Blog

  • A Weekend of Firsts: Family, Faith, and New Beginnings

    A Weekend of Firsts: Family, Faith, and New Beginnings

    This weekend marked an exciting beginning for our family as we took the first steps into a new journey—starting delivery driving with Spark. My husband officially began yesterday, and I’ll be joining him as soon as possible. We were inspired to choose Spark after hearing great reviews from several people we know who are already doing it. Their positive experiences gave us the confidence to dive in.

    Yesterday, we all piled into the car for a quick trip to the store, followed by a fast food stop on the way home. The kids weren’t entirely thrilled with the extended car ride, but they definitely perked up once they got their food. It was a simple outing, but spending that time together made it the most meaningful part of the weekend for me.

    Today started off on a cozy note—I made homemade cake-style donuts from scratch, and they turned out delicious. After breakfast, we headed to church, where we read Romans 12. The entire chapter spoke to me in a powerful way and made the service especially memorable.

    Lunch was homemade General Tso’s chicken, and shortly after, we sent my husband off with well wishes for his first day of delivery driving. The kids missed him while he was gone, but overall, the day had a good rhythm. He returned just before dinner, full of positive energy and helpful tips for when I start driving myself.

    Throughout the day, I managed to keep up with chores—dishes, laundry, and tidying up toys. I also called some family members who live farther away to share the good news about our vehicle situation. It was a huge blessing, as it means we’ll be able to visit them soon.

    Tonight, I’m settling in to work on new products for my Zazzle page. I’m especially excited about a calendar project I’ve been planning, and I hope to finish it by the end of the week.

  • Big News for Our Family!

    Big News for Our Family!

    We got a new vehicle today—a beautiful GMC Acadia—thanks to my incredibly generous grandparents. I originally called them just to get their opinion on a vehicle in their area, and somehow that conversation turned into them getting the vehicle for us. We are beyond shocked and deeply thankful. Words truly can’t express how grateful my household is!

    Our old van served us well for years, but it started going downhill back in January and finally gave out about a month ago. Since then, life has been a challenge. But now, with this new ride, we’re road-worthy again! That means we can do simple things like grocery runs and family outings, and even plan longer trips—like visiting our grandparents and heading to Kansas City to see more family.

    Even more exciting, my husband can now start delivering, which opens up new income opportunities for us. And for me, having reliable transportation means I can dive deeper into my creative projects—including launching my Zazzle store! I’ve been designing products that I personally found hard to find, and while they’re not public just yet, I’ll be sharing them everywhere once they are.

    With the holiday season approaching, this couldn’t have come at a better time. Everything will be easier now—from errands to traditions to spontaneous adventures. My heart is overflowing with gratitude and excitement. Big changes are coming for our family, and I couldn’t be more thrilled!

    Stay tuned—I’ll be posting updates about my Zazzle store soon!

  • Back to School After Fall Break

    Back to School After Fall Break

    So today I sat down, refreshed and determined, to get back to school with the kids after our short fall break. I knew I wanted to improve how we were doing language arts with my son. It had been taking him nearly an hour just to write a few sentences, which left us both frustrated and often meant we didn’t get much truly accomplished.

    After some thought (and a little help from Copilot), I decided to keep using Lamplighter Ministries books as the foundation for our language arts. I love their Christian values, timeless storytelling, and the fact that many are older works with a richness you don’t find in modern titles. To make things smoother, I split reading comprehension and writing into two separate days. That way, we can focus deeply on one skill at a time — less stress, more focus, and hopefully more joy in the process.

    Meanwhile, my daughter had to be coaxed into starting school. But once she sat down, the switch flipped. With the help of an educational song or game, she quickly shifted gears and sped right through her work with enthusiasm. It’s always amazing to see how a little creativity can turn resistance into excitement.

    Outside of homeschooling, I’m looking forward to tonight when I can spend some time gaming. Today reminded me that homeschooling is about balance. Adjusting our approach to language arts showed me that small changes can make a big difference in keeping learning joyful. Helping my daughter transition with music and games reinforced the value of creativity in education. And carving out time for gaming later reminds me that my own joy matters too.

    Family, faith, and personal time don’t have to compete — they can weave together into a rhythm that makes each day both purposeful and fulfilling

  • Welcome to My Little Corner of Chaos and Creativity

    Welcome to My Little Corner of Chaos and Creativity

    Hello and welcome, everyone! My name is Nicole Knox, and I’m so glad you’re here. I’m a stay-at-home mom, a homeschooling parent, a creator, and someone who’s learning right alongside my kids every single day. My husband was homeschooled growing up, and he always knew he wanted that for our children. I didn’t have the best experience in school myself, so when the time came, I was more than happy to step into this adventure with an open heart. And that’s really what homeschooling has been for us — an adventure.

    It’s a mix of lesson plans, laughter, and the kind of chaos that only family life can bring. Every day offers something new, not just for my kids but for me too. My daughter has fallen in love with nature science — she can spend hours exploring the outdoors, collecting leaves, or studying bugs under a magnifying glass. My son, on the other hand, is fascinated by world government and loves to talk about how different countries work. Watching their interests unfold reminds me how much learning truly never stops.

    Outside of homeschooling, I’ve been exploring my own creative paths — little ways to both express myself and help support my family. I’ve opened a Zazzle store, where I design a variety of products and even take special requests. I’ve also started a Ko-fi page to share updates, creations, and maybe a few behind-the-scenes looks at what I’m working on. And soon, I’ll be streaming my gaming sessions on Twitch — a fun space to relax, laugh, and connect.

    Gaming is one of my favorite ways to unwind. I enjoy titles like The Finals, Call of Duty, and Minecraft — a mix of fast-paced action and endless creativity. Whether I’m building something block by block or getting caught up in a high-stakes match, I love the feeling of losing myself in a different world for a while. It’s also a reminder that play isn’t just for kids — we all need moments to recharge and have fun.

    Creativity is a big part of who I am. I love digital art — especially landscapes, clip art designs, and photo-realistic pieces. There’s something magical about watching an idea take shape from nothing but a thought in your head. Whether it’s a sketch that turns into a print or a piece of poetry that turns into a post, I love that moment when vision meets reality.

    This blog is going to be a little bit of everything — a hodgepodge, just like me. You’ll find homeschooling stories, digital art projects, creative experiments, reflections, poetry, and probably a few funny or chaotic moments in between. Life here is full of love, learning, and plenty of messes — and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

    At the heart of it all, I hope you leave this space feeling encouraged, inspired, and maybe a little understood. Whether you’re a fellow homeschooling parent, a creative spirit, or just someone looking for a genuine glimpse into another family’s journey, you’re welcome here. This is a place built on love, craziness, and support — exactly what keeps us going day after day.

    So, grab your coffee, take a deep breath, and join me as I share our adventures — one project, one poem, one day at a time.