Favorite Read Alouds & Read Alones in 2025

I've kept a reading record since 2013—a list of all the books I've read for the past thirteen years. It's nothing fancy, just a handwritten inventory in a journal I found haphazardly tossed into a clearance bin years ago. But whatever it lacks in form, it most certainly makes up for in function. Each entry includes the title, author's name, dates I started and finished the book, my star review of the text, and any thoughts I want to remember when recommending it or discouraging others from reading it.

4 Ways I'll be Increasing in 2026

I'm not a farmer. Truth be told, I'm not much of a gardener, either. I've kept very few plants alive in my life. But though I've never cultivated a crop, I do know this one simple truth about gathering a good harvest: very few things will ever grow on a mountaintop. The soil is not deep or rich enough on a peak. Growth happens in the valley. The valley is where the best fruit grows.

Tips & Tools for a Budding Young Artist

When my son was little, he never played. Not with one single toy. He only wanted to make and do and create. Of course, at his age, all of that making and doing and creating looked more like a mess than a masterpiece. Once, when he was almost three, he found a black Sharpie marker that I had accidentally left on my dresser and proceeded to draw pictures on my bedroom wall, the curtains, the carpet, my brand-new bedspread, and himself, in less than five minutes. Around that same time, he became obsessed with drawing pictures in spills. He would intentionally go to the fridge, find a bottle of this or a box of that, spill it on the floor, and use his finger to make shapes in it.

12th Grade Homeschool Curriculum 2025-2026

He may be the middle child, but he’s anything but middle. He’s a servant leader with a sharp wit. Loves antique car shows, watching FI racing, and tinkering under the hood of whatever you’re driving. Big fan of reading Shakespeare and studying ancient history. But don’t come at him with American history; it’s not old enough. Has strong political views and enjoys a good satirical meme. Avoids cooking whenever he can, but loves to eat, especially if there’s rice, beans, or pasta involved. He's never met a soup he didn't like. If you can’t find him, check the gym; he’ll probably be there lifting something heavy. This fall kicks off his last year of homeschooling!

11th Grade Homeschool Curriculum Choices 2025-2026

My fourth born is my Renaissance man. Artist. Junk hunter. Baseball Pitcher. Cook. Downhill ski jumper. Bird watcher. Coin collector. Fisherman. He’s got more hobbies than he has time most days. Strong sense of justice and fairness. He loves talking on the phone the old-fashioned way, is sweet potato averse, and is known to deep fry fun snacks at midnight. Neighborhood lawn mower. Autodidactic learner. Always ready to share a trivia fact. Can speak with nearly a dozen different international accents. If you’re bored and need a pal to help you drum up something fun to do, he’s your guy.