SRKindredSpirits

Ok, so thought I'd post some pictures of what's been happening! Only problem is, I don't really know much about tractor parts or rebuilding one. Wyatt had a great week! He received a $100 check in the mail to use towards rebuilding his tractor from a wonderful, generous couple! Wyatt was so excited, he said, "mom, I think I'm getting spoiled!" Stephen is keeping track of the spending... so I don't have the exact numbers, but as of now, we are about $2,000 into it and haven't started putting it back together yet. Parts are hard to find since it's old (1974) and wasn't super mass produced... (the tractor was built in Japan and was only built for 4 - 5 years) and when we do find parts, they aren't cheap! We are trying to keep it as original as we can, but somethings we simply can't find. It means the world to us that folks are willing to help Wyatt with this project! We appreciate you! If you want to help Wyatt with his project, you can do...

Our oldest daughter moved out this month.... it really wasn't a surprise, I knew it was coming, and although I wanted her to wait for another few more months, I think deep down, I knew it was time. She is 19, has a full-time job at a busy Vet hospital, is enrolled in college, currently working towards a graphic design degree. She graduated school 2 years early, is a hard worker, a good employee, and managed to save a good sized nest egg. She has always paid for her own phone, insurance, and paid cash for her car, - and she did it all on her own.... she never got an allowance and we didn't spoil her with money or things. She worked hard to get where she is..... I'm proud of her.... And although I think I knew it was time she spread her own wings.... I had a tangled up mess of emotions. Somedays I would cry over everything. Somedays I was sad.... it was almost like all my dreams and plans that she and I had for years had died and were being buried. Sometimes I was angry.....

This month, we are back to homeshooling our two youngest kids. Not only was I a homeschool kid, but I have homeschooled my own kids off and on for over 13 yrs. Our oldest daughter has graduated and is in her second semester of college. I firmly believe the number one rule for homeschooling should be this: - Keep It Simple! - This year we are using Gather Round Homeschool Unit Studies and Abeka Math. Our supplies consist of our Unit Study workbooks and Teachers guide, an individual notebook for each of us, my Bible, a planner/calender (I use it to keep track of our days as required by the State), a Chromebook (used for researchand watching videos), Math workbooks, and Reading books.  We keep all our school supplies in a carousel. When school is finished, we put the carousel and our books back on the school shelf in the closet and go on with our day! It is super simple and stress free! Keeping school simple has helped me be a better teacher. No more desks, chairs, white boards, pos...

  I cried today.... it's not the first time and I'm sure it won't be the last time.... Our 14 year old son is on the spectrum .  He has never been able to pass a 1st grade reading test. We have had him tested so many times and so many different places. He's been to multiple therapist's, tried four different schools, and many different curriculum, and learning resources, but nothing has helped.  This year, we are back to homeshooling , and we are doing a completely new unit study curriculum called ' Gather Round Homeschool '.  I am super excited about it and feel it will give our kids a boost of confidence and help them learn more about the world around them and help them use their individual skills more! I have been gathering resources to use along with our curriculum. I found these adorable timer bookmarks for the kids and we will be doing alot of reading, national geographic movies, feild trips, crafts and Library time. But, while I was researching, I  ca...

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...