Homeschool Journey Continues

It's finally here. My Montessori time is over and my home school time is beginning. I'm sooooooo excited. I'd forgotten what a joy and a blessing it is to be allowed to focus my energies on developing the personalities that God has entrusted to me.

Allow me to stop for a moment here and say that Montessori was definitely a needed experience in our lives. As schools go, I think Montessori is by far the best. It strives to allow children to develop at their own pace and in their own style. I worked with teachers who truly cared about each child.

That being said, there is no doubt in my mind that this is the direction in which God is leading our family. I feel a peace now that I haven't felt for the past two years. The saying that you don't know what you have until it's gone comes to mind.

Three years ago, the last year we home schooled, I was feeling overwhelmed with a jr. high student, a first grader, and a kindergartner. Two of these children have very strong-willed personalities. The third lives life at a dead run. When the Montessori opportunity came along it seemed like the best thing for the kids, as I felt that I wasn't meeting their needs adequately. I felt completely lost the whole first year they were in school. The boys for the most part seemed to be doing o.k. and Laine, our then 8th grade daughter, though having some issues, seemed to be adjusting. I assumed that I just hadn't found my calling yet. Then I was offered the opportunity to be an assistant teacher in my youngest son's classroom. I accepted. God, in his infinite wisdom and grace, used this past year to show me that my true calling is homeschooling. I now know that I, with God's grace, am well capable of providing much more to my children, both academically and spiritually, than even the best schools.

A final thank-you to my wonderful, godly husband. There is no way I am strong enough to have made this leap with out Bryan's encouragement and outspoken confidence in my abilities. He gave me the push I needed to make the leap. Thank you honey. Chill Academy could have no better principal.