Parenting with Purpose to Help Kids Shine
Thanksgiving has a way of slowing us down. The world quiets just a little, the table fills up, and suddenly—if we let it—our hearts open wide to see everything we’ve been given. This year, as I look around at my family, the joy in my children’s eyes, and the warmth of our home, I’m reminded… Continue reading A Thanksgiving Filled With Peace, Purpose, and Pure Gratitude
There’s a Netflix program right now geared toward seven-year-olds that’s touting transgenderism as perfectly normal. And just when you think you can trust “family” networks, Disney sneaks in similar messaging for toddlers. Take the show Dino Ranch, for example. On the surface, it seems like a wholesome, adorable show for preschoolers—colorful, kind-hearted, and full of… Continue reading Guarding Their Hearts: Why Protecting Our Children from Media Matters More Than Ever
I don’t often call a book life-changing, but The Clockmaker’s Son by Jenny Phillips truly deserves that title. Lucy and I recently finished it together, and I can honestly say it’s one of the most powerful stories we’ve ever read. It’s published through The Good and the Beautiful, the homeschool program we love—but you don’t… Continue reading 🌟 Be of Good Cheer: Why The Clockmaker’s Son Is One of the Best Books I’ve Ever Read with Lucy
One of the most beautiful traits we can nurture in our children is initiative—the ability to notice a need, take action, and think for themselves without constant prompting. And I truly believe that a big piece of that puzzle comes from minimizing screens and encouraging imagination, reading, and meaningful engagement with the real world. Lately,… Continue reading Growing Initiative in a Screen-Free World
One of the most common critiques I hear as a homeschooling mom is the dreaded question: “But what about socialization?” It always makes me smile. Because the truth is, I think over-socialization is a much greater concern than under-socialization. Think about it: a child who spends all day in school surrounded by peers, and then… Continue reading Don’t Let Kids Raise Your Kids
Let’s be honest—most “kids menus” at restaurants are a recipe for a lifetime of obesity and diabetes. Chicken nuggets, fried everything, mac and cheese with zero nutritional value, fries on repeat, and maybe (if you’re lucky) a side of applesauce drowning in sugar. Vegetables? Nowhere in sight. And don’t even get me started on the… Continue reading Don’t Let Kids Eat Off the “Kids Menu”
Parenting is full of buzzwords these days—gentle parenting, soft parenting, free-range parenting. Each promises a better way, but not all deliver what they claim. One voice I’ve come to trust on this subject is Scot Anderson, lead pastor at Living Word Bible Church and creator of the Train Up A Parent program. I haven’t personally… Continue reading Scot Anderson & Soft Parenting: Why Gentle Isn’t Enough
Yesterday, September 9, 2025, marks a huge milestone for our girl—Lucy learned to really ride her bike! No more training wheels, just two wheels, balance, and a whole lot of giggles. Truth be told, she probably could’ve done it sooner, but this summer’s brutal heat kept us from spending much time outside practicing. Still, God’s… Continue reading Giggles on Two Wheels 🚲✨
Today was a milestone for Lucy—her very first horse lesson! 🐴✨ One of the reasons I wanted Lucy to start riding lessons is because she feels emotions in such a big, beautiful way. Something that might not seem like a big deal to others can weigh heavily on her heart. And sure enough, we saw… Continue reading Lucy’s First Horse Lesson: Courage, Tears, and Triumph
In our home, family dinners are not optional—they’re sacred. Every evening, we gather at the table, and one rule always stands: screens are not invited. No phones, no tablets, no distractions. Just us. What happens at that table is more than sharing food—we share life. We talk, we laugh, we plan. We celebrate the little… Continue reading The Sacred Space of the Dinner Table
Raising Light 