I'm using Words Their Way with All About Spelling and it is really helping my son who has difficulties in spelling. I have the main book and the companion books as well. The companion books make it much easier to implement.

No advice. Just :grouphug:. I get PVC's and sinus tachycardia, and they drive me crazy. Its somewhat different from SVT in that I have what feels like skipped beats, which are actually just extra beats and usually is accompanied by tachycardia. I have had numerous cardiology work ups and they tell me everything is fine. I started having them after I had my daughter a few years ago. I can't imagine dealing with SVT at such a young age. When I first started having my issues, I thought I was having a heart attack and went to the ER. I'm on Toprol XL and it works pretty well for me. If I have an episode, it is usually because I forgot to take my meds. My cardiologist says that I just have "a very irritable heart". I hope they find something that will help your son. There are many medications that can help SVT. The first two I tried (atenolol and bystolic) were not helpful. Has the cardiologist offered any other meds? He might be limited in the medications he can take b/c of his age.

I am using AAS with my four boys right now. I agree with setting a timer. We love it. I like the hands on aspect and the interaction I get with each child. It really gives me a feel for how they are progressing.

I sometimes think if he was in a wheel chair everyone would accomodate him.. but since his disability is hidden it is easier to walk away from him than accomodate. I understand exactly how this feels. My children aren't sick or have allergies, but I do. I have Lupus for 5 years now. I can't handle UV rays...to include fluorescent lighting...much less the sun. I stay sick, but because people don't necessarily see it they don't understand. They think I'm overreacting or just being stuck up because I don't come to park days and such. I have six children and am exhausted...people don't get it because I don't "look" sick to them. Its very frustrating. I'm sorry you are going through this. I can't imagine having to deal with something like that with one of my children. You have to do what you have to do to product your son whether it inconveniences others or not. I think its pretty inconsiderate that others make such a big deal about not eating something...one day a week. I think the lying and phoniness is what would have really upset me. I'd rather someone say, "Sorry, I can't accommodate your kid's allergies", then to start another homeschooling group and purposefully exclude me and my child. Who knows why people do things though. You never can tell why people make the decisions they make. Maybe they thought they were doing your a favor. It still stinks no matter what.

I had a similar problem. I was having severe bone pain and it turned out my Vitamin D level was 8...which is very low. I have lupus and have to avoid the sun like the plague. Since the sunlight helps the body create vitamin D...that's probably why your doctor wants you to taper the dose down in the summer. When I had my levels rechecked a few weeks ago it was 24. My doctor said they want to see numbers over 25, but I've heard conflicting information about what a "normal" vitamin D level. My rheumatologist wants to see levels of at least 50. HTH,

We do Rightstart with Math Mammoth blue series. I can finally say that we found our math niche and won't be changing. The combination is great. Good luck deciding!

My sister and I have both endured 14 pounds of twins. She barely has stretch marks, but I on the other hand am a completely different story. They start at the pelvis and go almost all the way up to my books. We were both pretty small....I don't know how she avoided them. :glare: Anyway, you have what we refer to as "twin skin". I really want another baby otherwise.....I'd would consider getting one as well b/c my stomach looks like the saggy, baggy elephant.

I despise that Durham schools go from 9 - 3:30....mine didn't get off the bus until almost 5 p.m. I hated it. I also have one with trouble learning to read.......his teacher told me I was "incapable and unqualified" to teach my now 9-year-old son to read. Well so was she after trying for a year. I, on the other hand, have made leaps and bounds with him. He has learned to read phonetically....which his teacher also said he would never be able to do, and is doing much better. He still isn't up to grade level yet, but he is doing much better in all subjects, and is showing interest in books and school in general. He used to cry every morning and hated school. Now he is excited. Good luck in decision making....I know its tough. Andrea

I totally understand how you feel. My boys went to public school until we moved to Durham, NC. They attended for about two weeks before I couldn't take anymore. They would get on the bus @ 7:45 and wouldn't get off the bus until 4:50. Once you tacked in homework, I was more stressed out than when we were homeschooling. It was ridiculous. I have one with special needs issues as well. He has dyslexia and learning delays and he was denied service b/c his issues weren't "bad enough". It was a very frustrating process. I hope you find peace with your decision either way. I know its difficult. :grouphug:

Thanks for the info!

Hi, I hope this is okay to do. We are in the process of moving and I'm trying to clear out a ton of stuff. I'd like to be able to pass along some of the materials I have to those who are in need. I have materials from grades k - 5. If you are looking for items for your homeschool and are going through financial trouble, please email me and hopefully I'll have something that will help you out. Thanks! Andrea

Its been awhile since we used VP First Favorites. I think it kind of depends on what you meaning by reading program. Do you want something light? Do you want somethat that works on comprehension, etc? It will have the story to read and corresponding copywork and a little craft or something. It is very light and my boys liked it. If you are looking for something similar to this, I like LLATL Blue and Red. Many people find it light, but I really like it for this age. I would just supplement with a phonics program, but you are already doing that. As far as FIAR, it is a very good program. I didn't enjoy it as much because it just didn't feel cohesive to me and my boys didn't like reading the books five days in row. We usually made it about three days and then they were over it. I know many really love it though. The booklist is very good though, whether you like the program or not. I hope that helped some.

That's pretty rude. I would be upset, too. To be honest, I was one of those women with that assumption about men myself. However, I have dealt with the my husband's lack of "tea" issue, too. It usually is when he is particularly stressed at work. Maybe she is just not educated and misinformed about it. Regardless, I would never blurt out in a middle of a group that I thought someone's husband was cheating. That's rude and embarassing for everyone involved. I hope that you are able to find other's that can sympathize with your situation b/c I know it can be tough sometimes.

I am pretty sure your friend is right, but I can't find it in writing. So your best bet would be TMO. Something else to consider is that you can get an extension on your home of selection move for up to five years from the retirement date. You have to submit a letter to TMO 60 days before the one year mark and annually thereafter with the reason for the extension. (The reason we were waiting was for my husband to find a job in the area we wished to move.) I have filed for two extensions with no problem. I was medically retired in October 2008 and we are just now using our home of selection move next month. Just thought I'd let you know in case you are looking for more time to decide.

If your husband is retiring and he receives a 50% or higher rating from the VA, he will qualify for concurrent receipt. Basically this means his retirement pay won't be offset by what he receives from the VA. I was medically retired after 8 years in the Army. I have 80% disability from the Army and from the VA. My Army retirement is offset by what I receive from the VA b/c I don't qualify for concurrent receipt. You must have at least 20 years to qualify for concurrent receipt and I'm assuming your husband has that if he is retiring. Here's an example: E-6 retirement after 20 years: 50% of base pay = $1766.50 VA disability rating of 50%: $845 (This is with a veteran and spouse only. You will receive slightly more for your children, depending on how many you have. So you would be able to keep both of these amounts. $1766.50 + $845 = $2611.50 (Plus the money from the VA is non-taxable.) These are just rough calculations as the military uses their own formulas to figure out exact amounts. However, if you don't receive at least a 50% rating from the VA, then your retirement check would be offset by what the VA pays. So you would receive what the VA pays as non-taxable, but you would only receive the total of your retirement check and no extra. I hope that makes sense. Let me know if you have any questions. The VA system is a pain to navigate. Good luck!

I was wondering why you prefer Sky Mountain over CAVA. What are the advantages/disadvantages to both? Is there a waiting list for Sky Mountain? Thanks!

Thank you so much for explaining what a psp. I appreciate all the information. We have been looking at our options and I'm thrilled there are so many options available to us. Any additional info would be great!

Wow...thanks for all the info. I'm wondering what is a psp? The Huckleberry Learning Center looks great. You said the classes are free if you are enrolled in a charter.....would that include CAVA? We are possibly looking into enrolling in K12, but haven't decided for sure. Thanks so much! Andrea

Bumpity Bump

Hi! We are relocating to the Santa Clarita area in March. We lived there many years ago, but it was when the children were babies so we weren't homeschooling. What info do you guys have on Homeschool groups? This is my main concern as we are leaving a wonderful group in Raleigh and I would love to get the kids plugged in as soon as possible. Thanks!

I have taken Cymbalta for Fibromyalgia. It did help for the first few months and then didn't help at all. I'm not sure why, but my rheumatologist did say that she has had that problem with several of her patients. Its hard for me to give you an objective opinion on the Cymbalta b/c I take an array of other medications because I have several autoimmune diseases as well. What has honestly worked the best for me in regards to chronic pain is exercise. Elliptical every morning....even when it hurts like heck. It usually helps, if I can make myself do it when I first wake up. Hope this helps.

Interesting topic. I graduated high school in 2000 and learned to type with 2 spaces. I like how two spaces looks and find it easier to read that way. I will not change to one space. EVER, lol. Its interesting that there is such a disparity in what is used when everyone learned to type in the span of numerous decades.

While I do agree with the article to some extent. I don't feel that it truly reflects the military as a whole. I was medically evacuated out of theater (Iraq) in June of 2006. I had an array of issues. Lupus, fibromyalgia, TBI, and depression.....all which became symptomatic around the same time. While I can attest that the medical care I received while I was actually in Iraq was very bad. I was accused of faking pain to get out of patrols. It was ridiculous. When they finally figured out what was wrong with me I was medically evacuated. I spent a little over 2 years at Fort Bragg receiving care for all of the above. I never had a problem attaining care. I had an occupational therapist, shrink, regular doctor, rheumatologist, nephrologist....etc. I also watched others that were very well taken care of there as well. TBI is something that is relatively new for the military and while I'm sure there are some that are not getting the necessary treatment....there are also many that are. I was medically retired in October of 2008. So don't necessarily think that this is true for the military as a whole because I can personally attest that it is not.

We have the Rightstart games and really like them. My boys especially enjoy the games from Giggle Learn. They have a different game for mastering the addition and subtraction facts.

Nevermind