I am NOT a tree...

Sensory seeker..that's Scrappy. Scrappy has sensory integration disorder. Which is a big way of saying that he is very easily overwhelmed by things going on around him. He has low tolerance for what I think are odd noises. Wind blowing through the trees, rain and tire noise almost send him into orbit. He has a hard time regulating his engine as we call it, along with a number of other things to but I won't bore you with that.He goes full speed and often it is hard to get him down....today is one of those days.

He went to therapy this morning and I warned them..."Scrappy's engine is rev'ed up..in a big way." They love Scrappy there and respond with their usual "okay we will see what we can do to bring him back down." I go back an hour later and the PT and the OT meet me with the "gaze". They can't get him down either. He did all kinds of heavy work today...carrying around 11 lb. bean bags, wearing skates(that forces him not to go fast), jumped on the trampoline, wore carpet skates...you name it, the therapists tried it. The PT said he was seeking input, but wouldn't slow down long enough to get the benefits. So my thinking is...if these 2 wonderful ladies who do this professionally can't bring him down...what in the world are we going to do with him!! They also told me that this is about the worst they have ever seen him. Every mother loves to hear that kind of comment.

So in talking with them and saying...he has been like this for about 6 days now...what do I do with him? They said to try getting ankle weights for him and see it that helps. So I bravely gather up all 4 kids and head into Walmart to get something...anything that might help. We come out with a mini trampoline and a weighted exercise vest. The therapists also decided that we will go through what ever hassle we need to get him a personalized weighted vest..medicaid pays for them so I said ..."do it, whatever it takes!"So hopefully this will help ALL of us out. Skipper and Scar and really tired of being run into and bumped and rolled on. And I am tired of being climbed on and up and around....I am not a tree.

The Path Less Traveled....

I think that it is interesting that people are so taken back by homeschoolers. The fact that we homeschool is not something that we make public. Simply for the fact that people have all kinds of whacked out assumptions about homeschoolers. I do not grow my own grain and grind into flour. I do not make our clothes. I do not do those things because I haven't the time!!! But often wish I did. We have even had people find out we homeschool and "gently" cut ties with us. Which is totally absurd- in my opinion. I am an educator by trade and I chose the path less traveled.

So here it is to the great void out there...Reasons why we homeschool:

1. I like my kids. I really like my kids.

2. I take the charge in Deuteronomy 6 seriously. It is hard to talk about the love of God when they are at school for 8 hours a day and overly involved in sports or other outside activities for the rest of the day.

3. It's fun.

4.I feel called by God to be doing this.

5. I think I should protect my children while they are young from the world. I want them to be salt and light...but I need to teach them how to be that first.

6. I think that I can do a better job than someone who doesn't know the heart of my boys can do.

7. I think that schools are scary places. For a number of different reasons.

That by no means is an exhaustive list...I could go on and on. I know that there are GREAT schools and teachers out there. I know that there are Christians in the schools...but I really think that it is my job to instruct them, to teach them right from wrong, a values system based on what God wants and expects of us. I think that my kids are more than a test score or a reading grade or how well he stands in line, or how nice he is because he remembers to push in his chair when he stand up. My kids are great because they were created in image of the living God. They are not perfect...but their God is. And his beauty is seen in them daily...when I take the time to look for it. I am not raising a scientist or a sports star or a doctor...I am raising workers for God's kingdom who may be a scientist or a sports star or a doctor.

My house is a wreck. I have crumbs on the floor. I have sticky spots on the table. Unfolded laundry is a common sight here. But make no doubt about it...we have fun together. We play, we laugh. We read under the tree on a blanket on nice days. We chalk our ABC's or spelling words or maybe even math problems on the driveway. We do science experiments and we make a big mess doing it. We make a secret cave in the bedroom with sheets and bunk beds and we read in there with flashlights. We go to zoos, corn maizes, we make boats and go float them in creeks. We rake leaves for neighbors who can't. We go sing songs and visit nursing homes. We visit the library, the fire station, the post office, the news station. We play dictionay games. We go to parks and go bowling. We play board games, card games, read joke books, read science books, and we read the news paper. We don't get caught up in grades...Skipper hasn't a clue about that stuff. He just keeps working until he gets it. I don't have to rush him through because everyone else is ready to go on. I also don't have to wait and hold him back when he is ready to move on. We go at our own pace. He thinks tests are FUN! How many regular school kids wake up and ask..." Is it time for me to take my test now!??"

Yes, homeschooling a 7, 5, 3, and 1 year old is hard work. Yes, getting to therapy and then getting the school work in can be tough sometimes...but motherhood is not for wimps.

Every family gets to pick the path they think is best for their family. What is best for us may not be best for you. And I am okay with that? Are you? I am fine with the choice we made. I don't think that it is the choice for everyone. But if I can extend that kind of grace to you...why can't you extend it back to me?

"Thump, thump" (that is me getting off of my soap box)

Suck it up Buttercup!!!

Ok...I try to be to be sympathetic...really I do. But I am the mom of 4 boys...4 boys...sometimes it takes a lot for me to feel for you.
Case in point:

Scout comes in from work this evening. Has a stomach ache and a headache. Complains a LITTLE bit....and goes to bed. Did you catch that? He goes to bed. For 10 days now off and on I have been dealing with kids barfing ALL over my house and van. I have dealt with fevers and headaches. I have also been PMS-ing like no ones business! Not to mention...I have also had the big D and headaches. Do I sleep? No because I am the mom.

The above mentioned is the reason that women do the childbearing. Women are expected to give birth to people who weigh an amount equivalent to a bowling ball and the get up 24 hours later and get on with the program.

So when he comes home not feeling well, I am tired and worn out...I am not exactly sympathetic and the thought that comes to mind is...."SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP!"

A few hours pass....Now he is puking...lovely! He is in the tub trying to get his body to stop hurting...I meanwhile am trying to get 3 boys in bed.
He calls from the bathroom.. "Hey, Sassy!"
I stop doing bed time stuff and go down the hall. "Yes?" I respond and walk in to see what he needs.
"I wouldn't wish this on anyone." He says.
I respond with..."WHAT??!?"
He repeats.."I wouldn't wish this on anyone."
"Okay...ummm, I'm trying to get the boys in bed."

See...suck it up.

Puke Patrol--Day 6

I have found a negative to having 4 kids....the stomach bug.

We started with Scrappy on Saturday evening...who shared with Skeeter on Monday evening..who then shared with Scar on Wednesday evening ...who shared with Skipper Thursday morning.

To add a little spice to the mix..Scout sleeps through it ALL. WHAT!?? Have you heard kids throw up...I can say that mine do it with flare and gusto! Not to mention all the noise I am adding to the mix. "No! Not there!" "Wait...don't lay in it!" "Hop up." "Lay down." Run run run to the washer...run run run back to the bed room. How in the world he can sleep through that noise is beyond me. Then he says this..."Yeah I heard you had a rough night." Thanks babe, thanks. The bug is only lasting about 24 hours..so here's hoping we're on the mend.

As bad as it has been we have had two days home with no therapies to be running to. A full day here at home...that is nice!