Homeschool Here We Come!

As parents, the decisions we make when it comes to our kids are often heartbreaking, sometimes exciting, sometimes unsure, and always done out of love for our kids.

Through our move this summer, and all God has brought our family through at the close of our school, and loss of jobs; trying to figure out what to do with the girls and their education has been a huge this on the hearts of both Chris and myself.

A couple weeks ago, we went to the twins "Fall Gala" at the school, "Inspire."  Being a performing arts school, we were excited for a night of talented kids singing, playing instruments, dancing and acting.  We were not disappointed!  I sat there totally blown away at the possibilities open to the girls. "Inspire" seems to be a great fit for them.  As a charter school, it's smaller than main stream public school, the educators are fantastic, and it's a place where they can "shine" in the areas that God has gifted them.

Sitting there however, I couldn't get away from comparing what their school offered for them, and what Abbey's school offers for her.  It seemed pretty sad.

This move has not been easy on ANY of our girls, but especially difficult for Abbey.  For the first time in her life, she is at public school alone.  Now don't get me wrong, kids go to school without their sisters and Mom and Dad everyday, that's part of growing up.  For Abbey however, circumstances have never put her in a place where she had to do that.   For her first 4 years she had the girls, and then for the last three, all five of us have been at SRCS.  To say that she has been lonely and sad sounds too simple.  She has been pretty heartbroken.

Loneliness aside, we keep coming back to the education part of it and we didn't see Abbey in a place that was pushing her strengths, helping her grow in the areas that God has gifted her; giving her a chance to feel good about the way the Lord has created her.  Mostly we saw a girl who felt bad that she wasn't gifted or talented in mainstream areas.

This last weekend, after a quick visit back to Santa Rosa where I had some heartbreaking conversations with Abbey, and after a meeting with her school last Thursday, Chris and I decided that for right now, the best educating choice for Abbey is Homeschooling.

We are enrolled in a program that gives a huge amount of support and accountability; an absolute must for Mom.  We officially start school on Monday, and we are all soooo excited!

As I sat today picking out curriculum with our support teacher, I felt yet another wave of peace and thankfulness over our decision.  I was able to design a plan that is tailored to Abbey.   She will also be participating in classes that are right up her alley, and give her the chance to grow in the areas God has gifted her.

There are a few big decisions over our lives where Chris and I look at each other, and know this is a God moment.  When we know that a decision has Gods hand all over it, and there is complete and total peace, no second guessing or questioning.  This has been one of those moments, and it feels incredible.

We are blessed with the opportunity that He has provided and at the potential this experience has in Abbeys life.

God is so good, and so completely sovereign.  This entire experience has been such a testimony to Gods love for not only me but my girl as well.

I know that as we navigate these waters, we will have tough days figuring out how we do it all; but what a foundation of assurance we have, that God will provide all we need.

Ready, Set, and here we go!

Here We Go Again...

So... to my few "official" followers... I am back!  To those who haven't subscribed... you probably didn't know I was gone.
Well, it's been over two years since I have blogged, and being that I have a little more time on my hands, I decided that blogging again was a must!
Since we have moved away from Santa Rosa, and so many people want me to keep them updated on how we are doing, I thought blogging was a good way to do that.
So, here is the list to update any who haven't heard, or heard but want a few straight forward facts.  This is me, filling in the last two and a half years.

1.  Chris was laid off from Maples Plumbing 5/04/2009
2. On the exact same date, I was offered the opportunity to teach, almost full time, Theater at Santa Rosa Christian School, which hence forth shall be referred to as SRCS.
3. In December of 2009 Chris began working at SRCS as a High School History Teacher.
4. In August of 2010, Chris and I both began our families 3rd year at SRCS, only to find out a few months into school that 2010/2011 school year would be SRCS last year.
5. In May 2011, SRCS closed it's doors, and Chris and I both found ourselves without jobs.
6. May 15th our family moved to Chico California to stay with Chris' sister Tanya for the summer while we looked for new jobs.
7. June was spent with Chris and I flying all over this country of ours.  From California, to Colorado, to Texas, back to Colorado and then home again, hoping to move our family out of state.
8. By the beginning of August, we had not found jobs out of state, and began to look for a job here in Chico
9. Within the first week of August Chris found work here at a company called, "Build.Com" in their Sales department.
10. August 10th 2011, Makayla and Olivia started High School at "Inspire School of Arts and Science" where they can study theater.  Abbey began 6th Grade at Shasta Elementary school.
11. September 4th, 2011, The Thompson family moved into a new home here in Chico and the routine began again.

So... there you have it... that's where we are now, living in Chico California.  It's been a tough adjustment for the girls in many ways, but we are all hanging in there.  We really like our new home, and we are looking forward to getting more involved in the church we have decided to attend.
Well, for now, that's all.  I am going to do my best to keep our blog updated, but as our new title tells, there's a lot of drama in this estrogen filled house of ours, and sometimes I get a bit distracted!

Hugs and Blessings to all!