I was so excited to start homeschooling our children once we started our family. We had 3 children in 3 years, and homeschooling seemed like a great fit for our military lifestyle.

But I quickly learned homeschooling is not always as picture-perfect as a curriculum catalog photo. In fact, it was downright alarming how chaotic my once-orderly life had become. 

When I really dug into Scripture and began taking to heart the words of Deuteronomy 6:4-9, my whole perspective changed--not only on homeschooling, but on my roles as wife and mother and the beautiful opportunity I had been given to shape the heart of our home. I soaked up God's Word and grew deep roots.

And then the storms began to come. 

A miscarriage at 2 months.

A foreclosure on the house we were renting.

Husband deployed for 6 months.

Two more moves, two more babies, and another miscarriage.

Husband deployed for a year--baby #6 born in his absence.

Things stabilized for awhile after that deployment. We added two more babies during our overseas tour and decided "eight is enough" as we settled back into life in the U.S.A.

But. God wasn't finished writing our story yet. Just as I had begun to accept (and even get excited about) the arrival of #9, we learned she had a life-limiting condition and wasn't expected to live. Overwhelmed doesn't begin to describe this season of our lives. 

Have you been there? So exhausted, frustrated, and stretched beyond measure that you want to quit? Homeschooling feels hard, and in fact, sometimes even prayer feels hard. It's as if your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling and you wonder if God even hears you...if He even cares. Mama, I hear you! 

Today, our little miracle girl is a very special part of our lives. She's the inspiration for our nonprofit ministry we launched to serve families who receive a life-limiting diagnosis for their own babies. And I continue to homeschool 5 of her older siblings (we've now launched 3 graduates)! Nowadays, life can still be a bit chaotic, but we experience so much JOY and PEACE. We are rooted in Christ, which is the key to growing strong and bearing fruit that will last. And we love helping other homeschool families be rooted as well.

Here's the thing: we often begin our homeschooling journey with joyful energy. We dig into curriculum options, devour blogs and books, and make plans for the school year. It's all so exciting! Homeschooling is amazing! Homeschooling is fun! Homeschooling is THE BEST!

But then? The storms of life hit, and suddenly nothing is simple anymore. We don't really plan for a storm until the forecast gives us a few days' warning. Sometimes that's enough of a heads up...but other times? We get slammed. No time to evacuate, no time to do anything other than simply survive.

Let me help you root your homeschool deeply, in fertile soil, so you and your family can grow strong and healthy, bearing fruit that will last. When your roots grow deep, you can weather the storms of life and emerge stronger, positioned for the work God will do through your own story.

If this resonates with you, reach out!

Episode 161 on the Homeschooling Families podcast

Episode 192 on the Homeschooling Families podcast