All our school photos from 2001 to 2010. Moments. Each one of these photos. A simple habit to preserve memories. A picture taken at about the same time every year. Whatever sort of school your child attends. Preserving the dimple of a baby hand… The short hairstyle of that year… The not-quite-grown-into outfit of a […]
Blog
The Habit of Love
In my last post I mentioned that we had recently attended a week-long family conference through our church. One of most challenging sessions for me was on the subject of love. Of course I love my family, but do I love them? Love says ‘no’ to what I want, so that I can say ‘yes’ […]
My room re-do
We were discussing redoing the house. We even discussed putting a desk in my room. I agreed that that would be nice, but I didn’t think it would happen for at least a month or so. That is, until a couple Friday nights later Mama & Daddy came home from a date with a desk […]
Do Hard Things
“…In 1 Timothy 4:12, the Apostle Paul tells Timothy, “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” In other words, as young people we are called to be exemplary in all areas of life. Our generation is falling incredibly […]
Rest, Mama: Guest Post by Cassandra Frear
Last July I was introduced to Cassandra Frear via a link my mother sent in email. From my spot on the couch, my leg up and iced, I clicked to find Rest, Mama. Since last year I’ve followed Cassandra, first on Apple Pie for Homeschools. Then I’d find the coziest spot and settle in at […]
Studying God’s Word with Children
We participated in a family conference at our church this week. Stephen Kendrick, co-producer of Fireproof and Facing the Giants, was our speaker for the week. It was an incredible week full of inspiring teaching. There are probably a dozen or more habits I could share from what we learned. One of the most practical […]
Dance with the dishes
Laugh at yourself first before anyone else can. ~ Elsa Maxwell This is a simple habit but easy to forget in the thick of day-to-day. 1. Just turn on your favorite mix of music. 2. Turn it up loud. 3. Everybody dance while clearing the table and rinsing dishes. Even arthritic mamas can do a […]
Service Opportunities – An Upgrade
Part Three of Chores or Service Opportunities? We have a system of Service Opportunities in place for our children to earn money. The system allows us to pay a pre-determined amount of money for common household chores. (See The Habit of Rewarding Service) A common problem with this method is that a child will perform […]
Service Opportunities – An Upgrade
We have a system of Service Opportunities in place for our children to earn money. The system allows us to pay a pre-determined amount of money for common household chores. (See The Habit of Rewarding Service)
Saturday Morning Mathematics
Several weeks ago, I took our two eldest children on a shopping trip. The eldest girl needed some new clothes. She wanted to shop at a fashion store in an upscale shopping center. She had a 40% off coupon in hand, and was ready to find some bargains.
Mama on Vacation: Planning and Goal Setting
In repentance and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength… Isaiah 30:15 As mothers we sometimes live in the urgent. This hungry child, that weepy one, another needing a push on the swing… However, it’s beneficial to step out of the urgent into the quiet, out of our regular spot […]
Mama on Vacation: Surf and Turf
The best thing that you can give your children, next to good habits, is good memories. ~Barbara Johnson My mother always told me that it wasn’t a real vacation for a grown woman with children in tow. I used to really begrudge that supposed wisdom. But over the years I’ve found a way to turn […]
Toss Your Laundry
My grandmother has a laundry chute. It’s always been a fascinating thing to me. As children, my brother and I would test the chute’s capabilities. See where the towel or stuffed animal ended up in her basement. And always, it landed softly, in a heap, right next to her washer and dryer. I’ve really wanted […]