A Heart Check

Just a couple of fun pictures of Eliana.  She is such a happy child.  Yes, she does get angry or frustrated.  Yes, she does cry.  BUT, she gets over it quickly and forgives as rapidly as anyone I've ever known.

She keeps me laughing and on my toes.  One day she found my keys, waved bye-bye to me and headed for the door.  LOL  I'll have to keep my eye on her.



Eliana is a very polite child and I don't think it is because we have done such a good job teaching her manners.  She is so quick to say thank you when someone helps her - often needing no prompting by me at all!  (And if you don't hear her, she will keep repeating thank you until you do.  LOL)  I've pondered this trait and have my own theory on why she is so quick to say thank you.  I think it is because she has a grateful heart.  She is thankful.  I've read that those who express gratitude each day are happier and healthier people.  I know I try to focus on my blessings and sometimes/some days do a better job of it than others.  For me, it can be work.  It seems to come a little more naturally to Eliana.  I have much to learn from her.



She had her routine cardiology appointment this week.  (For those who are new, Eliana was born with 2 large holes in her heart.  She had open-heart surgery at 4 months to repair the holes.  She will always be monitored.)  It has been a year since we have been there.  Eliana was happy to be in the waiting area and enjoyed one of the computer games that was set up there.  Things changed quickly though when we were taken back.

She did not want her blood pressure taken - and fussed and cried about it.  I kept telling her that it wouldn't hurt.  I'm not sure she believed me.  After checking her vitals, (she is still a tiny little girl at 27  pounds), we went downstairs for an echo.  We were met by a sweet technician we haven't seen in quite awhile and it was fun catching up with her.  Eliana remained afraid and did not want to take her shirt off.  Did not want the electrodes put onto her chest.  Really, she just didn't want to be there.  We tried a movie, bribing her with candy, singing songs.  She looked at me at one point and just said/signed "all done".  I told her that she wasn't done and this did not please her.

To clarify, these were not tears of defiance or stubborness I don't think.  She truly seemed fearful.  It made me wonder how much she remembered.  She was so little.  She went through so much though her first year of life!

Back upstairs where we met with a student doctor who asked a lot of questions and tried to do a brief listening to her heart.  She is still uncooperative.  Down the hall for an EKG.  Yep, you guessed it.  She cried and cried until the procedure was over.  Then she was fine.  I kept trying to reassure her that none of this would hurt, but she wasn't buying it.

It made me wonder how many times God is holding me in His strong arms and telling me that this won't hurt.  That I will be alright.  And yet, I still cry and fight - not wanting to believe.  Learning to trust and relax is a hard lesson sometimes and I'm thankful for the reminder.

While we were waiting for Eliana's cardiologist, we read books.  As many as we could.  She loved this and was happy.  This was the one time I was able to take pictures.



We met briefly with her cardio and he said she was doing well.  She still has leakage around one of her aortic valves.  This is one that was close to one of her repairs.  He said it wasn't much worse.  I didn't press it.  She is doing well and I'm thankful.  I'm not going to borrow trouble by worrying about the future.  If we have to deal with more heart issues, it really isn't immenent anyway.

I'm thankful we live when we do - and where we do.  I know that in another time or place that I would have held my little girl and watched her die while she was in heart failure.  I did experience the beginnings of this and it terrified me.  I'm thankful we live in a place with such amazing medical care.  We are so very blessed.  I'm thankful for a little girl that has brought joy to my days and laughter to my soul.

As a mom, I can say that about each of my children.  My life is so much richer for being a mom.  Each child has blessed me beyond what I could have ever hoped or imagined.  Each one teaches me, challenges me, encourages me and loves me.  My heart and my life are full.  I am a very blessed woman!

Leslie

Beyond Co-op - Homer Price #1

For our first co-op with Homer Price, we covered chapters 1 and 2.  As is true with all of our co-ops, it was a wonderful day!  We were indoors (what is with all of the rain this year on our co-op days?!), but it was still tons of fun!

We started with a lesson on US Highways.  This is a lesson that could have been dry and boring - and yet Lea found a great way to bring it to life!  Each of the children was given a sign with one of the US Highway numbers on it.



Notice that all of the highway numbers end in either a "0" or a "5".



Joshua was called up first to draw his highway.  Each of the signs had a map on the back which showed the highway indicated on the front.



The kids noticed the pattern.  All of the highways ending in a "5" go from North to South.  Those ending in a "0" go from East to West.  Also the smaller numbers started in the West with Highway 5 and got larger ending in Highway 95 on the East Coast.  The same was true with the other Highways with the smaller numbers beginning in the South and getting larger as they moved northward.  Neat, huh?  A great visual too!



The next part of our day was spent learning about Homer.  Next, Vivian took the children on an interactive telling of the Odyssey.  They heard the story and often acted out pieces of it.  (I'm not going to be able to retell it here - sorry!)  A fighting scene in which the boys needed no encouragement to act it out.



  In case you wanted a peek at the front of the book.



There were signs marking the way for the children.



Spearing a fish.  (I can't remember all of the details as I wasn't listening as well as I should have been.)



Closing their ears to the sounds of the sirens.



Remembering this stop as they made their own snack craft of the six-headed monster, Scylla.



The Cyclops - they shot nerf darts at it.



Making rafts so they can head for home.



I don't remember why they had the scarves - perhaps part of a disguise?



Or why they tumbled over the sofa - except that this was the end of the story when he made it safely home.



Thanks friends for an altogether wonderful day of learning and fun!

Blessings

Leslie

The Last Time

I've been putting off this post.  I knew I wanted to reflect and this past week has been super busy with the JDRF walk, company and lots of other things going on.

When you start off as a parent, you really have no idea how the years will fly by at times.  Yes, people will tell you that, but you can't really know it until you have been there.  Even still, it's not like the years go quickly - it's more that time just moves on and you turn around and wonder where it has gone.  It happens in a blink.  My little boy ... the one that made me a mama.  It seems so very long ago that I cradled him in my arms and comforted him.  I remember the time spent with him so well.  We went on a lot of field trips - just the two of us.  (Yes, some things never change.)  We talked and read books and just had fun together.  I loved being a mom.  I had no idea what an incredible adventure being a mom would bring to my life.  I still love being a mom!!!

Now, that little boy that I played with towers over me (and revels in it!).  The little boy that I began homeschooling so many years ago is an independent learner working to gain admittance into college.  The small child has grown up.  He is in his senior year and this is a year of firsts and also lasts.  The firsts are exciting in many ways.  The lasts ... well, they are bittersweet.  I try not to dwell on them too much, but find that my mind still goes there.  Even as I type this, I feel the tears starting to gather.  (I honestly was not such an emotional person all of my life - but all of the walls I had constructed to hold in my emotions have been torn down over the last 4 years.  The tears now come easily.)

When we were at the Fair, I wondered if this would be the last year we would all go together as a family.  Is everything going to be like this?!  I know God will give me grace to handle all that I need, but I'm just not ready.  (Sorry Christopher if you are reading this.)

We had another "last" a week ago.  Christopher's last high school football game.  It was the day after the Fair.  Eliana was a little sniffly and we wondered about having her out for the game since it was at night and chilly.  It was a playoff game.  The winner would advance to the Championship Game.  Christopher has played in (and won) the Championship Game the past two years.  The team they were playing though was one that they had not yet beaten.  I told Roger that I wasn't willing to miss this game just in case they didn't win.  I didn't want to miss his last game.

We all drove to Greensboro and watched as the Saints played the Panthers.  We arrived early and had a picnic dinner.  The children ran around and played with friends - or huddled up to stay warm - while the JV game was being played.



The Saints played so well and for a good part of the game, I thought they would win.







In the end though, the Panthers won.  The season was over.  And this season of our lives is over too.  I was very hesitant when Christopher first wanted to play football.  I didn't want him to get hurt.  (Sounds like a mom, right?)  Well, this league has been a great one.  I love the godly examples he has had in his coaches and teamates.



I'm thankful he has been able to be a part of these teams.  I have loved watching him play and will really miss going to the games.

Christopher, I"m proud of you.  I've always been proud of you.  I know that God has great things planned for you - now and also in the future.  I'm excited to see what you will choose to do and pray that you will follow His leading and call on your life.  I'm thankful for the blessing of being your mom.  I love you more than I can say.



So, the tears are rolling down my cheeks now and I need to focus on the blessing and not let my mind focus on the endings.  Am I the only one that struggles with this?  Is it always this hard to let go?  I always thought it would be as I just love being with my children.

Blessings

Leslie

State Fair (Fun Friday)

This was from last week- though we had a fun day today as well.  I forgot my camera today though, so I'll have to see if I can upload photos from my camera (and hope that they are decent).

Last week we went to the State Fair.  I think this was one of my favorite years yet.  It's a fun outing and Roger took the day off from work to go with us.  It was a gorgeous day and we had a blast with lots of our friends there as well!



We visited the garden area, looked through the crafts and then headed out to get some food.  My favorite is the roasted corn.  What I really need to do one year is just chronicle what Christopher eats during the day!  I think it would be fascinating.  He eats a LOT!  This year he tried the Krispy Kreme Burger.  He ate most of it before I got over to get a picture.  It's a hamburger and the "bun" is actually 2 Krispy Kreme doughnuts.  He said it was pretty good. 



We visited the "Field of Dreams".  I really like this exhibit as it is a great hands-on one- especially for the younger children!  They gather all sorts of fruits and vegetables in their baskets.



When the have finished, they turn in the baskets for some "money".  The money is  exchanged for a bag with some goodies in it including a real apple.  Eliana really enjoyed this one!





We rode a few rides - not many.  Our family favorite remains bumper cars!  (It's much easier to take pictures on this ride than on many of the others too!)







This was Daniel's first time driving.







There are always so many interesting things to see at the fair!  Including the "world's largest gummy bear" and other gummy things.  (These were for sale.)





We visited a number of exhibits and found foods to try. 



Yes, she liked it!

There was a little bit of time to relax (or wait). 



The kids really enjoyed collecting stickers - even some of the olders ones.



Eliana rode a ride at the end of the evening and we learned that for next year we need to let her go on more of them - and earlier in the day!  She loved it!  She it was over she even exclaimed "more ride". 



After a LONG day out, we headed home.  I'm thankful we had this time for making memories.  It was such a fun day with people getting along and having fun.  There was just one twinge of sadness for me during the day.  I couldn't help but wonder if Christopher would be joining us again next year.  I hope so.  This year is bittersweet is a lot of ways.   I'm trying hard to focus on the sweet as I have much to be thankful for.   I'm thankful for a fun day with my family and friends!  Looking forward to many more!



Blessings

Leslie

PS.  Tomorrow (Saturday) we head out for the JDRF walk!  We are very excited!

Awana

We've begun a new activity - with some reluctance on the part of some of us.  We are in a new church and one of the activities sponsored by this church is Awana.  It's a club that meets once a week.  The kids learn Bible verses, play games and hear a Bible story.

One of my dear friends had been involved with this for years at a different church so I knew it was a great program.  I thought it was worth us giving it a try.  I took our 3 boys.  Daniel is a "Spark" (K-2nd grade) and Isaiah and Joshua are both in T&T (3rd-6th - Truth and  Training). I told them that I just wanted them to give it a good try.  I wasn't sure if this would work for our family.  There are a variety of needs - learning, sensory and medical - and I wanted to be sure this was going to be a positive experience for all of us.

Daniel has never been in any type of group activity like this.  He does field trips and co-ops, but family is always involved in those and they are multi-aged.  Sunday School has been a struggle for much of his life, though thankfully he is doing really well in his new (and very small) class.  He is really doing well in a lot of areas and for that I'm really thankful!

The leaders have been fine with me staying in the class with Daniel.  I'm so glad that this hasn't been an issue as I know it would not have worked for him at all if it had been.  He was a little unsure of things at first, but it didn't take long before he LOVED it!!!

The boys each worked through a small booklet memorizing verses.  When these were complete, they received a book and either a vest or shirt.  Daniel was the first to get his and he told me that "it is the coolest vest ever".  When we practice his verses at home - he wears his vest.  He counts down the days until he can go to Awana.  On Sunday, he counts down the hours. 

I'm not sure I can explain what this does to my heart.  To see him playing games and interacting with the others kids has my eyes brimming with tears at times.  I see him growing in confidence too.  This has been a huge step for him and to see him having so much success is exciting!  Sensory Processing Disorder can be a confining thing in so many ways and to see him making so much progress over the last few years is a real blessing!

My other boys have not been as excited about the program as Daniel, but both are doing pretty well.  It's harder on one of them though.  Thankfully he has really great teachers who have been so open to hearing about some of his struggles and helping him to work through things.  (I sometimes wonder if they think I'm an overprotective and paranoid mom.  LOL)  So many of his struggles though have come to the forefront in this group.  I am hoping and praying that this will be a blessing for him too in the long run.

I know that hiding God's word in their hearts is a great thing.  Its been great for me to learn the verses along with them!  I hope that one day it will be something that Eliana might be able to join in too - though I'm just not sure.  For now, I'm grateful for this program and for the experiences we are having.  (I'd love prayer for my little boy that sometimes still has a hard time.)

Here they are in the club attire.



Blessings

Leslie

NC History Museum

This past week-end we had fun at the State Fair and also at Christopher's football game.  I'll post on that soon, but its going to be a little harder to post on the latter so I'm saving it for another day.  His senior year.  So many things going and and it's the first time I'm experiencing so many "lasts".  He is keenly aware of it too.  If you know me, you know my heart on this.

So instead, I'll share on one of our field trips this month.  We visited the NC History Museum in Raleigh with our FIAR group.  We went to see the special exhibit on George Washington.



It was very well done and I encourage you to visit if you are local.  We watched a short film on how they made the life-like models.  Very interesting!



The interactive exhibits were enjoyed by the children (and adults).



I appreciate that there are things to see at all heights.  :-)  These are surveying tools from the time of G. Washington!  Amazing!



George Washington accomplished so many different things - and many of them at a young age.  We have much to learn from this great man.



We learned that he worked very hard most of his life to take good care of his teeth.  Despite all of his hard work, he had many dental problems to deal with.  This is an actual set of his teeth!  (Kind of gross and cool at the same time, huh?)





More images from the museum.









A model of the grounds of Mount Vernon.  Did I mention that I'm really ready for a visit?!  We were hoping to visit in the Fall, but are putting it off until the Spring.  If you have any hints or tips on how best to visit or places to stay, please share!



There was a gift shop at the end of the exhibit with lots of neat items - many at very reasonable prices.  In the lobby area they created a hands-on activity area for the kids to explore.  They could pretend to be soldiers.



Carring water.





Weaving.



They also had some colonial toys and various games.  Some people just have fun where ever they go.



A rare photo of me with my children.  Doesn't happen too often since I'm usually behind the camera.  Not the greatest photo - but I'll take what I can get.  I love being with all of my children!



A replica of the Liberty Bell right outside the museum.  Fun to see as we end of study of Betsy Ross.  This whole trip was a perfect go-along with Betsy Ross.  I love it when things tie together like this.



After the museum, we headed to the park for a picnic and to play.  It was a gorgeous day.  I love fall!  It is definitely my favorite time of the year!



I didn't take many pictures, but love this one as you can see the delight on Eliana's face as she swings with her brothers.



It was a day to remember - not because it was extraordinary, but because we spent time learning, laughing and having fun with our family and friends.  Life is made of sweet moments like this.  I'm thankful to have them!

Blessings

Leslie