We started our school year in early August… my 11th year teaching our kids.  What a journey it has been.  When Natasha was born I would have laughed at you if you told me we would be a homeschooling family.  Yet, here we are – a homeschooling family!  I wouldn’t have it any other way.  Yes, it’s a challenge but to have us all together, building our relationships, studying God’s word, learning about all kinds of different subjects and able to pray together throughout the day brings me such joy and peace.  My number one job as their mother is to teach them God’s Word and consistently point them to Christ.  Math, science and the rest of the academic subjects are secondary because what good does it do to have all that knowledge if their souls are captured by the world?

For several years I have had all the kids color a page that represents the grade they are starting, even though with homeschoolers the grade doesn’t really dictate what they are learning.  So, without further delay here are the kids pictures for this school year.  Our first school year in Arkansas!

Natasha is 16 years old and is in the 11th grade.  Every year I marvel at how fast time is flying… our oldest has less then 2 years of school left!  Since moving to Arkansas we have truly been blessed to be able to join a homeschool co-op called BELIEVERS.  Also, a wonderful mom in our church has a small writing class that Natasha was able to join and their first book study is To Kill A Mockingbird.  She is also interning at a really neat bakery twice a week.  She has quite a busy schedule between academics, the bakery, piano lessons and co-op!  Lord willing, she’ll be able to get her drivers license soon as she’s met the drivers permit requirements.  The bible verse on her picture is Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make our paths straight.

Natasha – August 2019

Mikayla is 14 and in the 9th grade.  Since this is her first year in high school she’s getting used to a more demanding schedule.  However, she isn’t planning on becoming a rocket scientist or an engineer so she’s not on an intense rigorous schedule.  While Natasha is in her writing class, our other 4 kids are part of group of younger students going through Pilgrim’s Progress and Mikayla helps with this class.  Mikayla’s two co-op classes are Puzzles, Logic and Games and Being Mission Minded.  She is a very diligent student and will persevere through tough subjects without giving up.  Her favorite subject this year is the Earth Science class by DIVE as it includes lots of really cool experiments.  In a couple of years, she hopes to volunteer at an animal shelter as she loves all things related to animals.  The bible verse on her pictures is Psalm 118:24 This is the day that the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Mikayla – August 2019

Alex is 11 and in 5th grade.  Many 11 year olds are in 6th grade, however, our umbrella school in Colorado automatically put her in the younger grade back when she started school.  It turned out to be a blessing because she had a severe speech impediment and being back a grade allowed us to really focus on her speech.  For the co-op Alex picked a class called Build-It where they will build catapults, marshmallow guns and various other fun projects and a Drama class.  She too is an excellent student and sometimes borders on being a perfectionist which we are working on with her.  She loves science and doing experiments and is focused on Astronomy this year.  The bible verse on her picture is Psalm 106:1 Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.  For his lovingkindness is everlasting.

Alexandra – August 2019

Our Jonathan is about to turn 9 and is in the 3rd grade.  He’s the typical active boy and he keeps me on my toes.  I keep him pretty scheduled throughout the day and rotate between desk work and more active play… too much idle time and he gets himself in trouble!  He has been my favorite kiddo to teach to read.  I have enjoyed watching his eyes light up and his smile appear as he learns new things.  His co-op classes are Human Anatomy and Marine Biology and both of his teachers go to our church and he loves both of their families – he’s very excited!  Like Alex, he loves science and is really good at math.  The bible verse on his picture is Ephesians 6:10-11 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

Jonathan – August 2019

This is Katherine’s first official year in school, is 5 years old and in Kindergarten.  I think at this point she loves all the things she is learning which is a good thing!  To be honest, some of her work is busy work to keep her focused while I’m working with the other kids but she enjoys it so I don’t feel too bad!  Like Jonathan, too much idle time causes her to whine and get in trouble.  Her co-op classes are Food Art and Rock Art.  She’ll get to bring home fun little creations each week.  The bible verse on her picture is Ephesians 5:1-2 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

Katherine – August 2019

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise.  You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.