Yes, we homeschool.

Three years ago, my husband and I decided to pull our boys out of the public school and teach them at home.
Three years ago, I began teaching a third grader and a first grader in our dining room.
Three years ago, people started asking me, "What made you decide to homeschool?" "Do you like homeschooling? What do your boys think?" "Are your kids involved in activities outside the house? I mean, do they play with other kids? What about their friends?" "What was wrong with their school/teacher/classmates?"

I have been honest in answering these questions, even when I am amazed at the people who ask them.  Some people asked out of curiosity. Some asked wanting dirt on the public school or teachers. Some people asked wanting information to make a schooling decision themselves. Some asked trying to find out the type of person I am.

So for the record. Here are the answers:
There was no one main reason we decided to homeschool.  It was an ongoing discussion Mike and I had been having for years.  We did not have a problem with the public school system, our specific school, or even the teachers.  Homeschooling is a decision each family has to make for themselves. Maybe even for each member of their family. We felt God was leading us to homeschool. We felt the burden placed on our shoulders, not only to educate our sons, but to be more directly involved in shaping their character with our morals and values.

We love it. All four of us are involved in learning, teaching, and experiencing opportunities in so many different settings.  School doesn't just happen in desks or around the table.  Learning isn't  limited to the hours between 8:30 and 3:30.  The boys have thanked us on multiple occasions for homeschooling them.

If you have read this blog before, you know we are a busy family. Yes, the boys have other actives. Yes, they have friends. They know how to speak properly and respectfully to adults. They even know how to play with children younger than they are.

Are my kids perfect? No. Is everyday full of laughter and ease? No. Do I think we have made a mistake deciding to homeschool? No.

As I said before, each family should make the decision for themselves what type of education their child should have. We decided to homeschool.

Three years after our decision, we are wrapping up sixth grade and third grade. Are we homeschooling again next year? Yes.  Each year Mike and I look at our options for educating our boys. We still feel led to keep them home and continue down this fun and exciting path where we learn as much as the boys.

So in a nutshell, there it is.  If you have anymore questions, feel free to leave them in the comment section.

Tonight for supper, we are having...

"What's for supper?"
The most dreaded question a mom faces at least once a day.  Of course, it is only dreaded if you have not faithfully planned out your menu in advance (even only one day in advance counts). The closer to the evening meal this question is aired, the more dreaded it becomes (in my house).

It is a beautiful week (and a rare one at that) when I plan out the evening menu. My step is lighter, the sun shines brighter, and my family knows the answer to the "dreaded question" days in advance.  So why don't I plan ahead more often? The only answer I have for that one is "Life happens, and times moves on."

This morning, I was planning ahead. I was thinking through the day and planning on chicken with vegetables, apple sauce, and homemade rolls.  Great! I was rolling!  But when I went to grab the chicken out of the freezer, it wasn't there.  Oh yeah, we had Italian chicken last week and I didn't get any more chicken on the four store trips I've made this week. (Four?!? Yes, I know. I need to plan ahead so much better)

So feeling a little disappointed with myself, I decided I needed to earn some points in the "Mom Is Great" column.  Pulling out an old standby I announced, "Tonight for supper, we are having CHILI!" This was greeted with whoops of joy from the two growing boys working diligently on their schoolwork. But then a small voice was sounded, "With cornbread?"

"Yes, with cornbread."

Whoops returned. All was well and the "Dreaded Question" was answered before it could be asked.  Today is gonna be a good day.