Why am I doing this?

Sometimes I get in a selfish mode of thought about schooling.... Here are some of these thoughts...

*just think, if I send Kendyl to school, Aden will be in preschool 3 days a week, and I will have SO much time to do whatever I want!!

*If I send Kendyl to school, I could work out everyday and finally get back to the shape I'd like to be in!

*I could work more hours at the Tree House to pay for things like scrapbooking supplies, etc... that I want!

*I could sell or get rid of all our homeschooling curriculum, books, videos, etc. etc.... WOW, I could have a clutter-free home!!

*David and I could have lunch together without kids 3 days a week and could get back to wood-working together, etc...

and the thoughts go on and on...

I needed a reminder of WHY I am doing this!!!

There are these reasons...

*David works second shift and would barely ever see Kendyl if she went to school everyday.
*Her education wouldn't be centered on Christ.
*I wouldn't always know what she was understanding and not understanding in her subjects.
*She would have less time to explore on her own, read on her own, create on her own, etc.
*She would be much more tired and stressed.
*I would have a hard time letting her be involved in all she wants to (dance or gymnastics, piano lessons, soccer, GEMS, etc.).
(these are just some of MY reasons)

But, I was still feeling like, man it is just very hard to homeschool... until I received my "the Well-Planned Day: A Family Homeschool Planner" in the mail! AHHH... it made me feel so much better... it is a planner designed for homeschool moms! It is awesome... not only does it help you plan lessons, record grades, keep track of 'attendance', etc... but it also gives GREAT encouragement throughout and contains Scripture on every page!! Plus it even has a family budget section along with grocery list, etc... so all the planning things I need are in one notebook! I love it!!

Anyway... One of the encouraging 'notes' in it was written by Elisabeth Elliot... It was exactly what I needed to remind me why I'm doing this!

Then question asked of a homeschooling mom was: What have you discovered about the advantages of homeschooling?...
here is an overview of her lengthy answer...

*The children have more time: to read, learn responsibility by doing chores, to play, to use imagination, to listen to and enjoy each other & learn obedience.

*parents don't have to 'deprogram' their kids or reteach values after being at school for 7 hours!

*children learn to love each other more... at home, children don't learn that 'older is better', as they do in society/school.

*they learn to be servants of one another. The family is a microcosm of the Body of Christ.

The key note that resignated with me was: "Don't think about all you have to do, just do the next thing!"

Okay... now I really need to get planning somethings... but, I won't think about it all... just the next thing! :)

New Year, New Ideas, New blog

Well... August is in full swing and the school year is right around the corner. I just felt like I needed a new start to some things...including blogging... So, here is the first post in my new blog.

This blog is not anything fancy. This blog will mostly be a ranting of our adventures of schooling, homesteading and the like. However on occasion, there may be some random insights I feel have come from God and would like to share. I am FAR from being a great mother, wife, or homeschool teacher--but am a student myself, of the perfect teacher, Jesus Christ!

I am intense, as those of you closest to me know! I don't do things half-way... I jump in with both feet and with gusto, or I don't do it at all! I have been told to 'slow down' and the like... but have come to grips with the fact that God made me full of passion and energy and instead of trying to change that...I am seeking to use it for His glory and purposes and simultaneously for teaching my children! :)

This year, will be a little more 'relaxed' than last year... but not as 'relaxed' as some have said I should be :)

So anyway... just wanted to get this started... :)