Homeschool... Part 1... the decision

So I always thought that I would homeschool our kids... I really didn't think it would be a hard decision. And then I got a taste of homeschooling with PreK.  Most of it was fun and I/we really enjoyed it.  But there were alot of struggles... having 4 kids 4 and under.  Trying to get school done AND spend time with all the kids AND house work AND laundry AND cook dinner (well on the nights that Nathan was lucky otherwise we had sandwiches) ... you get the drift.  And then I found out I was pregnant with #5!  Come January we will have 5 kids 5 and under... ??? WHAT! How am I going to get homeschooling done!? It was overwhelming... and then I started to freak out... if I feel like this now how am I going to feel next year and the year after!  I talked to alot of people... The advice varied some people thought we should send our kids to school... no questions asked.  How on earth could we teach them everything that they needed to know... and it's good for them socially...etc.  All these are good points and would make me quetion myself.  I would talk to some homeschool moms and they would (obviously) make me feel so much better about the homeschool life.  This was NOT helping me... I was on the fence so much and had NO IDEA of what to do. Then a friend gave me great advice.  She said... STOP talking... and START praying!!! DUH! Sometimes I need reminders.... :)  It doesn't matter what people think and people who don't homeschool don't get it... and thats fine... They don't have to.  So I really started praying...  I really wanted to get to the root of the problem... why was this stressing me out so much.  I realized its the planning of the school... the curriculumn... and another great friend of mine said to me... you are doing way to much!  Just enjoy the simplicity of PreK.  I was planning on schooling through the summer... that same friend told me to take the summer off and ENJOY!  So I did! :)  Thanks!  Sometimes we moms need permission to stop and enjoy... well atleast I do.  So now I had my answer of what stressed me out so much and I had to find a solution.  After lots of prayer and research and talks with Nathan we decided that for now homeschooling is the answer.  Homeschooling was still important to Nathan and I for a number of different reasons.  I had to find a solution to being overwhelmed...  we talked about hiring someone to clean... or do laundry! I then heard there are curriculumns that you basically open a book up and its all there... so I started to research those.  That sounded great!  Well to make a long story short we decided to give Virtual School a try.  I've heard great things about it.  Everything (including art supplies) is sent to your door for free because you are technically enrolled in public school.  It's basically a 7 day school week.  You have a certain number of assignments to turn in each week by Sunday evening.  So we can go at our pace but still be accountable to get it done! They offer field trips.  Your child has a teacher that helps and  grades the work.  I TEACH!  Sounds like fun to me and less stress.  I really like to plan the fun craft projects.  We are going to add a bible curriculumn so I will be planning that... but I can handle that.  If at any point it's not working for us we can opt out of the program.  So that is what we are doing... Virtual School for Kindergarten!  Our house may lack alot in the cleanliness department and we'll deal with that... but this feels right for our family!