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Come One, Come All! It’s History Fest Week in Mankato, Minnesota!
Last year we were introduced to the History Festival in Mankato, Minnesota by a good friend of ours. They had been going with their boys for a few years and absolutely loved it. Mark and I try to fill...
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Reminder of one of the reasons we homeschool
Fall began early this year but I have begun to notice my kids allergy’s are being triggered later and later. It is the last week in September and Maddie’s allergies are making her feel miserable. It is...
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Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo
We generally try to find field trips that cost as little as possible. My goal is to spend between $0 to $5 max. per person. We are a family of six and anymore than that adds up quickly. We almost...
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Dear Grandparents, You Matter!
My parents took a week vacation to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. In the eyes of their grandkids it might have been a year. Everyday my kids would ask me if today was the day they would come...
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Training Emotionally Healthy Kids
The hardest part of being a parent for me is introducing the evil aspects of the world to my kids. This is a subject I have written about before and it is something I have continued to ponder in my...
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Why We Have Chosen the Thomas Jefferson Education Method
What is Thomas Jefferson Education (TJE)? It is the learning theory that kids learn best when they are inspired and not required to learn. Which in this day and age sounds crazy. The question any sane...
View ArticleStruggling Through Anger that My Life Isn’t Enough
I’m struggling today. I have been avoiding dishes, cleaning, keeping laundry kinda going, and letting the rest all go. I could blame it on having four kids, starting a blog, and the craziness of life....
View ArticleDo All Things as if Doing Them for the Lord
I have shared recently that I’m struggling with my place in the world. I have been blessed with a loving husband, four beautiful kids, close family and friends who love me, a roof over my head, and a...
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Our Immune Systems are Kicking In
The last couple of weeks we have been fighting off colds. Thankfully, Mark and I were hit the hardest and the kids were left untouched for the most part. Timmy has had a stuffy nose and he was treated...
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Dear Mommy Wondering Where Your Energy Is!
The twins had their five year well check yesterday at our local clinic. It was the full enchilada including the dreaded shots. Phew, I think it may have been harder on me than on them. I was praying...
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Simply Charming Ceramics in Albert Lea
Mark and I believe that art is as important to our children’s education as math, science, and handwriting. Art inspires, teaches, and relaxes our kids brains. Simply Charming Ceramics in Albert Lea...
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Learning to Talk Confidently
Many of you know I am a freelance writer over at donnahup.com. Writing for Donna has been one of the best experiences I have ever had. Writing for Donna has given me a voice I didn’t know I had....
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Letting Go of What School Should Look Like.
This year our twins joined Maddie in “formal” schooling. I have felt more lost this year than the first year I began homeschooling. Adding two more minds, bodies, and emotions to our morning has...
View ArticleIntroducing Marvelous Maddie Monday!
It is my pleasure to introduce you to Marvelous Maddie Monday! Maddie brings an exciting new addition to our blog and we look forward to all that she has to teach us! Help me welcome Madeline Russell...
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Looking Back at our First Year of Homeschooling
Mark and I had talked about homeschooling our kids from the very beginning. It was when we began receiving letters in the mail from our school district remind us to register our daughter for preschool...
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When I began to think about Shopping Locally in Albert Lea, MN
Christmas is around the corner and I have begun to think about what I am going to buy for each of my kids. The older my kids get the more purposeful I have become in buying my kids presents. We have a...
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Seeing Christ in the Holiday Season
As we approach the holiday season our kids excitement is gaining momentum. They can feel the chill in the air reminding them that snow will soon appear on their favorite sledding hills and that our...
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Traditional Lefse Day
Ever since I was a little girl my mom has made lefse every holiday season. It is as iconic to our family as the Thanksgiving turkey or the Christmas tree. The holiday season would not be the same...
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Are my Kids Where They Should be Academically
It seems over the last three years I have been challenged and continue to be challenged in everything I thought homeschooling would be like. To be honest the first couple of years we homeschooled it...
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Me, Not Them.
What is “Me, Not Them”? It is when I pursue my passions, goals, and continue my own learning journey. It is when I allow myself to simmer rather than putting myself on the back burner. When we first...
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