2010-02-04 Mary Friedeman I consider myself a fairly organized person. It’s somewhat of a necessity with a large and active family. And I usually do OK working the system. Things don’t often get done ahead of schedule but on an as-needed basis and just in time. There are several areas in which staying

2010-02-02 Mary Friedeman I’m a bit nostalgic—this week our “baby” turned nine. Whether your little one is three months or thirty years old, as parents we can’t help but think, “Where does the time go?” It seems like he was just a newborn…a toddler…a preschooler. We have another nine years of homescho

A few weeks ago, the local public and many of the private schools were closed due to broken water mains around the city. The crisis hit during the day on a Monday, and with no running water (or flushing toilets) it’s easy to understand why.

My kids used to play this computer game that had them building an army base.  It was a strategy game because you had to make sure your base had access to water for transportation, enough land for an air transport area and other necessities that made you think a few steps in advance to outsmart your opponent.  I can still hear the computerized voice once you had selected your area to build.  It would chime in, "Laying the foundation."  My kids haven't played that game in at least a year but the phrase, "laying the foundation" still sticks in my mind.

Saturday morning I woke up early to take a road trip with twelve kids. My 15-passenger van was packed with the addition of another parent and a teen helper. Sound like good times?

I am a creature of habit. I used to drive to work the same way for years and presently I eat rice everyday. I put stuff in its proper place. I am just orderly and that makes me happy.

Here are two things that I strongly dislike. Firstly, I don't like when someone walks around with an ipod plugged into his ears all day long, and keeps it on even when you are trying to have a conversation with him. Secondly, I can't stand when someone is next to you in the grocery aisle and there is no one else around so you assume if she is talking she is talking to you when actually she is talking to the person in her ear.

Grading: my least favorite part of homeschooling. Can I get a witness?

My thirteen year old daughter is at the letter writing stage where you sign your name and then write B.F.F.  For those out of this stage allow me to interpret.  It means Best Friends Forever.

Let me start with a caveat: This post is not about an extracurricular activity for homeschoolers. I’m talking about the opportunity to be an ambassador for home education.

"Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks."  Are you familiar with that verse?  There are a few commonplace verses in our home and this is one of them.

The method I use for having my children (and myself) memorize Scripture is very simple. It works for us and accomplishes the important task of hiding God's Word in our hearts.

2010-01-11 Sheri Cobb Sheri Cobb The Gated Community I am undergoing a re-evaluation of my life.  By Sheri Cobb I am undergoing a re-evaluation of my life.  Let me clue you in.  Today is the first of the month and a Monday.  These are big deals for me.  I feel accomplished because we met last month's budge

Ah Shakespeare.  One of the world’s most revered writers of all time.  Whatever your personal feelings are about the Writings of Shakespeare, making sure your children have a familiarity with them is a highly beneficial endeavor.