Why???? Here is the Reason:

First, before I approach the topic at hand, let me say this.... I haven't been blogging. I know that. I have been packing, painting, moving, painting, unpacking, painting, and oh yeah... parenting. Plus, on top of all that, I can't find my camera from the move. Therefore, the blogging is at a SHORT term pause. I will get back to the fun stuff, I promise.

Now... the reason I am writing today is to answer the question I keep being asked by all my friends and my family.... WHY IN THE WORLD ARE YOU GOING TO HOMESCHOOL?

I am not sure if the question is because you (my friends and family) are curious, concerned, or cracking up! But, I thought no matter the reason behind the question, I should take a minute to answer it to all of you at one time (and to put my own thoughts into writing to look back upon on days where I ask myself the same question).

For almost a year now, God has really placed a burden on my heart to home school A.J. Although he will probably be my biggest challenge of the 3, he is the primary reason we ever considered it. A.J. is an extremely intelligent young boy. He thrives on math and history (strange combination, I know). He loves to be asked math problems in the car and hear history stories from his Pa. He has even been caught watching the History Channel (yuck in my mind). However, as most of you know, schools focus primarily on reading. He would get 2.5 hours of reading everyday, maybe an hour of math (but not on Friday because that is FUN FRIDAY and they watch movies) and VERY LITTLE Science and Social Studies. This is not acceptable to me as a parent, even though I did some of the same things as a teacher, myself.

The burden then began. A.J. also had an "interesting" 2nd grade year. He was punished in school for talking a lot (wonder where he gets that from) and for not paying attention (that one I credit to his father). He would get entire pages of assignments counted wrong for leaving them blank and skipping them, as well as received a 0 on a homework assignment because he forgot to bring it home. It lowered his final grade EIGHT points.... one assignment! Although I STRONGLY feel these are horrible grading practices and may not happen with every teacher, it is always a possibility and a fight waiting for me each year.

Then, we started thinking a lot about what was best for Abigail. As you know, Abigail struggles with seizures in her sleep. Because kindergarten is a year where the children nap, this raised great concern for us. If she naps at school, she runs a risk of having a seizure when we aren't with her. If she doesn't nap, she runs the risk of a seizure that night because of not having had enough sleep. Plus, she would have to be given other activities during nap time, and we didn't want her singled out or labeled in anyway.

Through the year, I spent a lot of time reading and researching homeschooling, as well as talking to friends of mine who are already doing it. During that time, my reason for wanting to do it began to change. I still feel it will be best for A.J. academically and for Abigail's health, but it is so much more than that. Here is the answer why: WE WANT TO HAVE A FAMILY AGAIN!

We don't want to spend our mornings fussing at everyone to hurry up and get in the car, get their bookbags, don't forget this and that. We don't want to spend our afternoons calming down a child who has been stuck in a desk all day. We don't want to spend our evenings and family dinners studying spelling words, drilling homework, and preparing for the next day. We don't want someone else watching our children succeed and we miss it. We don't want someone else spending more time with our children than us!

I calculated it out.... if a child goes to school 180 days, that is 16% of their year. Count in another 6% of their year towards homework and preparing for school in the mornings. 42% of their year is spent sleeping (assuming 10 hours per night). 3% of their year is spent at regularly scheduled church services (that doesn't count all the extra stuff we do with church). That leaves us only 33% to spend as a family with US RAISING OUR CHILDREN. That (in my opinion) isn't enough.

Being able to homeschool is a MAJOR sacrifice for us on many fronts. We are going to live off of only one income for the first time. We won't be eating out, buying much for Christmas, having the newest clothes or gadgets. As a matter of fact, I am not even sure how we will pay all of our existing bills.... but we will. I know this is what God wants for our family, and I know He will provide. He always does.

We are however, going to have more time together. We will have a weekend again (Allan is off on Fridays, and we will be able to have TWO days in a row like most families already do). We will be able to take vacation whenever we want. We will be able to study history and science whenever and however we want. And, we will have more time to teach our children the most important book of all.... the Bible.

So, to answer the question.... WHY IN THE WORLD ARE YOU GOING TO HOMESCHOOL??

The answer is this.... because God wants us to. Period.

We truly appreciate all the love and support we have gotten during this decision process. I ordered the curriculum yesterday, and we are all very excited. We appreciate your prayers as we embark on this very new journey!