June 22, 2013

Time to Change


I have this theory that pretty much any monumental moment in life can somehow be related either directly or indirectly to an episode of my favorite television show ever...The Brady Bunch. If you are around my age...ahem...43, then you grew up watching reruns of this amazing show every afternoon on TBS. At 4:35 to be exact. If you are too young to have watched it then, please invest in the DVDs...you won't be sorry! Anyway...I digress. When I was thinking of a title for this post, a song from one of the episodes came to mind at once. "When it's time to change, you've got to rearrange..."




Our family is making a major change, and we are very excited about it. This fall, my sweet children will not be returning to school. We have decided to take them out of the school system and begin cyber school. Let me first state that Steve and I have nothing against the public school system...I attended and graduated from public school, and spent five wonderful years teaching in a public school as well. We have nothing against the Catholic school system either. Steve attend Catholic school, and our children have been a part of the Catholic school system here for the past eleven years.

Our reasons for changing are diverse, but a dear friend told me after I confided in her about all the things we considered, that the one thing that stuck out to her was when I said the school system just wasn't a fit for our family. And that is just about it. I will never say anything negative about our school, just suffice it to say that we feel we will learn, grow, experience, celebrate, and love better at home as a family.

I also want to add that this wonderful world of Blogger has helped me embrace this decision with confidence and excitement. So many of you are models of homeschool success and inspire me with so many ideas of curriculum and faith that I can't wait to begin! I am not going the traditional homeschool route, however, as I know that would be a bit more than I could successfully accomplish as a first timer. We have researched thoroughly and have found a wonderful cyber school that offers K-12, and has an extensive curriculum that the kids are very excited about. We traveled to the city last week for orientation, and left very excited and anxious to start our new adventure. I am excited to dust off the teacher in me, and will be teaching the religion to the kids myself. I can't wait! Be waiting for the emails, ladies!

We will be deconstructing our seldom used formal dining room soon, and will be setting up the learning room so we will be all ready come September. I am so excited to have my children here with me. I am excited to be a bigger part of their education. I am excited to have more family time for simple things like baking and playing games and going on nature walks. I am thankful that this is possible for us, and that my children are excited about it as well.

I humbly ask your prayers as we begin this new adventure in our lives...as we realize that it's time to change, and that we've got to rearrange...And please feel free to offer any advice! You know I'm listening!


14 comments:

  1. So happy for you and your family! I'm sure they will love being home all together like that. I've heard good things about the charter school in our state. I'm wanting to start home school pre-k with Lucia this fall, but haven't fully decided which curriculum I'm going with yet. When does Flynn turn four? I was just curious if she was the same age as Lucia.

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  2. Billie Jo, how exciting! Your heart and mind sound like they're in the right place to start this new chapter in your lives. So glad to hear about it. I will definitely be praying for a smooth transition for all of you. Make sure to add the Brady Bunch into the curriculum :)

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  3. That is so very exciting and such a big change!!! Prayers for you and your family as you enter into this new adventure!

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  4. How exciting! I think you are going to love home schooling your kiddos. You have the perfect mindset for it!!! What a blessing to be able to do this. I can't wait to hear about your future teaching endeavors!!!

    Hugs!

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  5. We LOVE the Brady Bunch...well I think I love it more than the kids :) I have been recording it everyday in hopes that they will love it as much as I do.
    I am so excited for your family as start this new journey. I can not wait to see pictures of your classroom. I know it will be filled with love.

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  6. That is wonderful news! What a blessing that you have the ability to stay at home with your family! Prayers for you as you embark on this new adventure! :)

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  7. What a big change indeed! I'm very excited for you all, and will be keeping you in our prayers as you start this new chapter in your lives. Our Holy Family, Jesus, Mary, & Joseph, and all their virtues, is the perfect example of a perfect family. Where we are not the Holy Family, we are all called to follow their example in ways that best fit our family. Staying focused on them through prayer will help you each day.

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  8. Oh I'm so jealous.... afternoon coffee at home WITH your kids!!!! Dream! I'm over the moon happy for you Billie Jo! I'm sure it was a decision with a lot of thought. Led by the Lord, it's the right one for you and your family. Oh the TIME you'll have! I can't wait to see it all unfold. I'm thrilled for you that you have the courage to follow as God led you. Happy, happy, happy for you :) (with a bit of "I wish it was me" mixed in) Yeah Billie Jo!!!! Yeah!

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  9. What an amazing, unselfish sacrifice you're making for your kids. I love that you're launching something unknown and scary, but with great potential rewards for your family. Best of luck on your new adventure in homeschooling. I have many, many friends and relatives who have had the best success with non-traditional schooling methods.

    oh, and...I'm 43, too. The Brady Bunch was my all-time favorite TV show, too. And the singing ones were always my favorite episodes. :)

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  10. Wow!!! Good for you all doing what feels right for your family! Awesome!

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  11. Super Big Changes!! But oh so good for your family. Your kiddos are so lucky and blessed to have you for their primary teacher.

    Cannot wait to see the school room! Keep us posted!

    prayers and hugs to you bloggy friend.

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  12. That is a wonderful way of explaining it. Although, I do have issues with the public school system and the Catholic school system too...but it is also what you said, a better fit for our family!

    I will be praying for you....Remember to write down your reasons, because there WILL be days when you will ask, "Why am I doing this?" Believe me. And don't get too down on yourself if the first or 2nd day of school is not like you've planned and you don't feel like the happy cookie mama...you might feel that way, but you might not! I feel everyone that homeschools (even the K-12 kind of programs) is called to do so, and so God will help you through it!

    We also used our formal dining room for our school room! And, I'm 43 and used to watch at 4:40 also!!! (I don't remember the 4:35 part)

    Love the Brady Bunch, My kids DVR'd it--it's on the Hallmark channel here in the afternoon, they have seen all of them and love them!

    Yay, I'm so proud of you, it's a big decision to decide to do this, I'm happy for you...you will be in my prayers...

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  13. Yeah, when does Flynn turn 4? My little one will be 4 August 24th!

    (I'll be 44 in September, if you were wondering)

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  14. Billie Jo, how is it that I missed this post??!! I clicked on over to it after reading your post today and the link. Good grief!! CHANGES indeed. I am so proud of you and excited for you as you begin this new endeavor for and with your family. You know, as I'm typing this I'm thinking of your beautiful front porch you shared the other day. It will also make a great spot outside to sit and read/learn for your kids :) Rest assured of my prayers as you move forward and hopefully Blogville can keep being a source of support for you. Blessings, friend.

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Thanks so much for saying hello!

Billie Jo