Top Five Nonfiction Reads of 2025

The Familiar Stranger by Tyler Staton

See my full review here.

Out of a Far Country by Christopher Yuan & Angela Yuan

This book has been on my to-read list for a while.  The son of Chinese immigrants, Christopher Yuan got good grades, listened to his parents, and dutifully took piano lessons.  He seems like the model son... until he wasn't.  After coming out to his parents in his early 20s, Chris distanced himself from his family.  His mother Angela found herself in a dark place, ready to end her own life.  Eventually, she learned to relinquish control and place her son in God's hands.  Chris' life takes a different turn... dropping out of college, dealing drugs, and eventually being arrested.  There were points in this autobiography that were really challenging to read, times when Christopher Yuan described the drug scene that he was involved in.  But overall, Out of a Far Country is a beautiful story of family and redemption.  So glad I finally got my hands on a copy.

Saving My Assassin by Virginia Prodan

This powerful memoir follows Virginia Prodan as she grows up in communist Romania.  After becoming a lawyer, she starts defending pastors and churches.  It's through her political activism that she becomes a target of the government, and eventually has to escape with her family.  Incredible story of prayer, perseverance, and the Lord's protection.

Experience Jesus. Really. by John Eldridge

See my full review here.

Rescue Story by Zach Williams

Wow!  This book was an honest look at the singer/songwriter's life.  Wrestling with alcohol and drug abuse for 10+ years, Williams finally finds hope and purpose in coming to the Lord.  He shares his testimony of how the Lord saved his life, marriage, and family before he made it big in the music industry.  What struck me most was his dedication to sharing his story as a way of saying, "Look what God did."  Powerful, encouraging, and a true testimony of faith and prayer.

What Nonfiction Are You Reading?

2026 Homeschool Goal ll January Check-In

Happy February!  I was thinking this week about how things are going in our homeschool.  This is the first February in several years that I haven't felt the winter blues.  It's been kind of nice.  But as I was sitting here evaluating the past month, I started thinking about our 2026 Homeschool Resolutions.  I realized I can't really have a clear picture of how we're doing without revisiting these 8 items that I felt so convicted about at the beginning of the year.  I also realized that they would be so easy to forget if I don't keep coming back to them regularly. 

So I thought I'd do a check-in to keep myself accountable.  I'm copying my resolutions here and I'll put my January Update thoughts in bold,  just to help keep things at the top of my mind.  So how did I do?

Our 2026 Homeschool Resolutions:

1. Reading Scripture together--While my kids each have their own devotional and Bible study times, I would like for us to incorporate some Bible reading together.  I'm hoping this will open up some dialogue about what we're reading together and start our day on a good note.--This one is starting slow, but steady.  We're reading together every morning during our morning time about 4-5 days/ week.  We started in Mark 'cause I didn't want to start a new habit with the genealogies of Matthew. :-) We just read a portion of Scripture and I ask the kids if anything stood out to them.  Sometimes I'll ask clarifying questions or add my own thoughts. It's been a nice low pressure way of spending time in His word together.

2. Praying together each morning--I realized our prayer times together have become route.  The idea is that having this prayer time in the morning will open up an opportunity for us to share a little more freely.  And practicing public prayer will make it less intimidating to pray with a group.--Ok, this one isn't going very well.  I think we've only done this a handful of times.  I'd like to pray to end our morning time, but it seems like everyone is pretty antsy by then.  I may need to find a different place for prayer in our day.

3. 12 Read Alouds in the Year--We love our read alouds. And I love that reading good books together gives us a chance to adventure together... even on a limited budget.  As the kids have gotten older and the books longer, 12 books feels like a good goal for the year.--We had two shorter read alouds at the beginning of our list so we actually read two in January.  I really enjoyed Listening for Lions.

4. Go on 12 Hikes this year-- Ok, we've made hiking goals before and failed miserably..  So I'm keeping it really simple this year.  Only 12.. should be doable.--No, no hikes yet, but we have one on the calendar for February.  Yay!

5. Celebrate Lydia's graduation--I can't believe I'm graduating my second kid.  Unbelievable!  I have a feeling the way we celebrate this one will be very different from the way we celebrated the first.  But I want to make it just as special so it's time to start planning now.--We did a little planning in January.  Ordered the cap and gown.  Panning on getting some photos together this next month.

6. One on One Dates--Yes, this is parenting.  But with homeschool, parenting and education bleed into each other.  Having strong relationships and time to listen can only allow for more openness and connection during our homeschool days.--January was a half-win.  I did get a one on one date with my 9th grader, but not my 12th grader.  I've got my thinking cap on for something she might enjoy doing together this month.

7. Plan 6+ homeschool field trips--Having one kid graduated and two in high school, I realize more every day just how small this window of time really is.  So field trips mean so much.  Making time to enjoy learning, experience new opportunities, expand their horizons... I have 2 in the works right now, with multiple tabs open for potential learning over the next year.--I'm putting the finishing touches on a field trip for February.  No field trips in January, but we did go to the snow with our homeschool group, so I can kind of count that one.

8. Stay invested in our homeschool group--Our high school home group has been a lifeline this year.  Giving my kids an opportunity to make likeminded friends AND be mentored by other quality parents... WIN/WIN!  I'm definitely making time in our schedule to keep this going.--We're just getting our spring semester going, but we've had a couple of outings and have spent some time with one of the families outside of our weekly meeting.

As you can see, my theme this year is CONNECTION, CONNECTION, CONNECTION!  Now more than ever, I'm well aware of how important relationship is in our homeschool.  Everything flows from that starting point.  So happy to be raising my very best friends.

Are you making homeschool resolutions this year?

Weekend Links ll February 6, 2026

 

Churro Cookies

Heart Science Activities for Kids

What is Executive Functioning? ll A Parent's Guide

Valentine Handwriting Worksheets

Love Scripture Cards for Kids

Valentine's Day Escape Room Printables

Kids' Valentine's Gifts for Every Love Language

 *This post was originally published on 2/8/16.  Enjoy!

 

Being a parent of three kids means that I'm always always on my toes.  Just when I think I've got them figured out, something changes and I'm studying them again, trying to figure out what makes them tick.  How do they learn best?  How do they communicate?  And how they do they give and receive love?

So this Valentine's Day, along with the chocolates and cards from Mom and Dad, I want to find ways that I can really show love in a way that my kids will receive it.  All individual, all strong willed, and all speaking a different love language, these three kiddos place value on different expressions of love.  And that got me thinking: How can I speak each child's love language for Valentine's Day?

Acts of Service:  Night off from Chores or a Favorite Meal

If you have a child's who values Acts of Service, why not give them a night off from their chores?  My kids are incredibly active and offering to take their chores for a night or Saturday is very much appreciated.  Mowing the lawn, spot cleaning a favorite jersey, or doing the dishes is an inexpensive way to serve your kids.

One of my kid's favorite acts of service is to have a favorite meal cooked.  They love having a voice in helping plan our menu, but I also like to surprise them and just spontaneously cook a meal I know they will especially enjoy.  It's a simple way of showing your kids that you're thinking about them.

Words of Affirmation: An Encouraging Card, Parent/Child Journal, or Valentine's Door Hearts

When we speak Words of Affirmation of our kids, I can see their whole attitude change.  Their faces lighten up, their shoulders relax, and their whole appearance does a 180.  Take a few moments to reflect and write a thoughtful card speaking into your child's life.  Purchase a journal that you can pass back and forth between parent and child sharing your thoughts and feelings.  Or make Valentine's Door Hearts for your kids.

Physical Touch: Snuggle Time or Back Rub

I have one child that loves to snuggle.  It's so opposite of the rest of this child's personality.  Sometimes I forget just how important it is to keeping this child balanced.  But a little snuggle time, just reflecting on the day and taking some time to just be with each other goes a long way.

Or if being still is too much, take some time to play catch, jump on the trampoline, or go for a bike ride.  Doing something physical together can have a similar affect and create a bonding experience.  Don't forget to high five or give your child a pat on the back after an awesome play or trick.  Put your arm around them as you walk and embrace them in a big hug.

Gifts: Favorite Candy, Book, or Hobby Item

Love Language gifts don't have to be huge, but any small item that's been thoughtfully purchased will bring a smile to your child's face.  About six months ago, I knew Noah had been wanting to try Origami so I took a 40% off coupon to Jo-Ann's and purchased him a pack of Origami paper.  All in all, it cost me about $3 and 20 min of my time.  You would have thought I bought him the world.  That was the most treasured package of Origami paper that's ever been bought. 

So keep your eyes and ears open.  Is there something small that your child has been wishing for?  Valentine's Day isn't meant to be overly extravagant, but thoughtful.  Even a package of favorite candy or gum can show that you've been thinking about that specific person.

Quality Time: Go Out Together

This is one of the easiest for me, but probably because it's one of my top two love languages.  My daughter is like this.  She's taken a love for cooking and baking lately, and I've come to realize that a lot of it has to do with spending time with me and my husband.  Since cooking is a necessary part of raising a family and since mom spends so much time doing that, Lydia wants to be in the kitchen as well.  Slowing down and reminding myself to involve her in food prep has been a challenge, but she craves that quality time and it's been a blessing to both of us.

But don't stop there.  Keep an observant eye for other things your child enjoys.  Is it a bike ride, a movie together, or a meal when they can actually get a word in?  For my daughter, she loves having the chance to go out to a meal with my husband or I, away from the loud boys, where she feels safe enough to voice her opinion. 

So what about you?

In what ways can you speak your child's love language on Valentine's Day?  

How We Teach: Composer Study

 Over the years, I've tried to bring more truth, beauty, and goodness into our homeschool.  We've studied artists, memorized Scripture and poetry, and learned about the ballet.  And I've always wanted to bring more classical music and composers into our home as well.  The problem?  I just didn't understand how to do it.  It seemed too simple, too easy... it just didn't make sense that we could study music in starts and stops, and find it worthwhile.  I was wrong.

As intimidating as composer study seems, I promise... it's a lot easier than you think.  And the benefits are HUGE!  So WHY should you study classical music in your homeschool?

*Brain Development-- Classic music can increase focus, improve math skills, and enhance memory.

*Emotional Development-- Music is full of mood, and emotion, and expression.  Listening to and discussing music can increase your child's emotional intelligence and regulation, and increase their empathy.

*History and Culture-- Music is influenced by the time and culture in which it's birthed.  Classic music expresses the history and mindsets prevalent to the time period and can help students better understand the world around them.

*Creativity--  Music is a beautiful expression of creativity and life.  

*Music Appreciation-- Whether your child plays an instrument or not, listening to classical music can open doors for a powerful appreciation of the arts.

Now you're convinced, but where do you start?  How do you find the music, the composers?  How do you made music study a part of your day?

We mostly follow the composer study resources provided by Ambleside Online.  They list the composers for each year along with a list of pieces you can listen to.  Other times in our homeschool, we've studied famous ballets and I've created Youtube playlists of that composer's work.  Or another option would be to look for a local symphony production.  Listen to the composer's work in the weeks leading up to the live show.

But what about putting this study in your day?  How do you incorporate music study in such a way that it's natural and not overwhelming?

*Listen to a piece during breakfast or morning chores-- Play a piece of music while your children are all around the table and enjoying a meal.  Or while they're getting their chores done.  Start slow.  Just a minute or two.  Discuss what you hear and how it made them feel.

*Play classical music during independent learning-- Music with no lyrics makes great background for handwriting, math skills, and independent reading.

*Focus on one composer for a time-- Often we pick one composer to focus on for the term (approx. 12 weeks).  This allows us enough time to become familiar with the style and sound.  

*Make a game out of it-- play freeze dance, musical chairs, musical charades, drawing what you see when you listen to a piece of music, creating facial expressions to go with the music, etc.  These are all great ways to help kiddos re-engage and stay engaged.

*Watch a fun musical performance-- Piano Guys are so much fun to watch.  Classical music is also a part of many cartoons.

Studying composers and classic music doesn't have to be overwhelming.  Listen to a few composers and pick one you think your kids would like.  Then naturally work the music into your day... a few minutes at breakfast or during morning basket... a call to "school time" or as background music for reading... Just listen, talk, and enjoy together.  There's really no right or wrong... just enjoyment.

How do you incorporate music study in your homeschool?