This is the best philosophy of home education I've ever read. poem link Continue reading

Someday I’ll have a neat and tidy house, but then I won’t have dinosaurs roaming about. Continue reading

I've heard it dozens of times at weddings and in sermons. My dad made me memorize it, and I've taught it to my children. Today, I sat in church and listened to I Corinthians 13 as if hearing it again for the first time. I felt the weight of my failings to love others--specifically those who I have labored for and given the most of my strength and possessions. “If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient; love... Continue reading

January is my time for resolutions, but not this year. This year I’m an old sock. I’ve learned to appreciate the beauty of my worn parts, and all I want to do is to darn a few holes and relax in the comfort of being me. Instead of my usual twenty or so resolutions, I’ve decided on just one: My mornings will begin with a spirit of joy. I am NOT a morning person. I want the day to nudge me awake. I want it to coo like a baby and wrap me in a blanket and set me by... Continue reading

Pinterest is torture for women. It sucks up our time and leads to dissatisfaction and depression as we view other people's lives through DSL cameras and Photoshop. Yet we go back again and again. Here’s my deal: Everything I see on Pinterest I do. I painted my kitchen seven times this summer. (That sounds ridiculous, but I simply could not find the right Pinterest shade of peacock blue). I’ve made so many blasé homemade ice creams and Asian soups. (They photograph well, despite the recipe.) What's more, I had an absolutely horrible afternoon because of this pin: According to the... Continue reading

There is a strong desire within me to thoughtfully mother in a way that creates peaceful, happy children. This is evident in the last two series of verses we've learned together as a family. I've been deeply influenced by those verses. (I am somewhat at a standstill in my blogging about them because I have learned that what I hold on to, I lose; what I give freely can never be taken away. This is very true of a mother's time. Needless to say, I have little time to write.) A book that has beautifully dovetailed our Bible memorization is... Continue reading

Isaiah's bakery, Bread by Mr. Mustache, makes nine different breads. Each bread has its own personality. For instance, his sourdough bread Sourdough Sam is named after Sam Clemens and includes a quote by Mark Twain with each loaf. When Isaiah needed a new theme/personality for his newest bread, he chose Abraham. Abra loves to be center stage, and he's good at it. Isaiah is more the behind-the-scenes kind of guy. One of my favorite quotes of all time was when Abra said, "I wish I was an introvert like Isaiah. Then we could be introverts together!" That pretty much sums... Continue reading

“If I had influence with the good fairy who is supposed to preside over the christening of all children I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life, as an unfailing antidote against the boredom and disenchantments of later years, the sterile preoccupation with things artificial, the alienation from the sources of our strength.” ― Rachel Carson, The Sense of Wonder Continue reading

See Health Living Verses. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. This is a simple idea--inspired by this book-- for a family thankfulness journal. Each night we choose a flower and a strip of paper, and we write a blessing on it. I encourage the children to choose high-minded authentic blessings. With the strips of paper, we form a chain that we hang like garland from our ceiling. Blessings from August 1st: "I drew a really good Pokemon for Elia." --Abra "My wife is beautiful." --Brian (his... Continue reading

Let's take a look again at Philippians 4:8 . See Healthy Living Verses. "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." There is no use denying that a considerable part of our thought life is self-absorbed. Although we should strive to be as God-focused as possible, there are going to be times when we think about ourselves. Philippians 4:8 applies to all thoughts, even our self-focused ones. So how do we think lovely, excellent, praiseworthy things about ourselves? I'm not suggesting we... Continue reading

I'm currently reading Project-Based Homeschooling by Lori Pickert. Her book deeply resonates with my philosophy of education. I homeschool because I wish to give my kids a deep desire for knowledge. Pickert's book is centered around the idea that in order for children to be independent, eager learners, they must be given some freedom to pursue what interests them. Tonight this meant baking in the mud. There is intelligence (and fun) here. Elia alternated wet and dry mud as she formed her dome cake. She learned this technique from pottery class. We talked about the difference between our mud and... Continue reading

Live High-minded: Philippians 4:6-8. See Living Verses. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Right here in these... Continue reading

Thank you, Grammy Phyllis, for the beautiful tutus. Your sewing inspires us. Continue reading

more on Philippians 4:6-8, Part II- See Living Verses. “Paying attention to the beauty and kindness surrounding us develops sensitivity and gives us a calmer outlook on life because it brings our focus to the moment, away from the anxiety of the future or past.” This is a quote from Calm and Compassionate Children: A Handbook by Susan Usha Dermond. It is an inspiring and helpful book, and tops my 2012 reading list. Ms. Dermond calls the practice of thinking positive, uplifting thoughts high-mindedness. I like her word.* It reminds me of Colossians 3, in which Paul extols the Church... Continue reading

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Our thoughts should be true (not lies of the world), noble (lofty, elevated, high-minded), pure, lovely, admirable, excellent,and praiseworthy. Today, I googled "average number of thoughts in a day." I got a wide range of answers. We have somewhere between 30,000 to 70,00o daily opportunities to practice this verse. When we do so, we are transformed into Christ-like beings who live happy, emotionally healthy lives. But how do we develop the habit... Continue reading

Both of my sons are runners. Em is a great swimmer, and Hana and Elia recently started ballet. Exercise is key to good physical health. My kids know that. They also know what foods they should eat and what foods they should avoid. If I asked them how to stay physically healthy, they could rattle off a pretty good list. If I asked them, "How to do you stay balanced and content in a world that is never quiet, always moving, and always wanting more?" I'm not sure what they would say. After learning this next series of verses, I... Continue reading

Our summer began with a nearly two week vacation, visiting our families in Missouri and Iowa. My dad took me on a “nature walk.” This meant we hopped onto his gator and traveled several miles, getting out when we needed to see something in particular. My dad is a naturalist, I suppose, but he is foremost a farmer. He appreciates the tall cottonwoods that shoot up straight like soldiers in the thickest part of the forest. Their height fascinates him because the cottonwoods are only a few decades older than he is. Yet my father’s love of the forest is... Continue reading

A morning-glory morning with its usual glory, dawn particularly startling with citrons and mauves, petunias in the garden flashing their tender signals of grattitude. The sunflowers creak in their grass-colored dresses. Cosmos, the four o'clocks, the sweet alyssum nod to the roses who so politely nod back. And now it is time to go to work. At my desk I look out over the fluttering petals, little fires. Each one fresh and almost but not quite replicable. Consider wearing such a satisfying body! Consider being, with your entire self, such a quiet prayer. -Mary Oliver Maybe being with my entire... Continue reading

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An introduction always includes a name. Yet, all too often I draw a blank when introducing my children to new plants. This summer will be different. We are going to learn the names of as many different flowers as we possible can. Here is what we've done so far: We learned five spring flowers by reading The Story of the Root Children. All of the books by Sibylle von Olfers are outstanding. The illustrations are enchanting, and the words are soft and magical. The Story of the Root Children is my favorite. The root-children slumber all winter until Mother Earth... Continue reading

There she stands, wobbling a bit as she finds her balance, her strong leg taking most of her weight. With careful thought she brings her hands into prayer pose above her heart. She bends her head slightly and in a small voice says, "Peace be upon you, Momma. " I assume her pose and respond, "And upon you, Em." These mantras of peace are new to our family. They are a gift, a first gathering of the harvest promised, in response to my callow prayers (James 3). Even on days where disagreements are endless, I know the seeds of peace... Continue reading