To be honest, I wasn't very excited to go at first. We are in the middle of packing up our lives to move and only have 2 1/2 weeks left. I tried to convince Jon that we didn't need to go that we could just order the audio and listen to what we need to hear from the recorded sessions you can purchase. But Jon encouraged me that this was extremely important to us in our journey to homeschool Sean next year and I agreed that was true.
The whole way down there I was anxious in my heart and battling the struggle I have with anxiety in heavy traffic. I was (embarassingly) in tears the closer we got to Atlanta because of the crazy amount of traffic- (and don't feel bad for Jon I had already moved myself to the back seat of the van squished between the girls to try to avoid making him more distracted from driving.)
I'm honest with this struggle because maybe more of you also have this struggle and it's something we never talk about. I never get on I-77 here in Charlotte and it's my first memory of even visiting Jon here was getting lost off I-77 and having to call him in tears to come find me so I could get to his parents' house. But, now I digress back to the trip...
The Lord providentially got us there safely and we got checked into the hotel which was connected to the convention center. It was very nice to be right there and not have to DRIVE any more in Atlanta while we were there.
Photo downloaded from the #TTDAtlanta fb page
We had registered the kids for the Incrediworld kids' program, but it was only held Friday and Saturday, so Thursday afternoon/evening was a bit tricky having all the kids with us. Jon and I took turns going to a couple of sessions while the other stayed in the hotel with the kids. We gave up going to any more that evening after the kids' were super whiny about being in the hotel room, so we walked over to the mall to get Chick fil a with friends. I got the cutest shot of Brilee with her friend, Cassidy
Between our two families we had 11 children in tow and they were all walking in height order at one point on the way back.
I grabbed my phone to take a picture, but by the time I got it out they were starting to disperse in different directions plus we noticed a car that was headed our way that didn't seem like he was going to stop to let the end of our train cross. I grabbed Brilee's hand who was still holding Cassidy's hand and we moved back with both the strollers and sure enough, the car didn't slow down a bit as he went through. Thankful for God's protection over our little ones even while we are right next to them.
By the time we got back to the room I was exhausted and still doubting our taking this trip.
The next morning we ate a ridiculously expensive buffet breakfast in the hotel atrium (but it kept us full without hardly any lunch) and dropped the kids off to their program
Well, only not exactly full freedom since we still had the grumpiest 2 year old on the planet to deal with the next two days, lol
We still managed to make it to several sessions on Friday, and as I sat listening to the speakers, even with a disruptive, squirmy 2 year old the Lord was softening my heart towards the subject of our children and their future. I felt encouraged, convicted, motivated and scared all at the same time.
Here is a screen shot I took during one of the sessions- very eye opening how education has changed over the past few centuries.
In case the photo is too small to read, it is from Harvard's Rules and Precepts in 1646 "Let every student be plainly instructed, and earnestly pressed to consider well, the main end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life (John 17:3) and therefore lay Christ at the bottom, as the only foundation of sound knowledge and learning."
By lunchtime, both Jon and I talked and both said that we feel like we not only need to homeschool Sean next year, but also keep the girls home too.
In addition to not having the "benefits" of either schooling method- i.e.- we'd still have to get up super early and be cranky with the girls trying to get them to school by 7:30am and homework, paperwork mountains sent home, etc. and not have the flexibility to take trips whenever we want since we'll still be tied to their schedule. Nor would I have the bit of flexibility I've had with Sean & Lilly in school this year to try to do my small sewing business. It's already hard to find time to sew, even though I love it, but schooling Sean would take that away too (not that I mind because he's much more important) but all that saying it would be extremely difficult to manage both homeschool and public school schedules.
BUT- those are not the main reasons to keep them home, but the heart issues we need to address in the girls and correct behaviors that we allowed to creep in through our negligence in certain areas, especially in the amount of "screen" time they get on computer, ipad, tv, etc. and complaining over reading and playing outside. Their complaining has grown steadily worse over the past year, and even Lilly who is an excellent reader says she is bored when she reads.
SO, we are jumping in head feet first into this mysteriously exciting but scary journey that is homeschool that we know will be HARD. The best speaker I heard all weekend was Todd Friel and he said, "YES, homeschooling is HARD--and we are sinners with a bunch of little sinners at home" I didn't take notes to refer more since I was sitting there nursing Luke, but I can't wait to hear the recording over and over again when we get it. I do, however, remember he focused on John 14:1-
"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me." He gave several ways to overcome anxiety in life and in homeschooling in particular.
"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." John 14:27
What I needed to hear after such anxiety I struggle with on a daily basis, as do most women, I believe. So, this is what I will be working on in my own heart this coming season of life. Please pray for me and let me know if I can pray for any of you as well.
Our day on Saturday ended with a kids' program singing the songs they learned while in Incrediworld with Patch the Pirate. We were near Brilee's group and you can see her and her friend, Cassidy, singing and dancing excitedly. (I learned my videos straight from my phone don't play correctly on blogger, so I uploaded them to YouTube as unlisted) Enjoyed hearing them so much.
I came home refreshed (despite continued struggle with traffic on the way home--that is a bigger issue I believe will take more time) and excitedly nervous about this journey ahead.
And, boom, the reality that I have 2 weeks left to finish packing the house and for Jon to finish a few repairs around here from the inspection. I am so thankful for all those who have volunteered to come help pack and/or move. You are loved and appreciated more than you will know!
