I is for Intense {Blogging through the Alphabet}

Intense

~extreme force, degree, or strength; having or showing strong feelings or opinions; extremely earnest or serious

So. I chose "Intense" for my I is for... Blogging through the Alphabet post and now I'm not sure it's the correct word. You see, I want to write about the Charlotte Mason Institute's 2014 Charlotte Mason Education Conference. We were able to go this year. It was held June 11-14, 2014. I took my kiddos with me; we attended the 11-13, leaving after lunch Friday. 

"Intense" is what I felt it would be, the months and weeks and days leading up to the conference. I was wound up tight with anticipation! We had never been to a homeschool convention, and never to an "education conference".

Northern Mockingbird gracing us with a territorial dance. Loved the blue sky.

Intense would fully describe the drive down there and back, and how the days were crammed full with things to do and attend. It could also describe the call put forth by the speakers at the conference. But all the while, it really was calm and relaxing. 

Perhaps another way that it was intense was the way it seems to have lit a fire in both of my kids. Each day they were deep in thought and we had good discussions about education, habits, future plans. Lee especially is an all-or-nothing type person; this definitely planted some seeds for getting things done! Fox also, whose been somewhat nonchalant about his education and future, has come away with a new sense of commitment to both.

Personally, it was intense because of all the externals {the long drive, the lack of sleep, the meeting of new people in a new place} but also the internal. It really made me stop and think about what I am doing. What I do with my kids as we homeschool, and what I want to do in public education later.

I will revisit the Charlotte Mason Institute 2014 Education Conference often, but honestly, I'm not sure it'll make here on the blog. But for now, this is my I is for... post in Blogging through the Alphabet. Visit Ben and Me for more I entries. Or search abcblogging.