And So It Begins

The journey of 1,000 miles begins with just one step. I am so blessed today to feel as though I have taken that first step.

From the time I discovered I was pregnant, my heart ached with the desire to homeschool. I have to admit that even for me, this is odd. Mainstream "society" had schooled me well. When I think of homeschoolers my mind conjures up images of women with waist length hair, denim jumpers, large families, and extremely conservative values. Only my hair fits into the stereotype and yet I found my heart filled with a quiet but persistent voice whispering...homeschool.

I began to research homeschooling. The more I read, the louder the voice became. I started bouncing the idea off my best friends. Surprisingly, they all agreed with me. I talked with my husband, and although he was very hesitant about the idea he stated that he felt that if anyone could homeschool well, I could. Let me say that there is nothing better than the person you love having that much confidence in you. And so, I began to pray. I asked God for guidance, and I asked Him to show me His will for my family.

A month later we took a trip to visit my husband's best friend. His wife and I spent some quiet time together and she told me that she had made the decision to begin  homeschooling next year. After that it was like the flood gate had been opened. Everywhere I went I started discovering homeschoolers. People that I had known casually for years, but had never known they homeschooled. Each time I shared the information with my husband and continued to do all the research I could. That quiet voice never left me, not even once. I began to bring up the subject to others in random conversation. I was shocked to discover that not one of the many I talked to looked at homeschooling in a bad light. They all were extremely supportive of the idea, even not knowing that it was something I was considering. The only negative comment I have met with was made by a member of my husband's family and honestly I believe it was a comment made from "sour grapes" as she is extremely unhappy with her own life and the direction her children have taken in their education. Even my mother in law, who spent 20 years in the public school system feels that it is the right choice.

I continue to pray, but last night my husband came to me and has agreed that we will homeschool our son. I am so excited I can hardly contain my joy. Our son is only 2, so we have another 3 years to choose curriculum etc., but now I know that I do not have to worry about sending him to our local school district's pre-school next year.  I intend to blog our journey, no only as a record for us, but to perhaps help another family on the same journey.