Driver's Permit

I took Lauren to get her driver's permit yesterday. 1 month after her 18th birthday.

Times sure are different! I couldn't WAIT to be 16 and get my permit. I practically

had to drag my sweet girl to the DMV. For hair color, Lauren put: OTHER. e-gads!

Was that even an option in the 80's? She also registered for the opposite political

party from her father and I. You mean we taught her how to think for herself? 

The whole experience was rather smooth, and contrary to the typical DMV reputation,

Lauren was treated with kindness and respect. The woman even explained how Lauren

can upgrade to the REAL ID after taking her behind the wheel test. It's not as scary

as it seems! 

Because she is 18, she has a 36 question test to take, and she can miss 6.

 83% and my Bug will be behind the wheel. Does this count as Homeschooling again?

One key piece of information that is missing is how long she must practice before she

can take the behind the wheel test... I suppose her teacher, Anthony, will have to

determine that. 

Stay off the roads... There is a pink haired doodle bug out there! 

I convinced her to start the truck... that's as far as today's lesson got! Somehow

I am ready for this phase of my firstborn growing up, I didn’t even cry! 

My Mom always told me it was her job to give us (my 2 brothers and I) roots and wings.

She is absolutely correct. Lauren is ready for these wings. I believe Homeschooling gave her the necessary roots!

Orb Weaver Spider Sightings!

This spider is fascinating to all of us in the family on some level. Our homeschool background has taught us to be observant of nature. When Megan and I first noticed one of these webs at the local market early one morning we took the time to examine it’s web and take pictures. 

A few days later God blessed us with our very own in the front yard. We watched it, checked it out up close and researched if it was poisonous. Each of us was anxious to see if the web would still be intact in the morning... it was not, and “spiderman” was gone. 

He re-appeared the next night - and perhaps a second one even made a web further down the lawn on the tree. We are now experiencing very strong winds and are concerned “spiderman” may have blown away. 

I guess we will wait and see... If my children were little I know this would have launched into a week long journey into the study of spiders, but I will take what I can get as my homeschooling transforms. The conversations, jokes and observations have been a great way to slow down our busy pace. 

What have you been observing lately? Feel free to share in the comments.

There are some really great pictures of Orb- Weavers on this website: https://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.asp?identification=Arboreal-Orb-Weaver