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Luv'N Lambert Life

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Homeschooling With Doctor’s Appointments {Homeschooling} {Epilepsy Awareness}

April 20, 2017 by Dana

5 Days of Homeschooling with Epilepsy and Other Issues:
Homeschooling with Doctor’s Appointments


Having Special Needs children  means you have lots and lots of Doctor’s appointments.  Some weeks we have appointments almost daily.  Other weeks we get lucky and have no appointments but these weeks are rare.  Doctor’s appointments are simply a way of life for the Special Needs family.

Doctor’s appointments were one of the first reasons I chose homeschooling for our family.  I knew there was no way I could be at a doctor’s office 3 hours away and be able to get my “normal” kid off the school bus on time.  I knew there was no way I could deal with taking my kids out of school, sometimes several times a week without having some kind of issue with our school district.  It wasn’t a challenge I even wished to face.

Homeschooling has allowed me not to have to deal with those issues.  I don’t have to report where we’ve been or why we weren’t at school that day.  I don’t have to tell anyone why we’re stopping school early or even what our doctors had to say at those appointments because the only person I have to report to is me in my state.

But let’s talk about the days when we have appointments and how we deal with school on these days so that we can include learning on days that most parents would consider an educational loss.  There’s always learning going on but sometimes it takes a little bit of looking to make ourselves realize it’s actually happening.

We wake early and head hours down the road to our appointments most days.  Once in the car, we can listen to audio discs that tell stories of the past.  Story of the World is a history program that has audio to listen to.  There are also books on CD, podcasts, radio theater, and other audio’s to listen to.  Even just music CD’s can be turned into a lesson by comparing different musical eras or artists and styles.

I’ve heard of other parents who do Flashcards when they have more than one parent in the car.  Or small games.  Reading books aloud is another option as well but this only works when there’s someone else to help out.

Once we get to the appointment, the day is not necessarily a loss either.  In the waiting room, there is opportunity to socialize.  Sometimes we can play a game while we wait, like I-Spy.  We can read books, or play games on the iPad.  Coloring is another option, which helps develop small motor skills.

In the actual office, we discuss the different jobs the staff has.  We talk about tools the doctors use.  We talk about medical terms and anything else we can related to the doctor we are seeing that day.

Sometimes we also use this time to recite poems, songs, or even math facts as well.  Playing circle time games to keep the smaller kids occupied.  Whatever it takes but it’s all learning, even when we think it’s just play.

After appointments often brings the real fun.  Before the trip, I usually look around to find a fun activity or a place to visit that we can enjoy together.  These field trips are always educational and help us bond as a family as well.

Some places we’ve been:
Play parks,
State Parks,
Museums,
Riverwalks,
Zoo,
Battlefields,
Historical districts,
Aquarium,
and many more.

These places always bring out some interest that we can discuss and learn with.  Sometimes we only have an hour or so before closing, sometimes we have an afternoon but the time is packed with learning experiences that none of us will soon forget.

Even though you may think a day of appointments is a waste, there’s always a way to make it educational and turn it into a homeschooling day that isn’t a total loss.  You just have to take time to think outside the box and look at each individual segment for it’s learning capacity.  It’s there but often times we just chalk it up to a wasted day when it can be so much more!  Next time you feel your day is a waste, take a step back to reevaluate and see how you can turn it into a learning experience instead.

God bless,
Dana Lambert – Hodge

This post is linked up with the 5 Days of Homeschooling…
Blog Hop from the Homeschool Review Crew!

5 Days of Homeschool Annual Blog Hop - 2017

To Read More…

Filed Under: 2017, doctor's appointments, Epilepsy, Epilepsy Awareness, God, homeschooling, life, Special Needs

Why We Chose To Homeschool {Homeschooling} {Epilepsy Awareness}

April 17, 2017 by Dana

5 Days of Blogging with Epilepsy and Other Issues:
Why We Chose To Homeschool
I never imagined I’d be a Homeschooling Mom.  When Winston was born, I don’t even think I knew what Homeschooling was.  In High School, I had planned to go to college at Clemson and major in English and Education.  I wanted to be a Middle School English teacher.
This wasn’t God’s plan though.  I met my ex-husband when I was 17 and found myself in LOVE.  By 19, I was married.  At 21, I had my oldest son and at 23, my baby girl was added into the mix. My life was all about being Momma and Wife.  Long gone was the idea of being a Teacher.
Then when Emmalee was 3 months old, our life changed completely.  Emma began having seizures.  Appointments had us traveling back and forth to MUSC every 3 months.  MRI’s, EEG’s and blood tests became an important part of our life.  It was chaos.
Time passed quickly.  Before I knew it Emma was 3 and Winston was 5.  It was time to make a decision about school but my Momma heart wasn’t ready to part with either of my babies.  I was very involved in online parenting communities (This was pre-Facebook) and I was learning about different educational types.  Homeschooling was becoming more widely known, so I started praying and looking into more information.
I found out my then husband’s boss’ wife was Homeschooling their kids so my ex-husband was all for learning more.  Prayer led me to finding information in places I never expected.  Our dump had a swap place where people left items they no longer needed but weren’t quite trash.  It was there I found my first curriculum and informative books on Homeschooling.  Then I was in a local thrift store and I found more books on Homeschooling.  
These little signs from God were all I needed.  We found our local homeschooling association was holding a New Homeschooler class so we attended and learned a lot.  I knew in my heart God was calling me to this and I was determined to follow.
Here we are 11 years later, still homeschooling.  I didn’t know then why it was right for us but over time, I’ve come to find that there was definitely more reasons than I could see in those early days.  Multiple moves across the state of SC and finally into NC.  Multiple children with special needs and Epilepsy. Multiple doctors appointments several days a week, hours away from home.  Therapies that were required for 3 of my 4 children.  All of these things came over the years and showed me that Homeschooling was definitely chosen by God for us for a reason unseen that He knew all the time.
And it’s a choice I’ve never second guessed or wished to change.  It’s a choice that  has led us to become bonded together as a family.  It’s a choice that has given us so much more than we could even have known when we began this journey.
God knew though and He’s led us all the way.  We will keep going and seeking his guidance in this, as we have from the beginning.  I look forward to seeing where He is leading us on our journey.
God bless,
Dana Lambert – Hodge
This blog post is a part of the 5 Days Of Homeschool… blog hop 
from the Homeschool Review Crew!


5 Days of Homeschool Annual Blog Hop - 2017

To read other posts…

Filed Under: 2017, 5 days of blogging..., choosing to homeschooling, Epilepsy Awareness, homeschool, Homeschool Crew, review crew, Special Needs, TOS, why we homeschool

Quick Update: March 2017 {Severe Anemia Awareness}

March 1, 2017 by Dana

Monday I went to the doctor for the first time in years for myself.  I’ve tried for a year to get this appointment and finally got it. I definitely wasn’t going to miss it.

This appointment was to establish a physician for me and to obtain a physical which I really needed since I haven’t been to a doctor outside an OB in forever.  My checks for my pregnancies were also fine and blood work was always good so I never worried about it.  I’m rarely sick.

The check up went well. I love the new dr.  She’s so sweet and really listened to my concerns.  She went through all the details.  She issued an EKG to check my heart after my blood pressure dropped on Saturday for no apparent reason.  She also had blood work done to check that everything was okay.  I left happy with my appointment with her.

This morning, I received two calls on my cell phone which I never get calls on.  I assumed it was from the GYN I was being referred to by the doctor and I was sleeping with Laycie beside me so I didn’t want to answer and disturb her.  I figured it could wait.

When I finally did get up, I realized it had been the doctors office.  My dr and her nurse had both called and their voices sounded really concerned.  I immediately gave them a call back.

My blood work showed that my hemoglobin level is very low at a 7 and my cell count is down as well.  This explains why I have been so very tired lately.  It also explains why my BP dropped as it did.

So the doctor has me scheduled for a blood transfusion tomorrow.  Iron is not an option for me as I’m allergic to it and it gives me severe migraines.  And I definitely can’t keep going with a low blood level.  She really wanted me in today but they weren’t able to fit me into the schedule until tomorrow.

I’ve never had a blood transfusion that I can remember.  I’m told it’s like getting IV fluids.  I’m hopeful it is.  I’m scared it isn’t.  But overall, I’m looking forward to my levels being corrected and to feeling better so I can get back to my job as Mom.  It’s hard to be down when you’re the Mom of children who have special  needs and who need you.

I’m praying the kids remain stable and no seizures happen while I’m dealing with this.  God is usually good to us and keeps things in control so I know he’s got my back.  I’m hoping one transfusion is all I need and that my GYN appointment comes up with answers for my health that I’m needing so we can get back to a normal life again.

For now though, I wanted to update.  I’m taking my phone and iPad along tomorrow so I’m sure I’ll be online trying to keep myself occupied but I won’t be back here for a few days.

Until next time…

Dana

Filed Under: 2017, anemia, bleeding, epilepsy momma, low hemoglobin, real exhaustion, severe anemia awareness, Special Needs, tired, transfusion, tubal

SchoolhouseTeachers.com {Crew Review}

January 10, 2017 by Dana

Quick note from me:
*Due to changes at the Homeschool Review Crew, a division of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, reviews for this team on Luv’N Lambert Life will now be marked {Crew Review} instead of the previous {Schoolhouse Review} in the titles.  You can find my Homeschool Review Crew reviews by searching either tag in our blog’s search box.

*This review contains affiliate links for SchoolhouseTeachers.com and the memberships provided.  Through your purchase, I will receive a small commission.

As a long time reviewer for the Homeschool Review Crew, a divison of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, I’ve been blessed to also have been a long time member of SchoolhouseTeachers.com which is also a division of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine.  I was on the Crew when SchoolhouseTeachers.com opened it’s website and have found it to be a great place for our studies over the past couple of years.  Recently though, SchoolhouseTeachers.com received a makeover from the original website and formatting which I’m really excited to share with you in this review.
https://schoolhouseteachers.com/dap/a/?a=1038
About this product: 
SchoolhouseTeachers.com is an online website created and presented by The Old Schoolhouse Magazine.  For this review, we were given access to the Yearly Membership available at SchoolhouseTeacher.com.  This website provides studies in various subjects and grade levels, planning materials, helps to evaluate student progress, document learning and also celebrate achievements students receive.  SchoolhouseTeachers.com helps to make learning easy.

When you join SchoolhouseTeachers.com you gain access to some pretty great materials which vary for grade level or topic.  You also gain access to some of the greatest educational minds you can find through the courses provided through the website.  Great educators like Amy Puetz Fox, Jan May, Cheri Blomquist, Brenda Ellis, Jan Bower, Diana Waring, Lisa Barthuly and so many, many more!
https://schoolhouseteachers.com/dap/a/?a=1038
When you join, you also gain access to the Schoolhouse Planners, which are my personal favorites for planning our homeschooling days.  You don’t just get access to one planner though but to ALL the planners The Old School House has available:
Hey, Mama! Schoolhouse Planner
Schoolhouse Planner
Special Learners Schoolhouse Planner
Primary Schoolhouse Planner
Intermediate Schoolhouse Planner
High School Schoolhouse Planner
Each of these are unique in their own ways and a great way to plan your year.  These planners are updated yearly and currently SchoolhouseTeachers.com has the 2016-2017 versions available on site.
Not only do you get the Schoolhouse Planners but you also gain access to additional tools like the Custom Builder for planning, Ready-made Calendars, and Printable Info Charts which I must say are pretty amazing, filled with great information for various subjects you may be working on in your homeschooling.
Even more about the product:
As you’ve probably figured out by now, this is a pretty extensive website providing access to many great things that can definitely benefit your homeschooling and I’ve only just begun to touch on what’s available through a SchoolhouseTeachers.com membership.  Many of the lessons also include videos, access to books needed for the courses, extra media and even tutorials on how to use the website, as well as some of the products available.
Bonus content is also included like access to the World Book eBook Library which contains more titles than I can begin to count for you!  This is a seriously amazing resource that can be used along with the available courses on SchoolhouseTeachers.com or alone as you wish.  I was really excited to see access to this wonderful library added to the website as I find it really helpful when I need a quick book on a subject we are studying.
There are also many great resources available for Focused Learning Centers, High School Help, Special Needs (a go-to I find myself using often), Literacy Center, access to the Schoolhouse Expos (always encouraging!) and so much more.  SchoolhouseTeachers.com looks out for those days when we struggle as well providing encouragement materials in their Just for Parents section, a Monthly Menu to help plan daily meals, and even Help Charts and Certificates for boosting learning achievement.
There is so much more to this website than just meets the eye.  There is a lot of heart behind it and encouragement for learning.  So many things coming together with some great people to provide a place for solid, educational learning experience.
How We Use This Website In Our Home:
As I’ve already mentioned one of my absolute FAVORITE parts of SchoolhouseTeachers.com is the Planners section.  I’ve used these planners for many, many years now.  Originally, these planners were sold separately through the Old Schoolhouse Magazine but with SchoolhouseTeachers.com you are given access to ALL of the planners which I mentioned above.  I like to take my favorite pages from t these and print them individually then place them into a binder so that they provide us with the best planner for our homeschooling needs.  Just that makes the price of SchoolhouseTeachers.com worth it to me!  But more than that, I use many of the various courses throughout the year for our homeschooling needs.
Now I must admit right now that I honestly found the old SchoolhouseTeachers.com website a little bit hard to utilize.  It confused me and I struggled with using it which is rare for me since I’ve fairly tech savvy.  But the whole new site SchoolhouseTeachers.com has just released has completely changed my feelings on that!
I AM IN LOVE WITH SCHOOLHOUSETEACHERS.COM!
The new version of SchoolhouseTeachers.com works almost flawlessly.  I honestly haven’t had a single issue with glitches or slowness from the website since the changes have been made.  I love the new format, allowing easier access to finding the grade level and courses you may be interested in for your students.
I have four students of various ages and I personally try to combine as much of our studies as I can so it’s less work for all of us.  SchoolhouseTeachers.com makes that easy to do by providing course studies by topic.  You can also use the search option provided on the website to search for the topic you may be looking for as well.
Now sometimes, I also need to find particular subjects for my children’s grade level, like for Jack who is Preschool age.  To do that, I simply use the Browse By Grade option found in the top bar of the website.  SchoolhouseTeachers.com has a great Preschool Playground which we have utilized over the past few weeks of learning.  The Preschool Playground covers topics for Bible, Manners, Motor Skills, etc.  All those essential topics for Jack’s age of learning.
A Few More Details:
Now being a Special Needs Momma of four, I love when I find great resources that help our homeschooling on a website and I try to make mention of these sections when I can for my fellow Special Needs Mommas.  SchoolhouseTeachers.com has a wonderful place just for us Momma’s of Special Needs children which can be found in the main bar under the Resources tab.
The Special Needs section gives us access to a wonderful program provided by Judi Munday, an educational consultant.  This is a 19 part program which covers a multitude of special needs information to help us better understand our precious children and their personal needs.  This is a wonderful resource to have access to.
There’s also a section discussing learning styles which will help you pinpoint your child’s style.  This can help greatly when we are trying to figure out how to homeschool our sweet children and when what we thought would work isn’t working at all.  There’s some really helpful information provided in this article.
Another favorite of mine is Homeschooling Through The Tough Spots.  Lord knows, I’ve personally experienced many of those and I’m sure many of my readers have as well! Nancy Feliccia helps us find our way through these rough areas of life and helps us to get back on track with her wonderfully, written articles on the subject.  This one was a home hitter for me!
And I was thrilled to find my dear, dear friend Heather Laurie mentioned in this section with Matthew Newell and Diane Craft under the topic, Homeschooling Your Extra-Special Blessing.  Heather has been a wonderful mentor for me through this homeschooling journey, dealing with special needs and just making it through our day to day lessons.  The webinars included within this section were really an inspiring blessing to me.
Wrapping It Up:
There is just so much to the SchoolhouseTeachers.com website.  I’ve honestly just scratched the surface.  So many wonderful people have been brought together for this site that I could write and write for days about it’s many great details.  And the added bonus is that all these materials, great minds, easy to use and thorough lessons are provided all on this one website.  SchoolhouseTeachers.com gets better every year and I’m honestly honored to be able to share it with you as well.
How To Join:
Joining SchoolhouseTeachers.com is easy to do.  Simply visit SchoolhouseTeachers.com and choose which option best fits you.
I have a Yearly Membership which usually runs for $139 a year with a 10% discount included.  From now until January 15, you can use the code CHRISTMASYEAR to pay only $90 for this year on the Yearly Membership.
There is also a Monthly Membership available which costs $12.95 a month if this option better fits your family.  From now until January 15, you can use the code CHRISTMAS to pay only $9.95 a month.
Both these memberships give you access to everything provided at SchoolhouseTeachers.com and includes access for all members of your household which is a wonderful deal, in my opinion.
There are also additional discounts for HSLDA members, Civil Servants, Co-op groups and a few others so please check for those before purchasing your membership.
Additionally, there is a One Month Trial offer always available which costs $1 to try out the website if you’re not sure whether you’re ready to commit just yet.  This deal is for First Time members ONLY and will not work if you’ve already registered with SchoolhouseTeachers.com in the past.
And don’t worry.  I know this post shares a lot of information about this website but when you join there is a Start Here tab on the menu which will help you find your way around the website.  It’s very easy to use and a great way to learn your way around.
Places You Can Find This Vendor Online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SchoolhouseTeachers/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOSMag
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tosmag
Google+: https://plus.google.com/118111005169451277551/posts

You Can Read More Reviews Of This Vendor At:



High-quality, Self-paced, Online Homeschool Resources {SchoolhouseTeachers.com}


Disclaimer:

Crew Disclaimer

Filed Under: 2017, crew review, educational website, elementary, high school, homeschool, homeschool planners, middle school, online classes, parent support, schoolhouse, schoolhouseteachers.com, Special Needs

It’s the Simple Things {Epilepsy Awareness}

November 11, 2013 by Dana

It’s the little things you take for granted daily when you have a child that has no disorder.  The every day things for a normal child can be a sign of something more for a child who has a disorder.  The simplest things that the every day parent takes for granted mean the world to a Momma like me.
As an Epilepsy Momma, I can’t allow my children to go beyond my reach for long without worrying about a seizure in one of my children.  I cannot allow my children to become upset and discipline isn’t an option either as spanking or even the simplest time out can lead to a seizure.  Playing outside becomes a concern because heat and even cold can exhaust a child, make them sick and both of those things may lead to a seizure.

As an Epilepsy Momma, I’ve come to appreciate the nights when we are up late as time to love and snuggle but I also know how extremely important it is for my babies to sleep as much as possible on a schedule to keep this monster in control.  I’ve learned to enjoy play but keep it calm and relaxing, or change the pace as needed in a day.  I’ve learned to limit activities to things that don’t contain flashing lights, or long periods of extreme action as these often lead to seizures for my children.

As an Epilepsy Momma, I’m unable to leave my child with just anyone.  I cannot allow the neighbor to take my children for an hour or two.  I must make sure my family and friends know my child’s disorder, know what action to take if a seizure happens, know how to administer emergency medications just in case.  Honestly, it’s simply easier not to even leave my child because of all of these things.  
Because of this, I am often called overprotective and overbearing of my children by the “normal” Mom’s.  Those who have special needs children know that I’m not overprotective, I’m simply a Mom of a child with a disorder.  
And this is the life we live.  These simple things, things that are daily taken for granted are things that affect our daily lives.  I am an Epilepsy Momma.

Filed Under: 2013, awareness, Children with Epilepsy, disorder, Epilepsy, Epilepsy Awareness, Epilepsy Mom, living with epilepsy, normal kids, Special Needs

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