Before I start my post, I just wanted to thank all of you that have posted and welcomed me.  I really appreciate it.  The community here is just great!

Okay...so now for my post.  Right now, my husband and I are going through the difficult chore of deciding on a curriculum.  As I've said before, we are a Classical Christian homeschool with a little Charlotte Mason thrown in.  The challenge is  what should we use.  Since my 6yr daughter has been attending a small Christian school, she has already been doing some phonics.  They use A Beka phonics, which is apparently an intensive program.  She is already reading some.  The problem is, do we stay with this or use something different.  I spoke to a friend that uses TATRAS and she says it is great.  I also spoke to Laurie Bluedorn(www.triviumpursuit.com) and she said that both A Beka and TATRAS were good and intensive.  To add a little more confusion...I've looked at Veritas Press and I am intrigued by the Phonics Museum.  I'm inclined to stick with what she is familiar with, but...ugh, such choices!

As for the rest, we are still thinking.  Researching these different curriculum choices is so difficult.  I plan on including some Math(maybe Saxon math) and obviuosly some History too.  Literature is a must and Handwriting, Bible time.  I hope that we will get this figured out soon and then perhaps I will figure out a way to post it for you all to peek at.

If anyone has some advice or suggestions, I would love to hear from you.  I could use some experienced help here.  I know that this will all fall into place and that the Lord will guide us through it, but boy is it overwhelming! 

I had a great experience last night!  A friend of mine that is also homeschooling her children, told me about an organization that supports Christian homeschoolers in our area.  This organization is called SELAH(Students Educated Lovingly At Home) and it has several smaller groups within, that are designated by different homeschooling styles.  So, last night they had their whole group meeting and I was invited to go by the leader of the small group I am looking into joining.

It was so worth it.  Being God-centered, there was of course a brief praise time and prayer.  Next they shared announcements.  The high point for me was the speaker.  The speaker was a lovely young man, a homeschool graduate.  He shared his experiences and his thoughts on education, from the perspective of a formally homeschooled kid and a Christian.

I really found him to be bright and funny and he obviously loved God.  What an encouragement!  As a new homeschooler, I find myself both nervous and excited.  Perhaps because others doubt me and my husband, I doubt myself.  Can we really teach our children well enough? Will they be prepared to take on the life that God has put ahead of them?  I find that I must remember that yes we can...by God's grace.  I know that he will provide myself and my husband with the ability and perseverence that it will take.  He will also prepare our children. 

And of course saying this is what helps me to remain excited to do it.  I am excited to give my children the chance to be educated in a way that I never was.  To be able to keep God in the middle of all that they do and learn is a wonderful feeling.  To know that we will be trying to do what God has told us to do..

        And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.  You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.  You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Deut. 6:6-9 (ESV)

So, I embark on this adventure with renewed excitement.  I am thankful to have found so many friends to reach out to.  My friends where I live, as well as those I am making on this wonderful blog group are becoming a wonderful encouragement and support system for me.  I can only hope that I will be able to give back as richly.

Have a Great Wednesday!

I am planning on becoming a completely stay-at-home mom, but right now I still work one day a week.  So, this Saturday, that is where I was.  I've been at this job for 10 1/2 years, but I've wanted to quit since my first daughter was born.  Finances are the only thing that keeps me there. 

The people I work with are nice enough, but we are very different.  I am the only conservative Christian there, most everyone is very liberal and anything but a Christian.  Of course, this makes for interesting conversations at times.  They all know my daughters and are aware that my eldest has been at school for the last year.  Enter..challenges.  As I sat at my computer doing my work, one of my co-workers asked how my daughter was liking school.

  "Fine", I said. 

 "When does your other daughter start?"she asked.  Aaahh...I knew this would come up.  "Actually, we will be homeschooling them both after this year is done".

It is astounding the amount of chastisement(even if in a loving manner)one will get for saying this.  They ask, what about socialization?  Do they take the standardized tests? What about college? I found myself needing to explain my reasons for doing this.  Of course, they don't really know me like they seem to think they do.  Not to mention the fact that they don't think even narrowly like me.  This was a difficult moment, but I didn't shy away from it.  I was bold and I hope clear in my presentation.  I'm sure there is more that I could have said , and no doubt I will be given the opportunity again.  I pray that God will give me the right words to say.

How have you all handled this kind of resistance?  Obviously, we all have to deal with it to some degree.  Either from friends, co-workers or family.

One thing I can say, I am thankful for family and friends that are supportive(and not everyone is as we see), as well as groups like this that are so very supportive and helpful.

As I get ready to embark on this new adventure, I become more and more nervous.  But, also very excited.  I feel that both my hubby and I are capable of doing this and that we will raise children that are God-fearing, loving, family-centered, well socialized(in a proper fashion), well educated and ready to go forth on the path that God has set before them.

This is where I am right now!  Now off to do some dishes.

Have a Blessing Filled Day!