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Homeschool 2021-2022

I had every intention of getting on Instagram live this week to show you all my curriculum choices for this year, but alas, life had other plans. Therefore, I am putting it here in this blog post with the hopes that I will get on Insta soon, and if not, here you go!

This year has been a rough transition. I remember the rough time I had going from one to two babies 18 years ago. Well, it feels sort of the same level of unknown and chaos going from one child out of the house to two. I don’t know how else to explain it, but it is a lot to get used to. Just two years ago I had a chaotic house of teens, and now life is getting quieter each day. Ok, more on that in another blog post…let’s get to the curriculum!

I have a 7th grader and an 11th grader this year. So far, this is what we are doing. I know full well things can change at any time!

7th Grade

The Mystery of History II- Early Church to Medieval

Math U See Pre-Algebra

Journey Homeschool Academy – Earth Science

Wordly Wise workbook

Easy Peasy Language 7

(read alouds with Mom- right now we are reading The Little Prince)

Various books to read on his own

11th Grade

The Mystery Of History II- Early Church to Medieval

Math U See (Geometry finishing up and t hen Algebra II)

Physics 101

E asy Peasy American Literature

(read alouds with Mom)

Various books to read on his own

We also have a LOT of real life learning- my oldest runs his own business, my youngest runs his hobby farm…plus any opportunity to learn is school for us around here- books not always necessary! 🙂

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September 18, 2021 by Karen DeBeus

Two Down and Two To Go

How do I even sum up another homeschool graduate? Two years ago when I graduated my firstborn it was such an emotional time. I wrote about it several times here on the blog as we finished the homeschool journey and sent her off to college. I wrote about our journey often that summer and then I even wrote a book about our journey which has received so many encouraging reviews.

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So many have asked me if this time around is easier. And quite frankly it is not. In some ways, it is even harder. Don’t get me wrong though. Hard doesn’t mean it isn’t good. Hard doesn’t mean it isn’t where we are supposed to be. And hard doesn’t mean it isn’t right.

Launching another child this time has the added benefit of a perspective change as well. In a sense, I know what I am getting into. In a sense though, that’s a bit of what makes it harder. I know this time how much things are going to change.

Naively, two years ago when we sent my daughter to college, I thought things would stay the same. Sure, she’d be at college, but things would still stay the same. Yet, they certainly haven’t. And while they have changed for good, for very good even, they still have changed. So I have a keen awareness this time around to really relish it in all because it will never be this way again. No matter what, the family dynamics will change. I have two grown adult children now. And even though their lives are going in wonderful directions and they are thriving, the mommy heart in me now truly knows that this summer will be the last one of its kind.

And at the same time, life changes for good. So very good. We have so many things to look forward to. The days of diapers and naps and toys are over. And we have moved toward a whole new chapter of life. A very beautiful one at that!

My advice to the moms that are moving into new chapters– walk through it, feel all the feels, don’t try to avoid the natural pain and tears that will be shed. Feel it all. Allow yourself to grieve and rejoice at the same time. And then, look forward and walk forward, knowing God walks with you and in you.

And remember, just because it is hard doesn’t mean it isn’t the right thing to do. When it is hard, remember, God is growing your children and you! And sometimes, that hurts.

Life is an always moving, forward journey. There are new and exciting things on the horizon. We will never “arrive” until the Lord calls us home. So enjoy today, look to tomorrow, and keep your eyes firmly fixed on Him the whole time!

June 7, 2021 by Karen DeBeus

homeschool

15th Year of Homeschool

It was noticeably dark at 6:00 this morning. And eerily quiet. Gone are the light-filled early mornings, when the sun was up at 5 am. Gone are the symphony of birds that awoke me in early spring and summer. Their songs in the morning were so loud they often woke me before my alarm. Mama birds fluttering about tending their new nest full of babes. Hungry babies tweeting about. It was such a splendid and comforting sound.

Yet, this morning the alarm went off and it was still dark. I lay there listening to the quiet. It was deafening. And I thought about how just a few short months ago, this time of day was so busy and bright…and loud.

I couldn’t help but think it was a picture of the season of life I am heading toward. As those mama birds now have empty nests and quiet mornings, so will I.

We began our 15th year of homeschool today. One has graduated and is on her second year of college and full-fledged adulthood. Another, is readying to do the same.

My second oldest child, and oldest boy, is embarking on his senior year. I can fill this space with the cliches of, “…it goes by so fast…” (it does) but you know the drill. And if you don’t, you will.

Today I just kept thinking of the quiet morning. It was a sobering reminder that for all the times I just wished for some quiet around here…be careful what you wish for.

Like those mama birds, my mornings will turn to quiet for good some day.

I am so thankful for the gift of homeschool. I am truly aware that it is a gift to spend each day with my kids. To enjoy their company. To learn with them. To grow with them. To build our family.

We spent a few hours this morning around the kitchen table. We had a special breakfast, discussed our history and the Bible and literature. But it was about so much more. These babes of mine will leave this nest one day. I hope they will look back and remember a home that was secure and a home that even though was so imperfect, we ultimately built our family on the foundation of God and His Word.

I am savoring this last year of homeschool for my oldest (at home). I won’t rush through the lessons. I will take each day as God gives, knowing that each moment will quickly become a memory. May they be beautiful memories though.

I am excited about this upcoming school year. I have learned over the years what homeschooling is really about. And very little of it has to do with academics. Fifteen homeschool years ago, I was a scared mom who had no idea what she was doing. And look what God has done!

And now we await all that He will do this year and beyond…

We chose this verse for our upcoming homeschool year:

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Philippians 3:12 NIV

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Called Home: Finding Joy in Letting God Lead Your Homeschool

Real Homeschool: Letting Go of the Pinterest-Perfect and Instagram Ideal Homeschool

Simply Living for Him Devotional: Less Clutter and More Joy

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September 9, 2020 by Karen DeBeus

homeschool, Simply...Living For Him

Our Firm Foundation

Our homeschool has evolved over the years. I think in the beginning, the Bible was weaved into our daily schedule. Yet over the years, instead of weaving it in and out, it has become the firm foundation we need it to be in order to succeed.

I have often said that I don’t care if my children know all the math and science in the world, if they don’t know God, then I haven’t done my job. What good is it to acquire knowledge without first having godly wisdom?

Call me an underachiever, but what does it matter to be successful in the world’s eyes, but not God’s? Who defines success? I may be an underachiever by the world’s standards, but I am not looking for worldly achievement, but to make disciples- and that my friends is eternal gain.

I started this journey as a call from God. It was not something I wanted to do, and definitely not something I thought I could do. But I did it for Him, and it is all about Him. Yes, our homeschool revolves around Him.

He is the firm foundation. He is weaved throughout all of our lessons and He has built this homeschool. Without Him, I stand alone, and I will fail. He started this journey, He will walk us through it, and He will see it end.

So really, the Bible is a central part of our homeschool- everything we learn is from Him. It isn’t something we add into our studies, but something that we revolve everything around. He created History, Science, and Math. I love seeing His hand in everything. So while we have to be intentional about pointing to Him in each subject, most times, He is revealed to us already- we just need to open our eyes and see.

A Bible-based homeschool is really just what we have naturally progressed to over the years. I couldn’t imagine teaching any other way. He is the foundation of our life, and that most certainly applies to our homeschool. This life He has given us is His and we will walk with Him wherever He takes us.

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August 9, 2020 by Karen DeBeus

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Karen DeBeus is a homeschooling mom learning to live more simply and keep God at the center of it all. She is the author of four best-selling homeschooling books and writes at Simply Living for Him. She speaks nationally and recently was a speaker at the Bible Family Conference in Washington, DC. Her passion is to help others clear the clutter from their lives, seek God first, and to encourage women and families to get in the Word every day. In 2020 she began the Simply Living for Him Online Women’s Community, a thriving community of over 1,200 women where she leads Bible studies and provides resources and encouragement for women to grow in their walk with the Lord. She enjoys life on her hobby farm with her husband and children. Together they are a work-at-home family pursuing a simple life with purpose and, above all, seeking to glorify God in all they do.