What a bittersweet year this is!  I remember the day our oldest began preschool, and the day he ended preschool. I remember having to make the most difficult decision ever....where he'd go to school for Kindergarten!  I remember the Lord's call to homeschool very clearly, and the deer in the headlights feeling I had when I answered yes! The years have passed by so fast my head is spinning, and I find myself feeling like a deer caught in the headlights once again as we enter our oldest's last year of homeschooling, with the whole wide world ahead of him at the end of this year. What a bittersweet year this will be for me.

         This year, I have a 12th grader, a 10th grader, and a 7th grader. My elementary years are now officially over, and Jr. High and High school 'R Us! This is the scariest, most difficult thing I've ever done in my life, but I'm thankful every day for His mercy, and His never leaving me ill equipped to run the race to which He's called me.  So, here is what our final year together, all three kids and mom will look like:

Jake- 12th grade-History- 1/2 year Govt.- Government 101 Packet from CBD, Ben's Guide to Govt. website, plus many other resources, 1/2 year Economics- Understanding Economics by Walch as guide, Walter Williams articles (he fills in sometimes for Rush Limbaugh and is an economics professor), plus other resources, Science- Physics- Apologia Physics, Creative Writing, Literature, and Composition- Write with the Best (www.edups.com), reading list of literature, Spanish II- Prentice Hall Paso a Paso, Computer- Java for Dummies, learning powerpoint and other computer programs, Music Performance- sing with adult choir at church in tenor section, guitar lessons and practice, some Beautiful Feet History of Music, Religion- Compendium of the Catechism, Beginning Apologetics series

Zach- 10th grade- History- Trisms, Expansion of Civilizations (www.trisms.com), English- Trisms, Hands on English,IEW or Write with the Best, Math- Saxon Algebra 2, Science- Apologia Chemistry, Trisms, Health- 1/2 year-  MODG, Religion (see Jake above), SpanishII- Prentice Hall, Paso a Paso, Music Performance- harmonica and daily practice, participation in homeschool ensemble, sing with adult choir at church in tenor section Computer Science- Computer Science Pure and Simple by Phyllis Wheeler (www.motherboardbooks.com)

Sarah- 7th grade- History/Geography- American History (1850-present) using many resources and literature, Trisms History Makers, Math- Life of Fred books, English- Hands on English, Drawn Into the Heart of Reading Science- Rainbow, God's Design Science, literature, Health- Seton, Art- Homeschool Art Guy videos, plus many other resources, Music- adult choir at church in soprano section, guitar lessons, participation in homeschool ensemble, some Beautiful Feet History of Music, Religion (see above)

My BEST find this year: the Mead Five Star Flex Hybrid Notebinder...*acts like a notebook, works like a binder*.  I am using these to make our own planners this year, one for each child for their daily lesson sheets, reading records, etc., and one for me divided in three, one section for each with attendence records, planning for the year, etc. I love these, and have been wanting something like this for YEARS!  I made my own planners using all of the best planning sheets I've found on the web for free, or bought, and I'm THRILLED with the result! FINALLY, something that I think I'll finally USE!

I am praying for a wonderful, happy, and blessed school year for all of you and your families this year! May the Lord bless you with ABUNDANT JOY this year in your homeschool!!!