Homeschool Blog Awards is hosting Homeschool Memoirs 2008-09.  Come on and join in!  You can find the “rules” by clicking the button on my sidebar.

I am a homeschooling “veteran” of three years.  I have five children, Cole - 8, Luke - 7 (on Saturday!), Brett - 4&1/2, Eliana - 3, and Damara 1.  This year Brett joins our ranks of “official” school, as he in kindergarten age.  I am feeling like I am really beginning to find my homeschool “groove.”  I’ve had to learn that although there is much advice to be had from more seasoned homeschoolers - and I love to glean from them! - I cannot try to copy our home learning experience after anyone else.  We have unique needs, interests and strengths, as individuals and as a family.  I am happily finding what does and doesn’t work for us, and am feeling much more confidence this year than in the first three years.  Our second son was diagnosed with classic autism when he was 2&1/2.  He received much early intervention, and we’ve been happy to watch him as he has developed well and now seems more typical than autistic.  He still has his quirks, but they only endear him to us all the more.  I was “warned” I would be best to not homeschool him, that he wouldn’t do well, particularly socially.  What a joy to report he is quite possibly the most social of all my children! 

I have my days when I wish that big yellow bus would pull up in our driveway and wisk away a couple of children. I have days when I think “Why am I doing this?” I have days when I feel like the worst mother in the world. But we have many days together to enjoy and learn and grow. It is an honour and privilege to be educating my children. More importantly, and something I’m still grasping the weight of, is the responsibility to instruct them in the ways of the Lord, when we sit and rise, come and go.

We live on a beautiful little piece of paradise in rural New Brunswick, Canada. We have our dream property, right on the river, and are enjoying our little house. We hope to do some renovations one day soon, and spread us all out a bit. So far, though, no one is complaining (except maybe Mom when she trips over the same thing for the third time! lol!). We have a golden retriever named Copper, and we planted our first garden this year. It was only a few rows, to get our feet wet, but the children are absolutely delighted to be picking our very own BEANS!

We are eclectic homeschoolers, with a mix of ACE, MUS, Rod & Staff, and whatever else we find that catches our interest. We are business owners, with the ironic job of transporting special needs students to public school. We giggle over that one from time to time. It is a great little business, though, and the Lord has provided for us through it. We are excited that this year my husband will actually be home a bit more, and that makes everyone happier! We love life and enjoy being together.

Fall is fast approaching in this part of Canada - some leaves are already turning. I have been struggling with winter for several years now, so I am really hoping to combat the blues and get us involved in lots of fun projects and crafts to wile away those long, harsh winter days.

We are now officially non-attendees of traditional church. We are in fellowship with other believers in each others homes, and really enjoying the benefits of this method of gathering. It actually fits quite nicely with our homeschooling.

So here is a glimpse into our own little home. I look forward to getting to know several other homeschoolers.