I'm considering...

So, as many of my friends have now heard me say, I'm considering homeschooling my kids this coming year. I think if I keep using the word "considering," then I'll never actually have to use language that implies I am actually making a firm decision. Which for some reason makes me more comfortable. In fact, if we do (notice the word "if"), then on the first day of homeschooling I'll probably say something like, "Well kids, looks like we might be starting homeschooling today" (notice the word "might"). And halfway through the year when someone asks my kids what school they go to I'd say something like, "we thought we might try something different this year and homeschool" (again with the word "might"). Seriously, self. Commit already.

To homeschool or not to homeschool...that is the question. So many benefits on both sides. Guess that's why it's so hard.

But really, there's just too many things I get excited about, that make it very simple. Like getting done with school work earlier in the day. And then moving on to something else, like learning piano, or Spanish, or how to make homemade tortillas, or gardening, or sewing pillows ('cause everyone needs more pillows). Or having a lemonade stand or a library swap at our house or practicing for a play - one that may or may not ever get acted out, but who cares!

I get excited about the concept of more time as a family. More time to dive into God's word and pray as a family and serve as Jesus calls us to.

I think all moms have high hopes for their children. I know I do. I hope they wind up better than "ok" at the end of this whole "being raised by Rich and I" thing. I hope they love to learn, go to college, treat people with respect, have courage to try new things, be good citizens, love God, know their Faith, choose good spouses and experience a wonderful life. I hope I can somehow help them get to that point. It's tough though, being a parent. Wanting it for them isn't enough. There's that whole "act of will" thing where they make choices and go down whatever path they go down. But I'll pray my heart out for them all the while.

It ocurred to me for the first time today, while reading a book about homeschooling, that this hair-brained idea didn't come to me out of nowhere. It was put on my heart by God himself. I think I missed that notion amongst the fact that I have many good friends who homeschool. I think I assumed it was a nice idea, one that my respected peers were doing, one that had some nice benefits. But I did realize today that God is the one who started pulling at my heart in this whole process. He was showing me the ways that our kids and our family as a whole could be blessed by having them educated in our home.

So, I think we might homeschool. Possibly. Maybe. It's being considered.