My boys love books, books about all things, and of every level. Caleb will read through with a voracious appetite for content. What we noticed about all of the boys though is that reading was starting to not be fun anymore, we couldn't figure out why. We ordered book order from school, went to the book store. They pick the books they wanted to read. So then came report card time. Their reading levels came in and I thought "good, they both moved up" what I didn't realize was that although they moved up, the books they were reading were not appropriate for them. They were reading way above or way below their reading level, depending on the child.
I was now on a mission. We tore through the book shelves, reorganized the books, placed them by level and content and made it so that they could easily access the just right for them books, and would know how to ask for help with the others. This has been a step, but it isn't enough. When I was driving to Cambridge yesterday I had asked Steve to read me questions from my abnormal psychology workbook in preparation for my exam last night. He had trouble with a few of the words because they were technical, and he didn't know them. He said sorry, he didn't understand the words spelling to phonics. My response was "you shouldn't! If you haven't heard a word while you see it you wouldn't know how to say it." Lightbulb!
When the boys were babies, I read to them every night. Books of all shapes and sizes and over and over we would read the same books. I realized that as they learned to read, I stopped reading to them. I can own this misstep, but now, how to fix it?
I stopped at the bookstore today, and I purchased a new book for each of the boys, not one they asked for, not one they can read themselves, but a book that I would like to read to them. And so, I now begin a quest to read to them daily. It may not be too late, and to be honest with school work and volunteer commitments, I very often do not read enough myself.
Here's to happy reading!
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Saturday, February 22, 2014
When growing up means more to you
So, my boys are getting older, and it has been a while since I posted. Actually since July of last year! Sometimes I find it hard to put finger to keyboard and type about my life, and sometimes, I forget I have a blog at all. So, in a nutshell: Caleb is 10, Logan is 7, and Aaron is 5! They are all healthy, and they are all learning that growing up means a lot of responsibility. For a long time we would have to hound, and yell, and beg and plead with them to actually take on some responsibility and to help around the house. Then one day, I had an ah-ha moment. That moment where you say " why the heck didn't I think of this sooner?!?!" That day was the birth of this our chore chart.
It isn't anything fancy, 9 envelopes, three sheets of paper, and a poster board. I used my computer to create a checklist, and it was truly that easy. My boys need the visual reminder of what needs to be accomplished, and how much they have done. We check mark accomplishments, put a dash through items that are not necessary for that day, and we use a circle in a box to make certain they know which expectations they have not completed for the day.
At the end of the week, they earn an allowance. It is not much, $3.00 each for the week. The split the money three ways, GIVE, SAVE, & SPEND.
If they do not accomplish all REQUIRED tasks in a week, they do not receive their full allowance. Their first dollar goes to give, their second to save and their third to spend. If they do not get three, they lose out in the spend category.
Likewise, If they have a great week where they have accomplished above and beyond the REQUIRED work, then they get a BONUS. Preferably the bonus goes to the save, however, they may place the bonus as they wish. usually it is a dollar, sometimes it is more.
I find that in giving them responsibility, and trust, they are proving how capable they are.
If you are not sure where to begin, I like this list:
I referenced this list when determining what to ask the boys to do. The chores on their list are the minimum. We ask they to prep meals with us, set and clean the table, and clean and re-organize rooms or the house. The expected that we don't even ask for is that their belongings are taken care of. We started small, a month of telling them their responsibilities, and then, we put the allowance and the chart into place.
All of this is to say that we have a sense of less chaos in our house because the yelling is drastically reduced, and the arguments about what needs to be done are gone. This is not by any means a perfect system, but it works for us. Hopefully you will find something that works similarly as well for you!
At the end of the week, they earn an allowance. It is not much, $3.00 each for the week. The split the money three ways, GIVE, SAVE, & SPEND.
If they do not accomplish all REQUIRED tasks in a week, they do not receive their full allowance. Their first dollar goes to give, their second to save and their third to spend. If they do not get three, they lose out in the spend category.
Likewise, If they have a great week where they have accomplished above and beyond the REQUIRED work, then they get a BONUS. Preferably the bonus goes to the save, however, they may place the bonus as they wish. usually it is a dollar, sometimes it is more.
I find that in giving them responsibility, and trust, they are proving how capable they are.
If you are not sure where to begin, I like this list:
All of this is to say that we have a sense of less chaos in our house because the yelling is drastically reduced, and the arguments about what needs to be done are gone. This is not by any means a perfect system, but it works for us. Hopefully you will find something that works similarly as well for you!
Monday, July 8, 2013
Growing up and learning to let go...
I am having a day of sighs... As I sit here at my favorite place, I am alone, and it is different. My children are here, but at the end of the day, one will stay and continue his adventure. This is hardest on me. My first born is grown up enough to not need me to care for him. He is enjoying time of independence. I know, I know, he is 9, and it is summer camp, and it is only one week (ok, 2) but I am learning that I need to change. He IS capable, and I need to let him be capable. I am reminded of a bible passage in this time: "4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, theLord is one.5 You shall love the Lordyour God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 Andthese words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."
I feel like this experience at camp is me trusting that we have trained him in The Lord and that he will be absolutely perfect at the end of the week, and will even have grown some, but I will miss the goodnight kiss, and a hug. He may be grown, but all of his firsts are all my firsts and sometimes firsts are hard to dive in to, but, they are almost always rewarding! 
Caleb on his way to camp!
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Summertime
We have spent a lot of time at Camp Canonicus. It has been a spirit filled and enriching experience!
I have learned to build fires, hang up tarps for shelters, clear paths, spot poison ivy, and do tick checks! Yay!
The boys have done things like boating, waterslide, and hiking! And by waterslide, I mean camp waterslide...
I have seen double rainbows, sunsets, sunrises, lightening bugs, and some scary staff members! 
And I have returned to my favorite part of camp, being a part of all God has made...
All in all, it has been a fun summer, and there is still so much to do! I am so blessed that these children of mine get to experience this place!
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
When life gets in the way, you live it!
Prayers are answered in many ways...at a meeting earlier this year, an opportunity arose that I am so excited to share. I will be working this summer. I know, me working? Well, I actually work a lot, but never talk about it. Well, I want to scream this work from the mountains! I will be the craft person at Camp Canonicus this summer. So what? S,this means a summer of sharing God's word and his spirit with children and teenagers from all over and deeming my own faith. It means my children will meet new people, and have experiences we could only have hoped for, and it means that I will get a chance to be in a place I grew up loving...Camp.
There is something about spending time with nature that just makes me feel alive. I have energy, passion, and a love for being at one with all around me. The camp theme from our camp song is "to sense my belonging with all God has made" and I tell you, the experience is just that, grounding and mountaintop, and everywhere in between.
I also have been asked to serve on a team for our denominations state chapter, and I have discovered a renewed love of outreach to the younger generations. I feel that I want my children to grow up to be strong grounded men, and full of the love and compassion of Christ.
So, if I am missing, If I am distant, if I do not wish you a happy birthday, please forgive me as I will be helping young hearts and minds to remember and/or know Christ.
What a blessing...
"For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Spring has sprung!
I can not tell you how happy I am!
There is this ball of fire in the sky, and it has decided to come out and play!
Even though I have been feeling very under the weather, the last few days we have been able to venture outside, clean the garden, take some time sitting, we taught Aaron to ride a bike, experienced Logan on a bike since his last arm break and watched Caleb reunite with his homeschooled friend across the street!
All in all, much joy has been had outside. There was actually arguments from the boys about coming in to sleep, but they slept so well!
I feel like this year is going to be an amazing year. The boys are taking swim lessons, remembering how to ride scooters and bikes, and they are enjoying each other more.
I have found that very often, if I interject, they quarrel. However, if I gently redirect, they find a way to work as a team. Brotherhood is truly amazing, and I feel so blessed to be able to witness it!
I have posted a few photos of them on their bikes, I did not post swim pictures, due to other children in them. Enjoy your day, and your spring!
There is this ball of fire in the sky, and it has decided to come out and play!
Even though I have been feeling very under the weather, the last few days we have been able to venture outside, clean the garden, take some time sitting, we taught Aaron to ride a bike, experienced Logan on a bike since his last arm break and watched Caleb reunite with his homeschooled friend across the street!
All in all, much joy has been had outside. There was actually arguments from the boys about coming in to sleep, but they slept so well!
I feel like this year is going to be an amazing year. The boys are taking swim lessons, remembering how to ride scooters and bikes, and they are enjoying each other more.
I have found that very often, if I interject, they quarrel. However, if I gently redirect, they find a way to work as a team. Brotherhood is truly amazing, and I feel so blessed to be able to witness it!
I have posted a few photos of them on their bikes, I did not post swim pictures, due to other children in them. Enjoy your day, and your spring!
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Blue to you!
Today is autism awareness day.
I know that if you are reading this, you probably know that.
If you did not know that, that is why so many people are wearing the color blue today.
What you may to know is that our family has been through the autism roller coaster, and we are in line for another ride.
When our oldest Caleb was born, he was a joy. He liked puzzles, and shapes and colors, and he talked like any other child.
By between eighteen months and two years, Caleb stopped talking. He would point, and use animal noises, but most of his talking was not understandable. He did not care to communicate.
I talked to his pediatrician, and her advice was to give him time, maybe it was normal. Well, I fought that pediatrician for two years, and she "gave in" and gave us a referral to the neurodevelopment center at our children's hospital.
After the slew of evaluations, it was decided that Caleb had something called sensory integration disorder. (SID) sensory integration disorder or dysfunction is when the sensory input your body receives is not processed appropriately. Imagine that your nerve sensitivity in your skin is turned up 1000 times. Everything that you touch, smell, taste, and hear is amplified, and it makes it unpleasant to say the least. Well, there is therapy to try to teach your body to respond appropriately to that input, however, insurance does not cover it for more than so many appointments a year ( far fewer than Caleb needed). So, I talked with his therapist, and I learned how to help him. Sensory integration disorder in and of itself is not a diagnosis on the autism spectrum, however, many children who have or develop autism have sensory integration issues.
This made insurance hard, because without an autism diagnosis, he did not qualify for a lot of services. I never wanted a diagnosis, I just wanted my child to be able to function in society, and the family.
With a lot of work, Caleb progressed nicely, and honestly, I realized how important therapy can be for any child. I wished he could have continued with therapy, however, he couldn't and we work with that.
Well, fast forward to today, we are going through a re-evaluation for Caleb. I will not get into the specifics right now, Because I do not feel comfortable, but I will say, I have had my day of tears over it, and we as a family are moving forward.
If you ever wonder about your child's behaviors, diagnosis, or progression/regression in their development, do not hesitate to talk to your pediatrician, and if they do not seem receptive to your concerns, take the time to document what you see, be reasonable, do not scare yourself with Internet searches. Find a doctor that is well respected, and get a second opinion.
You and only you can be your child's advocate, and you are the best advocate your child will ever have.
If your children are "typical" and there is an opportunity, please, teach your child that just because a child is "different" from them, it does not make them less of a person.
My child is teased daily, because he is nice and naive, and I am grateful he has one good friend, but it still kills me that he has to learn the harsh realities of life so soon.
Thank you to all of you whom have been my rock through everything we have been through as a family, know that you are appreciated!
I know that if you are reading this, you probably know that.
If you did not know that, that is why so many people are wearing the color blue today.
What you may to know is that our family has been through the autism roller coaster, and we are in line for another ride.
When our oldest Caleb was born, he was a joy. He liked puzzles, and shapes and colors, and he talked like any other child.
By between eighteen months and two years, Caleb stopped talking. He would point, and use animal noises, but most of his talking was not understandable. He did not care to communicate.
I talked to his pediatrician, and her advice was to give him time, maybe it was normal. Well, I fought that pediatrician for two years, and she "gave in" and gave us a referral to the neurodevelopment center at our children's hospital.
After the slew of evaluations, it was decided that Caleb had something called sensory integration disorder. (SID) sensory integration disorder or dysfunction is when the sensory input your body receives is not processed appropriately. Imagine that your nerve sensitivity in your skin is turned up 1000 times. Everything that you touch, smell, taste, and hear is amplified, and it makes it unpleasant to say the least. Well, there is therapy to try to teach your body to respond appropriately to that input, however, insurance does not cover it for more than so many appointments a year ( far fewer than Caleb needed). So, I talked with his therapist, and I learned how to help him. Sensory integration disorder in and of itself is not a diagnosis on the autism spectrum, however, many children who have or develop autism have sensory integration issues.
This made insurance hard, because without an autism diagnosis, he did not qualify for a lot of services. I never wanted a diagnosis, I just wanted my child to be able to function in society, and the family.
With a lot of work, Caleb progressed nicely, and honestly, I realized how important therapy can be for any child. I wished he could have continued with therapy, however, he couldn't and we work with that.
Well, fast forward to today, we are going through a re-evaluation for Caleb. I will not get into the specifics right now, Because I do not feel comfortable, but I will say, I have had my day of tears over it, and we as a family are moving forward.
If you ever wonder about your child's behaviors, diagnosis, or progression/regression in their development, do not hesitate to talk to your pediatrician, and if they do not seem receptive to your concerns, take the time to document what you see, be reasonable, do not scare yourself with Internet searches. Find a doctor that is well respected, and get a second opinion.
You and only you can be your child's advocate, and you are the best advocate your child will ever have.
If your children are "typical" and there is an opportunity, please, teach your child that just because a child is "different" from them, it does not make them less of a person.
My child is teased daily, because he is nice and naive, and I am grateful he has one good friend, but it still kills me that he has to learn the harsh realities of life so soon.
Thank you to all of you whom have been my rock through everything we have been through as a family, know that you are appreciated!
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