When did life become so busy?  It seems like the summer is busier than during the school year. Everyday we have something going on.  I feel like I need a vacation from summer vacation!  With school starting soon, I have GOT to get organized.  I also need some motivation!  I seriously lack motivation these days.  This year we kind of got off track with school when my mom came to stay with us.  She has been a huge blessing, HOWEVER, I have somehow become sidetracked and my mind hasn't been focused on school.  In May, I went to the North Carolinians for Home Education conference in Winston-Salem with a friend.  That was just what I needed to feel refreshed.  After the last year of homeschooling, we began discussing other options for our 14 year old.  It seems that she's becoming somewhat of an introvert.  She's never been that way.  From the time she could talk, she's been very social.  It took a lot of prayer, and that trip to make the decision that we needed to continue this marathon.  When we (I mean me!) looked at the good and bad of each path we could take, it made complete sense to stay on the homeschool track.  For some reason, though, I had it in my head that we weren't doing enough for her.  The younger children are fine.  I don't worry about them because they are around other kids daily.  I've never had a teenager.....this would explain why I don't know what to do with her!  I really didn't have a relationship with my mom(s) at her age, so it makes total sense that I don't know what to do with her!  At her age, I had a few close friends, and got out of the house as often as possible.  I hope she doesn't feel trapped here like I did!  That would break my heart.  I've decided that she needs to be involved in something outside of her bedroom!  Maybe, a job, or serving at church during the week.   There HAS to be something out there that interests her.  It seems that no matter what I ask her if she'd like to do, she isn't interested.  I have learned from other moms of girls her age, though, that she is following some kind of teenage trend.  Turns out she's not the only one who can play solitaire on the computer for hours on end.  Turns out she's not the only one who loves to read, and will sit with her nose in a book until she's finished with it.  Turns out she prefers not to do chores, and she plays with her hair in front of a mirror for fun.  She also enjoys putting make-up on, but that's where I draw the line.  To much eyeliner is NOT a good thing!  I see a difference in other kids her age who go to government school.  Let's just say it isn't pretty.  She's on a good path so far.  If we can stay on that path, and remember to God what He wants us to do, the we will be fine.  I try to keep the end in perspective.  I'm worried that I may be doing something wrong, and will in the end have ruined my childrens' lives.  I know in my heart, however, that I am doing what God wants me to do.  The easy thing would be to send my kids out on a school bus to school.  The hard way seems to me that it will have winning results in the end.  After all, aren't we, as parents, responsible for raising our children for Him?  If we are, how are they supposed to be trained to keep their eyes on God, if they are thrust in to the public school system.  I know I seem old, but I'm only 31.  I was in High School not that long ago.  Those days were fun, but I did things that God did not approve of, and would prefer not to have my children choosing between certain sins at such a young, impressionable, age. The thought of starting school again stresses me out!  I guess it's time to get started.  At this rate, maybe I'll be ready to start in mid October!