Decisions. decisions..

Okay, my mom's left! Sniff, sniff, sniff! She's back in tropical Kuching helping and caring for her other extended family. Both the 2 legged and 4 legged versions. My house is falling apart (esp my laundry!!!)

We've been kinda 'bogged' down with a lot of decision making...

As most would know, we are homeschooling Letitia/Mathena. When I say "we", it actually means "I"! Alex fully supports me and backs that commitment up with the finance. He's happy to HS them when he has a day off, and helping any way. It has been a new and exciting adventure for us and we are truly getting into the swing of things. In a blink of an eye, it's now more than 1.5 years since we made that BIG step.

I have been struggling..... inside and outside. What are my issues? What are my struggles?

1) Letitia misses school life! Our first born had the pleasure of attending one of the finest yet 'reasonably priced' schools in our region before we landed in Singapore. She's tasted the fruits and joys of school life.

She complains, she grumbles (people of Israel?!) She now misses it? Why?

Because I have not signed her up with the homeschooling community in Singapore to allow her to established longer lasting mateship and bonding. ...why haven't I done THAT? Well, I had Mathena in a nearby Kindy for 3 hours daily and all the ins and outs at this school prevents me from participating in the HS weekly programmes.

2) I LOVE homeschooling. I SEE so much benefits as well as BELIEVE in all aspects of it. I am sold to this concept from day 1 and even more so now. Letitia has regular devotions in the morning with me, she's learning to regularly journal (she's only 7) and she is strongly founded her concept of characters and virtues on the life of Christ (still working on her own). She enjoys the benefits of staying at home minus the commute/heat, reading as much books as her little eyes can possibly absorb and learning tons of life skills. I have minimal 'value' issues to deal with and all the 'attitudes' are dealt with on the spot.

3) I am learning P1-3 all over again. In all honesty, I NEVER knew there's so much involved being a early primary student. I learn the terms 'Antonyms, Homonyms' and other words that end with NYMS and TIONS etc. I realise that kids do well with constant guidance and repetition. (So do most adults!) Letitia is suppose to be P1 in Singapore, Ministry Of Education system here. In Australia, her peers are in P2. She is now at the end of her P2 programme and is revising the work to make sure she knows them.

Doing GKGW, RMI and applying all these life principles, we have found that HS truly allows the children to remain children, to preserve their childhood, to sift out most of the 'undesirables' that the present world brings. It allows us as parents to 'choose our battles' as well as ground the children to what truly matters~ GOD's plan and relationship with us!

4) I still get stares and 'questions' on why the girls are NOT in school. "Cannot get into the school next door-MEH??" My physical side collapsed a few weeks ago. I was reassured and prompted by GOD with this decision. I just had to look closer around to realise that it's the best thing ever for my girls. I HAVE NOT seen a happy P1 child in my estate (18blocks of 100 units). I have NOT seen a happy mom and every child is not available for play as they are out on their second tuition for the day. Do you know my girls tuition too? They attend a chinese/mandarin school that allows them to be downgraded by 2 years in their level. So Letitia is doing K1 standard (and doing VERY well I might add) instead of P1. I have full intentions of pulling Mathena back home and HS her as well.

5) It's tough juggling 2 girls, their school work, their extra activities, their sports as well as make sure we have food on the table, clean clothes to wear as well as clean toilets and chairs to seat on. The stronger I feel about HS, the more I am incline to bring in a 'helper' full time in my house to help with the 'survival' stuff while I focus on them. It will also release us to ministry that is deeply in our hearts minus dragging them to the wee hours at night. L and M still goes to bed by 830pm. This is the same hour most Cell groups or Discipleship groups meet. In this area, GOD has provided us with a lovely Kindergarten trained teacher. Have met her, talked to her and approached her. Will seek GOD to help bring her into our home....safely and securely.

6) I am quite TIRED. In all honesty, I cannot know the difference between tiredness or laziness. I am even "GYM-ing" myself a bit to shed some fat and hopefully in return give me more energy. I go to bed needing another shower (my 6th) as I would havejust spent 2 hours vacumning, mopping, doing laundry, tidying up, washing up etc...I am feeling my age!