Pardon the dust. This website is under construction, with plans to be finished by December 1st.

The Good Life

Once upon a time, many years ago, I "had it all planned out". I knew what I wanted to do with my life. I had decided to get a college degree in education, travel the world, maybe settle down one day and have one or two kids, but not until I had gotten all I wanted out of life -- led "the good life". (Notice a recurring theme here? "I...I...I...").

Well, most of us are familiar with the Robert Burns' line, "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft a-gley." Fate, as it would have it, threw a wrench into my plans. Or rather, God had a different direction in mind for my life. At the tender age of twenty, I found my life taking an entirely different path than I had directed. I got married and quit college to raise a family.

And here I am, nearly sixteen years later,the proud mother and home educator of nine awesome children, a Christian, a wife, and a friend. Even amidst the trials and tribulations; the roller coaster rides I have taken over the years, it didn't take me long to discover that THIS is "the good life". My best laid schemes could have never produced a life of such fulfillment -- that which comes from being a mother.

Welcome to my life...the GOOD life.

The really happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery when on a detour.

The Good Life Is...

  • Peanut butter smiles
  • Fuzzy baby heads
  • Love notes in a childish scrawl
  • Weed bouquets
  • Toothless grins
  • First steps
  • Tiny toes
  • Thunderstorm snuggles
  • Baby dreams
  • Watching a child read to a younger sibling
  • Loving someone so much it hurts
  • Knowing every word to every Veggie Tales song
  • Experiencing everything for the first time -- through the eyes of a child
  • This Little Piggy and Pat-a-Cake
  • Silly knock-knock jokes
  • Tee-ball games
  • Little fingerprints...everywhere
  • Little gifts -- of the insect variety
  • Splish-splash baths
  • Feety pajamas
  • Playing make-believe

Happiness is not having what you want. It is wanting what you have.

Categories Defined

  • A Day in the Life: A glimpse into the day-to-day life of a Christian homeschooling mother of nine.

  • Decently and in Order: Structure and routine in a larger-than-average household.

  • Explorations: Or as I like to call them, "field trips".

  • Feeding the Flock: Nourishing many hungry bodies while staying on a budget.

  • Frugality: Coupon codes, money-saving tips, and more.

  • Health Matters: Living a healthy lifestyle through proper diet, fitness, and discretion.

  • My Pride and Joy: My children! Who else?

  • Shopping Directory: My favorite places to shop online, as well as a directory of homeschool family home-based businesses.

  • The Academy: Home Sweet School.

  • The Bacon: Making some pocket change, while staying home with the ones we love.

  • The Soapbox

    : The issues I embrace. *WARNING* - I tend to be a bit opinionated about those things in which I believe.
The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside,
somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God.
Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that
God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.

- Anne Frank -