A New Chapter

Friday was a bittersweet day for our family.  

A turning of the page, to a new chapter of our lives.

It was the last day of school.  Not just any last-day-of-school.  It was the last day that my children's education rested in the hands of another.  This new chapter of our lives is titled homeschooling.

Before you gasp and cringe and think " I hope she knows what she's getting herself into," let me assure you that this has not been a quick decision.  In fact the Lord pricked my heart just over a year ago.  It was a simple whisper to my heart, and over time, my attitude and preconceptions have changed.  

As a former educator, people would often ask if we were going to homeschool when our oldest was ready for kindergarten.  I would automatically stiffen and reply, "no way, I don't meet the criteria of having 12 children and wearing jumpers."   Recently, I've had the privilege to get to know some REAL homeschool families.  And that is just what they are.... real.  Normal.  Fun.  Beautiful.  Happy.  Gone are my misconceptions and sad prejudices.  

Back to our decision to homeschool...

My initial desire to homeschool my children did not come from a dire situation that we needed to get out of.  Rather, it was during one of their track out periods, when I had them to myself that I felt the Holy Spirit ignite my desire to teach them.  When I approached my husband about it, he simply said, "Let me pray about it."  Music to my ears.  I didn't want this to be my decision, or even our decision.  We wanted this to be a God thing.

Over the course of the next few months, we received one confirmation after another; some big, some small.  Nevertheless, we witnessed God's faithfulness as he gently guided us to this decision.

Which leads me to this past Friday, the last day of school.  As I drove out of the carpool line for the last time, a slight panic of "this is it" flashed through my brain.  It was one of those moments of parenting that you think, this is big.  A giant step of faith.  But the panic was replaced with excitement and the true satisfaction of knowing this is exactly where the Lord is calling me to be.

We had to deal with the bittersweet emotions that come with any major life change.  My children are thrilled with our new venture, but saying goodbye to school friends was tough.  I enjoyed my last morning of dropping them off at school and meeting a friend for breakfast.

We step into this new chapter of life with great enthusiasm, much excitement, and a sense of newfound freedom.  

My boys on our Memorial Day hike

We love to hike the mountains, even in the rain.