End of school in more ways than one!

So I cried Friday at Zoey's awards day. I was so proud of her accomplishments this year and how much she has matured and I was especially proud that she was awarded the "Bucket-filler" award. A bucket filler you may know is someone who fills someones "bucket" by being kind, complimentary and taking an interest in them. But I cried because.... I'm afraid. I am very sure, I mean like 100% sure that home schooling is God's will for our lives, but still there is fear. Just like any calling from Him I suppose, there is fear. "Can I do this?" I think to myself forty eleven times a day. Thankfully though, the fear is only fleeting and the joy and peace comes back. Thats like the bonus prize for being obedient. Everyone should try it. The last thing I want to do is be unhappy with what God has asked me to do. I know people like that, and it's just pitiful.

Serving the Lord is such an adventure! I know there were times in my life when I thought I was in control and I thought I was happy, But now, more than twenty years later, I know that true happiness comes when you GIVE UP control of your life. And that's where the adventure comes in. If you would have told me a year ago that I would be home schooling my kids I would have laughed in your face. But here I am, joining the ranks of the people I have always thought were nuts.

It's funny to me to read peoples reactions when they hear of our plans. I want to tell them the whole story of how it all came about. Partly to give glory  to God and highlight how He works in the lives of his children, but also to make myself seem less insane.  Sometimes I get that vibe from moms reminiscent of the bottle vs. breast or working mom vs. stay-at-home mom debate and that bothers me. I remember when I realized breast feeding wasn't going to happen for me with Allison. For awhile when someone asked me or when I saw a breastfeeding mom, I'd sort of feel a little guilty like I couldn't provide everything I wanted to for my child. And then there were times the tables would turn and I'd meet a working mom who seemed to feel like she had to offer me an explanation as to why she wasn't a stay-at-home mom. I guess its mom-guilt or something. When I get this feeling I always want to shout "This is just for our family. It's God's will for us. We loved school. For crying out loud I went to college for six years to BE a public school teacher! I am certainly not going to suggest you go off the rails on this crazy train!" So far I haven't shouted to anyone, but I've thought about it at least twice. :)
Our garage is being enclosed to become our new school room and it is very exciting. A lot of people don't use any special space other than the kitchen table, but for me, having a school room will be very important. I will need to separate myself to a certain extent from the daily chores so that we can be focused.  I have no idea what it will be like, but I know that I am easily distracted by what needs to be done around the house and I want to separate those duties from my teaching duties at least for a few hours each day. I think I have talked the girls into starting school in August so that we can have more flexible time in the school year.  I will post some pictures of the room transformation so I can have my own "Design on a Dime" show.