Monday, August 17, 2009

Back to School, Again


Oh sweet blogger friends!


I have missed you! But I have soothed my heart with a box of 18 dry-erase markers in the colors of love....aren't they beautiful?!!!

I'm back from what was a long and wonderful vacation in the desert (vacation posts to come.) I was able to see nearly all the people I wanted to visit with....but the good news is that I will be going to the desert again next year, so if I didn't get to see you, we'll be sure it happens next time!

I am still fighting major jetlag, but there is no rest for the weary here in the heart of North Carolina. 

I have a school to run, and the students arrive shortly.

Well, actually, right now they are tucked in bed waiting for their new alarm clocks to wake them up. This year they will learn a little bit about being self-directed and motivated (I hope!). 

I wanted to share with you where I will be spending 85% of my time in the next nine months of my life. This is our school room:
You'll notice that there are three notebooks on the table. The two white ones are what the kids will use to keep organized, and the middle one is what I often refer to as The Brain. It has the next nine weeks worth of lesson plans and notes and references, and schedules, and menus, and everything I need to be as efficient as I can be...if I loose that book, the world will come to an end for sure.

Well, maybe not end, but The Brain is the mastermind of this establishment and without it, school wouldn't happen.

But back to the tour of campus...

This is my desk.
Please note that you can actually see the top. It only took me all summer to get it cleaned off for this photograph. Don't mind the schedule tacked directly under the light switch. I keep meaning to buy another peg board, but I keep forgetting.  Its the one thing that isn't written in The Brain.

I am excited to start this year. Last year was difficult, as I learned to balance life as a mother, wife, homemaker, blogger, friend and teacher.

I've learned that I cannot possibly do it all. So this year I am starting out with this bit of advice for myself, and those of you with a full home (homeschooling or not). Its a quote from the Valley of Vision, from the prayer entitled Family
Sanctify and prosper my domestic devotion,
instruction, discipline, example,
that my house may be a nursery for heaven,
At the end of the night, when I lay my head down, it doesn't truly matter what knowledge I have given to those in my care. What matters is that I remember I have been given these beautiful brown-eyed gifts; Children who watch my every move as I go about my day. I have the privilege to use my home as a nursery for heaven, and not just for those who are born of my flesh and blood, but for those who seek a soft place to land in a harsh world.

In the end it will not matter to my children that I was able to cross off all the tasks that fill the lists of my days. Nor will the hours I have spent putting together the schedules, lessons plans, and lists matter. 

What I must remember this year is that my devotion, instruction, discipline and example done in love extends farther than the depths of the young minds of my students.  

Will they learn this year?

Absolutely.

The question is, will I?

18 comments:

Carpool Queen said...

I LOVE that prayer you posted. I need to pray it often, as my domestic devotion is something that doesn't come naturally.

Have a wonderful first day of school, dear one.

Gretchen said...

Oh, I think you can count on learning, friend. And your students are privileged to have a teacher who cares more about her "nursery for heaven" than her contract. BTW, I hear you're being renewed at the same great salary. :) Blessings on your first day and may The Brain be with you. xxxooo

Lori said...

A "nursery for heaven" - how beautiful and true! I'm looking forward to hearing about how your year is going, especially since I'm gearing up for my first as a homeschooling mom. I always feel so encouraged when I visit your blog! Hope you have a stellar first day. :)

Tracey said...

Thank you so much for the encouraging words..it's so easy to put my faith in my lesson plans and my abilities. But, the Lord, in His graciousness has shown me time and time again, my faith needs to be in Him, because He has given me a job that I cannot do in my own strength. And for that, I am overwhelmingly grateful!

Prayed for you this morning!

Anonymous said...

I have MISSED YOU!!!! Before I get to homeschool again, I want to come spend a training week with you so that YOU can teach ME! I'm very serious. I need to pick your brain for a few months.

Happy New School Year!

Kendra said...

New markers, new vision, new year. All wonderful ways to start a new school year!

And I see you have the same fancy desk I have. Folding tables serve so many useful purposes.

Rae said...

New pens, crayons, pencils and markers make everything more beautiful!!

Wishing you great joy on your homeschool journey this year!!!

Tiffani said...

I just saw that set of markers on sale somewhere in the Sunday paper and I wanted to cry I love it so...and don't own it, yet..in due time!

LOVE/ADORE/WANT...The Brain!! Talk about together...that is such a great idea! See, that's why I love getting thoughts from other people on what helps them with their year...

As soon as my printer gets some ink (surely the ink fairy will come by any day now), I'm going to print out that prayer and I already have a frame for it!

Each year has tons of challenges and tons of joy...I hope that we can partner together this year in sharing ideas, thoughts and prayer for our homeschooling journey. We can hold hands, okay?!

Hope your day was wonderful!

Unknown said...

Welcome back.

You certainly look all set to go with school - praying it is a blessing both for you kids AND you :)

lisa@littlesliceoflife said...

Beautiful post!

And I'm drooling over the markers.

Anonymous said...

Wow the classroom looks great! And those markers how fun! Wonderful prayer and awesome advice! After a day of dealing w/ a fussy sick child all that really matters is like you said that I enjoyed my blessing!

Charity said...

Gotta love the dry erase markers! Welcome back to NC and welcome back to school :) I hope and pray that you have a wonderful school year!

Amber said...

Oh, Kellie.

This post could not have come at a better time for me. I'm all kinds of overwhelmed with this whole teaching-my-own thing, and your words have just sent an arrow of peace straight to my heart.

Thank you so much.

Oh...and I need to get me one of those Brain things.

:)

Such The Spot said...

Wow. You really have that school room in order. I'm thoroughly impressed.

"Nursery for heaven..." love that. I hope all three of you have a great year.

Kristin said...

What a beautiful willing heart you have. I know you will have such a blessed year!

Woman Interrupted said...

I would love to read a post about how you do homeschooling. I know there are millions of resources out there, but I'm curious about how you juggle it and your schedule, etc.

Amy said...

This passage really touches my heart: "I have been given these beautiful brown-eyed gifts; Children who watch my every move as I go about my day. I have the privilege to use my home as a nursery for heaven, and not just for those who are born of my flesh and blood, but for those who seek a soft place to land in a harsh world."

Thank you for sharing such a beautiful sentiment!

Brandy said...

Wow, that was inspiring. I am impressed with your organization. thanks for sharing the prayer.