Homeschooling and Life: March 18-22, 2013

     Well, this week had its ups and downs, without a doubt. It's like my spiritual life (unfortunately) right now: an absolute roller coaster. There are mountain tops, valleys, deserts, trials, defeats, victories...sometimes all in one day. This is where my faith is really being tested, and, thankfully, strengthened. Not that I don't have times of weaknesses...oh, boy, do I! But it's those depths that He comes to me and lifts me up again. So true are the words:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Without His power, I could not continue to face this challenge of parenting a special needs child. Truly, we all need His power to make it through this life, but right now it's so vivid to me in my struggles as a special needs parent. I am learning to lean on Him like never before. I cry out to Him, whether in sadness or anger, and He hears me. I don't understand "why," but I trust "Who." I have started journaling during my quiet time again, which has breathed new life into me. I had been struggling to even have a quiet time, and although quite often my "quiet" time is done when Baby Girl is awake, I have come to the place of yearning for that time again. It is so sweet. I found a book that steered me in the right direction, but I have to say that actually taking my Bible and reading the daily verse(s) from the devotional has been the glue that God is using to  hold me together. That, along with journaling, has strengthened my faith and my resolve to hold tightly to Jesus through it all. Also, He has blessed me with wonderful family and friends. One of my dear friends (unexpectedly) brought dinner to us one night--thank you!!! She also picked up some groceries for me. My mom is taking my older children for a special spring break trip this coming week so they can have some time away from the daily grind around here. In the midst of the hardships, I am blessed. Sometimes I just have to choose to see those blessings.
     Wow, I really didn't mean to post all of that. This was intended to be my regular weekly homeschooling update, but someone needs to read that. And I needed to share it. But now, without further ado, here are the highlights of this week:

Treat of the Week

Picture I sketched for Baby Girl to go with one of her verses this week (see below.) I got this image idea here.

One of Baby Girl's verses from this week

Two free books that Baby Girl received in the mail. This company offers two free books a year to visually impaired children. Plus, their prices are very reasonable. I love this company! On a really exciting note, Baby Girl loves the book Little Feet Love already. That is so wonderful b/c she is starting to enjoy books! I haven't introduced Butterfly Kisses to her yet b/c we have to focus on one book at a time for a long time due to Baby Girl's limited mental ability.

This is for Baby Girl, and I was THRILLED to receive this package from Nova Natural. This is another great company with very reasonable prices.

Baby Girl and Daddy check out Easter eggs. The story behind this picture:
we were headed out to an Easter egg hunt for special needs children that required us to drive for 45 minutes. Well, Baby Girl was NOT doing well at all with the ride. Ten minutes into the drive, she had done nothing but scream, cry, and hit herself. So we decided to come back home. It was best for her. She doesn't even understand what Easter is and she doesn't understand hunting eggs, so in all reality, just chilling out at home and playing with eggs in her own yard was best for her. We are learning as we go how to live this "new normal."

Baby Girl enjoyed checking out the grass in her basket.

Bug had to write similes as part of his Narnia unit study.

Bug composed original songs on the piano.

Doodles wrote an "interview" with Noah.

Doodles learned about plants this week, especiall focusing on seeds, roots, and leaves.

Doodles' plant investigation: weeds from our yard

Cup with soaked radish seeds, results from this week below:

Radish plants

Cup with soaked beans, results below:

Bean plants

Cup with dry beans, results below:

More bean plants

Cup with carrot seeds...they are so very small! Results below:

Not sure how long it will take to see the results of the carrot seeds. Patience required!

Investigating cabbage

Studying a garlic bulb

Doodles used the iPad to learn about mezuzahs. She studied the ancient Israelites this week. She will be making a Passover feast for us tomorrow night. We can't wait! I'll take some pictures and upload them in my next post.

More learning about mezuzahs.

Doodles sketched this from a painting we studied in her art book.

Doodles and Bug wrote letters to friends who moved to another state earlier this month.