Therapro, Inc.
I spoke with an Occupational Therapist today to set up an appointment with Christian and I'm so hopeful that we are headed in the right direction here. I had read The Out of Sync Child a while back and felt pretty confident that his issue was Sensory Integration related (strong Sensory Seeker)...my doctor knew nothing about it and when I asked for a referral to an OT her reaction was, well don't you want to know if there is something really wrong with him... Argghhh.
OTs can and do evaluate children and then may reffer them to specialists if they deem it necessary. Anyway...The Pediatric Neurologist who we ended up seeing on Monday did reffer him to an OT...the best thing to come from that appointment. So...speaking to the OT over the phone today I was telling her all about him and the things he does and she was like...yep, sounds like typical sensory seeking stuff. Thank You Lord...I feel so validated. Anyway...she recommended that I take a look at the site above. I can't believe that I'm getting tangible help already...all the other one wanted to do was drug up my kid. That just ticks me off so bad.
Thursday
Tuesday
Autism
Mysterious rise of Autism | Spero News
My son was diagnosed with ADHD yesterday. I don't know what else is in store for us as we travel this road and still have lots of testing ahead of us. What I do know is that my son was brought into my life for a reason...whether it was for me to help him, or for him to help me, that I'm not clear on yet.
My son was diagnosed with ADHD yesterday. I don't know what else is in store for us as we travel this road and still have lots of testing ahead of us. What I do know is that my son was brought into my life for a reason...whether it was for me to help him, or for him to help me, that I'm not clear on yet.
Wednesday
Immodest Dress in the Church
Immodest Dress in the Church: Like Frogs in Boiling Water
Having been raised in the seventies and eighties with very little sense of modesty, where short shorts and tube tops were the norm. I can see clearly now some of the harm that has come from it. I wasn't given the opportunity to develop normally and just be myself without the extra focus on my body (by myself mostly). Even though I didn't think of myself as 'sexy', I can see where I was 'objectified'...made to feel that looking pretty was my primary mission...how very, very sad. I want so much more for my own daughter.
Having been raised in the seventies and eighties with very little sense of modesty, where short shorts and tube tops were the norm. I can see clearly now some of the harm that has come from it. I wasn't given the opportunity to develop normally and just be myself without the extra focus on my body (by myself mostly). Even though I didn't think of myself as 'sexy', I can see where I was 'objectified'...made to feel that looking pretty was my primary mission...how very, very sad. I want so much more for my own daughter.
Sunday
Friday
article on homeschooling
djournal.com
Ok...so we are completly off typical(only two kids...not so well behaved and on and on)...lol...but still a good article I think.
Ok...so we are completly off typical(only two kids...not so well behaved and on and on)...lol...but still a good article I think.
Thursday
Thursday
Wednesday
Top Ten Ways You Know You Are an Adoptive Parent
A Cup of Tea With Anne: Top Ten Ways You Know You Are an Adoptive Parent:
"10. The fact that there are 143 million children without a parent to kiss them goodnight has made you lose sleep.
9. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.
8. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who have experienced the blessing of adoption.
7. You have welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.
6. You had no idea how you would afford to adopt but stepped out in faith anyway, knowing where God calls you, He will provide.
5. You have taken an airplane ride half-way around the world with a child you just met.
5a. I would add here, since both of our adoptions were domestic adoptions: You understand interstate compact rules of when you take your child across the state lines.
4. You know what the word 'Dossier' means, and you can actually pronounce it!
4a. I would add here, since both of our adoptions were domestic adoptions: You know the difference between an open and closed adoption.
3. It drives you crazy when people ask you about your adopted child's 'real' parents.
2. You realize DNA has little to do with love and family and that welcoming a child into your heart and family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth.
1. You shudder when people say your child is so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you are the lucky one to have him or her in your life."
"10. The fact that there are 143 million children without a parent to kiss them goodnight has made you lose sleep.
9. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.
8. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who have experienced the blessing of adoption.
7. You have welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.
6. You had no idea how you would afford to adopt but stepped out in faith anyway, knowing where God calls you, He will provide.
5. You have taken an airplane ride half-way around the world with a child you just met.
5a. I would add here, since both of our adoptions were domestic adoptions: You understand interstate compact rules of when you take your child across the state lines.
4. You know what the word 'Dossier' means, and you can actually pronounce it!
4a. I would add here, since both of our adoptions were domestic adoptions: You know the difference between an open and closed adoption.
3. It drives you crazy when people ask you about your adopted child's 'real' parents.
2. You realize DNA has little to do with love and family and that welcoming a child into your heart and family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth.
1. You shudder when people say your child is so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you are the lucky one to have him or her in your life."
Monday
Healthy Sleep Habits
Button Down Healthy Sleep Habits for Special Needs Kids | Grade-Schoolers | Canadian Parents - Canada's Parenting Community
Tips for a Good Night's Sleep
Avoid late afternoon or evening caffeine and sugar consumption. (Sodas are usually a huge source of both sugar and caffeine.)
Avoid eating dinner later than three hours before bed if it seems to energize your child. (Eating too late at night raises the metabolic rate and energizes some children.) If your child has a bedtime snack, have it half an hour to an hour before bed.
Limit overstimulation. Limit television and video-game playing as well as reading an especially exciting book before bed. Play beautiful, soothing music of your choice to help calm and relax your household.
Have a quiet period just before bed. An easing-off period is important because most children have trouble going from full throttle to sleeping peacefully.
Have an evening bedtime snack that contains tryptophan. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that the brain converts into melatonin, which assists in sleep. Many children find a glass of warm milk calming and it is a good source of tryptophan. Other sources of tryptophan include cottage cheese, yogurt, pineapples, plums, bananas, eggs, turkey, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, cashews and peanuts. It's best to combine these tryptophan rich foods with complex carbohydrates like whole-grain cereals, bread or potatoes; it helps the brain to absorb the tryptophan. Bedtime snack suggestions: whole-grain cereal with milk, oatmeal with milk, peanut butter sandwich with ground sesame seeds, oatmeal cookies with milk.
Give your child a ten minute warning before it's time to get ready for bed to help him make the transition and finish up what he is doing.
Have a consistent bedtime and a consistent bedtime routine. A warm bath is particularly soothing for most children because it relaxes the muscles and gets their bodies ready for rest.
If your child is overly sensitive to light or sound, keep the lights dim and speak quietly throughout the bedtime routine.
Teach your child relaxation techniques such as those described in The Floppy Sleep Game Book.
Tips for a Good Night's Sleep
Avoid late afternoon or evening caffeine and sugar consumption. (Sodas are usually a huge source of both sugar and caffeine.)
Avoid eating dinner later than three hours before bed if it seems to energize your child. (Eating too late at night raises the metabolic rate and energizes some children.) If your child has a bedtime snack, have it half an hour to an hour before bed.
Limit overstimulation. Limit television and video-game playing as well as reading an especially exciting book before bed. Play beautiful, soothing music of your choice to help calm and relax your household.
Have a quiet period just before bed. An easing-off period is important because most children have trouble going from full throttle to sleeping peacefully.
Have an evening bedtime snack that contains tryptophan. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that the brain converts into melatonin, which assists in sleep. Many children find a glass of warm milk calming and it is a good source of tryptophan. Other sources of tryptophan include cottage cheese, yogurt, pineapples, plums, bananas, eggs, turkey, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, cashews and peanuts. It's best to combine these tryptophan rich foods with complex carbohydrates like whole-grain cereals, bread or potatoes; it helps the brain to absorb the tryptophan. Bedtime snack suggestions: whole-grain cereal with milk, oatmeal with milk, peanut butter sandwich with ground sesame seeds, oatmeal cookies with milk.
Give your child a ten minute warning before it's time to get ready for bed to help him make the transition and finish up what he is doing.
Have a consistent bedtime and a consistent bedtime routine. A warm bath is particularly soothing for most children because it relaxes the muscles and gets their bodies ready for rest.
If your child is overly sensitive to light or sound, keep the lights dim and speak quietly throughout the bedtime routine.
Teach your child relaxation techniques such as those described in The Floppy Sleep Game Book.
Friday
Kids chores
Kids Allowance, Chores, Money, Responsibilities
This is a really cool site...you can print out a chore chart and do various other things. There is a basic free membership.
This is a really cool site...you can print out a chore chart and do various other things. There is a basic free membership.
Guardian Angel
"MOTHER'S PRAYER TO THE GUARDIAN ANGEL OF HER CHILDREN
I humbly salute you, O you faithful, heavenly Friends of my children! I give you heartfelt thanks for all the love and goodness you show them. At some future day I shall, with thanks more worthy than I can now give, repay your care for them, and before the whole heavenly court acknowledge their indebtedness to your guidance and protection. Continue to watch over them. Provide for all their needs of body and soul. Pray, likewise, for me, for my husband, and my whole family, that we may all one day rejoice in your blessed company. Amen.
__._,_.___"
I humbly salute you, O you faithful, heavenly Friends of my children! I give you heartfelt thanks for all the love and goodness you show them. At some future day I shall, with thanks more worthy than I can now give, repay your care for them, and before the whole heavenly court acknowledge their indebtedness to your guidance and protection. Continue to watch over them. Provide for all their needs of body and soul. Pray, likewise, for me, for my husband, and my whole family, that we may all one day rejoice in your blessed company. Amen.
__._,_.___"
Sunday
for vocations
"Prayer to Mary for Vocations
Hail Mary, full of grace; all generations call you blessed.
Hail Mother of God; when asked by the angel
to bear the Son of the Most High, filled with faith,
you responded: “Let it be done unto me according to your word.”
Holy Mother of Jesus, at the wedding feast at Cana,
you prompted your Son to perform His first sign.
Be with us as we discern our life’s work and guide us
in the way we are called to follow in the footsteps of your Son.
Holy Mother of the Savior, at the foot of the cross you mourned
the death of your Son. Bless and embrace the loving parents
of all priests, deacons, brothers and sisters.
Holy Mother of the Good Shepherd, turn your motherly care
to our diocese. Intercede for us to the Lord of the harvest
to send more laborers to the harvest .
Queen of Peace, Mirror of Justice, Health of the Sick,
inspire vocations in our time. Let the word of your Son
be made flesh anew in the lives of persons anxious
to proclaim the Good News of everlasting life.
Draw them near to the heart of your Son
so that they can understand the beauty and the joy
that awaits them when the Lord Jesus calls them
to be His witnesses.
Amen.
__._,_.___"
Hail Mary, full of grace; all generations call you blessed.
Hail Mother of God; when asked by the angel
to bear the Son of the Most High, filled with faith,
you responded: “Let it be done unto me according to your word.”
Holy Mother of Jesus, at the wedding feast at Cana,
you prompted your Son to perform His first sign.
Be with us as we discern our life’s work and guide us
in the way we are called to follow in the footsteps of your Son.
Holy Mother of the Savior, at the foot of the cross you mourned
the death of your Son. Bless and embrace the loving parents
of all priests, deacons, brothers and sisters.
Holy Mother of the Good Shepherd, turn your motherly care
to our diocese. Intercede for us to the Lord of the harvest
to send more laborers to the harvest .
Queen of Peace, Mirror of Justice, Health of the Sick,
inspire vocations in our time. Let the word of your Son
be made flesh anew in the lives of persons anxious
to proclaim the Good News of everlasting life.
Draw them near to the heart of your Son
so that they can understand the beauty and the joy
that awaits them when the Lord Jesus calls them
to be His witnesses.
Amen.
__._,_.___"
Friday
educating children
The Lay Scandal: "Next, Pope Benedict said: “They have a right to be educated in authentic moral values rooted in the dignity of the human person. This brings us back to our consideration of the centrality of the family and the need to promote the Gospel of life.”"
Tuesday
Wednesday
A Journey of Grace and Love
The Journey of a Mother's Heart: A Journey of Grace and Love
Go check out the link above...it has me in tears.
Go check out the link above...it has me in tears.
Tuesday
RESURRECTION COOKIES
Ingredients You’ll Need:
* 1 cup whole pecans
* 1 teaspoon vinegar
* 3 egg whites
* Pinch of salt
* 1 cup sugar
Supplies and Equipment You’ll Need:
* Mixing bowl
* Zipper bag
* Wooden spoon
* Electric mixer
* Measuring cup and spoons
* Wax paper
* Cookie sheet
* Tape
* Bible
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. It is important
to do this at the very beginning, before you do anything
else, so the oven has plenty of time to heat.
2. Place pecans in plastic zipper bag. Let the children use
the wooden spoon to beat the pecans and break them into
small pieces. Read John 19:1-3. Talk with children about
how Jesus was beaten by the soldiers after He was arrested.
3. Put 1 teaspoon of vinegar into mixing bowl. Let each
child smell the vinegar. Read John 19:28-30. Explain to the
children that when Jesus was thirsty as He hung on the
cross, He was given vinegar to drink.
4. Add egg whites to vinegar. Read John 10:10-11. Tell the
children that eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave
His life to give us new life in Him and also eternal life.
5. Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let the
children taste it and then brush the rest into the bowl.
Read Luke 23:27. Tell them that this represents the salty
tears shed by Jesus’ followers when Jesus was crucified.
6. Add 1 cup of sugar. Explain that so far, the ingredients
are not very appetizing. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.
Tell the children the sweetest part of the story is that
Jesus died for our sins because He loves us. He wants us to
know and love Him, too.
7. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes
until the mixture forms stiff peaks. Read Isaiah 1:18 and
John 3:1-3. Tell the children that the color white
represents purity. Everyone who has been cleansed of his
sins is pure in God’s eyes.
8. Fold in broken nuts. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto a
cookie sheet covered with wax paper. Read Matthew 27:57-60.
Explain to the group that each mound represents the rocky
tomb where Jesus’ body was laid.
9. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and
turn the oven off. Read Matthew 27:65-66. Talk about how
Jesus’ tomb was sealed. Give each child a piece of tape to
seal the oven door.
10. Before going to bed, read John 16:20, 22. Tell the
children that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the
oven overnight. Jesus’ followers also felt very sad when
the tomb was sealed.
11. The next morning, open the oven and let each child take
a cookie. Notice the cracked surface. Take a bite and you
will find that the cookies are hollow! Read Matthew 28:1-9.
Tell the children that on the first Resurrection day,
Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and
empty. Lead the children in a prayer of thanksgiving to God
that Jesus is risen.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
* 1 cup whole pecans
* 1 teaspoon vinegar
* 3 egg whites
* Pinch of salt
* 1 cup sugar
Supplies and Equipment You’ll Need:
* Mixing bowl
* Zipper bag
* Wooden spoon
* Electric mixer
* Measuring cup and spoons
* Wax paper
* Cookie sheet
* Tape
* Bible
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. It is important
to do this at the very beginning, before you do anything
else, so the oven has plenty of time to heat.
2. Place pecans in plastic zipper bag. Let the children use
the wooden spoon to beat the pecans and break them into
small pieces. Read John 19:1-3. Talk with children about
how Jesus was beaten by the soldiers after He was arrested.
3. Put 1 teaspoon of vinegar into mixing bowl. Let each
child smell the vinegar. Read John 19:28-30. Explain to the
children that when Jesus was thirsty as He hung on the
cross, He was given vinegar to drink.
4. Add egg whites to vinegar. Read John 10:10-11. Tell the
children that eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave
His life to give us new life in Him and also eternal life.
5. Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let the
children taste it and then brush the rest into the bowl.
Read Luke 23:27. Tell them that this represents the salty
tears shed by Jesus’ followers when Jesus was crucified.
6. Add 1 cup of sugar. Explain that so far, the ingredients
are not very appetizing. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.
Tell the children the sweetest part of the story is that
Jesus died for our sins because He loves us. He wants us to
know and love Him, too.
7. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes
until the mixture forms stiff peaks. Read Isaiah 1:18 and
John 3:1-3. Tell the children that the color white
represents purity. Everyone who has been cleansed of his
sins is pure in God’s eyes.
8. Fold in broken nuts. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto a
cookie sheet covered with wax paper. Read Matthew 27:57-60.
Explain to the group that each mound represents the rocky
tomb where Jesus’ body was laid.
9. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and
turn the oven off. Read Matthew 27:65-66. Talk about how
Jesus’ tomb was sealed. Give each child a piece of tape to
seal the oven door.
10. Before going to bed, read John 16:20, 22. Tell the
children that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the
oven overnight. Jesus’ followers also felt very sad when
the tomb was sealed.
11. The next morning, open the oven and let each child take
a cookie. Notice the cracked surface. Take a bite and you
will find that the cookies are hollow! Read Matthew 28:1-9.
Tell the children that on the first Resurrection day,
Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and
empty. Lead the children in a prayer of thanksgiving to God
that Jesus is risen.
underreported news...
Catholic Exchange - Your Faith. Your Life. Your World.:
"Many young families are deciding to live the Catholic faith. Probably the most underreported news of the past decade is the phenomenon of faith-filled husbands and wives having more than the U.S. average of children and choosing to exist on one breadwinner income in order to have a stay-at-home parent. Many of these families are homeschooling their children in order to instruct them in the Catholic faith in all aspects of their lives. Others attend parochial and independent schools at great financial sacrifice."
Friday
Do you have Nature-Deficit Disorder?
Recapturing Our Catholic Patrimony: Do you have Nature-Deficit Disorder?
Great post! It's always my goal to get the kids out more.
Great post! It's always my goal to get the kids out more.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)