So … how’s it going you want to know?  Well … in a few words, a lot more difficult than I’d anticipated {duh!}, but at the same time … my heart is happy.

Taylor officially started on her courses on Tuesday.  She’s doing a complete online {Christian} homeschooling program.  Everything she does is online.  Her tutorials, “books,” tests, quizzes, homework, writing assignments … they’re all done online and submitted directly online.  Seems easy enough, right?  I touted that I would “just be keeping her on task.”  Yeah.

Fortunately, there is a suggested planner-type thing that lays out her coursework for the quarter, but seriously, it’s a lot more than I anticipated making sure that we’re staying on course.  Taylor’s been great, though, at finishing her assignments and even working ahead to the next day.

I think the hardest part is that my time isn’t my time anymore.  In my mind, she would be doing her schoolwork and I would be doing my work.  Instead it goes a little something like this, “mom, I need help … mom, my printer isn’t working … mom, i don’t understand this … mom, what’s for lunch … mom, can you spend some time with me … mom, whatcha doing?”

But that’s the sacrifice I signed up for … and honestly … bring it on!

I found a great Christian homeschooling planner and the following popped out at me the other day {reasons why a mom chose to home school}:

Parents need not deprogram or reteach values the child hears for seven hours a day.
They have the child’s full attention at any time of the day and can give him full
attention; he is not absorbing two different value systems daily.

There were other things mentioned that speak to having all your children home and how the family unit bonds in that … makes me kinda wanna home school all the girls!  Anyway.  What I mention here is exactly why I’ve got Taylor at home with me.

She’s doing devotion daily {something that I’ve let slip with her}.  I was able to tell her yesterday how proud I am of her … “why?” she asked … and I was able to list out five things that made me proud.  She’s been riding during the day.  She applied for a volunteer position at a local pet store.  We’re able to have lunch together and talk.

I know there’s sacrifice involved … I knew that going in … and I know we’ve got lots of adjusting and figuring out our way … but ultimately, at this moment … my heart couldn’t be happier.  And I’ve got a strong feeling … hers either.

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