As parents we have to make so many decisions. Starting before birth, our primary role as parents is basically just making one decision after another for our offspring–and always hoping that it’s the right one. It’s a huge responsibility, and one that I do not take lightly.

The biggest parenting decision we’ve been facing the past couple of years has centered around school choices. After months of turmoil last year, we finally decided to give homeschooling a try. I knew that it was the right choice for us this year. I wanted to give David another year to learn at his own pace and develop a strong foundation. Last year I was not yet ready to send my inquisitive, active then-4-year old son to a big school five days a week.  Homeschool was a great option for us this year and I know that all of us will always remember this crazy, glorious year fondly.

Another factor in our homeschool decision was my own curiosity. I just wanted to know what homeschool was like–to know if I could actually do it. Homeschool was an interesting option for me, but I wasn’t sure if I’d want to do it forever. Because of this, I knew that it was a choice we would re-evaluate each year.

Which brings us to now. After a fantastic year of homeschool, we’ve decided that it is time to move on…at least for now! Next year David will be attending Kindergarten at our local elementary school and Jacob will *hopefully* attend  a local preschool (He’s currently on wait lists because apparently getting into preschool is about as strenuous as college admissions!). It’s been a bittersweet decision–we’ll all miss certain aspects of our homeschool–but one that I am confident in and excited about.

Over the course of these past 8 months I have seen such growth in my boys–academically and otherwise. I know that they will both be successful in their new schools. I also know now that I can homeschool–and if we decide to return to homeschooling again in the future, I’ll feel confident having already worked out some of the kinks and having gone through the initial learning curve. We have had a great experience with homeschool, and if it becomes the right choice for us again in the future we’ll be ready to give it another go.

Next year David will be attending our local elementary school–a bit of a hidden gem among the hype and rigor of typical Silicon Valley schools. It’s a tiny school (there are only about 85 students in 7 grades) with a long history (it’s been around for over 125 years and the original little red schoolhouse still sits on the property).  The school truly is its own little community, and we can’t wait to be a part of it!

The Kindergarten class that David will join has only 13 students, which allows the students time and space to do magnificent activities like weekly bread baking and gardening. I’m considering going back to Kindergarten just so I can join in the fun! David is very much looking forward to meeting new friends at “Big School” in the fall, and I’m thrilled for him.

While the boys are off at school next year, I’m looking forward to spending more one-on-one time with Hannah and having extra time for my other endeavors. In fact, the biggest change I’ll be making next year is that I’ve committed to take on a new role at my church. Starting in June, I will be taking over as the coordinator for our MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group. This is a decision that I’ve been praying about for over a year now. Last year the timing just wasn’t right but, with a more open schedule next year, I am ready to take on this new challenge. I am very much looking forward to leading this incredible group of young moms, and I think it will be a great fit for me!

So, there you have it: the inevitable change that comes with time and decisions. As we embark on this next great adventure, I look forward to seeing how God will work in our next stage of life–through the ups and the downs that will surely come with it. I will move forward confidently, however–confident in the hope of what lies ahead. Confident in the journey that God has set before me, wherever that may lead me.