Today, we started our "formal" (using that term very loosely, as there is not a lot of "formal" in our school) homeschool year. This is my twenty-seventh year of homeschooling...and my school now has one student.
But it's her very first time in the eleventh grade.
And just because we've cycled through ancient history three times before, and just because the other three children have challenged me to remember those algebra concepts I learned so long ago, and just because the others know geography and sewing and Monet, doesn't mean that Bekah doesn't need to learn all of those things and have a mom/teacher who is enthused to do all those things with her.
I have often said that "A baby is never 'old hat.'" Each baby is a new person, a new creation, a new delight. Each milestone is his/her first time. When child #3 took her first step, or lost her first tooth, or learned to read, or graduated from high school, it was her very first time, and it was worthy of all the excitement that was garnered by the first or second child's same milestones.
So it is with my schoolgirl, Bekah, my last child. And when we delve into our studies, it will be with a sense of wonder and delight at all there is to know and learn, a sense of curiosity about this world and Bekah's purpose in it, and a sense of awe as we see His hand in the midst of it all.
So it is with my schoolgirl, Bekah, my last child. And when we delve into our studies, it will be with a sense of wonder and delight at all there is to know and learn, a sense of curiosity about this world and Bekah's purpose in it, and a sense of awe as we see His hand in the midst of it all.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
I originally wrote this in 2011 when Bekah was beginning 5th grade. (Oh how the years have flown by.) Today, I updated it with current information, but the sentiment is the same. And now I have only one more "first day of school" to come. I can hardly believe it.
It goes by so fast!!! Glad you still have a student and that you both are enjoying yourselves!
ReplyDeleteI am glad too! We are so blessed to have these younger children, aren't we friend?
DeleteWonderful thoughts and excitement for your daughter. Wish all teachers would have that same commitment to teaching even if it's their 1st, 10th, or 20th year also.
ReplyDeleteLove the new header, I use some of the Indian corn on my porch posts, but the squirrels devour them!
Thank you, Melissa! It is a great privilege to be able to teach your own.
DeleteWe didn't have squirrels at our former home (surrounded by farm fields), but there are plenty of them here at Pineapple House, so I'll bet the Indian corn wouldn't last long. I don't really mind though. The squirrels are so much fun to watch!
P.S. The Indian corn in my header is at my brother- and sister-in-law's farm stand.
DeleteMy last first day of homeschooling was 11 years ago. Sigh. I know you are cherishing these times.
ReplyDeleteAhh, so you are a retired homeschooler, Cheri! It seems we have lots of things in common. Yes, I am cherishing these years with my youngest!
DeleteHope Bekah knows how blessed she is to be recipient of all your experience and enthusiasm ♥ God bless both of you as you work together to acquire all the knowledge, information and MORE this school year!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words and your prayer of blessing!
DeleteWishing both of you a wonderful year! I envy you still having a daughter at home to enjoy and the fact that you were able to home school your children. Such a blessing!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debbie! I do feel very blessed to be enjoying this time with my youngest!
DeleteMay God bless you and Bekah dearly in her year 11 of school. May he bless you with new discoveries and joys amidst the everyday lessons that need to be completed. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ellen, for your prayer of blessing!
DeleteYou are noble and wise. May the 11th Grade be full of excitement and surprises for you both!!! Such a sweet post!
ReplyDeleteSuch kind words, Rosella! Only and always by His grace can anything good come of our efforts. I appreciate your blessing!
DeleteI love all your 'first moments.' It will be hard that this is your last 'first time' of the school year with Bekah, but I know you will cherish these memories for years to come. They are precious, and will never be here again in the same way.
ReplyDeleteJudy, you certainly know that feeling from experience. It is precious time!
Delete(We do have one more year after this one. Thankfully. Next year, I anticipate being a sobbing mess.) :)
I so enjoyed reading your "first moments, Cheryl, what a joy it has been for me to see your Bekha, grow into this beautiful young woman! The relationship that you have with each child is so special as mine is different but special too, I also have this with each grandchild, which I am sure you do too!
ReplyDeleteThank you for allowing me to be a part of some of her "firsts".
I know I have said this before, but it bears repeating, I have so much admiration for mothers who homeschool their children!
Thank you for sharing, and thank you for visiting me and for always leaving such sweet notes!
Now I must go and visit your Gathering the Moments!
Blessings,
Sue
We have been sharing our lives through our blogging for a long time now, haven't we, Sue? Yes, you have seen Bekah grow from a little girl (she was only 8 years old) into a young woman (now 16). Thanks for always being an encourager!
DeleteI forgot I had visited your Gathering the Moments, lets call that a senior moment! Love your new header!
ReplyDeleteSue
Teehee!! I have my share of senior moments! Trouble is, I've been having them most of my life! :D
DeleteYou expressed this well (of course!) and I know you are savoring this last junior year together--and then the senior year. I know your children "rise up and call you blessed …" and you will see the results of your efforts with them for generations to come, as long as the Lord gives you. I hope you have a great school year together!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Dotsie! Yes, I am savoring these moments, praying to be found faithful!
DeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Regine!
DeleteYou have a beautiful junior there! May you both have a successful and enjoyable school year with all manner of interesting topics to explore. (Guess that it would be a challenge for you to imagine a teacher teaching fifth grade for forty years. 😉)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Vee! (I think she's beautiful too!)
DeleteNever thought of it that way before, although I'm not sure why I didn't. At least with homeschooling, there is something new every year! Even when you repeat a topic with a different child, it's different.