Yeah, it's different. We know.

It's Saturday!!! And all is quiet here at our house... no one is up yet and I'm enjoying it.

I've talked a little about Morgan and our homeschooling choice for her. But, I do have 2 more youngins' that I haven't really talked about. The twins...

Yes, the twins. What can I say? They turned our life upside down from day one... and still do today. They are good kids. But double everything? It can get a little expensive, tough and stressful. Parenting twins is an experience all its own. Do I buy 2 birthday cakes or one? How do I make them feel like an individual? Besides all the double diaper duty, double feedings, etc. of years past.

When they were babies it was hard. And, I would say it is easier now, but still presents its own complications. Rachel is a tomboy and loves to play with Ryan and the guys. Rachel and Ryan both used to spend the night with Ryan's best friend that lives down the street. I soon realized they had reached the age that is was no longer appropriate for Rachel to spend the night with them anymore... so imagine trying to explain to her why her brother could but she couldn't. Or why when Rachel has a girl friend come over... that girl friend may not want Ryan in the middle of what they are doing. Thank goodness Rachel's best friend has a very close brother and she understands when Ryan wants to play with them too. Little things like this I never anticipated!!

Rachel and Ryan have grown into their own separate persons. They are the best of friends (most days) and really do complement each other. Rachel and Ryan are very shy by themselves but not when they are together. Rachel is the bossy one. Ryan is the sensitive one. Rachel has an incredible sense of humor that she likes to use on gullible Ryan. I actually see a lot of myself and Chris between Rachel and Ryan. The bond between twins is amazing!

I want to accept and nurture each one of my children as the individuals they are. And with that, I decided that I would not homeschool Rachel and Ryan. At least not this year. I was unsure of myself mostly. I didn't even know if I could do it for one child, much less 3. They enjoy school, seem to be thriving and they just didn't want to. But the situation that we find ourselves in, homeschooling one child and not the other two, has been kind of a sticky one. I don't feel like the homeschooling community has accepted us because we still have kids in public school. And public school people don't understand why we have decided to homeschool Morgan. I don't know... my only option is not to worry about what everyone thinks. They are my kids and I'm the one who has to raise them. Yeah, it's different. We know!!

I'm still up in the air about next year. Ryan wants to homeschool, Rachel doesn't. I'm not sure how I would do it and still work the few hours a day that I do. But, where there is a will there is a way. I'm buying curriculum for them as I come across it in anticipation that I will. I'm thinking that being twins might actually come in handy this once. I would only have to one curriculum!

I will continue to pray about it and see where God leads us. I truly believe in homeschool and how it has benefited Morgan. Without the stress and rigidness of public school, I have seen her blossom into the young lady she was meant to be. Those around her would testify to that.

Oh, such is life, I guess. But I do know one thing... my kids are pretty awesome, if I do say so myself.