School has started

Timothy loves to participate. His coloring is going well!!

Isaac taking a Phonics test!

Elijah is learning to cut and loves to be able to do this.

Sarah is seeing what she will be doing this year.

If you don't know already, we are a homeschooling family. We started school for this year last Monday and spent the first few days trying to adjust and find a good routine for us. That meant mom made a schedule and after day 1 we had to revamp. I think after week 2 we have found a good schedule for us and one that will work for now. We have had a few people ask us why do we homeschool or how did we decide to homeschool, so I thought in this post I would give some of that information.

The first reason we homeschool is God has called our family to this. I remember Isaac being about 2 and we began to think what would we do when it was time for him to start school. We began then praying that the Lord would lead us to the right decision for our family. We didn't want it to be our idea or plans but the Lord's. Of coarse then I remember thinking that it would be forever before he was 5 and we had to make a decision. Well guess what, before I could turn around he was 5. We felt the Lord had given us a peace about homeschooling before he turned 4 so by the time he was 5 we knew that we would be homeschooling. Whether you homeschool, send your kid to public school or send them to a Christian school it should be a decision that you pray about and do whatever it is that GOD has told you to do.

The second reason we homeschool is we feel that for our family this is the best for our children at this time. Again God could call us to do something different down the line, but for now we feel that this is the best for our kids. Isaac's birthday being in August he would be in the 4th grade in public school but we have decided to hold him back a little because of his age. Don't get me wrong academically he is 4th grade or a little beyond but age and size he is more in the 3rd grade range. I love it that we can monitor our children's grade and if need be move forward in one subject and stay a little while longer (til they get it) in another subject.

Another reason(s) we homeschool is we feel that it is building family relationships, age segregated relationships and building responsibility in our children. I get to have a relationship with them and time with them that I wouldn't get any other way. They get to be with their siblings and learn how to play with and socialize with different age groups. I love to see my bigger kids get down on the little ones level and play or see the older ones have a conversation with older people that need some company. As for responsibility, yesterday there was an endless pile of clothes to be folded and guess who helped me...all the kids (Timothy is still learning). It wasn't just a chore for us it is time we get to talk or have a little fun throwing wash cloths at each other. Also it is a learning time, they are learning to serve others (Big brother folded sister and middle brothers clothes and put them up for them without being asked)! The little ones learn to match while matching socks. It is also a time to learn life skills that they will be able to take with them in life.

One benefit we have found from homeschooling is we can go on vacation when everyone else is at work and in school!! Oh and find something educational to do on vacation and count it as a field trip day...how awesome is that! We have enjoyed this journey of homeschooling and we are trying to make the most of it!

I will be the first to say that it is not the easiest thing that God has asked us to do. There are days that I have had to ask God to confirm that I have heard Him correctly. And He does confirm that. There are times that I think "Are they ever going to get this"....and they do (eventually). With little ones around it throws a challenge in there also, so I have to be creative...and it has been done before. God could call us at any time to send our children to public or Christian school but for now we are doing just what He has called us to do at this time in our lives and we want to enjoy every minute of it. Some days will be tough or hard but with the strength of the Lord we will endure and see another school year through.

I know this post has been a little lengthy but I pray that it has conveyed our heart, a heart toward home. I pray that this post has given you a glimpse into the reasons we homeschool and how we came to this point in our life. May you be encouraged and challenged on whatever journey it is that God has called you to.