Pauline Cook

It's been quite a couple of weeks, hasn't it? Especially for those of us living in regions with stay-at-home/shelter-in-place orders. * I just want to share two specific books that are helping our crew navigate this unprecedented time! * Who doesn't love the Ingalls family?! They have always been an inspiration for grit and perseverance for our crew, but (for obvious reasons) their story in The Long Winter is one we can connect with a little more personally right now. Not only are we reminded to be content with what we have, but to be grateful for the fact we live in the present! * The Story for Kids is the bible in story form. We've read this book a handful of times over the years but in light of the pandemic, thought it would be good to pick up again. These are uncertain times, but as Christians there is once thing that is certain - and that is the hope that God gives through Jesus. Our faith has been greatly edified by re-visiting old testament stories that remind us of God's holiness, sovereignty, and goodness. * What books are you reading that inspire and encourage you right now?

This week our crew "traveled" to Puerto Rico ... through the pages of Tiny Travelers Puerto Rico Treasure Quest. This adorable board book inspired us to dig deeper and learn more about this "enchanted isle" located in the Caribbean. We even made our very own piragua (shaved ice dessert).😋 Read more about our exploration of Puerto Rico as #tinytravelers on the blog (link in profile)! * * * * * #cookingupadventures in #multiculturalism as #tinytravelers #gotinytravelers #puertoricotreasurequest #puertorico #enchantedisle #learnthroughbooks #homeschoolbooks #childrensbooks #worldschool #homeschool #homeschoolersofinstagram #eclectichomeschool #interestledlearning #childledlearning #wildandfreechildren #readaloudfamily #enchantedlearning

Ever wonder how to incorporate #roadschooling in your #homeschoolrhythm? You certainly don't need to sell your home and all your possessions to hit the road! I recently did an interview with @vegaskidszone all about how our crew #roadschools part time, including valuable learning moments and missteps! Link in profile ☝️. * * * #cookingupadventures in the #roadschoollife #roadschool #roadschooltips #parttimeroadschooling #familytravel #rvfamily #roadtripfamily #roadtripusa #roadtripamerica #touramerica #mesaverdenationalpark #mesaverde #nationalparks #nationalparkswithkids #visitcolorado #homeschoolontheroad #wildandfreechildren #exploringnaturewithchildren #explorewithkids #naturekids #kidsoutdoors #worldschooling #worldschool #homeschoolersofinstagram #homeschoolblogger #homeschoolmomlife

"Imagination is more important than knowledge." - Albert Einstein * We spent the last few days purging and organizing our house, letting go of items we hardly use now that my kids are older. In the midst of our spring cleaning, the girls rediscovered our sensory box (my saving grace on many homeschool days!). They are currently supposed to be doing some copywork and learning some new language mechanics concepts, but I just don't have the heart to pull them away from this sweet sister time! They've been on the porch all morning creating stories, characters, food, and even lands as they play with all the old goodies that have been tucked away for some time. 💕 * * * #cookingupadventures in #imaginativeplay #inspiredlearning #thebravelearner #bravewriterlifestyle #eclectichomeschool #unschooling #eclecticunschoolers #gentlehomeschool #charlottemasoninspired #charlottemasonirl #wildandfreechildren #homeschool #intentionalhomeschool #intentionalmotherhood #letthembelittle #childhoodunplugged #sisters #sensorybin

"The whole world is a series of miracles, but we are so used to them we call them ordinary things." - Hans Christian Andersen * It's hump day, "just" another day in the week as we plug along life. But is it really "just" another day? * Every morning that we get to open our eyes and breathe oxygen into our lungs is a new opportunity to live with gratefulness and purpose! * No matter the season we are in (hard or easy), we get to choose how we move forward. So this undeserved and precious gift and miracle of TODAY ... how will you use it? ❤ * * * #cookingupadventures in #gratefulness #humpday #todayisagift #everydayadventures #intentionalliving #intentionalhomeschool #intentionalmotherhood #parentonpurpose #wildandfreechildren #bravelearning #bravewriterlifestyle #enchantedlearning #pnwkids #pnwhomeschool #30daybft #momblogger #homeschoolblog #homeschoolersofinstagram #kidsoutdoors #exploringnaturewithchildren #travelwithkids #roadschooling #worldschooling #lifeschool #visitwenatchee

We just wrapped up our study of the American Revolution. 🇺🇸 As a family of right-brain learners, I had to make sure that the resources we used and activities we did were engaging for my kids. Our favorite part of this unit study was chalk pastel-ing our way through this time in history. 🤗 If you're a right-brain crew like us and want to read more about how we studied the American Revolution, head to our little corner of the interwebs (link in bio 👆)! * * * #cookingupadventures in #americanhistoryforkids #rightbrainlearning #creativelearning #projectbasedlearning #childledlearning #interestledlearning #bravelearning #bravewriterlifestyle #youareanartist #chalkpastel #readaloudfamily #wildandfreechildren #ourhomeschoollife #howwehomeschool #homeschoolelementary #homeschoolmiddleschool #30daybft

One of the beautiful aspects of educating at home has been witnessing the relationships formed between my children that only come from being with each other all day, errday. * I'm not talking about rainbows and butterflies here, because the reality is that these peeps of mine - as adorable and sweet as they can be with each other - are just as messed up as any other; little sinners whose natural tendency is selfish pursuits. Not a day goes by without some kind of bickering or hurt, and by virtue of the sheer amount of time they spend with each other, believe me - there is quite an abundance of that! * Because I get to be with them all the time, I am often privy to their little hearts as they interact with each other throughout the day. This frankly translates to plenty of opportunities to walk them through areas of sin; plenty of opportunities to redirect their hearts towards Jesus. It's hard, drop-to-your-knees kind of work. * However, something special results from living messy days with each other like this, where all of them (us!) are exercising muscles in repenting, forgiving, serving sacrificially, and loving without expectation. Day in, day out, intangible bonds are forged between these siblings of different ages and personalities, just from having to work side by side in living out the gospel with each other, in their real life moments. * They say precious gems are formed over a long period of time, under intense pressure and tremendous heat. Similarly, polished stones are really jagged rock refined from constant rubbing. This is such an encouraging concept for me, because God knows the kind of pressure and heat and rubbing we encounter on a daily basis! * #cookingupadventures in #intentionalmotherhood #gospelcenteredmotherhood #raisingarrows #igmotherhood #homeschoolmom #homeschoolingbyheart #wholeheartedhomeschool #intentionalhomeschool #gospelcenteredhomeschool #homeschoolersofinstagram #wildandfreechildren #bravelearning #enchantedlearning #kidsoutdoors #exploringnaturewithchildren #exploreusa #nationalparks #archesnationalpark #juniorrangers #familytravel #rvfamily #roadschooling #learningonthego #30daybft

“Children learn from anything and everything they see. They learn wherever they are, not just in special learning places.” ~ John Holt * Grasping this concept as a #homeschoolmom offers so much freedom! It relieves the burden of making sure I check off all the subjects society says we should be covering each day. It alleviates the worry of whether I am doing my part in ensuring they are learning "all the things" the world says they should. * It also inspires me to give my kids plenty of opportunity to get out into nature and to travel to different places. Experiencing the world outside our four walls and our own town - whether just out to our backyard to examine earthworms or all the way to the Yucatan to step into Ancient Maya ruins - has added so much richness to our #homeschoollife! * Do you incorporate nature and travel in your #homeschool? Even if you can't travel across the world ... what are some ways you cultivate wonder and a love for learning in your children? * * * #cookingupadventures in #enchantedlearning #homeeducation #childledlearning #interestledlearning #learningallthetime #unschooling #gentlehomeschool #callofthewildandfree #wildandfreechildren #letthembelittle #childhoodunplugged #childreninnature #kidsinnature #naturekids #adventuringwithkids #homeschoolersofinstagram #roadschoolfamily #pnwkids #pnwhomeschool #visitleavenworth #sleepingladyresort

Our culture depicts love as a warm, fuzzy feeling kind of thing. One that, if you were to examine closely, is a contingent emotion, tied to how well an individual feels they are receiving the kind love they desire for themselves. But God's love is a whole other animal - radical and sacrificial, with no expectations or conditions. It's an act of outpouring with no assumptions of reciprocation. * As a Christian, I know this kind of love ... more often in my head than in my heart! Yet many times, the rubber has to meet the road; I am given ample opportunity to love as God loves. It's easy to resist; letting hurt and anger hinder me from extending forgiveness and grace. * But, who do I think I am? I am no better than any other; an undeserving sinner whose judgment was taken upon by Jesus, who willingly stood in my place. Instead of receiving God's justice of wrath, I was bestowed upon with unrelenting grace and mercy. Instead of being sentenced to eternal torment for my wretchedness, I was gifted hope and a new identity as a beloved daughter of an almighty king. * That kind of love ... it's insane! And one that I honestly am not capable of. None of us are. It doesn't feel natural because it isn't. It's a supernatural doing by the one who holds all in his hands. BUT ... all things are possible with God. For those who know Christ, we just need to lean into and submit to his work and his word. We just need turn our eyes off of us and onto him. And before we know it, we witness and experience his power made perfect in our weakness, allowing us to love radically because of the radical love first given to us. * Also, just realized there's a kid hiding really well behind me and Patrick. 🤦🏻‍♀️😂 * * * #cookingupadventures on #valentinesday #valentinesdaythoughts #whatislove #crazylove #radicallove #gospelcenteredlove #gospelcenteredmarriage #gospelcenteredfamily #gospelcenteredhomeschool #christianmarriage #christianfamily #wellwateredwomen #christianhomeschool #homeschoolfamily #roadschoolfamily #lifeschool #homeschoolersofinstagram #homeschoolingbyheart #wholeheartedhomeschool #wildandfreechildren #wildandfreemama #visitventura

"We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today." - Stacie Tauscher * This is hard to remember when kids are really little. I don't even know if I spent a ton of time worrying about "tomorrow" back then because frankly, I was just trying to make to to the end of the day! * At that stage, parenting looks more like dictating life to them. Do or don't do this. Go or don't go here. It's about behavior training and following up with appropriate disciplinary actions ... they need to know that you don't smack a kid upside the head because he or she just jacked your toy! You're laying the groundwork for future parenting when you are raising littles. * But littles get bigger, and along the way things aren't as black and white as before. The unique, individual person that God created in our kids starts growing and showing itself more. * Parenting looks different, especially as kids get closer to adolescence. Time is closing in for us to do our best to raise human beings who are well-rounded and responsible contributors to society. In our attempts, we can forget our kids are someone TODAY. * Instead of focusing on a future product (i.e. a kid we raised into adulthood), we need to focus on the person he or she is right now, giving him or her a childhood that matters ... right now. * This will look different in each family, since we all have different stories. But for me, this means investing time with teenage son who still loves fabricating story lines with his action figures, despite the rest of the world saying he needs to ditch the toys and start "growing up". It means understanding that the outbursts from a preteen doesn't necessarily mean she will grow up to be a difficult person forever, but that she is currently learning how to transition from a child to a young lady, including learning how to communicate in ways that are respectful, but she still feels heard. * I love this quote. Such a good reminder to love the little people in front us right now, right where they are at.

What you model matters more what you teach. Do you want your kids to love learning? They need to see your curiosity at work and your excitement about pursuing knowledge and wisdom. Do you want to raise kids who are purpose-driven? They need to hear you talking about vision, setting goals, and making plans to to accomplish them. Do you hope for future leaders who are good stewards of the life they've been given? They need to see you manage your resources (health, time, finances) the best you can. Do you want to cultivate humility and grace in their hearts? They need to see you first humbly acknowledging when you've done wrong, and then repenting and asking for forgiveness. As mom, we lead the way for our children. They often follow our footsteps, not our words. What kind of life do we want to model for them? Are you creating a path that you want your child(ren) to follow? #cookingupadventures in #intentionalhomeschooling #momlife #realmotherhood #intentionalmotherhood #raisingarrows #followtheleader #raisingleaders #leadershipeducation #bravelearning #wildandfreechildren #callofthewildandfree #childhoodunplugged #cultivatealifethatmatters #familyculture #familytravel #roadschool #unschoolers #lifeschool #pinnaclesnationalpark