I’ve heard bits and pieces about unschooling from some of you since Ifirst began this homeschooling journey.  It never really sounded like it was for us (I’m a ‘routine’ kind of gal, and if it’s not a plan set in stone, it likely isn’t going to happen around here), but …

To: Marybeth From: Opposed to cohabiting Can you offer any advice for my young adult daughters about why not to live with their boyfriends? I feel strongly that living together is to be saved for marriage, but it is hard for them to understand because “everyone is doing it” and …

Modesty is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, an outward sign of God working within us.  As with other fruits like patience and charity, modesty is manifested in what we do — in our works, the actions we seek to perform that help us recognize the presence of God.  It’s …

One of the greatest gifts of being an entrepreneur is the opportunity to flex your financial muscles. It’s also one of the greatest challenges for me personally. In fact, many entrepreneurs make the decision to start their own business because they have a certain skill or talent – or an …

She sees what she wants to get done and loves with her accomplishments. A gift to her child, a blessing for her husband. Too busy to see how much has already been done, too concerned with tomorrow to enjoy today. Forcing herself to compete and check off tasks on an …

It began innocently enough – two moms sharing the woes of spice cupboards-you know, the ones whose little glass bottles immediately spill over when one is looking for that last illusive ingredient for supper at six and it is now five forty(okay so this is my issue, my friend’s cupboard …

Being a P.A.R.A. means 1) Paying Attention, 2) Responding, and 3) Arranging; it’s the Mary at the Wedding of Cana approach to relationships.  The story about my daughter’s gymnastics team experience delivers on my promise for real examples. The coach of the East YMCA Flyers gymnastics team approached Gianna two years …

Summer break is just around the corner or has already started for some. While I’m thankful for the upcoming rest from the business of school and I look forward to some extra time with the kids, part of me can’t help but inwardly cringe at the thought of all the …

“I’m not that interested in ‘mass’ communications. I’m much more interested in what happens between this person and the one person watching. The space between the television set and that person who’s watching is very holy ground.” The traditional family unit has been negatively hit from so many directions in our world …

Press suit. Check. Shine black dress shoes. Check. Purchase white satin tie and arm band. Check. Cut hair, charge camera batteries. Check and check. Stock up on paper goods, plan menu, order cake, boutonniere and balloons. Check, check and check. Plant, weed and generally beautify yard after a long and …

Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruits of the Holy Spirit. These include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control. It seems that as mothers, we can use an extra helping of each of these. Dear Holy Spirit, Please help me to love my children even when it is …

As the mother of a teenager, she’s described me in many unexpected ways, from “stalker mom” for checking her social media sites and cell phone, to “out of it” for believing the remakes of my favorite 80s songs are not nearly as great as the originals. I can usually handle …

Find more great family recipes and meal planning assistance at Dine Without Whine Carol’s Lemonade Chicken Makes 4 servings 4 chicken breasts, skin removed 2 cloves garlic minced 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 6-ounce can frozen lemonade concentrate thawed 1/2 cup water 3 teaspoons chicken bouillon 1 green bell pepper small, cut in 1-inch …

If we acknowledge our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing. 1 John 1:9 Last week my oldest son helped me power wash the front porch…a job the kids don’t usually line up and beg to help with! The combination …

How many of you have heard about all of the problems with organic and sustainable farming practices, and that it just isn’t possible to keep it going long term? That it’s too difficult, and too costly? “There is no reason for a confinement house in the country, in the world, …

To: Marybeth From: Not Crazy About Carpools This question might be filed under, “What are these people thinking?” My high school freshman got a ride home from a recent sporting event from a teammate’s parent. The conversation in the car turned to a high school party that took place a …

So exactly what is a legacy? I looked it up, and besides the money left in a will…this is the definition that I am talking about: “something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past. “ Well, it might as well be Gold, because this …

We just celebrated Mother’s Day.   Ah, motherhood, that noble vocation.  And yet, let’s face it, we’re human too, we moms. I say this because the closest I ever came to “locking horns” with another mom in public…excuse, me, the three times that happened all took place at public parks (go …

Being Good Stewards of our stuff involves not wasting food!  I have really been paying close attention to this after hearing the statistic of how much food Americans waste:  25% of our food, and 50% of our produce.  It’s not so much of a “go green” approach, but really a consideration of those who …

With Mother’s Day on tap, I was recently asked to describe my parenting style.  While making small talk at the playground, my new acquaintance found out that I’m the mom of 8 kids.  Because I was decked out in a semi “I’ve got it all together” outfit (a clean pair …