Here She Goes Again!

After more than a decade of infertility, my no-longer-prayed-for miracle arrived. Just like that, I was pregnant!

Certainly, I began my pregnancy just like most mothers in America today - doctors, ultrasounds, and I planned a 'normal' hospital birth.

But the days wore on, and as I prepared myself for birth, I started reading about midwives and natural birth. The short version is that I ended up laboring in a warm bath, and giving birth to my child into the hands of a loving and capable midwife.

What followed were several other child-rearing decisions that didn't particularly sit well with most of my family, and even some friends - we co-slept, baby-wore, and I not only breast-fed, but ended up doing so for 3 years.

I've stayed home with my daughter the entire time, which included a period of plenty, (making my staying home economically easy) ... and a longer (and more current) period of want, (which makes the idea of my staying home seem ludicrous to some).

Like many of my parenting choices before, I've got another 'radical' one planned. I'm going to homeschool my daughter.

Five years ago, that precious creature was laid at my breast. Soon, we 'officially' begin our homeschool journey. How can this day be so rapidly approaching?

I'm such a 'good Mama', that before she was even 1 year old, I started researching homeschooling. I'd get overwhelmed and stop. Complain to a few homeschooling friends. Put it away, since, like, they all told me, "You have plenty of time!" This has happened many times over the last five years. Finally, I *did* leave it alone. I had plenty of time. No worries.

Hakuna matada!!!

Well. Ahem. Now, it's here. The time has come. For the last two months (or more), I've been researching. Researching what? Mostly, curriculum. But also... just the experiences of other homeschooling families. I've fried my brain with reading and reading and reading. Then I realized -

"What we seek outside ourselves, can often be found within us."

So, I've decided to start this blog. It will document what we are doing.. for me.. for my daughter (one day, if she cares to read it).. and for those family members who are more concerned that we will turn out like that *one* homeschool-horror story they know or heard of. Additionally, most of our family is "away", and so can't *see* what we are doing, or how well she is being taught. So, this blog will also serve to be a link to them, so they can see and read about what we are doing, why we're doing it, and where we are on this wonderful journey.

Hopefully, they will come to agree that the journey is wonderful, indeed!

... and, mayhap, you'll find a small part of it informative & inspirational. If so, then the blessing spreads, like the ripples in a pond.

And thus begins my homeschooling blog.