{Back to HOME School}

What a difference a year makes!  We have been doing school all summer off and on but decided to make it official and take "Back to HomeSchool" photos when Bubba began his dual enrollment courses at CIU.   

With Wyatt being a senior this year, he is taking all his courses in college...giving him a chance to get his feet wet in the higher education arena as well as earn college credits that we an also count towards his high school transcript. He is in person for his courses two days a week and home the other three (although he's also having to take a baseball class at the nearby high school where he plays- and that class we are not counting towards his transcript).   He was up early to get on the road so I took his picture first and then began the day with the younger three.  

Now for the littles and middle's photos...

Last year we truly found our rhythm together after trying different co-ops and hybrid schools.  I truly LOVE what we do at home and they do, too!  We begin with breakfast and Bible and then move into our Core Subjects (ELA/Phonics, Spelling, Reading & Math).  We do all of this together at the kitchen island and then the girls get a play break while Bear practices drums.  I also use that time to get laundry and any email/computer work done.  

After he practices drums, we circle up again and begin Gather Round.  It is a curriculum that we began last year after sampling several different units the year before.  It can be used as a core curriculum (just needing to add math) but we use it more supplementally.  I teach a lesson and then each child has their appropriately leveled work to complete.  We include more Bible (never can get enough of that!), geography, science, social studies, phonics, writing and much more.  

I think what I adore the most is that all of our time is together. There is nothing that we do apart (other than music lessons) and it allows us to truly sharpen one another.  I'm not busy teaching one type of history or science to one child and something else to another.  The creator of Gather Round knew what she was doing!  It's such a blessing!

Then, it's lunch time! We eat together and listen to another book, of course.  This year we are beginning with the entire Rush Revere History series.  They have study guides and quizzes for free online that Bear works through as we listen.  I do everything orally with the girls.  The kids are learning SO much with these books and they are just delightful to read.   

Lastly, we spend some time quietly reading or playing so that mom gets a much needed break! :) 

Most mornings, I sit on my porch and just give thanks for this being my life.  Yes, it's hard and it definitely doesn't always go according to plan.  There are days I would love to be able to run an errand or go indulge myself without having to finagle all the things that goes with being a full time mom/teacher/nurse/cafeteria lady/coach/maid and more!  There are moments the enemy attacks me and then there are moments he loses again.  Keeping my eyes on Jesus is crucial to making this work.  So, as much as I've pointed out all we do together in a day, I'd be remiss not to mention that it all has to begin with me at the foot of the Cross asking for His strength to be made perfect in my weakness in this high calling and long journey He's given.  My alarm clock goes off earlier than this not-a-morning-person would like but it's time well spent with Him and physically bettering myself to endure this marathon. 

Here's to my 13th year of trying to figure this out and being quite grateful that Jesus already has!