First Week= Success!

     Our first week of homeschooling is OVER and we all survived!  I am pleasantly surprised at how it all went. There were certainly some rough spots along the way but overall I have to say that I feel a sense of relief that maybe, just maybe, I can actually do this and be somewhat successful at it! 

     I am homeschooling my eleven year old son, Jacob, and my four year old son, Mason. My nine year old is remaining in public school this year.  The baby bear, Maddie, who is fourteen months old will be doing her normal thing each day- (hanging on my leg begging to be held).  I found that teaching them both is a little challenging considering that they are so far apart in age.  I did notice that there was some time of waiting for the older one when he would finish his assignment and would have to wait on me to finish with the little guy.  I plan on putting a system in place to help with this in the coming weeks. 

     Today as we were riding in the car Jacob made the comment that he was disappointed that tomorrow was Saturday because he wanted to have to school.  WOW!!! My child who dreaded every day of public school last year is excited about learning??  That was all I needed to hear to know that we are doing the right thing. I am really looking forward to what this school year will bring and I am loving the opportunity to grow my relationships with my children while expanding their knowledge of the world around them.  

~Taking The Plunge~

Hi! My name is Christy and I am the Organized MOM (mom of many) homeschooler. This is my first year as a homeschooling mom and my very first blog post. I am a part-time Registered Nurse, I have four beautiful children and two step-children and a wonderful, loving husband. Come and take this journey with me as I navigate my way through this crazy, hectic life as a mom of many, nurse, and now homeschooler! 

Here we go. 

I must be crazy because I swore that I would never do this, but here I am. The homeschooling mama. I battled with God and myself for many weeks before I decided to listen to the pulling of the Lord and take my children's education and upbringing and place them in the palm of his hand. I told myself, "I can't do this" and "I am not smart enough." I even said things to myself like "I might not be nice enough and patient enough to them." God took all of those insecurities and fears and quite clearly spoke to me and said "Trust Me." OK God. I trust you. He placed me in contact with a friend who had just recently decided to home school her own children and she recommended the Classical Conversations program to me. After contacting the director for that community and some lengthy research on what the community and style of teaching were all about, I dove in. And when I say dove in I mean morning, noon and night thinking, reading, planning, buying, organizing, thinking some more, praying, praying and more praying. And then more organizing~~~ hahaha! (I am a self-diagnosed compulsive organizer. And here we are. One week from officially starting our very first homeschooling adventure. 

My anxiety is somewhat under control although I am feeling less than adequate and fearful that I haven't planned enough, thought through enough, or purchased enough curriculum. My school room is looking more like a school room thanks to IKEA and Craigslist and I am compulsively buying school supplies at every dollar store, Wal-mart, and Target store in my area. I have realized that I may have just been born to do this because I am loving every  minute of it....BUT, the planning and preparing is one thing. I hope that moving on to the teaching phase proves to be equally as wonderful. I am not so naive to believe that every day will be homeschooling bliss and happiness. I know that there will be days that I simply don't want to do it. But I am truly trusting that this path that God has put me on will be so immensely rewarding as I watch my children grow spiritually and academically. I can't help but think how amazing it will feel to be involved in their lives on this close and personal journey, and maybe, I will inspire others around me to Take The Plunge too! 

~Christy ~