We can all too easily get wrapped up in the commercialism of Christmas. It happens without realizing it. We start our shopping and baking with the thought that this year, I’m going to take it slow and not spend to much. I’m going to be thoughtful of what it’s all about as the days go by.

Suddenly it’s December 22, and we wonder, “Where did all the days go? What have I done these past weeks, and did I stop even once to remember why I celebrate this season?”

I took advantage the other day of free rides at Nickelodeon Universe. I packed all seven kids into the van and off we went. My two oldest are 11 and didn’t want to go on the kiddie rides so I gave them my cell phone and let them roam on their own through the park. I was with my sister so they could call when they needed us. As I looked around the park I noticed it was all home schoolers and moms with strollers so I figured it was a pretty good day to let them off on their own!

“No mortal man could have surmised what was afterward learned, but the Confederate Naval officers intended to destroy the Minnesota…”
Confederate Military History, volume 12

We have a winner! Paponfamily won the complimentary MACHE membership.

Thank you everyone for taking the time to participate!

Thank you to all of our Facebook homeschooling friends! The MÂCHÉ Facebook page reached 2,000 likes. We pray that the page is an encouragement and blessing to everyone who reads it!

In celebration of reaching 2,000 likes, we are going to give away a complimentary MÂCHÉ membership!

As I was standing over the changing table, changing my baby’s diaper, listening to her coo and watching her smile, I had this thought: “I have been in this exact same spot, doing this exact same thing so many times.”

At first it was a bit disheartening. I felt a bout of sadness at how mundane my life is. Almost every day looks exactly the same, with some slight variations here and there. Only very rarely do my days change enough to make a statement, like when we take a vacation. I thought to myself, this is not what I thought my life would be like.

Minnesota's Role in the First Republican Nominee for President

Our United States faces one of its most critical presidential elections on November 6, but did you know Minnesota played a role in another important presidential election in our nation’s history?

First test your knowledge on some trivia related to that historic election. Who was the first Republican to be nominated for president of the United States and what was his connection to Minnesota?

A Minnesotan Who Was Almost President

"The best brain and the surest brawn of the nation is found here (in the Midwest) and it should be organized into one mighty moral, material and patriotic force to overthrow paternalism and plunder, and regenerate politics and the Republic."

John A. Johnson
Governor of Minnesota, 1905-1909*

I’m sure you’ve heard this phrase before. I thought of it this last week as I vamped up our school day routine to almost full speed. I like to start slowly with just a couple subjects and add two or three subjects each week until we are full speed. We’re not quite there yet but close.

We have a winner!  Haugenjl won the complimentary MACHE membership.

Thank you everyone for taking the time to comment.

May God bless your new school year!