We have our first official year of homeschooling under our belts.  Whew!       We are still doing some school throughout the summer, tying up loose ends, making sure DS doesn't forget anything (or Mom, for that matter).  

I also really lean towards a relaxed approach to homeschooling.  This past year, I spent a good deal of time working out different schedules and routines.  I also dropped one curriculum that wasn't working and moved towards a very eclectic approach, pulling on many different resources to round us out.  I knew ahead of time that might be what would happen as a dear friend had told me to be prepared for that. 

What bothered me about our year was that it seemed to me that, many times, we were "flying by the seats of our pants."  I like relaxed, but don't like feeling as if things are out of control.  So, I have spent some time seeking God and His wisdom for our upcoming year and beyond. 

I was reading my Bible one morning and asking God what He saw for our schoolhome.  Part of my philosophy is that DS's education be primarily focused on God's Word and his spiritual education.  That his biblical education be foremost and the rest would fall into place.  So, with that in mind, I wondered how to make that happen while still yet meeting DS's 3 R's.  I kept wondering what it would look like.  God led me to Proverbs 16.  I love how it answers any question I may come up with.  Ask those who remotely know me.  I am the Question Queen!  In Proverbs 16:1, it says,"To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue."  Basically, it is saying that I can lay all these plans out in my heart, but it is GOD that gives me the ability to put those into words and accomplish those plans.   Going on in verse 3, "Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established."  Just give my work of school to Him.  He will work it out and establish my daily plans.

Right there, in two verses, God gave me my plan for the upcoming year.  Give it to Him.  He will guide me each and every day and every minute, if need be.  He showed me through those verses that I could remain relaxed and yet still have a routine, put God first, and also meet DS's academic goals.   
So, what does it look like?  Well, I knew God wanted to go a bit deeper with me and I told Him I really felt the need to have a set schedule of accomplishing certain aspects of the academics while still making sure we kept DS's biblical schooling in the forefront.  In talking with Him, God showed me our plan for this next year.  Know where He revealed it?  In the shower.  Why is it we Moms get our best praying and thinking done in the shower?  Perhaps we are figuratively (and literally), stripped of everything that keeps us from God?  I don't know, but God showed me how to make this work for our little schoolhome.  Two days a week, do phonics and language arts type things.  The other two days, math.  Everyday we will start with Bible stories, reading, and memory verses.  Every day, we will continue with our read-alouds.  Each day we can also play around with the "extras" of history, geography, and such.  Then, that gives us one day a week open for fun, field trips, or whatever God leads us to. 

I decided, after much prayer, that general schedule was enough structure for me for now.  I can leave the nuts and bolts of the daily lessons for each day to the day before or even the morning of.  DS and I can negotiate, within reason, how he would like to accomplish his work for the day and the order in which he would like to do it.  He enjoys having some input into the decision process and I have found throughout this past year, he does much better if I give him (Mommy-controlled) options to choose from. 

I am so excited now.  Instead of feeling that dread each day waking up floundering around wondering what next, I can rest in Him knowing our plan for the next year.  I have also gotten clear guidance on what to use for our academics, as well. 

How clear His Word is!  I am just so excited getting such clear guidance from Him.  His promises are always true!  Yay, God!!

Well, I just wanted to share this.  If you all had seen the amount of sleep I had been losing, you would be doing the happy dance with me.  In fact, would you join me now? 

                    (Because we need some music).