I love homeschooling!

I love homeschooling. Yes, it is January 13th and I am finally able to take a deep breath and say this. We started in September and there have been many tough days when I want to shave my head or run away, but the joys far outweigh the pains. I love that I can snuggle up with my boys on the couch in front of the fire and read all of the books we want. I love that we can just drop everything and go for a hike up the hill. I love that we don't have the rush, rush, rush of the morning routine. We wake up slowly (again, by the fire) and eat breakfast in a leisurely way. I love that they can run across the driveway and say hi to Daddy any time they want to. I love that I can go to appointments anytime I need to and they can continue school at home with our baby-sitter or do it later. I love the flexibility. I'm not, by nature, a flexible person. I am very Type A. Well, I used to be a lot more Type A than I am now. Once I became a Mom, God started whittling away at the Type A tendencies. It just doesn't make sense. Yes, we need order and routine in our house. But, I don't want to miss the joys because "it's too messy" or "not time" either. I love that we live so close to my brother and his family and we can keep my niece anytime. The boys don't have to wait til "after school" to see her.

I just plain love being with my kids. This time is so fleeting. We really will blink and wonder where it went. I already do that. How is my firstborn about to be 10? That's double digits! How is my baby already 5?

Homeschooling is the hardest thing I've EVER done. God has used it to humble me and bring me to my knees daily. But, I wouldn't trade it for the world. If you would've asked me 10 years ago if I would be one of "those" homeschooling moms, I would have given you and emphatic NO! God loves turning our "no's" and "nevers" into obedience to Him.

That is all we're doing. Obeying God in what He's called us to do for our family. The rewards have been simply amazing.

Here's reason #289 why we homeschool. What you can't see is that Jonah's only wearing his Toy Story underwear and a shirt. You can't do M&M math in your underwear in public school!

God is good and I love my life.

SNOW!!!

Today was the first snow since we moved here. Needless to say, the boys were itching to get outside as soon as rest time was over. We went to church, had lunch, and our Sunday afternoon naps before we bundled them up. I think the pictures say a thousand words. It truly is a winter wonderland here. (You can click on the photo for a larger view.)

A few more!

There are so many gorgeous shots of our little piece of country heaven. Robby's favorite is the one looking down at our cozy house from the top of the hill.