We all have plans and dreams for our kids' homeschool experience. And often our best efforts are frustrated by events, budgets, or catastrophe. At different times in the past two decades, our homeschooling routine has been upended by high-risk pregnancies, job loss, birth defects, financial crisis, and cancer treatment. There are times when it was all we could do to keep our family life together, let alone carry out our intention of a rigorous and creative education for our children.

In the midst of these train wrecks, though, we learned several principles:

1. God is at work even when our plans have gone in the ditch. God has told us He works all things together for good, to those who love God, who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28).
2. Most of the time, a temporary disruption can be caught up. When your kids graduate from high school, nobody will ever ask if they finished 5^th grade math "on time."
3. Cover the basics and let the electives float. Keep up with things like reading and math, which are foundations for so many following courses, and let "extras" move to the back burner.
4. Keep your support network involved. We're told to "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2) If we don't tell our church, friends, or support group when we're hurting, how can they live out the love of Jesus?

Not only is God faithful to uphold His people in the midst of trial--we found that our children learned a very important lesson by watching how their parents handle trouble. Don't be afraid to let you children know when times are tight, when money is short, or when Mom or Dad is concerned-but be sure they also know that you are trusting your Heavenly Father to be there when you call. Sometimes, we find God's curriculum for our family is not the one we picked out ... but it always turns out to be the best one!

Yours in the Battle,  

Hal and Melanie

The Great Katie Kate Offers Answers About Asthma is the third book in The Great Katie Kate series. In this book, written by Dr. M. Maitland Deland and illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin, the Great Katie Kate appears to three children, Julie, Andrew, and Claire, and helps each of them navigate their new asthma diagnoses. She explains to each about types of asthma triggers, testing and medications the doctor has prescribed, and why it is so important to follow the doctor's directions. She also helps them remove Worry Wombat, a characterization of the very real fears and concerns they have, from their lives. List price for this hardcover book is $14.95.

With a houseful of asthmatics, we are no strangers to nebulizers, peak flow meters, and controller and rescue medications.  We found this book to be a great resource for the younger children, and a nice refresher for the older ones. It explains the process of diagnosing asthma (including possible tests that a doctor might do,) followed by a variety of treatment plans. The Great Katie Kate uses medical words such as bronchi, spirometry, and nebulizer, but then explains them in kid-friendly terms. This way, when parents and doctors discuss the child's condition and care plan, the terms being discussed are familiar and less intimidating. By explaining the diagnosis and treatment processes in a simplified manner, this book empowers young asthmatics to help be active in their own care. (. . .)

Read the rest of the review!

YOU can WIN this book!

TO ENTER: Email Heather with your name, mailing address, and phone number for contact purposes, with the subject line, "Katie Kate" for a chance to win* the this book  for your family!