Homeschooling with Dysautonomia

Hey everyone. Just thought I'd do a quick update. As you all know I have Dysautonomia. Some of you know I homeschool our children and that the last couple years was VERY difficult having been diagnosed as well having a child school aged. I'll be the first to admit that school was very lax with my oldest for the last couple years, but she has just reached compulsory age anyway, so this year is actually the first she "has" to be schooled. So we are off to a great start. I don't feel great but I'm able to work with the girls and get their school time accomplished. Most everything else has had to take a back burner due to my feeling so sick afterwards, but my girls are first and the most important anyway.
Anyway, they are doing so good! I'm very proud of them. They have very different lives from children who haven't got a sick parent, but they are exceptional little girls despite or because of my illness... who can really say for sure! I do know this.... they are very compassionate and very prayer and God believing little girls because of the life we live! It's amazing watching them grow up, sometimes WAY too fast for my liking, but yet they are growing up knowing and loving God and life around them. I pray that they see that I take no moments for granted and I strive to enjoy every moment available to me... and I do believe they see this because I see it with their own little lives!
We don't have a typical structured school day. Some days we start early and are done by lunch. Some days we eat lunch and then school and are finished by mid afternoon. It just depends on what works for that day. Yet every day has it's routine. They do their chores before school and earn their points to cash in on Eric's payday for their allowance. This is something new and they are doing GREAT with it! Then we eat either breakfast or lunch, depending on the time, followed by school. And they have the rest of the day to pretty much be kids!
That doesn't mean that it is "learning-free" time though. We still do activities they learn from. Gardening is one of our favorites to do together. Working with the animals is another. Both of my girls want to be some form of animal doctor when they grow up. So I think it's important to let them learn the responsibilities of working with animals. When we are working with the garden they are learning so much that can help them in their adult lives as well as current school work with science and math. It's amazing where you can tie in school with every day living!
Anyway, that's pretty much been what's going on life wise. Health wise I am struggling with extreme nausea, headaches, heart rate fluctuations, blood pressure doing it's own thing, sleep is insanely messed up, blurry vision, all over aches, and on and on.... It seems like my body is just in a weird funk and can't pull through it. But God will grant me strength to get through each day and I'll make it! So if I look or sound funny in the meantime, just laugh WITH me about it...lol  Can't go through life without finding humor in what ails us! Until next time, God Bless and keep fighting Dys! Love you guys!

Sleep, Sleep, Sleep

Hey everyone. Sorry for the really long delay in getting a Dys. update posted. I've just had a lot going on lately. But, here I am... finally!
So topic for today is SLEEP! I have been sleeping SO much. Just can't seem to get rested enough. I guess my body finally said, "OK! ENOUGH!!!" and now every chance it gets it sleeps.
Like I said, we've had a LOT going on. I still don't know how I made it through everything other than strength from God! Our church's had a State Convention and our church was on program to lead worship for one of the services. So we had practices for that, but I didn't make it to all of them due to not feeling well. Then my husband had dental surgery so we stayed with his mom for a few days in case he needed a ride back to the Dr. since I can't drive... not to mention he was VERY sick and I don't handle vomiting and things well...lol Then there was the state convention. Then I had a few days to rest up and my family from S. Ga drove up and stayed from Sun. through Thurs. And I've pretty much been sleeping since they left. Not always restful sleep, but sometimes sleeping so deep no one can wake me. Anywho...
Quick shout out to my mom.  Today's my mother's 50th birthday and again, I'm stuck here in B'ham AL unable to travel to be with her on her big day. I miss spending birthdays and other holidays with my family.  But I hope she has an awesome day today! My mother is the best! I love her with all my heart and can't wait for the day when they are able to move closer or something. I really miss them! It's been 9 + years now that I've been living here in Alabama and apart from my family. I love it here though and can never imagine living anywhere else. Good thing is they also love it up here and hope to move in the next few years I think. That would be awesome! Maybe then I can handle the trip well enough to visit them! Anyway, Happy Birthday to you mama.... I love you VERY much! You're the best!
Signing out until next time, Miranda