My journey as a homeschool mom will be ending in two weeks when dd (dear daughter) dons the yellow/gold robe and gives her speech.  Like so many other "final" events in our lives, this one is bittersweet.  It is bitter because something is ending, but sweet because something else is beginning.

I had investigated, researched, and observed homeschooling for over a year before we stepped onto that path.  I was excited and fearful and apprehensive all at the same time.  I was excited because we had made this decision in the best interests of our children.  We had joined the ministry and homeschool would let us design a flexible schedule for our school assignments.  It also would let me tailor our curriculum to the strengths and weaknesses of our kids' learning styles.  I had personally loved school and was looking forward to being "back" in the classroom.

I was apprehensive because I had investigated, researched, and observed homeschooling for over a year before we stepped onto that path.  I had seen it done well and I had seen it done quite poorly.  I wanted to set the standard for our family high, so I was apprehensive that I might reach too far and let myself and my children down.  I wasn't sure how I would handle some of the inevitable challenges.  I didn't want to fail.

I was fearful because not everyone supports homeschooling.  It's not like I was giving my kids experimental drugs to grow horns and a third eye, but none the less, I knew that a big sector of society would frown on our choice.  Nobody likes to open themselves up to criticism.  And I was afraid that we would not have the support of some of our family members.  It turned out that some of the ones I thought would give us the most support thought we were the craziest.  And some of those I thought would scorn us to shame, actually encouraged us and expressed their admiration.  You never really know what to expect or from whom to expect it!

Now, neither dd or ds (dear son) completed everything I had planned for them.  Neither of the kids is fluent in a foreign language including my favorite sign language.  Neither of them took piano lessons like I had dreamed they would.  But . . .

Both of our children have a long list of extra curricular activities to go along with their academics.  We made sure that if they didn't advance quite as far as we had wished for in a certain subject that at least they had a very strong foundation and knew what we said they knew in that subject.  They have traveled and experienced all sorts of food and people and culture.  And they both have great hearts for their Lord.  That is definitely a sweet part!

So, congratulations, dear Ashleigh!  I am as proud of you as I was proud of your brother.  I send you off to establish your own life with confidence that you will make it an amazing journey.  I can say that I have done my very best for you.  And even though you fly away from our nest, remember that we will always be right here cheering for you and loving you!  I love you!

(and now I am done homeschooling!!!!!!!!)