dictation

Storms of Adversity

A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner.  Neither do uninterrupted prosperity and success qualify a man for usefulness or happiness.  The storms of adversity, like the storms of the ocean, rouse the faculties and excite the invention, prudence, skill, and fortitude of the voyager.

from Sanders' Union Fourth Reader by Charles W. Sanders, Spelling Wisdom Vol. 3

our newest 5-year-old

Josiah celebrated his fifth birthday recently, leaving those of us who know him best wondering how that happened so fast!!

Making sure to add the "cha-cha-chas" to the Happy Birthday song.

 He doesn't like being the center of attention at all, does he?  Unlike his mother, who crawled under the table at about this age when they sang to me.  It may have been the blow horn along with all the eyes on me, but I digress...

All three loved the Wedgits and played with them for hours.  To be honest, Josiah played with everything he got for hours.

The only toy he really asked for... I think his older brother would have loved it at his age, too.  Or maybe now?

Thanksgiving quote

"All great and honorable actions are accompanied with great difficulties; and must be both enterprised and overcome with answerable courages.  It was granted that the dangers were great, but not desperate; the difficulties were many, but not invincible.  For though there were many of them likely, yet they were not certain.  It might be that sundry of the things feared might never befall; others, by provident care and the use of good means, might in a great measure be prevented; and all of them, through the help of God, by fortitude and patience, might either be borne or overcome."

-Governor William Bradford

field trip!

The week before Thanksgiving...we are using it to play catch up on some school projects and not starting anything new.  It seemed like the perfect opportunity to take a field trip, too!  I've lived in McLean County long enough to remember what kids did for fun before a fantastic children's museum and other kid-friendly activities arrived.  I've taken many children to the McLean County Museum of History, but never my own.  They loved it!!

 We started with an airplane and won Josiah's heart immediately.

 They look like they should be locked up, don't they?

 Well, maybe not this poor soul.

 The hands-on pioneer room was the favorite, favorite place to spend time.  Rachel kept reminding me that pioneers did not smile.  Umm, for the camera, anyway.

 He couldn't help but smile.

The reason I wanted to go the museum now: there is a temporary exhibit showcasing how our food has changed from the 1820's to the present.  There were 4 kitchens representing 4 different eras in our county's history. 

I took a picture of each menu, telling the kids I was looking for supper ideas. Liver pie wasn't really on their list of fun things they wanted to try.

 

 I found some of this information to be fascinating, considering the food journey we have been on with Josiah.

 This sign is particularly telling.  We can eat nothing with the name Campbell's on it now.  Eric laughed when he read "better tasting than homemade."

"Since 1969 some 3,000 additives have been put in American foods.  The impact of these additives can be both good and bad, but additives are unnecessary if one eats an ample and varied diet of whole foods."

The food exhibit is only here until January, and is well worth the effort to see. 

When we left for the musuem, my kids have never even considered that their WAS history in McLean County.  Now they know even Abraham Lincoln spent a considerable amount of time here, and that we can boast a vice president.  I heard my junior high son exclaiming over things I cannot believe he didn't know!  Not a bad way to spend a couple of hours on a Monday afternoon.

first stitches

and they come out today!  We felt that God hand-picked the doctor and nurses in the emergency room. He learned that God does give courage when you're really, really scared!

brand new

This is the kind of resource that makes me excited about what is ahead for Josiah and I in homeschooling!! 

math website

This must be my week to showcase other websites.  Here's an online site for extra math practice.  I really love how they break it down by grade.

healthy eating website

I need to look at this more often!  Really, really good stuff.  She actually makes me want to try brussel sprouts.

http://www.summertomato.com/

ADHD, Feingold, and the gospel

"When they came to Jesus, they saw the man...sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid."  Mark 5:15

This is a post long overdue.  For over a year now, I have documented our Feingold journey in overcoming ADHD symptoms with our youngest son, posting successes and failures, and celebrating the progress he has made.

I have failed, however, to link the gospel to this (sometimes miraculous!) journey.  In no way do I want to ignore it, substitute it, or fail to give God the glory for how it plays into what He is doing in Josiah's life.

In the time of Jesus' ministry, he encountered a man who was possessed by demons.  In fact, there were so many evil spirits dwelling in this man, they gave their name as Legion.  Before he met Jesus the man was unable to control his impulses or even have them controlled by others.  His life was a ruin, and he was injuring both himself and others.  In his encounter with Jesus, Legion was cast into a herd of pigs, leaving the man in his right mind, healed, and able to listen to Jesus and tell others of the things He had done for him.

For some it may be satanic influences, for others alcoholism, drugs, or other addictions, that keep a man or woman from being able to fully apprehend the person of Jesus Christ.  Rather than being drawn to Him, they may mock Him or ignore Him.  Personally encountering Jesus gives power to cast aside those things that command control of lives, allowing for His Person to minister to a life that has been broken by sin. 

For others, like my son, there is something thrust upon their bodies from the outside which they have had no part in choosing.  Not unlike the chemical influence alcohol may have over someone who is drunk, toxins not originally meant for the body to ingest can cause a chemically sensitive child to engage in behavior that truly is beyond their ability to control.  In discovering this connection and removing the offending chemicals in our son's diet, there has been healing. 

Hidden underneath these things is another powerful, more destructive force: the sin nature.  While we treat the root cause of chemical sensitivity with diet, we treat the sin nature with the gospel. 

So in no way do I leave off godly parenting, discipline, or the truth that sin brings consequences when dealing with misbehavior in my son.  We talk about the love of Jesus our Savior, who always pleased God yet took the punishment for our sin on a cross so that we could be close to God rather than be punished ourselves.  There is a constant tension between using diet as a treatment for the body, and the gospel as treatment for the soul.

Without the intervention of diet, my son used to say "Jesus makes me sad."  To him, it seemed impossible to ever control his body in a way that would please the Lord.*  Now, he loves to learn about the Lord Jesus and is growing in his desire to please Him.  When he sins, he may come to Jesus and tell him he is sorry, and then go on in the confidence that he is loved and forgiven.  He can ask Jesus for help to live the way he should.  He reminds me of the man in this passage, sitting at Jesus feet listening to His teaching as a life that is under His control, and living to share with others the testimony of His work.

For what is the greater miracle in this Bible story: casting out demons or the surrender of a soul to the very God he was rebelling against?

Diet is not Josiah's savior; Jesus is.

*That is not to say that using diet is the means to bring such a child to Christ!  I do not know if Josiah has yet learned to trust Jesus as his Savior.  However, diet removed a barrier he was having trouble overcoming in knowing and loving Jesus.  When Jesus heals a life, what joy we have in the barriers He removes in allowing us to overcome sin and separation from God!!

we miss her

We weren't looking for her, but when we saw a sign that said "free kittens" at a friends' farm, we couldn't resist.  She had barely been handled and came with a guarantee we could return her if she didn't warm up.  A challenging chase ensued to catch her, but we never had to consider taking her back.

Naming pets is usually a chore for us but hers came easily.  I had just returned from a trip to New York City, so we named her Brooklyn.  Rachel was three and Micah was five.

Her affection was on her terms, but when she was in a loving mood you could not pet her enough.  She did not meow--she talked, leading the vet to believe she might have been part Siamese.  She became Micah's cat first; all others were second.

She disappeared on Halloween or the next morning, darting out the door and leaving a hole that won't quickly be filled.  We're hoping another loving family has started their story with a slightly aloof cat who was part of our family's story for 7 delightful years.

a whole lotta science going on

There are times I still feel like I need to pinch myself to believe we are really homeschooling this year.  When I see science experiments taking place, it seems even more surreal. 

 How do airplanes fly?  Josiah learned how slow air pushes on an object to create lift.  (His faster air in the middle meant the slow air pushed the balloons together.)  It was the first time this year I pulled out our preschool science book, but after his reaction it appears it won't be the last.

 We did it!!  Rachel's light hut for botany.

Baking soda, vinegar, and a balloon.  I know you've seen this one, but Micah hadn't yet.  Throw in a little cabbage indicator to make it even more interesting.

available today only!

For those who homeschool or just love audio books! For $11, you can download these collections for the next 11 months. However, it is only available for purchase today in celebration of 11/11/11.

Sherlock Holmes, Charles Dickens, Tom Sawyer, Moby Dick, Rin Tin Tin, Lassie, Robin Hood, King Arthur, The Three Musketeers, fairy tales, and so much more!!!

High Protein Pancakes

Here's a high protein breakfast food that we all loved.  It never ceases to amaze me what extra protein in the morning does for my youngest! 

Yogurt Pancakes

2 c. all purpose flour
2 T. sugar
2 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
2 eggs
2 c. plain yogurt
1/4 c. water
Optional: semisweet chocolate chips, dried cranberries, sliced ripe bananas, coarsely chopped pecans, etc.

In a small bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda.  In another bowl, whisk the eggs, yogurt and water.  Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.  Cook on griddle by 1/4 cupfuls.  These freeze well.

Two pancakes contain 9 grams of protein!

gotta love science!

We're on our second week of Apologia science here, and as hoped for, it has been a great fit...so far!  Micah was so excited about doing his own science experiments, he had one going in the kitchen at 7:30 a.m. last week. 

Rachel is studying the Jeannie Fulbright botany textbook borrowed from a friend.  We found the notebooking journal that goes along with it.  Between the journal, daily narration, and an engaging textbook, I feel like she is learning and retaining quite a bit.  Incorporating Latin roots helps with remembering vocabulary, and anything I can do to enhance her vocabulary at this point is a plus.  The hands-on experiments look very engaging and will support what she is learning.  Getting engaged with her on a higher level has been very helpful in encouraging her understanding of the material.

If the elementary Apologia continues to work well, I look forward to using it next year with Rachel and Josiah.  It is appealing to think of using the same textbook for a kindergartener and sixth grader!!  Here I go again, trying to find a way to do science together.  There are some fun lapbooks designed for younger children that would draw Josiah into the lessons, and Rachel could continue with the notebooking journal more suited for older students.  (I may change my mind about this several times, but it's always fun to dream!)

Micah has started General Science, the 7th grade Apologia text, again borrowed from a friend.  (Thank you, Lord, for the generosity of friends!)  My goal at the beginning was to combine the older kids for science, but this just wasn't working the way I had hoped.  Micah is currently entertaining thoughts of a career in science, so moving into challenging text seems to be a great fit for him.  That's not to say what we were using wasn't challenging--it was.  However, the next book would have been mostly a science overview, and a review of things he has already studied.  General Science will cover some of those same topics but at a higher level and from a little different perspective--young earth creation.

We are holding onto the Friday science from our Sonlight curriculum because the kids love it so much.  It means doubling up science for Micah, but so far no complaints.  (Not promising that will last!)

My entry into the world of homeschooling seems to be one of adjustments, finding what does and does not work with my children, and constantly tweaking what I thought would work 2 weeks ago, or what I thought would not.  This is not an attempt to endorse a particular curriculum so much as to highlight that process for one mom.

And I'm lovin' it!!!

digging up fond memories

Rachel came home from church today and showed us the cup routine she had learned from a missionary in Sunday School.  One thing let to another, and we were watching this video.

best read-aloud yet...

and this one wasn't on our school list.

"He gave his life for me, that's what he did--just laid down his life for me.  How can I forget something like that?"

-Where the Red Fern Grows

we found the antidote!!

I apparently spoke too soon about our Halloween success.  Hidden in the trick or treating candy were a few packages of Smarties, which I eyed with great suspicion but forgot to warn Micah about.  I had let the older kids pick out a few of the safer treats and then thought all the candy had exited our house.  Then Micah woke up sick yesterday morning.  "Uh, Mom?  Do you think Smarties have gelatin?"

After researching MSG remedies, I had picked up a bottle of taurine to try in case of accidental ingestion.  This was the perfect opportunity to give it a try.  By noon, Micah was beginning to feel better, and today he is fine.  That is a great improvement over the 2 day recovery he usually needs.

We're grateful to have found this!  The last time Micah had an accidental ingestion of gelatin, he had a more severe reaction.  I'm not sure if his blood pressure or blood sugar fell, but the instant and extreme fatigue was somewhat alarming.

More about taurine from msgtruth.org:

Taurine

Some MSG sensitive individuals report relief from some MSG symptoms by taking taurine. The rationale behind this approach is that glutamate competes with the amino acid cysteine for uptake in the body. An excess of glutamate will interfere with the body's ability to convert cysteine into taurine, the other free form amino acid which acts as the body's heartbeat regulator. Taurine is the body's water soluble anti-oxidant, and inhibitory neurotransmitter. The body also uses taurine to make bile, which aids in the digestion of fats.

The idea of taking taurine for accidental MSG ingestion is that since MSG may inhibit taurine formation, and those with irregular heartbeat, digestive problems, epilepsy, vision disturbance, and panic attacks from MSG may benefit from ingesting taurine instead of waiting for the body to make it.

Unfortunately, most food scientists are not taught about taurine because adults are assumed to be able to make it and shouldn't need to eat it. It isn't even listed in most tables of the amino acids. However, taurine is so important in the body, that since 1986 it has been added to baby formula because it is essential for proper growth and development in humans. Also, studies of people with epilepsy have shown that taurine levels in the brain after a seizure are unusually low. Taurine is now being considered as treatment for diabetes as well as epilepsy.

Foods high in taurine include fresh fish and meat. It is not found in significant amounts in foods of non-meat origin. Heat for long periods of time destroys it. It is interesting that the Japanese use much MSG, but also eat diets high in fish, and raw fish at that. A Japanese meal of sushi contains much taurine, as well as MSG. Chinese food, which often is cooked at high heat and also contains mushrooms, another source of free glutamate, and often mostly vegetables, would contain less protective taurine.

Halloween success!!

My youngest is not in reaction mode, no one got sick...it was a great Halloween.  These candies were a hit with Josiah, who rarely eats any candy except Yummy Earth Lollipops.  I may be somewhat less Scroogish about candy next year after watching how excited he got about his very own special candy "without artificials, Mommy!"