Just popping in to say THANKS again SO much, Carrie!

[StillJulie]

We started school yesterday.

My oldest is ten and has been using HOD since Bigger Hearts. She is now in fifth grade and doing CTC. So far, so good. She is very independent.

Next I have an 8 year old, third grade boy doing Bigger. He's been doing HOD since Little Hearts. This is also going fabulously. I don't know that he'll ever LOVE school, but he tolerates it well and gets his work done promptly since he is eager to be able to leave the house and help Daddy with farming things.

After that is my 6yo, first grade son. We're doing a modified Beyond with him, b/c I plan to do full Beyond with him and the next youngest next year. He's my early riser/eager beaver.

Then I have a 4yo, kindergartener doing Little Hearts. That's going well too!

The plans are laid out so wonderfully to make things easy for me. Thank you, Carrie!

I do have a 2yo and 1yo, but I'm not doing much focused with them right now. I hope to be able to group them together down the road.


I'm requiring the kids to be ready to go at 8 a.m., but my 6yo has been ready earlier, so that helps. He gets about an hour of my mostly undivided attention. At the same time, my oldest is helping the 4yo with some of Little Hearts. My 8yo does some of his workbook/independent type work for 20 minutes or so and then takes the littlest girls downstairs to play in the playroom.


After that, I spend about fifteen minutes doing phonics and some Little Hearts with my 4yo. Then it's the 8 year old's time to have me to himself. I alternate some between him and my oldest (and anyone else who needs me) til around noon/lunchtime.

Even with having an hour of speech therapy (for the 4yo) to interrupt things this morning, we were able to have all school except two subjects of the oldest's done before lunch. That's my usual goal...


I know that only two days in is still a little soon, but I feel so encouraged. I'd had quite a bit of anxiety leading up to this school year... just not being sure if I could get it all done... But I am feeling so encouraged and hopeful now, so I waned to share that.

[momtofive]

What a blessing to hear about how well things are going for your family as you begin your new school year!!!!

This is our first year using HOD! I am so pleased at all the amazing changes taking place in my children this year, so far. We started school early in August, and are already seeing so much enjoyment in learning, and hearts being drawn closer to the Lord! I only wish that I could have learned about HOD sooner, and been able to start my children out on such a wholesome curriculum. Our littler ones will have that blessing!

Thank you for sharing your encouragement with everyone here on the boards. It's such a blessing!

In Christ,

Lisa

[Kathleen]

Yay Julie! So glad to hear that you're having a good start to the year! (We did, too, and I thought it was God giving me just the encouragement I needed as we head into a full year. )

Kathleen

[Carrie]

Julie,

I'm so glad to hear an update on your year! I'm thrilled that you are started and that things are falling into place for you with multiple programs. I agree that it's surprising how the older kiddos are ready for more independence just as you're really needing time to spend focused on the new little ones coming up. What a blessing that CTC helps you in that endeavor! It's amazing how much the kiddos grow and change over the years and how the Lord truly provides a way for us to get done what we need! You are reaping the benefits of staying the course with HOD, and I'm so excited for the year ahead of you!

Thanks for sharing! You're doing a terrific job! Way to go mom!

Blessings,
Carrie