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Posted in Homeschool Memoirs Writing Assignments
Where to start? I grew up in Canton, OH. I went to public schools there which at the time wasn't too bad. I remember in 3rd grade that not only did we recite the Pledge of Alligence but also recited the Model Prayer (a.k.a. The Lord's Prayer). I did deal with stuff from other kids though. I wasn't "popular"--we didn't have much money, I was "chubby" to say the least and my parents were as old as many of the kids' grandparents. I was different in so many ways that it encouraged others to pick at me. I did well in school because of my wonderful teachers. I liked doing well because I received positive reinforcement from them. I beamed at open houses and conferences because I enjoyed hearing the teachers say good things about me. I was getting plenty of negative attention from the students but I was getting my emotional needs met from the teachers. Because I did do well in school and was liked by the teachers (it didn't take much--they appreciated when someone would work hard and be polite), I had yet another reason for the other kids to hassle me. No one liked a "teacher's pet" but that was the very thing I wanted to be. My parents didn't have a high school diploma so I was first to achieve that. I also went on to college which was a first for our home. I remember vividly when I graduated high school and was going on to college, how fast the time at home with my parents had went by and how once I left it would never be the same. I chose only one college to apply to, the one I was at for a leadership conference a year or two before I graduated from high school. I remember at the orientation meeting for the freshman class. The speaker had said to look around us that many of us would find our mate while at college and they may be sitting in that very room. My life's love was there. I met Paul our freshman year at homecoming. My best friend had introduced us. About a year later we were dating, and 4 years (almost to the day) of when we met, we married. We had our first child about 2 and half years after we married. I never really thought about how we would educate her. I did decide to stay home from work when she was born but I hadn't thought much past that. I was at a ladies' Bible Study when I met the lady who gave me reason to consider homeschooling. I even asked her the question "What about socialization?"--boy was I a product of the "system." I met her family and was incredibly impressed by the behavior of her 6 children. I was convinced, homeschooling was the way for us! I truly don't think the decision to homeschool came about that one day at the ladies meeting. I think that God weaves our lives together like a tapestry. I think the experiences I had in my childhood, the man I married, the area I live in, just every detail of my life has been carefully orchestrated by my Creator and that He uses those things to steer our lives. For me homeschooling is a deep conviction. I feel like Jeremiah, homeschooling is more or less a fire "shut up in my bones." I think I would go crazy sending my kids off to school. My 9 year old seems to understand, she likened me watching the kids learn to read and write to watching them take their first steps--that it was something so special that I wouldn't want to miss it. I wouldn't want someone else to get to have that special memory. She is so right. There are days that are trying and I realize that I need to spend more time in prayer, asking for God's guidance and wisdom in teaching them. I sometimes try to do things in my own power and that is doing things the hard way that's for sure! I try to live my life with no regrets. I think that if I didn't try my very best at homeschooling my children that there would be a day, probably when it was time for them to move on and start their own home, that I would regret that I didn't spend my time pouring myself into them--savoring every moment I can because their childhood flies by so fast. Here's our family: My loving husband and best friend:
This is my youngest and me at the border of Alabama and Florida--the picture was taken at the end of February so we were freezing!
This is my oldest, Hannah, she is a bookworm and is the practical one in the family. She enjoys volleyball and swimming. She has always wanted to be a missionary. She plays piano and is very artistic.
This is my second born, Rebekah, she is high-spirited and sweet. She is the one in the family who is the caretaker. If you are not feeling well or need extra help like Grandma does, she is there first to lend a hand. She is learning how to play flute (which if anyone hears of one for sale, let us know!). She will be a great wife and mother one day.
This is our one and only boy, Denny (his real name is Paul but there isn't any good nicknames for the youngest Paul in the house). He is lively and all-boy. He loves every sport and tries to play them all at the same time (right now he is bouncing around in my living room trying to play tennis with a paddle ball and paddle--all by himself--he plays both sides!). He is secure enough in his man-hood to like pink--one of the side effects of having 3 sisters. He hopes to play guitar one day--I've got to be on the look out for one of those too!
This is our baby, Grace. She is 2 1/2 and quite the charmer. She has several of the ushers at church quite smitten with her--they all vie for her attention. She keeps us all company and loves to be read to.
I'd show you pictures of our pets (although you have already met our dog Quincy) but I don't have pictures of each of them on the computer yet. I will try to do that soon and make an entry of just our pets. Until then, we have one dog: Quincy, 2 cats: Pumpkin and George, and one teddy bear hamster: Road Runner Houdini. |
The Assignment: This week, we want to hear about 
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