The summer has brushed by very quickly. It truly is not over for us, but the end is close in sight. We have our annual beach trip coming up in September, so we don't officially call it Fall until we get back. We have marked the calendar for August 24 as our official first day of school. This will be our 8th year to homeschool...it seems just yesterday when we ventured out into the unknowns of homeschooling...leaving the public schools behind for more focused Christian learning. I spent a lot of time that summer getting our *school room* all ready. I was an Elementary Ed teacher before children, so I when I began homeschooling I was all about the room, the bulletin boards, reciting and memorizing, the books, the pledge, the Bible drills, the cute back to school clothes, recess and PE! Wow, I was one busy mommy. Plus, add on to all of that I was expecting baby number 3 and was so sick...I'm not talking about the all day nausea, which is terrible in itself...I am talking about throwing up 12 times in three hours while trying to teach history to my concerned 2nd and 5th grade daughters! Challenging, yes...but right for us, absolutely. Nothing felt more right to me. I loved my children dearly and homeschooling was the natural best thing for them and me.

Now, that our family has grown, we no longer have the elaborate school room...it has been replaced with an all out boy cave of a bedroom. But, I wouldn't change that for anything. We don't always say the pledge and somedays we don't recite the books of the Bible. Ahhh...things have changed over the years...we are much more relaxed and realize that learning happens in every room of the house. And cute bulletin boards for the different seasons of the year are nice, but not the necessity that I thought they once were. Am I still structured and organized....oh, YES! I have to be that way...and academics is VERY important. But, true joy has come from just enjoying these days...getting past the superficial ideas of homeschooling and really getting to the heart of the matter.

Homeschooling has taught me so much...not only have I learned things I never really learned in school...like basic history facts, etc. But, The Lord has taught me how selfish I was and am! One of the things that held us back from homeschooling in those early years was the fear of man(what people would think) and me being able to give up my *me* time and our *couple* time. When my older 2 girls were in school(early on) I had lunch with my sweet husband at least once a week out at a restaurant...I had regular manicures and pedicures...had plenty of time for late morning runs and even some trips to the gym. I had lots of time to run to the mall and specialty shops to shop for clothing for me and my girls...plus ladies lunch and time with friends. Did I have to give up all of that...no, not all of it, but things have changed a lot. God was teaching me through this transition...so much. God was so kind to not reveal all of my sinful ways at once, though...but through those early days of homeschooling, I was made more aware of the sinful desires of my heart.

God gave me a desire for my children, though, for which I am so thankful...to guide them in the things of the Lord...to show them how to love God with all of their heart, mind, and strength. I was/am not always a good example of showing them how to do this, but through us learning His Word, we grew in this together. God so graciously gave me a desire to want to know my children's hearts and that takes time and initiative on my part. God showed me that this time was precious and I must make the most of it...for their benefit.

There is still a lot for me to learn. Everyday.

I am very thankful for another year of homeschooling. My prayer is that we all will grow in His grace and knowledge so that we can be pleasing to Him and glorify Him through these sweet days.