My dh is a mandolin player and builder. He uses mandofool on the bluegrass board he frequents, as he is a fool for the mandolin. So I am mandowife in appreciation for the mandolin. Although at another board someone read it as man do wife and thought it was a reference to caveman pulling my hair or something.

Saying prayers for Julie and her family.

Our third dd is Naomi! She is Naomi Rachel... So of course I voted for Naomi.

I must be raising a giant!!! My youngest boy was 9 in Nov. He is almost 5 feet tall and weighs 110 lbs!! He wears a size 8 shoe in mens!! He is a little chubby, but not fat at all. I am 5'11" and dh is 6'0.... My 26 year old son is 6'1, my dd's, all four of them are 5'6". The dr predicts that Jack (my 9 year old) may top out at 6"5 or taller!

They have read WTM, but yet they can't define it? That is exactly what my dh and I are thinking. But I don't want to just jump to that conclusion, which is why I posted here in case there was something I was missing. I would rather they tell me that I am a horrible teacher or that I offended someone or something....you know. We are requesting a meeting with the board and may end up with a meeting with our pastor if it isn't resolved.

Praise God!!! I will continue to pray for a quick and full recovery.

So glad everyone is ok.

Hi everyone, I don't post here much, but could really use your opinions here. I hope this doesn't get too long and I hope that it is clear enough to read, as this is very difficult for me, but I don't want to ramble. You see, I got fired Wednesday (not going to renew my contract, same thing, IMHO) from the classical school that I teach at. The reason, some parents have complained to the board that you are not "classical enough". When I asked what that meant, the principal said, she couldn't define classical or tell me how to be classical, but they just knew I wasn't it. So I'm trying to figure out, if that is indeed the case, or if it was just an excuse and the real reason is personal. Background: I teach World History, American HIstory, American Gov't and Economics. I use the Notgrass curriculum...their suggestion. We only do the history part in my class. I work with the Lit teacher every week to assign writing assignments, projects, etc. Last year was my first year teaching there. I came in at the last minute because the teacher they had hired moved suddenly to SD. The teacher before that quit. I have read the WTM book, seen SWB speak, read these and the high school forums every day (ok, not all of these pertain to how to educate and what it looks like, but it is fun) I assign a unit to read each week, along with the primary sources to read. They have a writing assignment, usually an opinion piece, or to defend on view over another, etc. They also have to do a current event each week. Sometimes they have comprehension questions. I make them take notes on their reading. Most of my students haven't been classically educated their whole school career, so I try to bring them along with extra help. MOst of the 90 minutes spent in class (one day a week) is spent reviewing the material and me asking them questions about the reading. The questions are a mix of facts (Who shot the first shot in the American Revolution) but they are always followed up by thought questions, such as, What might have happened if that snowball had never been thrown at the Brittish soldier. We also answer questions like "Was the American Revolution a biblical war according to Rom. 13?" I know I'm not perfect, but NEVER did anyone come to me to say what I might be doing wrong, or how to correct what I was doing, etc. Just praise before this. NO parent or board member has ever sat in my classroom. I was told at this meeting that the students love me. That I am great at what I do, but I'm just not classical. (when asked to define that again, she couldn't)..She even said that she was sure that I could do classical if they could tell me what that looked like, but they didn't have time. Sorry this is so long......I"m just really trying to wrap my brain around what happened. I go to church with most of these people and had no clue that this was coming. So please, if you can, define what classical is, how that looks in a classroom that meets once a week for 90 min. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much Donna This is a Veritas school if that helps.

I don't have time to read all the responses (got about page 5) but wanted to first offer hugs and second to share my experience. My father asked my mother for a divorce 16 years ago. (they had been married 35 years at the time) Mom was devastated. We suspect there was another woman but didn't focus on that. Instead, my sister, brother and I went to meet with our dad. We told him that we loved him and always would. But we made it clear that things would be different. He wouldn't get every holiday with his grand kids or vacations now spent with them would have to be divided etc. We just made it clear what life would look like regarding his children and grandchildren. No malice, just facts. We also told him that we were disappointed in how he was treating our mother. And while we recognized that she could be difficult, she was still our mother and we felt she deserved a husband that was willing to fight for their marriage. Long story short.... After a lot of work, their marriage is better now than it has ever been. I know that isn't how most end up, but dad said us talking to him was what made him decide to fight for his marriage (and give up the other woman, we found out later). We said what we did in love and were not afraid and it made a difference. I'll be praying for you and your parents(((hugs)))

I'm the wife of a mandolin player/builder!

I was 10 and waiting in line to get my ears pierced. My sister went first. I passed out cold!! I still get teased about that! I've fainted a few times over the years due to similar stresses. I hope that is all that it is for your dd

Ditto, only I'm in GA

My dh loves that show!! I pretend to not like it.... But don't tell anyone. I also like deadliest catch!

My parents live there right on the beach about half mile from the navy base! The naval museum is a must see and it's free! Also, the Blue Angels practice on Tues and Wednesday's during the season, and that is free. Fort pickins is also a good trip and educational to boot! The most haunted lighthouse in America is also there but I think it is a little pricey. Of course you have the beaches, but it may be too cold for that. If I think of anything else, I'll come back

I would assume that if a full veal was done, then the WISC as well as an achievement test would have been done. I would also suspect that some form of behavior checklists (Vineland, A parent teacher checklist etc) would be done because of the Aspergers diagnosis. )

The WISC IV is an intelligence test. It measures a hypothetical potential. An achievement test such as the Woodcock Johnson would be a test that would give a better idea of where the student was actually performing. Also, grade levels don't mean much on those tests at least not to the lay person. Without going into to much technical stuff , basically scoring on a 8 grade level means that most 8 graders could complete that, not hat it was 8th grade material. I really wish hey would leave that off the test results. You want to look for the standard score, it is a better indicator of abiliy. I would be glad to answer any specific questions about specific scores, etc if you want. I used to do this in a former life. Also, a good psychologist should list several recommendations at the end of her report. Specific... Not just extended time Hth

Congratulations!!!!

I don't like them at all. I think it is even dangerous for a child (or anyone) to believe that because they walked the aisle or said a prayer that they are saved. No where in the Bible does it tell us this. I think it is especially dangerous with children who might be led to walk the aisle because their friends are and they have no real understanding of what that means. Our church does not do alter calls but instead encourages anyone with questions to speak to the pastor or one of the elders. We are a reformed church. I grew up catholic and then briefly attended a baptist church and then a Pentecostal church but didn't really understand salvation and my need for it until I found the reformed church. Of course that was just my experience

What totally heartbreaking news for your family! I will be praying for you all. May God grand you comfort, peace, and understanding during this very difficult time.

I was really hoping he was going to be ok. Such a tragedy for those two little boys! I will be praying for those boys and for all his family and friends.

We are a FIRE church and would meet your requirements, but we are in Ga.

She's right, you need a 504 plan. An IEP would be if your dd needed specialized instruction from a special Ed teacher. That is the main difference between the two. As a person with many allergies, and who nearly died in 8th grade from anaphalatic shock (from a yellow jacket sting), I know how scary it can be. I hope you get the resolution you need with this.

Very Cool!! I play some guitar...enough to keep up with the rest of the family when we're pickin' (iow...enough chords to strum along!) Oldest ds plays guitar Oldest dd plays fiddle DD#2 plays banjo and guitar and fiddle (and sings!) DD#3 plays the stand up bass DD#4 is another fiddle player Youngest ds plays beginner mandolin and guitar Dh plays mostly mandolin, but he can play any of the other instruments mentioned above. He is also a part time luthier and built all of our instruments (except for the baby Taylor guitar that youngest ds plays and my guitar) He mostly likes to build mandolins and has sold about 25 in the last 6 years that he has been doing it!

Hugs. So sorry for your loss.

We have 6, 4 girls and 2 boys. We would have loved to have more, but with 3 miscarriages and my ever "advancing" age, it just isn't possible. We aren't catholic, Mormon, or quiverfull. Just love kids!