A Day in the Life

     No two days are quite the same for us.  Part of that has to do with the fact that we educate at home. But sometimes, that's just how life goes. I thought it would be fun to pick a day to document throughout and just see what happens.  *As a side note, I'm always taking pictures.  Before smart phones, I almost always had my 'nice' camera around my neck.  These days, I don't feel like I take as many 'good' quality images as I used to.  But I do capture things that I never used to, and there is a fun sense of whimsy that comes with using my phone to take pictures. :)

     My day usually starts early, with prayer and study time.  And then it's time to let Rox dog, our Labrador, out.  She usually stays close to me while it's still dark, but once it gets light out, she makes sure to remind me to take care of her. :)

The Week in Pictures

     This past week was a full week of school, exploring, and being challenged to live a life of LOVE! The boys and I started the week off visiting the park that we used to live behind.  Though I do love where we are now, I miss the big park with it's walking trail and open spaces.  The boys had a blast hunting for crayfish after a spring rain, while I walked the trail and tried to capture spring with some pictures! 

What's On The Book "Roll"

     I was in Dallas this past weekend for a Rodan + Fields Training Event!  While I was there, I had the privilege and blessing to catch up with some good friends, host an event of my own, and visit The Branch, our church when we lived in Texas.  I also stopped by my all-time favorite bookstore, Half Price Books.  There is not much better than hunting for a good book or two, and finding unexpected treasures while on the hunt!  

Philippians 4:8

     This verse has been on my heart so much this week.  I don't know about you, but I often struggle to keep my thoughts focused on these kinds of thoughts...good thoughts...encouraging thoughts.  I struggle with worry, frustration, impatience, anger. I've also noticed that my boys struggle with the same things as well.  One of the joys, and difficulties if I'm being honest, of homeschooling, is that you get to spend a WHOLE lot more time with your kids.  Sometimes this is awesome.  Sometimes this is NOT.  Walking through character building opportunities, seemingly ALL THE TIME, can wear on a person.  And, when you realize that some of those habits that your kids have MIGHT have come from you in some form or fashion, it makes it all the more fun disheartening.

     This is where the Word of God comes in.  Starting this spring, we renewed our commitment to reading the Bible together.  It only takes a few minutes.  We try to talk about what we have read.  And we ask the Holy Spirit to help us understand what we read and apply it to our lives.  Beginning our day with God always helps the day to go better! 

     And in an effort to 'write' more of God's word on our hearts, we have also started memorizing one scripture a week.  Simple, I know. Why we haven't been doing it lately? I guess we just weren't being intentional. Philippians 4:8 is this weeks scripture.  What a beautiful, challenging, centering scripture! I hope it is a blessing to you today! 

~Kendra

October Favorite Things: Crossfit T-Town South!

31 days of posting about my favorite things would not be complete without a shout out to

Crossfit T-Town South!!  Community is a big deal to me, and the community at T-Town is top notch and such an amazing encouragement to me! The boys and I take a homeschool Crossfit class once a week at T-Town and it is my favorite activity of the week!  We are able to work out together with other homeschool families, have fun, and be challenged in ways that we wouldn't otherwise be.  Kristen and Melissa, you are the BEST!  Thank you for putting up with us...and for being such an uplifting part of our week! We are so thankful to be there!

Big J and I on different relay teams, racing each other 

here with a run, push ups, and a crab walk. 

October Favorite Things: Favorite Story Books

I love literature in general, specifically books that tell a fascinating story!  One of my favorite parts about homeschooling is that I am able to take the time to read engaging stories with my boys. Yes, I still read out loud to them. :) I think it is extremely important to continue reading out loud to them for as long as I am able to!  (Of course, I don't read everything to them!)

I want to highlight three of my most favorite story books that I have read to the boys in the last couple of months!


Noah Webster and His Words
If you've ever wanted to know the story behind how Webster's dictionary came to be, this is the book to read.  It is a fascinating story about diligence, focus, and determination!

October Favorite Things: Homeschooling!

Our schooling journey has been just that...a journey.  We chose homeschooling in the beginning for the flexibility and freedom it would bring in our schooling and family life.  We took last year off, for various reason, not knowing if we would ever come back to it.  The boys were in our local public school last year and it was a good year.  But we missed the freedom to have a flexible schedule, to take advantage of opportunities, and to do some different things!  So, here we are again.  

I honestly didn't plan to write about homeschooling during this month of favorites.  I wasn't sure if it was one of my favorite things or not.  It has been tough to adjust back to being 'teacher' and it has been challenging to once again balance home life with school life.  But after a month and a half or so of school, I can say that it is a favorite of mine!  I enjoy teaching and facilitating the boys learning time.  I wouldn't miss our weekly field trips and days of exploration for anything! I don't know what the future holds, or how long we will walk this road again, but I will be thankful and relish each day!

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." Proverb 16:9

Going on a short hike at a local nature center.

A New Chapter

It's hard to sit down and write when it's been almost a year since my last post.  It's humbling to know that I've been ignoring the desire to blog for a WHOLE YEAR.  It's amazing how procrastination, resistance, or whatever you want to call it, can keep me from something that I truly enjoy doing.

Where do I start?  I can't really relive the past, or go back and share about all of the things that I wanted to at the time.  All I can do is start where I'm at.

So, Where am I?

I'm in a new chapter of my life.  Some not so small changes have happened. The transition from homeschool to public school is one of them. All summer I wrestled with what I already knew the answer was regarding our boys schooling.  After 4+ years of homeschooling, I felt like God was gently nudging me to let go of homeschooling, along with the control I desperately sought to maintain, and the irrational fears that I had. Whether it's just for this year, or for longer, I don't know.  It's an interesting position to be in, though.  I still firmly support the right to homeschool and I still fully believe in the reasons that we homeschooled for 4 years.  I loved the time we had as a family to explore, the freedom to travel when we wanted to, the ability to dive into subjects that we found interesting. But it was time for a change of perspective.  Although we aren't even a month into public school yet, I've found that we still have time to explore, it just looks a little different.  We don't have as much freedom to travel, but I think that we have already become more intentional with the time that we do have.  And I don't think that our boys will ever not dive deeper into subjects that interest them.  It's just a part of who they are.

What are some good things that have come from taking this step?  I appreciate on a deeper level what I have now.  I'm more intentional about being fully present when I'm with my boys. I am more diligent in prayer for them. We still  have our friendships from our other circles and activities.  But we've added a whole new set of friends, acquaintances, and connections to our life.  I feel more engaged in my neighborhood and community.

It doesn't mean that it will be all rosy and perfect.  Because it won't, and already isn't.  But I have peace about being in a position that I didn't expect myself to be in. And I'm so thankful for the One that my peace comes from!

Here are my guys on their first day of public school.