Looking Back

A little look back at our first year of homeschooling according to the kids. Because I want to remember their perspectives too :)

Jesse Tree Advent Tradition

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;

from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

Isaiah 11:1

This year I am so excited to start a Jesse Tree Advent with the kids. Every day we will dive into God's word together and uncover God's all consuming, always faithful, never giving up love for His people. From creation to Jesus' birth each day we will see how God's plan was to always, always, always rescue His people.

As the kids put these ornaments on each day in December my prayer is that God's story of Salvation will truly come alive for them. 

A few weeks ago, a sweet mama in our church organized a Jesse Tree Ornament exchange. There were 11 of us and so each of us made 2 ornaments (and a couple made 3). Then we got together and exchanged our handmade goodies. 

Oh my. 

These ladies completely blew me away with their creativity. I would have never EVER dreamed up these ornaments on my own. What a gift they are to our family. Each day when we take them out I will be reminded of the love and care these women put into making them. What a blessing.

And on top of all that, it was a super fun evening getting to know some sweet women in our new church. A night out for this homeschooling mama was worth it's weight in gold ;)

These ornaments were made to follow along with The Advent Jesse Tree Devotional, but you can also simply follow along with the scripture for each day.

Here's what we will be putting on our tree over the next month....

Day 1: Creation

Genesis 1:1, 26-31

Day 2: Sin 

Genesis 3:1-19

Day 3: The Ark

Genesis 6:11-14; 7:17; 8:3; 9:8-13

Day 4: Abraham

Genesis 12:1-7

Day 5: The Lamb

Genesis 22:1-14, John 1:29

Day 6: Jacob's Ladder

Genesis 28:10-22

Day 7: Joseph's Coat of Many Colors

Genesis 37:1-4

Day 8: The Ten Commandments

Exodus 20:1-17, Deuteronomy 5:1-22

Day 9: The Promised Land

Numbers 13:1-2, 17-23, 27

Day 10: Ruth and Boaz

Ruth 1:15- 2:3

Day 11: King David

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Day 12: The Law

II Kings 23:1-3, Psalm 119:105

Day 13: The Stump of Jesse

Isaiah 11:1-2

Day 14: The Lion and the Lamb

Isaiah 11:6-9

 Day 15: The Prince of Peace

Isaiah 9: 2-7, John 14:27

Day 16: The Gentle Shepherd

Isaiah 40:11, Psalm 23:1-2, John 10:27

Day 17: The Suffering Servant

Isaiah 53, Luke 2:8-18, John 19:11-18, John 10:15

Day 18: The New Covenant

Jeremiah 23:5-6 and 31:31-34

Day 19: Bethlehem Prophecy

Luke 2:6-21

Day 20: The Fiery Furnace

Daniel 3:19-29 and Jeremiah 1:8

Day 21: The Exile

Nehemiah 4:15-23, 6:15

Day 22: The Star

Matthew 2:1-12 and Revelation 22:16

Day 23: The Light of the World

Luke 1:26-38, 2:32 and John 8:12

Day 24: The Angel

Hebrews 1:14, Luke 2:8-14

Day 25: Baby Jesus!

Luke 2:1-10 and John 3:16-17

We bought a special little 3ft tree to put in our homeschool room. I love that it is in  place that we will see everyday and be reminded of His perfect plan and perfect LOVE for us.

I can not wait for tomorrow!

xoxo

Out of control

"How's homeschooling?"

It's the question I am asked most often these days.
And to be totally honest it's a hard one to answer.
I usually say something like:

"Oh, you know, some days are good and some are hard."

And it's true.... but I wish I could explain it better. I just have a really hard time putting into words what these last two months have been like. Homeschooling has definitely changed our family. In so many ways.

I think what I love best is that we are experiencing life together. We have had some pretty rocking moments together that I know are God's little gifts to me. Little joys that would not have been mine if we weren't spending our days together in this way.

*The mid afternoon talks while strolling in Fish Creek.
*The many, many baking adventures.
*The quiet giggles as we listen to Ellie's elaborate morning prayers (man, God must have so much fun listening to his children!)
*The way his face lights up when he figures out that hard thing called Math.
*Listening to her reading... and getting it.
*Hearing them making up those imaginary games.
*Taking joy in learning all about God's creation together.
*Watching her breeze through her schoolwork and then desiring more.

So many wonderful moments.

The hardest thing though has been figuring out how to make it work for each of the kids in different ways. They each have their strengths and weaknesses and we are still figuring out new ways to both support and challenge them. It has been a lot of trial and error. A lot.  ;)

But even on those hard days I get to spend them with these 4.......how lucky am I?!

Recently another homeschooling mom told me that the first year of homeschooling is like having your first baby. And I am here to say that that is probably the most accurate comparison.

When I think back to when I first had Evan I remember a messy mix of hard moments and moments where I wondered how on earth I could be so blessed.

My heart was so filled to the brim with unspeakable joy.
I just couldn't grasp the fact that this perfect little guy was mine to love!
I spent hours cuddling, swaying, singing.
I spent hours praying, laughing, loving.

I was also....

exhausted beyond words.
and worried that I was doing everything wrong.
and scattered.... where oh where did I put those car keys?
and stressed that maybe, just maybe I wasn't cut out for this....
and faced (daily!) with the fact that I didn't know what the heck I was doing.

All of this describes that crazy first year of being a Mama......and it also perfectly describes our last 8 weeks.
;)

But God.

He has been gently teaching me that this is a good place to be.... out of control. Because it leaves room for Him. When I have my act together it's easy to go through the day without Him. But Lord have Mercy.... have I needed HIM! Daily. Hourly.

I need him.

And I want my kids to learn the same. That they need Him. That through it all, whether good or wonderful or hard or scary being out of control is the best place to be.... as long as we remember that He is always in control!

As we roll into our third month of homeschooling I feel like we are starting to find our way. 

We are making mistakes but we are picking ourselves up and dusting ourselves off.

And just like with parenting, I am holding onto the hope (the promise! the knowledge!).... that this indeed will get easier.

xo

We're homeschooling.

Say WHAAAAAT? You're going to homeschool your kids?! All of them?!

Yup.

I'll let the shock sink in............................................................................. :)

I have always admired and respected homeschooling families (they are superstars!) but I never EVER in a million years thought I would be one of them. Like. Ever.

Well, never say never.
Ha!

If you know me, you know I process by writing.
So naturally when something big happens to our family I feel the need to write about it.
Plus, by writing about our decision to homeschool I can let everyone know what we are doing without actually having to personally tell everyone.
I'm kinda emotional these days.

Our decision to homeschool was wrestled with, weighed upon, and soaked in over a year of prayer. So many factors went into making this huge decision. And while I know that this is exactly where we are suppose to be for this season, I am still sad.

Change is never easy. Saying goodbye to seeing your best buddies everyday will not be easy. Leaving an amazing school that we have considered family for the past six years will not be easy.

But God.

I know He will meet every need. He will fill our children's hearts. He will guide us and mold us and go before us.

This new season will be exciting and wonderful and stretching and challenging. And we are all going to learn SO much- it's gonna be awesome.
Looking forward to a brand new adventure in the fall!

xo