I never thought I'd get to the point where I felt like I do right now about homeschooling.  It's Winter.  It is cold, and I'm feeling a little desolate.  Our homeschooling journey has entered a new season, and I'd like to share a bit about it.

We're still doing much of the same things, planting seeds together, watching them grow.  Not literal seeds, not for a few months.  But seeds in our children's hearts...seeds of character, seeds of knowledge, seeds of perseverance, hopefully. 

(My girls and our sweet friend, Emily, at the Civil War Ball)

But some of these children of ours have grown in other ways; in stature for one.  I am now "looked down upon" by several of the bunch.  It's a bit odd and an uncanny feeling when your children out-rank you by height.  They have also grown in maturity.  Once dependent little snuffly-nosed cuties are now holding down jobs and making a decent part-time income!  And there's that whole mobility thing!  I no longer am a chauffeur, just a side-seat driver. (And pray-er of shotgun prayers!)

(Driving into a storm on the way home.)

We have actually "graduated" one of our homeschooled charges now.  It was very important to her to have a ceremony.  For me, I still feel like we will always be homeschooling even though we've covered our bases and then some.  But she needed closure so we granted it.  It was a grand celebration with many friends and a fitting time to display her gifts and talents.  My own graduation was laughable; but if you've been following this blog at any length, you know my public school career was laughable at best, pitiful at its worst.  Hopefully I will grow up one of these days and get over me and concentrate on the present!

(My four kids at the Pioneer's Museum)

We've still got three up-and-coming graduates here to deal with.  Three more to teach how to drive an automobile.  (If I'd have thought of that back when they were toddlers, I may have had a quick change of heart about their home education.  Not really.  Just wishful thinking.)  But seriously, what a season of changes we have had around here!

(My youngest daughter, fascinated by George Mueller)

It's Winter now, outside and in.  I feel like I might be losing my right-hand-gal one of these days soon.  God has plans for her and He's working it out in His timing.  He sure knew what I needed though.  (Who I needed!)  This family of mine is one amazing challenge and blessing.

(Youngest son braving the cold air to see the view of Garden of the God's and Pikes Peak)

So in a few months the seasons seeds will be planted and sprouting, and the new joys and skills and talents will be springing forth from my kids as they continue to amaze me with how much they can learn and how much they can exasperate me at the same time.  :)  

(Red Tailed Hawk---some homeschooling days I feel like we're soaring just like this---other days?  Can we get even get off the ground?  :) Yes We Can!)

I wouldn't have it any other way!

Happy Homeschooling!

Nancy

• Looking for daily inspiration AND some copywork for the kids?  Sign up over at Verse of the Day and get a daily Bible verse delivered to your inbox!  I get them, print them off and my kids practice writing skills plus Bible memory work to boot.  Right here:  VOTD.org.

• My son got a kite for Christmas and is dying to use it!  However, April is National Kite Flying month, and maybe it will be warm enough by then to stand outside and catch some wind!  Check out this kite website:  Beginner's Guide to Kites.

• Thinking about raising some chickens this year?  Better have your kids research the local laws for you!  We are still enjoying the wonderful eggs that our four hens, Butterscotch, Peck,  Courage and oh no!  I can't remember the fourth one's name.  Oh man!   Help me out somebody! City Chicken Laws.

• Do your kids love cowboys as much as mine do?  Here is a great article all about chuck wagons!  Every cowboy on the trail has to eat, ya know!  All About Chuck Wagons.

• When I can't find something I need, I just look it up online.  Unit studies, calendars, ANYTHING printable!  Here is a little place for some freebies to print. 

• Now, you could get lost on this last one---the top 100 Educational  Websites just picked by Homeschool.com. 

Good bye old year! 

As usual, I'm incredulous about the time passing so quickly.  Equally baffled by the fact that I haven't blogged in several weeks.  Oh, it's not that I don't have a hundred clever posts swirling around in my head (right) but more likely a hundred "have to do's" swirling around me constantly IRL.

In the past two months I've had a 20th Wedding Anniversary, Graduated a homeschooler, had a child reach 18 years of age, celebrated Thanksgiving, Celebrated Christmas, and am now getting ready to mourn the passing of a really great year! 

I'm hoping to get some great links and photos up for you here, although it takes awhile to get those up.  I still love my blog---just haven't taken the time to update it much.  I do however have a facebook page, you should be able to find me and ask me to be your friend.  Then you can have quick access to my updates and photos!  Life just goes by so fast when you have four teenagers---I have to beat them off the computer with my cane in order to check my email.  Kidding.

I hope you all have had a great year, despite the economy, the government, terrorists, layoffs, divorces and nasty neighbors!  Did I miss anything?  It is my prayer that you have a prosperous new year, full of homeschooling excitement, marital bliss, answered prayer, and a life lived in a way that is pleasing to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

Be sure to come back and visit me here at Homeschooling Is Life!  I may have to mull over some resolutions about blogging more regularly.  :)

Nancy

Hello Friends!  I have missed you!  So much has happened this last month and I thought I'd like to get my blogging buddies caught up, if they were so inclined to care.  :)  (Of course you do!)

Pretty much every year the Balloon Classic can be viewed right from my front yard!  It is so neat to see the balloons go over the house. 

My ash trees are starting to turn---well, a little more than starting!  I love this color!

For a great bunch of ideas on Fall Leaf activities and such, go check out Teri's site.

At the beginning of September, we headed out to the Lone Star state to see my Father-in-law.  He was having some health issues and we knew we needed to get back there and visit him.  It was a wonderful time!  We saw many of my husband's family and extended family and I even met some I didn't know.  What a blessing!  The trip is always a hard one; too many miles to drive, but the hospitality was wonderful and the food was as good as always.  Speaking of the Lone Star state, I've never seen anyplace so proud of their flag and their state emblem!  There are "Lone Stars" on purdy much ever'thang and you can even get Texas shaped waffles at the hotel breakfast bar!  (Wouldn't Colorado shaped waffles be a bit boring?  Oh, ha!  I guess we already have Colorado shaped waffles!  :)

                       Heading south--Spanish Peaks with new snow on them!

We got home nearly unscathed, a little bit of coughing and such but the rainy weather was nice and we managed to stay relatively cool for the most part.  After 10 days at home however, we had to turn around and head back--"Papa" passed on to his heavenly home.  We drove back for the service and this time saw the rest of the family and had a bittersweet reunion. 

Aren't these cool?  Brush stroke clouds.  This was on our way to Daingerfield, TX.

Now we are back home again and realize that we were gone almost as much as we were home last month.  Two of us had birthdays while on the trips.  One of us is another year closer to "50" and I have a 13 year old.  We literally have hit the ground running, and are still trying to get everyone well.  The flu or whatever we have keeps bouncing back and forth.  Other than that, it is SO good to be home!! 

Now, if we can just shake these Texas accents we'll be all the way back to normal, y'all!

Nancy

Homeschooling Is Life!

P.S., Teri over at Knowledge House posted a really nice review of Haircuts For Little Men.  Teri has some awesome resources, a super newsletter and be sure to check out ALL her websites!  Homeschool Patriot is great!

  You can read it right here.   And, Friendship Alley has a great review with photos!  The author won a copy of my ebook and posted her before and after pics.  I'm impressed!  She did a great job, didn't she?