In my life this week…
I took Princess Roo to the satellite office (only half the trip we made last week and will have to make next week!) to see her allergist/immunologist. We went over everything that has happened in the six months since we saw him last, and he was pleased for the most part, like we are. He changed a couple of her medications and ordered some lab work that we’ll (hopefully) get drawn next week when we visit the genetics department. We’re hoping to save her a “stick” by getting everything done at once!
He is so tender and gentle with her. It always brings tears to my eyes. We are blessed with a great team of specialists for our Princess!
In our homeschool this week…
We took care of our lessons and therapy appointments, in addition to the specialist appointment. Today we’re doing some gluten-free cooking with a friend whose son is going gluten-free. They’ll take half home, and we’ll have half to eat for the weekend! After the home economics and life skills are over, we’ll help the kids make a bubble solution from “scratch” and study the science of bubbles!
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…
Be flexible and go with the flow! I have said that for years, but it has never been truer for us than this year. We are getting our lessons done, but the schedule is crazy and is much different from any other year. I am learning to be more flexible than ever!
I am inspired by…
People who do everything I’m doing with more kids! I love large families and am in awe of those moms and dads who do such a great job of raising them.
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
This week we went to see the allergist/immunologist, OT, dance classes, horseback riding therapy, AWANA, and Kidz Choir (at church). Is that enough?
My favorite thing this week was…
Surviving the first part of the week, and I’m really looking forward to our gluten-free cooking fest today!
What’s working/not working for us…
This crazy specialist appointment schedule isn’t working for us. We are worn out! As I make the six-month follow-up appointments, I’m spacing them out a few weeks from each other. One a month seems much more doable than one a week!
What’s working? The information I’ve learned from Kidzmet continues to serve us well, and the We Choose Virtues products are transforming our home. We’re working on “gentle” this week, and I can’t count the number of times the kids have realized they’re being too rough with each other—either through raised voices or rough behavior. They’re correcting themselves because We Choose Virtues brought it to their attention! (I’ve been doing it for years, but that never had the impact that these products do.)
Questions/thoughts I have…
What was I thinking back in April when I made these three specialist appointments back to back?!? 
Things I’m working on…
I’m still just trying to keep up with everything at home while we travel every week. I’m also trying to get all of us adequate rest between appointments. God is faithful, and He is seeing us through!
I do have some great products to share with you later in the month, and I’m excited about some of the projects scheduled for the next few months!
I’m reading…
Ongoing reading/study projects:
- The Battlefield of the Mind Devotional by Joyce Meyer (Only a few more days to go!)
- The Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer
- Power Thoughts: 12 Strategies to Win the Battle of the Mind by Joyce Meyer
I finished:
- In the Shadow of Evil by Robin Caroll
- Answers to Prayer from George Müller’s Narratives by George Müller and A. E. C. Brooks
I’m cooking…
Today I’m making peanut butter cookies, oatmeal-peanut butter-chocolate chip cookie bars, Mexican/cornbread casserole, and oatmeal muffins. All gluten-, milk-, and egg-free, of course!
I’m grateful for…
Safe travel to and from our specialist appointments the past two weeks. Overall, good reports in both departments. The support and prayers of family and friends—both in real life and online.
I’m praying for…
Safe travel to and from the genetics appointment next week, wisdom for the doctors and other staff we will see there, and for the blood draw Princess Roo needs to go smoothly! (She does great with getting blood drawn, but it’s not fun if they have trouble getting it.)
I’m also praying for our nation and the upcoming election.
A photo, video, link, or quote to share…
Here are some posts you don’t want to miss:
- Zombie Apocalypse and Mornings with Autism by my dear friend Lena. This is a funny (but true) take on the sleep (non-) patterns of kids with autism. I can relate. I like for Princess Roo to sleep until she wakes up on her own. It’s not pretty when we have to wake her up.
- i know you can. a cheer for motherhood. by Rachel Martin at {finding joy}
- My Favorite Read Aloud Posts – Day 3 is part of a 10 day series my friend Mary is doing at Homegrown Learners. This post is FULL of great ideas for why, how, and what to read aloud to your kids!
- I’m not crafty, but these 2 Too-Easy Tulle Tutu Costumes are “too-too” cute! My friend Tabitha posted this, and I think I just might be able to pull this off!
- 10 Ways to Pursue Peace at the End of the Day by my friend Rebecca at Mom’s Mustard Seeds.
- Look for the Flowers -Despite the Weeds is a great post about perspective (that keeps coming up a lot) by my friend Connie at The Daisyhead.
- The latest installment of the “Be Fully Persuaded” series. This week Heather Cook of Cook Family Chronicles shares about God’s perfect timing in A Home of Our Own.
- My post at The Homeschool Village: It’s All a Matter of Perspective – about changing our perspective on situations and remaining positive.
- My post at Home Educating Family Association Blog: Don’t Give Up! The Hard Work Pays Off – about homeschooling a child with special needs.
Jennifer…it’s been two years…since you made that call. Life has been topsy turvy since then, hasn’t it friend….yet you bless me beyond measure…. I pray your days at the Dr’s office come to an end….but, I also pray that if they do not, that God will allow you to use that time to shine His light….because you do it well as you walk the walk of a beautiful servant. I love you dearly!
It has been topsy turvy indeed, Rebecca! Thank you for praying with us. You are a blessing to me as well. I love you!
Sounds like your Princess is a real trooper with all those doctor’s visits. You have a very full week. I too am amazed at what large families can accomplish. I have one daughter and she is 13. Have a fabulous week!
Thanks, Pam! I’m sure we will. She really is a trooper. I have the two girls, and we stay incredibly busy. I think it would be wonderful to have more, but it didn’t work out that way for my family.
I love the cooking with friends part – we did the same thing this week
sorry you are having to do so much with the dr’s – you inspire me lady- thanks for your help and info too!
Thanks for your kind words, Kelli! We are finally done with the last specialist appointment! Now we can (hopefully) breathe for a few months before we have to do it all again!