Apologia Live Retreat ~ WIN A TICKET!

I still consider myself a "newbie" in the world of homeschooling as this is only our 2nd year to homeschool.  I feel like I have learned so much about our kids and about myself (like how I need to work on patience) over the past two years though and I am so thankful for all the lessons (good and bad) that God has shown me through the blessing of homeschooling.  One of my favorite homeschool companies is Apologia.  

We have the entire Apologia elementary Science curriculum and notebooks as well as the Who Am I Bible series.  We are currently studying the Swimming Creatures of the 5th Day and the kids love Science thanks to Apologia.  They have fantastic notebooks (in both regular and junior versions) that make learning hands-on fun for the kids too!  

At the beginning of this school year, our family entered a season in homeschooling where what we had done last year (our methods, curriculum, daily schedule, etc.) just wasn't working this year for me or the kids. I was so frustrated and confused and began to question everything about homeschooling. When we entered that particular season in homeschooling, I felt like a failure.  I watched other homeschool Moms have it "all together" (or so it seemed), read blogs where they were doing all kinds of awesomeness in their school days when we were just struggling to complete each days task without frustration or fighting.  I didn't want to tell anyone my struggles for fear of being judged or frowned upon as a "bad homeschool Mom".  I was able to read this awesome book.....

......and it was the "pick-me-up" and informational guide I was so desperately needing to get back on track with homeschooling, our methods, learning, my feelings/fears, etc.  I finished reading it feeling refreshed, renewed and ready to conquer our homeschool year with renewed vigor.  I now recommend Educating the Wholehearted Child to all my friends who homeschool or are considering it! Sometimes as Moms we need a little refreshment...a place of encouragement, support, friendship and most of all....understanding. The Apologia Live Retreat does just that!

Rachael Carmen created these awesome events with a desire to give homeschool Moms a "safe place to admit its hard".  A safe place to struggle well and finish hard!  The Guiding Scripture for these events is found in Psalm 145:7 which reads "They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness." Why you ask??  Because we all know that on those hard days, seasons, years, we can't pick up the phone and call our friends and family who already think we are nuts for what we're doing.....because they don't understand it....not that that is bad....it's just they don't...and that's o.k. but, we still need somewhere safe to rest and lay down at the foot of the cross and hear the sweet words of our Father!  (from Rebecca @ MomsMustardSeeds)

I am so excited to tell you that on my birthday weekend (March 23 and 24, 2012) I will be in Atlanta, GA attending the Apologia Live Retreat.  I couldn't think of a better birthday present than to get to listen to amazing women who have walked the homeschooling path before me and are "seasoned homeschoolers" such as Rachael Carmen, Zan Tyler, Debra Bell, Jeannie Fulbright and Elizabeth Smith.  These ladies will speak and share that weekend during the Retreat. 

Of course, I am super excited thatTim Tebow's Mom, Pam Tebow will be a guest speaker in Atlanta as well.  We are leaving in July to go on the field as full-time missionaries with To Every Tribe and Pam has been involved not only with homeschooling but also as a missionary's wife so I am very excited to get to hear her speak and learn from her.  I have to admit, I'm hoping to get to meet her in person too!

From creating wonderful Christian based curriculum to a plethera of awesome homeschooling books, Apologia wants to make sure that as Moms we are not only fully equipped with homeschool materials but they want to make sure we are spiritually equipped for our homeschool journeys as well.  Apologia Live has very graciously offered me the opportunity to attend their Atlanta Apologia Live Retreat and best of all, they want to give one of you a ticket (valued at $115) to join us in Atlanta for a weekend of Learning, Listening, Worship & Prayer.  

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