This is a rarity...I have found myself with some "freetime" (that would be time just for me). It's 9am on a Saturday morning. Bruce took the boys to work with him and my daughter is at a sleepover. I've put in my Jaime Jamgochian CD "Reason to Live". I have my coffee. The laundry is started (I'm still a multi-tasker in my freetime afterall!), and I'm plopping myself down here to begin my FIRST BLOG! Wow! I don't why, but I'm excited. Is that normal?

We are a homeschooling family of 5, for over 5 years. We have good days, and not so good days....like everyone else. I'm also schooling my niece for Kindergarten this year. She's been a regular fixture around here on the weekdays for 6 years now. We're fortunate to live right across the street from my husband's sister and her family. Both of G's parents work fulltime. Next year they plan to send her to a private Christian school for first grade....atleast that's the plan for now. =]

Homeschooling was not always "the plan" for us. My oldest son, B, actually spent Kindergarten in a public school. I admit, we were young-er and niave! By the end of the year, after several disturbing experiences, we spent the summer praying. By August, we sent our letter in to the school board saying we wouldn't be back. It was indeed the best and brightest choice we've ever made.

I guess I was the first to consider educating at home. I had several friends who were already doing it. It's not that I just dismissed the idea when they'd talk to me, it's that I was still in that mentality of ""Well, but that's not "the way" we're supposed to do it, is it?". Yes, I was still blinded by worldly thinking! =D But, I'm better now (atleast in that area).

When I first started talking to my husband about it, he had that same look on this face that I probably had myself....his eyes squinted a little, head cocked to the side, and end of his lip curved upward.  I had spent a lot of time on my own already praying and seeking direction, really wanting to know for sure if it's what I (the one who would be investing in most of the school day teaching time) wanted to do, for sure. And I knew that I did. Oh, I had my doubts at first about whether or not I was "skilled" enough for the job, but I am so thankful for friends who talked me through my inhibitions and encouraged me to conquer the fears.

I presented it to Bruce like this: "Honey, this is what I'd like to do....I'm asking you to think about it, pray about it, and talk to me about it..alot! If you aren't 100% sure that it's what we should be doing, then we won't." My thinking was, if I try to push this thing, and he's not even in the game as a fieldgoal kicker, it'll end up becoming an uphill battle all the way. And that would take the fun and thrill right out of it. I'm thankful to say that he did all that I asked of him, and came back with a resounding YES, LET'S DO IT!!

Five years later, we have some experience under our belt, and we're not so much the "new kids" on the block. Yes, I still seek advice often. And, we try new things often...some fit...some don't. But, I'm proud to say that when my children are asked if they like schooling at home, their answer is USUALLY.....yes. =]