I’ve been in denial about winter holidays. I’m still reeling from skipping a whole season. It was fall when I left Texas. It’s winter here. Seriously. With cold and snow and everything. I even bought an ice scraper. I’d completely forgotten about such a necessity.
When I mentioned how much I like old farmhouses, my husband said, “Oh, that’s what we have!” He’s funny. Our new house doesn’t have the charm I referred to.
The jerry-built shed is nothing like an old barn. Very few items date back to [...]
I chose one thing. One birthday tradition we all enjoy. Today it pulls me from bed before the sun. Usually I create at night after the children plod to their beds, but last night I fell asleep in the arms of my husband. He came home just in time. His [...]
The conversation began with a different question. Usually, it’s something related to science or the meaning of a word. This night the churning in a young man’s soul surprised me:
Mom, do you feel divorced?
For sixteen years I have never [...]
Sunshine tugged me through exhibits at the Kimbell Art Museum until she was arrested. Mesmerized by the largest painting she’s ever seen.
The oil paint glowed only to reflect the delight in her eyes.
I don’t want to think and process right now. There are too many unknowns. Papers on the table carry the weight of hope, but a mere cough can blow them away. Dare I breathe? Dare I plan?
Determination wanes during the arduous separation. Twice I pleaded with [...]
I wrote this post for Our Lifestyle of Learning’s newsletter. If you haven’t already created an account on this network, check it out. There are lots of giveaways this month and encouraging words always.
Boxes of books tower in my garage. Lesson planning resources are tucked away to wait for [...]
My husband thought we only had one small, pantry type closet full of art and craft supplies. I had him fooled. There were stashes in the garage, in my closet, and even in the bottom drawer of his dresser.
I try to toss some of it, but possibilities grab my thoughts [...]
I have my very own tech support person. There’s only one problem lately. He’s miles away and instead of fixing my computer on his time off, he’s chasing cows and eating potatoes. (Yes, he’s definitely in Idaho.)
Tomorrow morning Dylan starts a new job. I thought our separation would be a month long. The month is over. I wrote pleading with him to come home and help. And then the answer came.
I’m relieved. I’m tired.
When Dylan left [...]
My stomach gnaws on worry. My mind races trying to beat the fears down with truth. I know we aren’t supposed to be anxious. I shared Proverbs 16:9 with a friend just last night:
A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.
So why does it seem harder [...]
The winners of the Heart of the Matter Home Education Conference are, you guessed it, Rebecca and Beckie!
Thank you to everyone who entered. I enjoyed reading about your plans. Maybe it will inspire me to work on ours. Right now we are working diligently to get our [...]
Did you get the opportunity to check out the upcoming Heart of the Matter’s 2009 Homeschool Conference? This year looks even better than last year!
I look forward to hearing my friend, Dana Hanley, discuss how to develop an educational philosophy. A [...]
I used to wonder if I would blog while going through a major life change. The answer is not what I intended, but now I know.
So while I try to get this fixed:
Dylan fixed the faucet; I made [...]
When we left on our trip, someone asked me if we were coming back. I grinned, “Of course, our books are here.”
We returned to Texas after our three week trip exhausted and road weary from trying to accomplish a bit too much.
The first day [...]
Shelves and tables entice me to browse. I hunt for the RightStart Mathematics booth. The speaker’s enthusiasm and knowledge remind me why I chose the program. She recommends Geometry and then Algebra after Level E. Really? I’ll be teaching Algebra in another [...]
This is the third of a three part series to answer why, how, and what in regards to Principle Approach education.
We often start our search for education looking for curriculum. What will we teach? What do our children need to know? The mounds of resources quickly become overwhelming. That is why I started this [...]
Three weeks living out of a minivan traveling the western half of America sounded fun when we started. Our trip was good in so many ways, but we are still a bit numb from the whir of the tires carrying us mile after mile all the way from East Texas [...]
This is the second of a three part series to answer why, how, and what in regards to Principle Approach education.
As I mentioned in the previous article, Principle Approach is a Philosophy, my purpose for education is to give my children life and hope. I want their character to be formed, so they are prepared [...]
This is the first of a three part series to answer why, how, and what in regards to Principle Approach education.
What do you think of when you hear the word philosophy? I used to picture Plato and professors, Rodin’s sculpture of The Thinker and monks living tucked away in the [...]
I’m getting five people ready to drive thousands of miles. I’ve got lots of stuff to do. I imagine you do too, but, since you are here, I hope you found a moment to relax. Here are a few good things you might want to add to your list:
Brenda Sain asked me to write for a site she was launching about homeschool philosophies and curricula. I’ve been trying to cut back on my commitments online, but she said the right words: Principle Approach.
I said, “Yes,” and offered to help get the site set up on WordPress. [...]
Saturday night my motivation vanished. A few hours later it reappeared. I discovered it giving a pep talk to my white blood cells. I decided to go to bed and see who won the fight in the morning. When light streamed into my room and birds welcomed the day, it [...]
I know it looks almost exactly the same on the outside, but Life Nurturing Education has moved. Months ago I helped some friends set up a blog, then another friend, and another…all the while planning for this place to join them.
My eleven-year-old son and I think about the minutes and hours that swing into days, months, and years. Adding time on paper. Whispered groans from him followed by sinking sighs from me. The protest continues. This lesson is for both of us.
I left a bit later than planned. Before I rushed out the door, I dropped Amanda, Mandigirl Muses, an email asking her to send her phone number. Her reply saved me.
I arrived in Arlington right on time. Then Google maps failed me. The prescribed exit was closed. Construction zones [...]
Today I’m attending the Home School Book Fair in Arlington, Texas, because there is something I like more than drooling over books and curriculum.
I don’t need a single thing. In fact, as hard as [...]
When I came home with a $50 white dress adorned with a pin of buttons and lace, my mother questioned but didn’t press. The dress paraded to church and a banquet then hung in the closet collecting dust for years, a reminder of ten hours work poured out for a [...]
Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; by I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how [...]
It must be the end of the school year. Homeschool conventions lure. Advertisements for curriculum pile up on my desk. I flip colorful magazine pages reading descriptions. The sentences are full of promise. Amazing results: master difficult subjects easily, learn [...]
I’m pleased to introduce this post by Colleen at Homeschooling Coach.
Learning math facts can be boring and tedious. Here are a few ways that you can make learning them more interesting in your home school. Trying these ideas might motivate your children to memorize those facts instead of counting!
[...]So how do you get kids interested in Shakespeare? Five Penny Nicole shares her experience with us.
Some of my very first dates with my husband were spent listening to him read aloud. He read me short stories by George MacDonald that brought him to tears, a passage about mice [...]
I’m pleased to introduce stargardener, a friend who encourages me with her thoughtfulness. I trust you will enjoy her post as much as I do. I need to hear this perspective often…
It has been said that life events occur in threes. Apparently that is the case for me [...]
This is a guest post from Connie Smith of Six in the Northwest.
As a home educator I try to attempt one type of creative activity each day, especially for my 7yo who is still exploring the world. At this age they can still be quite occupied with the process [...]
Today’s post is from Maddie Kertay. This preview of her upcoming book The Crafty Homeschooler (available Fall 2009) adds another dimension to my enjoyment of colored pencils. Visit her blog, Homeschool Confidential, for tips to enhance your homeschool.
While nice beeswax crayons are great for the 5 and under [...]
This post is by Kris from Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers.
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. (Proverbs 22:6)
This proverb isn’t new to any of us who are Christian and it certainly isn’t new to Christian homeschooling moms. [...]
Love overcame death! My mind reels at the idea. I cannot recover. The invisible, internal churning grasps for the truth of the unseen. If angel wings brush the heavens, do they create light on this floating globe?
Astonished women caught a glimpse at a tomb centuries ago. Expecting death and decay, [...]
She stands tall lifting her red plastic cup high overhead. Little eyes sparkle and she tries to follow the words,
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe…
She sips the juice and plops down on her pillow. Table spread before her. Children all around gathered for a normal [...]
Ever since my son could babble we’ve ended the day with a story. The tradition started with a a picture book based on Psalms, a gift from a friend. Every poem memorized. Cover worn and pages battered.
Now my son’s stories are biographies, mysteries, or historical [...]
After reviewing Kelli Crowe’s video about scrapbooking children’s art, I started thinking of other ways to store memories. Any system I choose needs to be fast, simple, and concise.
Here are a few ideas my brain churned out.
1. Scan your children’s [...]While dusting, scrubbing, polishing, I listen, ponder, pray. The vacuum hums and my voice rises. I cannot hear myself yell as the same song blares over and over.
This could be all about just letting go
This could be all about just holding on
Anne-Marie agreed with me about getting rid of stuff, but wonders what to do with her children’s artwork. I’ve wondered the same thing for awhile. And in typical perfectionist fashion, I’ve done more pondering than doing.
My children’s artwork is stashed in the desk drawer, file box, or craft [...]
One computer failed to revive even after the skillful hands of my husband tried to resuscitate it. Another wants to read and type, so I wait.
A week goes by and this place is silent. Words begin to trip over themselves trying to escape. Perhaps it’s good to let them crash [...]
My eyes scan the entrance. April of Question the Culture planned to meet us if her little ones were well. After thirty minutes I stop glancing around. Disappointed she didn’t appear and sorry for the reason, my children and I continue to make our way through the science experiments.
Children [...]
Often while I teach my son, my two little girls simply play. During break I wandered back to their room. The room we cleaned the night before. Every toy put in its place, floor swept, sheets changed.
An open door revealed twenty minutes of freedom.
What happened to your room?!Welcome to the Carnival of Homeschooling! This edition of the carnival is dedicated to one of my favorite things: school supplies.
Narrowing down my top ten favorites required some thought. What does my family use frequently? What do I wish I purchased earlier? What would I miss the most? Items we [...]
What was I thinking?! Oh, I wasn’t. I blame it on not looking at the calendar.
I’m thrilled to host the next issue of the Carnival of Homeschooling. I’m excited to participate in another Twitter Homeschool Chat. But they are back to back. That’s a lot of hours in front of [...]
Growing up I read book after book. (Yes, I’ve always been a nerd, just ask my brother.) However, very few of the volumes I read are remembered or revisited.
At the library I checked out whatever looked interesting: Nancy Drew mysteries, Grace Livingston Hill romance [...]
Focused reflections began this week. Simple acts are bringing meaning to conversations. A few questions reveal my youngest doesn’t understand Easter. She knows of Jesus’ birth, but gathering colorful eggs overshadows the resurrection.
I wonder what clouds life [...]
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