I am so excited. March marks the one year mark for A Little Bit of Spain in Iowa. I really can’t believe what an exciting year it has been for me in blogging. I was able to visit San Francisco, New York, was featured on Oprah.com and met so many amazing people throughout this entire world. Thank you so much friends and family for visiting me here and taking the time to leave me comments. It really does mean so much to me especially when I can learn and be edified through your comments.
A couple weeks ago I wrote a post called Resting in the Lord. In it I shared my heart for where I am in my spiritual life and opened up that my husband and I were praying about home schooling. I wanted to share that we have decided to home school our boys and honestly it was through all of you that shared with me through your comments and emails that I felt confirmation that this is the direction the Lord wants me to take with our boys.
I’m really excited as I am going to be attending my first home school meeting tomorrow with a new group of women. Maria from www.veryblessedmommy.blogspot.com sent me an email and I am so blessed that she did! She lives here in Iowa and opened up her home to my sister and I. We will meet tomorrow night and chat home school. I can’t wait!
She wrote to me…
I read a story a while back about a homeschooling mom who was dying way too young and her only regret was that she wished she had “baked less bread”. Her reason for saying that was that she felt like she was always so busy DOING things, baking, making, cleaning, trying to make her home look and feel like she wanted it to be and like she thought it should be when what she really should have been doing was just being with her kids….spending time with them, reading to them, listening to them. My point in all this is, we only get one childhood with our kids, but God-willing we will have many years to bake, make, clean, etc. Homeschooling is a big commitment and it is time consuming, but I can’t begin to describe how fulfilling it is! 🙂
Seriously what I needed to hear. Thanks Maria! I can’t wait to meet you tomorrow 🙂
I also was so blessed by a new mami I met named Kelli. She lives in Oregon and will be moving to Iowa soon! This part of her comment really tugged on me.
I homeschool. God told me to homeschool, I didn’t want to, I sent my daughter to 1st grade at public school and my second daughter was going to a private preschool, and that whole year was God telling us to homeschool. I am sooo glad that He knows best! It has been the best thing ever for our family. I made a list of pros and cons, and on the pros were all kinds of wonderful things, and on the cons were only selfish things. Like, I want a clean house, I want to be able to go to lunch with my friends, I want to be able to exercise. Well, the pro list has grown in so many beautiful ways, I KNOW my kids.
When she wrote this I could very much relate. I was a little bit excited to be able to send my kids to school and have me time. Which is definitely what we all need every once in awhile but I want to KNOW my kids. I really feel God wanting me to home school in that my oldest son Nehemiah is very smart. I’m not saying this to brag or to be one of those moms but he’s been a kid that has enjoyed learning. He takes something and runs with it. Because of this, I’m excited to be able to challenge him, keep him learning, and keep him involved in activities. The more I think about it, the more excited I get.
I was also very excited to hear from my friend Bridget at Bake at 350. I was so blessed to have met Bridget at Kelly’s Cake Off For A Cause. Bridget has been home schooling her son for 3 years. Here’s what she had to say that also shed some light.
I was so afraid to do it, but then I didn’t want to look back at my life and WISH I had. It’s hard somedays, but I really have gotten to know my child well. He’ll probably be going to our parish school in the fall. There are so many opportunities for electives that I feel like I can’t give him as he gets into middle school. I know some parents are FABULOUS at that…I’m just not one of them. 🙂 I feel like he’ll be going with a good foundation.
It’s great to know that she was able to home school and set that foundation. He will be attending school in the Fall and that’s okay. God will direct our paths and we just need to be obedient to what he wants from us now. Thanks Bridget!!
What really confirmed my decision was in hearing from a home schooler that I have known since she was an itty bitty. My friend Sarah was home schooled through high school. She is now married and attending a University. Here is what she shared with me that was so encouraging!
I was home schooled from 2nd grade through high school and I L.O.V.E.D. it. I’m so glad you asked me about it. Honestly, I was surprised that you hadn’t decided to home school already. I think that homeschooling would be a great fit for you. Your lifestyle (gardening and raising chickens, etc) would mesh really well with homeschooling. You’re like a home school family already. 🙂 That’s what so great about it: home schoolers learn about REAL life. It’s more than just the academic aspect. You get to learn about how real life works.
My favorite part about it was that I never felt bored. I never felt like I wasn’t learning anything. I think this was because there’s so much flexibility. You’re allowed to learn in the way that best fits you and at your own pace. It’s so cool because, as long as you’re learning what you’re supposed to, it doesn’t matter how.
I remember one year in elementary school, my sister and I were really into the Little House on the Prairie series. So my mom found a curriculum that was based off the books. We learned how to make bread and we sewed bonnets…made butter from a homemade butter churn….it was awesome!
Another year we were really into Medieval stuff, so we researched different royal houses and even made our own catapult and Medieval weapons.
I basically only have fond, fun memories of school. It was just more fun and I was never jealous of anything about public school.
After about 6th grade, basically every fall, my parents gave me a choice of whether I wanted to start public school or be home schooled again. I never picked public school and I don’t regret it at all. I’m just really glad my mom was willing to stay home with us.
I also liked the fact that I was never taught anything that conflicted with Christian values. I never had to stop and ask myself “Does this go along with what the Bible says?” I feel like I got a solid foundation and was able to get a good feeling, like “Ok. This is what I believe. This is what I know.” I didn’t have to sort through information. Not to say that I was kept ignorant of what was going on in the world (which is what a lot of people end up thinking); we learned about other religions as well…you just don’t have to be directly exposed to the wrong thing to know what it looks like.
Anyways….
I finished high school in 3 years and had ZERO problems transitioning from being home schooled to college. I had lots of friends while I was home schooled and was able to make tons more in college. No ill effects, so far 🙂 I think that the positive definitely outweighs the negative.
Two things really tugged at my heart.
- I’m just really glad my mom was willing to stay home with us
- After about 6th grade, basically every fall, my parents gave me a choice of whether I wanted to start public school or be home schooled again.
I really like this in that it was in her decision to continue to be home schooled or not. A greater challenge for me to make sure that my kids are not just learning what they are supposed to but that they are learning about things they enjoy and making sure they are continually involved in something. Whether that’s sports, 4H, boyscouts etc..
Anyways, yes… one year for my blog and so many more blessings at home with my friends and family! I do have a few giveaways to commemorate 1 year! Keep an eye out as tomorrow I will host my first and it has to do with organic gardening!!! People with small spaces, this is for you!!!
Oh… Ha! I almost forgot! I’m going to Spain in May!!!!! Yeah, I am that excited. It’s been 3 years. I’m super excited to visit my family, give tons of kisses, and eat TONS of good food!! You better believe I’ll be blogging from there and may have some special Spanish giveaways!! Sevilla Tiene Un Color Especial!!!! All right, it’s a good day 😀 I’ll see you tomorrow for my first blogiversary giveaway!
CONGRATS on your one year mark! You have a fantastic blog. Here's looking at many more successful years – clink!
Congrats on your 1st year! I won't have my first year till next December, but I'm still plugging away!
Excited to see your giveaway tomorrow – I am one of those that wants to start organice gardening but my space is beyond limited!!!!
Enhorabuena
WOW! I can't believe it's only been 1 year…I can't wait to see what great things to teach us in year 2!
Congratulations Diana. It's been nice knowing you. My sister was thinking of home schooling her son but until now he's still attending school. Not sure about the decision but I also want to home school my kids when I have one day. I just felt that kids learn a lot of bad things in school because they watch too much TV or spent way too much time playing computer games. Have a lot of fund in Spain. I'm sure you will.
Happy one year!!!!! We started around the same time…how about that!!! Muah! You are wonderful!
Diane –
Congrats on making your 1 year mark in blogging. Your blog is very delightful and I so appreciate that you honor the Lord in your writings.
I am sure by now the climate for homeschooling in Iowa is very receptive today. It wasn't when we lived there and we had legal wranglings to deal with as well as one of the only Christian Day Schools in the state did. That school went all the way to the Supreme Court for their battle and won. We how ever didn't battle. The Lord in all His wisdom moved us to Kansas when the Principle of the school district we were in and whom we knew from the church we fellowshipped at reported us because he was anti home schoolers.He and his wife were staunch Public Education Educators to the core. This is not to say I am against Public Educators – we have many friends that teach in the Public schools but are very pro home schooling, also.
You've made a very good choice to homeschool especially in light of the atmosphere today on all fronts. We H.S. our 6 from K-12. We are retired now from it..our youngest is 24 years old now. I guess you could say we were one of the pioneer families in homeschooling. When we did start out in Northern Minnesota we were one of only 3 families in the state doing such and one of the families literally was in hiding.
The Lord Bless you on this journey of faith. And may He give you that piece of land in the country in His good timing.
You have so many great things going on right now! I think home schooling is a wonderful option, especially when you have so much support surrounding you.
I can't wait to hear more about your upcoming Spain trip.
Happy Blogiversary, Diana! What a great post for the celebration! Love every single stories of your friends. I don't home school my children but I think I taught them well basically. They're very independent. Btw, I hope you'' enjoy your upcoming trip to Spain. I'm very looking forward to hear all about it from you.
Have a great day and have lots of fun, girl!
Cheers,
Kristy
Congrats on your one year anniversary!
I am so glad you decided to homeschool your children. My husband and I decided to homeschool ours before we even had kids and it is the best thing ever. I have never regretted one day with them. And though it can be tough with a special needs child at times for me, the benefits out weigh the negatives! There are so many resources and good homeschool websites and blogs that you will never fall short on ideas for the kids. In fact, there are so many good ones that it's hard sometimes deciding which ideas to try out first! Much blessings on your new journey with your children and bless you for truly listening to God's call.
Hi Diana! Congratulations on your one-year mark, that's great! Wow, I've had my blog for over three years and feel like I am so behind you and all these other great blogs that have been around less time than me…but we can only do what we are each able to accomplish. I just know that I have more work to do, and I'll do it as I can. 🙂
Home schooling is definitely a great option for those who are able to and want to do it. We have done it for five years. One of those years Tristan, my now 9-year-old son was enrolled half-time at the elementary school in our neighborhood that is one block from our house. He also attended full-time 2nd grade year because we were butting heads a lot his first grade year. This year we returned to home schooling full-time because he was so unhappy at his school in 2nd grade. I had hoped to gain the benefit of getting to know some of the neighborhood families and make those important connections, but that didn't happen. So now we are going to try a public charter school this fall because Tristan feels he is ready to go on to something different. This year we used a state-funded home school program and it has worked out really well. The curriculum has been great and easy to use. I have been so grateful and feel so blessed to have had so many close, intimate years with my son and building that foundation with him.
You are right Diana, it is so important to have that time because you can never get it back, and then you'll wish you could. For me, it's been the same with working full-time while having kids – I'll never look back on my life and wish I had worked more and had more money instead of spending it with my son. We have tried for five years to have another baby, and it just seems like this is not in God's plan for us. This makes me even more aware that time is so fleeting and that time spent with my son is exactly what God has laid out for me. At his new school next year, they are on a four-day school week instead of five, so I feel blessed to have that additional day with him each week. If this program doesn't work out, we'll return to home schooling. But Tristan feels he is ready to try this new school (he's really excited), and two of his dearest friends are also going to be there. They also have been doing the same home-schooling program as we have this year, and their parents are our dear friends and business partners. We've brought up our families together as our children have known each other since they were babies.
So whatever you are led to do by God is definitely the right way. I spent years praying about Tristan's school situation as things were not pleasant during his public school time, and it just seemed we were destined to return to home-schooling for awhile. Now that he is ready to move to something else, I will continue to pray that this decision is the right one. If it's not, God will show us what to do next!
It's wonderful to have others to share your path with and to be able to spend your time and allow your children to learn together. We never had that until this year, and I am so grateful to have it now. I hope your group efforts with others are everything you hope them to be!
Best of luck to you in your home-schooling efforts and I hope everything turns out the way you want. 🙂 Hugs to you, Diana!
Diana – congrats on the amazing things you have accomplished through your blog this year! All those trips and Oprah.com!! I love reading your entries, and I look forward to much more!
I am so impressed and inspired by your decision to home school as well.
Looking forward to your Spain posts! 🙂 Oh, and the gardening giveaway for people with "small spaces." That's me!!!
Happy St. Patrick's Day !!!
Blessings and keep doing this great work, Diana 🙂
xoxoxo
HAPPY ONE YEAR!!!! Look at how far you have come! In many ways it is surprising that you have only been blogging a year–you have crammed a lot into 365 days! I'm proud of you and luv ya tons! Can't wait to see what the next 365 days hold!
Happy Blogaversay Diana! MWAH! You've accomplished so much in one year! I can't wait to see what's in store for you! Thanks for all of the inspiration! Lurve you!
Congrats on your one year of blogging! How exciting that you get to go to Spain soon!
Congrats on your one year! And how exciting about your trip. I hope you'll post all about it. We haven't been to Spain yet.
I'll be getting ready for my new garden soon and have plans this weekend to sit down and read all your great posts on the subject. I'm looking fwd to it!
Congratulations, Diana! I always enjoy your posts and am looking forward to reading new ones for a long time to come.
How exciting about your trip to Spain!
Congratulations on your blogiversary and on deciding to home school. it's such a relief to just. make. a. decision. nice to meet you, too!