Homeschooling

We are in our fifth week of homeschooling now...

and I have already learned a few things.

Number 1
Josh loves homeschool.

He does not love every minute of every day especially those moments with his head on the table crying, but overall he is having fun. He refers to topics we are learning at other times of the day, and in other places. I love love LOVE that. He has had fun with the "enrichment activities" that I found (i.e. crafts, websites, movies, etc.). I love that too. He loves having school in his pajamas...maybe a little too much :)

Number 2
I am learning where Josh is academically.

I had to tweak math and language arts after the first week.
Even though I purchased an appropriate level math curriculum that I liked, it isn't working for him. We still need to change something to make it more fun. I'm working on it. He likes math and I don't want to snuff out that light! I also got a very funny math supplement that is story-based and shows how math has real-life applications. He thinks it is funny, and loves doing his Life of Fred math book. He brings it to me and shows me the pictures and laughs telling me about Fred's story.

I exchanged the language arts after a week and a half for a more appropriate level for his reading and writing. More challenging = better :) and so far so good!

Number 3
I love homeschool.

I love that we can adjust what Josh is learning right away to best suit his learning level and style. Homeschool is flexible like that.
I love that I am there to know everything he is learning so that I can "get" his references and jokes, and I can reinforce what he is learning when we are not doing school.
I love doing school activities with David and Sammy too. They participated in and had fun with our nutrition study. They are both doing reading lessons with me (using "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons"). I am especially working with David on doing independent work after he is given instructions. And there is always speech homework in our world :).
I love looking for supplemental activities that I am willing to attempt are fun and appropriate.
I love that we have so much time together. We are getting closer in our relationship. Josh is more relaxed and is enjoying himself and his family. He is nicer to his brothers (at least most of the time lol).
I love that this homeschool lifestyle is growing me as a person, a wife, and a mother.

Number 4
I love having God at school with us.

OK that should be number 1. We read the bible at breakfast. We talk about God throughout the day. It is awesome.


A wise experienced-in-the-ways-of-homeschooling friend told me that homeschooling is more relaxed and less stressful than sending your kid off to public school. So far, and I was surprised, this is true.

God bless the experienced homeschooling friends with whom I spoke about this lifestyle change. Your advice and tips and encouragement helped me ease into my new role. And I do love my new "job".

(((hugs))),
chris

Teach us to make the most of our time,

so that we may grow in wisdom.

      ~Psalm 90:12

First Days of School

Josh started on July 22
He is embracing the whole pajama-wearing homeschool thing
He even came to school the other day in his underwear... um... not ok dude

David started KINDERGARTEN last Thursday
I can't believe he is so big!

Sammy started preschool this past Monday
with the same most amazing teachers that D and S had for the past two years

All three of our boys took a few days to adjust, and are now happy to be where they are.

I would rather not be doing the school drop-off and pickup thing anymore, but at least this year I am only dropping off at one school and picking up at one school! Last year sucked ~ two hours a day in the car just driving children to and from school. This year = much better :)

Praise God for his direction ~ things work so well in our lives when we just shut up, step out of the way, and listen :)

(((hugs))),
chris

Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.
              ~ Psalm 103:2-3

Happy 2 Year Homecoming Day!!!

Here we are two years later:

Two years ago on August 11, 2011, we arrived home with our two munchkins.

It has been a wonderful,

              crazy,

                     roller-coaster ride...

and God has had his fingerprint on every single stinkin' detail of our lives

   in our hearts,

       in our children,

and in the people around us

for the last two years.

We are so very very blessed, and we always feel loved.

That big hug, unconditional, unending kind of love.

Life is still hard some days

(really, really hard some days)

but we feel like we came through the tunnel

where the darkness was all around and the walls were closing in

and are back out in the light.

And you know the light, His light, takes away the darkness.

So we praise and thank God for using our broken family.
Lord, please continue to use us ~ to you be the glory!

(((hugs))),
chris

See, I am doing a new thing!
    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
    and streams in the wasteland.
                      Isaiah 43:19

You, Lord, keep my lamp burning;
    my God turns my darkness into light.
                      Psalm 18:28