HS is Good for My Mood!

Actually, today it's HomeschoolERS that are good for my mood...

OK, so I slept about two hours last night.  I tossed and turned and fought every urge to get up and clean, or watch TV, or work on any number of projects... I played games on the iPhone, I read the news, I answered some texts - hoping the response wouldn't wake up the recipient... and then I fell asleep.  At 6AM.  Until 8AM.  (Hey, usually it's closer to 7/7:30AM so that was a bonus, right?)  So all that background to say:  I'm tired.  I woke up cranky - really cranky.  My poor, poor child.  With very little spoken we got dressed, I had an appointment, then had to grocery shop for the giant batch of chili I need tonight, and then we came home.  I let the boy watch a show, I made the chili.

And now here I am - sitting at the computer with all kinds of post-its and phone numbers and emails needing my attention, plus the schoolwork for today.  I just couldn't decide where to start, so I figured I should just disappear into Facebook for a bit.  Then I read a message from a new HS friend who lives right nearby.  We met on a FB page for homeschoolers in this area and she wants to learn American Sign Language, and I teach American Sign Language.  Her message was such a blessing -- someone SO excited to learn this language, so excited that we live close to each other, so excited for our kiddos to learn more ASL together... and I think for the first time today, I smiled.  And then I cried a little. (Hey! I'm tired, OK?)  It was a happy cry.  This new friend reminded me how excited I have been and still am about HSing.  I've planned this for six+ years!  And here we are, my boy and I learning together, praying together... what a gift I've been given!!  I'm learning so much about my son - little things that maybe I would've missed, big things that remind me that he is a little too much like me in areas both good and bad (poor kid!), and special things that remind me that this boy is "fearfully and wonderfully made" (see Psalm 139) with God-given gifts to be discovered and put to use in the ways God has prepared this boy.

SO, thank you, SP in Central Ohio for reminding me why we decided to jump into this HS journey. Thank you for lifting my mood with one short message.  And thank you, God, for this beautiful, hilarious, strong-willed, sensitive, loving boy. It is only with God's help that I can possibly be the mom and teacher this child needs.

Here We Goooooo....!

Well... Here we go, indeed.  My six-year-old son and I are embarking on a new journey -- OK, we started it two weeks ago, but I'm just getting here to blog.  We. Are. Homeschooling!  This word has brought out objections - both almost hostile and some respectful, and also some strong support and encouragement.  The support is coming from places I, maybe, didn't expect and that is such a blessing.  And some of the objections I knew would come and others that surprise me.  And if you are reading this and are one of our supporters or detractors, know that I'm ridiculously grateful for the support and also know that I respect anyone who objects to our journey.  Homeschooling isn't for everyone, and there is nothing wrong with that.  For us:  The hubby and I have prayed about this since before I was even pregnant!  And then when the boy was born premature and we were told he may have minute to severe "special needs", be prayed even more - thinking that homeschooling may just be the best route for the boy.  And that's what we believe is the case.  We are blessed to be in a situation where we can do this.

So that all being said... School started in our house on Monday, September 1st.  And by Wednesday, September 3rd the boy was done with all of the work that was supposed to last into the following Monday.  Uhhh.... So I totally started over with everything!  I dug deeper, I went to a higher level for just about every subject (he's supposed to be in Kindergarten, so I went to 1st and 2nd grade for much of the planning and 3rd grade for math and reading skills).  And so we did some miscellaneous activities last week, some worksheets so I could get a better idea of what he knows, and now after planning this curriculum for my boy... day and night for a week... I believe we have hit the nail on the head.  

So now we move forward as excited as Christmas morning and now we'll all learn together why homeschooling is good for your health.  I have some ideas...

Until next time...