When I got my Bachelor's degree in ealry childhood and elementary education I would have NEVER considered homeschooling but here I am in 2024 about to have my first homeschool year with my 4 sweet babies by my side. So you're probably wondering what changed and why did you change, so let me tell you how the jounrey began.

2019 Briella was really starting to learn different things and it was the first time I thought " I could see why people homeschool to watch their children learn. But she is for sure going to private school because that's how it goes." Homeschooled or not I think we can all agree that watching your child learn soemthing new is one of the best feelings in the world. Truley pure joy you get to soak in together!

2020 She was signed up for preschoo,l but because of the mandatory masks I pulled her and decided to keep her home and do my own things with her. During this year I started digging and learning more and more about homeschool. I LOVED teaching her!

2022 She started Pre-K. I half jokingly said I would just homeschool her, but it was a very firm no. Half way through the year she was having some toruble (her teacher was amazing for helping!) and I could not stop thinking about homeschooling. I thoguht maybe this is happening because God knows I won't pull her. But again I told myself that Tygh and I don't agree and we only do things when we are both on the same page and once she is going full days next yer things will be better.

2023 Kindergarten: The pull on my heart for homeschool was still strong. Again some turbulance came a couple months into school. At this point I felt like I was begging Tygh to say yes to homeschool. It was so strong on my heart and I just felt like God had put it there for a reason and the pull kept getting stronger. But it was at the point I had to surrender the idea to God that if this is what He wanted for me to homeschool that He would change Tygh's heart and mind.

Tygh and I were on a volleyball team together one night after we got back we ended up having a late night conversation with his mom who was watching the kids and happened to get on the topic of homeschool. The next day he was making lunch and I was sitting on the couch reading with the kids he turned to me and goes, "If you think homeschooling is best than I will support you." My mouth seriosuly dropped to the ground. I could not stop smiling. But then doubts started to set in.

I was so back in forth. There was one week I had decided to myself at the time I wasn't going to homeschool I was sending them next year. I hadn't mentioned it to Tygh yet, but when we were at hockey practice one night he had mentioned a homeschool family he had known and almost seemed interested and excited abut the idea of homeschooling it. So, that night I realized I need to spend more time in prayer with this.

December rolled around and it was Sunday the week of registration for current members. On our way out to family supper I had asked Tygh if we are really going to do this homeschool thing and his response was, " well I thought we already were going to." Then, he asked what I thought and I explained that I was still back and forth. I knew I had some serious praying to do.

Monday Briella was at school. Owen and Emma were downstairs playing and Grayson was playing independantly, which at the time was rare. I decided it had been a long time since I had done Bible in a Year with Fr. Mike Schmitz. I knew I was behind and decided that I would just start where they were at, but before I listened I folded my hands and prayer to God to please give me clear answers if I should homeschool or not becaue I was so undecided. Then, 3 bible verses right off the first reading stood out to me.

2 Corinthians 7:4

"I have great confidence in you: I have great pride in you: I am filled with comfort. With all our affliction, I am overjoyed"

2 Corinthians 7:16

" I rejoice, because I have perfect confidence in you."

Confidence in myself is something I struggled with even though it seems crazy because I have an edcuation degree, but the weight of failing my kids was heavy.

2 Corinthians 8:10-11

"And in this matter I give my advice: it is best for you now to complete what a year ago you began not only to do but to desire, so that your readiness in desiring it may be match by your completing it out what you have."

It had been almsot exactly a year ago that I had such a strong heart for homeschool...

But again I still had some doubts.

For bed time that night Emma went ot pick out books and the book she had picked was called Teacher Mom. It was about a mom who got to learn and explore with her kids every day instead of sending them to school. She has NEVER took interest in this book before.

Again I still had questions like what would the kids think now that they have been in school and the business is going really well how do I do it??

Tuesday morning as I was getting breakfast ready before school Briella randomly says, " Mom I wish you would homeschool me." Owen replied, " What's that?" "It's when we don't go to school and have mom be our teacher instead and stay at home with her everyday," Briella said. "Yeah! That would be awesome!" Owen said excited.

But the business...

Wednesday morning I was doing laundry and realized I hadn't listened to my business podcast when I opened it up she announced that they were having a special guest. She said, "a homeschool mom of 4 that is able to run a successful DIY business."

This. This was when I realized God just anserwed every signle one of my concerns about homeschool. So I said, "ok God I trust you lead the way."

Meeting other homeschool families has been scary to think about, but the crazy thing is I have just happen to stumble upon so many who are veterans, currently homeschooling, or have really considered the idea but are afraid to take the leap.

2024 Fall we will offically start our homeschool journey. I have bought curriculm and the kids have enjoyed doing it the little bit we have done it. I think they are excited but a little nervous about the new change since we will be meeting new friends this year that also homeschool. I am really hoping we connect with some solid homeschool famlies that have the same values as we do. I am defintiely an introvert by heart so this will require me to also have to step out of my comfort zone at times. I am nervous but excited for what God has in store for us this year.