“Interviewing You!”
Brief Bio
- your and your spouse’s names – Nadene and Myles
- your children’s names and ages –Step-sons Myles (24) and Zahn (21), our daughters Tess (17), Kate (12) and Lara (9)
- how long you’ve been homeschooling for – about 13 years … ever since I had my kids … it has always been in my heart!
- whereabouts in South Africa you live – on top of a mountain in the Klein Karoo, Western Cape, an hour’s drive from George.
We homeschool because …
When my first child was born, I still held a permanent post at a public school and planned to return to teaching after my year’s leave.
But at 9 days old, my new little baby was stricken by meningitis and all those plans changed. The illness changed her, me. I learned that her brain was injured and her right side was affected. My commitment to her recovery and treatment was foremost in my heart and mind.
I had always been one of ‘those’ moms ~ attached parenting, breast-feeding, sling-wearing, natural-eating … and homeschooling fitted in with my passion and vision. So I homeschooled her with 2 other moms. We learnt so much and loved our times together. Read the post I wrote in honour of these precious friends and our journey into homeschooling.
Five Favourites! The things I most like to …
- see… my hubby walking toward the house for tea with us, the majestic mountains and panoramic views from my windows, my children playing outside, my chickens pecking happily, the house fresh and clean after we’ve cleaned it, our sheep dogs running the sheep towards the kraal with such energy and excitement, a bunch of flowers in a vase that one of my daughters placed to bring joy, my son bounding out to work with vision and purpose …
- hear … my girls singing, their giggles, music, Blue Cranes calling as they fly, Cape Weavers in full song in our trees, rains on the roof in the dry season, frothy milk as it jets into the milk pail, ewes responding to little lambs calling …
- smell … fresh-baked bread first thing in the morning, lavender, roses and my gardenia bush in bloom, chocolate cake, fresh-cut lawns, soups and stews simmering in my AGA stove, molasses and ground corn in our cow’s feed, shampoo and soap on my youngest daughter’s skin when I kiss her goodnight …
- taste … chocolate, coffee, carrots fresh-pulled from my garden, fresh fruit, our crystal-clear mountain water, food from our veggie patch, home-made butter with Himalayan salt, honey and cayenne pepper tea first thing in the morning …
- touch … my hubby’s hugs, my kid’s kisses, cuddles and snuggles, satin, silk, swims in the dam on a hot summer day, cool breezes in our Karoo heat, hot showers and my electric blanket in winter
This year I hope to …
Grow … be more Christ-like
Live in grace … especially towards my older daughters
Find balance … in our work, schooling, fun and fellowship
Hi Nadene,
Thanks for sharing. We were homeschooling and I also worked from home. A great family adventure. We now live in De Rust, Klein Karoo and love it. My wife, Kathryn, discovered Montessori and now is teaching at a small school in Oudtshoorn where our three girls attend. Must say that I really do miss the homeschooling days as a dad.
Thanks for this blog. It is great.
Be blessed,
Jack.
LikeLike
Lovely to get to know you a little better. Thank you for sharing.
LikeLike
Pingback: Introducing Us! – SACHS Blog Carnival 2012 #2 | Homeschool HUB
Pingback: Introducing Us! – SACHS Blog Carnival 2012 #2 |
Nadene,
Your beautiful family and heartfelt blog is such an inspiration to me, all the way over in Austin, Texas! Your positive, humble, and joyful reflections on life, raising a family, and home educating bless many!
LikeLike
Totally superficial comment here. You are stunning! And those daughters are following in your footsteps! Gorgeous family photo. Thanks for sharing it with us.
LikeLike
You have a beautiful family. I can see your sweet spirit through your words. You are an inspiration!
LikeLike
love it! Thanks for sharing Nadene 🙂 Your family photo is just lovely – what a handsome family!
LikeLike
That is a great picture! And I really enjoyed learning a little more about you and your family.
LikeLike
What a beautiful family you have. Lovely post Nadene!
LikeLike
Pingback: Introducing Nadene | Homeschool HUB
Love your family picture and your favorite things as well…oh the blessings of homeschooling!!
LikeLike
Enjoyed your interview…you have a beautiful family, and I love your mountains! Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
Your family is stunningly beautiful!
I liked reading the lists of the favorite things….good stuff!
LikeLike