Husband Jerry works for an offshore oil drilling company. He's on the job for two weeks, then off two weeks. But it wasn't. We actually saved money, because when you're not working, you save on gas and food. So she stayed home and taught her six children, ranging in age from 4 to 22.
School takes precedence over everything except family time.
The alphabet in cursive letters serves as a border at the top of the wall behind the table. This is where the Dahlem kids work until about 1 p.m. each afternoon. Various activities follow after that, depending on the day of the week. Susan Dahlem is proud of her children's accomplishments, and she's pleased with her family's home life - a life that allows her to dress in her overalls every day and spend time making the soap so many people have come to love. Susan Dahlem has her soap-making ingredients out on the little work island in the center of her kitchen.