A couple of days ago, my wife and I celebrated fifteen years together. I remember in conversation with her when she said the word “fifteen,” and I suddenly looked over at her and said aloud, “Fifteen! I should get you something special.” And she looked back at me and said, “Why?” And I said, “Because … Continue reading A Hike Through Fifteen Years
On Being an Enneagram Nine
My Enneagram Journey I have always enjoyed personality theory, I think because of the great (and false) promise it offers to show us who we are and what we might be good at. I say it’s false, because ultimately such things are not due solely to personality, but also to other things like family, friends, … Continue reading On Being an Enneagram Nine
The End of Another Year
My kids are finally nearing the end of another year. It’s no surprise to say that it will go down as a strange and difficult year considering the virus, but honestly I don’t really want to write anything more about the virus right now. We still have about a week or so left of Science. … Continue reading The End of Another Year
Psalm 27
I made the mistake of reading the news today. I know I shouldn’t do that. The minute I pick up my phone to view the news I regret doing so, and yet I scan through the headlines like I can’t get enough of them. Voice after voice telling me about this or that tragedy - … Continue reading Psalm 27
Rest
I seem to be completely unaware of when I have worked myself too hard. I know it’s important to rest. I used to be lazy and rest too much, in fact. I would rest as though I were addicted to rest (that’s laziness). One of the best things about my marriage to Leslie is that … Continue reading Rest
Teaching Reading
Shortly after earning my teaching license, I took a long-term substitute position at a school in the same district in which I had completed my student teaching. Before my arrival in the Spring semester, the full-time teacher had quit her job over winter break and my new students had had at least a dozen or … Continue reading Teaching Reading
Frustrations
There are days when being home with the kids is really fun, and then there are days when I feel like kicking through a wall. I love my kids, and I really do enjoy playing with them and spending time with them. But then there are times when I just need some space to recharge, … Continue reading Frustrations
Monday Benediction
Happy Monday, everyone. I’m taking joy in my work today as a homeschool teacher today. I woke up early on a snowy and cold November morning to switch out the week’s curriculum as my wife got herself ready to leave for work. Some days are difficult, but as with any other job out there you … Continue reading Monday Benediction
Mikulak Gymnastic Camp
Leslie and I had saved up to go to the U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Trials Competition in St. Louis. I called several times for tickets, but it was clear that they had sold out long before we even started trying to buy them. Out of the blue, we heard that Sam Mikulak was hosting a gymnastics … Continue reading Mikulak Gymnastic Camp
The Power of Voice
Leighton has struggled in his writing this year. His curriculum is asking him to write essays and creative writing projects of five paragraphs in length. It’s often difficult to get him to go from an outline, to a rough draft, to a completed paper in a week’s time. He isn’t a very fast typist (which … Continue reading The Power of Voice
