Mumkins,
I know what you mean! I was a compulsive researcher and often wondered if what I was doing was covering it all. As we began writing our own guides and having time to truly just ponder each guide one year at a time, we have been so blessed by the way the Lord has brought together all the fragmented pieces we had in our minds in a way that would come together for our children in uniting His word at the center of all things. Yet, we also wanted to strive for academic excellence without overwhelming teacher or student.
Each year as we send off the next guide in the sequence, we can see more clearly what the next steps in the progression need to be in all areas. By doing only one guide at a time, we can truly build a progression that makes sense and moves a child bit-by-bit toward the young man or woman that God desires him/her to be. We can also plan for the child to slowly, incrementally take over more of his/her education, without sacrificing the wonderful times we have sharing and discussing those things that might otherwise be skipped.

As we go through scope and sequence checklists with general guideslines per grade level for each subject, I'm always amazed at how well all of the areas are covered, even though we don't teach to the list. A living books education provides wonderful coverage simply as a by-product! What a blessing.
Plus, each guide gives you the added benefit of having a free 5th day (in the guides from Preparing on up) to use to suit your family's individual goals. So, you get to personalize as you go.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts! They blessed me today!
Blessings,
Carrie