Tillman HSTP

Wow! This school year has flown by.  I must admit, this has been quite a journey.  I went from being a public school teacher, to a home school parent and tutor 3 days a week.  This was a challenging lifestyle change for us and many days I wanted to throw in the towel, but God is good and allowed us to persevere. I tutored 5 precious children this year. I plan to offer this program again in the fall and looking forward to adding more to my group. Having one year under my belt, I see that there will need to be a few changes, but I am ready for the challenge. Mari Morgan and I have had to go from a mother/daughter relationship to a teacher/student relationship during the week, which has been hard for us both. There have been many arguments and tears, but we made it through. MM is so intelligent and a great helper to others during tutor time. I am very thankful for her. She made all A's, and no, it was not because she had a mother for her teacher. She earned them. I take education very serious, and want my children to stay on grade level or beyond each school year. Big thanks to Brian for being my partner through all of this. He graciously took Nathan to school each morning, and was many days the receiver of all my frustration. I love my man. Below are a few bits and pieces of our year. 

Happy Summer! See you in August!!

Snowden Awards Day and End of the Year Party

What can I say?  This has been such a challenging yet rewarding school year for our family.  I am in tears right now as I recall our year. Snowden HSTP is so different from public school, which took us all by surprise and rocked our world. Nathan and I struggled GREATLY through the first two quarters. There were MANY tears shed, and lots of encouragement needed through this process. There were days that we wanted to give up and go back to public school and days where we just wanted to give up school all together . Scary huh?  Hillary and her staff set high expectations for the students, and the students are expected to meet them.  I must admit, for much of the time, I believed these expectations were too demanding for Nathan and became angry many days.  With help from special friends, we persevered, and Nathan has proven to be much more independent and self motivated.  We have a LONG way to go, but I feel that next year will be a much smoother road. You did notice I said smoothER.   I am so proud of how Nathan has grown.  He even had all A'S and B'S  the  last 2 semesters. 

Although he did not receive any academic awards, he did receive the "Count Tillymon" award. The teachers gave each student an individual "funny" award. While studying the 30 years war, there was a leader called Tilly with characteristics that really have nothing to do with Nathan's character, but the kids all started calling him Tillymon after this dude.  So, at Snowden, he will always be "Tillymon". Mrs. Kaye, one of his teachers, said that they wanted to give Nathan this award to symbolize that Nathan was liked by all his classmates....just a likeable guy. That made me happy!!!  We are so grateful for all of the teachers at Snowden who helped us along the way and did not back down from their standards.  Hillary, I am thankful for your love for our son, and your guidance through this school year.  

We love you, Nathan and could not be prouder of you!  

Nathan receiving his Tillmon award from Mrs. Hillary

Mrs. Kaye...we will miss you next year

Thankful for JoJo's support

He's so proud!!!

My silly boy

Nathan and some of his best buds

Sweet  Mrs. Hillary

Nate and Conner McKelroy

Mrs. Gina and Nate

Mari Morgan Show Night

Each year, Conxion gym has a"show night" for friends and family to come and see the skills that they have learned. MM has really learned lots of new skills and has really progressed fast. She is in gold now, but they want her to move to platinum over the summer.  She is so excited. We are so proud of you, MM! :)

Her trophy....so proud

Her long time friend, Emma Kate.

More Show Night

Her classmates...Hassy Claire and Quinn

My little gymnast

Her favorite coach...ever...Mrs.Annie

We are so thankful for Mrs. Annie. She is so good at what she does. MM has learned more from her in the past 6 months,  than the whole time she has been involved in Conxion's gym program.  Encouraging, yet pushing her to get better and better. :)

Women's Brunch

The Riverbend Women's Ministry had a women's brunch.  It was a special time.  Based on Angela Thomas' video about a fruit filled life, the theme was food....We started in the foyer with sweet simple decorated round tables.  There were some simple breakfast foods. Then, we moved into the sanctuary that was decorated like a ball room, and the tables were overflowing with food.  Some of our husbands were waiting there to serve us dressed in black pants and white shirts. The decor represented that sometimes we settle for the small and plain(foyer), when God wants us to be completely filled and satisfied with His best for us.  It was an awesome time.  Thank you Kathy for putting it all together.    

My sweet friend, Laura

Terri and Dallas

Monica...love this girl!

Brian's mom did all of the arrangements. She did a beautiful job.

My new friend, Abby...She is the pastor's wife at Lifepoint Tunica.

Mary Beth, Martha, and Abby

My precious mom and me

World Fair

Snowden has a World Fair event each year. Groups choose a country that they want to display and present it to other home schooled students. Nathan's group chose Western Africa. He did such a good job. I was proud of him. 

Celebration

Riverbend celebrated 6 years on April 14.  God has really blessed us and we are so thankful for this wonderful church body.