What Really Matters in Homeschooling, Parenting and LIFE

“Losing a child will make you contemplate your decisions more than anything else on this earth.”

This week, we are getting back to it. So sorry for the long break, but life has been difficult for me as I have been spending the last three months grieving the loss of my darling son, Joshua who passed away on May 16th after a 16-month battle with Leukemia and my mother who suddenly died just 48 hours after Joshua. Some things will never make sense to me. 

In today’s episode Lesli and I talk about Joshua and his love of food, smiles, video games, and his puppy, Ivey. We talk about what really matters as a mom, a homeschooler and a parent. Losing a child will make you contemplate your decisions more than anything else on this earth. 

In the end, the things that matter are the time we spend with our kids, the ways we fill their cup, the memories they and you will have from the everyday moments. These things matter so much more than clean houses, first time obedience, and even learning to read before the age of five. 

Lesli shared how much Joshua loved her cooking, and he did. He loved her coconut cake, her chocolate cake and her loaded potato skins. My sweet boy did love his food and just a week before he went to be with the Lord, Lesli brought him a chocolate cake and potato skins. The photo below shows him playing his video games while enjoying his last ever batch of Lesli’s potato skins. We have included Lesli’s recipe below. Additionally, Joshua and I loved to make Guacamole together. We made Guac in Guatemala and ever since he came home at age 10. Eventually he turned the reigns over to me and declared my Guac his favorite. I have also included that recipe below. 

Lesli and I want to encourage you to focus on the things that matter. Relationships matter. Expectations destroy relationships. Keep your expectations low and snuggle more with those babies today!! Don’t forget to find ways to SAY YES!!

Lesli’s Potato Skins

8 russet potatoes

Seasoning salt

2 cubes melted butter

4 cups shredded cheese 

1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled

Green onions

Ranch dressing 

 
Bake potatoes in oven at 425 until tender.   When cool enough to handle, slice them in half and scoop out most of insides, leaving about ½ inch of potato inside skin. Cut each half into 4 pieces.  Cover baking sheet with foil and dip each wedge in melted butter and place on baking sheet. Sprinkle with your favorite seasoning salt!  (We like Emeril Lagasse’s Bam, Cavender’s Greek Seasoning, or Butt Rubb) 

(For making ahead, you can flash freeze them at this point and then put them into freezer bags – no need to thaw them before broiling) 

Broil until, edges are starting to brown. Watch carefully because they cook fast. Remove from oven and sprinkle with cheese and bacon bits. Broil until cheese is melted and bubbly. Sprinkle with green onions.  Serve with Ranch dip! 

Joshua’s Guacamole

4 ripe avacados

1 lime, juiced

1 tsp of garlic

½ sweet onion, diced

Salt to taste

Mash together and serve with chips or tortillas
 

Thanks for listening. If you have topics you would like for us to discuss or people you would like to hear from, let us know. Just email us playskillfully@thehomegrownpreschooler.comor shoot us a message on social media. 

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