You can tell where my thoughts have been lately….

On schooling at home-

Go Outside with Your Children ::: A child learns to spend time outdoors through the companionship of an adult. He learns how to respond, explore, and find his way with someone who has the same curiosity as himself.

Is Your Homeschool too Heavy on the School? ::: To me, the fact that I'm squealing with delight over a vacation and counting the days 'til it's over with trepidation and reluctance means I'm doing something wrong.

A barebones homeschool day ::: Homeschooling, for us, is the foundation of a life time of learning. It's not the be-all, end-all of our childrens' education, it's just the beginning.

And on marriage-

I do: Belonging ::: when you say “I do,” it’s not just a marriage between two people at the altar.

The 4 Minute Marriage Habit ::: Who doesn't want a deeper relationship?

I do: Struggle ::: Marriage doesn't get easier over time, but it gets less hard.

Weaving ::: Why can’t I even love those He has called me to love?

Shine ::: For a while, it seems that we will look a little flashy, like junior high girls dressing for a Justin Bieber concert.

The Tyranny of Advice Column Christianity ::: For the overachievers in the crowd, you can forget the extreme spiritual makeover, and know that all the doing meant to gain you acceptance has already been done.

Atlantic Overview ::: (The amazing adventure of some real-life friends….kind of makes me want to throw caution to the wind and just do something crazy! Good kind of crazy of course.)

a lesser communion ::: Though it may happen at other times as well, dinner is the time of day when biblical community consistently happens in our home.

Skills for Children ::: What kind of skills do you think are most powerful when experienced at an early age?

Fair Trade is for Hippies. And Maybe the Rest of Us Too. ::: it was this conversation with a man that works with farmers in the hilltribes of Thailand that changed my perspective and understanding . . . .

Seven Ways to Keep Your Home Strong ::: Again, the return always to this: "It is written," he said to them, " ' My house will be a house of prayer'" (Luke 19:46).

The Only "What If" Worth Asking ::: And all those ‘what if’s’ questioning His goodness are answered here.

The truth {about "fine"} will set you free ::: It's powerful when a friend steps out from behind fine and looks you in the eyes.

Retirement? College? Money and Large Families ::: we believe strongly that people value things more when they work for them on their own, and that belief is part of what informs our choice.

Trying harder to the death of your faith ::: Who among us isn't trying harder to love our neighbor, love God, eat better, go greener, and exercise more?

For when your future keeps changing ::: Why must we always insist that the destination is the most important measure of success?

New Year, New Self-Control ::: January is typically a time when we talk a great deal about calories, work-outs and weight loss. What if we didn't?

For when everything is different ::: We can't detour around this brokenness. The only way out is to walk right through.

What Christmas asks You to Believe :::  He is here in the stomach illness, the cold weather, the humbling moments, and the tension.

Santa-Jesus ::: how often do we try to make Jesus into Santa Claus?

The Hum of Something Holy ::: in this moment of dance and chocolate and babies eating paper and lights blinking white, green and red, and Frank Sinatra singing, in this moment, Jesus is born.

Yes, Samuel, miracles do still happen… ::: a past reflection on miracles of Light we witness here in the dark, against all odds…

Gift Wrapping made into Memory-Making and God-Honoring Fun ::: This year, I realized that treating Christmas like a task to be completed rather than a special time of year full of teachable moments and joy was doing a disservice to my children. 

The Case for Christmas Cards ::: In today’s society we are overly connected yet growing disconnected from real, personal relationships.

The Ministry of Mary ::: If what Jesus says is true, these basic mothering acts are some of the most sacred of all – shelter for the shelterless, food for the hungry, clothing for the naked.

Of Kids and Christmas ::: Christmas is the ultimate celebration of the material. Because Christmas is the time when God became man.

Send in the Clown ::: The only sacred space set aside in the Christmas season had been invaded by a clown.

** I read these two posts in the same day, and found myself first conflicted, but then made hopeful by the tension between the two. Because I realized, as in all avenues of life, Christmas cannot be boiled down to a set list of rules. It has to be about seeking Jesus, and then letting our actions pour out of our love for Him. Then, regardless of what we do, He is glorified.

**The Christmas Conundrum ::: I'm dying to rediscover what is simple and magnificent about the Savior of the World coming to earth, putting on flesh and saving my life.

**Of Santa and Jesus ::: What of the truest reason for this season, friends?

How in the World to Get Ready for Christmas? ::: Turning the calendar page to December doesn't turn life into this dance of the sugarplum fairies.

The Messy Girl and Her Messiah ::: I doubt this will ever be the most popular version of the Christmas story but for me this years, it's perfect.

Fighting Drift :::  I don't want to let moments and hours slip by without effort at connection. Without talking truly and substantively with the ones I love most.

If You Want to Be a Strong Woman :::  I wore that nightgown and thought I could conquer the world and here I sit, 32, sobered by the ways the world has seemed to undo me.

A Princess on Her Throne ::: What logical reason is there for me to stay the course of securing temporal lucrative returns when there remains a harvest that is only gained when people are willing to die daily to themselves, to lose everything for the sake of Christ?

A Kind Wife ::: I sent my husband a list of things I thought that he might like to see me do around the house…

Because somedays everyone feels covered in ick ::: His advice is usually the opposite of my instincts.

Your job is to say yes. ::: As we dare to let go of control, we'll find that joy lives in that place of release.

Paper Handprint & Footprint Turkey ::: (fun for the kids)

Thanksgiving Place Cards ::: (we'll be working on these today!)

23 Ways to Use up Pumpkin Puree ::: (I really want to try the pumpkin pie blizzard)

Pumpkin Pie Casserole ::: (yes I love pumpkin!)

When Thanksgiving becomes Thanksliving ::: The joy of giving thanks — is ultimately expressed in the joy of giving.

The Real First Thanksgiving ::: To bring the sacrifice of thanksgiving means to sacrifice your understanding of what is beneficial and thank God for everything because He is benevolent.

My Mom Jeans ::: All the labels say "ultra low rise" which is code for "if you've had babies or are over age 17 your belly is gonna jingle right over it."

Why you will never see me naked :::  Freedom is knowing that your life isn't restrained by boundaries, but that it is kept safe by them.

how to hear the music… :::  It matters that you get up in the morning and do what has been placed in front of you and use whatever has been placed in your hands. … There is no "Arrival" gate in life. You are already, today, doing the plan.

what a family is really all about ::: There's only a harvest in the kingdom when someone attends to the smallness of a seed.

Homemade People ::: You do not go home to hide from the world, you go home to change it.

You are irreplaceable :::too many cares in this world tear our focus from loving our kids and just hanging out with them.

Think of the Rock ::: Is it not better to be thinking of the Rock, not of the feet that stand upon it?

Stop Complaining ::: We are blessed!  Be grateful!

Civility in the Christian Home ::: Many of us have wrongly defined our homes as places where parents are to be respected rather than as places where everyone is to be respected.