SRKindredSpirits

Well, I done it again.... had a big argument with my teenage daughter.  Let me insert here.... I love this girl. Period. I want what's best for her. I want her to have everything I didn't, and I want her to be happy, and successful in everything she sets out to accomplish. She is a gifted writer, player of music, singer , photographer, graphic designer, and artist . She sees the good in everyone.... But she is so very different from me.  I am a Type 3. I see the world in black and white. I don't like people and I usually only give someone a chance once. If they mess it up, I'm done. It's over. I'm very opinionated and really don't care what other people think. I'm strong headed and can be kinda rude. It's really not worth my time arguing with you. But she. NO. She is a Type 2 and thinks the best of everyone. She sees the world in grey.  She gives people chance after chance after chance. She never wants to hurt their feelings. She

Another year school has begun. And just like all the other moms, I take 1st day of school year pictures. But here's the thing.... it's always sad for me. Not in the "Aw, they're growing up" or "I can't believe how fast time goes" or "I can't believe my kids are in (insert grade level) grade" kind of way.  But rather I'm sad, because to me it's a reminder that although I should have a seventh and fourth grader, after all these years, I still have a kindergarten and first grader. I'm sad because their future (especially my sons) looks so different than other kids.  The older they get the harder it is to be excited about school or to post pictures about it or talk about it because I know that my kids are not normal. When other moms are posting about how good their child's doing in school or how excited their son or daughter is to be going on to the next grade, or how many friends they have in their class,

I have an 18 yr old daughter... she is beautiful inside and out, has a heart for people, thinks the best of everyone, and is talented. She can write, paint, sketch, play four musical instruments, has a beautiful voice, and loves animals. She is taking Graphic Design in college, and has a full time job. She is a soft, kind hearted young lady.  And while she still lives at home and has a dad to look out for her, she's not all peaches and cream. She can hold her own pretty well, and has her own ideas, standards and reasoning. But, when it comes to dating, she has seen some of the worst brought out in guys... In the last few years, she has had six guys interested. Some have asked her to date, some have wanted to do everything but date. One lied to both her and her dad, one was 11+ yrs older than her and lived in another country, one didn't have his licence and wanted her to drive out of state to his house, one told her he needed space from her family before they even we

Our oldest daughter turned 18 this month!!! First off, I still can't believe that I'm old enough to have an 18 yr old kid.... but anyway, ever since she was twelve, we planned on taking a trip together, just me and her, to a place of her choosing when she turned eighteen - out of school, but before college and a full time job!  She chose New York, NY and w e had a great time! Back before she was born, my ex and I used to drive truck through New York every couple weeks, so I've been there, but up until now I had only experienced it by driving through, which is completely different than being right among the people, walking the sidewalks and taking the subways! There were some things I learned about New York, that was different than I expected. So here we go, in no particular order.... (it's gonna be random!)   You will spend a lot of time riding the subway.  It's not scary. It's fun and relaxing, especially if you like to people watch! It ende

So it finally happened.... It's official!!! I am the momma of a college student! Our oldest graduated high school two years early (you can see her graduation party here) and took some time off.... b ut as of today, she is enrolled and is studying for her Graphic Designs Degree! In case you can't tell, I'm one proud momma!

A few days ago, I stopped by my kids elementary school. While waiting, I was seated beside a kid in my son's special needs class. When a staff member asked the kid a question, he simply screamed, then turned to me and smiled. I'm sorry - (not sorry), but what that kid needs is a good slap on the mouth.... I don't care if your kid is Autistic, has ADHD, has Aspergers, is slow, hyper, or any other thing. Kids need to learn how to act. They need to realize they really are not that great. The world DOES NOT revolve around them! I have a special needs kid and I know that life is difficult for him, its hard for him to understand simple things, and to communicate, but we have taught him to use his words, to respond to people, and to simply be a good kid. And you know what?!?!? We get compliments almost everywhere we go with him. Just this week, his Endo Doctor told him that out of all the kids she sees in her practice, no other kid has ever been so polite and well behave

One thing that you always read when it comes to kids toys and minimalism is how to get rid of them or why fewer toys benefit your kids . But you never hear about how many toys are too many? I asked myself the same thing a lot through the years, and while I know minimalism is different for every one, I thought I'd let you know what works for us and how we handle our kids toys. Our two girls ages seventeen and nine, share a small room and closet . We have a set of bunk beds, and they each have their own desk, and folding chair. There are five (six cube) storage organizers in their room, along with a saucer chair, a clothes basket, and a guitar. The 17 yr old has outgrown toys obviously and now collects books!  Below is a list of every toy my nine-year-old has. We have condensed all her toys to fit in either a shoe box, a fabric cube, or a small drawer, with the exception being the barbie toys in a tub. There are 4 clear plastic shoe boxes that hold a little puppies