raising rileys

Christmas 2016: a time of gratitude

It has been a glorious Christmas season for our family! Not because we did everything I hoped we'd do, but because I have felt a heart full of gratitude. Perhaps it didn't start that way. We were considering buying a different home for our family. But none of the homes at that time were coming together very well for one reason or another--we were too slow on our offer or we ended up not feeling right about it or had trouble communicating with the seller. Long story short, I began the season feeling very frustrated! Frustrated because I felt like we were trying to do the right thing, and it just wasn't coming together quite right. Have you ever felt like that?

Life I LoveElizabeth RileyDecember 30, 2016prayer, Blessings, faith, Fasting, Gratitude Comment

a day at the museum and some thoughts on trust

The more comfortable I grow into my role as a homeschool mom, the richer the experience is for our family. I think it's because the I am learning to trust myself! Maybe that sounds strange, but learning to trust yourself is a huge component in successful homeschooling, When you learn to trust yourself as your child's educator, you are less concerned with measuring what you're doing against what you think someone or something else expects of you (isn't that a silly way to live anyway?). And you are more in tune--more intuitive in helping your children progress and reach his or her potential at any given time. Learning to trust yourself can't help but extend also to the child. I believe that children can feel it when we trust them--by that I mean that they can feel that we have confidence in them. We are "in tune" with where they are--and respectful of their individuality and recognize the greatness within them. And that helps them develop the confidence to soar. Pretty amazing stuff!

Motherhood, HomeschoolElizabeth RileyDecember 20, 2016Homeschool, Homeschooling, Homeschoolmama, Field trip Comments

purposeful season & light the world!

My goodness, I'm not sure where the year has gone, but somehow it has, and we are now on December first already! I love Christmas time so very much. I love to focus on the Savior and on the real stuff. The magic of the season is so fun too--especially with little ones in the house. I want to make sure they bask in the wonder of the beautiful lights and gorgeous ornaments, but mostly I hope that they will feel the joy that comes from knowing who Jesus Christ is and why we celebrate this special time of year.

Life I LoveElizabeth RileyDecember 1, 2016family service, Christmas, children and Christmas, purposeful livingComment

where your treasure is

Oh, my. I should have posted this about a week ago, but life and everything, and well, I'm just getting around to it! I want to document that autumn when Abe was two and Matthew was five, because these sure are precious days. And the mustaches. How could I not document those?! The mustache thing started last year when Matthew wore the same costume as this year. We looked at him all decked out and realized a mustache was missing.

Life I Love, MotherhoodElizabeth RileyNovember 10, 2016Motherhood, Halloween, Family Comment

autumn art projects

I love this time of year. The change of season is always refreshing to me. And the autumn colors against the brilliant blue sky is breathtaking to me. One of my favorite things is to find ways to bring nature indoors as well as create with my kids. I think it's important for them to create, but I also find it's an essential outlet for me personally! Here are a few projects we have enjoyed doing.

school lately

Homeschool is such a full experience. I attempted to express my feelings about it the other day to my husband as we drove. It's as though my love for my children has deepened and expanded through this experience. That's interesting because I didn't think that love could increase because it was so great--but it has.