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In Which We Catch Up

It has been two years since I last published something, though certainly not since I've had something to say! 

My brain is simply brimming over with thoughts that I want to get out, but for the moment I want to reflect on where we are versus where we have been. My hope in the coming months is to write more regularly and to capture our homeschooling journey on these pages. Perhaps they will be a comfort to a mom in similar circumstances or an inspiration to someone who wants to homeschool but doesn't know where to start. Or maybe they will just be a personal record of who we are and what we're up to at any given point in history and someday my great grandchildren will find it and get a better sense of who they are! 

We moved to Pennsylvania about 15 months ago so that Ray could work as an actor in Moses at Sight and Sound Theaters. It was an incredible experience that has led to many wonderful changes for our family. He was blessed with a second contract to be in the revival of Joseph and Miracle of Christmas and blessed again to teach improv and Shakespeare classes for Sight and Sound's conservatory. The future is uncertain (as it always is with contract work) but we are confident in God's provision and will enjoy this time and this company for as long as we can. 

We live in a charming apartment on a little bit of land that is owned by two of the most fascinating people I have ever met. I adore our landlords and though our home is not perfect, it really fits us quite nicely in this season of life. 

Brooklyn was privileged to play a role in Moses as well and it seems the acting bug has taken a firm bite on her life. She played Small Alice in Alice in Wonderland Jr at Lancaster Academy of Performing Arts and has a few things coming down the pipeline over the next couple of months. She is excited to start taking dance classes and horseback riding lessons as horses are another budding passion of hers. 

Grayson is as active and exuberant as he has ever been. We seriously considered putting him in a preschool program this year, but ultimately have decided to try filling his social needs through some other outlets like our informal soccer group, co-op, and church. He loves to be out in the world, but needs his downtime too and I'm hoping this will provide the right balance for him. 

Madi gets away with murder. She is going through an obstinate little phase, but most of the time she's so quite that there's not much for us to do about it. She is an absolute parrot of her big brother and sister, but we see sparks of her own personality and interests shine through every now and then! She loves books and animals (she is, after all, my mini me!) and singing, but she has a genuine shy streak as well. 

I am eating up the Read Aloud Revival from Amongst Lovely Things and this whole concept of teaching from rest and the holy imagination! My mind is being blown almost daily and it is amazing to see how God is molding my heart for our homeschool. 

Currently it is August. The kids and I are down in Georgia for a nice long visit and we are Relaxing! Most days it's pool, then nap, then more pool! We have technically started school (our year starts on July 1 with our Pre-Term) and everything is progressing nicely. I'll have to do another post with all the crazy details of our state requirements, but for now I'll just say that our ducks are in a row and I am looking forward to really getting going in September.   

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