a reason! He has also shared with me, that although this child is inside of me, it is a life He has created and He has a special plan for it's life and what He does is up to Him! It's not just about the things I am looking at now, but that it is also about this baby's future and how He can use it for His glory.
I will keep everyone posted and if you could pray for this child and myself, I would greatly appreciate it! I am believing for a miracle and know that God's plan is best!
Psalm 138:3-8~ In the day when I cried out, You answered me, And made me bold with strength in my soul. All the kings of the earth shall praise You, O Lord, when they hear the words of Your mouth. Yes they shall sing of the ways of the Lord, For great is the glory of the Lord. Though the Lord is on high, Yet He regards the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me. The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, o Lord, endures forever! Do not forsake the works of Your hands.
On February 28th, I suspected I might be pregnant with my 15th child. (11 on earth and 3 in heaven) The home pregnancy test confirmed my thoughts. A faint pink line was seen! I took it very early in the morning and my heart leapt with joy as it has with all of my children. I then sat down for my morning devotion time and opened my bible to Psalms and just began to read without looking at where I was specificly. I soon read, "...you knit me together in my mother's womb, I am fearfully and wonderfully made!" I began to cry and lifted my hands to the heavens and began to thank Him for this little life inside of me. That is where it all began...
I always take two (have been known to take more) :) pregnancy tests. The first one was so faint that I thought I better make sure there was no mistake. 3 days later, the line was there but still very faint and not really any darker. Because of pervious miscarriages, I began to be a little concerned. With one of those miscarriages, the same thing happened so it is always a fear of mine. The next day, I began to spot. So I called the doctor and they decided to do my blood work and told me that it is not uncommon for spotting early in pregnancy but just to be safe, they would check my hcg levels. On March 4th, my levels came back 30.6. (To quickly explain, hcg levels should double early in prgnancy at least every 3 days.) The first level tells nothing, they must do another one 3 days later to see if they are increasing. March 7th, my level had only risen to 34. Knowing right away that was not good, I was devestated! The nurse said this was inevitably a miscarriage and to call if I had any other questions. I then asked if she had ever seen levels do this and everything be okay, she said, "Never!" I spent the day and the next 3 days, mostly crying and feeling angry and dreading the days to come and just wanting it to be over. I went to bed that night and as I was almost asleep, I felt the Lord gently speak to my heart and ask me if I had loved this baby yet. I said back to Him, "NO it is too hard to love something I am going to lose. But God, since you are asking me too, I will." I began to speak out loud to God and this baby and allowed myself to love this child and told God whatever plan He had, whether this child was in me for 2 more hours or 8 more months, I loved it and knew it was a gift from Him.
They continued to check my levels to make sure they were going down. 3 days later on March 10th, my levels did something unexpected, they nearly tripled to over 103! The nurse could not figure out what was happening. So every three days, my levels were checked, and they continued to soar. Once they get to over 1800, they can do an ultrasound and should be able to see something. Mine levels did just that so an ultrasound was scheduled for the next day. Well, it did not go as I had hoped. They saw something that may have been a sac but to small to measure but not unheard of with what my levels were. So 3 days later they did another one and the sac was measurable! It only measured 5 weeks 2 days but it had grown signifcantly! The doctor was very optimistic. I was still a little concerned because I was still spotting and the dates were off about 2 weeks or more! But hope began to rise within me. Another ultrasound was scheduled 1 week later and the news was not good. The sac had grown a touch and there was now a yolk sac seen but it did not look like it should. That night, another emotional rollar coaster! Very down and feeling sad, I began to go upstairs to bed and my husband said to me, "Do you believe God is able?" I said, "Yes!"
He then asked, "No, do YOU believe He is able to raise this baby up and can do a miracle for US?" I would love to tell you st this point I had enough faith by this time to not fall back into my what my flesh felt, but not so! At that point I was mad because I just wanted this whole thing to be over! I was tired of the emotional drain! I just could not imagine after all that I have seen and been told, that this pregnancy could end up okay. I then made a choice because of my husbands incredible wisdom, to go to my room get on my knees and pray. I asked to touch the hem of my Jesus' garment and to be made whole! I let God know that I believed He could and would bring this child to existence and until I saw any proof to believe otherwise, from HIM, I would believe! I prayed with my husband and oldest daughter, and my heart was released to His plan, for the time! Being reminded ofthe coutless times in the bibe that Jesus said to people who were healed, "your faith has made you well!"
So, another week of waiting for another ultrasound but the doctor suspected I would miscarry within the week. A week passed and my levels were checked again. At my last appointment, the doctor had said that my levels would begin to drop during the week and he would be shocked if that did not happen. My husband asked him if he would do another ultrasound next week. The doctor said not unless they jumped 10,000 or more. But that was a very slim possiblitly. The next week, my levels jumped over 25,000! Another ultrasound was scheduled that day. Not good news. The sac had not grown much and still no baby. He wanted to schedule a d&c and my husband happened to be out of town just to make things more difficult! So I said yes, but I would have to talk to my husband first and would let the doctor know if anything changed. My husband left his meeting early and that night we were on the way to the hospital with every intention of having a d&c. I walked in feeling sad and desperate. We sat and waited and I asked my husband what he thought and what he would do. He said he was not going to tell me what to do, it was up to me but he had some scripture that God had given him as he prayed for me on the way home from his meeting. (He had prayed to God that I would ask him him for advice!) It would have been so much easier to just be told what to do! But then my husband knew that God could not accomplish in me what He wanted too! It would have been his because he told me too and I would have missed the chance to see God work in my heart! (Oh, how wise!)
I was signed in and made my way up to the room. We talked the entire way up and stopped in the hall. My precious husband began to remind me of what faith is...the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things NOT seen! What is our hope? That this child is living inside of me! What is the evidence of things SEEN? That there is no baby on the ultrasound And the evidence of things NOT seen was that God knows what is happening! If I do this d&c, my hope is gone because I can no longer have faith that the baby is okay! I soon began to see that the d&c was MY desperate plan to move on, not God's! I could not have both faith and follow MY plan for the whole thing to be over! That devestated me! I always want my life to be led by faith and to think that I might make a decision that would break God's heart was too much to handle. The nurses had been waiting for me and soon came and asked if I was ready. I said I did not think I could do this. She then led my husband and I to a room to talk. We prayed and I my decision had been made. A nurse then entered and asked what I was thinking. I began to reveal my heart to her. She said she was a christian and if God was sharing with me not to do the surgery, then I should not do it. She started crying and hugged me. I said to her that God sent her to me! She said, "NO today, God sent YOU to me! I needed to be reminded today that God is still God! Thank you!"
My husband quickly made me aware that only five minutes after I decided to walk in faith, God had already began using our situation for others! It was incredible! My husband and I left the hospital walking hand in hand and my spirit soaring! I walked in feeling like a coward and left, feeling strong and secure in what I knew, that God is faithful and always wants what is best for us!
The journey has not ended! Since that day, I have not spotted once! I feel all of the pregnancy syptoms that I usually have with all of my "normal" pregnancies. I have faith that God is faithful and CAN bring this little one to life and maybe just maybe has kept it hidden for a time because He has a better plan than I could ever think of! Tuesday of this week, I am going for a second opinion because I feel that God has laid that on my heart. Not sure why except that maybe He wants another doctor to see His hand. God has not spoken to my heart that this child is alive inside of me but He has spoken peace to my heart that His plan is best whatever that plan is. He kept me from making one of the worst decisions of my life and spared me the turmoil. He asked me to love this child and I have never swayed from that! I am in love with this little life and know that it has been given to me for a reason! He has also shared with me, that although this child is inside of me, it is a life He has created and He has a special plan for it's life and what He does is up to Him! It's not just about the things I am looking at now, but that it is also about this baby's future and how He can use it for His glory.
I will keep everyone posted and if you could pray for this child and myself, I would greatly appreciate it! I am believing for a miracle and know that God's plan is best!
Psalm 138:3-8~ In the day when I cried out, You answered me, And made me bold with strength in my soul. All the kings of the earth shall praise You, O Lord, when they hear the words of Your mouth. Yes they shall sing of the ways of the Lord, For great is the glory of the Lord. Though the Lord is on high, Yet He regards the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me. The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, o Lord, endures forever! Do not forsake the works of Your hands.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Resurrection Day~ Remember the Cross
I Hope you don't just celebrate Christ this coming weekend but all year through!
The sacrifice He made is to be appreciated everday.
But take time this weekend to read with your children the story of the resurrection.
With older children, take communion with them and reflect on the importance of Christs love for them and the power of the cross
And take time for you to thank Him once again, for being your Savior!
Because of Him, we have no need to fear death
Because of Him, we have eternal life and our sins are no more!
Celebrate what He has done for you!
Happy Resurrection Day!
May you have a truly blessed time with Him!
The sacrifice He made is to be appreciated everday.
But take time this weekend to read with your children the story of the resurrection.
With older children, take communion with them and reflect on the importance of Christs love for them and the power of the cross
And take time for you to thank Him once again, for being your Savior!
Because of Him, we have no need to fear death
Because of Him, we have eternal life and our sins are no more!
Celebrate what He has done for you!
Happy Resurrection Day!
May you have a truly blessed time with Him!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Congratulations to ME!
Today I am congratulating myself! I am the proud mom of an incredible 11 year old!
11 years ago, I was given the honor of raising my third daughter.
As she was placed in my arms, my heart was overwhelmed with pride and joy.
And today, that pride and joy has had 11 years to grow and I am truly the one who has been blessed by her life!
even though you are growing up
you will always be my baby girl!
I know you are getting to big for all those "little" girl things
But I will cherish those days and always remember dressing you in pink and ruffles
Now, I celebrate the way you dress in the clothes you choose
I used to make all of your choices for you
from how I would do your hair to the pretty shoes you would wear on your feet
Now, you can do all of that!
I see you loving those around you that others reject
I have seen you giving up your last piece of gum just because you don't want somebody to go without
Your giggle brightens my day, it is contageous!
What a task being a big sister to 7 little boys!
You try to keep them in line and someday, they will be thankful! :)
Your big sisters are so blessed to have a little sister that they can share things and laugh with
What a treat to watch you interact with everyone!
Teaching your "buddy" to read and watching you take care of him, how precious that is!
The love for God's Word that you have and are learning daily to hide in your heart, is an inspiration to me!
What a treat to watch you interact with everyone!
Teaching your "buddy" to read and watching you take care of him, how precious that is!
The love for God's Word that you have and are learning daily to hide in your heart, is an inspiration to me!
Today, I congratulate myself for having such a sweet, incredible daughter
What a privilege to call you my daughter!
What a privilege to call you my daughter!
Today, I thank God for you!
God danced the day you were born and I continue to dance with my heart because of the joy you bring to my life!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY ADORABLE LIVI!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Muddled Monday
Lately my mind has been muddled with all kinds of thoughts. Here are some of them:
::life is not always predictable
::the things you used to take for granted, can suddenly become things you appreciate so much when your heart has been broken
::kids can make you think of little things from a whole different perspective
::kids can make you cry and laugh all within 60 seconds or less
::teens can do the same thing! (maybe more crying) :)
::some of my worst shortcomings, are revealed to me through my children
::children help me see daily what it means to have "child" like faith
::I long to have that kind of faith daily
::the 'share your heart' kind of friend is rare and precious
::God knows when you will need one
::when you have that kind of friend, hang on to them
::God does answer prayer
::sometimes he answers it in a different way than we pray, but HIS way is best
::for that I am thankful!
::sometimes the days are long
::but the years ALWAYS go by fast!
::being content is essential in a world that longs to feed 'self''
::feeding self, never satisfies
::when focused on self, it will always bring discontentment
::it is miserable to live always wanting more and more and more...
::unless it is wanting more of God!
::then and only then, will you find all that you truly need!
::there is freedom when you appreciate what you have
::I pray my kids see Jesus in me, and when they don't, I hope I have taught them to forgive and not judge others
::I hope I remember that when THEY fall short and they will know Jesus love and acceptance because of MY example
::I need God's grace and mercy on an hourly basis as I journey down this path of being a wife and mother
::I am so thankful I have been given this privilege
::God is good and good to me
::life is not always predictable
::the things you used to take for granted, can suddenly become things you appreciate so much when your heart has been broken
::kids can make you think of little things from a whole different perspective
::kids can make you cry and laugh all within 60 seconds or less
::teens can do the same thing! (maybe more crying) :)
::some of my worst shortcomings, are revealed to me through my children
::children help me see daily what it means to have "child" like faith
::I long to have that kind of faith daily
::the 'share your heart' kind of friend is rare and precious
::God knows when you will need one
::when you have that kind of friend, hang on to them
::God does answer prayer
::sometimes he answers it in a different way than we pray, but HIS way is best
::for that I am thankful!
::sometimes the days are long
::but the years ALWAYS go by fast!
::being content is essential in a world that longs to feed 'self''
::feeding self, never satisfies
::when focused on self, it will always bring discontentment
::it is miserable to live always wanting more and more and more...
::unless it is wanting more of God!
::then and only then, will you find all that you truly need!
::there is freedom when you appreciate what you have
::I pray my kids see Jesus in me, and when they don't, I hope I have taught them to forgive and not judge others
::I hope I remember that when THEY fall short and they will know Jesus love and acceptance because of MY example
::I need God's grace and mercy on an hourly basis as I journey down this path of being a wife and mother
::I am so thankful I have been given this privilege
::God is good and good to me
Friday, March 19, 2010
Foto-Friday~Bird's eye view
One day, no more sink baths!
No more cute little chubby fingers and thighs!
I won't get to wash sweet little toes and soft silky hair!
Little ones won't be circling my legs wanting to do whatever it is I am doing!
They will have things to do of thier own.
And I will miss all the busyness and dependency that motherhood of many young children brings.
So for now,
I will enjoy my birds eye view of my little ones
I will savor the way they look up at me with those trusting eyes
Being a mother is so precious and may I always look to God for wisdom in training them.
I love being a mommy!
No more cute little chubby fingers and thighs!
I won't get to wash sweet little toes and soft silky hair!
Little ones won't be circling my legs wanting to do whatever it is I am doing!
They will have things to do of thier own.
And I will miss all the busyness and dependency that motherhood of many young children brings.
So for now,
I will enjoy my birds eye view of my little ones
I will savor the way they look up at me with those trusting eyes
Being a mother is so precious and may I always look to God for wisdom in training them.
I love being a mommy!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Home-educating~ Part 3
Theme teaching:
This is a great, stress-free way to teach children of all ages. The whole idea of theme teaching is to pick something your child is interested in and focus their entire "school" (still DO NOT like that word!) around it. It is great to ask the child what their favorite thing is so they can have a part in choosing what they want to learn about! The older they are, the more they will be expected to find information on their own! The younger they are, the more active you will have to be with them. But ALWAYS inquire aoften and be excited with what they are doing! Remember, the entire idea is to begin teaching them to teach themselves! The great thing about this way of teaching is they WANT to learn all they can because it is something they have great interest in! I will give three examples of how I have implemented theme teaching for my children.
This idea makes it fun for kids to learn because they want to learn! Be a guide, but let them do as much as they can on their own! It takes away the need for curriculum, boring workbooks, and the greatest thing is, they are so excited that they work without being told over and over because it is something that excites them!
This is a great, stress-free way to teach children of all ages. The whole idea of theme teaching is to pick something your child is interested in and focus their entire "school" (still DO NOT like that word!) around it. It is great to ask the child what their favorite thing is so they can have a part in choosing what they want to learn about! The older they are, the more they will be expected to find information on their own! The younger they are, the more active you will have to be with them. But ALWAYS inquire aoften and be excited with what they are doing! Remember, the entire idea is to begin teaching them to teach themselves! The great thing about this way of teaching is they WANT to learn all they can because it is something they have great interest in! I will give three examples of how I have implemented theme teaching for my children.
- At a young age, my oldest had a great interest in building things. So for an entire month, I casually based all his learning on building. I asked him to choose something he wanted to build, gave him a budget how much he had to spend (which I might add was VERY minimal!), how big he wanted to build it, what supplies he would need, where he could use this item, and if and how others could use what he was building. After all the information was gathered and written down on paper, (with my help, he was 7 at this time), we then began to gather the things he would need. He choose to build a toy car ramp and car track. With $10 to spend, we decided to take a trip to the lumber yard and hardware store with our list. He soon realized that we better go home and find out what we have at home that he could use that would not cost any money! Promblem solving skill, accomplished! After supplies were found, bought and gathered, the building began! (Paper towel rolls, tin foil, and other things around the home were some ideas he came up with to keep the cost down. ) That is where he was pretty much on his own! Dad did help a few times, but otherwise, he learned by trial and error. After it was completed, he of course got the chance to play with it and we then decided how he would try to offer something like this to others. That was giving him the chance to gather some marketing skills on a small scale. He designed a flyer describing his car track, and we figured out together how he could sell it and make a profit. (At this point, I did not have the intention of really selling the item, just wanted him to begin gaining the learning skills of marketing, making a profit, and business ethics.) To this day, anything he makes, he is always coming up with ways to market and sell things and now does have the ability to do that! After this first theme teaching lesson I did with him, he flourished like never before! He did math without even realizing it, practiced his reading and writing (which did not come easy for him before this idea), gathered information, problem solved, and used business and marketing skills! And it was all done hands on! Not sitting at a desk or table with a workbook! Since then, he has built to many things to count! Last year, at 15 he built an entire rabbit hutch by himself! He drew up the plans, measurements, budgeted, bought supplies (with HIS money I would like to add!) and went to work! His reward was he was able to get a rabbit when it was complete. We laid the ground work years ago so later on he had the ability to build whatever he set his mind too! He never has sat down at a desk or table for "school"! Hands-on has worked better than anything for him and he has learned everything required and much more!
- At around 9, my oldest daughter LOVED horses. So I decided it was the prefect oppurtunity to use this as a theme teaching topic. We went to library and gathered all we could on horses. How to care for them, the different kinds, what countries they are from, and anything else she wanted. She then decided in order to have a horse, she had to figure out a way to keep them safe and care for them! So she made a sketch of a barn and fence and figured out the demensions and what she would need to build one. Now, we are in town, so actually doing this, was not an option but it was a great learning tool! (This is where lego's come in handy!) She also had to figure out what it would cost per month to keep a horse fed and well kept. The great thing was, that although we could not possibly have a horse, we found a lady near by that gave her the chance to care for one of her horses on a weekly basis and gave her horse riding lessons in excange! It was so perfect! Her younger sister, is now into horses and the information she learned is being passed down! Presently, my daughter, almost 15, is planning on being a missionary to Mexico someday and she is learning everything possible about the people , country and language. All on her own! It is so fun when she comes to me with excitement in her voice with something new she has learned.
- Theme teaching for little ones is very easy! Pick a letter of the week and do an activity daily with them that includes that letter. Start out with letter recognition, then the sounds the letter makes. Have them go around the house and point to things that start with the sound that letter makes and put a post-it note on it to remind them of the letter. Make up a song with the letter to remind them of it. Then have a meal with one, two or more things that start with that letter or do an activity that starts with that letter. An example would be, for the letter of the day being 'P', wear 'p'jama's all day and then 'p'aint a 'p'icture and have 'p'ancakes for dinner! For really young children, do colors! Have a meal with only the color you are doing that day. Orange is easy! Macaroni and cheese, peaches, carrots and orange juice! Just a little creativity and their imagination will soar! (yours also!) :)
This idea makes it fun for kids to learn because they want to learn! Be a guide, but let them do as much as they can on their own! It takes away the need for curriculum, boring workbooks, and the greatest thing is, they are so excited that they work without being told over and over because it is something that excites them!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Home-educating~ Part 2
The things I look for when getting prepared to help my children learn to read are:
- a desire to sound out letters
- they start to notice the words on the page of a book and not just the picture the interest of what things "say"
- asking all the time how to spell things
- begin to spell things even if they don't make sense~ ex-"M-O-M I want to E-O-T." (or eat!)
If your child can read and have good reading comprehension, (that is a MUST), they can now begin the path of being able to teach themselves anything! My 14 year old daughter taught herself to speak and write fluently in spanish in 8 months! I have never known spanish. How did she do it? The answer is she WANTED to learn it so she did! We just gave her the tools when she was younger how to teach herself. Please don't misunderstand me! I am not saying we just leave our kids to chance and we are not available to guide them! We teach them much when they are young, and learn their "bend" and then let them lead their education. Our oldest son is 16 and never has been the sitting kind! So at a young age, we let him outside to build and bought him some wood, hammer and nails and let his creativity soar! He did learn to read and write great but we realized very early on, he was going to require us to "educate" him differently than his sister! That is what has been so essential for our success in home-educating our children! Learning their different "bends" and going with it!
I was going to do theme teaching on this blog, but am going to wait until next week for that! Stay-tuned!
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