Invisible Illness Awareness Week 2011: Part 1--How can you homeschool with a chronic illness?

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This week (Sept. 11-17) is Invisible Illness Awareness Week.




It's been 8 years, I think, since I was diagnosed with three (relatively) Invisible Illnesses.  I've homeschooled during the entire time.   A common question is How?  How can you homeschool with a chronic illness?

Well, in many ways it's easier.  I honestly can't imagine my girls in a public school setting.  I'd have to make sure they were on the bus at a certain time--whether I felt like getting out of bed or not that morning.  I'd have to worry about how I'm going to get them various events or help them sell fundraiser items--whether I felt like it or not.  I'd have to help them with their homework--in the evening, when my strength is all but gone.  And with the girls in public school, who knows what virus they'd bring home to wreak havoc on my suppressed immune system!

Yes, homeschooling is a huge commitment and it's definitely not an easy road, but it's the best for our family. Think about it.....I am free to choose curriculum that best suits me and my girls.  I can school around the bad days.   I can even do school while laying in bed or on the couch if I have to!  During the time I was going through testing to see what was going on, this is exactly what I did most of the time.  The girls could snuggle up on the coach or bed with me while we did Five in a Row.  They learned a lot, despite by not feeling well!   And they learned about compassion and that many hands make light work. 



Homeschooling is the only thing that makes sense for our family!

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Another summer has come and is almost gone.....

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As with every summer the past few years, we are quite busy in May and June and July with 4-H, horse training, horse shows, and getting ready for our county fair.

This year's heat during Fair was brutal, but we survived without too many problems. It was rough on the horses, being cooped up in a stall all week. We kept forcing Gatorade down them (and ourselves as well!). A couple kids passed out, but were back in action the next day. We also had a few severe storms and had to calm the horses during the worst of the lightning. All in all, it went well.....no injuries, thank you , Lord!!!! \o/

DD14 had a very good year.  She won Junior Cowgirl, and got to walk around the grounds with a sash and a tiara on her cowboy hat.  :D

August was unusually busy.  It's usually my only true "summer" in the sense of down time.   However, this year we ended up at State Fair for dd14's self-determined project.  Self-determined is a hard project to judge, as it compares apples with oranges.  The children are free to do just about anything and the judges have to decide which are the best of the best.  The top 30% receive ribbons or trophy clock.  Outstanding Awards are given to the bottom 20% of that 30%.   Superior Awards are given to the top 10%.  And one trophy clock is given to the "best of the best."   Well, dd received a Superior Award!   We were very proud of her and very excited.  This was her third time at the state level, but first time placing. 

(If you're wondering why I haven't mentioned DD11's fair results, it's because she decided to not take a horse to fair this year.  Her horse is barely greenbroke, so they weren't up to fair this year.  She's been riding him almost every day now that fair and church camp are done, trying to get some miles under him before next year's fair.)

A couple weeks ago, the girls and I went down to the Creation Museum in Kentucky with our church youth group.   This was the girls' first time.  I enjoyed the changes made since the last time I was there--much more kid-friendly.  The girls absolutely loved it, and want to go back.  When we do, we will definitely buy a two-day pass!  We were there from opening until almost closing, and still did not get to see everything!   We never made it to the planetarium or the outside gardens and petting zoo!   HOWEVER, we did get see and meet and shake hands with Buddy Davis!  My girls have grown up on his music, and we enjoyed his show and meeting him.  (Did you know he sculpted many of the dinosaurs on exhibit at the Creation Museum?)

Then, this past weekend dh took the girls to a Clinton Anderson training event.  This is the girls' 2nd time going.   They use his methods when training their own horses.

DD14 is considering getting into competitive trail riding and has started conditioning her horse for such an event.  I'm still in the beginning stages of researching what it's all about.  One thing's for sure, if we do, it means more camping.   Ugh, I'm already stiff, just thinking about it!

We have started school back up, but haven't got a consistent schedule yet.  Been too busy!!!  LOL.   Plus, DD14 likes to use the cool of the early morning for conditioning her horse.....that cuts into serious school time!   Well, I suppose that's just the way it will have to be for the next month or so, then the horsey stuff will be done until spring.

So, how was your summer?  What are you doing this year for school?


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Beyond the Mask made its goal!

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Woo hoo!  The Burns family set a goal of $20,000 to raise by August 31 and they made it! Yippee! Can't wait to see this God-honoring movie!

Beyond the Mask Movie from Burns Family Studios on Vimeo.

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New God-honoring movie to be made: Beyond the Mask

A few years ago, I purchased a movie made by a couple of homeschooling families,  Pendragon: The Sword of His Father.  This was not your run-of-the-mill, movie-camera-in-hand, racing-through-the-backyard film.....no, this was full-length, feature film with hundreds of period-costumed actors and a great message ...... The One Who gives the vision, still calls......and He equips those whom He calls.   The kids did a great job with the movie!  Sure, there were a few, less-than-polished moments of acting, but WOW! It's amazing what they did.

Well, I'm happy to say that the Burns families are once again setting out to make another God-honoring movie, Beyond the Mask.    This time, they are hoping to attract the attention of some "big hats" to help finance the movie.  To help attract their attention, the Burns Family Studios needs 1,000 sponsors to each donate $20 (or more).  This will help them see that folks want God-honoring movies.  If you can, please considering pledging at least $20 to help them get this film going in full-force.  They need your pledge by August 31.  Visit KickStarter today to pledge.   Hey, you'll get your name in the movie's credits as a sponsor if  you do!

4th of July weekend

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We had two family reunions this past weekend.  We spent the latter part of last week getting The Pond ready for them.  It was nice to see family.   There were however several unable to attend this year, so we missed them.  And we did unfortunately have a close call with one child swimming in The Pond, whose father had to dive into rescue him.    \o/  he was only badly scared. 

As always, we had way too much food, and we all ate entirely too much.  The girls gave horse rides and trail rides.  They were beautiful as they galloped along back of The Pond, with their reflection in the water.

Then yesterday we spent the afternoon at a friend's house.  She was having a 4th of July picnic and had invited her family, friends, and church folk.   We ended up staying for their fireworks as well.   They own 600 acres, and we drove out into one of their fields atop a hill to set off the fireworks.  We often got "rained" on with the debris! Yeah, we were a little too close.

It was cool because their neighbors would set off theirs while ours were being set up, so we could watch back and forth between the displays. Kinda felt like "Dueling Fireworks" sometimes.   But what was even more cool is they are near the PA and WV and Ohio border, and out on the horizon we could actually watch the PA and WV fireworks going off at the same time. Watching fireworks in three states at the same time is pretty

Hope everyone had a blessed and safe holiday weekend.  Remember that freedom isn't free!  We've got a lot of men and women out on the line so we can be home enjoying America's freedoms.  Let's be sure to keep them in our prayers!

We on this continent should never forget that men first crossed the Atlantic not to find soil for their ploughs but to secure liberty for their souls. 

~Robert J. McCracken
 

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So maybe not a hamster....

DD11 chose a gerbil instead because gerbils are more active during the day (while hamsters are more active at night).  She's quite tame and named Cinnamon for her coloring.  She does have red eyes, but not nearly as red as the flash of the camera shows!

Another factor that led to the choice of a gerbil was that our new youth minister's family has a gerbil.  A boy named Pascal.  Hmmmm....better not take Cinnamon over to visit Pascal, or we may end up with more gerbils that we care to have!

I'm just very grateful that dd11 only wanted a hamster or gerbil....the pet shop had snakes and tarantulas as well.  NO THANK YOU!!!

OK, I think we are officially a zoo now......

Up until this month, we have had 1 cat, 1 dog, 2 horses, and about 20 chickens.

Then we rescued a kitten.  Must have been about a week old.  Unfortunately, we lost her.  She never even had her eyes open.

A few days later, we found what must have been her brother.  Well, he was a fighter from the beginning....frantically clawing at the bottle.  So we had a few weeks of feeding every 3 hours, including a 3 a.m. feeding....felt like I had an infant again!   I happy to say that Toby is doing fine, and growing.  He is so funny.  When we bottle-fed him, he would twitch his ears in time with the sucking.  We got the biggest kick out of that!   And we have laughed as we've watched him learn to run, pounce, arch his back, hiss, and follow strings and balls.  Boy, he sure is a climber!  Isn't he cute as he sleeps with his paw over his eyes?

Then, last week, I gave in to my oldest.  After years of saying, "No lizards in my house!" I broke down and bought her a Florida Chameleon.  At least it's smaller than the gecko she really wants....though I'm not sure if that's a good thing if he gets loose!  This little guy is fast, and could hide just about anywhere!  The store owner called him "Bubba" but dd13 renamed him Chami (cam-ee).


And, then tomorrow (am I glutton for punishment or what?), I'm going to take dd11 to the pet store and buy her a hamster.  Don't really want him to get loose either!  I've got a habitat already for him/her and I ordered a ball from Amazon today. 

So there you are....come to my house, expect a zoo!

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