The Hodges Homestead

This weekend was our first weekend in MANY months that we had almost nothing planned. No soccer games. No birthday parties. No swim lessons. We didn't know what to do with all the free time.

Sunday was my brother, Austin's, graduation party. Afterwards, we all needed a nap. Somebody woke up very snuggly and a little delirious:

Happy Monday to all!

The most obvious move would be Jenks West Elementary, our home district, which is what we intended to do at the time. We have heard wonderful things about this school and felt pretty confident after talking to fellow Metro and Jenks mommas about the decision. Many families at MCA transition easily back and forth between the two schools. Still unsettled about if it was right for Ady and our family, we chose to look at a few small Christian schools in Tulsa. I felt unwilling to make any commitment, and found myself avoiding the topic all together.

I finally collected all the necessary paperwork and went to the Jenks Enrollment Center to just get it over with. There was a minor hiccup in the enrollment process, and Ady was not officially enrolled that day (I have procrastinated with her Kindergarten vaccinations). In a last-ditch effort to excite all of us about the new venue, I brought everyone home a Jenks Trojans shirt in their favorite color. I knew in my heart that day Ady would not be starting kindergarten there this Fall.

All that brings us to now. I had never considered homeschooling, because well, honestly, I felt like it would be a huge disadvantage to her social health. I have always worked with Ady at home, and from birth she has known more than me ;) Over the course of the past few months, that attitude has changed. She has become very receptive to teaching and coaching, and she looks forward to us working together on her "school papers." As a family, we discussed homeschooling, and what that means for all of us. Dave's one request was that I didn't make her "weird." I think we all know a few of those people ;)

So, here I am -- a 25 year old mother of three children under five, about to take on this massive responsibility. I decided to make a one year commitment, but I really wasn't feeling confident in myself. I was so overwhelmed with the wealth of information out there, so I began reading anything I could get my hands on. I began to pray about it. I always have felt that I was called to be a mother above everything else, but a teacher too -- I just wasn't sure about that. One of my favorite verses for a time like this is Philippians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, through prayer and petition, by thanksgiving, present your requests before God." God answered, big time.

One of the hardest decisions you make in the homeschooling process is choosing curriculum. What an overwhelming task. I spent hours in homeschool forums and blogs. I just kept thinking, "Maybe this works for your family, but I'm not so sure it would work for mine." During a visit with out Parents as Teachers educator last week, I shared our decision. Our educator Lauren was an untapped resource that I hoped could give me some direction. She shared with me her choice in curriculum for her children many years earlier. I had never heard of it, but was really excited to investigate.

The curriculum is called Sonlight. It was created for U.S. missionaries living overseas, and WOW is it awesome -- exactly what we were looking for. The literature-based, Christian curriculum teaches from a world view. Unlike many other curriculum choices, it presents many facets of each subject, some Chrisitan and some secular. As the parent, I get approach these subjects/issues with my child and navigate through them with her, giving her solid footing in her faith and core values.

One of the most exciting points of Sonlight for me is that it requires me to spend zero time planning, gathering materials, and creating. Of course, if I have the desire to do so, it comes with a plethora of suggestions to supplement everyday activities. This kit contains 100% of the materials I need to teach her for the entire year. Instead of spending countless hours creating lesson plans and organizing each day, I can spend that time with my family. The kit contains over 100 Kindergarten science experiments, math manipulatives, handwriting aids, CD's, and DVD's just to name a few. I can't wait for the stuff to begin arriving!

Because homeschooling this way takes only a fraction of the time of a typical school day Ady will still have plenty of time for all her activities, which will keep her socially well rounded and plugged in with all her MCA friends. Ideally, I would be home full time and turn in my Starbucks apron. I am going to feel it out though, and I will wait to make that decision until we get started and in a groove.

We are already looking forward to our next school year, and this one isn't over yet. I'm sure you will be hearing much more about our adventure over the next year, and I will do my best to be candid in sharing the joys, progress, trials, and tribulations.

Here is the Sonlight website if you would like to learn more: www.sonlight.com