Life isn't always a bowl of cherries! I've had a lot on my mind lately, and tons going on in my life. I have a hard time juggling a lot of balls at once, so this last week and a half has been a little bit trying. But, I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel...Yesterday we enrolled Eve in Kindergarten. Whew! That was a huge weight off of my shoulders. We've had four options to consider concerning schooling. We had public school, private school, a Montessori-type school, and homeschooling. It was a really tough decision for us. There were great, fantastic points about each. And of course, we wanted the best for our sweet girl.
But what was the best? There was the best for her, the best for our family, the best for our budget... There was a lot to consider.
And I tend to over-think, as a hobby, so my brain has been on over-drive for the last couple of weeks.
Yesterday we made our decision. We chose the private school. It isn't the best for our budget, in fact it will nearly break it with the tuition being 4000 dollars a year. But it is, what we believe, the best for Eve and our family. Daniel and I are both really, really excited for her.
I have to admit I am struggling with the thought of having her gone all day long. I love having all three of my babies right around me, I love Eve's perspectives, and her humor. I love how she enjoys life to the fullest.
It is the thought of missing her learning moments that bothers me the most. I want to see the lightbulbs go on in her head; she gets SO excited about learning, just like her Daddy. It is such a beautiful thing to watch.
Homeschooling would make sense, but I freely admit to not having the inner fortitude to teach Eve and deal with two very small children. And run a household, take care of my husband, and you know... survive. Some of you, I know, do it. And do it with excellence. I would not. And it would be miserable.
So, the school thing is settled. For Eve.
Daniel is going to take classes again, he is so close to his bachelors he can taste it. And we have plans you know. He is in the Air Force and subject to the whims and fancies thereof, but, we have a master plan in mind. Our plan includes a Masters degree within the next 5- 7 years. I think that is entirely reasonable for having a full-time job and three children, don't you?
As for me.... Daniel is going to sign me up for a couple of classes at the local college. Photography classes. And I could not be more excited. Unless it was cooking classes. In that case I would be over the moon... But, photography excites me - thrills me. It makes me feel alive! I am thrilled to have an opportunity to do something just for me. And I am thankful for a husband who sees the importance in that.
So this little post wraps up a bit of what has been swirling around in our lives for the last few weeks. There is more but the day must be tackled.
I think I'll make lemon scones today.... Want to come over?
27 Comments:
How exciting for Eve! I'm sure she will love school. She seems like such an intelligent little girl.
As for you and your photgraphy classes I cannot wait to hear about them. I've wanted to take a few photography classes myself, alas there are none to be found around here.
Oh..and what time will you be serving those scones? :) If you weren't so far away I'd stop by for what I can only imagine to be delicious treats.
Wow,how exciting for all of you! I'm sure that Eve will do great! And you with the photography classes, you'll love 'em I'm sure. How I wish that today I lived by you, I'd take you up on the scones offer & visit & pick your brain about being a mom, cooking healthy and everything else!
mmm...i made blueberry scones yesterday morning (and shared them with a friend who spent the night). they are of course gone now.
i bet it feels wonderful to know for certain where eve will be in the fall! i know, it's so sad to think of not having them around anymore, right? when the girls were at vbs, even just 3 hours a morning for a week- BIG change!
your kids are looking cute as always and you're of course looking beautiful as ever!
Megan
How nice to have some time just for yourself! I'm sure you'll love your classes.
I have a feeling Eve will thrive in school. It sure is hard to see them go the first day, but it's also exciting to hear about all the new things they're discovering each day in the classroom.
Sounds like your entire family has a whole lot to look forward to in the coming months!
Okay, I'm not new here. I've been reading for a few months...since I found you through some other Elim people. But, I thoroughly enjoy your blog.
My oldest is only 3-and-a-half, but I still over-think the school issue. Should we do nursery school? Should we homeschool? I had a revelation the other week. I don't want to homeschool. I love my kids. I want them to excel and I don't think that homeschooling would fit my personality or that of my children. There I said it. Can I still be considered a good Christian mom? :) It will be heartbreaking for me, when my oldest goes off and starts learning from others. I taught him his colors and numbers and shapes...the list goes on. I'll not be his only teacher forever.
Good for you for taking some classes. Maybe it will be a nice diversion from your oldest girl going to school.
By the way, I've loved your nutrition advice and bought whole wheat pastry flour from my grocery store. I'll let you know if we prefer it over regular whole wheat (which is so dense).
Love to come over. When will the scones be done? Can I bring anything?
I am registering Nicholas for kindergarten today and I'm apprehensive, I don't know why. I mean it's not like he's my first child in school but you always want to hold on to them for as long as possible.
I agree with you on homeschooling, I couldn't do it either, I'm just not cut out for it.
Hugs,
Sandra
That is so wonderful about Eve...I am sure that she will enjoy the many adventures of school.
Glad to hear that you are going to take some photography classes, you are really talented, I am sure that you will ace the class!
It is great to hear that your husband is continuing his education, I am doing the same thing too. Sometimes I find it harder the second time around, maybe because there is less time.
The cherries looked great too, just had some myself yesterday from a local farmers market.
Good luck on the scones!
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It is hard when they start going away to learn. I miss not knowing exactly what Jacob is doing at school. sigh.
Awesome about the photog classes! I sooooo want to take some too. Hoping that maybe this fall or spring i can start.
Your baby is growing up. The firstborn starting school is always an occasion for celebration and yes, you will shed tears. There will be many more first for your enjoyment and pictures!!! My first born just turned 32 years yesterday and it has been such a blessing watching him father his firstborn. Talk about shedding tears!
Wow, lots going on for you guys! That is a quite a bit of schooling in your family, it sounds amazing. I would love to take photography classes, but alas, I was blessed with not a single creative bone in my body. Cooking classes may be more up my alley :)
Good luck with letting go, at least you have the rest of the summer to make memories and capture those special moments!
Hey Andie - I'm sorry it's been a hard week! I wish we could sit with a cup of coffee and a plate of scones and chat over a kitchen table, instead of just over the phone. Although, a phone conversation would be nice too. I'll try to give you a call soon! (Or, feel fre if you have a min. :)
School decisions are so hard! Did Eve go to preschool? We are in the midst of preschool angst. I am thinking we will do a Mothers Day Out program instead.
I am jealous about the photography classes! Maybe someday, I will get to take some too.
HI, Andrea. I wanted to recommend this blog: http://www.merakohblog.com/
and her instructional videos (which I plan to purchase right after I finally buy a new camera):
http://www.refusetosaycheese.com/home.php
Congrats on making a kindergarten decision! I am so not looking forward to crossing that bridge myself. We have absolutely crappy choices here...
I bet Eve will be fine in school, and you'll adjust, too. It was a bigger transition for my husband and myself when our daughter started kindergarten last fall than it was for her. She loves having that bit of independence; it sounds cliche, but she has really blossomed since starting school. And as much as I missed her during the day, it gave me time to focus on my two younger ones at home. I hope you and your family have the same kind of positive experience.
Photography classes - how wonderful to do something just for yourself!
oh I would so love to come over... that would be SO much fun.
i'm so excited you guys... school is such a hard decision. Glad it's decided and you can enjoy the rewards.
brittany
We went through the same school debate with Graham. We went with public, but only because we live in a very small town with a great little school :)
I'm up for a lemon scone ANYTIME ;)
Uh, yes! I'll be right over :)
I remember those years, making decisions. We started our kids in private then went into public 1st grade. Excellent and awesome experiences for all. Now back to private for upper years.
And - yes! Photography makes sense for you girl - you are good!
(come see my giveaway!)
You know, your life sounds a lot like ours...of course we were living in the backside of nowhere, and though he WAS working full time for the Navy, he had a lot of time on his hands, so he finished he bachelor's and is now working on his Master's...and now it is HARD, now that he's actually WORKING HARD at his now position.
Have fun with those photog classes! I'm a little jealous!
So, party at your house?
I can totally understand your dilemna. We've gone through it more than once. I always wanted to homeschool, but ended up putting our oldest son in a great school for kindergarten. Then, we moved districts and had a horrible 1st grade year. After homeschooling for a year (almost as bad as 1st grade LOL), we found a great private school that he went to for 2 years. I am now homeschooling him (after moving again) and his brothers.
He loved school. I can honestly say that it was very difficult to homeschool with 2 little ones.
Whether you ever homeschool or not, I wanted to pass along something that a friend told me when I was struggling with whether or not to put Gabriel back in school. She said, "Homeschooling is great. But, it's not for everyone and it's not for everyone all the time." That was a nice piece of comfort at a time when a lot of people were telling me how much I was going to regret it. And you know what? That was the best $8000 I've ever spent!
Private school can be so great. I went to a private HS and it was so nice having smaller classes.
BTDT on the photography classes and they are so much fun. It's also nice to have a professor stroke your ego a little. Can't wait to hear about some of your assignments.
And isn't cherry season great? We got 20+ lbs of cherries off the tree in our backyard before we left on vacation. Who can argue with 20 lbs of FREE cherries?! ;-)
Decisions, decisions, decisions! I struggled with the choice of public vs. private and ultimately went public. I am so involved in Sy's class and his teacher has even called me this summer just to chat. You're securing Eve a very bright future, she has much to be thankful for having you and Daniel as parents! And it will be an adjustment to have her gone! I missed Sylas every single day this past school year and don't even want to think about BOTH my boys being away from me. WAH!
Oh girl. We could be baking fools together right now. Lemon scones sound down right deeelicious.
Yeah for making decisions. It's so stressful making them, but when they are finally made, what a relief. You'll miss your girl, but she'll always be just that...your girl.
I'm totally jealous of the photography thing. I've been toying around with the idea of investing in an SLR, but dang it, I keep getting pregnant!! :)
How exciting....photography class. I know you will have so much fun with this. And Eve will be fine.....she will do great.
Goodness, you sure HAVE had a lot to think about lately! I'm sure Eve will enjoy her school...I hope to send my own to private school when they get to the proper age. But I'm sure you can have many learning moments together too! :)
Photography classes sound so exciting! You're already so talented, I can't wait to see your work with a few classes under your belt!
I happy for you guys that you made the decision about Kindergarten (I wouldn't be able to homeschool either!) I'm sure Eve will do wonderfully in that school...and you'll find ways to cut the budget to fit in the tuition. Good for you on taking the photography class too!
I'm SO not looking forward to the school thing! We have two years until kindergarten, and it's going to be so tough to see him go. I keep thinking about preschool, but it's looking more and more like a no - I'm just not ready to say good bye to him yet.
How exciting you're going to take a few classes. I so miss college. I wish Oliver had a regular schedule so I could do something like that. Oh well, one of these days.
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