On this day, when we celebrate our country’s declaration of freedom from British rule, may we be thankful for our own freedom as well as be willing to defend the freedom of others.
Freedom of speech. Freedom to disagree. Freedom of expression. Freedom to object. Freedom of thought. Freedom of the press. Freedom to love. Freedom from corporate rule. … Continue reading
Taking time to relax, to step away from day-to-day demands, is important. We all need white space in our lives. Time that is unscheduled. Time to think. Time to dream. Time to simply be.
While I work hard to create moments of quiet in my day-to-day life, as truly we all need to have downtime daily, it’s definitely a challenge to accomplish this while homeschooling two young, active boys.… Continue reading
We’re getting ready to head off to Michigan to visit my in-laws. This week I’m focusing on planning and packing.
I keep a Master Packing List [you can find a version of it from a previous trip HERE], which makes packing so much easier. Each time we have a trip planned, I pull out our master list and modify it as needed for the particular time of year and circumstances under which we’re traveling. … Continue reading
Mindfulness means paying attention to what you are doing. It is a focus on what is going on in us and around us. By focusing on the uniqueness of each moment, we can be undistracted from and accepting of whatever lies before us.
With a mindful focus, any task can become a meditation. Tonight as I was chopping mushrooms for dinner, I focused exclusively on the task before me; it helped that my boys were outside working in the yard with my husband.… Continue reading
I believe that love can conquer fear, hatred, and heartache.
I look forward to a day when human kind can live in peace. Let us work together, love one another, and leave a legacy of kindness and compassion wherever we go.
“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality.… Continue reading
If your family is anything like mine, everyone loves foaming hand soap (if we buy a pre-made one, we use THIS). My boys love that it magically foams up, even before they begin scrubbing. I love that it gets my kids excited about washing their hands. It also helps to reduce waste as it give them a handful of soap in only one squirt, instead of my boys repeatedly pumping regular soap into their hands until they feel like they have enough.… Continue reading
My dear friend Lainie is back with another household tip. This time, she discusses how she gets her kids involved with preparations for a special occasion. Her tip about Teaching Kids to Clean with Lines (HERE) has made a huge difference in our house. I can see her suggestion about a Post It Note Wall being equally effective (especially once both of my boys can read!).… Continue reading
In the midst of a book full of fun and silly poems, lies this message of truth. Who are we to say what is impossible for someone else? Or to let someone else say what is impossible for us?
“Listen to the MUSTN’TS, child,
Listen to the DON’TS
Listen to the SHOULDN’TS
The IMPOSSIBLES, the WON’TS
Listen to the NEVER HAVES
Then listen close to me –
Anything can happen, child,
ANYTHING can be.”… Continue reading
The trouble started on Saturday night. My 2-year-old suddenly decided he would not share. And it got loud.
Two weeks ago a dear friend gave each of my boys a container full of water balloons. My 7-year-old received green and orange balloons. My 2-year-old received red and blue balloons. Each of them was delighted.
The boys decided to share their balloons, using first one container and then the other, so that they wouldn’t accidentally get too many of the unused balloons wet (which can quickly result in a moldy mess). … Continue reading
We each have many opportunities to do good within our day-to-day lives. Each morning, we awaken to a fresh opportunity to sustain this practice. In this way, through the continued doing of good, we change our lives, we change the lives of those around us, and we change the world.
Even things as simple as saying a genuine thank you, meeting a person’s eye when you speak to them, or smiling at the people you walk past can touch the lives of others with kindness. … Continue reading