Always Raney: August 2020

Today we started something new! It was our first official day of homeschool. As we are all painfully aware, 2020 has been unlike any other year in our lives! So much uncertainty. So much dissension. So much apprehension. One thing that came fairly easily to Tim and me, was our decision to homeschool our girls. We absolutely loved our experience in the Hilliard school district. Both Violet and Juliet's teachers were incredible, sweet, amazing women. We are grateful for the experiences they got to have in "regular" school, even if just for a year or two. That being said, Tim and I are responsible for the raising of our girls. Their physical safety, their emotional health, their spiritual development, and their intellectual pursuits. We easily concluded that there are no two people more invested in their development than us! The homeschool community truly is astounding. So many parents willing and able to offer advice, lend an ear, retell experiences. I have been so encouraged at the amount of resources available to homeschooling families. We are so excited to be diving in and learning about it all. I'm certain this will be an evolving process in which we are always learning what works and what doesn't. But that's the beauty of homeschooling, isn't it?

I am very at peace with our choice. I've done the research, I've read the books, I've listened to the podcasts. I can take the ideas and information that best fits our family. The Lord will equip me to teach them. He will provide the grace when my patience has run out. He will give us the sweetest gift all - which is time together. On days that I question if I can do this, I already know the answer. After all, I have been their teacher since the moment they were born.