Luv'N Lambert Life

Mental Health, Homeschooling, Epilepsy and More

Archives for 2011

A Quick Update: July 11, 2011 {Thoughts from Me}

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I know I haven’t been posting a lot lately but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been writing.  I think I have a half dozen or more posts just waiting to be finished.  I manage to get half-way through before becoming unable to finish because of children needing me or writers block on how to end the post and idea.

There is so much that I want to write about and say that it sometimes becomes a jumbled mess.  I am wondering if becoming a public reviewer was a good idea for me after all and I find it affects a lot of my thinking.  I know I’m going to love it in the end but I want to write things that my readers enjoy and get something from.  I don’t always feel I do a good job of that.  My decision to review publicly has left me thinking a lot about that.  I will say that I, like all  new reviewers, am anxious to get started and I am thankful for the opportunity to share my opinion with others on what I use and read.  I just pray my readers are able to get something from my reviews, to walk away wanting to try that product and find my opinions useful to their final decisions.

There are a LOT of life changes coming our way that I cannot talk about right now but they will majorly affect how we live now, how we go through our days and weeks.  One of them is reviewing materials.  Another is anxiously awaited and exciting our whole family.  One is changing how we learn, grow and share with each other.

The kids have started using their newest bible addition and are really enjoying that time during our day, though they don’t always want to listen – typical them.  Laycie is LOVING doing “kool” herself.  She wants to learn numbers and say sounds.  She does NOT want to learn letters and say numbers.  She is so sweet and has a mind totally of her own.

Winston is going back to 100 Easy Lessons and enjoying it this time.  I used it years ago and it did nothing for him but now he’s really liking it a lot and is flying through the lessons pretty quickly.  My plan is to let him get at least 1/4 of the way through the book, then start him on the Funnix program again (which coincides with 100 Easy Lessons) for “extra” practice in reading.  He already has much of the needed concepts, he just struggles with his secureness in them.  I’m hoping working through this program will give him the confidence he needs to take off in his reading.

He and Emmalee will both continue using Pathway Readers as their reading curriculum this year.  Emmalee is secure enough in reading that she will fly through it.  I’m hoping with the 100 Easy Lessons/Funnix instruction Winston will follow right along with her.

They are both helping to instruct baby sister in her daily lessons, teaching her the Alphabet and it’s sounds as well as counting, adding and subtracting.  She absolutely loves the attention from them and it is helping them to become stronger in their own skills.  Its a beautiful thing to watch your children learn and teach one another!

There is much to come for us.  For now though, we must remain patient and let God continue his work in our life.  Soon I will finish those half-written posts.  Soon there will be many reviews coming from me from various places.  For now though, we are just enjoying our Lambert Life.

Quick Update: July 6, 2011 {Thoughts from Me}

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Luv’N Lambert Life has been on vacation for the last few days.  We took a short trip to Georgia over the weekend to visit family and really enjoyed ourselves.  Family time and fun away from the norm was something we really needed.

The kids really loved the in-ground pool.  They went down the waterslide, cannonballed off the side, and swam until they were exhausted.  When they weren’t playing in the pool, they were loving playing inside, jumping on the mini-trampoline and swinging on the tree swing.  We also enjoyed a wonderful fireworks show in town with everyone.  It was the perfect vacation for us all.

On the way home, we stopped by several great stores just to look around.  We picked out a boat for all the kids to fit on safely while we go on our River Adventures but we haven’t made a purchase yet.  We also picked some adorable furniture to use at our house for Outdoor Adventures at home (not purchased yet).  The kids enjoyed helping us pick those out too!

On July 4th, we held a cookout at home with family and good friends.  The kids played in the water sprinklers and baby pool keeping cool.  We enjoyed grilled burgers and hot dogs and a great fireworks show when night came.  Laycie was a little scared but overall she did great with the fireworks.  The whole weekend was wonderful.

The kids got a little burnt.  Laycie didn’t since she stayed right with me the whole weekend.  Winston tanned just like he always does.  Poor Justain and Emmalee paid the price for sitting in the sun though.  Emma’s poor little shoulders are still red two days later and she usually tans just like her brother.  Not this time though, so we have been keeping on the aloe and taking tylenol as needed for pain.  No blisters or peeling so hopefully she will be ok.

The past two days have been spent cleaning house.  We have removed tons of clothing from the kids bedrooms, sorted through it and re-washed what had been sitting in drawers or the closet for a while.  I made laundry detergent on the 4th for the fun of it and needed to try it out!  So far it’s working better than my store bought detergent and it doesn’t make my skin itch like the store bought kind does!  I’m in LOVE with it!  We have decided we want to wash the whole house down with this soap, it smells sooo good!!

So that’s pretty much what we’ve been up to for the past week.  For the rest of the month, we will be continuing schoolwork, decluttering house, and spending time with friends since we have three birthday parties during the month to attend.  There’s a lot of love to be shared and a lot of fun for us while we are Luv’N the Lambert Life.

Chats with my Daughter {Epilepsy Awareness}

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Today my oldest daughter and I had a chat about her Epilepsy.  She is eight and has had this disorder since she was three months old.  She doesn’t remember a time when this disorder was not part of our daily life.  It is all she’s ever known.

Recently, she has been making mention of things she can’t do having Epilepsy.  In several recent conversations with her brothers, I have heard her make mention that she is not able to hit her head.  Though this is true, her reference was that she was unable to have even the smallest tap to her skull or she’d immediate go into a seizure.  I immediately realized that my sweet eight year old was confused and needed to have a chat about “E”.

I sat her down and explained to her that yes, we do have Epilepsy and reminded her that I have it, as well as her baby sister.  I explained to her that this disorder should not stop her from trying to do anything she really wants to.  That, within reason, she is able to fall, hit her head, and try until her hearts is content.

She has told me that she wants to learn to ride a horse.  While this does make me nervous I will not prevent her when the time comes.  I will provide her with a helmet along with a skilled rider to guide and teach her.  I want her to do these things that God calls her to enjoy. 

She has learned to swim recently and is learning to hold her breath.  I worry that something will happen, like any good mother, but I want her to swim so that she can go deep sea diving some day if her heart desires.  I want her to enjoy whatever experiences are offered into her life.  I cannot allow this disorder to hold her back. 

When I was a child, I was prevented from doing many things because of my own Epilepsy.  I was not allowed to try when I should have been.  I was not provided this chances out of my Mother’s fear of losing me to my Epilepsy.  I do not want these same things for my daughters.  Instead, I want them to live this life to the fullest, taking only the necessary precautions and never missing out on the gifts that God provides them.  Had I listened to the naysayers about my own Epilepsy, my girls would not exist because I was not even supposed to chance childbirth with them.  Listening to my heart and my God provided me with three of the most beautiful blessings I could ask for. 

Our talk today reminded me how much this disorder does still affect my sweet girl.   It reminded me that she is growing up and needs guidance as to why we take precaution, as well as why I do allow her to live her life to the fullest, as normal as she can. 

Epilepsy is a part of our life, but it is and never will be all of our life.  I cannot live in fear that a seizure may come, but I can live aware of that and provide that awareness for my beautiful girls, while still allowing them the most normal of life. 

And that is the plan.  I’m sure there will be more talks about Epilepsy over our lifetime, just as there was for me with my Mom.  I’m thankful to have lived with this disorder all of my life so that I am able to provide the patience, guidance and love needed to all of my children.  It’s not been an easy disorder to live with but we are “blessed” to know what it is and what to expect, as well as how to continue to live with it and prepare ahead for the next generation, which it may or may not be passed on to.  For now, I’m just thankful for talks with my sweet girl, to be able to help and encourage her in her life’s goals, even while living with Epilepsy. <3

Regret Free Parenting {Booksneeze Review}

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Written by Catherine Hickem, LCSW
Published by Thomas Nelson Publishers
List Price: $15.99
Catherine Hickem, founder of Intentional Moms, wrote the book Regret Free Parenting as a guide based upon her nearly 30 years of experience from raising children to her ministry to other women.  She is a motherhood expert who has devoted her life to helping other Moms raise exceptional children. 
In her book, Mrs. Hickem shows parents how to raise children without regret by being an intentional parent.  She explains how to equip your child with confidence, allowing children to learn by relative consequence and strong guidance. She teaches parents the difference between being a controling parent and being an intentional parent by providing seven parenting principles.  Each of the principles discuss how to prevent insecurities, teach respect, raise good teens, and much more.
I believe that during times of distress God provides the perfect guidance in many ways.  For me, this book could not have come at a better time as I was going through some tough parenting issues with my strong-willed middle child.  I had been searching for the perfect remedy to help our relationship and allow guidance for my child.  Regret Free Parenting gave that to me when I needed it most.  Through this book, I was able to learn techniques that helped me overlook some of my relationship issues with my daughter and correct other issues we had.  Since implementing the steps and ideas listed throughout the book, our relationship has grown in a better direction making our lives much easier, day by day.  I feel that Regret Free Parenting has helped strengthen my parenting skills.
You can read more about this book or purchase your own at Amazon.com or at Thomas Nelson’s own website.
This book was provided by Thomas Nelson Publishers through their BookSneeze Program for bloggers.  It was a free book in return for my honest review, which was not required to be positive.  No money was exchanged for this review.


To Blog, or Not to Blog {Thoughts from Me}

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I’ve been sitting here the last few hours thinking about whether I wanted to write tonight or not.  I have been questioning a great many things, even though I know I should just keep moving forward.  It is hard to overcome self and let Jesus work in our life.  As humans, we have a need to remain in control.  As you can tell, writing has won this night.

My weekend has been unusually wonderful.  I must thank my blog “hater” for their post because it really made me take a look into my life and my heart to realize that yes, I’m really at a point in my life that I am happy.  Truly and amazingly, simply HAPPY.  And my weekend has been filled with nothing BUT happiness.

Saturday, the kids were thrilled to be able to wake up and play together.  They played outside for a long time.  They even picniced outside, eating pizza for dinner.  Saturday is pizza night at our house  Then they came inside, got a nice bath and watched a movie before bed.

Sunday mornings are often slow for us and today was no different.    After a quick breakfast, they donned their swimsuits and with a quick text we were out the door to visit a good friend for a day of swimming.  After eating a snack (ok, more like a meal) of various junk foods, they were ready to jump in for some water fun!   I spent my afternoon chilling with two of my best friends.  It was a great day away from the house.  The kids didn’t want to leave but were excited at the idea of going to swim and visit again one day soon! 

We made it home, cooked a quick dinner of Sloppy Joes and Chili Cheese Fries..  Laycie got to go for a ride.  Then kids watched a movie while I got caught up online.

It was a wonderful weekend, despite efforts to discourage our faith and relationship made online.  Tonight I feel like a kid hyped up on the best kind of candy: I call it the candy of LIFE.  God has taken the bad and shown me the BEST and I could not be more thankful for His blessings, for His willpower to overcome that sent by the Devil to destroy.  God is the Ultimate Warrior, defending what is made right by Him and leading those who follow in His steps, shining light on the right path, like a beaming beacon in the night.  I feel blessed to have found this path, with even my Mustard Seed of Faith to guide me.  My Mustard Seed has been planted and allowed to grow into a gently blossoming tree with the guidance of His love.  For that, I could not be more thankful.  For ALL of His blessings, I could not be more thankful.

God bless and good night!

32 Things I Love About My Children {Thoughts from Me}

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In Honor of my 32nd birthday, I have been writing a series called 32 Things. This is my fourth entry: 32 Things I Love About My Children.

1. My son, my first-born, is peaceful and quite when it matters most.
2. He always thinks of others first and is first to jump in to help me no matter how hard.
3. My Mimi has a faith in God that I can only wish to achieve.
4. My Laycie astonishes me with how loving she is.
5. My children have an amazing sense of humor.
6. I love all of their smiles.
7. I love the colors of their eyes: two brown and one blue-green like her Momma’s.
8. I love their need to learn.
9. I love that they enjoy being children long after most kids get to.
10. I love each of their sense of style.
11. I love that my Win can win a video game like no bodies business and has learned not to give up even when its most frustrating.
12. I love Mimi’s need for art, to express herself openly the way she most enjoys.
13. I love Laycie’s need to spread joy to others, even those she does not know.
14. I love their focused interest in all things they attempts to do.
15. I love their messiness that makes our house home.
16. I love their differing abilities and watchimg them come together to do anything they want.
17. I love the care they show their little sister, and how they never leave her out.
18. I love their laughs.
19. I love hearing their heartbeats, knowing they are each a Gift from God.
20. I love my girls love dressing up as much as their Momma does.
21. I love watching them play together.
22. I love that my children love.
23. I love seeing God through their eyes in every place we pass.
24. I love my boy’s love for ketchup.
25. I love my girls love for ranch dressing.
26. I love that my they love each other.
27. I love to watch them run, to hear them sing and see them dance.
28. I love that God blessed me with all of them, each unique.
29. I love to see them growing strong.
30. I love their shared interests.
31. I love how they love me back, not just because I’m their Mom but because they know I love them more than they can even fathom.
32. I love each of them through and through.

God has blessed us with four amazing kids and for that we are truly thankful. I could not ask for more!

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