My mother has been gone out of my life for 5 years today. Some days it feels like it was just yesterday. Grief is the unwanted house guest that has worn out its welcome but it also makes an excellent teacher when used by the Master. And so, I’ve learned much. When I was a…
An Open Letter to the New Home School Momma
To the mom hiding behind your computer screen, searching for the next best curriculum….I know you well. You spent months researching different home school programs, curriculum, groups, and how-to’s. You read every blog, article, meme, and Facebook post that had anything to do with homeschooling. You talked to your spouse, to your friends, and to…
The Coconut Chronicles: Lessons from Kids Camp

The month of July is all but gone and we are bearing down on the insanity of back to school planning. I can hardly believe it. This summer has been full of fun. So much fun in fact, that Hubby and I decided that the Coconut's desperately needed some spiritual vegetables to counter act all the…
The Coconut Chronicles: The Death of Empathy
“Hi! My name’s Isabelle! Do you wanna be my friend?” I heard this sentence offered up by each of the Coconuts countless times during our monster road trip last month to a plethora of different kids they met. And no matter the size, age, gender, religious background, family party persuasion, every one of the kids…
The Tragedy of Last Firsts
The other night as I lay with Coconut number 4, I was hit with overwhelming sadness. Perhaps it was the lack of sleep over the course of the past several nights as we have begun the weaning process of our littlest Coconut. At least weaning from night nursing that is. She’s turned me into a…
The Coconut Chronicles and The Great Camping Escapade
There are moments in life that are so sacred, so intimate; we are possessive with whom we will share them with. Yet at the same time, because they are so meaningful to us we desire to share the memories with many as to offer a glimpse of the divine. The moment each of my children…
Some days (most actually) I feel like the character Pig-Pen from Peanuts. You know, the one who has the dirt cloud swirling around him wherever he goes. I don't have actual dirt blowing around but a whirlwind of chaos. I am the most organized, unorganized person on the planet. See I love the concept of…
The Coconut Chronicles and the Trouble with Girls…
After recovering from my initial shock of finding out I was pregnant with Coconut #1, I realized that I really wanted a girl. I don't know if it was that I had been around little girls in the dance world all my life, or just that fact that I thought it would be cool to…
The Coconut Chronicles and The Perils of Back to School Night
This week found us where 99% of families with school aged kids are. Yep, doing the Back to School Shuffle. I can't figure out where the summer went. But it is sadly over although the Texas heat remains. As much as I know I am going to miss my Coconuts, it is time for them…
The Coconut Chronicles: Why God Gave Me a Boy
When Coconut #1 was about a year and a half, Hubby and I decided we were doing so well with her (she hadn't been to prison, nor was she hooked on drugs) that we wanted to try for a boy. Like we had a say so in it. Anyway, we prayed and God in His…