the end of home school time

I remember the words of David Miller (home school dad and dedicated volunteer at HCYA Sports Day) on May 13, 2006, at Emily's high school graduation ceremony. Mr. Miller announced to the graduates and their families that this was officially the end of home school time in their lives. I thought to myself, "Nah! I've got another home schooler to graduate in about four years." Then I gave it more thought. He was right. With Emily out of high school, taking on college classes and working, she would now have a rigid schedule. No more freedom to do what we want, when we want as a family.

I'm thinking about this because today Noah starts classes at Lone Star College. Now, in our home, in our lives, there is no more home school time. We started home schooling the year Emily finished fourth grade and Noah finished kindergarden, both in public school. Home schooling has blessed our family, and I feel it allowed our children to become the people God wants them to be. And I am grateful that we live in Texas, a home school friendly state.

Our extended family has always been supportive of our deicision to home school. And while we may have been able to do more in our home school days, I know that Emily and Noah will succeed. Emily is already in her senior year at Texas A&M University, majoring in Education. Noah's not quite sure what he wants to major in, but there's a whole big world out there to choose from. I know he's going to embrace this new phase in his education and prove himself an awesome college student, just like his sister.

So here's to the end of home school time! We will miss it and always remember the blessings it brought into our lives. And here's to the future and the many blessings and challenges that lie ahead of us!