Yikes, And Then There Were Two! (Pictures from the Past)

When I started this blog what seems like a billion year ago, my son was starting pre-k and my daughter, she was a chubby little baby. But fast forward 4 years and it seems like they grew up in the blink of an eye. Literally, I am trying to wrap my brain around homeschooling a third grader and a pre-k, completely obsessed with princesses, kinda girl and I am left scratching my head and ready to run for the hills.

Proof that I am not crazy!!

I know that it is completely doable though because I have friends who homeschool 4 to 5 children at a time. Still, that small voice inside of me screams, how? I then look at the homeschool blogger rockstars for advice. The ones that I looked to for help when I first started school with my son and had no idea where to begin. The ones that have always been a wealth of knowledge include Carisa at 1+1+1=1, Jolanthe at Homeschool Creations and Confessions of A Homeschooler.

What I have learned from these women and others like them has been a great encouragement as I enter in the next part of our homeschool journey.Here are some of my thoughts that I would like to share, no I am not an expert, nor do I ever want to claim to be one but I believe what the Bible says in Proverbs 15:22 (MSG)  "Refuse good advice and watch your plans fail; take good counsel and watch them succeed". I am sharing advice from seasoned homeschoolers that I have gleaned from throughout the years.

My prayer is that these words will encourage someone as they began this journey with their little ones or as they enter into a new season with a lot of unknowns and questions swirling in their head.

First, when you lose sight of what you are doing remember and even write it out, why did you began homeschooling in the first place. Write out the goals that you have for your children and then write these goals into a prayer asking the Lord to give you wisdom and direction. 

Secondly, connect with other homeschooling moms and ask a lot of questions, not just about curriculum but about life. Maybe you are about to transition into jr. high and you have a question about how to do so smoothly find a mom that has been there. Pick their brain and remember to ask for help when you just don't know.

Third and one of the most important things is when you buy that curriculum and it does not fit your child's learning style it is okay to switch. Sometimes, it takes awhile to realize this but it happens. It's okay to do your own thing. Not all children fit into one set curriculum. Again pray and the Lord will give you direction.

Last point pray. Homeschooling is hard, its harder when we try to do it on our own without being lead by the spirit and in love. I have learned this the hard way, when days would just drag on and tears were abundant. Remember this as you teach your children 1 Corinthians 13:3-7:

If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end

These are more than just flowery words that well up emotions in our heart. These are words to abide by, meditate on, and allow to saturate in us  as we spend our day with the children God has entrusted in our care. Without love our home and school suffer and are bankrupt.

Linked up to the 6th Annual "Not"Back To School Blog Hop.