What Is Going On?

I feel I owe you an explanation.

For the last six months I have barely written a post a month.  There may have been one printable pack created and shared during this time.

A couple of times I thought I was back and even announced it in a newsletter, but then I disappear again.  If you subscribed to my newsletter at any time during the last six months, you may have received one or two newsletters from me.

My social media presence is sporadic at best.

So, you may be wondering...

What is going on?

Big changes!!!

On April 1, 2017, we had no reason to believe or lives would be changing in any way.  Yes, we felt stuck.  Things weren't the greatest.  But, we were keeping our heads above water.

On April 30, 2017, our home was put on the market.  Did I mention that before this occurred we did an entire kitchen renovation in less than two weeks?

We felt inspired to move.  The move wasn't to a new street or new town.  It was to a new state.  Our family was moving from NY to VA.

In June, 2017 an offer was put on our house in NY.

To pay for the move (and because our new home was about half of the size of our old one) we sold almost everything we had.

We moved on June 23, 2017.

During the month of September the exterior of our home was being painted.

A new job!

My husband started work on June 26, 2017.

This was a HUGE time of transition for our family.  Not only did we move from NY to VA, but we moved from the city to the country.  Our new home was half the size and had nothing in it except for mattresses with bedding on the floor.  My husband went from working with me full time at home to working full time out of the home.

I love change.  I love a challenge.  But I must say all of these transitions paired with having to help my children work through these transitions was just a tad rough.  I may have cried on a daily basis for a few weeks.

Jason's training for work lasted two months.  He worked five days a week 9 AM-5 PM while I spent my time caring for all four kiddos on my own, in a home with no furniture, no vehicle (we only needed one in NY), out in the middle of nowhere.  Did I mention the kids were trying to adjust to all of the changes too?  Just imagine all sorts of "fun" behaviors.

I finally figured out new routines and schedules, when on September 1, 2017 my husband was switched to the night shift working 6:30 PM to 5:00 AM, Monday through Thursday.

Yeah... I was not happy.

For those who don't know my husband is an emergency services counselor.  He is called in emergency mental health situations when a person is considered a threat to themselves or others and is involuntarily brought to the hospital for a mental health evaluation.  At times he also goes to evaluate someone at the local jail.  If a person needs to be hospitalized or receive other help, Jason arranges this.

In all fairness there are some perks to the night shift. If there is no emergency, my husband remains home.  It's only if he receives a call that he goes out.  However, on average, about twice a week he's gone all night long and needs to sleep as much as he can during the day.

The adjustment to Jason's new schedule has been slow for all of us.

On September 11, 2017 our house closed in NY FINALLY!  Paying for two homes for any length of time is stressful and not fun.

The beginning of September our first large piece of furniture arrived.  We now have a dining room table with benches!!!  (I'd been working on smaller pieces up to that point.)

The start of a new school year!

The beginning of September we started our new school year at home.  Before this we worked feverishly to create a new classroom with workspace for everyone.

Homeschooling regulations are very different in VA than they are in NY.  This is something we're still getting used to.

All four kids are working in the same space now with the same shelves.

Though our start has been slow and I have yet to share any of it, I promise it's coming.

We've been running into technical difficulties that have frustrated the process immensely.

Due to technical difficulties...

In NY we had the fastest internet available.  Here in the mountains of VA, we don't.  Sometimes the internet works.  Sometimes it doesn't.  When it does work, what used to take me five minutes, takes me thirty minutes.  This has been extremely frustrating and has caused me to evaluate what I do and really streamline my process A LOT.  

Somehow between NY and VA we lost the paper holder to my printer and therefore could not print anything.  Finally after a month of unpacking I surrendered and bought a new one.

This month the printer is leaving huge streaks of ink through every paper I print.  We've put one call in to have it repaired, but know another is coming.  Without a printer, I can't print materials for learning time or share our journey with you.

Oh did I mention my laptop battery also died and so I was waiting for a week for that to arrive?

So what now?

I am not one who functions well when my house is not in order.  Seeing as we only have beds and a dining room table, besides the learning space we've created, I'm not at my best.  Jason and I are working as quickly as we can to paint and furnish each room in our new home, but it definitely takes time, especially when you're trying to keep four special needs children on routines and schedules.

We are also trying to ensure that the kids stay on schedule when it comes to learning and homeschooling.  Their education is a top priority.  As we've had to adjust to Jason working outside of the home there is so much less time to create materials and blog about them.  Add in sleepless nights and behaviors...  We're doing our very best, but I just can't seem to keep up like I used to.

I literally have at least twenty posts to write that include new printables, activities, Montessori home inspiration ideas for families with special needs, and all the fun things we've been up to.  It's just finding the time to write the posts, when the internet is working that's been the challenge.  I'm constantly choosing between painting and blogging.

Our family only has one transition left to go through in regards to schedule changes.  Jason takes on weekend shifts starting in October twice a month where he will work Friday evenings through Saturday evenings on top of his regular weekday shifts.  

In the meantime I will be trying my very best to write when I can.  Please don't give up on us. We have so much to share and give.  This is a temporary situation that will resolve itself with time (and furniture).  

Over the past three months I have thought so much about the direction of this blog and where I want to take things.  I have so many amazing things planned that I think you will absolutely love.

Thank you so much for your love, patience and support!  I miss you so very much.  As we've gone through so many transitions lately, I can't believe how much I miss connecting with you.  It is such an honor to be a part of your life!  We can't wait to be part of it again soon!

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