Never thought I would be able to finally say this, but I have officially graduated from high school. My school journey has been a busy one; it’s definitely wild to look back on my years and reflect on everything that has happened and everything I have accomplished. I have made many transitions from being in school, to being home-schooled doing classes online, to completing two years of PSEO college classes through the University of Northwestern. I have been blessed to have a supportive family who has encouraged me and supported me throughout this journey. It’s also been great to take classes with my brother and have someone who can relate to all the stress that comes from interacting with new college professors and deadlines. I can’t believe that all my hard work has payed off and that I have graduated with enough college credits to be considered a college sophomore when I move on campus this fall. It’s been a long haul, but definitely worth it. Thanks to two long but productive years of PSEO, I have completed all of my college generals and some additional classes that were interesting as well.

My parents have made a lot of sacrifices throughout the years to be able to make sure that us kids get the best education possible. I may not always vocalize how thankful I am that they decided to home school us and make the decisions they did, but I am truly grateful for all the effort and hard work they put into making everything work out for us for the best. They have been our greatest supporters and have encouraged us to do hard things. Their hard work has ultimately payed off because I think us kids are turning out pretty alright ;)

I’m happy my family made the decision to home school because through it I have grown a lot closer to my siblings and parents throughout the years. Not only do I tolerate my siblings, but I think they’re pretty awesome and consider them my closest friends. It’s bittersweet to think that I’ll be moving off to college this fall and won’t be with them every day, even though I’ll still be in the same state, I’m going to miss being with them so much. That’s not to say I won’t try and see them whenever I get the chance to, it’ll just be different. But change is good, and I’m up for another adventure and to see where God takes me in this next chapter of my life.

I have loved the flexibility of being home schooled throughout the years. It has allowed my family and I to study together, grow together, to travel and explore together. We’ve taken many vacations, field trips, and trips to the beach throughout the years while many kids were in school. Looking back I truly realize how much of a treat it was to be able to do that.

If we were to have a motto for our home school endeavors, I think it would be work hard, play hard.

We’ve definitely enjoyed many sports and activities together throughout the years.

It has been great taking PSEO classes at UNW. While my classes were online, my brother took his on campus. It was fun to meet up with him and study on campus. I’ve made a lot of new friends through UNW and have attended some pretty great events. I can’t wait to be a traditionally enrolled student this upcoming fall living on campus.

It’s crazy to think that in a little over two months I’ll be living on campus and trying to figure out and enjoy all the adventures of adulthood with new classmates and roommates. And speaking of roommates, it’s been so fun to meet my future college roomies and to start to get to know them. The three of us have similar interests and I think it’s going to be a fun year.

While I’ve been busy lately trying to determine what my next steps are for my future plans at UNW in regards to my major and what I hope to study, I have been reminded that while I may not completely know my future or what’s ahead long term, God does. Jeremiah 29:11 is my life verse and a constant reminder that God knows the future plans He has for me, plans to prosper me, not to harm me, plans to give me a hope and a future. I can’t wait to see and discover what He has in store. It’s been great so far and I know it can only get better.

I’ve survived high school and all the years prior, college is just another chapter in my life that I am ready to tackle. Here’s to enjoying one last summer before I am officially college bound.