Blessings and Beyond: Whew

It has been a whirlwind around here. I have been traveling for the past 2 1/2 weeks. I had the privilege of teaching sign language at Art Camp where I use to attend church in Houston. I really enjoyed the week with my group. Each one was so talented and gave their best! Plus my son got to attend as a camper. He now sings "Oh Happy Day" and quotes his memory verse through out the day. Little man and I got to go to lunch every day with friends. It was fun to catch up!

Aren't they sweet? The little boy off to the side he cracked me up all week. He did not want his picture taken!

I love these boys! They stole my heart!

After Art Camp was finished I headed back to Austin to get ready for another trip. Hubby and I have been planning to attend the Texas Home School Coalition South West Conference since March. I unpacked our bags from Art Camp, did laundry and re-packed our bags by Wednesday to head out on a Thursday. Our intention was to stay at the Water Way Marriott but it was full by the time we had registered in March for the conference. We stayed at Spring Hill Suites by Marriott just 3.1 miles up the road. It was so nice. The room was perfect for the three of us and they had a hot full buffet style breakfast every morning. Yum! I meant to take a picture of the hotel but it was a busy 4 days!

While we attended the conference little man was able to go to the kids event. They divide the kids up into teams and we were Team 27. He did group activities, bible lessons, art and other activities throughout the day. We did meet up at lunch time with little man. It was easier to bring our lunch then go out and come back. We got see some familiar faces from our church. That was fun seeing our friends! Mostly, hubby and I are so glad we went to the conference. It is so much more than schooling your kids at home. You really get to see the big picture at the conference. If you are thinking or wondering about homeschooling then I want to encourage you to attend next year's event. Here is a link to THSC http://www.thsc.org/HomeTHSC.aspx?Id=HOME.

One of the main speakers had mentioned this year's conference was overwhelmed by so many newbies or people of interest than from past conferences. They had over 5,000 people registered for the conference come Friday morning. Now that is 5,000 of all types of home schoolers across the board. Newbies, oldies, middle of the road, end of the road and retired! Trust me, just in my fellowship circle that I attended one afternoon 3/4 of us were what they call newbies or people just wanting to know more about the home school lifestyle. So grateful for so many newbies!

I do want to point out one thing I that really stood out to me at the conference. I never heard, not even once anyone demoralizing families who do choose another route to educate their children. I also never heard anyone say "you must home school for it is thy way!" Never heard it from families who were in the audience or the speakers or the exhibitors. There was never a class or topic about "families against public education or private." There was an all around great respect for everyone across the board. That alone shows respect. I appreciate that the overall attitude or tone was respect. Let's face it, even in the home school world there are over 50 different ways you could educate. Classical, Universal, Unit Curriculum, Online and many other options. It is which way will be right for you(the teacher) and the family. It was very encouraging to be surrounded by people you really don't know but who are believers and want to do what God has led them to do for their family.

I hope you and your family have had a great couple of weeks.