It is funny how that when you meet someone for the first time and find out they homeschooled it is like meeting someone from your own high school. We had a conference at our church last week and Tiffany met a young lady that was homeschooled. There was an instant connection. Of course, I felt drawn to her and her mother as well. It is always fun to talk to those of like minds and then to find you have even more in common is encouraging.

But then there are the times you realize how different you are than “normal” people. We live in the country and enjoy being home, which is outside the norm. Then we homeschool, which is outside the norm. Then we embrace more of Charlotte Mason approach to home education, as well as using the Bible for the core of our education, which again, is outside the norm.

We are Christians. I’m not sure if that is a norm or not any more; I guess it depends on who you talk to. We are born again, speak in other tongues, and believe healing is for today; again outside the norm. Then we even take it a step further and believe that the more you speak in tongues the more you are edified and the more the Lord can work through you, healing the sick and such. Again, this puts us even further outside of the norm.

We have learned to embrace who we are and what we believe. We know in advance of meeting new people that we are odd and that others will probably think we are odd at some point, but that is okay. We just happen to be some very unique individuals in God’s kingdom.

Another thing I’ve learned is that we are a challenge. Seriously. When I go somewhere and try to do something, it is probably not the normal thing and thus will be a challenge to whomever is trying to help me. Like when we moved to the country and then wanted to continue to use the city library system. The rule is that if you live, work, or attend school in the city/county, you can have a free library card. Well, Mike is self-employed and has no office in the city/county but did pay for a monthly storage unit there, as well as did most of his work within the county limits. But this was outside of the norm . . . they had no address to put down on their form and wouldn’t/couldn’t use the storage unit. See? Challenge.

Anyone that can be a challenge at the library, can be a challenge anywhere. I’ve realized this, so I no longer get frustrated when whatever it is that I am trying to do takes longer than normal to accomplish. I politely tell the associate that is trying to help me, “I’m a challenge . . . I know it . . . it’s okay . . . you get through this and your day will be smooth sailing. hahaha” I no longer get frustrated by having to wait a while. And when I get someone who doesn’t get frustrated either, it’s a good day.

I guess I’ve said all that to help you realize that being odd isn’t bad. Don’t take yourself too seriously and enjoy it when you find others that are more like you than the rest of the world.

Until next time, God bless,

Michele ºÜº

Years ago, a fellow homeschooler that has children around the ages of my children and a couple of years older told me that boys were not eager to drive and that was okay with her. At first it seemed odd to me but the more I thought about it, the more sense it made. She told me that she wasn’t pushing them to drive. When they were interested (or it became necessary) is when it would happen. I adopted this thinking as well and hoped my kids would be the same way. Well, I think I got way more than I bargained for.

In Oklahoma in order for a person under the age of 18 to get a learner’s permit, they have to pass an 8th grade reading proficiency test. I think this was done in efforts to keep kids in school. If you homeschool this can present a bit of an issue, especially if you homeschool in a small town.

For Brian, my oldest, it was fairly easy because the test could be taken at the county vo-tech school albeit, only on certain days of the month. We managed to find the school, set the appointment, and get the test done and the results were mailed within a few weeks.

A couple of years later when Sean was ready, they didn’t provide the test any longer and thus began my battle to find how to get this done. Sean, however, was not in any big hurry. I began pushing it his senior year in high school. As it turned out though, I never did figure out how to get him to take the test. He turned 18 in March of his senior year, so we just went after that since it was not necessary any longer.

Tiffany is four years younger than Sean but I started a little earlier trying to figure it all out once again. Coincidentally, the place I am to vote at is the local middle school (where the 8th graders attend). I decided that since I was there anyway, I would just go into the office and see if I couldn’t talk to someone and try to figure it out. The principal was great and said he’d look into it. With his schedule, the holidays, my procrastination and all, it took us about a year to get it worked out but they decided that I could bring her to the school and they could administer the test. They were great and Tiffany did awesomely but they did not have the OFFICIAL form and thus began a new problem that I wouldn’t even know existed for another year or so.

As it finally turned out, Tiffany turned 18 before getting her permit and we no longer needed the form. :\

I have to say that waiting for them to be 18 before they began to drive was a great thing. They are more mature and responsible. Tiffany just got her permit last Friday and with the conference at the church this week, she is getting a lot of practice in very quickly. She is picking it up very well. She had a bit of a disadvantage from the boys because they were accustomed to driving a motorized vehicle from their time of mowing the grass on a riding lawn mower and she has only used that a couple of times.

I guess my point is that like most everything else, just because most people do it one way, does not mean that it is the best way for you and your family. Don’t be afraid to go outside the norm, even in this.

I hope our story can encourage you to do whatever is best for your family, be it to drive early or wait until later.

Until next time, God bless,

Michele ºÜº