Hi, and welcome to Confessions of a Homeschooler!
Please allow me to introduce myself:
Welcome to Confessions of a Homeschooler! My name is Erica Arndt, I’m a Christian mom with a wonderful husband and 4 precious kiddos! We’ve been homeschooling since 2006, although I was previously opposed to the idea. But I have learned through this journey, that when the Lord calls us, we are to be obedient! You can visit this post to see why we homeschool now. After a few early years spent getting into our groove, I can say that I am blessed to have the option to homeschool these kiddos, and that my husband and I can be the primary influence in their lives!
About our blog:
Confessions of a Homeschooler is a blog full of homeschooling ideas, resources and printables. I began the site in August of 2009 with the start of a new school year. It started off as a way for my husband to ‘see what we do all day’. And has really helped him interact with the kids about what they’ve learned each day. It quickly morphed into a place for sharing ideas and resources with other homeschoolers! And now we’ve even added in our cooking, quilting, and crafting adventures too!
About the Players:
This sweet girl is my first born! I’ve homeschooled her since the beginning! So she’s my guinea pig, and mini-me. She’s now 16 years old and currently in 11th Grade. She likes horses, cooking, animals, and all things light blue.
Next we have Sam. He’s my second born, 15 years old and currently in the 10th Grade. He’s the only dude in this group of all girlies (except my husband of course). He loves hockey, motocross, video games, and anything that I’ll let him take apart. He’s good at just about everything he tries, and he has a laugh that is contagious!
Olivia is up next. She’s my 3rd born baby, 13 years old and currently in 8th grade. She’s a girlie girl and loves choir, playing guitar, worship, and sewing. She’s a total “mama’s girl” and spends most of her time hugging and kissing me :o).
Last but not least is our baby. She’s the sweetest kid and is always up for a challenge! She’s crazy as can be, loves to try new things, and does her best to do literally EVERYthing that the big kids can do. She loves motocross, knitting, weaving, sewing, and hockey. And don’t let her size fool you, she can keep up with the big kids just fine!
We also added a few furry friends in to the mix! Check them out on instagram below 🙂
About Our Homeschool:
Similar to many moms, I face the self-inflicted frustration of self doubt.
“Am I doing enough? What am I missing? Am I a good teacher? Should they be in school?” But I’ve found over the years that my frustration is outweighed by the tremendous joys of seeing my family grow closer together and watching as the kids grow and learn new things.
I think homeschooling is one of those slow payoffs, but each day I can see little things that inspire me to keep going! The Lord has really confirmed our decision to homeschool each year and truly brought us joy through our obedience! You can read why our family chose to homeschool here. And more about my own struggle with it in my Candid Conversation with God, and my thoughts on Plate Spinning 101!
I have found great inspiration for our homeschool from fellow homeschoolers. Joining the blogging community has been a HUGE help, and frankly I’m not sure how I ever did school before! There are so many talented and creative moms out there, and I love that everyone is willing to share their ideas and inspiration so freely! It’s truly been a blessing to us over the years.
I hope you enjoy this blog, and that it would be a blessing to your family! Thanks for reading, and if you have any questions feel free to contact me, I’d be happy to help!
where would you recommend getting the letters of the week curriculum printed off in color? Everywhere I have checked Is pretty expensive. Thanks
I usually recommend http://www.bestvaluecopy.com as they offer fairly inexpensive printing.
Good afternoon, I am really thankful that I came across your channel on YouTube, because I am a new mama and I am home schooling our girls. They are two and one right now and as a Christian, a wife, and a mom (of many talents) I am having a hard very hard time with this. I hope that maybe you can help me on this journey a little. Was this hard to start? How did you get past thoughts? How did you get your kids involved in this outside of the house? So many questions that I have!
Hi Jahnette, I think getting started is always difficult because it’s such a change! Hopefully this post will help you out some 🙂 https://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/blog/2009/09/why-i-homeschool.html
Hi, Erica,
I am new to sewing and I am attempting to make your pinwheel rag quilt (which is exquisite!) I have made my first (practice) block and my pinwheel came out pretty well 😊. However, the finished block is way larger than the 10″ square backing block. You say at one point in the video that each quadrant of the pinwheel is a 6.5″ square, and mine measure that way as well, which means that the finished pinwheel block will be 12.5″ x 12.5″. So what am I missing? I am still at the trial stage but want to make this as a gift that I need in a few weeks, so I would be super grateful if you can answer soon.
I love your videos! And I can’t wait to make this beautiful quilt!
Thanks very much,
Janet
Hi Janet,
Here are the PDF printable instructions, the finished block should be 12.5″ x 12.5 not 10″ 🙂 There are cutting instructions in the pdf download as well as step by step instructions. Hopefully that will help.
https://shared.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/sewing/PinwheelRagQuilt_coah.pdf
My name is Elaine Shaw and I have a quilt store in rural Oregon called Highland Quilts. I would like to purchase some of your patterns wholesale. I could not find Vintage Christmas at EESchneck or Checkers. Do you have another vender for me to purchase from or can I purchase from you wholesale. I would like 20 patterns of the Vintage Christmas. We already made the sample and want to get it up soon. We started because of a charity called Bags of Love providing personal care items and a quilt to children removed from their homes by the state. Hidden in our name is the motto “seeking God in High places”.
Hi Elaine, I’ll email you with information on how to purchase wholesale.
Hi, My name is Darlene I am just starting to home school my daughter Hannah today she is in 10th grade and I am searching for where to begin and free 10th grade curriculum due to many health reasons we are at this option so I am hoping to be successful with this. I was searching and came across your site and I would like to ask you for any help or advice that you could give to me I would sincerely be greatfully appreciative for any help you could give. Thank you
I have a material question. I see how you store your fabric but wonder if you have a problem with dust? At first I wanted to buy those tall organizer totes with drawers because I want to be able to see what I have but I’m afraid over time they may start to buckle. I only keep cotton material in them so it wouldn’t be real heavy and if I do have special material I store them elsewhere. Do you think the drawers would work or buckle over time? I bought 2 cube type bookcases and was going to turn sideways and use for storage, one will be sitting on the floor and the other on top of the first one. Do you think there would be a lot of dust? They will be in a closet so not out in an open room with lots of traffic. I want to be able to see what I have.
Thanks for your help.
My girls keep their fabric in wire organizers which work fine. I think over time the plastic ones might buckle due to the weight though, but I haven’t tried them. I don’t notice the fabric getting too dusty on my shelves so far anyway 🙂 I’ve also seen people use the Ikea drawer units which hold fq’s nicely, but you can’t see in them is the only issue. I like to see my fabric, it’s good inspiration!
I was wondering about your rag quilt video on youtube – incredibly done, by the way, very simple & fast – can that method be used for any kind of fabric or isit exclusively for fleece? I am new to sewing & am very excited about this techique.
Thanks so much for your time & I look forward to hearing from you!
You can really use any fabric you want for the rag quilt tutorial. Some fray more than others, but that just changes the look is all. Otherwise feel free to go crazy 🙂
I wonder if you’re planning to have another child? I’m kind of amazed how you handle 4.
No, we are complete with four 🙂
Is it as hard as it’s seems to teach boys to read
Hi Rachel,
Boys are typically more interested in moving around than sitting and reading. They will get it, just takes a bit of time and patience 🙂 I suggest reading for about 15 min/day with them. Maybe you read a page, then they read a page. Just keep going and they’ll eventually get it! Also try to pick books that interest them as well. It really helped my son if we were reading something he actually cared about 🙂
Do you ever attend homeschool conventions as a speaker?
I had to comment because I am so excited and blessed to find your blog! I am almost two full days into homeschooling all 4 of our boys, and it is a real struggle right now as our oldest (who is 12) transitions from middle school. I know many homeschool moms, but none who like you and me were once opposed to the idea. Having been publicly schooled myself, I struggle with questions of ability and resources. But I too feel that God is blessing our obedience and is making a way where I never imagined there’d be one! Thank you for opening your lives and sharing your heart. God bless you and your family with grace and and peace in abundance in Jesus’ name ❤️
CUTE
Hi Erica I’m currently reading your book Home schooling 101:A Guide to Getting Started. I have a 2nd grader and a 3rd grader. My son is the 2nd grader and is really struggling with certain concepts with Common Core. My daughter is in 3rd and showing improvement; however, I’m really considering homeschooling. I print assignment and give them extra homework at home. The performing arts school they attend in our state Louisiana is great but the pace is faster. I just want to say I love your book so far it’s helping build my confidence to peruse homeschool. My children need that confidence. I really don’t want them to lose their joy for learning, it’s a shame that being in school can do that to a young child. Thank you so much again for this book.
Hi Erica I\’m currently reading your book Home schooling 101:A Guide to Getting Started. I have a 2nd grader and a 3rd grader. My son is the 2nd grader and is really struggling with certain concepts with Common Core. My daughter is in 3rd and showing improvement; however, I\’m really considering homeschooling. I print assignment and give them extra homework at home. The performing arts school they attend in our state Louisiana is great but the pace is faster. I just want to say I love your book so far it\’s helping build my confidence to peruse homeschool. My children need that confidence. I really don\’t want them to lose their joy for learning, it\’s a shame that being in school can do that to a young child. Thank you so much again for this book.