God is winking at me again

God has been so gracious to me. (Perhaps He knows me best and that I do like to have cheerleaders in my life to motivate me. I am not motivated by criticism, but rather devastated.)

I have only ever encountered positive feedback about homeschooling. Even complete strangers have said, “That is great!” (Granted, I’m not one of those homeschoolers who feels everyone should homeschool or that public school kids are somehow “less” educated than mine.) Sometimes I hear people explain how they are persecuted by friends, family, or complete strangers for their homeschooling choices, and I am amazed.

I have very supportive family and friends, and have not had to face this struggle (yet). In fact, I feel God sends complete strangers to encourage me. Case in point: The children and I were walking across the parking lot to the mall entrance on Friday. It was quite a walk but a pleasant day and I was talking about the signs and lights in the parking lot with Sarah and keeping the boys close, and as we neared the entrance, a woman kept step with us for a few moments and commented, “You can always tell the homeschool moms,” she began. I smiled and she continued, “not that your kids aren’t in school at this time of day, but that you guys are ALWAYS talking and teaching your kids.”
I laughed, “The world is a classroom.”
“That’s great,” she replied, “keep at it. Some parents don’t teach their kids anything,” and off she went.
It was just a moment, a little wisp of encouragement, and it made me walk a little taller as we headed indoors. Thank you, Lord, for your encouragement.

I didn’t get as much school accomplished as I intended. (I seem to write this every week—perhaps I need to review my goals so I am actually achieving them.) Coughing kids this week didn’t help things either.

Highlight: Tim and Sarah read chapter books all by themselves! We have some Magic Tree House books, which despite the “magic” have great history lessons and accompanying study guides. Random House Kids Magic Tree House
(Our local bookstore also did a class for homeschoolers based on this series a couple years ago..I keep hoping they’ll bring it back). Anyway, we have about four of these books on the bookshelves, and the kids came down and told me they each were reading one. That’s great, kids. I tucked them into bed so I could watch the Olympics. At 10:00, Tim came downstairs with his book. “Mom, guess what! I finished the WHOLE book!” He was so excited and I was so surprised and proud, that I had to pretend it was only 8:30. We’ve also listened to these on audio from the library.

We use Accelerated Achievement Accelerated Achievement
as our base curriculum and add to it as necessary. It’s nice to have a baseline. They use McGuffey readers http://www.mcguffeyreaders.com/important.htm
and next week, Sarah will finish the 2nd. grade reader and Tim will finish the 3rd. grade reader. I am very proud of them both. I love to hear them read their lessons out loud. Some days I am just amazed that they can read. I now have Tim asking if he can read over my shoulder. “Mom, can I please read what you are typing?”
For Science (Tuesdays and Thursdays), we put our reports into PowerPoint. That way, they can present to Dad.

For my kindergartners, we are tracing letters 3 days a week, doing phonics, and lots of counting. I also need to incorporate daily games for these guys too. I find it best to do school with them in the early morning, starting with a book and related lesson of some sort. I really enjoyed Before Five in a RowFive in A Row Literature-Based Studies with Tim and Sarah and I am just finishing it with Marc and Luc. I love anything that’s literature based.
Friday morning is “Library Day” each week, and all four of my kids fill up all four of the kids computers at the library.

Ryan and I are headed to Texas next week so I can take part in the following study (this can get pretty technical and is not my usual blog fare, but for those who may be interested, here it is.) I am excited about going and being part of this and a little apprehensive about leaving my kiddos. Please pray for all of us and our children's designated caregivers: Aleesha, Tiffanie, Kristin and Scott, and my parents. Thanks so much for your willingness to help us out. (We leave on Wed. and return on Sat.)

-Linked Retinitis Pigmentosa Carrier Phenotyping Project: The Search for Modifying Factors for Disease Severity

The purpose of this project is to detect genetic factors that influence the clinical consequences of mutations in genes causing X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Mutations in X-linked RP genes can lead to strikingly different clinical outcomes, even among individuals with the same mutation in the same family. While clinical variation is often seen among males, the most striking differences are seen among females. Phenotypes in “carrier” females can range from no detectible symptoms, to early onset, rapid progression of disease. Finding the factors that account for these differences will improve our understanding of the disease process. Of more importance, though, identifying these factors may suggest ways to slow or arrest the loss of vision in affected individuals. That is, if we can understand what makes individuals with X-linked mutations either asymptomatic or mildly affected, we may be able to use this information to treat patients with more severe symptoms.
The major focus of this project is the X-linked RP gene RPGR (retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator) and the clinical consequence of interest is the disease severity in female carriers of RPGR mutations. Mutations in RPGR account for 80% of cases of X-linked RP and affect more than 10,000 Americans. Further, studies suggest that approximately 30% of isolated RP is caused by mutations in RPGR, making mutations in RPGR the most common cause of RP. Males with a mutation in an X-linked gene such as RPGR are almost always affected, because males have only one X-chromosome, but female carriers of an X-linked mutation are often unaffected since females have two X-chromosomes and the second chromosome may provide protection from the mutation. However, many females who carry an RPGR mutation have clinical symptoms of RP, ranging from undetectable or very mild in some cases to severe loss of vision in others.
The project has several key aims. The first aim is to identify, enroll and characterize the families and patients with RPGR mutations. This will be done by Drs. David Birch, Dennis Hoffman, and Dianna Wheaton at the Retina Foundation of the Southwest in Dallas. The goal is to enroll as many individuals with mutations in each family as possible, to evaluate each individual with a panel of tests including advanced retinal imaging, to determine the range of clinical expression associated with each RPGR mutation, and to collect blood and DNA samples for genetic testing. Thus, one outcome of the project will be a comprehensive genotype-phenotype characterization of RPGR mutations.
The second aim is to test the hypothesis that genetic modifying factors may play a role in altering disease severity. We plan to approach this in two ways. First, we plan to investigate the role of two genes that interact with RPGR to determine if slight genetic variations within these genes can affect the behavior of RPGR. Secondly, we plan to test a large class of random genetic variants by microarry analysis in a genome-wide association study.
Finally, the third aim is to extend these studies to clinical variation in males with RPGR mutations.
The detection of factors modifying inherited diseases is a relatively new field of investigation. Completion of the project should substantially expand our understanding of the clinical consequences of mutations causing X-linked RP, and may identify new targets for treatment and prevention of retinal disease.

Things Kids Say

“When I grow up, I want to have five kids,” says Marc, holding up five fingers, “two boys and two girls.”
“When I grow up, I’m going to marry you, Mom.” –Marc
“Little Bo Beep SAT on her sheep,” says Sarah, giggling.
“And she always knew where to find them,” added Tim.
“Can I have another five birthday?” Lucas inquires.
“No, but you can have a six birthday next year,” answers Mama.
“Can I have another five birthday tomorrow?”
“Jamey, do you want to go outside with me? Deal or No Deal?” asks Marc.
“No Deal,” answers Jamey. (Jamey is our little friend who visits a couple days a week).
Sarah is finding all the states on her map that begin with N and saying them out loud,
“North Dakota, New Mexico….Nevada….New Hamster.”

Postcards from the Past

As homeschool parents who seize every opportunity to teach, and view the world as our classroom, we have added some learning ideas around our home. We have a clear tablecloth on our table over a map of the United States. We also have the times tables, the planets, and very large write-n-wipe A, B, C, D, and E, but this story is about the map.

I love to hear people’s comments about the map, not about the map as a tablecloth, but their stories about the places they’ve visited or lived.

Someone left her purse behind while traveling through Texas. Someone lived in Arizona and fell in love for the first time as a young girl. Someone else traveled to northwest Iowa every summer of her childhood. Someone else traveled to Minnesota every summer of her childhood. Someone was born in Florida. Someone wants to visit California some day. Someone has been to Mexico, but not Canada. Someone took his senior trip to Washington, D.C. Someone has been to Toronto. Someone toured a missile silo out west. Someone saw the Grand Canyon. Someone’s been to Vegas.

Listening to these stories is a little bit like receiving postcards from the past, and I like it. I have printed up blank maps for my children. They can color the states they have been to or driven through. Tim’s map includes five states, including California while Sarah’s has Kentucky and Ohio, and Marc and Luc each have the same four states. What would your map look like? http://www.nationalatlas.gov/asp/popups.asp?imgFile=../printable/images/preview/outline/states(u).gif&imgw=588&imgh=450

Five Things (that I love to wear in winter) and a shrug

1. Soft jeans-nothing better than my well-worn blues, one stretch away from a hole in the knee.

2. Bathrobe – warm and fuzzy from neck to ankles, this is what I wrap up in for Bible Before Breakfast.

3. Supersocks – comfy, warm, and handknitted by Mom, they go over the regular socks and

keep the toes toasty.

4. Clogs- knitted, soft slippers with leather bottoms; they go over the super socks (we have COLD floors).

5. Make-up – this means I am either off to church, or friends are coming over.

6. (Yes, there’s six; I saved the best for last). The Shrug

What’s my shrug? Oh, my shrug is wonderful. My shrug is what I wear around the house when I’m cold (basically, all winter). My shrug is burgundy, white and black. It’s plaid, and flannel, and a little ripped. It’s quilted and it’s missing at least two buttons. It’s actually a shirt of Ryan’s (the man who is rarely cold and has no practical use for a quilted flannel shirt). So it’s mine. It’s been mine for about 14 years now. I LOVE my shrug. Some mornings I heat it up in the dryer before wearing it. The shrug is not allowed out in public, for obvious reasons, but at home, I wear the shrug, proudly, happily, and cozy warm, ahhh….

Weekly Wrap Up (or tri-weekly )

Actually accomplished some school EVERY single day this week. This does not always happen, for various reasons, including appointments, running errands, or visiting Grandma.

We start every day with Bible with all four kids. It takes 10 to 20 minutes. We sing a song or two (or three), we read a Bible story from The Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes by Kenneth Taylor. It always has great comprehension questions. Songs included “Joshua fought the battle of Jericho” (thank you, Tammy, for this CD), “My God is so BIG!” and the ever popular “B-I-B-L-E! that’s the book for me.” Then we all pray and say the pledge to the Bible. Then Marc and Luc are free to go, and the older two say their Bible verses from memory. We are also starting to learn books of the OT. (Who Judges Ruth? Joshua, Judges, Ruth).

We use 2nd./3rd. grade Daily Grams from the Easy Grammar program (which I used to teach when I tutored). Each page ends with a sentence combining exercise. Ex: Mary wants a pet. I want a pet, too. = Mary and I want a pet. Sometimes we turn these into really fun verbal stories. Mary REALLY wants a turtle, but I’m holding out for a kitten. We ended up getting a gerbil and naming it “Kurtle”, although Dad wanted to call it “snakefood”.

Science happens Tuesday and Thursday. We started reports on body systems. We watched a DK video about the “human machine”. (While these videos tend to be evolutionistic, they do have great info, and the kids get to tell me how the narrator got it wrong.) We also used the book “My Body” by Rayston and Hewitt, which has simple experiements (like dropping a pencil between open fingers and seeing if you can grasp it or if it falls down), and easy to read pages, so my kids did their own research on this one. Tim is doing the brain, and Sarah is doing the heart.

This week was good. All four kids attend the local CRC church on Wednesday nights, where Tim is in Cadets (he got to use a sander this week and had that predictable power tool gleam in his eye.). Sarah is in GEMS, the girl program, and loves it. She has an orphan card, and we pray for Hope, an orphan girl from Zambia every night. M and L have YOkids (young ones) and they have a blast in there, playing toys, doing a craft and snack. They also have gym nights, and movie nights, and they met a firefighter and learned about fire safety this year.
Those are our highlights this week. We do reading, writing, and math every day also.

The Adventures of Crazy Mom (Fellow Crazy Moms pictured here also).

When we last left our heroine, she was babbling incoherently into a thrice-heated cup of coffee while locked in the bathroom. Small children knocked, then pounded, making some sort of vague demand about tying balloons, but Crazy mom was oblivious to all.

But that was last time. Today, Crazy Mom is up to all new incredible stunts. Thankfully, Crazy Mom loves, adores, worships, and serves Jesus. Contrary to some beliefs, this does not make for an easy perfect live but can actually make life more challenging! Thankfully, there are benes. (you know, benefits), like her stalwart belief in John 3:16 and that Philippians 4:13 credo. She only exists as Crazy Mom through this faith in Christ.

Today, Crazy Mom was able to resist yelling at the children (except when they tore the living room curtain down after being told to “calm down” at least twice. Crazy Mom realized anew how much she needs God’s grace and forgiveness. She apologized for yelling. They apologized for their sin. All ended well.)

Crazy Mom was also able to convince two four year olds that “yes, indeedy, they did know how to clean up and that insisting to the contrary was not only unproductive, uncooperative, unkind, but also untrue and wrong.” Crazy Mom did tend to go on a little long as the lecture finally ended along the lines of “obey right away, all the way, and with a good heart.” Crazy Mom did that deep sigh thing she does, breathing in with the whisper“less of me” and breathing out “more of Jesus.”

Crazy Mom found herself in need of God’s grace as the day continued. She punished one twin for the other twin’s error and didn’t follow up in the “no more TV today.” promise because she needed a shower and TV keeps the troops stationary. She flatly refused to read a book because she was “making dinner” and yelled at the older two for goofing off while they were supposedly doing the dishes, “we are only making it fun, Mom!” Deep sigh thing again.
As the day ended and Crazy Mom felt the despair of her mistakes creeping in on her, she again turned to that Bible she loves and believed that God’s grace is sufficient and God will provide a way.

She tucked the precious hoodlums in, read them stories, kissed and hugged them, and prayed with them, genuinely thanking God for the responsibility and awesome privilege of being called Mom.

Maybe “Mom” to some, but to others who know her well, she is known as “Crazy Mom”. Tune in next time as Crazy Mom attempts library day, and the birthday party for two.

God, in His infinite wisdom, gave children only two commandments:
1. Honor your father and mother (Exodus 20:12a) ATTITUDE
2. Obey your parents (Ephesians 6:1) ACTIONS
Matthew 18 points out that we are all children of God. So these children’s commandments apply to us as well. Our children will see us honor and obey God in our lives, especially if we share how we are honoring and obeying God. They need to hear and see our actions. We are not perfect parents, but we need to be an arrow pointing them to God.

I think sometimes we spend so much time trying to be "perfect parents" instead of being real parents. Do I share all my struggles with my eight-year-old son? Certainly not. But I do want him to see me go to God for forgiveness when I make mistakes. I do want to share why we all, even parents, need God's grace in our lives.