My 21st First Day of School

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Today was the first day of homeschool for my kids.  Jacob started 4 weeks ago, but today Sierra and Isaac began so I look at today as the first official day.  This is my 21st - first day of school.  I am starting my 21st year of homeschooling and what a journey it has been.  Some years have been great, some have been difficult, some have been discouraging, some have been absolutely wonderful and some have just been so-so.  The one reason I continue on, even after difficult or discouraging years is conviction.  Homeschooling is not a must for everyone, but it is where the Lord has called our family.   When my husband and I started homeschooling we were convicted that this is what the Lord was calling us to do.  And as the years have gone by I can say I am tired and weary at times but because I know that this is where the Lord wants me, I know He will give me the strength to continue on.  He has done that year after year and I know will continue to do so.  There have been times that if I did not have the conviction to homeschool I would have looked at putting my children in public school..  but I already know that the plan the Lord has for our life.. the life of my children..  is His plan and He will carry me forward until my work is done.   


I have some incredibly sweet memories of years gone by.  I am forever grateful to have had the time, day after day, to be with my children. It has been a joy to watch them learn and grow and develop and as I look back I am so thankful for this opportunity to grow and learn together and to be with them.  It has been a fantastic 20 years!   Thank you Lord!  


So with great excitement I began this morning by waking my children up (soon they will have to use their alarm clocks.. but this morning I gave them a “happy first day of school” wake up )...  They did their Bible and devotional reading, ate, we did household chores and then sat down with  the books.  Over this last weekend I had already laid out the first week’s school schedule. Each of them had their schedule in hand and they began with math.  Then moved onto English.  Then it was lunch time. After lunch they finished up the last subjects and read in their books.  Isaac is reading The Rover Boys on the Lake, Sierra is reading Around the World in 80 Days and Jacob is reading Oliver Twist.  They finished up school around 2:30.   


It was a pleasant and smooth first day of school and I prayed that the Lord would bless this school year and make it a productive one for my children and give us the needed tenacity to do our work.   


Isaac all set and ready to start the new year….


 


 

Comments

  1. KimMCSeptember 14, 2009 at 2:07 PM

    Yes even the bad days are worth it! We are 3 weeks into our year, some days are great. Others call for a complete change of plans lol.

    ReplyDelete
  2. canadaroxieg9September 14, 2009 at 2:17 PM

    I read your homeschool post and figured it out ~~we homeschooled for 26 years. I can relate to the good and bad times but it was worth it and yes I would do it all over again. God Bless you and the family as you go forth in your learning and growth Roxanne

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousSeptember 14, 2009 at 2:46 PM

    We began our 22nd year of homeschooling last month. As my youngest is not yet a year old, we have at least 18 more years to go..making 30 years, the Lord willing!! We already have two grands who will begin homeschooling in the next few years as well. It is a very tough job, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. OK, maybe some days, I would trade it for a couple of hours away with a çaramel frappacino, but I would always come back!!


    Anita at www.busymindsbusyhands.blogspot.com


    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousSeptember 14, 2009 at 2:46 PM

    We began our 22nd year of homeschooling last month. As my youngest is not yet a year old, we have at least 18 more years to go..making 30 years, the Lord willing!! We already have two grands who will begin homeschooling in the next few years as well. It is a very tough job, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. OK, maybe some days, I would trade it for a couple of hours away with a çaramel frappacino, but I would always come back!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousSeptember 14, 2009 at 4:57 PM

    Thanks for sharing this! It really give me encouragement. I'm beginning year two, though last year was really a trial run of sorts. I am looking forward to this year and many more!


    OWL MOMMA @ littlehouseinthebigworld.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. imspeclSeptember 14, 2009 at 9:58 PM

    I have nothing but the greatest respect for all of you who homeschool. I wish I had done it - maybe things would have turned out differently. Sigh..... hindsight.

    God bless and keep up the great work! Thanks for sharing!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousSeptember 15, 2009 at 5:05 AM

    Hi Crystal,

    I really appreciate all of your insights you share with so many of us. When you get a chance can you please share with us what curriculum you use and why. What have you found to be a well rounded program through the years especially during the high school years? I purchased a curriculum that I am not pleased with I will keep it however. Also, do you test your kids after each chapter, why or why not?

    We have tested them but with all they do I am beginning to wonder if its necessary. Your thoughts.

    Thank you,

    Rebecca

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousSeptember 15, 2009 at 11:26 PM

    This is our first year homeschooling our 9 and 6 year old sons. If you don't mind sharing...How do your younger children have bible time? what does it consist of and how much time is devoted to that? What does a school day from start to finish look like with your younger ones? We enjoy your blog! :-)

    Thanks~~~ Christine

    ReplyDelete
  9. ftuckey@casscitymc.orgSeptember 16, 2009 at 12:30 AM

    This will be my first year homeschooling, we feel this is the direction the Lord is taking us, my daughter is going into 9th grade, my sons are 4th & 6th this is all so new to me, but I know there are plenty of support out there. I really appreciate you telling how you feel and that sometimes it's not easy I already felt that way, why don't I just stick them back into public school, but I believe it is only by the grace of God, the conviction and getting to know my children better that God will help me through this, I dedicated this next year to him, so I can not give up. I am looking at it positively. Gail

    ReplyDelete
  10. HopefulHeart77September 16, 2009 at 1:04 AM

    I homeschooled for 13 years and graduated both daughters. I would not trade on minute of it. I miss homeschooling so much! Congrats on being featured blogger! Many blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousSeptember 16, 2009 at 2:06 AM

    I am so tempted to homeschool, yet frightened at the same time. My children are little (3.5 and 10 months) so I still have time, yet where I live most of my daughter's friends are starting their 2nd year of preschool already. Were you nervous to say "yes, I'm going to homeschool"? How did you overcome that?


    Your blog has been an inspiration to me - it's nice to "connect" with a mom of older kids so I can put these challenging early years in perspective!


    Dina

    ReplyDelete

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