Reflections on our first year of homeschool

Two more weeks!  I feel like I do near the end of every school year.  Ready.  Ready for summer.  Ready for vacation.  Ready to hit the beach.  I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...

However, this is unlike any other school year.  This, ladies and gents, is our first year to homeschool our kids.  And what a year it has been.  At the beginning of the school year, I wrote my list of reasons why we opted to homeschool our kids and let me tell you, that came in handy a few times this year...when I thought to myself, "What the heck am I doing?!"  Now, at the end of the year, as I reflect on that list and on the school year, I can see that what I've been doing has been something quite marvelous.  (Let me add my usual plug...Homeschool is not for everyone and I don't judge people who do not feel called to homeschool their kids.  This is our decision for our kids because we believe this is what God has called us to do for them.)  Here's a list of my random reflections of this year (in no particular order, either):

1. We've all enjoyed being together during the best hours of our day. I honestly thought we would get sick of being together but the opposite has occurred; we enjoy each other so much more.
2. I have seen a new level of confidence in my kids and in their interactions with other kids (of all ages) and adults.
3. My kids have learned more scripture this past year than they have ever before.
4. I've seen my kids desire to contribute to the upkeep of the household.  I've seen them take pride in their work around the house.
5. We are so much less stressed.  Our schedule has been so flexible and we thrive on that flexibility.
6. We all get more sleep.  We weren't rushed to get out of the house at a certain time, eat at a certain time, get in bed at a certain time... We've just gone with flow.  That's been nice.
7. God has blessed my kids with many more neighborhood friends.  Amazingly, my kids are getting to know and running around with more of the kids in our neighborhood.  (This is unlike previous years.)
8. My personal relationship with each child has blossomed.  My kids joke around with me and their Dad.  It's been a beautiful thing.
9. My kids have learned which academic areas they are strong in and which ones they need to work at...and they are motivated to work hard in those weak areas.
10. My kids have taken charge of their academics.  They love to learn...even the tough stuff.
11. We have new opportunities to serve our community together.
12. My kids eat.  Lots.  This is huge because while they were in public school, they didn't eat.  Ever.

And last but not least,

13. My kids like their school.  Yeah, they seriously do.  I joked with them about putting them in some different school but they quickly opposed and said that they like their school.

So, there it is.  Some, not all, reflections of our year. I don't homeschool because I want to raise geniuses or prodigies.  I don't homeschool out of fear of public education.  I homeschool out of obedience and I praise God that this first year has been AMAZING.