When we purchased our home last year, one of the things that I was excited about the most was the possibility of converting the small shed in our backyard into a schoolhouse. We've now lived here for 17 months, but we're not any closer to completing our "conversion." Doesn't this look like the perfect little schoolhouse? The inside is still filled with tools and boxes of books.
I have experienced waves of homesickness over the past 17 months. Our extended family lives over 400 miles away. While I truly believe that we are exactly where God wants our family to be, I still miss our family and friends back in Florida.
The Lord recently opened the door for my mother to purchase a home close by us; actually, it's right across the street!! Although she will not be relocating here full-time just yet, we are still very excited that she will be able to visit us more often and be more comfortable in her own place.
Now, you may be wondering what my mom's vacation home has to do with my schoolhouse plans. Well, it just so happens that she has a small cottage in her backyard that is larger than our little building, and it is perfectly suited to function as a schoolhouse! Mom has been gracious enough to allow us to use this building for our homeschool. It has the cutest little front porch. There is one large room with a smaller adjacent room that will come in handy when one of the older children needs a quiet place to work. Best of all, it has heat and a/c!
Last week was our first official week of lessons in the cottage schoolhouse. The children were excited to go over to "Mimi's house" for school each day. I can easily display things on the walls without damaging them because the walls are made of barnwood. The floor has a large carpeted area that is perfect for circle time with the little ones. We're having so much fun already!
We still haven't relocated all of our school supplies from our home over to the schoolhouse, but I've been carrying over a few boxes each day. It's just amazing how many books we have! I've been hitting yard sales in search of bookshelves, a large table, a few chairs, and a filing cabinet. I was blessed to come across these precious wooden children's chairs. They are just the right size for the kids. They remind me of old-fashioned Sunday school chairs. They are in very good condition, and I thought they were a real bargain at only $5 each. I'm still searching for a table the right height to go with them, but I know God will provide one in His timing. :)
A family in our church purchased some new furniture for their home and blessed us with a bookshelf they no longer needed. Boy, I can't wait to fill it up with all of the books we have in boxes!
I am so thankful to see how the Lord has worked out our schoolhouse situation. More importantly, I know that the Lord completely had His hand in providing a house for my mom, and I can't wait until she is able to be here with us! 
