Homeschooling the Dyslexic Child - For Our Family

I recently came back to blog. Our homeschooling journey has not been reflected here. It's just been too personal. Too difficult. But for those of you, like me, who venture back to old (cyber)friends, I wanted to catch you up. 
It's been a educational 'Groundhog's Day' around here. 

And that's what it feels like sometimes. 

When you really don't understand, so you throw caution to the wind. You. Just. Let. Go. 

But eventually, you find yourself really seeking relationship with your child, the way they are made- the way they see things. Adding Sally Shaywitz book, Overcoming Dyslexia & The Out of Sync Child to my reading list is a big step. It says 'it's real.' And 'it's not going anywhere.' They've been on my shelf, bedside, and book bag for years now, but saying it on the blog is full circle. 

This may not seem like a big deal to some. It has been a real challenge for us. Our household has had some real come-to-Jesus moments. The kind that the baby-books just don't go into. And the kind that The Well-Trained Mind or The Lost Tools of Learning doesn't cover. It's been more of a 'Mr. Holland's Opus' kind of a ride. Admitting and tossing what you thought was ideal to the side, and embrace the child as they are. 

When you are thinking they are hearing you.

 Other children do....?

The literal struggles over what seems mundane.

No one can accuse you of not being willing to put on the monkey suit to make things happen. 

But sometimes the results don't become clear until after the composition has gone to print.

Dreams turn into struggle, success not happening where you have prayed for it to be seen, wishing it was for your own child. And then perhaps at last, seeing that smile that makes you know, they are going in the way - they should go.- In the way they were created and designed by a benevolent, loving Creator. 

Lifemeds #44 March 2015

There is a delightful moment in 'The Family Man' where Nicholas Cage has taken Tia Leoni to a penthouse apartment that is only one of the minor perks he's been offered if he takes the job he 'really has' in his real life. He's trying to describe the amazing life they can have and all the amazing things that will happen and come if they just step up to the changes, alterations, enhancements. It will be so much better than their existing life. 
 I recommend watching with the hubs. After the kids go to bed. (maybe you can catch the edited version, disclaimer: some parts are inappropriate.)
 For us, when things get out of control and we need a reset on our perspective as marrieds or parents-- we say what Tia says to Nicholas -- we are that family, we are have what folks are striving for. Oh please, you know I'm not saying perfection, or the modern interpretation of success. We are blessed. We have longevity, a collective history, safety, warmth. HOME. We have stayed the storm of 17 years, with all the details that go with those years. And we still like being together. But it's those stress filled days of 'no answers' and 'no compromise' that seem to make us wonder - what were we thinking??
What fool commits to a life of ... - this?
Parenting, marriage, living, = challenge.
(Perhaps this explains my affinity for end of the world movies- theme-- survival. Like The Day After Tomorrow. Yes, you'll catch me watching this during our personal catastrophic moments)
 But our goal is not just survival- right? It is to thrive, live, honor God by honoring one another.
The week is here. It's Monday already. Lord, accept my thanks for all that you have blessed me with. 
My cup runneth over. 

 The Serenity Prayer seems appropriate-- 

Lord, help me to accept the things I can't change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. 

Give me, oh Lord in your infinite wisdom, perspective and gratitude for the smallest wonder in my life. Love for those in my immediate circle of life. May you be honored in all things, in every way, by my actions and that which is in my power to influence. May the whispers of my heart's voice be only love and self-sacrifice. 

If you wish to read and fellowship with others in life-changing thanksgiving and gratitude, consider visiting Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience. 

An example of her beautiful expression can be found in this post. 

If you are looking for a Lenten Series,

 visit Edie at  Life In Grace and sign up for her e-mails. I highly recommend.  I'll be heading there shortly, even though I do not strictly keep Lent.

 Go there, sign up, you won't be disappointed.

 And you'll be welcomed, even if you don't know what the ashes are for. 

A Handful of Videos

We've been sick, and videos have helped get us through. I have become a regular user of netflix to keep us watching what we actually select, vs. the poor advertisements even during quality shows. We have recently watched 'An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving' from the shortstory by Louisia May Alcott. It was precious. My boys enjoyed it, as it had plenty of snow, and some mild adventure. They liked 'Where the Red Fern Grows' as well as 'The Yearling' more but those are about boys, and their adventures with animals & outdoors.

The 'Thanksgiving' film included a trailer of other films from Affirm Films. There were several I'd seen advertised or was familiar with their story. Be sure to click over there to see other offerings that I'm sure will inspire. I think we'll check out 'Faith Like Potatoes' next.

Stand and Deliver

In searching other bloggers sites, I was reminded of a movie I never saw... but should have. I appreciate movies about teachers and portray situations in eeducation. Especially the good ones. Semicolon has a list of 107 movies and she includes this movie-- 'Stand and Deliver' with Lou Diamond Phillips (which I have not seen) as well as another 'The Winslow Boy' (which I did see).

My Dad mentioned this movie to me recently, when I told him Jack had not been required to demonstrate his effort to memorize the Cub Scout Promise to receive his patch. ('stand and deliver') Even Boy Scouts has lowered the bar, lest we put someone on the spot and suggest that they actually do the work to receive the reward.