January 3rd was her birthday. Her 16^th birthday. How is that possible? I am not ready for her to be 16 but time is a funny thing; it happens regardless of if you are ready for it or not .

We had such an amazing day. We went to church to hear an amazing message then she led Kid’s Church. Their script for the next few weeks are 2 extremely county people in Louisiana (think Duck Dynasty) who take off on an adventure to the Arctic.  Then she made cupcakes for her Small Group of 4th-5th grade girls.  She adores these girls.  And they adore her back.

After church we went to IHop for the 14^th year in a row!!! We started going when she was 3. There were ladies there who said they had been a part of singing to her since 2010!!!

Then back home for family visits. After that we went to an abandon railroad to take birthday pictures. Then we went to Olive Garden for dinner. We had gift cards for both IHop and Olive Garden that we had been saving.

One perfect piece of tiramisu.

For her birthday she wanted to change her bedroom. She completely took down her loft bed by herself and is now using an antique bed that I used to use years and years ago. She didn’t want me to buy her a new comforter but I insisted. She hadn’t had a new one since she was 5. She knew what she wanted and searched and searched online. She knew she wanted a gypsy/bohemian and we looked in stores and online. She finally found the one below. And loved it. She then bought 5 yards of in sale fabric and tore strips for the ‘curtains’. She made the crocheted bunting and the fabric bunting on her headboard. And she took off ALL her stuffed animals and spent a long time picking her favorite few; a wicked witch from “The Wizard of Oz’ when she played the witch when she was 11, Marie from “Aristocats” where she played The Duchess when she was 13, Butch the Bulldog that we got at The Opryland Hotel when she was 5, Meeko the Raccoon from when she played Meeko in Pocahontas when she was 8, an owl my brother got her last Christmas and her tooth fairy pillow I got her when she was 5. And the new colorful pillow my brother got her for her birthday Sunday.

I have had the utmost honor of raising this amazing girl. One who loves so many things. Who talks about “Fruits of the Spirit” more often than the Top 40. Who can take a stick and fabric and create something amazing. Who thinks that most teenagers are from another planet and she doesn’t speak their language. Who is happiest watching a documentary on serial killers or the brain .

Who never watches anything teen drama or a movie about anyone doing anything ‘inappropriate’ without saying “2 words people: Self Control”. Who gets a little freaked out about being 16 and wishes she was 6 at times. Who loves knowledge and music and corny jokes and Korean dramas and anything in the world animal related (especially dogs or baby animals). Who has Pinterest boards that she actually does the pins! Who loves being on stage or performing in any way. Who has grown and been stretched by God this year as she teaches children about God and prays over them .

Who delights me every single day. Who has never been in trouble really because she is just that good of a child. But who doesn’t have a clue what a ‘clean room’ looks like, she honestly doesn’t get it. Mess bothers her not at all. Who has to create the same way most people have to breathe. Who sings constantly and dances most always. And good Lord, her crazy dances are legendary around our house. Who has such an idea of right and wrong. Life is black or white to her. She will learn the ‘gray’ in time .

Who wants to be an psychologist; child, animal and/or criminal, and a farmer and a English tutor in Korea and a Disney Princess and an animal rehabilitator in Africa and an actress depending on the day. And who could do them all and rock them. And she doesn’t care about money. “Just enough to live on” she says .

This child who is almost grown up (but not really Mom there is still so much I don’t know) and who won’t be here forever and oh my goodness that time is getting closer and closer .

Who has taught me the meaning of ‘wings and roots’ (although the wings are hard y’all) .

Happy Birthday my Keilee girl. May you always soar. May you one day find your tribe and know without a doubt that you are home. May God always guide your choices and your life. May your light shine oh so bright and illuminate everyone you come into contact with .

And may you always, forever more, without one ounce of doubt; know you have a Momma who always loved you to Pluto and back. And then back again. And back .

Homeschooling Rocks!
Karen

“What I want most for my daughter was that she be able to soar confidently in her own sky, whatever that may be”. ~Helen Claes

Just a quick recap of our year so I will have it all in one place.  How do you document a year?  There were amazing times but I am sure I will leave out highlights no matter how hard I try.

Keilee turned 15 and got her permit.  She has been wanting to drive since she was 12 but once she got it she wasn’t that excited.  She drives occasionally but it’s just not that important to her.  She has zero desire to get her license at this time.

It snowed!  Which is rare and we always love.

Snow in Alabama!!!

She created and sold so many handmade items for Keilee’s Kreations.

She joined a party Princess group and has absolutely loved it.

We spent days with friends.

We volunteered at Soulstock a Christian Rock Festival and volunteered hours and hours at our local soup kitchen.

We spent long summer days at our favorite pool.

Jessica and her girls visited in the summer and we had a blast.

At Epic Church!!!

Keilee started her YouTube channel Bringing Smart Back and the accompanying website with lesson plans.

She started leading worship at kid’s church and teaching a small group of 4-5th grade girls every Sunday.

We went on an incredible trip with Jessica, Grace and Lilah that I did not blog about.  Jess blogged about it at Teachable Moments.  This was one of our very favorite memories of 2015 and one of our favorite trips of all time.  Keilee has always wanted to do the Civil Rights Tour in Alabama.  She has wanted to walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge forever and especially since seeing “Selma”.  Thank you Jess for making one of her dreams come true!

We had a wonderful Christmas and did so much.

2015 was a great year.  It had it’s bad moments but for the most part it was wonderful.

Now bring on 2016!!!  Keilee will be 16 on January the 3rd and neither of us are ready for that!!  We are making a few changes because that is what is awesome about learning at home.  You can shake things up as often as you want!

Homeschooling Rocks!
Karen

It was a crazy, busy weekend for us.

Friday night Keilee was asked to be a Zombie tour guide at the historic Princess Theatre.  She looked like a zombie I guess but it was a bit disturbing!  She sent a picture to a really good friend of hers and he told her, “It makes me want to find someone and beat them up.  You look like you were abused!”.

She was so excited to do this.  They had different areas ‘zombified’ and it was similar to a haunted house.  Keilee and the man who works there are the only 2 that did the tours and she had a blast.  Like she said,  “I really like being in charge.”

The little girl in the picture is Emma Jo.  Emma Jo is who Keilee fell in love with (and vice versa) during Aristocats.  She saw on Facebook that Keilee was going to be a zombie and begged her Mom to take her.  She ran and hurled herself at Keilee and wanted a picture.  Keilee told her ‘I am so sorry I look so gross” and she told Keilee, “You always look beautiful.”  They are so sweet together.  Keilee has plans to surprise her Thursday at her school and eat lunch with her.

Saturday night she was invited to a 1940’s Swing Dance.  We ordered her dress weeks ago from China and paid $11 for it! Including shipping.  She found shoes at the thrift store for $2.99.  She worked so hard on Emma’s birthday present.  I wish I had made pictures.  She made a board book with quotes and pictures of them and it was beautiful.

Sunday after church she had an hour long Elsa party.  She always loves being Elsa and seeing the kids so excited that Elsa and Anna are at their parties!

She told me Sunday night that she was so ready for Monday and the chance to just be “Keilee”.

Even though this week is shaping up to be really busy at least she can be ‘herself’.

Homeschooling Rocks!
Karen

The weather turned cooler and we had such a great week.

We went to an Art Festival that was amazing.

And Keilee got her picture in the paper.  It’s one of my all time favorite pictures of her!

Most of her week was spent on Bringing Smart Back.  She works on this about 20-30 hours a week.  I’m going to do a post on it but I keep putting it off!  Her trailer for what’s going to happen in October is one of my favorites.

She gathered things outside and used her microscope to look at them.  I love that she still does things like this!

So not a lot of ‘content’ for my blog but a great week nonetheless.

Homeschooling Rocks!
Karen

“There is something in October sets the gypsy blood astir: We must rise and follow her, When from every hill of flame She calls, and calls each vagabond by name.” ~William Bliss

It’s no secret that Keilee isn’t a huge fan of people.  She is very picky with her time and so many times just doesn’t have the patience for ‘teenagers’.  Since she is homeschooled she has never had that ‘public school’ mentality.  Now I know there are kids in PS without this mentality but most of the ones we know do have it.  The things that are important to them are not even of the list of things important to Keilee.

That being said she adores small children.  She interacts so well with them and loves being around them.  They adore her right back.  It’s funny because she honestly says she ‘doesn’t want kids’.  I tell her she doesn’t know God’s plan for her yet!

Almost 3 months ago, before church, our pastor’s wife was talking to us and she said to Keilee, “We have got to get you plugged into the children’s church”.  Me, being the Momanger I am, told her Keilee did this really cool “1 minute sermon”.  Bene said, “you wanna do it now” and Keilee said, “Sure!”.  Of course I was freaking out.  Bene took her immediately back stage.  No practice, no going over it, nothing.  It has been at least 2 years since Keilee has done this!  She did a great job!!!

After that the leader of our kids church approached Keilee and asked her if she would be interested in being a host on Sundays.  What that consists of is learning a script each week and performing on stage at kid’s church.  She said YES.  So we go to the 9:00 service and then she works the 11:00 service.  I decided to help at kid’s check-in because I had to be there anyway.  I love seeing her on stage each week.

I love seeing her interaction with the kids.  I love seeing them run and almost tackle her each Sunday.  We even see them out and about and they call her “Miss Keilee”.

A couple of weeks ago she really stepped out of her comfort zone and did the closing prayer.  This is in front of about 100 kids and 15 teens/adults.  I just love when Jesus stretches us don’t you?

She is also helping teach a homeschool Science class for K-5 and a homeschool gymnastics class of 3-6 year olds at one of our Recreation Centers.  She loves both of these things too.  So whenever she says, ‘Mom I’m just not a people person” I just smile.  I know she just hasn’t found ‘her’ people yet.

Homeschooling Rocks!
Karen

All Christians are but God’s stewards. Everything we have is on loan from the Lord, entrusted to us for a while to use in serving Him.– John MacArthur

Keilee has always loved Abraham Lincoln.  He has always been her favorite president.

We have studied him, went to exhibits, watched documentaries and movies about him and more.

When she was about 7 or 8 she wrote a letter to him:

Hello Mr. President:

Thank you for freeing the slaves. I have heard that you are a really great President. If you get the urge to go to a play, please stay at home!

Keep up the good work,

Keilee

Monday night our town had a celebration of 150 years of the Civil War.  A man, Dennis Boggs,  who plays Abraham Lincoln was going to be there along with an orchestra that played Civil War songs.  He is nationally known and Keilee has actually watched History Channel documentaries that he was on.

It was at the Old State Bank which was actually used during the Civil War for a hospital among other things.  It was one of the only 3 buildings to survive the Civil War.

It was a beautiful, cool night by the Tennessee River.  As night fell the building was lit up so lovely. He was reading actual speeches and letters from the Civil War and the band was playing Dixieland and it was all magical.

This is the beginning of the Gettysbury Address.  It was so powerful.

I love Living history.  It’s the best way to learn.

Homeschooling Rocks!
Karen

Abraham Lincoln quotes:
“Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.”

“The way kids learn to make good decisions is by making decisions, not by following directions.”  ~Alfie Kohn

“Creativity is a type of learning process where the teacher and pupil are located in the same individual.” ~ Arthur Koestler