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The Day I Quit Home Schooling

By all measures, I have a great life. I have a simple life. I have an uncomplicated, joy-filled, hopeful life. Ah, but some days…. None of us live a life of perfect ease and bliss. There are always “things” that get in the way of total joy and contentment and satisfaction. Wouldn’t you agree? What do you do when a...

Happily See-Through

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We teach our kids about the omniscience and omnipresence of our God. That is, we let them know that God knows everything, sees everything, is everywhere, and so on. We can’t hide from him. He is always by our side. He is always aware of what is going on with us. And this is a comfort. That’s what we tell...

Beating the February Blahs

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I know. It is October. February is still in the far-off land of post-Christmas, post-New Year; we also all know that Christmas is a lifetime away. No need to start shopping yet. Right? Oh dear… But I digress: regardless of your level of comfort regarding the fact that Christmas is a mere 11 weeks away at the time of this...

What Are You Supposed to Do?

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There was a most interesting article that I read this week. It was an article from Macleans’ magazine entitled “How Dutch Women Got to be the Happiest Women in the World”. It is a great read with lots of fuel for thought. You should read it, but not until you are done reading my article. Ha! The article suggests that...

Wanted: Wisdom

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At the time of this writing, it is August first. The planned publishing date for the article is August 25th. Regardless, I can tell you that both today and that 25th of August will find me wondering if I have my September planned just so, and if I have all my supplies, and all the resources, and all the strength needed to...

Watching Movies Is Good for You…Sometimes

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My incredible husband and I have been watching the HBO series “Band of Brothers” lately. There are a few benefits to this activity. First, I get to snuggle with him for a whole hour while watching the DVD. Second, I get to imagine my husband being Lt. Speers running like crazy, somehow dazzling the Germans into...

How I Got Over Myself

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Some days are like this, yes? You wake up determined to feel sorry for yourself and all the hard things you need to do. You see the “to-do list” and even as you are scratching one item off, three more get added. The workload of a stay at home, homeschooling mom is daunting. Add to that the burden of those who work from...

The Impossibility of it All

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It is no mistake that you are a mom. And it is no surprise to hear that Motherhood is a hard job. And yes, there will be days where the task seems more daunting than you bargained. But here’s the thing: the perfect place from which to parent is that place where you are at your lowest, crying out to the Lord, saying,...

Getting to Know Barbara

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Your family is… the thing that God uses to refine me. Name 5 homeschool products you cannot live without. Veritas Press Bible and History Cards, AVKO Sequential spelling, Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, an Usborne Book Catalogue, and A pencil sharpener! (does that count?) What was your favorite toy as a...

Getting to Know My Children

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Having seven children has done wonders for my memory. There are so many things to remember about kids: Birthdays; shoe sizes; favorite color; what grade they are in (*ahem*); and what color they are wearing when we go to a crowded park so I can pick them out of a crowd like a paranoid mother counting to seven approximately...