The 2012 Convention was my first encounter with so many
homeschoolers in one building. After
doing so much research about homeschooling, to be in one place with so many like-minded
people (or, I should say people who didn’t look at me like an alien when I said
that I wanted to homeschool) was so refreshing and actually very emotional for
me. It doesn’t take much to make me emotional, but being at this event and
walking through the halls seeing the families together made me cry like a baby.
The 2012 Convention experience helped further convince me that this was
certainly the path that God was leading us down towards for our children. I
learned so much about the opportunities that are available to homeschoolers and
hearing/reading the testimonies of the parents and children that have graduated
from a homeschooling environment was a blessing. To me it was a reality that
not only can children receive a wonderful education from their homeschooling
parents, but the additional benefits that include creating close family ties,
having the freedom to teach and spend time learning about areas that are more
limited in a school environment, and the wide spectrum of curriculum that can
be used just further encouraged me.
So, fast forward to 2013. I knew that I wanted to return but
wasn’t sure what else I needed to know after reading all that I read and after
attending in 2012. There is SO much information out there that one can easily become overwhelmed, so you can never stop learning about to refine and enhance how to teach your children. I felt the urge to attend again so that at a minimum I could
purchase curriculum materials that I’d need. As I reflect on the 2012
convention I believe this year’s event was not just for me, but also for my
kids. I decided to take them along and I’m so glad that I did. To see them see
the other kids that are taught at home was a blessing. I even let them choose
several of the workshops that interested them. They chose an art workshop that
discussed how we could incorporate art skills into our curriculum as both my
girls love art. Its their outlet really. While I love to pass the time curled
up with a great book, their idea of relaxing is painting, drawing, coloring, or
making some sort of craft. The 2nd workshop they chose was the
Duggar girls and mother Q&A session. I think they were just a little start
struck and wanted to see them in person since they’ve seen them on t.v.
The girls also enjoyed the exhibition hall which is a huge arena full of homeschool curriculum for sale along with other goods that a homeschool family might use. My kids favorite vendor was a paint supply vendor. I was able to find a few materials for the Spelling Curriculum that we’ll be using, but had to order the complete set of books that I’ll need to be shipped to my house later on. Our other favorite spot at the convention is the Used Curriculum Sale which is another huge arena of gently used curriculum and supplies. We found some used reference books, charts, and reading books.
The girls and I had a great time together at the event. I am
so looking forward to the time that we’ll spend together. While I know that the
road ahead will have its challenges, the gift of time with the girls that God
is blessing me to train and educate them is one that I will not take for
granted.
Oh – and, I can’t forget their very last favorite part of the
event… eating! Like me, the girls love good food. They had fun copping a squat on the floor (there were SO many people that it was easier to sit on the floor and eat rather than wait for a table) hanging out with
Mom snacking on all the good food and snacks.
