Back To School Shopping

after years of homeschooling  is a funny thing.  When we homeschooled (for 12 years) we never did back-to-school shopping with the rest of the world.  Instead, some time in October when the rest of the world was in school, we would sneak out during the day and get new clothes on clearance.  New shoes in the bargain aisle, and... well, you get the idea.  We didn't buy clothes specially for back to school, because really?  Who were we trying to impress?

Yesterday, while shopping with our daughter, it struck me how "skewed" our view of back-to-school shopping really is.  We came home with lots of school supplies -- some of them very specific items that worked effectively for my girl when she started public school last year as a freshman.

The only clothes that we came home with were shorts and tank tops for a "Personal Training" class my girl will be taking.  She said she's really happy with her clothes otherwise.

So while some girls will be breaking in new shoes and jeans, and keeping new straps and necklines in check, my girl will be in her already broken in comfy stuff.  Who knows?  Maybe in October we'll go find some new things on clearance.

It's Official ~ Sophomore Status!

You can say what you want about when summer vacation officially begins...

But, I say it begins when report cards arrive in the mail!  (Thank goodness they don't wait too long to mail those suckers out!)  How nice it was for my daughter to already be celebrating at Cedar Point with our church youth group when her report card arrived.  I couldn't resist texting her with her grades.

"Do a happy dance and ride an extra roller coaster!  Report card is here.  Good work!  Love you so!"

My girl is officially a sophomore!*  And we've got the whole summer to think about that.

* If you're wondering why this is a big deal at our house, you can read my girl's story HERE, and about our entire transition from homeschooling to public school in THESE POSTS.

"The Graduate"

I just got a text from my hubby that said, "Any word from the graduate?"

THE GRADUATE.

We are really doing this folks!

After 12 years of homeschooling, and two years of public school, we are finally doing this thing.

The 12 years of homeschooling was wonderful, and then it wasn't anymore, and the apron-strings needed to be cut in a major way in order for the man-cub to graduate.

The transition to public school was eventful.  We felt welcomed and accepted and... part of the pack.  We received confirmation through the entire transition process.  We knew we were in the right place.

At the semester break of what we thought was his junior year, we were told our son could graduate in the spring.  I'll never forget my conversation with my son's guidance counselor.  "He didn't seem very happy about it when I told him," she said.  Of course not.  He had just found his place after-all.  After much deliberation (and leaving it up to him), he decided that if he stayed one more year, not only would it better prepare him for his future, but he would be able to experience a year of public school with his sister.  (She was due to begin the following fall.)  How could we argue with that?

So, another year it was.

First semester flew by.  And then, a week before Christmas (and after much searching) he finally found a job -- as a security guard at a local mall.  While working hours just shy of full-time, the second semester became a grind.  Everything was harder.  Time was at a premium.  SLEEP was at a premium!!

As a mom, my heart was breaking at the same time it was bursting with pride.  I remembered my high school years.  We had only summer jobs -- if we could find one.  There was no working during the school year.  Are you kidding?  We were HIGH SCHOOL students.  But, times have changed.  Children are now expected to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders.  And can I just say: I'm not convinced that times are BETTER.

Nevertheless, our security guard has managed to pull a rabbit out of his mythical top-hat.  There was never any doubt that he COULD do it, just if he WOULD.

A well-meaning mom can only "encourage" so much before it turns to "meddling" -- at least in the eyes of an 18 year old man-cub.

Many times I said to the Lord, "I lay it all at your feet."  I told my friend Sasha that at the same time I was talking to the Lord, I was also preparing my heart... what happens IF...  and knowing that we could live to tell about it if there was only night-school in our son's future, and no walking across a stage.  {Surely the Lord shakes his head at me!}

Well, what once was in jeopardy is now really happening.  Announcements have arrived.  The graduation gown came home the other day. Certificates came home in a fancy binder, along with commencement tickets!  An awards breakfast has taken place -- and in DRESS CLOTHES, no less!!  *wink

Pinch me.  We are really doing this folks!

By the way, the security guard just came home from his last day of school.  How did I know he was here?  I could hear the beat of "Summertime" by Rascal Flatts cranked up on his car stereo out in the driveway.  Love that boy.

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If you are on a homeschooling journey and feeling lost, be encouraged.  God knows your every concern.  Have an honest conversation with him.

You can read more of our (home)schooling adventures here:
Part 1 ~ Part 2 ~ Part 3 ~ Part 4

Everything Must GO!

I'm cleaning out homeschooling curriculum, and ready to part with it all!

After many years of homeschooling, I can tell you that we are living under a mountain of curriculum.  I thought that I was going to put it all on e-bay, but that hasn't panned out quite yet.  I put a note on Facebook listing everything that I have -- and I had one friend of a friend contact me to purchase a few books.  Nice, but not enough to put a dent in the mountain -- if you know what I mean.  (And I know that you homeschooling mamas DO!)

So, in another little effort to get rid of stuff and tidy up our home, I am sharing with you here on the blog. Below, you will find a list containing all of the curriculum that I still have.  Some of the items were purchased new, some were purchased "used" from ebay, and some were handed down.

5/14/13 UPDATE:  Well y'all - who knew you could sell homeschool curriculum on Etsy?  Apparently because I'd never searched for it there, I never stopped to think that it could be FOUND there.  Today, I have started the daunting job of listing these items on Etsy for your consideration.  Thanks to my friend Jennifer for helping me clear out a couple of items!

UPDATE:  Only older items on Etsy, of course -- so that was a very limited purge...

8/14/14 UPDATE:  This is such a mish-mashed post because it has been edited so many times to reflect the books that I have left.  At this point, it is used only a resource list that I can lead my local friends to.  I'm not selling anymore -- just purging!  Period.  So local  friends, I will try to DELETE things as they are given away so that you know what you will find on my shelves should you stop by.

Here's the latest:

LEFTOVERS WILL BE DONATED TODAY 8/16/14

** What Your 3rd Grader Needs to Know - (fundamentals of a good third-grade education).  Great resource.

** Grades 3-6 Teaching Story Writing by Joan Novelli

** Dazzling Division by Lynette Long (games and activities that make math easy and fun)
** Marvelous Multiplication by Lynette Long ( games and activities that make math easy and fun)

** What Your 4th Grader Needs to Know - (fundamentals of a good fourth-grade education) Great resource.

** Grades 4/5 - A Reason for Spelling, teacher guidebook (level E).

** Grades 5/6 - A Reason for Spelling, teacher guidebook (level F).

Homeschooling: Our Story - Part 4

Today, I was thinking back over our homeschooling story, and I thought I'd share what's going on currently. This fall, our son began his second (and SENIOR) year of public high school.  He has done well, adapting pretty easily.

It struck me recently that the things that he takes in stride, our daughter often takes to heart.  She is not a drama-queen by any means, but her approach to starting public school this fall was completely different than our son's had been last year.

He was rarin' to go, and excited --plain and simple.  She was (if we're being honest) bitter, anxious, excited, claiming it as her own, begging me to continue homeschooling -- and we rode that wave before school even started!  All of those emotions continued well into the first few weeks of school.  It was a struggle, I won't lie.  The one thing that worked in our favor (I guess you could say) is that our daughter has a very strong sense of what is right and wrong.  When she is away from home, I may worry about her safety, but I never worry about whether or not she will do the right thing.  On the rare occasion when she "messes up" -- she knows it, and feels it strongly.  All that to say that I knew she wouldn't purposely make starting school a difficult experience.  She was simply processing all of the very real emotions that she was experiencing.

There were the nights of homework (a new chore for a former homeschooler!) that seemed never-ending -- but that was only until she got the hang of it.

There were the little "digs" she would gently HURL at Mom when she had a hard day... "This wouldn't be happening if I was HOMEschooled!" she'd say.  I still hear them occasionally -- but definitely less often -- and more gentle.

And the worst part of all?  MORNINGS.  And those are still hard.  She doesn't show any signs of accepting those any time soon.

But... once she's out the door?  She's golden.  Gosh, I'm so proud of her.  *sniff*  *sudden sob*

* no school band has ever had a better cheerleader
* no friend has ever had a stronger ally
* no lunch-time friends doubt where my girl stands in her faith

And the list goes on.

She has worked to follow her brother's first and most important piece of advice to her: work to build friendships with your teachers.  Look them in the eye, and have real conversations.  Give them the respect they deserve.

Yep.  I think it's safe to officially say... she has lived to tell the story.

And um... me too.

I'm linking up with Megan @ Fried Okra for


You can read the first three parts of our story here:
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.

Today, I am thankful for:
1. the first quarter of the school year - DONE
2. new beginnings
3. an anticipated lunch-date with a friend

Thought:(spotted on Pinterest) It doesn't matter if the glass is half empty or half full.  Be thankful that you have a glass and grateful that there's something in it.

Pot Roast and Parent-Teacher Meetings

The other day, I decided to make a pot roast using the recipe that I knew was on the back of the onion soup box on my shelf.  Only... when I looked, it wasn't on that particular box.  So, I went hunting on the internet, and this is what I found.  Easiest recipe ever.

1 pot roast
2 envelopes onion soup mix
2 cups water
potatoes, peeled & in large chunks
carrots, peeled & in large chunks
Put it in your crock pot, and cook on low for 8 hours or so until the meat is fork-tender.

There.  That's it.  Try it.  You will thank me.

My family did, big time -- especially since, by the time they got to eat it (due to my bad planning, hubby's work schedule, and parent-teacher meetings) it was 7PM.  Pure torture all day long up until that point!  It smelled amazing as it cooked... and very onion-y.  So much so, that I feared our son's teachers might take a step back after the first hand-shake.  (After all, I'd been sitting here in the same house with it all day!)

But, no.  They were all very kind, telling us that we should be proud of our son.  His English teacher even went so far as to say we had done a fine job homeschooling him.  *sniff*  I know those words can be hard for a school teacher to say.  Maybe (and I'm just saying maybe) I love her.

All told?  The day had two very big bright spots.

Pot roast, and parent-teacher meetings.

Homeschooling: Our Story - Part 3

...continued from Homeschooling: Our Story - Part 2

 So, what have I learned?

• In hindsight, FEAR was the wrong reason to start homeschooling.  That said, we did what we thought was right at the time, and I don't regret it.
• Schooling options MUST BE about what is right for your family.  The best advice that I ever received was to take it one year at a time.  I never committed to homeschool our children through graduation.  The thought can be overwhelming, and I never knew what was around the next corner.  (Thank the good Lord!  Amen?)
• It's okay to have different schooling options within your family.  What works for one child might not work for the other.  Be okay with that so that your kids know it's okay.
• If you're struggling with moving on from homeschooling, you may need "forgive yourself" like I did.  I needed to get over myself, and move on -- remembering that really, this is all about my son and not about me.
• Listen to other people's stories, but be brave enough to do what's right for your family.  This might mean deviating from the "norm."
• Be still, and know that God is God.  (Hard, hard, hard, but vitally important!)

Closing Disclaimer

Please know that even if it seems I have expressed my opinions strongly, it is only due to the unequivocal JOY in knowing that we have traveled down the right path.  Your journey may be entirely different - and your decisions entirely different (as well they should be).  May your journey be successful.  Go with God.

The end

(Of the beginning!)

Homeschooling: Our Story - Part 2

Disclaimer

This post is not for everyone.  Oh, everyone is free to read it, but not all will understand or appreciate it.  I am writing it for the one person who may.

...continued from Homeschooling: Our Story - Part 1

Connections and Confirmations

We started pursuing schooling options for our son.  We pursued a few things that didn't work out, and ultimately enrolled him in our own local school system.  I dreaded the day that we would meet with the guidance counselor and principal.  I had heard some frustrating stories about what homeschooling parents had to do to enroll their children in public school.  (I have since heard that the particular school systems in question are known for being difficult, and that this is not the case across the board - or as we have since experienced personally.)

Freshmen and new students were to start on Aug. 24th.  They called it "Connections Day," and it was to be a day of abbreviated periods where students met teachers, as well as a day of get-to-know-you activities.  That day dawned dark and stormy, but turned into a beautiful one.  Around 2PM, I received a phone call from my son saying that he drank a substance accidentally after walking into a teacher-directed experiment LATE, and having not heard/received the proper instructions.  The liquid was... not meant to be ingested.  (He thought it was... water.)

Suffice it to say that Poison Control needed to be called just to be on the safe side.  Turns out, my son did not swallow, and everything is really fine.  Also suffice it to say that I made my own "CONNECTIONS" that day - with several office personnel, the school nurse, and the Assistant Principal!  Every one of them was so kind and considerate, and wondering after my son and his welfare.  {The Asst.Prin. even offered to personally drive my son home rather than send him on the bus!}

The first "real" day of school started off with much nicer weather.  There were no phone calls from my son, but he did get called to the office.  You might think that's a bad thing, but, they merely wanted to check on how he was feeling!

We have had a good laugh over the fact that much of the school staff knew our son by name before the first official day of school.  But I believe it is a "God Thing."  You see, my son started building relationships right away -- and that might not otherwise have happened.  God definitely has a plan for our son right where he is.  I truly believe this.  And, to satisfy a worried mom, God has shown me that he has placed people around my son who are really watching out for him.  God has truly confirmed to us that this is how it's supposed to be. 

He came home the first day, and stood in the kitchen for 40 minutes telling me all about his day.  He shared details about each class and teacher, and is sure that he's really going to like them all.  It was really all this mom could do to keep her mouth shut and her jaw from dropping.  (This is my son?)

I am beyond thankful at this point.  I'm not naive enough to think that there won't be struggles.  The work hasn't started yet.  It's still the honeymoon, I know.  But -- I have seen God provide, and I know that he will continue to do so.

to be continued...

Homeschooling: Our Story - Part 1

Disclaimer

This post is not for everyone.  Oh, everyone is free to read it, but not all will understand or appreciate it.  I am writing it for the one person who may.

Our Story

When our son was due to start school, I was filled with fear.  The neighborhood that we lived in was... declining, and I am sad to say that the neighborhood parent practices seemed to be as well.  I was struck by the behavior of the children that I observed walking to and from school, and I was fearful for our impressionable son to be in their midst.  My sister had always planned to homeschool her children, and she encouraged me along that path as well.  And so it began...

The first years were great.  We had lots of fun, and when our daughter was kindergarten-age, we began homeschooling her as well.  As I look back, things went well until probably towards the end of 9th grade for our son.  Then, it became more of a struggle.  It's hard for Mom to also be Teacher, and I believe that he sometimes (or often) resented me for imposing rules related to his schooling, or giving assignments that proved difficult for him.  I knew I wasn't motivating him enough - and yet I struggled with pushing him.  We "threatened" (probably a bad word choice, but bear with me) school for 10th grade when he didn't yet want to go to school, but we ended up doing 10th grade work at home as well.  By 11th grade, he was ready to go to school, but I dragged my feet.  I guess I looked at sending him to school as failure, and I was unwilling to admit defeat.

Part-way through 11th grade, we realized that it simply wasn't working for him (or me) anymore.  This was a HUGE PILL to swallow.  Again, it really felt like defeat to ME.  When I really started praying about it though, God showed me that, in fact, it wasn't about ME at all.  This was all about what was best for our son -- and obviously, THAT was what we wanted.

to be continued...