first week of public school - retrospective

I'm not going to lie... I've been a bit of a mess this week.

Nothing that I can't bounce back from, but for the first time in my family's life we've sent our boys off to school instead of investing into them at home.

Of course, this has garnered three reactions:

• From some friends who home school: "Why in the world would you do that?"
• From some friends who use public school: "Why in the world did it take you so long?"
• From some friends who know us well: "Wow... I get it, and I get how different that will be for you... and I'm praying for you."

That's about all I'm going to say about that.

After all, we may end up using home schooling again down the road... or we may not. Our journey is a very interactive one, which involves leaning into our kids and trying to figure out what will bless them best. Keep in mind, our goal isn't that they would just graduate high school but that they would graduate college as well. In order for that to happen best, Katie and I recognized the need for them to be under different authority that is independent of us.

So for at least this year - maybe more - this is our plan.  We'll keep praying for wisdom.

In the meantime, I apologize for being a bit out of sorts this week.  Since I work out of the home, it's been odd to have several hours in my day where I don't hear my boys playing, wrestling, singing, or asking me to play a game with them.  It's one reason we're driving them to and from school, trying to squeeze every minute of the day with them that we can.

If you happen to be one of the people praying for us in this journey, thank you.

first day of school

It was the night before the first day of school.

Daniel sat at his desk, thankful to learn he'd be right across the way from his buddy Dylan.

Joshua learned he'd be making new friends this year, including "Nathanial," "Joseph," and "Austin" (who apparently didn't realize it was supposed to be the Old Testament name club).

Although Joshua was pretty stoked about the new school computer lab.

Before we knew it, it was the first day of school... which began with a yummy homemade breakfast by their mom.

Of course, we had to snap some pics of them... because they looked ready to conquer the world. Or at least, 1st grade and 4th grade.

 

Then it was off to school... one of the hardest things Katie and I have ever had to do.  Which is why we cranked up some music to enjoy all together (and to hold back the tears).

The infamous drop off happened quicker than we wanted it to.

And then several hours later... too many, in fact... it was time for the pick up.

They had a great day... a few hurdles, but a solid day nonetheless. We checked them out, and they were still each in one piece.

At the beginning of the day we gave them two goals:

• Love God: Honor Him by honoring the authority/teachers over you.
• Love others: Try to make a friendship with at least two new people and learn some things about them.

They nailed it, and so we celebrated with some Dairy Queen...

And... um... yeah...Katie and I.... kind of... had some, too. :)