Winter Blogging
Mood:  celebratory
Now Playing: Autumn song...
Topic: Seasonal Projects


Autumn is a time for reflection and regrouping for the cool weather and family times to come, and we have been thinking a lot about those times recently.

Looking back over the years I've spent home schooling, one of the more important aspects of it has been my ability to maintain a strongly positive outlook, even in the face of dire situations, that I couldn't change. That came as a shock when my husband left, and I realized I'd be homeschooling and raising four children alone. The real shock was when I had worked for a few weeks toward that general direction and realized that nothing had changed. My ex hadn't been enough a part of our lives to make a difference prior to leaving, so his absence didn't actually change much.

As I began to focus on the events of our lives and continue in the leadership role that I then realized I'd been fulfilling for a long time, our lives began to change. We lived in the same house, and we didn't have any real major changes, but we changed. We began to seek the positive in our lives, and let go of the negative. We began to enjoy our lives, no longer dreading the temperamental returning father, who didn't actually add anything to our lives, and who actually took away from what we'd had before. We began to live valiently, enjoying each day as it came.

What changed most dramatically was our freedom to do what we chose, without fear of consequences from the non-participating parent. We traveled some, throughout our state, in neighboring states, exploring our world, and our history. We began to expand our awareness and search out adventures that taught us about life around us.

We visited the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, the Missouri River Crossing (where homesteaders crossed with their Conastoga Wagons), Zoos in various areas, and other sights that provide a valuable source of education. We had fun. The most important part of our time together during the past few years, has actually been the ability to grow together, be a family, and learn to love and live well.

So, what does the future hold? Oh, far more of the same. We have plans to build stronger more accomplished dreams and live fulfilling lives that provide meaning and an ability to share with each other. It is our pleasure to step each day toward those goals.

Jan