Graduation!!!

Well, we did it!!! After 14 years we successfully finished our homeschool journey and I couldn't be more proud of our whole family. We had a beautiful ceremony for the girls and a party with friends and family to celebrate. This year was filled with so many adventures.  We visited a number of colleges and it was so fun to watch as they both were directed into what God has called them to.  They went from not knowing what they wanted to do or where they wanted to go, to both feeling really clear about it.  

After visiting a variety of schools they both felt called to the same place, so in the fall we'll be dropping them both off at Cal Baptist in Riverside and I think it will be perfect for both of them.  Avalyn has enjoyed leading worship these last few years for her high school group, and she got the chance to lead for the Women's Bible Study at church and then has had multiple opportunities to lead worship for the main service.  She's done such an amazing job and you can really tell she's been led by the Spirit.  After much prayer and consideration she really felt called into ministry and is going to major in Music for Worship Arts & Ministry with the hopes of becoming a worship leader when she's done.

Brinley wasn't as sure what direction she wanted to go in, but after sitting in on some classes at the universities we were visiting she felt really pulled to Psychology.  She has always loved the Enneagram and personality types and really loves learning about how the brain works and loves helping people so she likes the option of getting her Masters and MFT so she can become a therapist.  She also loves the idea of going into Ministry so she's decided to double major in Christian Behavioral Science with a minor in Christian Studies which should put her on a path to do a number of things she's interested in.  

We also got a chance to travel this year and took the girls on a trip to Australia a few weeks before graduation as their senior trip.  It was so fascinating to enjoy another side of the world and we had so much fun visiting Sydney, the Australia Zoo, and we took an amazing cruise that included a trip into the rain-forest and the highlight was snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef.  

We are so thrilled for the amazing young women these girls have become and can’t wait to see where God leads them on this next chapter of their journey.  I have no doubt they are going to accomplish great things and continue to be a light for him.  

 

Avalyn graduated highest honors with a 4.2 GPA and is heading off to Cal Baptist in the fall to study Music for Worship Arts & Ministry. 

 

Brinley also graduated with highest honors and a 3.9 GPA and is also heading to Cal Baptist in the fall where she plans to double major in Psychology and Christian Behavioral Sciences with a minor in Christian Studies. 

THE END... and just the beginning

 

Our 12th Grade Curriculum | 2024-2025

Our last year of High School is a little lighter than the past few years.  I intentionally got their upper level Math, English & Science done last year (by having them start at a high school level in 8th grade) so we have an easier year where they can focus on college essay's, scholarships, etc.  The girls still aren't sure what they want to do, but we'll be looking a few local Christian Universities and see where God is calling them.

For their elective this year, I'm having them each learn to meal plan and cook.  They're each going to be responsible for one meal a week and will do the planning, shopping and cooking for that meal for the whole family.  Should be fun to see them grow in this area and learn some practical life skills while they're at it.   Excited for all the amazing books they're set to read this year in British Lit.  Should be a good one to round out their amazing book lists.

Here's what we're doing for our 12^th Grade Curriculum...

• Bible: Individual Bible Study, Misc Books, and Scripture Memorization
• Math: Math U See - Stewardship
• Literature: Sonlight British Literature
  
• History: Sonlight Core 400 - US Government & Economics
• Language: Rosetta Stone - Spanish
  
• PE: Peloton Classes
• Music: Piano Lessons, Guitar Lessons, Voice Lessons & High School Worship Team
  
• Electives: Cooking & Meal Planning

 

Sonlight 400 - American Government & Civics - This year our history is split into 2 semesters.  For the first semester the girls will be doing Govt & Civics.  Super fitting for an election year.

 

Sonlight 600 - Economics - The second half of the year the girls will be doing Economics.  They'll just have these 2 books along with an online curriculum they'll be using for their Econ lessons.  This is one of Trav's favorite subjects so I'm looking forward to all the conversations we'll have at dinners about what they're learning.

 

Sonlight British Literature - Look at this list of goodness the girls will be reading this year!  They're super excited to get reading and I know they're going to enjoy this year.

 

Math U See - Stewardship - The girls have finished all their upper level math so we thought it would be a good idea to end with a practical year of math set around financial management.  I'm excited for what they'll learn this year and how it will help them move towards adulthood.  

 

First Day of 12th Grade | 2024-2025

It's our last year of school!!!  

I really can't believe we're here in our Senior year.  The final year in our homeschooling adventure.  We had an amazing summer that took us on the most amazing trip to Italy & Spain.  We stayed in Rome for a week and then went on a cruise of Italy & Spain.  We saw so many beautiful and historical things and I'm so grateful that we got to explore and enjoy that time together.  The girls love for history and learning really showed itself in that they were the only teens (and let's face it even some of the adults) that were off their phones and truly engaged with each of the tour guides listening and soaking in everything that was being said.   I think it was one of my most favorite adventures we've ever taken as a family and I'm so very thankful for the memories we made together.  

The girls also took their SAT at the start of summer and they both did amazing!   I couldn't be more proud of all the hard work they've put into their schooling and with minimal study they both crushed the SAT.  It opens up so many possibilities for their future.

They're still both leading worship in VOX for high school and I'm excited that Avalyn will be leading for my women's study at church this fall and winter.  They're still leading Bible studies with their friends and thriving in all they do.  We have some college visits coming up and I can't wait to see what God calls them to.  Big changes are on the horizon and I can't wait to see what they are. 

Look at these cute little preschoolers and what beautiful young ladies they've turned into!