Christmas is around the bend! Steven and Samuel are so excited. They wonder how Santa will bring presents into our home since we don't have a chimney. We have enjoyed the Christmas concerts and musicals including the Virginia Christmas Spectacular. As you remember, last year we spent the Christmas season in China. So this is really the first memorable holiday for the two boys. Tonight I took the boys shopping to find a present for mom. I wonder how long they can keep their present a secret?
Alicia and Lorelai is planning to visit our home this Christmas season. Again, this will be the first time she has been with us at Christmastime since 2007. There will be a lot of delicious food to prepare for the holidays. One tradition we enjoy is cooking caramels and banana bread. Fudge is also a wonderful treat during this time of year.
Please pray for Steven. He has a small tumor on his cheek that needs tending. Tomorrow he has a CT scan followed by a doctor visit to discuss the options. On the surface it seems like a simple procedure. However, there are many facial nerves and muscles to contend with. Thankfully it doesn't seem to bother him.
I pray you continue to experience the blessing of the Christ of Christmas!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
A week of celebrations
We are celebrating two thanksgivings this year. It's not that unusual for us to do so since my parents are both from Canada and we have celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving with them in October. However this is a special Thanksgiving year for us as we celebrated early with the visit of Alicia and her daughter Lorelai. (See photos) We will be spending our second Thanksgiving on Thursday with Holly's parents at Smith Mountain Lake.
This season I am thankful that God has allowed me to attend Liberty University and gain new teaching skills. Working toward certification and licensure is not an easy process. Under the new legislation, "No Child Left Behind Act", all school systems need to show that their teachers are "highly qualified". Although this term is not clearly defined, the state of Virginia demonstrates teacher skill through testing. Most teachers need to take the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) or the Praxis 1, AND the Praxis 2. Special educators take the Virginia Reading Assessment exam. Students like myself, (those seeking double certification) must take all three exams. On Monday I took the four hour VCLA test. Unofficial reports show that I scored 97% in the Reading subtest while scoring 85% in the Writing subtest. Of course official scores will be mailed to me. In January I will take the VRA (a much harder test) that examines a student's readiness for special education work.
Samuel celebrated his fifth birthday this week. In addition to a party with his family, Sammy is having fun with his new remote controlled car. We have the perfect basement for such toys. Steven can't wait for March when we celebrate his 7th birthday. He never had a party before. I wonder if anyone ever celebrated his birthday. This will also be the first year Steven celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
The close of 2009 also marks the beginnning of an expensive but necessary readoption process for our two sons. Because Steven's official birthdate is inaccurate (by 2 years), we need to legally change the date and go through a readoption. So we will do it with both boys. This way, they will receive an official US birth certificate (which comes in very handy these days).
May your thanksgiving celebration focus your gratefulness upward as you praise God for his great goodness and grace.
This season I am thankful that God has allowed me to attend Liberty University and gain new teaching skills. Working toward certification and licensure is not an easy process. Under the new legislation, "No Child Left Behind Act", all school systems need to show that their teachers are "highly qualified". Although this term is not clearly defined, the state of Virginia demonstrates teacher skill through testing. Most teachers need to take the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) or the Praxis 1, AND the Praxis 2. Special educators take the Virginia Reading Assessment exam. Students like myself, (those seeking double certification) must take all three exams. On Monday I took the four hour VCLA test. Unofficial reports show that I scored 97% in the Reading subtest while scoring 85% in the Writing subtest. Of course official scores will be mailed to me. In January I will take the VRA (a much harder test) that examines a student's readiness for special education work.
Samuel celebrated his fifth birthday this week. In addition to a party with his family, Sammy is having fun with his new remote controlled car. We have the perfect basement for such toys. Steven can't wait for March when we celebrate his 7th birthday. He never had a party before. I wonder if anyone ever celebrated his birthday. This will also be the first year Steven celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
The close of 2009 also marks the beginnning of an expensive but necessary readoption process for our two sons. Because Steven's official birthdate is inaccurate (by 2 years), we need to legally change the date and go through a readoption. So we will do it with both boys. This way, they will receive an official US birth certificate (which comes in very handy these days).
May your thanksgiving celebration focus your gratefulness upward as you praise God for his great goodness and grace.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Congratulations Amy!
Another milestone was reached in the Nauss household. Amy passed her drivers examination and now has her provisional license! Congratulations to our 18 year old daughter. Notice her new braces! Now pray that she will find a job so she can put gas in the car and save money for her own vehicle.
Samuel turns 5 on Tuesday. Alicia will be here with baby to celebrate it. We'll share pictures on our next blog. Yesterday he told Santa Claus that he wants a kids digital camera. (Consequently, Steven said the same thing!) We went to Sam's school yesterday for a class presentation. They dressed as Indians and sang songs. How cute!
Steven has just been approved by the school system to receive occupational therapy. So they wrote up an addendum for his IEP. Whoever wrote it doesn't know a thing about arthrogryposis and has made both lofty and unrealistic goals for Steven's progress. "By 6/4/2010,Steven will improve bilateral coordination and overal proximal stabilty by 50% in order to maximize performance during functional mobility and school related tasks." This progress is measured by observation. How are they going to measure 50% improvement through observation? "BY 6/4/2010, Steven will improve developmental hand skils by 50% in order ot maximize performance during finre motor and graphomotor tasks."Again, this is measured through observation. If they accomplish this feat, they will have reversed Steven's condition! "By 6/4/2010, Steven will improve graphomotor skills by 75% in order to perform within the classroom setting." Again, if this were to occur, Steven would be miraculously cured. Remember that his condition, although non-progressive, he has contractures in his upper and lower extremities. His joints have bone deformities and he lacks physical muscle tissue. There are reasons why he is unable to clap his hands or turn his palms upwards. He is unable to bend his legs. (There is absence of a patella.) However, we will allow the school to work with him because he can benefit from OT and we're thankful that the school really wants to help Steven develop and grow.
They boys have been riding the horses at the therapeudic riding center and are developing good balance and posture. We'll have to take some pictures. Hopefully in the spring, they will learn to trot and begin to rein. This free program for children with special needs is a real blessing, especially for children suffering from Autism. Please pray that Spirithorse will receive a grant to build an indoor riding ring which is so desperately needed.
Holly still has lettuce, swiss chard and spinach in her garden! It's amazing to have fresh produce so late in the season!
Roger has been working part time, very sporadically as a substitute teacher. It has been a very interesting experience. Some of the kids say that he's the best sub; (it could be they are buttering him up or he's too easy with the kids). One kid said, "I learned more from you in one class session than what the teacher taught in a week! More lard I think.
Enjoy our latest photos. Have a blessed Thanksgiving! "O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His mercy endures forever."
Samuel turns 5 on Tuesday. Alicia will be here with baby to celebrate it. We'll share pictures on our next blog. Yesterday he told Santa Claus that he wants a kids digital camera. (Consequently, Steven said the same thing!) We went to Sam's school yesterday for a class presentation. They dressed as Indians and sang songs. How cute!
Steven has just been approved by the school system to receive occupational therapy. So they wrote up an addendum for his IEP. Whoever wrote it doesn't know a thing about arthrogryposis and has made both lofty and unrealistic goals for Steven's progress. "By 6/4/2010,Steven will improve bilateral coordination and overal proximal stabilty by 50% in order to maximize performance during functional mobility and school related tasks." This progress is measured by observation. How are they going to measure 50% improvement through observation? "BY 6/4/2010, Steven will improve developmental hand skils by 50% in order ot maximize performance during finre motor and graphomotor tasks."Again, this is measured through observation. If they accomplish this feat, they will have reversed Steven's condition! "By 6/4/2010, Steven will improve graphomotor skills by 75% in order to perform within the classroom setting." Again, if this were to occur, Steven would be miraculously cured. Remember that his condition, although non-progressive, he has contractures in his upper and lower extremities. His joints have bone deformities and he lacks physical muscle tissue. There are reasons why he is unable to clap his hands or turn his palms upwards. He is unable to bend his legs. (There is absence of a patella.) However, we will allow the school to work with him because he can benefit from OT and we're thankful that the school really wants to help Steven develop and grow.
They boys have been riding the horses at the therapeudic riding center and are developing good balance and posture. We'll have to take some pictures. Hopefully in the spring, they will learn to trot and begin to rein. This free program for children with special needs is a real blessing, especially for children suffering from Autism. Please pray that Spirithorse will receive a grant to build an indoor riding ring which is so desperately needed.
Holly still has lettuce, swiss chard and spinach in her garden! It's amazing to have fresh produce so late in the season!
Roger has been working part time, very sporadically as a substitute teacher. It has been a very interesting experience. Some of the kids say that he's the best sub; (it could be they are buttering him up or he's too easy with the kids). One kid said, "I learned more from you in one class session than what the teacher taught in a week! More lard I think.
Enjoy our latest photos. Have a blessed Thanksgiving! "O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His mercy endures forever."
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Shriner's Checkup
Shriner's Hospital for Children is perhaps the most awesome hospital dedicated for the healing of children with various orthopedic issues. Both Steven and Samuel were seen by the specialists this time.
Steven's visit revealed improvement with his range of motion in his upper extremities. We attribute this to allowing him to be a kid and play outdoors. There has not been any signficant change with his lower limbs. The occupational therapists feel that Steven is doing very well. As far as future prognosis, the doctors believe Steven would benefit from genetic tests to determine his type of arthrogryposis. Then they may be able to plot a more specific plan of action as Steven grows and develops. If his knees bend inward too much, they can insert plates to straighten out his limbs and improve his gait. This does not mean that his knees will bend. In fact, they feel if they perform surgery to release his lower limbs, there may be detrimental results. Steven begins occupational therapy in school very soon. They will help him to perform basic functions of daily life such as button, tie, snap etc... .
Samuel also visited with the doctor. X-rays showed that Samuel has an elbow (this is good), but his radial is detached (not unusual for his condition). They are impressed with Samuel's ability to adapt. He met with a pediatric orthopedist who construct prosthetic devices for children. He believes that Samuel would not benefit from the artificial limbs. However, if Samuel wanted to play a musical instrument, Shriners will construct a special limb to accommodate the instrument. He told us of a man who built a saxophone that could be played with one hand.
On a side note, we're doing our best to keep dry as the hurricane Ida (now a tropical storm) moves up the coast, dropping several inches of rain in its wake. Thank the Lord we are perched on a hilltop and have received very little water in our basement.
Visit our site soon for other family news.
Steven's visit revealed improvement with his range of motion in his upper extremities. We attribute this to allowing him to be a kid and play outdoors. There has not been any signficant change with his lower limbs. The occupational therapists feel that Steven is doing very well. As far as future prognosis, the doctors believe Steven would benefit from genetic tests to determine his type of arthrogryposis. Then they may be able to plot a more specific plan of action as Steven grows and develops. If his knees bend inward too much, they can insert plates to straighten out his limbs and improve his gait. This does not mean that his knees will bend. In fact, they feel if they perform surgery to release his lower limbs, there may be detrimental results. Steven begins occupational therapy in school very soon. They will help him to perform basic functions of daily life such as button, tie, snap etc... .
Samuel also visited with the doctor. X-rays showed that Samuel has an elbow (this is good), but his radial is detached (not unusual for his condition). They are impressed with Samuel's ability to adapt. He met with a pediatric orthopedist who construct prosthetic devices for children. He believes that Samuel would not benefit from the artificial limbs. However, if Samuel wanted to play a musical instrument, Shriners will construct a special limb to accommodate the instrument. He told us of a man who built a saxophone that could be played with one hand.
On a side note, we're doing our best to keep dry as the hurricane Ida (now a tropical storm) moves up the coast, dropping several inches of rain in its wake. Thank the Lord we are perched on a hilltop and have received very little water in our basement.
Visit our site soon for other family news.
Friday, October 9, 2009
They Just Don't Quit!
Here we are well into October and we still have a garden! For those living in this area, that's nothing special but for those who lived most of their lives in the North, this is a miracle! Our pepper plants are still putting out flowers and produce. We have lettuce and peas growing. They just don't quit!
In the Bible we are reminded that we will bear a harvest if we don't give up. That's great encouragement for those of us who are weary from doing good. Keep on fighting the good fight of the faith.
There are many things happening around the homestead these days. Let me share a few things with you.
1. We're down to the final week of classes - major papers and projects need to be submitted. this is all in preparation for the next round of classes. It's never too late to go back to school.
2. The boys are enjoying their school experience. Samuel's class visited an apple orchard and met "Danny Appleseed", Johnny's brother. He looks pretty good for his age! Steven will soon be visiting a pumpkin patch! Dad and mom enjoy going with the kids on these excursions.
3. Roger joined the choir. They are preparing to produce a soundtrack for Lari Goss, premier composer of choir music. It's a lot of work; however it's a great way to meet people.
4. Holly has been working with ladies at MOPS (Mothers of preschoolers).
5 Amy is completing her classes and plans to take two more after that. She has officially been accepted at Liberty.
6. Holly's parents are well. They keep themselves busy. Part of their ministry involves taking care of an elderly relative.
Enjoy the following pictures!
In the Bible we are reminded that we will bear a harvest if we don't give up. That's great encouragement for those of us who are weary from doing good. Keep on fighting the good fight of the faith.
There are many things happening around the homestead these days. Let me share a few things with you.
1. We're down to the final week of classes - major papers and projects need to be submitted. this is all in preparation for the next round of classes. It's never too late to go back to school.
2. The boys are enjoying their school experience. Samuel's class visited an apple orchard and met "Danny Appleseed", Johnny's brother. He looks pretty good for his age! Steven will soon be visiting a pumpkin patch! Dad and mom enjoy going with the kids on these excursions.
3. Roger joined the choir. They are preparing to produce a soundtrack for Lari Goss, premier composer of choir music. It's a lot of work; however it's a great way to meet people.
4. Holly has been working with ladies at MOPS (Mothers of preschoolers).
5 Amy is completing her classes and plans to take two more after that. She has officially been accepted at Liberty.
6. Holly's parents are well. They keep themselves busy. Part of their ministry involves taking care of an elderly relative.
Enjoy the following pictures!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Labor Day
We're so thankful for those who work hard among us to make our country strong. And we're grateful for those who add strength to the family unit.
Today we focused our appreciation on our parents. Holly's parents spent the afternoon with us: enjoying lunch, playing games, reading to the kids = all the wonderful things that grandparents do! They have been such a blessing in our lives.
Please take a moment to say "Thank you" to your parents for their hard work and sacrifice made on your behalf. They have strived to guide you to truth and stear you away from falsehood.
The boys have been enjoying school and when they're not in school they say life around here is "boring". Of course nothing is boring when there are bugs around. Presently they are on a search to find, collect and observe the biggest and strangest insect in the garden. Believe me, no rock is left unturned.
This has been an exhausting week for us as we have been fighting off a cold virus. Meanwhile we have also been fighting to keep ahead of the yardwork. This has been the wettest season in a long time. We can count on a rain shower at least once every two or three days.
For those who have been following the economic indicators, August posted the worst job performance in 24 years with unemployment at a record high of 9.6%. We can testify to this. Simply examine the classified section of the newspaper and one will see very few jobs posted. Employers expect to receive up to 100 applicants for every job opening. We need not fear because God takes care of His own.
How is the Lord taking care of your needs? How is He 'laboring' on your behalf. Perhaps now is a good time to lift up a word of thanks to the Lord and say, Happy Labor Day! Thank you for all you've done.
Today we focused our appreciation on our parents. Holly's parents spent the afternoon with us: enjoying lunch, playing games, reading to the kids = all the wonderful things that grandparents do! They have been such a blessing in our lives.
Please take a moment to say "Thank you" to your parents for their hard work and sacrifice made on your behalf. They have strived to guide you to truth and stear you away from falsehood.
The boys have been enjoying school and when they're not in school they say life around here is "boring". Of course nothing is boring when there are bugs around. Presently they are on a search to find, collect and observe the biggest and strangest insect in the garden. Believe me, no rock is left unturned.
This has been an exhausting week for us as we have been fighting off a cold virus. Meanwhile we have also been fighting to keep ahead of the yardwork. This has been the wettest season in a long time. We can count on a rain shower at least once every two or three days.
For those who have been following the economic indicators, August posted the worst job performance in 24 years with unemployment at a record high of 9.6%. We can testify to this. Simply examine the classified section of the newspaper and one will see very few jobs posted. Employers expect to receive up to 100 applicants for every job opening. We need not fear because God takes care of His own.
How is the Lord taking care of your needs? How is He 'laboring' on your behalf. Perhaps now is a good time to lift up a word of thanks to the Lord and say, Happy Labor Day! Thank you for all you've done.
Monday, August 24, 2009
CHARACTER EDUCATION
"School days, school days, dear ole golden rule days." This old song was despised by many school children of yesteryear for it reminded them that they were about to rejoin the thousands of kids for classes. In our permissive society rules, values, expectations, and morals are sorely lacking. The present economic crisis was started by the lack of morality and the prevalence of greed in the business world. As a result, character education is a major focus in schools: traits like honesty, trustworthiness, integrity, kindness, respect. It's even more shocking that these traits are lacking in the church! Church splits and coups are testimony to the need for Christians to follow Jesus in lifestyle as well as speech. Let all who claim to be believers live by the character qualities of Galatians 5:22-23 and 1 Corinthians 13. Which character quality do you need to work on?
Steven and Samuel began school for the first time today. Steven is in kindergarten while Samuel is in preschool class. They like their teacher and look forward to the bus ride. Amy (this year a Senior) has resumed her classes, taking courses at Liberty University.
Roger is also back to school with three classes this fall. He really did not have a break this summer. He took two intensive classes: one in June and one in July. In August he self-designed a course in economics and took a CLEP exam that earned him three credits, completing his teacher competencies.
Actually The Nauss' did enjoy a break as he and Holly celebrated their 25th anniversary! They stayed local as Amy watched the kids. See their 25th anniversary picture!
We'll soon upload some school photos soon.
Steven and Samuel began school for the first time today. Steven is in kindergarten while Samuel is in preschool class. They like their teacher and look forward to the bus ride. Amy (this year a Senior) has resumed her classes, taking courses at Liberty University.
Roger is also back to school with three classes this fall. He really did not have a break this summer. He took two intensive classes: one in June and one in July. In August he self-designed a course in economics and took a CLEP exam that earned him three credits, completing his teacher competencies.
Actually The Nauss' did enjoy a break as he and Holly celebrated their 25th anniversary! They stayed local as Amy watched the kids. See their 25th anniversary picture!
We'll soon upload some school photos soon.
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