Our Preschool Experience
Eleven years ago, this coming fall, Daniel and I sent this strapping young man off to his first days of preschool.
The first day was full of tears. Not just from Mom, but also from the 4 year old little boy who didn't want his Mama to leave. The tears continued day after day, gradually becoming less and less, until he was eventually running to class without Mom. That is when me tears began to really flow. He was starting to become more independent and not need his mom as much as he did before.
This coming fall, this playful little boy will be old enough to start preschool as a 4 year old.
His "preschool" experience is going to be a lot different than that of his oldest brother. Justin went to preschool 3 days a week. We would rush through getting him and the 2 girls dressed and fed. Then I would drive him 15 minutes, ran some errands, and return at the appointed time to pick him up. While he was there he learned how to color, cut, glue, and write his name neater, stand and walk in a line, and play with other 4 year olds, all under the watchful eye of 2 teachers and parent helper. Mathias's "preschool experience" is going to consist of walking to the kitchen to eat a breakfast prepared by one of the 3 aforementioned children. He will most likely be wearing the outfit he wore the previous day, or his pajamas. After breakfast, he will not be rushed out to the car, but will do his chores and then be off to the living room to play with Sara. At some point through out the morning he will probably listen to Cara or Josiah read, do some coloring/cutting/gluing, work on his ABC's or 123's, eat snacks prepared by his Mom, play with play doh, or simply just play. The only time tears will be shed is if he is injured in some way. Then his mom with comfort him with hugs.
Now I raise this question: What exactly did Justin learn in the traditional school setting, that he didn't or couldn't learn at home? Before he went to preschool he already knew how to write his name, cut, glue, color and get along with other children his old age - plus those younger and older than himself. He knew his ABC's and could count to 20. Looking back I realize we pretty much wasted the $100 per month tuition. All because we were expected to place him in school at 4 years old. Justin is now almost 15 years old. He is a very book intelligent young man. Most of all he loves and serves God, is learning what is means to live out his faith in the family, church and world around us, and loves to be with his family. These are more importatnt than any book education.
Mathias on the other hand will be learning all that Justin learned just like his other siblings, in the loving arms of his family. He will not be placed in situations where he will learn to be independent from his family and faith. Instead he will grow and become a confident boy, free to explore his world, , and serve the God he loves, all within the security and with encouragement of his family.
This past week I was reading some different articles on the web about public schools and some of the topics that are taught to the children. Needless to say I was horrified! Sex, the gay agenda, socialism just to name a few....Here are a few articles that will give some food for thought:
New research agrees: Moms do it better
Socialization: Homeschoolers Are in the Real World
Superintendent's orders to worried dad: Butt out!
and not one but 2 bags of 
All week Cara has been asking Justin to help her make a gift. That gift was a heart cut out of wood. She chose a heart 
Daniel came in 9th and Justin in 22nd. During the competition they shot from standing, sitting and prone. The targets were large for standing, a bit smaller for sitting and small for the prone position. That way you felt like you were shooting from a further distance without actually changing the distance.
Some of those not shooting: Ashton, Jared, Tiffany, Melinda, Jessica, Ashly, Jesi, Emma, and Grace
Pastor McDonald baptiaing and praying for Sara. 
