• Only a Few Short Years

    The journey began 17 years ago when my firstborn turned six. Our homeschool journey. As we plan, work, cry, learn and journey together, sometimes it seems as if it will go on forever but it really doesn’t.  It’s just a few short years we have with these children who are God’s own special delight – a blessing He in His infinite wisdom sends us. I’m a flawed woman. So many flaws.  But He says, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” And that’s what I hold onto.  His Word and what He say’s about me.  Not what I see but what He says…

  • Homemakers in Training – Making Aprons

    After several years of dreaming about it, I finally got my act together and organized a girls club – similar to Keepers at Home.   Serenity is 15 and I thought if I was ever going to do it, I needed to do it now. Our purpose is to teach our daughters skills for their future homes and to encourage giving of themselves in service to others. Yesterday was our first meeting and the girls all made aprons. Audrey was so excited. She picked out the fabric herself – little red ladybugs. ♥  I can honestly say she did at least 90% of the work on the apron. The girls…

  • Handicrafts the Charlotte Mason Way

    We focus so much on Reading, Writing & Arithmetic when a child has the desire to learn even more. Most of us remember a time when we wanted to be making something with our hands. – Mrs. Steinthall, “The Value of Art Training and Manual Work” (Condensed Report.) 1897   Charlotte Mason felt strongly about children learning useful handicrafts. The points to be borne in mind in children’s handicrafts are: (a) that they should not be employed in making futilities such as pea and stick work, paper mats, and the like; (b) that they should be taught slowly and carefully what they are to do; (c) that slipshod work should…

  • What is the Goal in Our Children’s Education?

    Mom’s do you have a vision for your children’s education? Whether we are able to articulate it or not we are all operating from some premise of thought of what we think education for our children should look like. The decisions we make about their schooling move us along in that vision. As you may know, I love the writings of Charlotte Mason, an 18th century educator who had an incredible understanding and appreciation of children.  Many of her thoughts you will find mingled with my writing but I would encourage you to read her books for yourself. The scope of the various types of education people can give their…

  • A Nasty Surprise

    This post was originally posted in September 2006. It’s an experience we have never forgotten & still remember quite well, especially Wesley. 🙂 Warning: The following is not for the squeamish! It’s all this books fault. Until a few days ago I thought praying mantises were cute little fellas. I even contemplated holding one which for me is a pretty big thing. I’m one of those whose idea of a knight in shining armor is someone who will nab that SCARY bug before it nabs me! It sounded like a great experience to take some bugs from our yard and learn about them. So, my dear children and me took…