Noah Webster’s 18 28 Dictionary provides the quintessential defintion of education. Sadly, it probably wouldn’t be allowed reading in public schools today. “EDUCA’TION, n. [L. educatio.] The bringing up, as of a child, instruction; formation of manners. Education comprehends all that series of instruction and discipline which is intended to enlighten the understanding, correct the temper, and form the manners and … Continue reading →
Twenty-six years of marriage! Set off the fireworks: some sparklers, Roman candles, poppers and snaps, ground spinners! According to statistics on children of divorce, I should be a mess: addicted to drugs, a college drop-out, and divorced, too. My brother and I should be shorter than our projected heights, also, according to another source(I will update my sources once I … Continue reading →
A mom’s birthday is so different from the parties planned for a mom’s child. As a mom, I gather my sons’ friends, design a cake that will inprint in their memory, fill up water balloons until my fingers are sore, puzzle over party favors that are cost efficient but are die-to-take-home favors. A day of celebration, a day that hugs … Continue reading →
Health insurance has changed since my first son was born. Each year we do pay more and more for services. When Perceiver of Truth was born, the state of Kentucky paid for all immunizations. When Faithful was born, I paid a $5 co-pay for each visit and immunization. When Joyful came around, the co-pay went up. However, when The Fire … Continue reading →
We had some difficulty. . . . keeping our pets out of heaven. Figaro, a pretty little Beta fish, a birthday gift given to Joyful from a friend died twice. Once when Joyful was away visiting grandparents. We cheated death, though. The fish store had one that looked just like him. Joyful never knew. However, he died one Christmas when … Continue reading →
I got the most beautiful gift hug from Mika today at Not Really Homeschooling, also known as Little Nut Tree. Mika’s blog provides fun, easy-to-do hands-on activities for children. She’s definitely the mom I was always trying to be when my guys were littler. She also does it better! Mike has also been such a great encourager to me on … Continue reading →
The boys found a baby turtle one day. Wild Animal Rule #1 in our house: If you catch it today, you have to release it tomorrow. Wild Animal Rule #2: Rule # 1 doesn’t include snakes. They made a nest in a critter box, looked up what to feed the 1-2 inch little fella, and watched him. The next day, … Continue reading →
When the first Harry Potter book Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone first came out, I ignored it. I wasn’t going to fall prey to smaltzy new fiction that roused my crew to a frenzy. I also didn’t want to get involved in a lot of the issues that grated against my values. I was unwilling to discover the truth … Continue reading →
There is a lot I like about the Harry Potter movie and books in a Grimm’s Brother-fairytale-kind-of-way. I love the music, the castle, the special effects. I love how the beaten-down kid sides with good over evil and wins. Let me be candid, though. My son asked if he could be Harry Potter one year. I told him, “No. There … Continue reading →
“How’d you learn to kick a field goal like that, son?” the football coach asked after my son kicked a 45 yard field goal in the 8th grade. “Squats, sir,” he replied. “Squats? What do you mean by squats?” the coach asked. “Hundreds of squats, sir,” he answered. ‘Why did you have to do hundreds of squats, son?” the coach … Continue reading →