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"The Gift"


(Great desk from Ikea...a special holder attached to table for pens and school tools)
I love to write about decorating, recipes etc. etc.  However, most of my thoughts throughout the day and late at night these days are geared toward our first year of homeschooling.  My kids have always loved school and done very well.  However, this year, the Lord has just really placed in my heart the desire to home school even though I have many doubts and questions. I have talked and observed enough home school families and kids to know that an education at home is excellent with high standards.  But, more than ABC's and 123's, I am excited to work on the heart issues and the character issues.  Yes, I am talking about my kids but honestly I think I will grow and change too!   I look forward to seeing how home schooling will shape my family and relationships.  However, so many days this summer, I have doubted this decision.  The past week as  I was in Target I saw the uniforms and my heart sunk and all the doubts floated in...what about friends?no school plays?class parties? 
My children are doing Classical Conversations this school 
year.  So we were at the three-day practicum and saw a mom who graduated from the same college I did.  She has been home schooling since the beginning and loves it.  Most of our conversation was about our families and the friends we still keep in contact with and really not much about home schooling.  The speaker was about to begin so our conversation ended. I never expressed to her my fears or doubts about home schooling.  But, after the day, she came up to me quickly and said  "Above everything with home schooling it is a gift...a gift to your kids" and she left.
Those simple words have stuck with me and as I plunge into this new world of being a home school mom...my desire is that our journey in homeschooling will be a gift to my kids.
Here are a few pictures of my classroom with decorations...






8 comments:

The Beauty Bargainista said...

Well, I think you will do just fine with home schooling! I wish I had the time to be able to do this for my daughter, but I think she would grow sick of me after a while and wonder when she was going back to "real school" lol Plus being a single mom, I have to work 38 hours a day just to make ends meet! Not sure when I would fit that in! hehe


But on a brighter note, your room looks lovely! :) I think your all ready!!!

Amy said...

You have a very cute schoolroom. I love the huge table!

Hill upon Hill said...

You sound as though you have put a lot of thought and preparation into this. Now less worry and just trust that all will be well. (very hard I know , partic. where our children are concerned). I am learning, that there is never a stage of life that is missed, or something lost. Everything is gained. What wonderful memories you will be building together. All I can imagine is that you will need to be disciplined and well prepared. Time with our children is always a blessing. By Grace Alone (blog) has some lovely things to say about our worries with our children. Her blog is on my sidebar.....

Beth@Pages of Our Life said...

I am so glad to your able to communicate your thoughts so well. We have all been there who have left the "well beaten" path. Your faith will grow in this because some things you cannot know at first until you try. You will love the community with CC. I think that it is great that you will have such a great support system for your first year.

With every fear I have found my faith and it has been a meeting place for me to find "God's Voice".

I am glad that I have met you and will visit you often.

:-)

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your honesty! I am feeling the same way about homeschooling. Thank you for praying for me and I wiil do the same for you. xoxo

Anonymous said...

oh and by the way...love the classroom! I was thinking of doing school on my couch, on the kitchen table.....LOL

Anonymous said...

have pictures of my new homes school storage area. Inspired by you!

Wendy said...

Okay, I've been doing this for four years. I love to homeschool. I love to decorate and do crafts...but I am AMAZED at how clean and organized your workspace is! Way to go!!
You are inspiring me. I may have a few long nights ahead as I tackle my clutter...