WHERE THE TOMCATS AT

Curee Schoolhouse Updates & Sending the Tomcats Out: 2026-2027 School Year
Written by Bethany Curee, God’s Daughter – Freckled & Free

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve shared anything on this section of the blog. Per usual things have been a little crazy. I’ve also been working to just be present with my family, knowing one day I will have more time to post regularly here (God willing).

I’ve also been in prayer asking God to help me adjust and accept changing seasons. I can feel I’m on the brink of them.

*Throw back to the early days of homeschool*

As many of you know we accomplished the big move. We’ve been doing a ton of not fun projects just to get the new historical home structurally safe and sound. One layer at a time. It’s taking time and money and there is never enough of either. We’ve also been traveling a lot and letting our kids get to experience their interest after many years of not being able to due to ministry work. There have been many changes and it seems in just the last few years our kids are truly blossoming into little adults. They no longer look toddler in any way. With the many changes they are facing in their own lives and appearances, we feel childhood is slipping away faster than we can imagine. I have this ever present sense that time is fleeting and shifty. Visions we have waited years to complete on their rooms are now fading into new ones as they age along with us.

We see clearly, time is not waiting. It’s only going.

What we do observe through it all, is that choosing to homeschool for as long as we have with each child has been the right decision for our family. Tom and I always discussed sending them to public school in either middle school or high school, allowing us years of setting their foundation as strong as we could before sending them out. We also wanted that experience and exposure to the world to happen while they still lived under our roof. Hoping we could—and can, continue to guide them as parents should through all the challenges, wins and losses it can present. As we transition each child for public education at their own pace, we are proudly learning we did something right. I didn’t totally screw up their education, and that feels good. High five. Our kids so far, have been much farther along and advanced quickly to grade work and honors a year above where we had them. After much, much, willing sacrifice to pour into our precious children, it feels like quite an accomplishment.

The Curee Schoolhouse and its fellow Tomcats (aka our children), have been a part of my purpose and life’s work personally as their mother. A calling I didn’t and don’t take lightly. Maddening some days, tearful others, challenging, joyous and lovely all at once. Seasons I will savor and reflect back on for the rest of my life. Crucial time with my children. As such, it’s getting harder and harder to let them go. My momma heart may never be ready. But nevertheless, as I feel this season slowly coming to end I will have to figure out the releasing. The Lord, per usual will be holding me up.

While we have some big changes, we’re still here living in the now and making the best of who needs what and how. Seeking God’s face on whose staying and whose going and where Lord do you want them planted now?

And that is the question we are to answer. Where are the Tomcats now? In the shortest way, I can, I’m answering below for each Tomcat attending or that attended The Curee Schoolhouse, along with an updated on-the-spot interview for each child (which hasn’t been completed since 2022). Therefore, enjoy learning about our precious seeds, ahem, our Tomcats, one by one, all four of them.

2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR STUDENT LINEUP & WHERE ABOUTS

Where’s everybody at or going?

STUDENT #1: NAKODA TAYLOR, HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR+ FULL-TIME COLLEGE STUDENT

Nakoda, our oldest child and longest homeschooler thus far. Homeschooling through 7^th grade and beginning her public-school start in 8^th grade. She advanced quickly and started CCP college courses as a freshman and sophomore in high school along with her required high school work. She is now currently, a junior in high school, but this year has begun full time college classes. Completing all her high school required coursework, except for one gym credit which she will accomplish through the school dance team, has allowed her this great opportunity. We had the option of letting Nakoda graduate early or continue to complete free college courses as a high school student for her Junior and Senior year. Going this route, she is set to graduate from high school with both her high school diploma and an associates degree. We’re blown away at her amazing accomplishments.

EDUCATION HISTORY

Kindergarten thru 7th Grade – Attended The Curee Schoolhouse, Home of the Tomcats (homeschool education)
8th Grade – GHS (public school) *taking mostly high school freshman/honors classes
9th-10th Grade – MHS (public school & college) *taking mostly sophomore/honors classes & SSCC CCP (College) Classes
Current – 11th Grade – Junior Year (public school & college) *MHS Dance Team (last high school gym credit) & full-time OU CCP (College) Classes

NAKODA INTERVIEWED ON THE SPOT

WHAT SHE WANTS TO BE WHEN SHE GROWS UP: Professional Ballet Dancer & Illustrator
MOST EXCITED FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR: Doing all college and ballet at the studio
GOALS: Get the middle splits, work to get to pointe class in ballet, no fried food, get my driver license
BEST AT: Being creative and leading
FAVORITE FOOD: Salmon
FAVORITE FRUIT: Melons
FAVORITE DRINK: Matcha
FAVORITE VEGGIE: Brussel Sprouts
FAVORITE SNACK: Chicken Salad & Crackers
FAVORITE OUTFIT: Striped linen pants, button-up cream colored tank top and my Birkenstock Clogs
FAVORITE COLOR: Green
FAVORITE PERSON: Mammy
FAVORITE ANIMAL: Deer
FAVORITE SEASON: Winter
FAVORITE CAR: 1985 Ford Bronco
FAVORITE MOVIE: Leap
FAVORITE SHOW: The Chosen
FAVORITE STATE TO VISIT: Maine
FAVORITE MUSIC ARTIST: Sleeping at Last & NF
FAVORITE THING TO DO: Raining outside, wearing pajamas with Shammah (chocolate lab) and my family
FAVORITE CHORE: Cleaning my room
LEAST FAVORITE CHORE: Washing dishes
HOW WOULD YOU SPEND $100: Clothes or Ballet Tickets
HOW WOULD YOU HELP THE WORLD IF YOU COULD: Go on mission trips
WHAT COULD YOU DO FOR GOD AT YOUR AGE RIGHT NOW: Set more time aside for Him
BIGGEST CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW: Going to college full-time as a junior in high school
CURRENT SPORTS: Ballet, MHS Dance Team
FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR LIFE: How our family enjoys time together
BIGGEST FEAR: Parents dying
FAVORITE SHAPE: Diamond
FAVORITE THING ABOUT DADDY: How he makes everyone feel comfortable
FAVORITE THING ABOUT MOMMY: How she puts so much time into us
FUTURE PERFECT DAY: Wake up, walk my Boykin Spaniel, grab a matcha, head to ballet class, end by going out to dinner with my family including my nightly routine
DREAM HOUSE AND WHERE: Brownstone-style home located in a charming city
EMBARRASSING MOMENT: Accidentaly slipping into the splits at the Chipotle check out
ADVICE: Don’t be scared to try something, even if your doing it alone

Kicking it back for the big update. Below you’ll see Nakoda’s accuplacer testing day the summer before her 9th grade year. She passed! She took classes online in addition to her high school work for her 9th and 10th grade year.

This year however, for her junior year of high school we transferred her to a college that offered more opportunities for her towards her future interest, on the other hand, it requires she attend college on-site for the year. Below, she posed with her siblings during the open house.

*Nakoda posing with her siblings outside her college*

In other changes, Nakoda took her temps test in April. While she isn’t super motivated yet to get out there, our increasing schedule demands are putting the pressure on her to get practicing so she can take some of the driving workload to make all these dreams possible for everyone. Living out in the country now, everything requires a good drive.

As you can see, there are a lot of exciting adventures that Nakoda will be getting into this year, including a new dance studio where she will be taking both Advanced Ballet (with goals to get to pointe) as well as Lyrical/Jazz Combo, in addition to dancing an array of styles with the MHS Dance Team at school. She finished off her fourth summer ballet with Halal Worship Arts training and recital.

*Halal Worship Arts – photo credit, Capturing Wonder Co.*

We look forward to watching her grow in all areas.

STUDENT #2: JUDAH MICHAEL, 8TH GRADER + CCPP

Judah homeschooled through 4^th grade. Beginning public school in 5^th grade and joining his sister for her first year of public as well. Judah had the option to continue to homeschool or start with Nakoda, so she didn’t feel alone in beginning. For the love of his sister, he began the journey. Now as an 8^th grader, Judah is beginning his first CCP classes in addition to 9^th grade level classes and honors courses. His English alone will have him taking freshman English this year for the first half of the year and Sophomore English the second half of the year as an 8th grader. Because of this he will already begin his freshman year (next year) starting in 11th grade (junior) English. He is on the right track to follow in his sister’s steps of earning a potential degree along with his high school diploma. We’ll see how this plays out in the coming years.

EDUCATION HISTORY

Kindergarten thru 4th Grade – Attended The Curee Schoolhouse, Home of the Tomcats (homeschool education)
4th Grade – GHS (public school)
5th Grade – 7th GMS (public school) *taking mostly high school freshman/honors classes
8th Grade – GMS (public school & college) *taking mostly freshman/sophomore/honors classes & SSCC CCP (College) Classes

JUDAH INTERVIEWED ON THE SPOT

WHAT HE WANTS TO BE WHEN HE GROWS UP: Actor & Lego Designer
MOST EXCITED FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR: My School Clothes
GOALS: Get A’s in every class
BEST AT: Building legos, being kind to people
FAVORITE FOOD: Chipotle & Chuy’s
FAVORITE FRUIT: Pomegranate
FAVORITE DRINKS: Mango Juice & Lemonade
FAVORITE VEGGIE: Cucumbers
FAVORITE SNACK: Pickles
FAVORITE OUTFIT: Nike Shoes, Camo Pants & Blue Shirt + Backwards Hat
FAVORITE COLOR: Forest Green
FAVORITE PERSON: Jesus
FAVORITE ANIMAL: Chameleon
FAVORITE SEASON: Fall
FAVORITE CAR: Vintage Ford Trucks
FAVORITE MOVIES: Lego Movie, Lego Batman Movies, Spiderverse Movies, Anaconda, Jumanji’s, Lots of Movies
FAVORITE SHOW: Lego Friends
FAVORITE STATE TO VISIT: FL
FAVORITE MUSIC ARTISTS: NF, Forest Frank, Josiah Queen, Connor Price, Not Kylde, Lecrae & KB
FAVORITE THING TO DO: Build Legos
FAVORITE CHORE: Weed-eating
LEAST FAVORITE CHORE: Cleaning my room
HOW WOULD YOU SPEND $100: On a Lego set right now
HOW WOULD YOU HELP THE WORLD IF YOU COULD: Tell them about Jesus
WHAT COULD YOU DO FOR GOD AT YOUR AGE RIGHT NOW: Tell people about Him and help people
BIGGEST CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW: Naomi going to public school
CURRENT SPORTS: Yard work & hip-hop
FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR LIFE: Family and friends
BIGGEST FEAR: Opening a lego set and it missing a piece
FAVORITE SHAPE: Lego brick
FAVORITE THING ABOUT DADDY: His money…jk…how he teaches me how to do things
FAVORITE THING ABOUT MOMMY: How she’s funny, sweet and playful
FUTURE PERFECT DAY: Waking up for my birthday, getting Panera breakfast + smoothie, next Lego Store, hit up Chipotle, Starbucks on the way to build Legos at home, back out for Chuy’s for dinner, followed by Graters ice-cream, and a show to end the day.
DREAM HOUSE AND WHERE: Modern with pops of color and detailed architecture on a wooden lake area
EMBARRASSING MOMENT: Tripping on stage in front of my whole grade, staff and parents to get awarded the highest honor of the Tiger Pride Award
ADVICE: Never put lipstick on a pig

At the end of his 7th grade year, Judah took the accuplacer test to see if it was even possible for him to begin CCP this young. Per usual, he passed for the math side and only missed a few points for the other. We were so very proud of him.

After meeting with admissions and signing up for his first two classes. Things were starting to get real. His face said it all. We’re all rooting for you buddy!

*The realization that Judah is a real college boy now*

Judah day 2, making his usual photo face and then jokingly posing as his sister just had.

Judah has a lot to adjust to this year with starting CCP for the first time. It’s a big challenge and a little overwhelming at first for him to learn. CCP will challenge his time, his organization and stretch him in ways maybe he didn’t know he could do. Between that and continuing on with his second year of hip-hop at a new studio, he has a lot to work towards. In the meantime, and as we get our new-old home in more order, he is hoping to get back at practicing the drums and us getting his new bedroom built. Among these things he will be busy with helping around the yard, weed-eating, chores and building legos.

Continue pushing forward our boy!

STUDENT #3: NAOMI EZRA, 6TH GRADER

Naomi Ezra, homeschooling up till this point and completing her 5^th grade year at The Curee Schoolhouse. My sweet wildflower and fire ball. As her 6^th grade year approached, she made the decision that she was ready to set off into public education. Joining basketball a few years ago made her desire to get the oppoutunity to learn along with her teammates. While I had planned to educate her longer, I felt she was eager to try even when I was not. This was/is a BIG change for us. The letting go of Naomi, my third child, has made me face that hard reality I mentioned earlier, that the closing of a season is coming. With many tears over the last year, and even bursting into tears at Target while getting her school supplies to start, I finally have accepted letting her fly. I am stepping back and watching her flourish and trusting God in the process.

Asking only for her protection and that the Lord help my heart through this transition as I move back to only one student left in The Curee Schoolhouse.

EDUCATION HISTORY

Kindergarten thru 5th Grade – Attended The Curee Schoolhouse, Home of the Tomcats (homeschool education)
5th Grade – GMS (public school)

With all the feels she tackled her first day like a champ.

NAOMI INTERVIEWED ON THE SPOT

WHAT SHE WANTS TO BE WHEN SHE GROWS UP: Professional WNBA Basketball Player, Lifeguard & Mom
MOST EXCITED FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR: Basketball Season
GOALS: To become a better shooter in basketball
BEST AT: Helping & serving
FAVORITE FOOD: Mexican
FAVORITE FRUIT: Pomegranates
FAVORITE DRINK: Raspberry Lemonade
FAVORITE VEGGIE: Brussel Sprouts
FAVORITE SNACK: Milk Chocolate Quinoa Crisps
FAVORITE OUTFIT: Jersey & Jeans
FAVORITE COLOR: Lavender Purple
FAVORITE PERSON: Mammy
FAVORITE ANIMAL: Australian Shepherd
FAVORITE SEASON: Summer
FAVORITE CAR: G-Class SUV
FAVORITE MOVIE: Like Mike & Spiderman Into the Spiderverse
FAVORITE SHOW: Lego Friends
FAVORITE STATE TO VISIT: FL
FAVORITE MUSIC ARTISTS: KB & Queen Lee
FAVORITE THING TO DO: Legos & Basketball
FAVORITE CHORE: Cleaning the kitchen
LEAST FAVORITE CHORE: Washing Dishes
HOW WOULD YOU SPEND $100: Jaloni Cambridge Jersey
HOW WOULD YOU HELP THE WORLD IF YOU COULD: Tell them about Jesus & build them houses
WHAT COULD YOU DO FOR GOD AT YOUR AGE RIGHT NOW: Give homeless people homes
BIGGEST CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW: Attending public school for the first time
CURRENT SPORTS: Basketball, volleyball, hip-hop and summer ballet
FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR LIFE: Having a home, toys, family and legos
BIGGEST FEAR: Bad Storms
FAVORITE SHAPE: Hectagon
FAVORITE THING ABOUT DADDY: Everything
FAVORITE THING ABOUT MOMMY: Everything
FUTURE PERFECT DAY: Jogged to Starbucks with my Australian Shepherd by the palm trees in Florida, head to my lifeguard job at the beach, save a couple people, drive around on golf-carts, lunch break at Surf Hut, followed by picking up my kids from school, basketball training for the whole crew, followed by hitting up home and homemade dinner for myself, my kiddos, and my husband, ending with a movie and snuggles.
DREAM HOUSE AND WHERE: Beach house property, a pink and white stripped house, beautiful gardens and tropical plants + an in-ground pool, basketball court, tennis court and smoothie shack for extra income
EMBARRASSING MOMENT: At the Olive Garden restaurant I knocked on the bathroom door and no one answered, so I opened the door and someone was in there going to the bathroom….
ADVICE: Don’t be mean.

Bravely she did it. Happily she got to pose for a picture with most of her basketball team on the first day of school.

*Day 1, volleyball practice after school & her chosen spot to tell us everything from her big first day*

Below are her second day of school photos. Feeling cute, feeling confident. Feeling like she was living a new adventure.

To the above right, again, her strange chosen place to tell us about her day fully. In the end, she is loving it so far.

Between trying volleyball for the first time, shooting to make the basketball team again this year, continuing her hip-hop path at a new studio, Naomi has a lot she’s into this year. She as well finished up her fourth summer ballet with Halal Worship Arts training and recital.

Keep flying baby girl!

STUDENT #4: HARVEST DAWN, FOURTH GRADE

The littlest of the pack will still fully be attending The Curee Schoolhouse homeschool route. Just me and this kid. Our days will look a little different without her sidekick Naomi, so it will be an adjustment for all. Due to Nakoda’s college schedule on campus, Harvest and I will pack up our schooling and plan to knock it out during Nakoda’s college classes. We’ll be spending our day at different libraries and getting our education a little mobile this year. Visiting parks, or shops, or wherever our curiosity takes us. It’s a whole lot easier to school one child, so, I would imagine, things will move along rather smoothly this year. Because Harvest is our 4th child, and the youngest, she has picked things up rather quickly. She truly makes schooling easy for me, so I don’t imagine we’ll have too hard of a time.

EDUCATION HISTORY

Kindergarten thru current – Attending The Curee Schoolhouse, Home of the Tomcats (homeschool education)

Our soft launch, as I like to call it for starting school back in homeschool begins with just minor things. So far, we’re just starting keyboarding lessons and some reading. We’ve also just checked out a new to us historical library where, like I said, we plan to knock out most of our schooling while Nakoda attends her college classes nearby. We’ve got big goals to get it all as much complete as possible while Nakoda is at college. This will give us some dedicated focus time for schoolwork and give her more time with her siblings for creative play time when they get off of school.

Day 1 here, and we are already loving the new space! Below we captured our first visit with this beautiful window seat in the children’s section. I’m already inspired just being in this stunning building and the historical buildings surrounding us. It’s just plain dreamy. Design inspiration goals for a lifetime. Harvest and I will fully begin her 4th grade year after Labor Day week.

HARVEST INTERVIEWED ON THE SPOT

WHAT SHE WANTS TO BE WHEN SHE GROWS UP: Singer & Mom
MOST EXCITED FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR: Our science curriculum, excited to learn about geology and marine biology
GOALS: No fast food in January
BEST AT: Singing & dancing
FAVORITE FOOD: Tomatoes
FAVORITE FRUIT: Tomatoes
FAVORITE DRINK: Dr. Pepper
FAVORITE VEGGIE: Cucumber
FAVORITE SNACK: Cucumbers & ranch
FAVORITE OUTFIT: White skort & pink bow shirt
FAVORITE COLOR: Baby Pink
FAVORITE PERSON: Jesus
FAVORITE ANIMAL: Kitten
FAVORITE SEASON: Spring
FAVORITE CAR: Pink Jeep
FAVORITE MOVIE: Tangled
FAVORITE SHOW: Octonauts
FAVORITE STATE TO VISIT: FL
FAVORITE MUSIC ARTISTS: Barbie Meets Christ by Queen Lee, I’m a Christian Girl by Jesus Vive Band, Holy Girls Werk by Anike, Violet bye Conner Price & Killa
FAVORITE THING TO DO: Playing on the Nintendo
FAVORITE CHORE: Don’t like any
LEAST FAVORITE CHORE: Dishwasher
HOW WOULD YOU SPEND $100: Give it to the poor
HOW WOULD YOU HELP THE WORLD IF YOU COULD: Help people that don’t have any food and give them some food
WHAT COULD YOU DO FOR GOD AT YOUR AGE RIGHT NOW: Worship Him, Praise Him, Help people that feel bad and sick and stuff
BIGGEST CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW: Naomi not homeschooling with me (sad face)
CURRENT SPORTS: Cheer, hip-hop and summer ballet
FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR LIFE: Family, Jesus
BIGGEST FEAR: Spiders
FAVORITE SHAPE: Diamond
FAVORITE THING ABOUT DADDY: Him. He is nice. I like Him.
FAVORITE THING ABOUT MOMMY: Just her. I just like her. She’s sweet.
FUTURE PERFECT DAY: Wake up, drive to Starbucks with my Cockier Spaniel and take her for a walk, return home, homeschool my children, make them a fun lunch (salad and stuff), having a break in the pool and play in the backyard, followed by more school and cook dinner with my husband (spaghetti and meatballs or steak and mash potatoes), we all eat dinner and snuggle and watch a show, followed by me singing them a song and tuck them in to bed.
DREAM HOUSE AND WHERE: Dream house is located in Florida, modern but historical colors with a garden, a pool and a hot tub.
EMBARRASSING MOMENT: Slip and sliding with friends and my swimsuit bottoms came down.
ADVICE: Just Jesus. Know about Him and like Him.

Harvest finished up her fourth summer ballet with Halal Worship Arts training and recital too and is also continuing her hip-hop path at a new studio.

*Sisters pose at Halal Worship Arts – photo credit, Capturing Wonder Co.*

In other exciting news, Harvest finally is getting to live out her dream of cheerleading for the first time. Following in her momma’s steps, she’s seeming like a natural. While they are still awaiting all the uniforms to come in, here is a shot from her first game.

Now, a shot with some of her biggest cheerleaders, her siblings.

Harvest, girl, you got this! Keep dreaming baby.

AND SO IT ALL BEGINS

Open house night pics for our public school goers be like….excitement, nerves, all the things.

First day of school arrived quicker than we all wanted. Tom and I both were sad, we truly enjoy our children and would rather keep them with us at all times. They are a joy to us, nevertheless, we are beginning to let them go and send them out. They have a work to do just as much as we do. When the first day of school came, I had already pretty much cried out my tears and accepted it. Harvest however, had to accept the new quietness surrounding us with only her left to be homeschooled. The tears were flowing. We made the best of it however, and set our minds to making a hilarious video doing whatever we wanted and getting into all her siblings things as a joke, while they were gone. So once we listened to all their stories of their first day adventures, we got to share what mommy and her had been up to all day. It was perfect!

*First day of school for the public schoolers, Harvest holds on tight*

So, whether our children are in our home educating or out in the mission fields, The Curee Schoolhouse, our homeschool, will always be open to and for them. Their home, their parents, will always be open for them and all their needs. Watching, waiting, praying and cheering them on, hoping they always allow God to lead their way, that beautiful narrow way. We’ll be interceding from the sidelines and cheering them on to dream big, to do what they love and allow God to use any of it for His glory.

Life is happening much quicker than one can imagine. When they are small it seems forever. Then you blink and there are mini adults in your house. I’m holding tight to the now, making the best of this life God has blessed us with. Seizing the day and the moments while we have them. The pressing of time, just keeps pressing.

Hug your babies. Pour into them. Set the foundation right on the Word of Truth. Pray always. Interceded for your children and all children. For schools around the world. For parents. For all the educators. We only get one life to make an impact. Let’s make it the best we can.

I pray whatever schooling you have chosen for your family this year, is a peaceful one. That your children grow in ways that honor the Lord (+ us parents), and that as parents, we would continue to seek God for all wisdom and guidance on raising our children to seek after Him and that they desire (as well as us) to do all things as unto the Lord, to use any of our skills, our jobs, our lives to honor God and point others to Him. To be full of kindness, mercy and grace. In Jesus name, Amen.

Happy schooling my friends. Let’s make it an impactful one.

Written by Bethany Curee, God’s Daughter – Freckled & Free