Getting Ready

We leave on Sunday for the Institutes. I have so much to do - laundry so I can pack, food to make to take with us, a revisit report to complete, my own school work which is already a week late. Plus Zack's programs still have to get done and I have to teach Ashley's homeschool work. I just can't get motivated to get it done and I find myself staring blindly in the open refrigerator door looking for some comfort. But there is none to be had.

On the bright side, I got out the invites to my Partylite show that is next Saturday. They got my first triple threat: postcards, evites, and a new service I just came across called phonevite. I am hoping for a great turnout. A fun candle party with big sales would be an awesome welcome home present after 5 days of intense programming in Philadelphia.

Zack isn't doing so well today. I think he might be nervous about the trip. I wonder sometimes if he is disappointed in his own progress especially after he puts in so much work. Bob and I always beat ourselves up when we feel like we didn't get the results we wanted. I always forget that maybe Zack feels that way too. His biggest problem in life is comunication, always has been. I know it must be frustrating for him.

I am already feeling very guilty because I don't think I did a very good job this 6 months with programming. We always come home with good intentions but then life gets in the way. Actually, I am feeling pretty much like a bad mom. I have yelled at Ashley really hard a few times here lately, the baby watches entirely too much TV, and we should get stock in McDonalds because some days we go there twice.

Sorry, I am just venting...we'll get it done the best way we know how.

My Baby Loves To Read!

Mommy's Got A New Ride!

My hubby is so good to me! I have been cramming 3 kids into the Malibu for almost a year and yesterday, my DH calls me from work and tells me to go pick up my new car! Yes, its a minivan but its a cool minivan! A Chevy Uplander. I just love it!

Long Time No Post!

Whew, what a busy week or so! So much has happened. Where do I begin? The big news!!!!!! We finally sold our house! Yeah! No more keeping it spotless which I can tell you is super hard for a book and paper crazy homeschool mom with 3 kids! We have also bought a new home which we move into on April 25th. And when I say brand new, I mean BRAND SPANKING NEW with loads of upgrades and 2850 square feet!!. This deal really just fell into our laps. There was a house in a subdivision that someone had custom built and had lost their contract. The builder needed to get rid of it before their fiscal year ended. Their loss but our gain! We got it for a steal and will be moving in with $50,000 in equity from the get go. I can't wait to post a couple of pics of my new kitchen which is as big as my den and kitchen put together now. Next week I will be heading over to measure for curtains and will take some pictures then. Meanwhile, here are a couple pics of the outside:

Reading and Math Program

I am finally organizing Kristen's reading and math programs. (Yes, she is only 6 months old!) These are the same programs I used to teach Zack, our brain injured child, to read and do math. The logistics of the programs are in the books, How To Teach Your Baby To Read and How To Teach Your Baby Math by Glen Doman at The Institutes For The Achievement of Human Potential . It turns out that the best time to teach your child is when they are under 6 years old when the brain is growing so quickly. The Institutes originally developed these programs to help brain injured kids and found that they worked just as well with typical children when they are very young. Our son is a testament to them as at 9 years old, he is able to speed read over 300 words per second on the high school level and he can do instant math including algebra and geometry. Did I mention that he is brain injured???!!!!



Anyway, I have taught her about 20 words so far and I really needed to sit down and make up some word cards. I made 75 cards today. That will last me about 2-3 weeks (maybe) We started math as well. I had bought the math cards from the Institutes for Zack. While some of them are a little ragged around the edges, they will work just fine for Kristen. We learned the quantities 0-4. I will teach her 5-9 tomorrow.



She got so excited when I showed her the cards today. I thought she was going to jump right out of her seat! I am thrilled to be able to give her such a gift. Thank you God for enlightening me with this knowledge. I keep thinking what a breeze college would have been for me if I could have read as fast as these kids!! :)

Riding Lessons

Ashley started riding lessons today. She did really well and I am so proud at how she jumped right in. No fear! She has really had to step up this year with the new baby and everything else.

She so deserves this.

It is Snowing Outside!

Just two days ago, it was 70 degrees and we spent the day at the park! But I just looked outside and it is snowing! Let's hope we get a good amount that hangs around tomorrow while the buyers are looking at our house. It will cover up the holes in the backyard where Duke the dog has dug to China!

Somebody Please Buy My House!

Oh, the dreaded call. We have had about 2 weeks off - the first because we were sick with the flu and the second just because no one called. But this afternoon, the realtor called. Someone is coming tomorrow at 2 to look at our house which has been on the market since August. We have had alot of traffic since Christmas but no contracts. So I am feverishly cleaning as things have really piled up in the last couple of weeks. Case in point - my homeschooling corner of the kitchen. Here is the before picture.

It has taken me about 2 hours, mostly because Zack doesn't like change and every time, I put something away, he pulls it out again. I have sent him to his room in tears so I can get this done. So here is what it looks like now. On to the next project - the coat closet!

The Greatest Show On Earth

Sorry, I have been "blog free" for a few days. It has just been busy, busy, busy around here. Saturday, I took the kids to the Circus. One of the "perks "of having a policeman DH who works lots of off-duty jobs is that we get free tickets to stuff. He was actually working the circus and we got to go while he was there. We have a great set-up at the Coliseum - a private box. It has a seating area, a kitchen area, and a private bathroom - "Mommy heaven".

Zack enjoyed the horses and the trapeze artists most of all. (and the popcorn!)

Ashley's favorites were the trapeze artists who did the triple flip.

This is Ashley's "best bud" from birth, Grayson, who came with us.

Tax Rebate

President Bush signed the Tax Rebate Bill. See complete story HERE. It looks like our family can expect about $2100 sometime this spring or summer. We are going to be buying a new home. Our house is up for sale right now so I am sure we will be putting these $$$ to good use! What will you be using your rebate for?? Let us know in the comments.

A First

I am sorry to say that Kristen has her first......

Ear Infection!

She has been very sick and I haven't been able to get her temp below 100 since Saturday. She slept through the night last night which scared the daylights out of me because that NEVER happens. She just isn't a good sleeper. Then when I changed her diaper this morning. it wasn't wet. Fearing dehydration, I broke down and took her to the Dr. (which I try to avoid)


I am not a big proponent of pediatricians. They always think they are smarter than MOM which I have a big problem with. ( I am usually right.) But my gut told me to go in so I did. I really don't want to give her antibiotics needlessly, but the Dr assured me that she has a secondary infection from her cold and the antibiotic is necessary. We shall see.

My family

I would like for you to meet my family:

This is my husband, Bob, with our youngest daughter, Kristen. She is our "surprise" baby and we call her our little reward from God for a job well done!

This is our oldest daughter, Ashley who is 11 years old and in the 5th grade. She is the joy of my life. I couldn't do what I do without her. She is such a great helper to me. Thank You Lord!

And this is our little man, Zack. I love this boy! We're not sure what "grade" he is in. He is actually a genius. Diagnosed with a brain injury commonly referred to as autism at age 2, we started him on programs developed by the Institutes for the Achievement for Human Potential in Philadelphia, PA back in 2004. He has made amazing progress! At 9 Years old, he speed reads (300+ words per second) books on the high school level and can do instant math like a "human calculator".