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When we first started telling our friends and family that we were going to sell everything and begin full-time RVing we got a lot of funny looks. Lots of people talk about living on the road and getting to travel but few actually commit. Some say "When I retire...." but then retirement comes and goes and the older you get the more you feel like you either can't do it due to financial reasons or you can't because of your health.
We are so fortunate to be able to have jobs that we can do on the road. My husband can work anywhere we have good internet and I can do odd jobs. I am currently trying to find a woodworking hobby that I can do on the road that doesn't require too many tools that take up a lot of room. I've looked into carving tools to begin carving my own wooden spoons, but they are pretty pricy and not sure if it's something I would enjoy. (Honestly, I'm more nervous than anything after talking to the woodcarving guys and having them tell me that these tools are sharper than scaples) I'm going to have to experiment more on that before we head out.
One thing I really enjoy doing is taking pictures. A couple of years ago I began taking pictures of friends to raise money for our Jamaica adoption. That went over really well and so I began doing it more often. In September I mentioned on Facebook that I would be doing photo sessions to raise money for our RV purchase so that we could buy it debt free. The response from friends was great. I was able to spend time with some friends that I really love, and take pictures of thier beautiful families and raise money for our future. We are well on our way and so very excited to begin this journey. I want to highlight some of my favorite pictures from this months sessions. These are all dear friends who are helping make our dream come true and for that, I thank you!
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Ever since Adali and I finished up her comic book project, we've been trying to think of other creative ways for the kids to learn. Even when you homeschool it's easy to follow the curriculum to the "t" and not do anything else with it.
As my kids start getting older I'm excited to share new things with them. For instance, this week we started watching the Star Wars movies for the first time. Film education, anyone? :) Seriously, though - I get to watch it with them, give them history on the whole thing and help them tie the stories together. Even explain how some of the old effects were created and how they got updated in newer versions. They love to know how things are made and that excites me.
Wouldn't it be great if you had these little projects you could work on with your kids, too? I guarantee you they'll remember these moments many years from now - probably more than all the school functions, soccer games and birthday parties. Why? Because it's your chance to get personal with them, share knowledge with them that isn't in the form of a "stern talking to," and let them know what you're passionate about. It also shows them how much you want to spend time with them and do fun stuff together.
So! Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. Make Unique and Memorable Projects Based on Schoolwork
Ashley has been so great about doing this with the kids while she's homeschooling. For instance - a few months ago they were studying Mexico. We found a Mexican iTunes radio station, cranked it up and made a bunch of tacos. We talked about all sorts of trivia while we were eating, too. I still remember Jett randomly shouting, "I have a moustaaache!!" in a ridiculous accent while were eating. I have no idea why he did, but it was hilarious. We still say that to each other even today.
Something else you can do is work in a craft that's related to a study session. The kids went with Ashley to Lowes the other day, built a rocket stove out of paver stones and cooked their own hotdogs based on some stuff they had researched. I know they remembered that! Taking the school out of the book and into real life sticks so much better.
2. Create a Kids Book Together
Adali and I made a comic book, but you could start much simpler. I guarantee your kid has some of the weirdest, most awesome stories you've ever heard floating around in their head. Get those suckers down on paper, draw it with them and help them make real book out of it. Watch how excited they get when they can give that book to their friends and family. Before you kow it, they'll be asking to work on the sequel.
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We talk a lot around here about trying to be a family that makes more than we consume. It's not easy, that's for sure. But sometimes we push through and something really cool happens.
A couple of months ago I sat down with Adali (our oldest) and gave her a school project. I told her she was going to make her own comic book! Needless to say this went over very well ;) I wanted to make sure she didn't just draw a few pictures and call it a day, though. I wanted her to know what it was like to work towards something bit by bit. To take on something that made her push through the dip we all face when trying to finish a project.
So I told her we were going to approach it in "phases." This way she wouldn't be overwhelmed and we could tackle each major step together. Here's our process:
#1. The Big Idea
This was easy. "Adali, what do you want to make a comic book about?" "NINJAS," she said. That's my girl.
#2. The Story
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Ashley and I are super excited to be a part of ConvergeFL this year - we'll be moderating a 10/20 session on creativity all day Saturday!
What's a 10/20 you ask? Good question. They are hour-long sessions with a group of attendees where anyone can take 10 or 20 minutes to ask a question or pitch an idea. Everyone can jump in and have a lively discussion - it's just limited to 10-20 minutes. There’s a moderator in each group (us!) to keep time and offer some topics if no one's feeling chatty.
I should also mention that the first day of Converge is filled with tons of great keynote presentations about design, business and the web. You should totally come check it out. We'd love to see you there!
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The theme for our closet is, “Never organize what you can discard.” This is embarrassing. I’m going to show you what I had to deal with. I’m not even sure how it got this bad, but that’s how it happens. No one sets out to have a ton of clothes in their closet that they don’t wear, or a bunch of shoes that they no longer wear, or boxes of junk that they’re not even sure where it came from or boxes on the top shelf that they don’t even know what is in them. So, here it goes....
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Ashley Longnecker / October 27, 2014
Jonathan Longnecker / October 22, 2014
We’re Jonathan & Ashley Longnecker. We love weird ideas, great food, travel, drawing, music, homeschool, tattoos, dreads, woodworking, design and our 4 amazing kids.