Normal....?? What's that??

      In my last post, I wrote a bit about my past and my addiction, but I didn't say much because I got into my son's birth. Plus, I kinda started at the end, sort of. I mean, being a recovering addict, there truly is no end, this is something I will have with me for the rest of my life.       Even after being clean for over 8 years, and living life like a "normal" family, there are people who are clean for decades and end up relapsing. Of course, I hope that isn't going to be a part of my story one day, but none of us know what the future holds. All we can do it live one day at a time, and be the best person we can be. They say to always try to be a better person than you were yesterday... Really, that is all we can do!!           Addiction is a disease, it truly is no different than any other, beside the fact that we have the will power inside of us (when we are ready to live right) to control the disease that is inside...

      First I want to say, I know I said in my last post that I wanted to start writing at least once a week, but I truly did not understand how difficult homeschooling would be!! It has been a VERY hectic month-ish. I knew it would be different and even though I did do research on the curriculum and whatnot, until you actually start doing it... well it is so much more than I ever expected.      Unfortunately, because of doing virtual school the last year and a half of their young lives, I did not realize how behind they truly are (my 2 children in middle school at least, since I have taught my youngest most of what she has learned she is actually on point, and ahead in some areas). The beginning of the year, in Maryland & I assume other places, children always do review, mainly in the 2 main classes; Math and ELA (English/Language Arts). When we did a diagnostic to see where each of my children are in those classes, and what they need more practice in,...

  Things have been super crazy since schools got shut down last April when Covid came out to the public. We live in Maryland and at first it was only supposed to be a 2 week break, then when it was realized how serious Covid really was schools shut down for the rest of the year. The kids were given work to do so they could still work on what they needed to for that school year, which was almost over (Thank Goodness!!!), but for kids who's parent aren't super into their education I imagine it was extremely hard.   Unfortunately, the area we live in there were alot of kids who were pretty much on their own. Not only for the end of that year, but last year they did virtual, online classes. IT WAS HORRIBLE!!!!! I have 3 kids and I taught them more than their teachers did. Luckily my children have always gotten really good grades and pick up on most things fairly quickly, at least compared to some of the other kids their age.    The online learning was horrible!! Many ADU...