![gratituesday[2]](https://www.heavenlyhomemakers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/gratituesday2.png)
Asa, our 17 year old, was 4.5 years old when we were convicted to choose homeschooling for our family. (There are so many words I could say about that statement, but the fact that my oldest baby is 6’3″ and a senior in high school is not the point of this post. Just hand me a Kleenex and keep reading.)
Our reasons for homeschooling were mostly about the blessed additional time it would give us with our kids. Once Asa’s kindergarten year started, we suddenly realized so many extra benefits of schooling from home. Flexibility with our schedule has been one of the biggest perks to our homeschooling lifestyle.
God showed us this blessing just two months into our homeschool journey when my mom was diagnosed with ALS. Knowing we had limited time with her on earth, and knowing Dad would need help with her care, we started making frequent four hour trips south to Kansas. Had Asa been in a public or private school, this would have been so much harder. But with homeschooling, we could just pack up the school books and travel any day of the week we needed to. He could do his school work at Grammy and Papa’s table just as easily as he could do it at our table.
Fastforward through 12 years (because seriously, it seems that life moved at that pace) – and here we are with a 12th, 9th, 7th, and 4th grader. Flexibility has become more and more precious as our boys get older. Specifically last week, we made a very last minute decision to head to Oklahoma on a college visit for Asa. Often, if we know we’ll be traveling or having company come to visit, we’ll just cram in extra school work before we leave so we can have a break on the road. That didn’t work last week since we hadn’t planned ahead.
No problem. We packed the books and laptops. English, math, you name it – the boys just worked as we drove. Matt also picked up some history videos at the library for a fun change of pace, which the boys watched once it got too dark to read.
The boys may tell you differently, but I think this variation from our normal routine can make regular school work more fun. The spur of the minute road trip with a backpack full of books reminded me once again how grateful I am for our flexibility. Now that we’re back home, I’m also thankful for routine. Schooling on the road works and is fun, but it’s also very nice to be back home where our pencils can’t roll under the seat of the van. :)
We homeschool also and I’ve loved being able to take school with us when we need to. We have great memories of road trips with audio books! I’m thankful that God gave me a course correction early on in my parenting goals. Especially having dropped 3 off at college so far! :) http://lisaappelo.com/aim-small-miss-small/
We had a similar experience when we spent the last 6 weeks of my mom’s life traveling 3 hours each week, then 3 hours back each weekend. If we had not had our 7 children at home, I really don’t know how we would have managed. I would likely have missed having that final time with her. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be able to take school with us when we need to. But, I agree – it’s still easier when we can keep it at home. Being able to be flexible is a wonderful blessing and I’m grateful!
Today I am grateful for the rain. And for a husband who works so hard so I can stay home.
God does bring us to the right decisions for our families.
I’m thankful for my Salvation
http://www.sandrasark.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/i-love-salvation-its-gods-love-16.html
Today I am grateful to put a name to something I’ve put up with for *years* (misophonia) and equally grateful to know that there are other people like me and that I am not alone.
Hi Laura,
I’m thankful for Heavenly Reunions as I posted on my blog on Thursday: http://thethankfulonion.com/2014/10/thankful-thursday-heavenly-reunion/
It’s great that I serve a God that gives me this to look forward to.
On another note – I’m an Oklahoma girl. What college did y’all visit?
We went to Oklahoma City to check out Oklahoma Christian University. Great school!
We homeschool as well and I completely agree with you. The unexpected trips or even the expected trips allow us to work from anywhere. In December we will be taking a two week and half trip something we could not do in public or private school. We are working hard because during those two weeks we will spending time with family and enjoying the Southern weather rather than the cold Wisconsin weather ;)
I’m thankful that God makes us realize what is important and slows us down when we go too fast.
More flexible family time is one of the many blessings of homeschooling that I am incredibly thankful for. This week, I am thankful to have family visiting from out of state for my son’s birthday. Because my kids are homeschooled, we are able to call this a vacation week, not worry about school, enjoy our company, and pick up where we left off when they leave.
I find it interesting that your mom had ALS. My mom who has ALS recently introduced me to your blog. On one of my recent visits to her I made your Coconut Fudge Bars. I’m thankful to be able to have a mom to make treats for.
God bless you during this journey with your mom. Hope you enjoy the treats. :)