The other day while I was on the phone, I noticed Lucy crouched down, scrubbing the floor with such determination. Turns out, while I was vacuuming, a little piece of a purple colored pencil got caught and left a big streak across the floor. Without anyone telling her to, Lucy immediately got to work. She… Continue reading Little Hands, Big Heart
Tag: growing up
When Siblings Become Teachers
There is something so beautiful about older siblings teaching younger ones. Not going to lie—sometimes it looks a little like the blind leading the blind, 😂 but for the most part, it’s an incredible blessing. The older learns compassion and patience (whether they like it or not), and the younger soaks up every word in… Continue reading When Siblings Become Teachers
“Catch Me, Mama!”
There are moments in motherhood that stop me in my tracks—moments that remind me just how fleeting childhood is. This picture is one of them. Lucy’s arms stretched wide, her laughter bubbling up as she leaps toward me, trusting without hesitation that I’ll catch her. I know these days are numbered. One day, her leaps… Continue reading “Catch Me, Mama!”
Sometimes They Just Want Us
As summer winds down and our hybrid school routine looms on the horizon, I’ve been intentional about carving out days for Lucy’s imagination to lead the way. One day a week, she gets to choose what we do (among mom-approved options, of course 😉), and we follow her lead. This week, I was fully expecting… Continue reading Sometimes They Just Want Us
A Homeschool Hybrid That Feels Like the Best of Both Worlds
Last night was Lucy’s Meet the Teacher Night, and I couldn’t help but feel so thankful for the unique path we’ve found in her education. While I homeschool Lucy at home, she also attends a local Christian Homeschool Connection Program one day a week. It’s the perfect hybrid that gives her both the freedom and… Continue reading A Homeschool Hybrid That Feels Like the Best of Both Worlds
Holy Cheese Nibblits, Kids Really Do Hear Everything
A friend of mine recently watched Lucy for the afternoon. At one point, she had some music playing, and So What by Pink came on. She didn’t think much of it—Lucy loves music, and kids usually don’t notice or process the lyrics… right? Well, not Lucy. My friend said she kept peeking at Lucy in… Continue reading Holy Cheese Nibblits, Kids Really Do Hear Everything
Back to the Basics: Raising a Confident Communicator
Lately, I’ve been giving Anderson more responsibilities around the house—little things that stretch him just enough to build confidence without overwhelming him. And let me tell you, it’s been such a beautiful shift. Yes, having him teach Lucy some of her homeschool lessons has been wildly successful (for both of them), but we’ve recently taken… Continue reading Back to the Basics: Raising a Confident Communicator
🧺Because I Said Yes: A Picnic, Some Petunias, and the Gift of a Simple Day
This morning while we were out walking the dogs, Lucy looked up at me and asked the sweetest, most specific little question: “Mom, can we come back here this afternoon and have a picnic?” There was no reason to say no. No schedule to outrun, no deadline more important than this invitation. So I said… Continue reading 🧺Because I Said Yes: A Picnic, Some Petunias, and the Gift of a Simple Day
Lead with Laughter: The Power of Playing Games with Your Kids
As a former dog trainer, I’ve seen firsthand how leadership and play go hand in hand. One of my favorite stories comes from a longtime park ranger who observed wolf packs over the course of his career. Of all the alpha males he tracked, the most successful—the one who led the longest and raised the… Continue reading Lead with Laughter: The Power of Playing Games with Your Kids
Pancakes, Pencils, and the Joy of Learning at Home
There’s something sacred about learning together at home. Whether you’re a full-time homeschool family or just sitting down after dinner to help with homework, there’s a beauty in showing up—present, patient (most days 😅), and willing to turn the ordinary into something meaningful. At our house, we try to sprinkle joy over even the most… Continue reading Pancakes, Pencils, and the Joy of Learning at Home
Raising Light 