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My most precious memory growing up was in the kitchen. I remember watching my dad with his flour coated hands early in the morning wrestle biscuit dough. I look back amazed at how he would work so hard and still be ready to fill my belly with love. 








As a parent I often revert to a good old box of cereal on tired mornings but I rarely had that memory of my dad. I don't even know if we owned cereal to be honest. So being a parent myself, really puts this language of love in perspective for me. 










 In all the chaos of my life, in all the heartbreak, confusion and loss this language always spoke the loudest. When I was sitting around the messy flour coated kitchen, or at the table filling myself to the brim, everything else in life faded. 

Love became tangible in that kitchen and those are the memories that sing the loudest in my head now. And for that I will forever be grateful. 







Now, with my own kids, life looks quite a bit different. But the one thing I want to pass on to my kids is that cloud of memory that was placed in my as a child. 


I want them to look back and smell the dough bake in the oven.
I want them to hear the phantom sizzle of sausage cooking on the stove.
I want them to see the labor of love pressed into every biscuit. 






As I stand here and reenact the dance of love my dad rehearsed for me time and time again, I can hear him in the back of my memory.


I grin from ear to ear as I pull out the cinnamon and sugar to make the famous "left-over dough" cinnamon bun. This was, without a doubt, my most anticipated moment. 








I giggle when I take out the fork to continuously stir and wreck the bottom of my pan. I remember the stirring was endless. As a kid I would sit and wonder why you would ever have to stir gravy for that long. But now I see that every second counts in the perfect gravy consistency. 









There was never a recipe.

I remember when I got married I asked my dad for the recipe and he simply told me that it was all about the feel. That his Granny made her perfect biscuits and gravy just be knowing the look and touch of the dough. 
I find this so beautiful and intimate. 
This type of family dynamic seems to be lost. 

So while there is no real "family" recipe to share, I have one of my own I will share that I plan to pass down. The gravy however, will not have a recipe. I have no measurements for this. Like my dad and his granny, I now know how to make our family gravy by sight and touch. And I want to keep this. I plan to teach this to my kids and pray they do the same with theirs. 




















So enjoy these biscuits. Grab your kids, grandkids, cousins, or friends, and laugh and smile around a messy flour coated kitchen. Make memories that last. Love someone by filling their stomach. 








Our Family Biscuits



Hey!
As we begin to see our first year of homeschool come to a close there has been so many things I've learned. And hopefully a few things my kids have learned (giggle). There have been highs and many lows.
This year has been a year of learning how to teach my kids, parent with more patience, and discipline with more kindness. It has been a year filled with joy, tears, laughter, and love.
I've got to know my kids in a way I never would have otherwise. And for that alone, it has all been worth it.
I grew up excelling in school. It came very easily to me. I skipped school, barely ever did homework, and was usually the kid goofing off in class. But in all that I rarely got a bad grade. This was nothing I could take credit for, God just gave me a mind like that. Maybe just for a time like this.

But this made homeschooling quite challenging for me. Learning to guide a child that isn't designed that way was very difficult. I had to learn patience on a whole new level. When he wouldn't grasp basic concepts I would catch myself wanting to say things like "Why is this so hard for you, when it's so simple?"
I'm beyond grateful for a sister who openly shared her struggles of being in school with me because I really do believe this gave me the insight and compassion I needed to step back and change my mindset. This took time for me though, and I'm still learning.

When we stepped into this I was also so overwhelmed with where my kids were actually at. Even being an active parent in their education before, I really did miss a lot.

I remember feeling like giving up so many times and feeling like this just wouldn't work for us. But I always sat back and reminded myself of why we started in the first place, reminded myself of the deep relationships we were developing, and reminded myself that while it feels like we've been at this forever, it's only been a few months.

I don't want to raise kids who quit when things get hard so I have to set an example of that.

One of the biggest things I learned this year was to start slow and small. If you know me you know that I'm a jump in the deep end and don't plan for it kind of girl. I definitely proved this when we started schooling. I was so eager to teach the kids absolutely everything. I remember watching YouTube video after YouTube video of veteran homeschool moms advising newbies like me to take it slow. I did not head this advice very well.
A majority of the plans I had were pushed aside and we eventually got down to the basics. So take their advice and start small.

Another thing we learned the hard way was how to not replicate the classroom at home. I honestly just didn't know how to practically do that. My whole experience with school has been a teacher led classroom. I wanted to make this transition more smooth for all of us but I just didn't know how. As I look back I think I wouldn't change that either. I don't think I would even know what to tell myself six months ago. I think the best way to go about implementing this advice would be to just start and bend and mold things to what is actually working.

I want to encourage you, that we are in a great groove now. And it happened a lot quicker than I thought it would. It doesn't look like what I expected and it doesn't look like other homeschools. But it works for us, our kids are excelling, and the push back and tension have decreased significantly.

Give your kids time to adjust to a new life because it does change the dynamic of things. Their perspective of home will need to change and their perspective of your relationship will need to change. And this takes time and struggle. But the storm is settling on our side and it's looking very sweet.
I expect to learn many more things as we continue and I still feel like a baby in this world but for now we've done ok. We are happy and learning.

If you are starting this journey, or even just curious about it, I want to leave you with some hope. I didn't think we'd make it this far. There were many times I started to prepare myself for the heartbreak of putting them back in school because I felt so unequipped. All these emotions are so normal and you will most likely feel them too. But know that you can do this and will never regret it.
If you have kids you know that time is in fast forward so take some of it back.

<3 The Tinyhousewife

Thank you Covid 19,


Thank you for bringing humanity alive. 

I sit and watch celebrities, politicians, moms, dads, teens, and all the rest post videos of life since you came. I'm seeing musicians post music videos in their bathrooms. There has always been this gap between the famous and the rich in the world and the rest of us. 

It has stirred envy, desire, and idolatry in the best of us. But since you came we are seeing that gap close. We are seeing the reality of every single person's humanity amongst us. 

I'm not happy that you are here. 
I'm not happy that you are taking lives and are letting the spirit of fear to run wild among us. 

And I pray you leave. 

But I will be thankful in all things.




So today I want to thank you for settling this world a bit. 




I want to thank you the most for waking everyone up to their mortality. The mass majority of people did absolutely everything they could to ignore this. 
We've numbed our mortality with drugs, we've made it the center of our jokes on stages, we've deceived ourselves into thinking it's not real with movies.
But YOU, have awoken us from our deception. 
You've reminded each of us that death haunts us, and that we are dreadfully afraid of it. 
We doubt our beliefs in reincarnation and we realize that maybe the universe won't save us this time. 

I want to thank you Covid 19, because now, maybe now, my little voice will be heard. That maybe just one person will turn their ear, maybe one person will let their blinders drop, maybe one person will want to know the truth. 

Covid 19, you came to unleash destruction. You came to kill and conquer. But what you didn't know was that this life is just the beginning. 
That I do have a voice and I have a brilliant and beautiful story to tell. 
One that extinguishes the flames of fear. 
One that gives hope to the hopeless. 
One that you can't steal. 
I don't know who is behind your beginning. But I know who's behind the ending. And, covid 19, it's certainly NOT you. 

So thank you, because now, if it's even just one, people will turn to a true redeemer. They will look at their mortality and cry out for more. Because we were made for eternity. And when they cry out, you know who will show up? 
A kind and merciful God. 
A loving King who instead of stealing lives, came to exchange His own for ours. 

Sincerely,
One who isn't afraid. 


Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God,who is to come into the world.”

John 11:26-27
Hey! 
So I've heard that there are many schools in the States that have shut down and we are heading that way here in Canada. With that I can totally sympathize with moms who are nervous about what to do next. 

I was in the boat not long ago when I set out on this journey and spent hours upon hours researching how to begin teaching my kids at home. 
But while I know most of you don't have hours and probably don't even know where to begin, I want to help ease some of the stress. 
If you are bringing your kids home or know someone who is please feel free to share this blog post. I will compile a list of free resources that will keep your kids challenged and learning and will also take the stress off of you when it comes to thinking you have to become an over-night teacher. 

Math/Grammar:
We absolutely LOVE Khan Academy. It is so simple to use and covers every grade from preschool through University even. The math is taught through short and concise videos. My kids both grade 2 and grade 5 can sit and learn from them independently. They then go on to practice in a mastery based format. There are quizzes and unit tests as well. And the kids level up and reach goals as they go. One thing I absolutely love about this curriculum is that it is timed. When I went to public school in grade 4 for the first time, I really struggled with keeping up with timelines and testing but this makes sure the kids are going at a healthy pace and not too fast. 


NOTE: Khan academy also has full grammar curriculum and endless other subjects for junior high and highschool. Honestly you could just use this website on it's own and know your kids are getting all the learning they need. 

Educational Media: 
Youtube has endless channels that are great for keeping your kids engaged and learning. 
We love Peekaboo kids, Art for kids hub, Homeschool Pop, and Superbook for our favourite bible stories.

Spotify has tons of great podcasts and audio books for kids.

Download the hoopla and Libby app to get free audio and ebooks from the local library.

If you have access to Rightnowmedia through your church, there are tons of creation science videos and devotionals on there for the kids to watch.

Scratch is one of my sons favourite sites for learning to code. 

Picmonkey is my daughter's favourite site to play on. It's actually a design and editing website. It's great for letting them explore the computer and editing. Helps them learn to type and search the internet. 
Kiddle is a great kid-safe search engine to do research and scan the internet for what interests them. 


Books:
If you are looking to buy books to help we've loved Language Lessons for a Living Education  by Masterbooks for Grammar. 
The Funschooling books are so much fun and cover a wide range of subjects. We loved the science minecraft book this year. 


At the end of the day keep it very very simple. Grammar and Math are what's central and just read lots. Read together and enjoy this time together. It is such a gift. Have your kids do chores around the house. Let them see the effort you put in and let them take part in caring for your home and family. Teach them to cook. Sing songs together and dance. PLAY. Lots and lots of PLAY. Your kids will NOT fail in this world if you put aside society's design for education for a short while and play with your kids. Get outside and learn in nature. Celebrate God for all He's given us. 

Learn geography by praying for other kids around the world Operation World is amazing resource that guides you into praying for every country and gives you facts about the people and what they are going through right now. Teach your kids empathy and love by showing them how to pray for people in many different circumstances all around the world. 

And most important READ your bibles together. Read them alone. This is what brings change. This is what transforms our hearts. Teaches our kids to be kind, loving, and compassionate humans. Teaching them that their identity is greater than what the world tells them it is. 

And to wrap this up, I just want to say that you are more than welcome to contact me if you need help, encouragement, or prayer. If you are sick, struggling with fear, or want to know this freedom and hope I have please contact me! 

I love you! 


FEAR.

Fear is so prevalent everywhere right now. I mean if we are honest it always was. The bible is pretty clear on that. Every single person who doesn't know Jesus walks around with a deep and lasting fear. A fear of death that haunts everyone who doesn't know where death leads. Our hearts were imprinted with eternity. Whether we claim to believe in God or not, if we are honest with ourselves, we can feel that pull of eternity. For those who know that that eternity places them in the peace and wholeness of God's hands there is an anticipation, an excitement, a joyful longing. For those who don't know, there is only fear and uncertainty. 

We don't often talk about this but we know it's real. I could see it on every face as I walked around Costco today. We are usually better at hiding it or distracting ourselves from it but with the alarm of sickness in the media and fear of isolation, you can see that fear seeping out of people all around you. 

I have to admit I can't imagine how that must feel. For as long as I can remember my hope was so secure in my forever with Jesus. So knowing that people feel this all the time brings such sadness to my heart for them. And it should or I wouldn't do anything about it. 
It's both heartbreaking and convicting thinking about all of the people around me terrified of death. It's more heartbreaking and convicting knowing that I have a way out of it and aren't sharing it all the time. 

I have a message for those of you drowning in this fear. Whether you want to admit it or not. I know you might not want to but keep reading. Please. 

For those of you who are living day to day terrified of death, terrified of sickness, terrified of "fill in the blank", I am so sorry. I am sorry I am writing this from my couch and haven't been out there desperately trying to rip you out of the hands of this terror. Because that is my job. That is why I've been entrusted with the truth. That is why Jesus saved me. That is why Paul in the bible says he is indebted to those around him. I am sorry because I owe you the truth. 

But since I'm here and you're hopefully reading this far I will tell you here. My hope is that you will let me take a seat with you as you read this and that you will feel the urgency, love, and desperation in my heart. There is a way out. There is firstly a way out of this fear. Yes, you can be free from the terror, anxiety, and depression that haunts you. And here is why. Because you can be free from death. The reason we have fear, depression, and anxiety is because of death. It might not feel like that but death is the underlying issue. It is the true condition we should be treating. And while it sounds completely insane, you can actually be free from death. 

You see most of us know that Jesus died for our sins. But I don't think we all know what that really means. We sinned and this separated us from God. But this also invoked the death sentence. The wages of sin is death. In other words our payment for sinning is death. We can't run from it, hide from it, or even pretend is doesn't exist because we see it's real and we feel it. But the good news is that Jesus payed the price for our sin. He took our place. When he was raised from the dead HE defeated the power of death over our lives. Because He never sinned death lost its power because Jesus was the sacrifice. He took my death sentence. He took yours. 

And all you have to do is put your faith in Him as King of your life, turn away from your sin and selfish desires, be baptized, and receive His spirit. When you do this you will be completely free from death and the fear of death. Because now you don't die. 

You will go on living with Jesus. He will renew this world, set it back in order, take all the evil and darkness and pain and suffering away and you will live out your eternity with our gracious, loving, kind, King. You aren't going to float around in the sky with dogs with wings. You're going to get a new body that is restored and whole and you will live an abundant beautiful life walking with God. And this is extended to every single person. You have a choice. And the best part is that God meets us now. He brings HIMSELF into us when we choose Him. He walks with us now. Speaks to us, comforts us, guides us, heals us. NOW. You become born again. 

We live in a scary time. And you have every reason to fear without Jesus. But there's another way. You have a choice. He is patiently waiting for you. Please choose Him. Please call out to Him. It's that simple. All who call on the name of the Lord WILL be saved. You don't need a scripted prayer  or a man in a black and white collar. You don't need a church building. Just HIM. Then He will pour His spirit onto you, He will become your safety and refuge, He will protect your from sickness. The minute you ask for Him he will come. 

Jesus is the only way. This isn't a popular view but it's the truth. God left His perfect throne with all His power and glory and became a meek and rejected man for YOU. Now that is LOVE. 

Let this crazy chaotic world wake you up to see that you DO need to worry. Not about sickness, or war, or running out of toilet paper. Let this wake you up to see that it's after that matter. That you are going somewhere and not every option is a good one. You are an eternal being. Which eternity are you choosing? Do you love your life so much that it costs you your eternity or do your love your eternity enough to lose this life? Because it's one or the other. 
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