Welcome to our new layout! We're glad you've stopped by for a visit. We're enjoying life as God gives it, feeling so very blessed by His goodness to us. Our 3 kids keep things very lively and interesting around here and make life 3 times more enjoyable. If you're a first time visitor, please let us know how you heard of our site! Pictures are available for registered users.
You know how people often say "its that time of the year again!" ? Well, for me, its that time of life... already!
I cannot believe we'll be starting Kindergarten with Ethan in just a little over one month! Amazing... We've gone back and forth... and back again on the subject of school; our options or lack thereof. We're both at a place where, at this point in life, we're taking the home school rout. I can't point out any other reasons than our own fabulous experiences with home schooling and then our lack of enthusiasm for the public school system. I'm not going to get into great detail here, because I know this subject is either for or against and I don't intend for this post to be on whether its right to home school or not. Along with many life decision, I put this one in the category of "to each his own." What works for one family, may not work for another and that's fine. Its our freedom to decide what's best for us, thank God.
My own experience with homeschooling (K-12th grade) was great and I look back and can see the amazing benefits it gave to me, personally and I hope it ends up being just as much of a blessing for our family. Since it is Kindergarten, lets face it, we'll be mostly just having fun for the next year. I'm not intending to prep Ethan for college by the age of 10 :)
We're looking forward to field trips, learning to add and subtract by playing store, cooking in the kitchen and being creative on our long car rides. I'm excited to be able to teach the kids fun things I learned when I was little. I think Ethan will be a great student, but I am well aware of his, sometimes difficult personality and so I'm preparing myself for "those" days. He is a very smart boy and loves to learn, so with patience and guidance from God, I'm convinced the two of us will get along with it just fine.
The other day he shocked me with his understanding of mathematics. We were in the car (where we do a ton of our talking) and he asked me "How many brothers does Caedmon have?" So I said "he has two brothers." He followed with "And how many sisters does he have?" So I answered with "he has two sisters." He sat there looking out the window for about a minute and then he said "So... he has two brothers... and two sisters... and then there's Caedmon... (long pause) ..... so there's 5 kids!" I was blown away. Ethan totally gets logic, just like his Daddy. It makes sense to him. He is a visual learner, but he's been blessed by being able to also retain information he's given, even when its just verbal.
I am also so thankful for a great support system, not only from Jase, but from so many of my family and friends. I'm definitely not going at this alone and that in-and-of-itself is so comforting!
When I feel discouraged, ill qualified or just plan selfish with my time... I stop and remember the verse "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me!"
exciting!Submitted by jilly on Sat, 2009-07-18 20:45.
I'm excited for you Stef, for this new journey! I know you'll do great (having had your wonderful Mom as a teacher) and you'll probably be amazed at how much Rachel learns too, just by listening! I know Tim was like that; he'd sit with Nathan, while we were learning numbers, phonograms, etc etc, and he learned everything right along with Nathan. It was great! :) Enjoy your time together!
thanks!Submitted by stef on Sat, 2009-07-18 23:19.
You're right about Rachel. She often picks up on stuff quicker than Ethan. I think we'll start her next year, even though she'll have just turned 4. We'll take it slow, but that way it will give her something to do. :)
Awesome!!Submitted by Jess S. (not verified) on Sun, 2009-07-19 15:00.
Wow! I can't believe you already have a kindergartner!! I'm also so excited that you guys are going the home-school route. Just keep all your ideas, lessons, and supplies..ok? ;) We've already started talking about it especially since I do have some bit of teacher training, although no personal experience with home-school. Can't wait to see more posts on the topic as you learn your way through it. You'll be teaching some of us who may be following foot!!
Oh, thanks Jess! I'm reallySubmitted by stef on Sun, 2009-07-19 20:38.
Oh, thanks Jess! I'm really looking forward to it, but scared at the same time. We want to home school, but also get our kids out in the world for some good exposure, whether with field trips, some sports or just friends. Our goal is to raise well educated, well rounded kids, but our highest goal is for them to have a deep, personal relationship with Christ. Ethan is starting early, which for some is odd and others have said its totally normal. He won't be 5 until February, but we're starting him in Kindergarten this year, because he's very ready. He's starting to put letters together in books and sound out the words!
Time fliesSubmitted by Erin Adams on Sun, 2009-07-19 21:14.
That is crazy that the time has already come. Incredible! Time really does fly. Have you been to a CHEA convention yet? Or anything like that? We wanted to go this year, but it was a few weeks before Moira was born. So, I didn't totally feel up to it. We NEED to go next year. I think it has been about 10 years since I've gone to one.
Erin
Nope. I've never been to one.Submitted by stef on Mon, 2009-07-20 10:48.
Nope. I've never been to one. I planned on going next year, since we're not getting too in depth with schooling for another year or so. :)
You guys will do great! BothSubmitted by Mary Anne (not verified) on Wed, 2009-07-22 15:27.
You guys will do great! Both of you have had a good homeschool experience to build on. You can take what was the best from both of your experiences, and then add even more good stuff on top of it. You've also had a lot of opportunity to think about what was not all that profitable in the long run. You have such a tremendous opportunity!
yay! I'm glad to hear yourSubmitted by stef on Thu, 2009-07-23 01:21.
yay! I'm glad to hear your comment. :) I am very much looking to the "older" moms to kind of impart wisdom to me. You know, I think I only get nervous b/c these days we have so many people that want to get in your face and slam it by saying things like "how can YOU teach your kids when you're not qualified?" So rude.
I am very much looking forward to learning with my kids!
guess I should say, I'm gladSubmitted by stef on Thu, 2009-07-23 01:21.
guess I should say, I'm glad to "read" your comment. ;)
Post new comment