When I started homeschooling my kids, there were lots of things I wanted to teach them. Among the most important is learning to think for themselves. I encourage them to recognize bias in everything they read, and to filter it through reality (as well as their own beliefs and convictions) and formulate their own opinions about … More Digging up truth (and Democrats…)
He burst through the front door, slightly out of breath and grinning from ear to ear. He had run all the way home and couldn’t get the words out fast enough: “Mommy! Mommy! Guess what?! You’re not gonna BELIEVE this. You know my friend AJ? The one I was climbing the tree with? Well, … More Difference Maker
Over the past 2 weeks, the girls and I have been studying the Roman Empire in History class. They’ve been learning about emperors and gladiators, architecture and infrastructure. But yesterday they got a very unique lesson in the meaning of the popular expression, “When in Rome…” You see, on this island, the locals live “Aloha.” … More When in Rome.
I know all about sisters. As a matter of fact, I have a bunch of them. One full, biological sister, and a grand total of 6 that are half-sisters and step-sisters. Some I am very close to and share countless memories with because we’ve spent a ton of time together, and some (I confess) … More A New Kind of Sister
I was minding my own business…wiping counters and sweeping crumbs. Words swirled around in my brain as though they were begging me to sit down with my laptop and let them all spill out. I was anxious to get the younger kids settled for the night when Ella, our youngest, issued her request: “Mommy? Will you … More Day 26: The Beauty of Monopoly Jr.
It was one of “those” weeks in the Crabb Shack. The kind of week where you start off Monday morning with every activity written neatly in color-coded pen in your planner…and by Friday the pages are covered in scribbles and wite-out and things left undone. All the “unexpecteds” hit like a ton of bricks and … More Day 25: Soul Food
We have a clock hanging in our living room. I bought it for the wall in our last house and when I brought it home, I insisted that it be hung on the wall above the recliner where I used to sit every morning, sip my coffee, and read my Bible. As we were settling … More Day 17: The Clock.
Despite yesterday’s episode, Nate woke up this morning feeling like a million bucks. But his cheerful disposition and appetite weren’t the only things that returned today. His words were back with a vengeance today…and all the coffee in the world couldn’t prepare my ears to hear all of them. My Nate is sweet, affectionate, outgoing, … More Day 14: Life Lessons.
Lately it feels like all our days are busy. Between homeschooling, the kids’ sports and activities, and the demands of my husband’s new job it feels like our family is being stretched to our limits. I can’t remember the last time we had a day–much less a weekend–to relax and catch our breath. Our days … More Day 10: Busyness.
Jimmy and I spent 3 1/2 hours on ONE Math lesson today. One. Lesson. What makes it worse is that it was the same lesson he watched the lecture, did the practice problems, & took the lesson quiz twice yesterday & STILL didn’t understand. Last night I told him not to sweat it; that he & … More Day 7: Math
my anchored life: 