Well it's official...we have decided to homeschool...yes all three kids. It's been one of the first questions everyone asks. What would be the point in only homeschooling one child, or two, and having to continue keeping up with the rat race with the other one...that would defeat the whole purpose... right?
I knew without a doubt when I was pregnant with Jeffrey that I would quit teaching and stay home with him at all cost. Now it wasn't always easy, and I did have all kinds of part time jobs like tutoring, babysitting, mother's day out director, preschool teacher, secret shopper (shhhh! don't tell anyone!), sold discovery toys, substitute teacher, and the list goes on. God has always supplied every penny we needed and it has been a true all most 13 years of learning to trust and lean on the one true PROVIDER. As each baby was born I would dream about what our future would hold...would I go back to teaching full time in the public school, or possibly homeschool, or....and the possibilities can be endless.
Over the past year there have been many things happening that have brought us to seek God in our personal walks with the Lord, in our marriage, in our family, and in the way we feel God wants us to live this life in total abandon to his will and plan for our lives. It was clear that if we continued in the way we were going then we could loose our family. From crazy middle school homework, Marv traveling alot, and just trying to keep up with the crazy rat race of life we literally all most lost us in the craziness of trying to keep up with this world. It's as if we have been feasting on the all you can eat buffet of this world and now we are stuffed and done with this way of life.
We have several friends in our lives who homeschool, or are are also about to begin on this new homeschool journey. It seemed like a big, hard, and scary thing everytime I would consider it in the past. I would always make excuses like..."I'm not disciplined enough.", or "There's no way I could do math in the higher levels!" Now I have learned and see all the awesome possibilities and support that is out there to help me do this. The choices of curriculum have been amazing and overwhelming to say the least, but wow...there are so many choices! Now we will have time to learn and study from the bible, truly understand math, and everything else in our own time. AND the best and neatest part is the creation-based science and biblical-based history. No more having to hope that we get a Christian teacher, and knowing that they still won't be able to bring God into anything they do.
I don't pretend to think that this will be easy, but I do know that sending them to public school wasn't easy either. I can't tell you the straight up freedom and peace that came over this family when we made the final decision to step out of the rat race and take this step. We now have TIME to do anything, and everything that we feel is best for our family. We now have TIME to go see history instead of just sitting and reading about it. We feel like we have been given the gift of TIME back like I think God originally intended for it to be.
We have named our school the Jolly Christian Academy (a.k.a. JCA), and are currently trying to pick out a mascot. I think the HOMESCHOOL HEROES sounds great. I am getting to homeschool my kiddos and help them become the Heroes that they are supposed to be! I don't know if the kids will go for it...they will get a vote, but I think it has a nice ring!
I will be blogging at least once a week now to share what we are doing and keep you up to date on our progress. We covet your prayers and are so thankful for the precious friends and family that have walked with us, prayed with us, and encouraged us as over the past year to help us get to this point in our lives.
Deuteronomy 6:5-9
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
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6 comments:
Amen from the choir! I am so grateful that He lifted the veil from my eyes and revealed this amazing plan for our family.
To know that you guys are on this journey with us is a blessing beyond words. We love you all so much!!!
I am blessed to be friends with your beloved Kim and she shared your site with me. We are also newly starting our home school journey this year with 3 kids. I am very excited and scared and excited and pulling my hair out and excited and...well, you know the feelings.
Praise God we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. This is going to be great.
Blessings,
Sophia
I had a lot of the same thoughts/concerns/hopes when we took the step and pulled ours out of the small public school where my husband teaches. It is hard (at times) but fun and EVERY day when it is time for bed I am so glad I was the one influencing them all day, and that they got to play with each other on their breaks. One is going back this year and it is hard for me, but his daddy wants him for a year (can't blame him). I have the other two. I am excited for you and hope you enjoy your year! I will try to check in and see how it is going for ya!
Hi, Tiffany! I'm here from Kim's blog. We have had too many blessings from homeschooling to count. I can't tell you in words how very thankful we are to have our children with us, learning about the Lord and using Christian literature and curriculum! I know that what we are doing is so good for their souls. I want to encourage you as you set out on this wonderful adventure. I taught school in the public schools in my town before having children and my oldest 2 went to PS for a few years...so I feel we have a lot in common!
I know the road we are choosing is not the easy road...but one with great rewards.
Blessings to you!
Thanks for all the encouraging words! Have you ever stepped into an ant pile? It doesn't take long to know when you have...well I kinda feel like that with this new, wonderous world of homeschooling! There is so much info, support, and encouragement out there that it is just all most too overwhelming! I feel so blessed to be able to do this, and can't wait to share it with others! I can't imagine how the mommas did it 10-15+ years ago with out all this support and info at our fingertips!
I read each of your blogs when I get a chance, and have been so encouraged! Blessings to you all!
Heeeelllloooooo all the way from VA! Our precious Kim has told me about you, & I just wanted to say hello & that I am praying for you, in your new endevor (sp). We are stepping out on faith & homeschooling our 2 kiddos this year as well, so it is nice to know that there are others in the trenches w/ us!! :0)
What have you discovered about scheduling, yet? Any wise words of wisdom???
Bless you MUCH!
Charlotte
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