We're at it again, prepping for next year...this year. Curriculum ordered, reevaluation underway! Elka wants to play the banjo (so she's practicing her guitar...Daddy's prerequisite). Aida has a full academic line up in mind. (It's her thing.) Brodie is taking a new approach to spelling. And Bea and Noble are joining the school-aged crew...to name just a few of our upcoming changes.
I tend to prepare for the coming year at the end of a school year as we pack away accumulated accomplishments and consider what worked well and what didn't. Though we view "education" as something that's always taking place, year round, and "learning" a foundational component of life, year round, we do also enjoy the idea of summer and break and graduating
on to new ventures for a new year ahead. We simplify and hone in on what works best for us more with every year.
(favorite change midyear this year...our new desk station)
We'll have 2 new kindergarteners this coming fall (Noble and Bea) along with the 5 others grades 1-9. Yes, we step into high school territory with Aida! Though I guess that's supposed to intimidate, it actually feels just as natural as the day she turned 13. She didn't suddenly become a stranger that day, or some sort of teenage alien...she remained our daughter, our growing up beautifully daughter. Likewise, this new journey with her into high school feels very much the same. One step at a time, eyes wide open, we welcome the future and look to the Lord for direction. We seek first His Word, His kingdom, and His righteousness, trusting His lead for her future. We also look to Aida, as we do with all of our children. We contemplate their interests, talents, as well as their struggles as we consider how to best approach their academics and training. It's a process we very much enjoy.
(my girls...growing up before my eyes)
As the number of school-aged children in our family grows, we realize our perspective must also advance, as well as our homeschooling strategy. The older children have become quite self sufficient in many ways academically, and yet all the more in need of our instruction spiritually as they take steps closer and closer toward adulthood. The younger ones are just beginning, learning all the time. Our approach with them is so much more relaxed than when we first started homeschooling. There are lessons I drilled and drilled with the older kids that our little guys already know just by living together with their big brother and sisters. It's inspiring to see older siblings take an interest in teaching their younger siblings all the things they've mastered.
The responsibility of training all of our children's hearts weighs heavily upon Brodie's and mine. It's truly our privilege and joy to walk alongside them through the ever-changing and fleeting years of childhood. It's both a challenge and delight to meet each individual right where they are, all so different and complex in their own ways, all requiring and deserving of their own unique experience. We welcome the job we've been given, taking inventory intentionally and regularly. We're in deep and we love it, love them. Lord, equip us, we pray! Help us to do your will in the lives of those you've entrusted to us!
Diversity comes to mind as I ponder the many hats we wear. Little spongy elementary-aged children are learning things like ABC's and 123's, most of which develop naturally when they're given time, resources, and opportunities. Young adults in the making ponder things like the meaning of life and their purpose. It's exciting! The middle kids enjoy the frolicking of childhood still, even as they transition slowly but surely toward growing up. And, the baby nurses while toddlers break crayons and "accidentally" knock down hours worth of domino track. (Dominoes = Character Training: Patience) It's a dance for sure.
What a beautiful rainbow of stages we get to enjoy and work through. What a wonderful opportunity we have to homeschool and allow our children the blessings of doing life...together. We absolutely love the whole package - trials, accomplishments, unknowns, skills acquired. There seems to be no end to the experiences and chiseling involved. It's a gift!
So, as we box up binders full of this year...we anticipate next year excitedly. We wonder what the next season will have in store and we know that whatever comes our way is deemed good by our loving Father God. Homeschool...it's a blessing! It's our way of life. It's taking place all the time. The learning never ends....just like love (1 Cor. 13:8). We thank the Lord for His wise plans.
"Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain."
Psalm 127:1
Thank you, Lord, for what you're teaching us now and always. Thank you for this time of reflection and
assessment of where we've been and where you're leading us next year...even as we wrap up this year.
"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth.
Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!"
Psalm 127:3-5
on to new ventures for a new year ahead. We simplify and hone in on what works best for us more with every year.
We'll have 2 new kindergarteners this coming fall (Noble and Bea) along with the 5 others grades 1-9. Yes, we step into high school territory with Aida! Though I guess that's supposed to intimidate, it actually feels just as natural as the day she turned 13. She didn't suddenly become a stranger that day, or some sort of teenage alien...she remained our daughter, our growing up beautifully daughter. Likewise, this new journey with her into high school feels very much the same. One step at a time, eyes wide open, we welcome the future and look to the Lord for direction. We seek first His Word, His kingdom, and His righteousness, trusting His lead for her future. We also look to Aida, as we do with all of our children. We contemplate their interests, talents, as well as their struggles as we consider how to best approach their academics and training. It's a process we very much enjoy.
As the number of school-aged children in our family grows, we realize our perspective must also advance, as well as our homeschooling strategy. The older children have become quite self sufficient in many ways academically, and yet all the more in need of our instruction spiritually as they take steps closer and closer toward adulthood. The younger ones are just beginning, learning all the time. Our approach with them is so much more relaxed than when we first started homeschooling. There are lessons I drilled and drilled with the older kids that our little guys already know just by living together with their big brother and sisters. It's inspiring to see older siblings take an interest in teaching their younger siblings all the things they've mastered.
The responsibility of training all of our children's hearts weighs heavily upon Brodie's and mine. It's truly our privilege and joy to walk alongside them through the ever-changing and fleeting years of childhood. It's both a challenge and delight to meet each individual right where they are, all so different and complex in their own ways, all requiring and deserving of their own unique experience. We welcome the job we've been given, taking inventory intentionally and regularly. We're in deep and we love it, love them. Lord, equip us, we pray! Help us to do your will in the lives of those you've entrusted to us!
Diversity comes to mind as I ponder the many hats we wear. Little spongy elementary-aged children are learning things like ABC's and 123's, most of which develop naturally when they're given time, resources, and opportunities. Young adults in the making ponder things like the meaning of life and their purpose. It's exciting! The middle kids enjoy the frolicking of childhood still, even as they transition slowly but surely toward growing up. And, the baby nurses while toddlers break crayons and "accidentally" knock down hours worth of domino track. (Dominoes = Character Training: Patience) It's a dance for sure.
What a beautiful rainbow of stages we get to enjoy and work through. What a wonderful opportunity we have to homeschool and allow our children the blessings of doing life...together. We absolutely love the whole package - trials, accomplishments, unknowns, skills acquired. There seems to be no end to the experiences and chiseling involved. It's a gift!
(still doing plays)
(audience approved)
So, as we box up binders full of this year...we anticipate next year excitedly. We wonder what the next season will have in store and we know that whatever comes our way is deemed good by our loving Father God. Homeschool...it's a blessing! It's our way of life. It's taking place all the time. The learning never ends....just like love (1 Cor. 13:8). We thank the Lord for His wise plans.
"Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain."
Psalm 127:1
Thank you, Lord, for what you're teaching us now and always. Thank you for this time of reflection and
assessment of where we've been and where you're leading us next year...even as we wrap up this year.
"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth.
Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!"
Psalm 127:3-5