Author Archives: admin We’ve officially been in our new place for over a month now–and we’ve been working away. We’ve had the house painted (most of it by mama Young:), bought antiques to fit the front porch and furniture for the family room–and little odds and ends like “farm art” and such. Zeke had his 3rd birthday this […]  As a former language arts teacher in the public schools (and YEARS of paying for tutors for one with dyslexia)–I have a true appreciation for this spelling and reading program. (No more tutors needed here!) When reading and spelling programs overlap–there will always be more gain for the student, and I can’t say enough about […] I’m preparing for my 4th year homeschooling–and this year ahead will be my fullest yet with 2 in K, one in 3rd, one in 4th and another running around in a diaper:) Next year, we’re opting out of preschool for the youngest and letting him roll with our crazy homeschooling. (For us having them in […] After 7 years of homeschooling, I’m still learning, too. Just started using the “workbox” system and we all love it! I am certified to teach Reading/Language Arts also. Through homeschooling, I have discovered that I knew very little about these subjects. I love learning right alongside my children this go around. This post was filled with such great, great advice. It’s always fun to see what curriculum works with other families. We are in the midst of our 7th year of homeschooling. We have 4 girls, ages 7, 8, 10, and 12 and in grades 1, 3, 5, and 6. What a blessing and treasure it is to homeschool! What do I love most? The ability to instruct our girls in the way of the Lord. We have had the most amazing conversations about spiritual things. We also use Apologia and The Story of the World, and find them both to be wonderful. Sometimes the days get long. Sometimes we have to take a mental health day. I don’t worry too much about the little things anymore. The girls are all getting to be self-taught in their work, which is a life skill that we’re trying to encourage. Hang in there on the hard days, and enjoy the ride! Hi Andrea, I love your blog and your heart for Christ and your family. I enjoyed this post especially and have researched the links you provided. I have a 2 year old and a 7 month old, and am wanting to homeschool as they get of age. I have looked into the Sonlight curriculum and had intended to go that route until reading your post. I like the idea of teaching them together. Can you weigh in on your thoughts of a program like Sonlight compared to what you currently use? And, can you (if you have time) provide a sample “day/weekly” schedule of what your days look like, regarding homeschooling, play time, etc? I like organization and routine. Any advice is helpful. Thanks so much for your time (and for your time in writing blog posts like these). Thanks again! What a great post! Thank you! I love to hear what is working for other homeschool moms 🙂 i was wondering if you have ever heard of Brave Writer? I am looking into it as a writing program. IEW is a little to intense for me! 😛 I love her blog posts and her ideas of how to teach. I have an email that I can send if you are interested in looking at a condensed breakdown of how it works. Thank you again!! Y’all are awesome! LOVE!~!!! We do many of the same exact things!!! 🙂 It works for our crew. We have ADD, dyslexia, auditory processing, sensory needs, and a heap of other things, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world!!! We get to be together! And our ages span from 4-14! Still works :). Wanted to thank you for this post. Was super helpful. I have a 4th, 2nd, pre-k and 2 yr old for this coming school year.. all dudes 😉 – and as this year ended I just felt a bit burned out. We have only ever home schooled… moved 9 times in 10 years… and had babies in every place we lived it seemed HAH! My husband a former pastor had to take on a new job as a cop (long complicated story hehe) – which brought us to atlanta… and as of right now we are unsure where the Lord will take us next. I know or at least feel he is not meant to serve as a cop forever 😉 – for now it works but he is called to Pastor and so we are hoping to be called to a church or mission some time in the next year or so. With the thought of moving again I dont want to do public school but as I began to prep for this fall I just felt a bit bogged down and tired… wondering if my home schooling was worth it… Your post encouraged me. So thank you! Btw my names Andrea too 😉 – and I am a photographer as well. Started my business in 07′ after my 2nd was born. Its been a huge blessing to our family – provided for us during a 10 month jobless season for my husband. Was thankful for the ability to do something creative yet make ends meet and provide for my family. Rock on fellow Andrea 😉 – love your blog. I just purchased all of Sam Man’s books for 1st grade and I’m SUPER excited 🙂 I’m trying out some of your suggestions and sticking with a couple that have worked for him. Thank you SO MUCH for your honest and sincere advise! On behalf of all us mamas learning how all this works, THANK YOU!  Oh my! We have been here for 3 weeks TONIGHT! And life is… GOOD. We have 2 animal traps set up to catch what we think is a ground hog digging all kinds of business under our front porch. I was certain we caught something tonight–but then I thought it was a coyote just howling…then […] So good to hear an update about your move! Looks like a great place and like you’re enjoying it already! Love your leap of faith to do something new! We too, are in the process of moving and doing “farm/country life.” With you doing it first I’ll get to see all of the what to do’s and what not to do’s! 🙂 Blessings to you all! What an exciting time for your family! We too are moving after living in the same home for 11 years. Almost everyone has been so excited for our family but we have had the same Debbie Downers as you. Our family has decides that it is such a blessing to be able to move almost 800 miles away and that God has truly blessed us each step of the way. One of my daughter wondered if maybe the few naysayers were a bit jealous of the opportunity that we have. Maybe it is something they have long dreamt of and been fearful of doing themselves so we prayed for them….just in case. Congrats on finding your farm! It looks amazing! We live in Alpharetta and are also looking for a farm/land farther out. Just have a desire to slow down a little and have room for the kids to run and play. Enjoy!!  Oh my. Tomorrow Richard comes home. Thankful. So right after I got home from serving at Created for Care–my sidekick took off for Zambia to love on these little loves… And while he’s been gone. We sold our home. I got the list of “fix its” from the inspection that the buyers wanted. A very […] Wow! It looks beautiful! LOVE. I would totally make the hike. Praying for your new adventure. (And praying for the move, ugh moving.) You’re a good mama…I love your perspective. Thank you. Sounds like quite an adventure for your beautiful family! Contact your Extension Service office and they’ll help you learn to farm! 🙂 When God calls us down a road that looks different from others, there will always be odd comments. Just like adoption. Hang in there! We live in a small rural town and we’ve had goats and cows and our children have had amazing experiences. City life is good if that’s where God planted you, but if this is where He is calling you. Run!!! Always inspired by you and your family! I want to run across that field barefoot and lay down and look up at the beautiful sky! Congrats- you’re gonna love it!…says the one whose kiddo’s have enjoyed their Uncles farm since day one. It’s a great life. It takes so much courage to follow your dreams when they do not seem to fall in line what others want for you. Kudos to you and your family for making the best decision for your family. Foxfire Books should help with the farming! My father in law lives by them! 🙂 You are right, no one swings by in the city anyhow. If one of my friends moved to a farm only 8 miles further away, I would most likely end up visiting more because it seems reasonable to say, “we’d love to come hang out at your farm and be introduced to the goats, etc.” It would be worth the extra 15 minutes! Andrea, I am so very happy for your sweet family! We too have purchased 10 acres that will be an additional 8 miles from where we currently live. And I too have heard all the same comments. But I have to trust, knowing that the Lord led our hearts to this place, that he wants to do great things for him through us and for now, I just have to trust! God calls some to the city, some to foreign lands and some to the country, but all to serve him and glorify him! Excited to follow along your journey as we walk similar paths! Your post reminds me of my favorite poem by Robert Frost. This is my favorite part… “I shall be telling this with a sigh Dreams are personal, they are between you and God. Can’t wait to see pictures of Move-in day!! Wow! What a week for your family! God is good! Praying his hand on you as you move this week! Blessings! So excited for you all! May you find encouragement and help not only from the expected people and places, but also from the unexpected. Faith is not a light that dispels all our darkness,but a lamp that guides our steps at night and that is enough for the road…Lumen Fiedei |
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by admin
Wow!! I love your carpenter’s imagination and the picture of the bathroom remodel!! The new bunk room is flourishing with imaginative & creative energy!! I know the boys must love it so much!! I’m so grateful that you share stuff like this. It’s the next best thing to actually being there! Sending you love from afar! xoxo
I haven’t checked in for awhile. I LOVE all the changes your family has to look forward to….and LOVE the bunk room. You are creating a beautiful home!
Laura in TX
Wait a sec. Just commented on your home school post. You are in Atlanta?!?!? no way! We are in Woodstock. Id love to connect. *if that doesnt freak you out.*
Email me! 🙂 The room is amazing btw!! my boys all want to share a room but our house has small bed rooms. So that prob wont happen. As of now we have 2 in one room (the 7 and 4 yr old) and then my oldest who will be 10 soon has his own room and the baby who is 20 months has a small nursery (its sooo tiny tho, once hes bigger he will move in with his older bro.
AHHH! Some how I’m just now seeing this!! YES! I’m in Atlanta!!! Actually Alpharetta…so even closer to youuuuu!!!! Would LOVE to get together with you! Any time!