Jan. 16, 2007 - Our homeschool beginnings...
Starting a new blog means re-introducing ourselves. The first time I blogged, I really had no idea that others could read it, so it began as a sort of Bible study journal. It ended up as a place that my thoughts just jumbled out, and I mean jumbled...most of it probably made no sense. No wonder I didn't have many comments!  Well, this past year was a huge challenge for us....loss of job due to a medical practice shutting down, a move, a new job, lonliness, a terribly active summer, a single sister moving in with us, and now there are some major events going on as well. Even all that being said, school itself is going much better this year. We are more structured, more excited, and getting a lot more done. My children are all taking piano lessons as well!! They are already playing songs like "God is so Good."
Ok, a little background....My husband and I have been married for 11 years. We have a very special friendship that I cherish, though we struggle to keep it that way, like anyone. We have four children....three boys and a girl. Their ages are 9, 8, 6, and 4. I can't believe my youngest is 4!!! Homeschooling began in my home when I was 12. My mom began by homeschooling my younger sister (the one who lives with us), and my brothers. I begged to be brought home and be homeschooled as well. I spent one more year in a Christian school, and then spent the rest of the time at home. After being in so many schools due to moving frequently, homeschooling was an amazing blessing! I was determined to marry someone who would agree to homeschool BEFORE marrying me. So...poor Jonathan (my husband)....he had to endure many teaching tapes and discussions and decisions before marriage. He probably thought he had entered the twighlight zone when he met me, afterall, the only homeschoolers he had met lived in a terribly messy house, did school in pajamas all the time and did not know how to read or spell at 11, or 12. I sought to show him how it could be different. We looked at books that my mom had, introduced him to our homeschool group and 4-H group (made up mostly of homeschoolers). Well, he decided to take the plunge. We have had a blast ever since. Hee hee...we have had some really really hard times....but God has kept us closely bonded through it all.
We have been homeschooling since day 1. We love it and Jonathan has kept me going, never letting go. I was the one who was burned out last spring and he encouraged me and prayed for me. I suppose that is where this blog came in. I don't come in here feeling like I know it all, or have any answers. I don't have major philosophies on how to do everything "right," and I am I don't introduce myself as a homeschool mom right off the bat with a smug look (like I used to). Going through hard times and being humbled brings us right down to reality....we are just like the rest of humanity. I cherish my family, choose to homeschool and follow God's call on my life, and am so grateful for Jesus and salvation, and the gift of the Holy Spirit....other than that I don't have any other gem in my pocket. I am just so grateful for life and the chance to live for God. I don't know if anyone will ever stop by here and bother to read my long winded ramblings, but I do know it will be fairly simple, and may end up being my Bible journal again after all. Until next time......
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