I am so excited to be back on the HOD board. I started last year with HOD, but circumstances changed half way through the year. (We jumped into a Charlotte Mason co op for the second semester.)
I wasn't sure we were going to be able to do HOD this year. My older children should have placed in CTC, and we couldn't afford that plus Bigger and LHTH. So, I started 3 weeks ago using plans I wrote myself, only to see that the material was not hitting the mark. After praying and asking the Lord for wisdom, I will be starting with Bigger with my oldest 3 in the next few days.
I was afraid that it would not be enough for my almost 10 yo ds, and my 11 yo dd, but after seeing how they are still struggling with oral narrations and writing skills, I knew we had to back up and do something different. Last year was our first year implementing CM style schooling, and it is great, but my 2 oldest haven't had the experience in reading through or listening through one time (with attention) so that they retain the information. Textbook style learning does not teach students to read with attention. I want to take this year to work on that habit. I know it will help them in all areas, not just their school work.
I confess that I am concerned how this is all going to play out in the big scope of things ( with an 11 yo doing Bigger ), but I have read some of the previous posts on this, and I am just going to try to focus on what we need to do this year trusting God for His guidance to lead us in the years to come. ONE DAY AT A TIME!!! That was for me.

I look forward to being part of this wonderful forum, and it is great to see some more of you from North Carolina!!
In His love,
RuthAnn
11 dd Bigger with extensions
9 1/2 ds Bigger with extensions
8 ds Bigger
5 ds K5
20 month old - Destructo Queen