And they're off!!!

Well we are three days into the school year and I am already seeing the Lords blessings! I have gotten to know my girls in such a different way in the past few days. When we made the decision to homeschool it was mostly to come to the aid of Hailey. Who has struggled since kindergarten. I have planned all summer and have been looking forward to helping her feel success in learning. I have never been once been concerned with my youngest and her schooling. I have always been aware that my little Hil is a bit of a perfectionist but in the past two days WOW I am seeing her in a whole new light! So now I am a driven not only to helping Hailey feel successful but also to helping Hilary figure out a happy medium between perfection and your best. And how she can be content with her best without tears.

         I am so committed to these gifts God has entrusted to my husband and I. When I think about what my ideas of motherhood have been over the past 10 years and how drastically different they are right now I am amazed. I feel I am truly getting to know my kids right now in everyway. I have always felt a burden to guide my children in God’s word but with a full time job and a house to take care of in the evening. I was leaving the spiritual guidance to sunday school. It is such an amazing thing so sit with my girls and study Gods word not only in bible but science, history, english and even in the artist and composers we study. To be truly available to them and their questions is a great feeling. I have always thought that I was an affectionate mother. My eyes however have been opened this summer. I began to cry one night while cleaning the kitchen as I realized I couldn’t remember the last time I sat and cuddled my girls. From that point on when they ask for a hug, look like they need a hug are sad, hurt, angry and sometimes even when they are naughty. I hold them and I don’t let go until they do. It has totally changed the relationship I have with them!! It is amazing!!

In closing I would like to share a few pictures of our “school” room. And my favorite quote I have placed above their worktable to read and store away in their heart of hearts.

Promise me you’ll always remember…

You’re braver than you believe

                And stronger than you seem

                And smarter than you think

   

Summer is winding down...

Wow this summer has just flown by and I can’t believe we are seventeen days away from our first day of school. The girls and I have been working hard getting our schoolroom organized. We’ve had so much fun decorating and making our classroom a fun place to be. I have spent hours trying to make our calendar work well for us and for Jeremy’s school year as well. All of our curriculum has been ordered and is on its way. I am beyond excited to get it all here and open the books for the first time and get my lesson plans worked out.

Our family has prayed for this time to come for so long. All of the changes we have made this summer have gone so well and I am so thankful for all the blessings the Lord has provided for us. One of the sweetest moments of the summer happened a few evenings ago when Hilary and I were organizing books and talking about what we will be learning this year. She gave me a big hug and told me she was finally excited to be doing homeschool. I spent the next half hour or so listening to her share with me all of her thoughts for the school year. I have prayed for the day when Hili would be excited and it touched my heart that she was able to share with me on her own what she is looking forward to.

The girls and I were blessed to be able to join the Providence Homeschooling  Co-op. Every Monday we will be joining other homeschoolers and spending time learning various subjects and spending time making new friends. I let the girls choose which classes they wanted to take and their choices showed just how different they are. Hailey, which was no surprise to me choose to art, drama, and choir. Where as Hilary choose earth science, American geography and choir. It is so great to see Hilary coming in to her own big personality. She is so much like her Daddy. She had me read the descriptions of all the classes before making her choices and was very excited with her final decisions. It is a great feeling to be able to let the girls choose what they want to learn and have them know their interests are valued.  They are both really looking forward to their classes.

My heart is so light and so blessed right now. I feel like I have come full circle and am doing exactly what the Lord wants of me. To be home loving and serving my family has given me so much joy. I have been able to really get to know my girls again and to appreciate their differences. We are so close as a family and this summer we have been able to get even closer to each other. I know this school year will have its challenges and frustrations but I also know we are right where we are supposed to be doing exactly what the Lord has called us to do and that is a great feeling.