Ok....let me start with saying that this post is just to get stuff out of my head. For most of my 14 and 16 yr old DDs' school years we have homeschooled. There have been ups and downs but mostly ups. I am a licensed clinical social worker plus preschool teacher. Eight years ago with my youngest we went through trials and tribulations of finding out how to best help her learn. End result was an IEP indicating LD only. We knew that she was also ADD but not officially diag...nosed. We never initiated the IEP by using the PS system and continued to homeschool. My eldest we knew was Asperger's and ADHD-never officially diagnosed. Both DDs read late (eldest at age 12 and youngest age 13)but now above grade level in reading for both of them. Fast forward to this last year....we decided that we needed PS help to find out again how to help youngest learn. End result was private and public school testing/assessments with diagnoses of ASD1, GAD, ADD, and Comm. D/O. We decided to use a charter school to get several resources for free. But I feel like I have been slapped up side the head! How did the school miss these needs in the first testing/assessment for initial IEP? How did I miss these diagnoses when I am trained in the field? I feel like the rug has been pulled out from under me! Don't get me wrong...my daughters are wonderful teens and I love them dearly. I just feel like I should have known earlier, how did I miss the signs? I now question my every move. I question am I doing enough? Do I need to do more? Am I missing something? And now I am running to the school district asking for my eldest to be tested and assessed. But my two teens are soooo different and how HFA looks is sooooo different for each of them. My emotions are sooo up and down. I hear that they are great kids and yet....and yet....I have thoughts of what ifs, should have, could have! I am just feeling lost right now and still trying to be the strong, advocate for my wonderful girls! Thanks for just listening!!
Saturday, October 29, 2016
HFA Facebook Group Note
This below was written on the HFA Facebook Group:
Ok....let me start with saying that this post is just to get stuff out of my head. For most of my 14 and 16 yr old DDs' school years we have homeschooled. There have been ups and downs but mostly ups. I am a licensed clinical social worker plus preschool teacher. Eight years ago with my youngest we went through trials and tribulations of finding out how to best help her learn. End result was an IEP indicating LD only. We knew that she was also ADD but not officially diag...nosed. We never initiated the IEP by using the PS system and continued to homeschool. My eldest we knew was Asperger's and ADHD-never officially diagnosed. Both DDs read late (eldest at age 12 and youngest age 13)but now above grade level in reading for both of them. Fast forward to this last year....we decided that we needed PS help to find out again how to help youngest learn. End result was private and public school testing/assessments with diagnoses of ASD1, GAD, ADD, and Comm. D/O. We decided to use a charter school to get several resources for free. But I feel like I have been slapped up side the head! How did the school miss these needs in the first testing/assessment for initial IEP? How did I miss these diagnoses when I am trained in the field? I feel like the rug has been pulled out from under me! Don't get me wrong...my daughters are wonderful teens and I love them dearly. I just feel like I should have known earlier, how did I miss the signs? I now question my every move. I question am I doing enough? Do I need to do more? Am I missing something? And now I am running to the school district asking for my eldest to be tested and assessed. But my two teens are soooo different and how HFA looks is sooooo different for each of them. My emotions are sooo up and down. I hear that they are great kids and yet....and yet....I have thoughts of what ifs, should have, could have! I am just feeling lost right now and still trying to be the strong, advocate for my wonderful girls! Thanks for just listening!!
Ok....let me start with saying that this post is just to get stuff out of my head. For most of my 14 and 16 yr old DDs' school years we have homeschooled. There have been ups and downs but mostly ups. I am a licensed clinical social worker plus preschool teacher. Eight years ago with my youngest we went through trials and tribulations of finding out how to best help her learn. End result was an IEP indicating LD only. We knew that she was also ADD but not officially diag...nosed. We never initiated the IEP by using the PS system and continued to homeschool. My eldest we knew was Asperger's and ADHD-never officially diagnosed. Both DDs read late (eldest at age 12 and youngest age 13)but now above grade level in reading for both of them. Fast forward to this last year....we decided that we needed PS help to find out again how to help youngest learn. End result was private and public school testing/assessments with diagnoses of ASD1, GAD, ADD, and Comm. D/O. We decided to use a charter school to get several resources for free. But I feel like I have been slapped up side the head! How did the school miss these needs in the first testing/assessment for initial IEP? How did I miss these diagnoses when I am trained in the field? I feel like the rug has been pulled out from under me! Don't get me wrong...my daughters are wonderful teens and I love them dearly. I just feel like I should have known earlier, how did I miss the signs? I now question my every move. I question am I doing enough? Do I need to do more? Am I missing something? And now I am running to the school district asking for my eldest to be tested and assessed. But my two teens are soooo different and how HFA looks is sooooo different for each of them. My emotions are sooo up and down. I hear that they are great kids and yet....and yet....I have thoughts of what ifs, should have, could have! I am just feeling lost right now and still trying to be the strong, advocate for my wonderful girls! Thanks for just listening!!
Sunday, September 25, 2016
Finding this blog....again
Well I was looking through the old homeschool boxes of saved records and found a copy of this blog from 2004-2005. Read through it with my kiddos and we all wondered if this blog was still here. Surprise! I was able to find it.
Well we made it back to CA in the summer of 2013. Christina's health was horrible in NC and had to come where health was a priority. We stayed a year in one city then returned to the first town where we lived in the Central Valley area. We made some friends in the other city and travel there (2 hours one way) about every three months. We are living near (2 blocks away) to a homeschool family that we started our homeschool adventures with. They are doing homeschooling a little different than us but we still enjoy seeing each other and having fun together.
Both teens are in high school. Oldest is trying to pass the California High School Proficiency and attending the dual enrollment program at the local community college. Youngest is going to a charter school. Oldest is a writer and artist. Youngest is loving dance and coloring adult coloring books. Both have a love of books and reading!!
We have some struggles and challenges but homeschooling is still a great joy for our family!!
Well we made it back to CA in the summer of 2013. Christina's health was horrible in NC and had to come where health was a priority. We stayed a year in one city then returned to the first town where we lived in the Central Valley area. We made some friends in the other city and travel there (2 hours one way) about every three months. We are living near (2 blocks away) to a homeschool family that we started our homeschool adventures with. They are doing homeschooling a little different than us but we still enjoy seeing each other and having fun together.
Both teens are in high school. Oldest is trying to pass the California High School Proficiency and attending the dual enrollment program at the local community college. Youngest is going to a charter school. Oldest is a writer and artist. Youngest is loving dance and coloring adult coloring books. Both have a love of books and reading!!
We have some struggles and challenges but homeschooling is still a great joy for our family!!
Friday, February 22, 2013
Letter sent to Family and Friends
Dear Family and Friends (hope I got this to everyone, if you notice someone is missing please forward),
The Harris Family needs everyone's thoughts and prayers for the upcoming months. As many of you know, we absolutely love North Carolina. The people are friendly. We have a wonderful small farm that we all enjoy. Christina loves your job at the VA. The homeschooling community is supportive. We have found support in the local Girl Scouts troop. We are near Christina's family and enjoying visits with them. Many, many pluses for our decision to move here.
We are experiencing some very large minuses as some of you know. Christina took a pay cut to become a federal employee. This wouldn't be such a big deal except for the other big minuses. Mark is struggling to find a part time job in this area. He has applied recently for three positions with two of them being federal also (yeah, Fort Bragg). When we took our information in for taxes, we realized the really big impact to our finances and family. CHRISTINA'S HEALTH!
In the last 18 months, Christina has been sick with her environmental bronchial asthma six times. I know that doesn't sound like much but think of the dr appts, medicines, time off from work, missing overtime that could have been. She gets a small reprieve during winter so in essence, Christina is sick during spring, summer and fall every 2-3 months. Her primary care provider indicated that she is a highly complex case which is the reason for being referred to an allergist. This current sickness resulted in double dosage of antibiotics and prednisone. A referral has also been made to the insurance company to try to get on a once a month shot that possibly won't be covered totally by insurance as it is so new. A financial statement had to be completed in case there is needed financial support for this shot. In other words, serious stuff, trying to keep me out of the hospital stuff. Yesterday, Christina's primary care provider indicated that a drier climate would be beneficial.
This is where you all come in with your thoughts and prayers.....
Christina is applying for a position in (name of town) CA. It is a promotion and a drier climate which are definite pluses. The minuses are we will not be able to transport our family farm, goats and cat back to CA. We will have to sell everything again to fit into our small trailer and van. We will be returning to apartment living for at least the first year. It costs to move a family across country.
With that all said, please have us in your thoughts and prayers as both options are just that good options, good directions.
With love,
The Harris Family (names of family members, 4 goats and 1 cat)
The Harris Family needs everyone's thoughts and prayers for the upcoming months. As many of you know, we absolutely love North Carolina. The people are friendly. We have a wonderful small farm that we all enjoy. Christina loves your job at the VA. The homeschooling community is supportive. We have found support in the local Girl Scouts troop. We are near Christina's family and enjoying visits with them. Many, many pluses for our decision to move here.
We are experiencing some very large minuses as some of you know. Christina took a pay cut to become a federal employee. This wouldn't be such a big deal except for the other big minuses. Mark is struggling to find a part time job in this area. He has applied recently for three positions with two of them being federal also (yeah, Fort Bragg). When we took our information in for taxes, we realized the really big impact to our finances and family. CHRISTINA'S HEALTH!
In the last 18 months, Christina has been sick with her environmental bronchial asthma six times. I know that doesn't sound like much but think of the dr appts, medicines, time off from work, missing overtime that could have been. She gets a small reprieve during winter so in essence, Christina is sick during spring, summer and fall every 2-3 months. Her primary care provider indicated that she is a highly complex case which is the reason for being referred to an allergist. This current sickness resulted in double dosage of antibiotics and prednisone. A referral has also been made to the insurance company to try to get on a once a month shot that possibly won't be covered totally by insurance as it is so new. A financial statement had to be completed in case there is needed financial support for this shot. In other words, serious stuff, trying to keep me out of the hospital stuff. Yesterday, Christina's primary care provider indicated that a drier climate would be beneficial.
This is where you all come in with your thoughts and prayers.....
Christina is applying for a position in (name of town) CA. It is a promotion and a drier climate which are definite pluses. The minuses are we will not be able to transport our family farm, goats and cat back to CA. We will have to sell everything again to fit into our small trailer and van. We will be returning to apartment living for at least the first year. It costs to move a family across country.
With that all said, please have us in your thoughts and prayers as both options are just that good options, good directions.
With love,
The Harris Family (names of family members, 4 goats and 1 cat)
Friday, November 9, 2012
New experiences
Well, it's been a challenging month. Hubby was applying for jobs with no results. A friend of ours suggested filing for bankruptcy. Initially the thought was not a possibility. We have great credit scores. Always paid the bills on time....And then God helped us make the choice. I had a car accident, actually a van accident. Luckily I am alive and I count that as a blessing. Luckily the rest of the family was not in the vehicle and I count that as a blessing. Luckily the passenger in the other vehicle is alive and I count that as a blessing. But it made the decision for us, we are going to file. We only had liability insurance. A grand mistake in this state. Been having problems with our health insurance all year. Have paid out in over $3,000 in medical bills or medications this year. And all of this before the accident. In many ways it is a relief because Hubby will be able to stay home like we all want and we have been struggling financially.
I hurt from the accident. Seeing the chiropractor three times a week. Taking medications for the pain. We got a new used van that will work for camping. Going to miss not having the timeshares for traveling, vacation. Try to think of the positives but hard sometimes. Especially in the middle of the night.
Each night for the past month, I have been either writing down or thinking in my head three positive events or things that I am grateful for. Most nights I remember to do this and it does help. Been crying and some depression. I know that some of it is the result of medications and the accident but some is just from life events and living through this. I try to keep in mind that it is God's will and that God is watching over me and my family. Like I told Hubby, I see the end goal and know that it is for the best but the steps to that goal are a struggle. Keep us in our thoughts and prayers!
I hurt from the accident. Seeing the chiropractor three times a week. Taking medications for the pain. We got a new used van that will work for camping. Going to miss not having the timeshares for traveling, vacation. Try to think of the positives but hard sometimes. Especially in the middle of the night.
Each night for the past month, I have been either writing down or thinking in my head three positive events or things that I am grateful for. Most nights I remember to do this and it does help. Been crying and some depression. I know that some of it is the result of medications and the accident but some is just from life events and living through this. I try to keep in mind that it is God's will and that God is watching over me and my family. Like I told Hubby, I see the end goal and know that it is for the best but the steps to that goal are a struggle. Keep us in our thoughts and prayers!
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Well....Last night Hubby and I submitted a job application for him over the internet. Trying to find him a part time job on the weekends. I feel sad as we were trying to keep him home but finances are too tight. I try to think of the positives. Hubby will have more adult conversations and he never minded working in the past. I will have more time with the kiddos on the weekends. But I was so hoping that our small farm would be enough to keep him home.
This week I went to see an allergist and I am hopeful that she will find the right combination so I can live and breath here. We love this new area. The people here are so friendly. Like my new job. Our neighbors are supportive.
We love the homeschooling community here. Oldest is doing Life Skills and Geography through Art. She did great this week doing a resume. This next week she will doing a mock interview. Youngest is doing Science and Geography through Art. She loved blowing up stuff this week.
This weekend we are going to an International Folk Festival. It must be that time as year as several are going on in this area. We are also going to the library. The girls love the library and we spend hours there on the weekend.
Overall, we are blessed and loving life!
This week I went to see an allergist and I am hopeful that she will find the right combination so I can live and breath here. We love this new area. The people here are so friendly. Like my new job. Our neighbors are supportive.
We love the homeschooling community here. Oldest is doing Life Skills and Geography through Art. She did great this week doing a resume. This next week she will doing a mock interview. Youngest is doing Science and Geography through Art. She loved blowing up stuff this week.
This weekend we are going to an International Folk Festival. It must be that time as year as several are going on in this area. We are also going to the library. The girls love the library and we spend hours there on the weekend.
Overall, we are blessed and loving life!
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Almost A Year
Well, we have almost been here a full year. Still like my job, still like where we are living, still like our homeschooling adventures and all is well. We have several additions to our family. Our two adult goats had a baby boy and a baby girl. The girl is called Surprise and the boy is called Timmy. They are over a month and half old. We are planning on selling the girl and the boy will be sold once we know that the mamas are pregnant again. We are now up to 18 chickens. We have one of our silkies brooding so hopefully something will come of that. We went for a one week trip with Grandma (my Mom) to Orlando and played in the water all week. Loads of fun!!! We went to the local lake for Oldest's 12th birthday and tomorrow is Youngest's 10th birthday which will be at the roller rink. She wanted to go ice skating but closed for renovations. 2nd choice was back at the lake but raining most days this week so chose something inside. All of us have been doing the summer reading program at the local library and enjoying it very much. Everyone has found new authors and books to read which is excellent! Our garden is huge this year and we are enjoying the rewards of it. Today we are eating pita bread pizzas. The tomato sauce is from last year's harvest. The eggplant, tomato, basil on it is from the garden. Last night we had corn from the garden. I absolutely love fresh food from the garden. Looking forward to the tomatoes for more tomato sauce. Been working overtime to bring more money in and doing something different than the normal job. Enjoying it-only doing about 4 hrs a week but it is all good. End of the month I will be working 4 hours extra during the week and getting comp time for that which will be used for future vacations. Doing that at last a month till new person comes on board. We have been blessed with this new place and the people in our life!
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Oh my, it's been forever since I last blogged! The most important is that we are still loving our new state. The girls continue to enjoy their Girl Scout group and two homeschooling groups. We found a free arts and crafts class on Saturday. Oldest continues to look forward to her writing group at the library. She is actually writing a book and today I showed her how to type it into the computer after creating her own folder. Youngest and I have been reading together American Girl books as we go monthly to Barnes and Noble for their club.
This month I have two new projects-studying for my state's social work license and losing 50 pounds. For the first week I exercised twice by riding a stationary bike for 2.5 miles while the girls were doing arts and crafts and a 45 minute Zumba class. This weekend I rode the stationary bike for 6 miles, walked 2 miles and did 5 minutes of Zumba. Been stretching daily but the weight got out of control with not being able to do any other exercising.
Hubby has been working very, very hard on our huge garden. Actually it is two gardens. One is in more shade. It is for the girls plus those veggies that are okay with shade. The other is for everything else. We are hopeful that we can do some major canning and freezing from our great garden. Speaking of canning, last weekend I got a great deal on strawberries so made strawberry preserves. After cost, we realized that making on own cost about the same as in the store. The good news is that we know what is in it!
The chickens for the last four days are giving us 8 eggs daily. We are talking about putting a sign out and selling them. We want to make sure that they are finally being consistent before we do that though. Been fighting something respiratory and eye worm with the chickens. We made a very grave error and bought some chickens at a local flock swap. Those chickens weren't healthy and impacted our chickens. Lost several including our Silkie rooster. The Delaware that we got at the flock swap was supposed to be a hen but like Hubby said, if it is then why was it on top of one of our girls? (:
I got out the summer clothes today as it has been in the high 80's/low 90's. Last night it rained so it was actually not too hot today.
Our babies we are hoping will be having their own babies this summer. Daisy is definitely pregnant and quit lazy about it. Trying to get her to run and play doesn't happen as long as it used to. Midnight continues to be playful and wants us to stay even after a couple hours out with her. We are not so sure about whether she is pregnant or not. We think so but probably only one. We are on a quest for a Nigerian Dwarf billy to buy to keep us in milk.
I just ordered the California Achievement Test for both girls to take. This state says that they have to take a test at end of year. We plan to end school right before Memorial Day weekend. Although this summer is going to still be learning as we are planning to do "Math In The Garden (thank you charter school of the past)." We are also going to have the girls read, read, read. Youngest is finally figuring it out and loving to read her books to Mom and Dad. Oldest carries a book with her at all times. We are soooo blessed that reading is a joy and great pleasure in our family!!!
This month I have two new projects-studying for my state's social work license and losing 50 pounds. For the first week I exercised twice by riding a stationary bike for 2.5 miles while the girls were doing arts and crafts and a 45 minute Zumba class. This weekend I rode the stationary bike for 6 miles, walked 2 miles and did 5 minutes of Zumba. Been stretching daily but the weight got out of control with not being able to do any other exercising.
Hubby has been working very, very hard on our huge garden. Actually it is two gardens. One is in more shade. It is for the girls plus those veggies that are okay with shade. The other is for everything else. We are hopeful that we can do some major canning and freezing from our great garden. Speaking of canning, last weekend I got a great deal on strawberries so made strawberry preserves. After cost, we realized that making on own cost about the same as in the store. The good news is that we know what is in it!
The chickens for the last four days are giving us 8 eggs daily. We are talking about putting a sign out and selling them. We want to make sure that they are finally being consistent before we do that though. Been fighting something respiratory and eye worm with the chickens. We made a very grave error and bought some chickens at a local flock swap. Those chickens weren't healthy and impacted our chickens. Lost several including our Silkie rooster. The Delaware that we got at the flock swap was supposed to be a hen but like Hubby said, if it is then why was it on top of one of our girls? (:
I got out the summer clothes today as it has been in the high 80's/low 90's. Last night it rained so it was actually not too hot today.
Our babies we are hoping will be having their own babies this summer. Daisy is definitely pregnant and quit lazy about it. Trying to get her to run and play doesn't happen as long as it used to. Midnight continues to be playful and wants us to stay even after a couple hours out with her. We are not so sure about whether she is pregnant or not. We think so but probably only one. We are on a quest for a Nigerian Dwarf billy to buy to keep us in milk.
I just ordered the California Achievement Test for both girls to take. This state says that they have to take a test at end of year. We plan to end school right before Memorial Day weekend. Although this summer is going to still be learning as we are planning to do "Math In The Garden (thank you charter school of the past)." We are also going to have the girls read, read, read. Youngest is finally figuring it out and loving to read her books to Mom and Dad. Oldest carries a book with her at all times. We are soooo blessed that reading is a joy and great pleasure in our family!!!
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