Our homeschooling journey begins.

I wasn't expecting our first day homeschooling to go the way it did. All three of my kids were up before me. Eden made breakfast for all of them and then carefully put the dirty dishes in the sink. As I walked down the stairs, I heard them saying the Pledge of Alligence and then walked up to see them standing at attention, hands on their hearts facing the flag on our mantle. I was shocked, to say the least. Ok, I guess they're ready to jump right in.

I wasn't prepared for their level of preparation. After the Pledge and a serious rendition of My Country 'Tis of Three, they looked at me expectantly. Even though I had spent the past week preparing for this day, I froze. What now? Oh yeah, downstairs to the "classroom" to start the day's lesson. All three students eagerly marched behind me as I descended the stairs.

Two minutes later, we were sitting around their mini art table, books open in front of us, and their attitudes had changed. I realized then that they expected homeschooling to be a big party at home. Perhaps they looked forward to a permanent pajama party complete with games, movies and an endless supply of snacks. Once then realized that we would actually be learning (or trying to), their willingness took a collective turn for the worse.

We've been at it for about a month now and I can't say they've been cooperative. I've been met with far more push-back them I expected and I'm honestly not sure how to handle it. I sometimes relive those first few moments when I saw them standing in the living room, excited for the day ahead. How quickly they've turned. Regardless, I'm pressing on. They've been asking me, "How long are we going to homeschool?" Sometimes I want to tell them, "This is our last day!" But I know the real answer is, "As long as God tells us to."

Am I crazy for taking this on? Am I going to be able to do this? Will I ever have a life again? These questions and more circulate through my head on a daily basis but I know I'm doing the right thing. One of Eden's teachers (pre-homeschooling) taught her to take deep breaths by telling her to "smell the flower, blow out the candle." I've been doing alot of that lately. Alot.

And so, our journey begins. This should be good.