It's a new year

Well, actually we're well into this year, but a new school year is upon us again! I am an excited, nervous, unprepared yet prepared mess! I will have one middle schooler & 3 elementary schoolers if you want to look at it like that and all have mixed emotions about this homeschool year. We didn't get anything done during the summer as I planned b/c we had summer guests, but we had tons of fun so I guess that'll have to do. We have planned plenty of trips this school year so I am seriously looking forward to it! Anyway, just wanted to drop a line & say good luck to all of the homeschooling families out there!!!!

Summer, Summer, Summer Time!

So it is summer and our home is crazy busy right now. We have two summer guests for my son so, there are 3 boys & 3 girls...Woo Hoo! I actually like even numbers.lol. I've found an inexpensive curriculum for the cool kids next school session which will start after the guest are gone and I've become a part of 2 more homeschool groups so, all is well with us right now. On another note I am loving this FL weather! everyday is a swim day! 

Our work space

Here's a shot of our homeschool work area. Our day is not exclusive to this area, but it's fun to have an area in case we needed it....wish we had a whole room that I could decorate, but that's another story altogether!

It's official

🎊🎉 we are officially homeschooling! After a series of things happening at the school, we figured it was best to just put this adventure into the hands of God and dive on in! This is our first official day and it's been quite peaceful! The kids seem happy :-)

Spring cleaning

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; (Proverbs 3:5 NIV)

As we prepare to begin homeschooling, it has occurred to me that we have a lot of unnecessary things! So today we are clearing out and organizing. 

It's been harder to maintain my organizational OCD since I began having children, but it still lurks in the back of my mind waiting for the chance to go on an organizing bender, 😊 

The children have been really receptive to helping me prepare...I love these cool munchkins.

On another note, I ran into one of the first people that we met when we moved here and as we were talking I said, "we're transitioning to homeschooling." She looks at me all serious and goes, "we are too, I pulled him out of school last week." I know many people believe that things happen just to happen, but I believe that God has a hand in EVERYTHING (always for our good)! We exchanged numbers and plan on getting the kids together during this journey and it was definitely confirmation that we're on the right path!

As I prepare for this spring cleaning, I am reminded that it isn't always confined to your home. Maybe you need to clean out fear, doubt, stress, etc. I have definitely been made aware of my own fears and have decided that it's time to clean them out, get rid of 'em, and throw them away! 

Are we homeschooling today?

Lamentations 3:27 "And it is best to learn this patience in our youth"

Now that the children are aware of the fact that they'll be homeschooled next school term every morning greets me with an, "are we homeschooling today" from one of the younger children. Although, I would love to take them out now I made an agreement with my husband to let them finish out the year since they've already started....something about them not becoming quitters in the future ::eye roll::: seriously though, there are only a few months left so, why not? 

I must admit that I am enjoying this phase immensely! I have completed a month of planning and feel great to have a map. Though I'm positive that we will not strictly follow the plan or any plan for that matter, it still feels great to have one in place....I'm a planner by nature though! Over time I've learned to be flexible b/c as we all know, life doesn't go as planned! This has become quite a learning experience and I'm looking forward to learning even more!💋

Wobbling to class

"6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

As I watched the cool babies scurry to class this morning [we make it to school right on time-not a minute before or after] I realized that I may miss the baby's wobble to class...it is so extremely cute! It's that walk/run that kids have that says "I have not a care in the world." 

Her teacher stands at the door and waves her in so, I figure that I could recreate this moment in our homeschool....send everybody outside to run back in as I wave from the door! Ha! 

We allowed the cool kids to choose whether they wanted to begin homeschooling now or next school term and the consensus has been next school term which Is ok since cool kid #1 is in the 5th grade.....wouldn't want him to miss those awesome end of the year parties :-)

Preparations are going smoothly. I got my  teacher's planner from scholastic in the mail yesterday. I am pretty positive that we're going to start with an eclectic style, i got another book case for $15- talk about exciting news! Lastly, I have almost all of the material that I need. I found an awesome globe that I have on a big wish list on cool dad's desk! Now, I'm looking for a curriculum to use...there are sooooooo many to choose from!