I’ve been at this homeschool gig for a while now…(wrapping up my 15th year—unbelievable)! And in many ways it feels like I’ve got it down. I’ve grown into a pretty relaxed, eclectic homeschool mom. But sometimes when you’ve been doing something for awhile—you just don’t appreciate how much you still need encouragement. How the weariness…
What Grade Level is My Child In?
I always try to prepare my children for social situations–just doing our part to break the awkward turtle homeschool stereotypes! (“Okay, Little Loves…We are about to enter the library–let’s not run and yell and tear every book off the shelves! That would be awesome!“). I guarantee my 4-year-old twins will be asked, “How old are…
Beach Getaway: JW Marriott Marco Island Review
I love Florida. Maybe it’s because the first time I ever laid eyes on the ocean (and became completely enamored) was on Florida’s sunny coast. The ocean is my happy place. But for whatever reason, my life is firmly planted in the Midwest (about as land-locked as a girl can get). So–I dream of vacation…And…
5 Tips for Tackling the Laundry
Oh, the laundry! There is literally no end in sight. For years, I lived in denial of this fact. I thought I could somehow get it all done. Visions of empty laundry baskets and spotless closet floors danced in my head…Until I accepted the truth. Laundry is a constant work-in-progress. And that is okay–it’s just part…
Teach Reading At Home With Ready for Reading!
Teaching my kids to read has been one of the most rewarding experiences of homeschooling (and my life)! There’s just nothing like hearing your sweet babies read their first words and watching them grow as readers! When I decided to homeschool 15 years ago, the very first thing I purchased was a phonics curriculum! My…
5 Reasons Homeschool Moms Need Teacher Workdays
Years ago I taught 2nd grade in a public school. And while I loved teaching my students–I sure did love my teacher work days! These are days carved out on the calendar for teachers to get work done–without students! Sometimes they’re called Professional Days or Inservice Days–but regardless of what you call these special work days…Homeschool…
Does God Hear Me?
Recently, I had the most interesting conversation…A new friend, curious about raising teenagers, asked, “How exactly does one survive that? All the worries about drinking, drugs, sex, friends–you name it…” And I laughed (while pointing to my glass of wine)–but then dead serious, I explained that prayer is everything when raising teens. That is how you…
5 Reasons You Need a Romantic Getaway
Here’s the scoop–if you’re married with kids, you need a couple’s getaway! I know this is entirely easier said than done when you have little people–and the littler they are, the harder it is to leave! But you need this! So get ready to call grandma and pack your bags–I’ve got 5 reasons you need a…
3 Amazing Apps for Preschoolers That You Won’t Feel Guilty About
Often I get asked how I keep my littles (4 year old twins) busy while I’m homeschooling my daughter in high school and first grade son. (Honestly, it sounds harder than it actually is…twins have a way of entertaining each other!) But even if you’re not a homeschool mom, I’m guessing sometimes you could use…
3 Simple Christmas Traditions
The Holidays. Why is it that those two words can stir two completely opposite emotions: Joy and Stress? Oh how I want to grab all the joy and leave all the stress behind. As kids–the holidays were all joy. It was cousins and cookies and toy catalogs and Christmas carols. As adults–I think…
The Wise Men Journey — A New Advent Tradition
Hi Sweet Friends! You know when God puts someone on your path and they just ooze Jesus–and you are flat out humbled and amazed by the whole thing to your core? Well that is exactly what happened to me when I met Lynette Meintjes while waiting around for my kids at dance class! She is amazing…
21 Kitchen Essentials — Classics for Every Home Cook
When I got married at age 20, I had zero clues about cooking. It was bad. I was burning frozen pizza and putting entire pot roasts down the garbage disposal (which to my horror, came back up through the drain in our laundry room)! Thankfully, I’ve come a long way the last 21 years! And…
Homeschool Sick Days
Well, Sweet Friends—cold and flu season is having a party over at my house. I’m currently drowning in a sea of Kleenex…Besides me, five of my six kids have also succumbed to this yuck. And if a houseful of sick people doesn’t derail homeschool plans, I just don’t know what does. It’s easy to get…
Aren’t You Too Old to be Trick-or-Treating?
I have three teenagers. They all loved trick-or-treating with friends well into their teenage years–and I happily let them! Initially, I questioned my judgement…Aren’t you too old to be trick-or-treating? But I quickly realized, there are MUCH BIGGER FISH to fry with teenagers…this is not a battle worth fighting. In fact, now I celebrate their…
FlyLady Routines — Bless Your Home and Family!
Here’s the truth. I’m a very messy person at heart. I was the kid in elementary school who stuffed bent folders, stubby pencils, broken crayons, and crumpled notes into her desk. Oh how I envied my friends who kept their desks meticulous–shiny folders all in a row, neat pencil boxes (actually filled with pencils and…