This blog is our journey to and through homeschooling. We have walked through the fire, but have not been burned, singed yes, but not burned up. For anyone who is going through trials and feels like giving up, my hope is that you will be encouraged to keep on keeping on. We laugh, cry and find joy in this journey. With God, all things are possible! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/crawfordfamily/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Sat, 4 Oct 2008 07:37:00 -0500 Sat, 4 Oct 2008 07:37:00 -0500 I cannot believe that I haven't blogged since April. Time flies! We had a great summer...and paid a visit to the Florida area to see Mickey (and Eeyore, my favorite). It was our first trip as a family of 3 instead of 4. We made it through, although there were some sad moments. My dad joined us about 3 days into our visit. He didn't go to the parks with us, but sat by the pool and relaxed. Much needed vacation for ALL of us! As we dive head-long into this school year, I face a new challenge, homeschooling a high schooler. I cannot believe that Mandy is already 14! I pray that I am up to the challenge. I so enjoy being with my kids. They are a blessing to me. She and I are forging through this new terrain together. I'm proud of how she is taking on a new responsibility in her schooling. Deciding what she should study and how it should be done. I am excited to see what the Lord has planned for her! And Scott is just growing and maturing in so many ways. When I think of all that my children have suffered through, I am amazed at how God has given them compassion, peace and comfort that surpasses anything I could want for them. We are studying the election process right now and Mandy is discovering a lot about herself as she discovers the political process. We have all gotten involved in church activities recently, so my time is less and less. Until next time, be blessed! Debbie http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/crawfordfamily/599870/ Sat, 4 Oct 2008 07:37:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/crawfordfamily/599870/ I don't know about you, but it seems like after Christmas and New Year's comes the crazy time of year. We have too much scheduled and we just keep adding more to our schedule. Between schooling and guitar are lots of other meaningful, but keep us running activities. Art, baseball, honor society, book clubs, biology lab, and the list goes on and on! I often feel like I need more hours in a day and a clone or two to keep up! That's when I open my Bible and remind myself to sit beside the still waters and draw a renewing strength from our Lord. It's when we need to sit the most that we are at our busiest. I need to remember my priorities and get back to sitting at His feet. When I do this, everything else falls into place. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/crawfordfamily/482361/ Sun, 17 Feb 2008 05:27:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/crawfordfamily/482361/ I cannot believe that I haven't blogged since August! Wow! Too much time has passed. For this only parent, homeschool is really and truly consuming. By the time we go to Art, Biology Lab, Book Clubs (2 of them-one for each kid), Envirothon meetings, TaeKwonDo and now guitar lessons, my days are overflowing! I feel like I'm juggling rockets that explode if dropped. Not to mention trying to get the book work done! Whew!!! I'm tired just thinking about it. Being an only parent is definitely taxing. Being an only parent who homeschools is overwhelming most days, BUT with God's grace I get through it! I love being with my kids and seeing them grow and learn. I wish that my husband was here to share in their growth and maturity, and they honor him well. They are compassionate and caring--stubborn and silly. Wise for their ages and are really determined once they get their minds set! (hmmm....could be a little like their mom). For those of you who are only parents (through death of a spouse) or single parents (through choice or divorce), I hope that you feel encouraged today. Homeschooling can be done, and be successful. It takes more out of us when we are alone, but my favorite verse says it all: "I can do ALL things through Christ who stengtheneth me." Phil. 4:13. When I get discouraged and completely overwhelmed, we take a break and have some fun. I realize that when I'm stressed, the fun is gone and we need to be silly and laugh. Laughter is the best medicine! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/crawfordfamily/472295/ Fri, 1 Feb 2008 06:03:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/crawfordfamily/472295/ Well, we are 2 days into year 3 and I do have to say that it is easier this year. I know more what I'm doing and the kids are glad to be homeschooling, so this is going to be a good year. Wow, I have an 8th grader! She's growing up too fast! It seems like just yesterday we enrolled her in Kindergarten, then pulled her out in 4th grade to homeschool. My how time flies! My son will be 8 in 6 days---it's a miracle that he's here, much less turning 8, but that is a post for another time. We are easing our way back into school this year, thus the early start date. My kids need time to adjust to a daily schedule-not rigorous, but still a routine if you will. We are only working on math, Bible, a bit of history and a bit of English. That's a good start. We LOVE Drive Thru History and are sharing it with friends. A great investment for us! I thank God for the opportunity to school my children at home! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/crawfordfamily/369439/ Tue, 7 Aug 2007 13:48:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/crawfordfamily/369439/ Everything has a beginning, so that is where I will start. I'm a 43 year old mom of 2 great kids. M is my 13 year old girl and S is 7, soon to be 8, and all boy! I was married to B for 19 years, before he died. This is our journey, not only through homeschooling, but through life. I will start by saying that God does have a purpose for everything and you need to listen to that still small voice within you, that is the Holy Spirit guiding you. If God has called you to homeschool, then He will supply all of your needs to do so. Our journey started in the public school system of Texas. It was a tough 4 years before God woke us up and laid it upon our heart to homeschool and take control of our daughter's (and son's) education. From the day that I pulled her out of school until today has been a long road filled with ups and downs, victory and tragedy and it's a road that I'm blessed to share with my kids. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/crawfordfamily/356748/ Tue, 31 Jul 2007 01:20:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/crawfordfamily/356748/