Valerie Earnest
Valerie grew up Naperville, Illinois, and is a Midwestern girl at heart even though she spent 16 years in Phoenix. She moved to Marion in 2016 with her husband, daughter (14), and two sons (12 and 9). Valerie graduated from BYU with a degree in Instrumental Music Education. She is a former band director, a current substitute teacher and accompanist, and an avid reader and crafter.
Stop Stressing About School: Let Your Kids Be Kids
Why are we making the idea of “homeschooling” such a priority right now?
Lately, there has been so much time and focus put into the idea that our responsibility now is to “homeschool” our children....
Potty Training Stinks: Here’s the Advice I Wish I’d Had
I thought I was a potty training guru. My oldest child, a daughter, was fully potty trained after only two weeks, and I hardly did anything. Little did I know the absolute horror that...
Cedar Rapids Area Live-Streams: Fitness, Literacy, Education and More
Stuck at home due to Covid-19? We've put together a list of local businesses offering live-streams to help keep you fit, healthy, and entertained. What a great way to support each other during these...
Are You a Bucket Filler or a Bucket Dipper Kind of Mom?
As a mom, too often I’m a “Bucket Dipper”, and that needs to stop.
I’m a substitute teacher. I primarily teach elementary school, especially the younger grades. One of the classrooms I visited recently taught...
How I Get the Best Black Friday Deals Without Leaving Home
There was a time in my life where shopping Black Friday was fun and exciting. I went out with family members, stayed up all night, got a few great deals, and ended with a...
This is All So Temporary: Advice to My Freshman Daughter
Dear freshman daughter,
I have been trying to figure out some wisdom I can impart to you as you embark on your high school experience. The more I think about it, the more I realize...
A Beginner’s Guide to Cub Scouts for Parents
My son became a Cub Scout, and not a single leader welcomed us to the pack. Nobody called us to explain what to buy, what to expect, or where in the world all those...
Mom’s Having Surgery: Preparing Your Kids For Your Hospital Stay
If you count my three C-sections (and I do!), then this week’s impending back surgery will be my 5th surgery. I’ve got to say, I’m a little nervous about going under the knife. My...
20 Edible Gift Ideas for Father’s Day
The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. (Source: Unknown)
I don’t know about you, but this is true for my husband! So, this Father’s Day, gather up the kids and have fun...
Four Lessons I’ve Learned From Raising a Stubborn Child
I probably shouldn’t call him stubborn, but he is. He is strong-willed in just about every way. He didn’t sleep unless he felt like it, wouldn’t potty-train until he was ready, refuses to participate...