I like to cut and paste, but I'm not a a scrapbook person...ummm at least not yet. Luckily, I get to make bulletin boards that allow me to use glue sticks to my heart's content. Purple, white or blue will do, I am not picky. Here is a few of what I have done.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
What have I been doing...
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I think back over the last twelve years or so to what has brought me to where I am today. The reasons that have contributed to me dropping the best pieces of me along the way. I know ultimately it has been my own fault for not holding on to these things beyond my faith and family that gave me joy, I have to accept my responsibility in this. But when I look back, I think what have I been doing?
I think my answer to that is taking care of my kids. I'm being a mom to two incredible kids who need little extra sometimes. I'm talking about kids with medical issues and a special needs. My daughter was born with a complex congenital heart defect and has 2 stents. She will always need work on her heart, it will be a life long process for her. She was diagnosed while I was 5 months pregnant. My son James is still in the diagnostic process. We know for certain he has Epilepsy, developmental delays and prominent Autistic traits. He works really hard at Speech, OT, PT and social skills. I guess me being diagnosed with Epilepsy 10 months after my son has been a big part of our lives, as well. Even though this may seem overwhelming and at times it can be, I feel like we are doing OK!
I know I will be alright because...
God wanted me to have these children...He knew I needed these children. The children that would help me value the very life He had given us all. I always think of "Punkin Doodle" coming into our lives as a revealing of a part of myself that I never knew I could be, but God knew. Once I knew that loving a child was so boundless, I couldn't wait for my "lil guy", but wait we did. When years later he came along, he was an answered prayer. We prayed so hard for him and although he now faces challenges, I will not complain about this answered prayer of mine because our Heavenly Father will reveal himself once again.
"Love is patience, Love is kind"....love is what we have.
~Kim
I think my answer to that is taking care of my kids. I'm being a mom to two incredible kids who need little extra sometimes. I'm talking about kids with medical issues and a special needs. My daughter was born with a complex congenital heart defect and has 2 stents. She will always need work on her heart, it will be a life long process for her. She was diagnosed while I was 5 months pregnant. My son James is still in the diagnostic process. We know for certain he has Epilepsy, developmental delays and prominent Autistic traits. He works really hard at Speech, OT, PT and social skills. I guess me being diagnosed with Epilepsy 10 months after my son has been a big part of our lives, as well. Even though this may seem overwhelming and at times it can be, I feel like we are doing OK!
I know I will be alright because...
God wanted me to have these children...He knew I needed these children. The children that would help me value the very life He had given us all. I always think of "Punkin Doodle" coming into our lives as a revealing of a part of myself that I never knew I could be, but God knew. Once I knew that loving a child was so boundless, I couldn't wait for my "lil guy", but wait we did. When years later he came along, he was an answered prayer. We prayed so hard for him and although he now faces challenges, I will not complain about this answered prayer of mine because our Heavenly Father will reveal himself once again.
"Love is patience, Love is kind"....love is what we have.
~Kim
Sunday, July 26, 2009
The Best Pieces Project
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The last few months, I have slowly been picking up the best pieces of me I have dropped along the way. I had noticed, like many (dare I say women) I'd lost the little things beyond my faith and family that brought me joy. Just the little things that were about me. Not selfish things but joys that expressed my creative side, joys I used to...enjoy! I know that through the years my focus has been needed elsewhere. God has given me two incredible children and if you ever met them you would totally agree. They just need a little extra in the health care department. More to come on that one. So, action number one on The Best Pieces Project, pick up the blog I started that I loved writing. When I was a kid, I loved to write stories and poems. Now, I love to share helpful ideas about anything, mostly about working with kids and how to help your kids get through the "hard stuff". I love to share how our heavenly Father helps us get through the "hard stuff", too. He is the best piece of me I will never drop along the way.
Pick up my blog I dropped along the way...check!
~Kim
The last few months, I have slowly been picking up the best pieces of me I have dropped along the way. I had noticed, like many (dare I say women) I'd lost the little things beyond my faith and family that brought me joy. Just the little things that were about me. Not selfish things but joys that expressed my creative side, joys I used to...enjoy! I know that through the years my focus has been needed elsewhere. God has given me two incredible children and if you ever met them you would totally agree. They just need a little extra in the health care department. More to come on that one. So, action number one on The Best Pieces Project, pick up the blog I started that I loved writing. When I was a kid, I loved to write stories and poems. Now, I love to share helpful ideas about anything, mostly about working with kids and how to help your kids get through the "hard stuff". I love to share how our heavenly Father helps us get through the "hard stuff", too. He is the best piece of me I will never drop along the way.Pick up my blog I dropped along the way...check!
~Kim
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Dinos + Truck = Safety
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Lil guy and I were in the dough today playing with his favorite thing of the morning - dinosaurs. I began to think about some of the skills we are working on for him, like crossing the street safely, when I thought ... if I bring a truck into the mix, literally, I can have the dinos wait to cross the street until the truck passes by!"
I have a great friend named Lory who has helped me tremendously since my son was very young with his languages delays and many behavioral challenges. She taught me to use a child's strength to teach their weakness. At that moment of play, lil guy was really into his dinos. I used his love of dinos to bring his focus to a skill that he needed to build upon. I also extended his play to incorporate something that I wanted him to build upon. That is how you strike a balance between being child-directed and being able to set goals, make lesson plans for your students and plan activities for your little ones. Go and try it ... it's fun!
Lil guy and I were in the dough today playing with his favorite thing of the morning - dinosaurs. I began to think about some of the skills we are working on for him, like crossing the street safely, when I thought ... if I bring a truck into the mix, literally, I can have the dinos wait to cross the street until the truck passes by!" I have a great friend named Lory who has helped me tremendously since my son was very young with his languages delays and many behavioral challenges. She taught me to use a child's strength to teach their weakness. At that moment of play, lil guy was really into his dinos. I used his love of dinos to bring his focus to a skill that he needed to build upon. I also extended his play to incorporate something that I wanted him to build upon. That is how you strike a balance between being child-directed and being able to set goals, make lesson plans for your students and plan activities for your little ones. Go and try it ... it's fun!"Painting" with Dough
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For me, there are a few people that I think I want to be just like when I grow up! One of those people is MaryAnn Kohl. I was lucky enough to meet her a few years ago during a conference I was a part of for our local NAEYC affiliate, LordFairfax AEYC. She is such a neat lady and I found such inspiration in her as a teacher and a creative person. If you don't know who she is or know much about process art, I encourage you to take a look at my links to find out more. During this conference, she shared with us an idea of using play dough to "paint'. As with all process art, the concept is EASY. You provide an environment for creativity, to allow the children to develop an idea of their own creation.
Provide the children with a variety of colors.
Use poster board or some other sturdy canvas.
Allow the children to smear the dough.
They can use their fingers or tools.
Children can draw in details.
