Wisteria Jane Hummell

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Watch out world…Wisty has arrived. I can’t believe the Wisteria Jane Hummell books are here. This little lady has been living in my head for years, and now she is out in the world making her mark. Wisteria is an amalgamation of all things “kid” and all that is right with this world. She is innocence and truth unleashed.

This sweet child is learning about her surroundings in the best possible way. She is living life, and making mistakes as she goes. Wisty is not afraid to take chances, say what she thinks, and has the magical passion that can only be found in a five-year-old child.

Writing this series has given me the opportunity, and excuse, to really dig into my memories of life as a young girl. I remember my mother taking my siblings and me on walks to the park. On our way we would stop to watch the squirrels jump and dance around the trees. I’m sure the park was fun, but I don’t remember much about playing on the slides, and swinging from monkey bars. I remember those squirrels with their bushy tails flicking in the sun, and thinking how wonderful it would be to live life as a squirrel.

There were several years, about age 2 to 7, where I was convinced that through trial and error I could learn to fly. Unfortunately, my belief in human flight did not pan out. I ended up in the emergency room about half a dozen times with stitches, to different regions of my head, as a result of my need to be airborne. Thankfully, none of my crash landings were life threatening, but they were lessons in gravity and the reality that birds can fly, but little girls can’t. Yes, I had to learn the limits of my powers at a young age, just like Wisty.

Wisty believes all things are possible.

It has been quiet a process bringing this book to life, and I have enjoyed the entire journey. We are getting geared up for book number two right now. Let the countdown begin.

AutismSanta–Michael Miller

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When I was introduced to Michael and his love of giving back to the autism community, I wanted in. Michael’s journey into the world of autism spectrum disorders started at home with his is son, who was diagnosed on the spectrum. As Michael’s young son outgrew his  extensive collection of toy trains and cars, this father decided to share these once treasured items with other children on the spectrum. The initial giving streak started with gently used items, but has grown into a donation program that includes brand new items such as lego sets and ipads.

Over the last couple of years, an army of elves have been recruited to help in this effort. I could not be happier to be a part of this team. Michael will be giving away two signed copies of Wisteria Jane. I hope the children who receive these books know that there truly is a Santa, and he does not work just one day a year. He works year-round and is tireless in his effort to spread joy.

Another Year Of Homeschooling

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Choosing curriculum, each year, proves to be more than a little overwhelming. My first year I made the mistake of walking into a giant homeschooling expo in the Phoenix conference center…by myself. My first mistake, I should have had some backup. By about the third isle of brightly colored books and every conceivable workbook, I was ready to curl up in the fetal position and cry.

My second mistake was going to the expo needing to purchase materials. After wandering around that conference center for five hours, I went ahead and made my decisions. I purchased everything and had it shipped to my home. What I should have done was pay a little extra, and gone to a bookstore for homeschoolers to have the privilege of choosing my materials with the option of returning anything I was less than pleased with.

The expo was filled with books and binders from floor to ceiling, and every single sales person claimed their materials were the best on the market. I could not get a single sales rep to give me one downside to their program. I’m a big fan of companies who are willing to admit to the pitfalls of their products. I tend to be more trusting if there is an acknowledgement of possible buyer’s remorse.

I am only in my fourth year of homeschooling my kids, so I have not had to make these decisions for very long. The first two years I struggled to cut away from public education and opted for an online version of the brick and mortar schooling my children were used to. The second year of online public schooling was torture and we opted out of that insanity. I have kids in every phase of the schooling experience. We have had to find a high school, middle school, and elementary school options for the kids.

 

We are utilizing BJU Press for the following courses for both 6th and 3rd grade.

Heritage Studies

Science

Reading

English

Spelling

Evan-Moor has some wonderful writing and editing course work. We are using their materials for both 6th and 3rd grade for the following courses.

Vocabulary

Writing

Language Fundamentals

Paragraph Editing

I was sad when I heard the public schools were starting to do away with handwriting curriculum. I have two boys, and they both need to practice their handwriting, or they will only be eligible for work positions that require prescription writing. We have done Writing Without Tears for two years. I’ve only cried twice.

Saxon Math is the program of choice in our home for both my 3rd and 6th grader. It has a strong building block methodology. The new material is taught and then tested over and over. I still believe that repetition is the master key to most learning. And Saxon has that down.

We have been reading Story of the World, by Susan Wise Bauer, for the last two years and will continue again this year. She lays out the history of earth from the beginning through modern day. It is a chronological layout of the big and important wars and times of great peace that shaped the world we now live in. I have a feeling the kids are going to want to go back and reread all four books once we get through round one. It is a favorite in our home.

If I could go back and give myself some advice four short years ago, it would be to go to Mardel Book Store, or one of a number of other homeschooling supply stores to make my purchases. Those stores are happy to tell customers what others have said about each program carried by the supplier. They will tell you the good, bad and ugly of each education style. They will also accept returns on items you are not thrilled with—just keep your receipt.

 

 

Autism Support For An Adult

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When a woman finds out she is pregnant, there is a dream that she subscribes to. Each of our dreams are different, but we have them. We hold onto those dreams until something forces us to let go. Some of the families I have the honor to work with are going through the “letting go” process. They are saying goodbye to what they thought would be, and opening the door to a new reality.

One of the struggles parents of children on the autism spectrum face, is finding support services. These services are generally not covered by insurance, incredibly expensive, difficult to get into, and sometimes just plain obsolete. I am currently working with a family whose adult daughter is struggling to find a path that will accommodate her needs and fulfill her dreams.

The first step we are taking is to look into the state run programs. Those programs can be difficult to get into, and often times financial support is based upon the income of the family. In this case, the adult child is old enough to no longer be considered a dependent, and therefore may receive some services that she would not have ten years ago. At a bare minimum, these state programs provide support staff who know their stuff. They know the laws and are able to direct families towards seeking fair treatment in educational settings, job placement, and all other aspects of life. Sometimes it’s just nice to know that someone is there and willing to hold your hand and walk you through the tough moments.

The next step is to ask the experts we are working with to give referrals for different programs in the area. I am new to the state I live in, and so I am always looking for success stories involving any local service providers. We were lucky enough to find that the local community college has just adopted a program specifically for individuals who struggle with the issues found within an autism diagnosis. This program provides great support for their students. Everything within the academic program nurtures the strengths, and supports the weaknesses that each student brings to the table.

We are currently looking for an assisted group living scenario. I am hoping to find an option for the family, as they are truly hoping to see their daughter live independently and successfully. This is definitely not the case for all families. Many want to keep their loved ones in the home. In this particular situation, the adult child is a very high functioning individual and could successfully live on her own with the proper support systems in place.

We are also looking for support systems for the family as they go through this transition. I don’t want them to make rash decisions as they watch their daughter and sister struggle to find her way as an independent adult. It is hard to step back and allow your child to face challenges without stepping in to lighten the load. But it is incredibly important that the family has a professional on their side to talk out their fears, joys, and any future needs they will face.

I will update this post as we get this sweet family on the path they are seeking.

 

The top three places to start a search for support services:

  1. Vocational Rehabilitation: this is generally a government funded program with individuals who have fabulous training and are prepared to provide extensive support for anyone who is looking for work and has a documented disability.
  2. Community Colleges: Contact the disability resource center of your local community college and ask to speak with the director. These folks are very aware of what resources are available within the community.
  3. Google local support groups for the issue you are looking to address. The absolute best place to find good information is from others who are working through similar issues.

Enter To Win

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I’m incredibly excited to be giving away three books over the next two weeks. Leave a message here to be entered in the drawing, and I will contact the winners through email. Entry deadline is June 30th and winners will be announced July 10th.

Autism Resources

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I was recently asked to teach a class on Autism at the Frisco Library. I can’t even begin to put into words how excited I was to teach on a subject I am so passionate about. I was asked about six months in advance to go ahead and prepare for the presentation, and it was an amazing learning experience.

I chose the subject “Resources Available to Families Impacted by Autism.” I had learned the systems out in Arizona, where I got my M.Ed., so I was excited to learn as much as I could about the Texas options. Parents of children on the autism spectrum often times know these systems quite well by the time their child has reached the five year “post diagnosis” mark. But those first five years are an absolute struggle to learn the system and begin to understand what resources are available to the family and child.

In Texas, there are two lists any family wants to jump on immediately. If you suspect your child may be on the spectrum or that your child may have a significant delay, the first place you want to go is to the Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) program in your area. In Frisco Texas, where I taught the class, that program is Lifepath Systems. These are the people who deal with all ECI cases, or birth to 3 years of age. The second list is the Department of Assistive Rehabilitative Services or DARS.  You can read more about this program at http://www.dars.state.tx.us,and should make any inquiries at 1-800-628-5115.

The first step a parent must take is to call the referral line and fill out the paperwork to refer their child to the Lifepath Systems. You can find more information on Lifepath at www.lifepathsystems.org, and should contact an eligibility specialist at 972-727-9133. By law, the intake, screening, evaluation and assessment must be done, and your individualized family service plan meeting must be held within a 45 day timeframe from the date of your referral. Delivery of services must begin within 28 days of that service plan meeting, and then you can expect a review of services and every six months. The child is then discharged from the ECI program by the age of three.

DARS has a special program just for autism that was launched in 2008 and is up for review August of 2015. They offer services for kids ages 3 to 15 who are on the autism spectrum. If you qualify for the program, the services include Applied Behavioral Analysis or ABA training. The entire family will be involved in this process, as consistency is key to long-term success.

The next step is to get your child into the early childhood school in your area. FISD has a fantastic school for kids who are receiving services from Lifepath Systems. That program only lasts to the age of five, and then your child will move into the public school system where services are provided by the ISD that you are a part of. FISD has a bunch of services that they have worked hard to develop. Along with the standard support the child receives, FISD has created some amazing family programs. Their programs include parent in-home training, sibshops, and even a resource room designed just for the parents of these special kiddos. This room is equipped with books on all sorts of methods for dealing with issues associated with developmental delays, behavioral disorders and just about anything else parents may have questions about.

Once the child exits the public school system, the next step is DARS. This is the government program that was put in place to meet the needs of adults who have documented disabilities. These disabilities range from head trauma injuries to emotional disabilities, and they cover everything in between. DARS will provide the client with a specialist who will guide the family and the individual through the process of finding ways to help that individual live a productive and fulfilling life. Their support options include financial support for secondary education, training in a trade, employment support services, and support for day to day living needs. This group may be a part of your child’s life for a long time, and it is important to know what they offer and what your child qualifies for.

I know this is the short explanation of some of the steps that should be taken. These are by no means the only options available to families dealing with autism, but they are starting points for those who feel lost. If you do not live in the Dallas area, you can find the equivalent programs in your area by googling “government resources for individuals with disabilities.” Then search out the programs based on the age of your child and on their individual needs. There are a lot of resources available, but not nearly as many as we need. Find what works for you and your family, and then share what you learn with others. We are all here to support each other.

Best Math Lesson Ever

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Okay, all you math people…please don’t be offended by this statement, but math is boring. Maybe that’s why we are told to count sheep to fall asleep—it’s coma inducing. Apparently this disdain for math is the dominant gene, because I’m married to a banker who got his undergrad in accounting and his master’s in business banking. I’m snoring just thinking about what he does every single day at work. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful he loves numbers. But I obviously passed this horrid, math despising, genetic curse onto all three of my children. On the upside, a love for all things science is also dominant and my children inherited that from yours truly too.

I think part of the trouble, with math, is the way workbook pages and flashcards have taken over. There is nothing exciting about workbook pages…for any subject. But math seems to have gotten the short end of the “fun stick” when it comes to traditional education. Thankfully, homeschooling affords us the time and freedom to take some seriously amazing field trips. Our latest experience actually made math interesting to all four of the math adverse individuals in our family.

My husband, our three kids, and I went to iFly, an indoor skydiving facility, and my children actually had the chance to fly indoors. And yes, this experience turned into an incredible hands-on math lesson. Because my kids love to learn, they ask an enormous number of questions wherever we go. I’m sure some of the other participants were less interested in the air flow pattern to the flight tube and the inherent strength of the mesh flooring, but my kids were intrigued. The instructor was more than willing to spend extra time with my kiddos and explained how four turbine engines, located above the flight tube, suck a tremendous amount of air through a system of chambers that make four sharp 90 degree angle turns, passing over a cooling system, so your flight doesn’t resemble a freefall over the Sahara. The air is then sucked back up through the turbines and starts the process all over.

We learned that even though it feels like the iFly system is “blowing” the flyer upwards, the reality is you are actually “sucked” upwards. It was fun to watch the monitor as it changed the wind speed based on the size of each of my kids. For some reason this whole experience reminded me of the movie “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” when Charlie and his grandfather are floating around and have to burp in order to descend, but that was not the way my kids made their way back to the mesh flooring inside the tube. The whole experience took about an hour and a half. Each of the kids only flew for two minutes, the rest of the time was spent learning about the system and how each little body movement impacts the way your body ascends or descends.

I remember sitting in math classes and wondering how any of the information I was learning would be useful in life outside the classroom. If I would have known that there was potential, within all those numbers, for me to actually fly without wings…I would surely have paid closer attention. I want my kids to have the ability to see how math is used in everyday life. I want them to understand how math is used in finances, construction, and every other aspect of our existence. I want them to be excited to learn about numbers. If they know that each worksheet will take them closer to understanding how to create amazing machines, I’m pretty sure there will be a little less resistance when it is time to do the less exciting math work. I have a long way to go in order to get them prepared to live on their own, but each “aha” moment takes us one step closer to creating a foundation of information that they can draw from as they encounter new experiences.

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Driveway Art

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I recently found some seriously amazing sidewalk chalk paint at Sam’s Club and could hardly wait to get the kids outside. Unfortunately, the weather boasted a high of 34 for a week before we finally hit the low 60s, and I was able to take my “cold weather resistant” children outside.

The three kids took over the driveway and created a “coral reef meets space odyssey” mural.  I think it’s interesting to let kids loose with their imaginations. My only stipulations were that they use all the paint in the little cans, and no “potty humor” painting. As much as I appreciate a good bodily function joke, I don’t think my neighbors would enjoy the presentation of these splayed across my driveway. The kiddos agreed to my rules, and took over.

I let the kids have at it, and watched as they brought our driveway to life. Their little conversations melted my heart. With three kids at home all the time, you would think that there might be a bit more contention. These kids constantly amaze me with the obvious love and respect they show each other. There was sharing, team work, and a final product that really made our driveway come alive. I just noticed there is rain in the forecast for next Thursday. I’m hoping the report is wrong, because I am not ready to say goodbye to my driveway art.

I am seriously considering letting them take their work to one wall in the house. That way I can keep their work displayed come rain or shine, but I need to get my hubby on board first.

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Brian Smith, The UGG Guy

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I love all the different opportunities that come my way, and I am not one to say no to new experiences. This is the second article I have co-authored for the Huffington Post. If you have ever wondered how to manifest your way to your dreams, you ought to read Brian Smith’s new book The Birth of A Brand. This is an amazing book that can help guide you to your desired destination.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/aimee-hedman/manifesting-your-way-to-success_b_6424534.html 

Parenting Three Kiddos

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I am constantly learning how to be a better parent and teacher to my three kiddos. There are days I feel like I’ve totally got this gig down, and then there are those “reality check days” when I am reminded that I have absolutely nothing figured out, and I need to revamp all my strategies.

When I had my first child everything was new and I felt like I was learning all the many tricks to parenting a child. When my second child joined our family, I was sure that all my previous experiences with our oldest had in fact prepared me for the challenge of mothering any child. Oh how wrong I was. The second little boy I brought home from the hospital had completely different needs and totally different expectations of me, as a mother. Thankfully, I was a little more realistic when my daughter was born. And she proved to be yet another completely different individual than her brothers.

I guess parenting three children is a lot like planning a road trip three different times and taking completely different routes to get to that final destination. I am hoping to raise all three of these amazing individuals to be strong adults who will have the ability and the vision to make the world a better place than they found it. But the path to that dream is completely different with each of these little kiddos.

I love the way they challenge my abilities, thinking process, and sometimes my patience. They keep me humble with their understanding of the world and their insights into how others should be treated. Kids come innately pure and kind. I pray that I am able to nurture this natural talent. I want to give them the strongest foundation possible to build their personalities and become solid in the knowledge that they truly are capable of making a great impact on the world around them.