Meet the Reticular Activating System (RAS)
When you think of data, what do you think of? The phone in your hand as you send off a text? The computer in front of you as you scroll through...
Although my children are all grown adults, some in college and others married with careers, my primary job is still mom. Spending time together still incorporates conversations about life where I can continue to share my experiences to help them on their journey. My day job is working as the C.E.O. of Home Educating Family Association, where I find my personality strengths are at their best. I love solving problems and coming up with new ideas. The love of my life is my husband, Leroy, who encourages me as I dream big and take each step into new adventures. It is his love and support that is my constant strength.
As a homeschool graduate, I was determined to never homeschool! But then I had children, and when my oldest came of age to attend school, I thought perhaps I could school her for kindergarten and then send her to school for 1st grade. The same thought occurred to me when it came time for 1st grade, then 2nd, and this continued to happen all the way through 12th grade. Obviously, homeschooling, done differently, made all the difference.
At one point I had a newborn, toddler, preschooler, 1st grader, and 3rd grader. To say life was full is an understatement. Yet, I was also the full time bread winner, running my own software design company. I learned through careful planning, a consistent schedule, taking time for myself, and a lot of hard long hours that I could do it. And I did.
Not every day was idyllic, but overall, homeschooling allowed me time with my children to oversee their education and provide opportunities based on their interests and talents. We traveled to each of the lower 48 states, have seen more than a dozen national parks, rode a roller coaster at every Six Flags theme park in the U.S.A., and even explored other countries.
I often joke that I have a 6th grade education, because I began homeschooling in 7th grade. Although my homeschool experience was dismal with my mother as the teacher, my father would take me to work each day, and that’s where my education began. By the age of 18, I’d learned bookkeeping, logistics, retail, computer programming, and everything it takes to run and build businesses. Although I desperately wanted to attend college, the conservative Christianity I was raised in did not allow it. Instead, I taught myself everything I needed to know as I needed it. I learned multiple programming languages, graphic design, web design, marketing, publishing, and much more. It turns out, education is what we make of it.
As an introverted mother of five little ones, I made my home the place I wanted to be most. I love baking, decorating, and all things home making, but my passion is learning. At any given time, I am reading and learning on no less than 10 topics. My favorite topics include psychology, theology, education, and how the brain functions. As someone who stays very busy, I love getting to the lake to take a breather. With a book in hand, generally a suspense crime novel, I enjoy soaking up the sun while learning to just be.
When you think of data, what do you think of? The phone in your hand as you send off a text? The computer in front of you as you scroll through...
What causes us to believe what we believe? What triggers those reactions we just can’t seem to get away from? And is there a way we can work to...
Taking the time to really listen can be difficult, whether it be anticipating the needs of our little ones, or maybe stumbling through a...
Marriage requires hard work. You might even say that marriage is tough. But sometimes what we brush off as tough can actually be something much...
Hasn’t this been an extraordinary issue? The topic of workshops for the creator and inventor covers such a variety of topics. But, you may also...
In the beginning God created… I have read those first five words time and time again, rarely stopping to think through their implications. God...
Have you ever had a pen-pal? Even in the day of digital communication and social media, it can be fun to introduce your child to the experience...
Experimenting in the kitchen can lead to some surprisingly good creations when handled properly! The same thing can be true in homeschooling—but...
What are the characteristics of a healthy marriage? Much can be seen by observing how couples interact with one another. The nature of...
Experimenting in the kitchen can lead to some surprisingly good creations when handled properly! The same thing can be true in homeschooling—but...
Growth in any aspect of life requires key ingredients, just like that perfect recipe. It's no different in homeschooling! In order to be...
Restricted Access We’re excited that you’re interested in this content, and we can’t wait to make it possible for you to access and dive...