progress

Well we are making some progress. Progress with Cameron and reading. Let's just say that last year was a real trial for us and school. This year promises to be so much better.

Cameron was tutored all summer by his Title 1 reading teacher. She helped him with math and reading. 1 hour, every morning all summer. Worth every bit! We found that if she read with him for 20 minutes took a break and then worked on math for 20 minutes he was very productive. We found out that taking breaks was essential last summer at the lake with the Deacon. She helped him with his homework and when he got overwhelmed they would go jump in the lake and then come back to his work. That Deacon is pretty smart!

So I started this out with progress, last night was an amazing night for us. Cameron and his fellow classmates have to log and read 100 minutes per week, Friday to Friday. He brought home his reader and we read "The Dragon". He asked if he could read a page and in turn I would read a page. Not a problem at this point whatever it takes. He was so excited! He read! He did it! I knew he could but he has never been excited about it. Yes, this Mama got gushy when it was done, but I was so proud. I felt as if we had hit a major milestone.

Thank you to our wonderful St. Thomas More Staff for helping with our Cameron and believing in him! (Ms. K.O and Ms. K.T. we love you guys more than you know!)

chicken pot pie

As I have found my rhythm again I find myself digging into my cookbooks.  I got this one, “Make It Fast, Cook It Slow” last year and love it.  She challenged herself to use her crock pot every day for one year.  Her recipes are easy and gluten free.  For those of you that gasp at the fact they are gluten free don’t worry she puts regular ingredients listed for the recipe too!  Each week I find us make at least 2 recipes from here.

Last week I made her Chicken Pot Pie.  Yes, chicken pot pie in a crock pot that is gluten free!  This was so simple.  Cameron and Henry picked the carrots from our garden, so fun!

Tonight I am making her pizza soup!  Cameron and Henry love pizza and soup so hey I figured lets make it one!  Enjoy!

:: this moment ::

A moment from this week…

 

 

{Mr. Miller and Junior Mint playing with dragons in the evening.  Don’t you just love his Gen-y universal cover in Sputnik? }

i seem to have lost something…

   I seem to have lost something…

Where did this confident Mama go?  Where has she placed her rhythm, her confidence, her structure?

This picture was taken 2 years ago when I started this quest to find a simpler life.  I seemed so together with a plan.  When did my sights get so foggy?  Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by life that you just want to dig a hole and crawl in?  Well if so come on the water is warm. 

This year has been so full of obstacles that I feel I am on a constant roller coaster.  Sometimes it is the ride of my life with sheer excitement and other times I just close my eyes and pray that I don’t fall off.  Between Cameron and the ever changing rhythm of Asperger’s, Henry and the two’s (enough said there), the constant change of members in the Sippy Cup Gang…I have lost my way.  Where is the Map, Garmin or trail boss because I have lost my way back to my “Rhythm of the Home”.

Mr. Miller and I had a long talk last night on the patio, long overdue, and he pointed out that I haven’t been myself and he is missing me.  Wow, that hits home in so many ways.  It’s true.  No spark, passion, mojo or whatever you want to call it.  I quit writing, sewing, reading and just plain enjoying my world around me.   Mr. Miller is willing to help me in any way he can.  We decided that maybe, just maybe I need routine as bad as my Cameron does.  Does routine = rhythm?  I don’t know but it is at least a starting point.

My first attempt has been planning next weeks menu for both dinner and the Sippy Cup Gang lunches.  Cameron is going back to school next week and it will be welcomed on so many levels.  I love my little man but he needs his school day routine as bad as I need my routine here.

I am going to work on getting my lesson plans in order for the Sippy Cup Gang as well.  Livi and Henry are ready for preschool and there is no reason that I can’t do this.  I have found some great resources, more to come later on that.

Thank you for listening and letting me put it all out there.  It does make me feel better.  I would ask for prayers, suggestions and kind thoughts if you want to share.