Everyday Homeschooling

An Early Christmas Gift | Dec 14, 2012 by MaryAnn Gaver

We drive past a lovely manger scene which adorns the entrance to campus, followed by beautifully illuminated trees all along the boulevard. Jay and I talk about the twins' decision to attend Liberty and how it seems to be a great fit for them -- faculty with the highest degrees, students who genuinely love the Lord, excellent academics, plenty of majors and great opportunities...

Greetings From Virginia --Traveling Light | Dec 12, 2012 by MaryAnn Gaver

10:00 a.m. - "We're only spending one night, Mare," Jay reminded me as I opened my small suitcase." I was so excited to get on the road to Lynchburg, Virginia in order to see Liberty University's Symphony Orchestra performance that I couldn't concentrate on packing. "Sure. No problem," was my response as I tossed a few sweaters and dressy black slacks into the suitcase.

Mea Culpa | Dec 10, 2012 by MaryAnn Gaver

"Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa." -- I'm sorry. I said that phrase hundreds of times during our eleven years of homeschooling! Mess-ups, errors, mistakes. When you're homeschooling and spending tons of time together as a family, everyone sees what you do throughout the day. Mistakes become evident to all. Like the time I was vacuuming and heard all those little things get sucked up into the cannister...

The Apricot Tree & The Little Garden | Dec 5, 2012 by MaryAnn Gaver

As I taught the vocabulary and spelling lesson that Friday afternoon, I kept my head buried in the teacher's manual, trying to stay focused and get through the lesson. I paid no attention to the clock but knew that the hours were waning. I wrote on the dry-erase board, "C followed by an e, i, or y, makes an s sound. Just like the words city, citizen or cymbal." I lacked my typical enthusiasm as I dreamily looked out the window to a sunny May afternoon. I saw each nine-year-old take quick glances to the window too...

May Thanksgiving Continue | Dec 3, 2012 by MaryAnn Gaver

It was the 24th of September as I snuck through the garden entrance of our local Walmart that morning. I wanted to avoid the visual onslaught of dreadful Halloween costumes at the front door. Also, I was still in my sweats. It was one of those mornings where I skipped the lipstick and hairbrush because I figured that I wouldn't run into anyone. Of course, that's usually when I see everyone in town including my husband's new clients...

Why You Should LOL :) | Nov 29, 2012 by Jeane and Megan Hendrix

Among the many things I learned during the seven weeks of my flight attendant training, were passenger safety, customer service, cultural sensitivity, and how to deal with terrorists.... All very interesting and needful topics for my foray into the friendly skies. However, the lesson that helped me the most in my career and personal life was not found in the 200+ page training manual I received. Now as a mom, you may think that the terrorist training would have been the most valuable lesson (and there were days that I would have agreed with you!), but the lesson I am referring to was actually much more powerful than that. I call it my secret weapon!

Cookies & Milk At 3:00 | Nov 29, 2012 by MaryAnn Gaver

White baking flour covered the kitchen floor, the countertop, my jeans, and the twins' noses. Measuring cups were strewn about, mixing bowls sat side by side as the twins balanced themselves on chairs pulled up to the little island in the center of the kitchen. It was their first time making cookies, and I stood there wondering why in the world I had decided to double the recipe!

The Habit of Giving Thanks | Nov 26, 2012 by Tracy Klicka

I was looking forward to celebrating our usual Thanksgiving traditions together...However, God had another plan in mind...

My Math Dilemma | Nov 25, 2012 by MaryAnn Gaver

In 2001 when I first began teaching at home, I was so excited to get started. Feeling called by the Lord and compelled to teach the boys in a home setting, I went to great lengths to set up a cozy little room upstairs, get all the right books, attend homeschool conferences, and consult with experienced homeschooling moms. That summer, the twins turned seven, and by the time fall arrived -- I was completely ready! Or so I thought....

Was Our Effort a Waste? – Lessons from Election Day, 2012 | Nov 19, 2012 by Tracy Klicka

The morning after the presidential election, after my kids had worked hours and hours campaigning for conservative canidates, one of the first responses Charity had was, “I feel like my hard work was a waste. We didn’t even win our county, after the thousands of doors we knocked on.” As a mom who just watched her three youngest children work very, very hard for four days with great focus, self-denial and cheerfulness, I was sincerely feeling their pain and disappointment. “Oh, Lord, how can I encourage these young people?” I silently prayed.

Music at 9:00, Math at 10:00, Dinner at 6:00: Aiming For Consistency In Our Daily Routines | Nov 16, 2012 by MaryAnn Gaver

Are you wondering why I chose this golf picture? Well, I have a good explanation! Every athlete has a goal; they're aiming for a successful end result. Golfers want a hole-in-one, baseball players want the homerun, runners want the quickest time. They may not always achieve their goal, but they're certainly trying for consistency on a daily basis. Similarly, in teaching, we have certain goals to accomplish each day in order to achieve our end result - kids who graduate high school and are prepared to do whatever the Lord calls them to do.

Handwriting: It's Still Important | Nov 14, 2012 by MaryAnn Gaver

I love paper, pens and pencils! Yes, I realize that we're becoming a paperless society and that it's good to conserve, but I can't begin to think of cutting back on my post-it notes, boxed Hallmark cards or plain old college-ruled notebook paper.

The Kindergarten Class | Nov 8, 2012 by MaryAnn Gaver

What do you remember about your early school days? Was it is a good experience? How have those experiences effected your own teaching as a homeschooling mom?

It was a cheery, colorful room, my kindergarten year. A braided rug with an old rocking chair in one corner, easels diagonally across the room, cubby holes everywhere.

Once Bedford Falls, Now Pottersville -- Feeling Sad? Me, Too | Nov 7, 2012 by MaryAnn Gaver

As I stand at the back door of my kitchen, coffee cup in hand, a song comes to my mind -- the beautiful hymn It Is Well by Horatio G. Spatford. Listen to this last stanza: O Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll, the trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend, "Even so," --- it is well with my soul...

I didn't get to see Jay this morning because he left early for work, but next to the coffee pot found a little blue post-it note: "Hi Mare, It's a sad day for America today...but Jesus reminded us to 'take courage; I have overcome the world.' Have a blessed day in Him. love you --- Jay."

Homeschooling Moms, Unite! | Nov 6, 2012 by MaryAnn Gaver

The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world. ---- William Ross Wallace

So true, yet so easy to forget!

Hi everyone!

In all 50 states, mothers are teaching at home, nurturing their children & managing the homestead -- raising the next generation. It's the most important job in the world & by far the most strategic place to work!

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