raising rileys

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!

Homeschool, MotherhoodElizabeth RileyMay 1, 2018homeschoolComment

happy birthday, jeremiah!

It is the time of the year for birthdays in our family, and I'm already behind! We celebrated Jeremiah's birthday over the weekend. Just so grateful for this guy. I couldn't help but think back to our first date. I had been on a vacation a couple of hours north at Bear Lake when he called. I was so excited to go out with him that I came back early! He showed up to my house in a purple t-shirt and we joke that he had a purple face! Seriously, though, he had been at the pool all day and had a major sunburn! Pretty funny. In our move we came across that purple shirt all folded up in the closet, and I insisted we keep it. It's part of our history.

Life I LoveElizabeth RileyApril 30, 2018Comment

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!

Homeschool, MotherhoodElizabeth RileyApril 27, 2018SnowCanyon, HomeschoolComment

happy birthday, abe!

I have so much to catch up on and articulate here! About six weeks ago we sold our home and still have not found that new right spot to call home, so we are in a bit of transition! I wanted to share a bit from Abraham's birthday, though. He is such a gift to our family.

MotherhoodElizabeth RileyApril 26, 2018Comment

blessed

I am catching up a bit! At the first of December we gathered all the family we could into our home for a special baby blessing for our precious Elijah! It was wonderful. My two brothers and all of their families who were able to attend came. How grateful I am for my siblings! Jeremiah's parents were there. We missed those who weren't able to attend, but were grateful for those who were there.

Life I Love, MotherhoodElizabeth RileyFebruary 4, 2018Comment

education is a matter of the heart

It's just so much more. So much comes down to the feeling in our home and how we interact. If I'm feeling stressed or irritable, then school time is pretty hard and kind of miserable. But when I take the time to remember what an honor it is to be with these precious people and we work together on things, I truly cannot imagine a sweeter feeling in the world! In a very real way, I see my boys' hearts open. And when their hearts are open, their minds are like sponges, and they just soak everything up with such happiness and delight! Then learning is such a truly joyful process. The day flows naturally, and we move naturally from one lesson to another and one task to another. And our home is a heaven on earth. It's a beautiful experience.