Evaluating YOUR HomeSchool Journey

Labor Day is one of those holidays that each person views in his/her own way.  For many, it is that last day of summer fun as that season closes and the back to school season can be no longer delayed.  It is a chance to refine our schedule and settle into a new routine.  It is also filled with the anticipation of the fall season and cooler temperatures (and in Georgia that is a welcome anticipation – it’s been really hot here.)  It is a myriad of emotions that spark a myriad of emotions.

This year, more than any other, I have been touched by the change that our lives take and the adjustments that we make in our homeschooling life.  I look at the changes and must admit that many of them I would have never chosen; honestly, I don't even remotely enjoy a few of them.  Nonetheless, I am not a stranger on an island - there are others.  It is a group that seems to equal an endless amount of questioning and seeking.  I have had the honor of speaking with many homeschooling parents, families, and inquirers.  Many of those conversations include the person that I am speaking with telling me what someone else has directed them to do.  While we all need to learn and one of the best ways to learn is from those around us – we need to remember that those around us are NOT our measuring stick (ouch that's a tough one).

When we continue to do things the way we have always done them or based on the guidelines of another person we grow stale and we miss the blessings that God has in store.  While I completely understand the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach – I don’t think that we always realize our brokenness.  Comfort and/or complacency can be the beginnings of a fractured homeschool.

Are you the same person you were 10 years ago?  5 years ago?  We are impacted by our experiences and shaped by the things that happen in our daily lives.  However, sometimes those lessons that we learn are more of a strong hold or stumbling block than they are a motivator.  We do things and don’t do things because we do not want to find ourselves in a specific situation nor do we want to experience a particular hurt/discomfort and we certainly do not want to bring that about for our children/students.  

We need to reevaluate.   It is time to step out in faith and abandon the fears that are so easily clung to.  Go with what you know – that which can NOT be disputed.

1.       1.   YOU were hand-picked.  YOU were specifically chosen.  God created that life that you call your child and He specifically matched you for them.  You were His first choice, His only choice to parent that child; you were a choice that He made with infinite wisdom.

2.       2.   When things are specifically matched – made for each other – the fit may not always seem perfect but it is.  It is exactly as it was meant to be.  Trust the union that God created and trust your “Mommy instinct.”  You are the only one that has the instinct geared specifically for your child.

3.       3.  Experience is a life lesson.  You are not on an island and your experiences are not solo flights.  Enjoy the God crafted family and learn things together.  You learn more when you admit you aren’t sure of what to do next than when you decide to fake it.   Cool, calm, and collected are not the only characteristics that God uses.  He uses real people in real time.

4.       4.  Soak it all in.  Don’t dismiss the little moments because each moment comes but once.  Enjoy the fact that we have a loving Father who doesn’t require that we repeat our mistakes but can pepper them with an immense number of blessings.

What does all of this mean?  It means that we live in a world surrounded by many lifestyles, choices, freedoms, and opinions.  You are only responsible for your homeschool and your actions.  You have to follow the plan that you feel God has laid before you.  Respect the plans offered by others but don’t abandon the one that was meant for you.  You are not wrong, you may not be right, but you are specifically chosen and in addition “fearfully and wonderfully made.” 

I, personally, have come to the conclusion that I will never figure out the perfect formula because I am not a perfect person, a perfect example, or a perfect planner.  What I can experience is His perfect peace when I relinquish the bond of those things that are not from Him and embrace the journey that He has given me.  I can ask the questions but the answers that I must trust are the ones that God has given ME and not the ones that meet the approval of public (or popular) opinion.  

Get R.E.A.L.L. With The Semester Myth

The Semester Myth...

OK - Let's face it.  We plan, we dream, and we have it all worked out in our head; we even put it from pen to paper, and on paper it is doable.   Maybe not perfect but achievable nonetheless.  We start the school year and are convinced "we've got this." Congratulations!!  You've just feed the monster - the monster of the Semester Myth!!

We begin the year and things are plugging right along and then it happens...LIFE.  There is always something that just comes up, something unexpected that catches you off guard, and all of the things that you were thinking you had under control are gone in a flash.  You are no longer ahead of the game; you are now playing catch up.  The days of proactive are gone and you are in full reactive mode.

Perhaps those things (the unexpected and unplanned) last only a moment, others may seem to go on forever, and many are far more than you could have ever imagined.  You might just be flooded with moments and/or circumstances beyond your wildest dreams - harder than you have ever known anything to be.  But you can't stop - right?  You have a family of students that you are homeschooling.  You have things that must be done and timelines that must be adhered to.

  

Don't feed the myth monster...  You are part of a homeschooling family and one of the most beautiful parts of this journey is that you aren't just educating the academics you are experiencing life - together.  You know that things don't always go smoothly, that adjustments have to be made, and that you are going to get caught off guard.  This is not the time to panic, to hide the hurt, or to give up. This is the time to pull together.  Make your adjustments, admit your obstacles, and continue to experience the journey - honesty in the midst of situations brings strength in the midst of adversity.  You can do this - together.  

The schedule or the completion of your syllabus doesn't determine your success and the lack of it will not deem you a failure.  Very few schools, in any format (homeschooling, public, private, magnet, etc.), complete a textbook or cover every lesson.  It isn't about quantity but about quality and what better way to ensure the quality than to equip your students to handle the things that creep up and creep in without letting them creep you out.

Let's get REALL with the semester myth!!!

Reflect - reflect on the things that you did accomplish.  Chances are that you will find more things than originally anticipated can be marked off the list.  You'll most likely be pleasantly surprised to add the items that didn't make the original "cut" but were accomplished none the less.  

Evaluate - evaluate the things that you learned, not the things that went well but the things that you learned.  Many of life's lessons come through the situations that you didn't particularly enjoy or wouldn't deem as best moments ever.  Yet, those are the things that you will carry with you as lessons learned.

Attack - attack the things that are stealing your joy.  Don't give them room to take root.  Attack the things that you feel simply must be done and areas where time is of the essence.  Attack the doubt that life loves to fling at you in all you do.  Attack Satan's hold on you and allow God to fight the battle.

Love - love the opportunity to share the time with your family, love the fact that you were able to do it together, love the blessings that have peppered whatever path that you have walked.  You are not expected (nor required) to love the things that crept in; but, love the reality that they only have victory when you allow it.

Look Ahead - look ahead to the next semester.  There are more days and more lessons awaiting the next semester turn.  Have your experiences changed your academic needs?  Your priorities?  Have they opened new avenues, revealed new plans?  Change is not the evil power - allowing it to paralyze or diminish your journey are its only strongholds.  There are so many more blessings to be bestowed. Embrace the gifts that they are sure to bring - no matter how unexpected the journey may seem.

We are going to stumble but we cannot quit; we have been given the incredible opportunity to travel a path that not only takes many forms; but also, forms many relationships.  Though I may not have begun my homeschool journey as one particularly fond of change or graceful under the pressure of the unexpected, I do continue the journey thankful for each blessing and realizing that without them I wouldn't be who I am or where I am today.  How wonderful it is to know that God isn't yet finished with me or my journey.  

Slaying The Dragon - Embracing The Beauty

I am determined (I keep telling myself) to do a much better job of regularly posting here.  As a matter of fact I have been so determined that I have written my latest post at least a dozen times; the problem is that I have written it in my head, in my dreams, in bits and pieces on a napkin - in every imaginable format except here where it belongs!!!!

I have come to the realization that it could very well be that I was trying to write what I thought everyone needed; or, perhaps, I was trying to write something that sounded encouraging, uplifting, and maybe even smart.  Unfortunately, none of those things were what God has placed on my heart.  And I am going to be honest – my heart has been working overtime lately.

This is definitely a season of change in our homeschool, our family, and for me personally.  Honestly, I haven’t been quite sure how to take it all.  Jeff (my husband and I) dated nearly five years before getting married and were married for nearly four years before we had our first child – one of our beautiful daughters.  In those eight plus years I had a minimum of 14 jobs; no, I didn’t work two jobs at one time and no I was never really out of work.  I would go to work for a company and be immediately at watch for the next best thing, my perfect fit.  Each place I went had its benefits but it wasn’t the fit I was looking for.  My talent seemed to be landing the job more than keeping the job; every place was always missing something – I was always missing something.  Keeping all of this in mind, no one was more surprised than I as God revealed one of his purposes for me - the path of a stay at home mom.   However, that is exactly where He led me and that is exactly where I have been for over 19 years and in those years I have been certain of one thing without waiver.  I absolutely LOVE being mommy.  I can’t think of one think that I feel I have missed or am missing; this is my perfect fit.  That hasn’t changed; mommy is still my favorite name.  However, even though my heart hasn’t wavered or changed – the world around me hasn’t stopped changing and that includes my children.  Can you believe they are growing up?

Many of you know my oldest daughter started college last August (I can’t believe the year passed so quickly) and that was an adjustment; now she has her first official “suitor.”  A very sweet young man who loves the Lord and is crazy about our “Sunshine.”  We see God’s provision and constant work in the midst of everything; this new phase is exciting – but boy has mom found a couple of the pills hard to swallow.  I am realizing that instead of being right there and witnessing each of the moments first hand, I am going to have to be content with her play by play or abbreviated rendition – AFTER THE FACT.  I have over 100 pictures of the first dance she every attended and now I’m getting second hand renditions and NO pictures.  Home for break is no longer a given; there are opportunities to study abroad, trips with friends, extra courses, and various other factors invading my space!  What?!

Don’t worry – we still have our youngest “Twinkle Star.”  She doesn’t have her driver’s license but she’s been invaded by the teenage years.  She’s growing up right before our eyes and I keep trying to find the pause button.  Morning cuddle in mommy’s lap time has been replaced by a hug with legs dangling in all directions.  Oh, we can’t stop there, no – the hits keep coming.  She is becoming independent, self-reliant and finding her own voice.  Yeah, Yeah, she has always had her own voice – it’s just getting louder and she’s getting bolder. 

Really?  God do you not remember that I told you I was perfectly happy with my little girls – I found my perfect fit; I am not shopping for the next thing anymore.    Listen closely, that may indeed be a little bit of self-pity that you hear.  Are you ready for this?  If I’m not careful and I allow myself, I could hang out on "feel sorry for me lane" for a rather long spell.  But alas, that is NOT the example that I would to instill in my girls, that’s not what I want them to think of when they think of me, and that is not going to make me more useful to The Father.  I have no choice – I must slay that dragon and embrace the beauty of it all.  Oh my - How very beautiful it is.

Abbee has patiently waited for God to reveal Himself and His plan for her.  She is surrounded by Godly friends, immersed in His Word, and embracing each element of His handiwork.  Wow – how comforting and how exciting.  How beautiful it is that she has chosen Him and not repeated the mistakes of her mother at that age.  Hang on to your seats; that’s not the best part.  The best part are when those moments arise…the moments where she is tired, frightened, excited, overwhelmed, overjoyed, or trying to make a decision,  They are great moments because I don’t read about them on Facebook or Twitter.  I don’t seem them condensed to 15 seconds to play out on Vine or Snap Chat - I hear the phone ring and I know it’s her because her calls have their own special ring.  I am shocked at the reaction of others when they learn that she has chosen to have that conversation with me.  I am delighted that God has allowed me that sweet moment and I look forward to and even long for the next one.

Cassee, though no longer a baby face, has morphed into this young lady determined to be who God has intended her to be and seeking out those spiritual opportunities.  She is strong and not easily swayed by popular opinion or peer pressure.  She knows only one setting – 100%, wide open.  Yes her legs do spill over from my lap but I know this because she still chooses to sit in my lap for a visit or a simple hug.  She is a champion for the underdog and always seems to be seeking opportunities to make an impact or reach a heart.  She doesn’t let on easy to what bothers her or even if there is an issue at hand; but she takes time for whomever God has placed on her heart.  She leaves her smile everywhere she goes or has gone.  It’s always on her face and in the hearts of those who know her.

In no way will I imply or insist that it isn’t hard.  It is; but, it’s the best hard known to a mom.  The one where you are no longer caught up in what you’re missing or no longer have – but instead – you are in awe of the beauty that God has placed in your life; especially since that beauty is wrapped up in the package of your children. 

The moral of the story…the pause button doesn’t work with time and if you keep looking for it and arguing with the circumstances you aren’t going to be able to see the beauty that invades your space and longs for your recognition.  So, by all means, shed your tears but clothe them in the joy of His beauty and the fact that it calls you “mommy!”

THE MOM BOOK

Awesome organization at your fingertips .. without spending a fortune.  Here you go; thanks for waiting patiently the how to Power Point has been downloaded.
http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/jefftraceewood-1556405-awesome-organization-mom-book/

Happy Organizing - watch for some new tools coming soon.

Time Line and Mapping Notebook

Thanks to everyone for your patience.  The workshop has now been converted and the link is listed.  Have a great time and enjoy the Ultimate Timeline & Mapping Book.

http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/jefftraceewood-1556420-ultimate-timeline-mapping-book/

I haven't disappeared - I've been swallowed by life!!!

Wow - when they say things move at the speed of life, they should also tell you to fasten your seatbelts and hang on.  I can't imagine taking this journey without knowing that God is in control. 

Let me give you a couple of quick updates.

My oldest daughter has begun her college experience.  She is at a wonderful Christian College in the North Georgia area (Toccoa Falls College).  I can not even begin to express the comfort a mom feels to know that each day is filled with not only biblically accurate academic instruction but also spiritual guidance and fostering.  What an exciting time for her.  God is so at work and she is so smiling in every picture we see.  That certainly makes the adjustment for mom a little easier - knowing that she is truly experiencing God and being protected by His grace and wisdom. 

My mom has undergone her hip surgery and begun the PT rehab portion of the first operation; however, she has been plaqued by virus and illness which is making her process much slower than she had intended and certainly desired.  We continue to be thankful for God's grace and sufficiency as He cares for her and covet your prayers for smoother rehab journey.

My youngest daughter decided that a crazy softball schedule was not enough.  She too got really sick and was down and out for a couple of weeks.  She is my typical ball of fire and go get um girl; but, there were days where she felt too sick and too tired to even talk.  Certainly this is not the kind of quiet a mom enjoys.

This season in our lives is certainly different than we would have planned or expected; nonetheless, Our Father is strong for us and continues to carry us through the times that are our life right now.  We are so thankful for Him and each of you that He has placed in our lives.

Many of you are waiting on the posts from the conference workshops.  I am soooooooooooo sorry that this is not the timeline that I promised or planned.  I hope to have the administrative part of things back up and running within the next week.

Thank you for your patience and continued encouragement.

WIND DOWN for WIND UP!!!

Good Morning HomeSchool Friends. 

We are now officially entering the period that I call the wind down for wind up.  We have made it through the conference season.  We have evaluated everything and for the most part made our curriculum decisions.  After the conference ths weekend - many of us are just releaved to have the choices that we have made in our "hot little hands."

Now what...
Well, we have wound down the conference and "research" season and are officially in that time crunch to wind up for school starting.  How do we handle this?  It can be incredibly stressful - because our busy lives haven't stopped; it is merely time to add our school schedule to the table.

I am not the perfect parent, wife or homeschooling mom - but here are some tips that have worked for me:

1.  Take a day and share.  Share the insights and blessing that you received from the conference.  I  know I was so incredibly honored to meet so many wonderful families.  I was especially honored as I sat in various conferences and workshops to see familr faces.  Thank you so much for sharing  your time with me.
     You may choose to share these blessings with your spouse, your homeschooling friends, or yourself in an encouragment journal.  You want to also make sure to share things that excited you with your homeschool students.  If you are excited they will be more confident and quite possibly excited too.

2.  Have a fun day.  Gather your children together and do something fun that all of you can enjoy.  It  can be building a tree house together, going to White Water, or a movie marathon.  We love these at my house. Everyone chooses a movie and a snack.  We all agree to snuggle up in our most comfy chairs, our most comfy clothes, and share our snacks and our movies.  We usually finish this off by getting dressed and visiting our favorite Greek Pizza house.  From there we go and pick out our school supply upgrades.

3.  I know that it doesn't seem like that day is anywhere to be found but take a day and PLAN.  Plan  your rough schedule for your days and weeks; plan your academic goals.  In 6 weeks we should be on lesson 19, etc.  This is not a chain to hold you prisoner but a compass to help you stay on track.  It will guide you so that if things are not clipping along - you know where adjustments need to be made.  I find it especially rewarding to plan with a friend.  It allows company and encouragment as well as accountability.  I usually plan with a friend with whom my daughter is also friends and it is like a treat day for her as well.

4.  Start on a sliding scale.  I usually do two 1/2 days  and 2 full days in my beginning week.  It is   sometimes hard to go from 0 to 90.  This gives me time to make adjustments where needed and the  children time to get used to the changing schedule.

5.  MOST IMPORTANT:  Cover your family, home and school year in prayer.  Pray often and without ceasing.  We are so blessed to be taking this journey with our Heavenly Father and He deesires to be included - He is already there walking with us.

Don't be afraid to ask questions and don't be afraid to realize that every answer will not work for you.  We learn by sharing and sometimes the information we get is exactly what the person beside us needed to hear. 

Don't hesitate to email me.  I lovc talking to you and hearing from you.