Posts in Homeschool
autumn reading

In the morning you will find me sitting below an east facing window, sun streaming in, with several boys vying for a spot on my lap. Reading time is really one of the highlights of our days and is what I do first to gather the boys and help them begin our day. Gathering (at times) rambunctious boys is no joke! In order for me to do it effectively, I have found that bringing over a large stack of carefully-chosen books the best approach. Reading helps grumpy mornings turn happy. Reading helps complaining turn into smiles. Reading makes everything better!

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to mold living clay

When we nurture strong relationships with our children, in a very real way, they become moldable clay in our hands. This is not to say that they don’t have their own unique personalities, characteristics, and talents—but when we put in the time and energy to build relationships, they feel that Christlike love and energy from us as parents. And when that Christlike love is present, our children have soft, open hearts towards us and what we do.

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mount up with wings as eagles

Mount up with wings as eagles.  I love that phrase and imagery taken from Isaiah chapter 40.  I want to “mount up with wings as eagles” figuratively in how I live life!  Here are some of my thoughts on this topic.

Lately I have been thinking about seasons and energy and rest and goals and revelation.  Maybe it’s because in my heart I want to do so much!  But this season has been an exhausting one for me —wonderful, wonderful blessings, but none-the-less exhausting!  It has been an intensive season of work. I think most any mother can relate.

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ready or not, it’s a new (home)school year!

Today and tonight I finished some last-minute homeschool preparations. I penciled in our schedule and wrote out some things I’m hoping we can accomplish this year. I penciled in practice schedules and games. I tried to visualize how to fit it all in. Tonight my husband gave us beautiful back-to-school blessings. My boys each received one, and I received one too (maybe because I need it more than my boys)?! Truly, though, homeschooling requires heavenly help. It’s a big undertaking. 

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gardening for the soul

Today was one of those stay-at-home all day beautiful kind of days.  We continued our homeschool astronomy study (this unit has been so much fun with my boys), and we just enjoyed being together.  Some days I'm craving to get out of the house--but today, it just felt nice to stay home and do our school and take the time we need to do the things we want and need to do.  We are currently staying at my mother and father-in-law's winter home since we sold our house a few weeks ago and are trying to figure out where we are going to move next!  We are down in the desert in the community I grew up in.  It's been really nice to be here.  A beautiful desert rainstorm rolled in during the early afternoon, and we enjoyed every blessed moment of it!  The air here is so fresh, and after a rainstorm, there is a wonderful sagey scent in the air.  I think it's one of the freshest scents in the world! 

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a good day

I feel like we've been taking every possible opportunity lately to enjoy ourselves and set aside work to go have fun!  I think we are weary from the whirlwind of the last ten months in our last house.  I never like to dwell on negative stuff or any of that--but it was a difficult time for us (my guess is that at sometime most people experience difficult times)? Anyway, to be down south in the sunshine, and to have the opportunity to soak up some nature and beauty, and to have the privilege of being near family is an incredible blessing! We recognize that, and we are taking advantage of it!

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