raising rileys

on humility & time management

It’s Monday, and the school year is fast approaching. I am excited for it! Last school year when Matthew was four, I viewed it as my ‘preparation year’ for homeschooling. The year I’d take to develop the self-discipline to homeschool and to figure out how to weave it into our family’s busy life and to try out some different teaching techniques. It was a wonderful year and agreat learning experience for me. I feel so drawn to homeschool for our children, for our family—but along with many other moms, I’ve asked myself, “but how?? How can I find the time in my already busy life to do this?” Here are a couple of things that are helping me. I hope that maybe they are helpful you too.

welcome 34

Each year on my birthday I like to carve out a little time and space to write a bit and to review the past year as a way to celebrate the beauty of life and think over things I’ve learned and to ponder over my blessings as well as things I want to work on becoming better at being and doing.

Life I LoveElizabeth RileyJune 14, 2016 Comment

sunny in any light

Sunny in any light. The title of a sunflower-filled watercolor painting in my mother and father-in-law's home and the inspiration for a beautiful bouquet filled with sunflowers and lilacs they sent to Jeremiah and me on Monday. I love the title "sunny in any light" and I love the imagery it brings to my mind. Even when difficult trials surround us, we can carry God's light within us to help us through.

MotherhoodElizabeth RileyMay 15, 2016family, marriage, motherhood, miscarriage, faith, hope, Jesus Christ, peaceComment

mothers, listen with your heart

The other morning Matthew rushed into me with a sweet smile and twinkling eyes. I was working on something at the kitchen table. "I have a secret for you," he said. "But you'll have to listen with your heart." I stopped what I was doing and turned sideways in the chair to face him. He'd never said that before, and the profoundness of the last part struck me. "Okay, I'd love to hear your secret."

MotherhoodElizabeth RileyMarch 29, 2016homeschool, family, faith, listenwithyourheart Comments

a capitol field trip

I am a believer in hands-on and experiential learning. And I'm also a believer in exposing young children to big ideas. A couple of weeks back my husband took Matthew to the Utah State Capitol to see the legislative session.

HomeschoolElizabeth RileyMarch 23, 2016Comment

eating whole: breakfast time

I like our family to eat as many whole and unrefined foods as possible. I believe the more whole foods children eat when they are young, their palates will develop to appreciate whole foods and they'll have less of a craving or taste for more refined foods (which I believe leads to healthier habits). With that said, we still do occasionally eat some sugary cold cereals and some other refined things, but I try to keep it to a minimum. We try to have them as treats rather than meals.

Nourish & CreateElizabeth RileyMarch 12, 2016family, homeschool, cooking with children, eating wholeComment