Tuesday, July 26, 2011

The Road Not Taken







The Road Not Taken
by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

This is my older daughter's favorite poem.  I can see why.  Our family has also traveled (several) paths not taken by most.  From the adoption (via foster care) of our four youngest children, to both my husband and I home raising our children, and now with our decision to homeschool our younger children.  I believe everyone should decide for themselves what is the best for them and not live in fear of what other people may think.  We only have one life to live and we should make the most of it.

Parenting Children with Health Issues

Friday, September 9, 2011
8:30am - 4:30pm
Sutter Medical Plaza - 1625 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento CA  95816

Guest Speakers:  
Dr. Foster Cline, Child Psychiatrist and Co-founder of the Love and Logic Institute, will address handling refusals to take medication, strategies for preventing arguments and avoiding power struggles, promoting responsibility without nagging or lecturing and enabling children to make good self care decisions.   
Lisa Greene, Co-author of Parenting Children with Health Issues is a parent of two children with cystic fibrosis who will speak on her professional and personal experience with this topic.  

Class is open to parents, caregivers and clinicians working with children with chronic health issues. 
Breakfast, lunch and class materials are included.
Sponsored by Sutter Health and Electromed.  
Register at: comptong@sutterhealth.org, or call (916) 733-7013.
Registration fee $20.00

Friday, July 22, 2011

"Event-full" Week


We had a very busy week with many first-time events. Last weekend we rode the train through Old Sacramento. We were easy to spot because our little ones were sporting their noise-reducing headphones. Only one of the children didn't feel too well by the end of ride from all of the movement.




Then my hubby had a fun outing with 2 of our children playing miniature golf. And of course, they couldn't leave without driving the go-carts.




After church on Sunday we braved eating out (yes, INSIDE a restaurant). I just may be too embarrassed to return because of the considerable mess we left behind.

Tuesday we hosted a potluck dinner for our Adoption Support Group families. Normally it is only the parents in attendance, but we thought it would be a good idea for the children to form relationships as well.




We'd been waiting (& counting down the days) all month as I had it marked on the calendar...July 21st, "State Fair". This was an outing I was actually dreading. The kids surprised me though!






We learned fire safety from Smokey the Bear. The "Big Bug" exhibit, although awesome, was too overwhelming for the little ones so we just kept moving. I would say the livestock area was the family favorite. Goats, cows, and pigs in various stages of gestation.





All of the children enjoyed some rides as well. It's not say we didn't have any meltdowns, but it was manageable and we didn't push our luck. I actually think the children could have outlasted me!

     

Saturday, July 16, 2011

The first step

Well, I have been saying "someday" I would start a blog.  You guessed it!  Today I took the first step.  I have to start small.  So, for now, I have a name.  Diverging Lives.  Why did I choose that name?  The definitions of diverging are: 1. to move, lie, or extend in different directions from a common point; branch off.  2. to differ in opinion, character, form, etc.; deviate.  4. to turn aside or deviate, as from a path, practice, or plan.
Well, in a nutshell, that pretty much describes our lives.  This year we decided to home school our younger children, who are adopted and have varying special needs.  It seems like we do everything "off the beaten path", but that's okay with me.

Homeschool Helps: Equivalent Fractions FREEBIE

 I know it has been a while since I have posted. Life is crazy, as usual. We are back to homeschooling two of our children this year. Becaus...