Welcome!

I'm a wife to my "Mr. Right". A momma of five. A maker of slow food and simple living. A collector of memories, a keeper of books, and a champion for books that make memories. An addict who likes my half-and-half with a splash of coffee. A fractured pot transformed by the One Who makes broken things beautiful. I heart homeschooling, brake for libraries, and am glad you're here with me on the journey! Be sure to subscribe to my monthly newsletter. Or, follow along with Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google +, Youtube, or Pinterest.

About


Why do I blog?

I've been an avid writer and reader my whole life. With the birth of my second child, I felt compelled to begin writing an ever-evolving love story to each of my babies--to share with them a small portion of the narrative that God has already written for each of their lives. Blogging was my way of not only leaving a lasting legacy of love but also of faith.

So, I began to blog my thoughts. Since my words were written merely for a preservation of memories for my children, I had my blog locked. Only invited readers could join in on the unfolding accounts. No lurkers allowed. Eventually, others learned of my chronology and asked to be apart of the journey. And so, my blog readership began to grow.

Obviously, as homeschoolers, homeschooling was a large portion of our daily lives and consequently my blog. Our homeschool happenings propelled more readers to join. As a writer, it was exciting to see so many interested folks pulling up chairs joining the discussion, but as a mother whose very personal thoughts towards her children were being sprinkled out, I began to feel a little uneasy. I never wanted my children to feel like the personal was becoming public. There were just certain posts that I held too dear to offer to the world.

One day, I was encouraged by a few faithful friends, to make the homeschooling portion of my blog more public. After about six months of prayer, God began to show me that this could be the perfect way to protect the sacred in our personal family blog and that it could also be an opportunity for ministry and influence to other mothers traveling the same journey. I took the leap. And the Unlikely Homeschool was born!

Why the "unlikely" in the Unlikely Homeschool?

Although I feel so blessed to be able to walk my children towards the Gospel every day--to be the first one to witness the passing of monumental spiritual, physical, and educational milestones, there was a time, that the very idea of homeschooling seemed very unlikely.

For the following reasons...

I earned a B.S. in Elementary Education.  

For those of you who are also among that camp, you can understand how complicated the decision to homeschool can be--to surrender to the idea that a mother's love for, knowledge of, and passion for her children can equip her with the necessary skills to teach them. For an educator to admit to that, basically makes her many years of study a very moot point. It's a difficult needle to thread and often garners public outcry. I have, obviously, realized just how flimsy that line of thinking truly is. For, you see, I am surrounded by mothers who have used those very elements: love for, knowledge of, and passion for their children to do an above excellent job stewarding their educations.


My children have a free ride to a local private school.  

I often say that I was a teacher "in a former life"--meaning before having children. I taught for several years at a local private school who awards free tuition for the children of its staff members. In addition, it began offering an in-house daycare for staff who had infants through preschoolers, free of charge. It certainly would've been easy for me to grab for that. It almost seemed like it was my moral imperative to do so. My working hours and vacation days would have run parallel to my children's. My younger ones would have received free childcare. My older ones would have earned an excellent education from teachers who shared my same faith. I would have banked a decent salary while also being fully-present in the lives of my children. But, God's ways are not our ways. He had other plans for me and mine.

My husband was directly opposed to the idea.  

Notice the key word in that statement: was. The Hubs was, himself, homeschooled for most of his formative years. He began his educational journey where most children do, in public school. But, due to some early on-set health issues that required him to be educated from home for a short time, he was assigned a few home tutors. After seeing their son thrive in the home environment, my in-laws considered and finally made the decision to discontinue his involvement with public education. With untried courage, they began to homeschool.

Although, my husband can certainly acknowledge how valuable homeschooling was in the development of his character, as a teen and beyond, he struggled with a sense of "outsider" syndrome. Twenty or so years ago, homeschooling was such an uncharted approach to education that not many people even knew it existed. He had no one to link arms with. And don't we all need someone in our corner? He spent many useless years proving himself to the world, trying to establish a feeling of validation and place.

Fast-forward a few years later and he was married, with child. 

When I approached him with my desire to home educate our, then, only child, Sweetie Pea, his answer was an emphatic "NO!" He had no desire to see her struggle through sin, blame, and rebellion like he did. I did not press the issue any further but determined to pray and give him some soul space--to allow the hidden, silent work of God to change his heart or mine.

As I was currently a stay-at-home mom, he agreed to let me soldier through home preschool until the day we would have to enroll our girl in the local kindergarten program. One day, in a complete act of Providence, he stayed home sick from work. That day found him resting on the couch in full view of our morning preschool routine. Those brief moments were gentle but effective. God began to soften his heart. My husband saw how much fun our daughter had learning from home where she got the teacher's undivided attention and love.

Since we were currently a part of a preschool playgroup filled with other homeschooling hopefuls, he later saw how the social boundaries of homeschooling had grown by leaps and bounds since his own experiences. Mind you, he was not ignorant to the knowledge that homeschooling was still a fringe movement and that it could still be tender and tumultuous at times. But, he was finally able to acknowledge all the untended bitterness in his heart and surrender to the plan that God was clearly laying out for us.

So I homeschool and I blog--two highly unlikely plot points in the grand story God continues to write in my life and the lives of those I love the most.

My favorite homeschooling posts...

My favorite non-homeschooling posts...

28 comments:

  1. Thanks for visiting my blog from the "Hop". :) Just reading through some of your posts here. This one is great. Isn't it neat to see the hand of the Lord in our decisions - even when someone is SO opposed to something. I was the one who was opposed to homeschooling (I also have a BS in El. Ed.), but the Lord, as He is in the business of doing, softened my heart. So thankful!!! I was also pretty opposed to blogging (and continue to think, should I stop??), but the Lord (again) continues to confirm that I should be blogging. I'll keep seeking Him in it, though, as I don't want to do it just for my sake. Good to "meet" you. :)

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    1. It sounds like we have similar stories. Thanks for visiting.

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  2. Saw your post on Homeschool Bloggers on Facebook so came over here to visit and I'm glad I did! I love how God works in our lives as long as we trust Him during the time of uncertainty. Romans 8:28 "We know that in everything God works for he good of those who love him. They are the people he called, because that was his plan". What a great testimony!

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  3. I totally could have written this myself! Two years ago God called me to homeschool. I myself was the most unlikely homeschooler there was. I had taught in the Public School system for 13 years. Every person in my family are Public School Teachers. At the time I had three kiddos, two in school (3rd and K) and one infant. God's calling was clear and I was apprehensive. Two years later I still feel like I have no idea what I'm doing, I can only trust that through prayer God is leading me to teach and nurture what each of my children need. I don't Love homeschooling but I sure do love my kids and being home with them has built a bond stronger than I could ever imagine. Thanks for sharing your journey, from one Past Life teacher to another.

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  4. Hello. We have been paired up for the Button Blog Exchange, so I'll be taking your button now! It is nice to meet you. I am looking forward to reading your blog. It looks like we may have a lot in common!

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    1. I look forward to the swap! I'm always excited to meet a kindred spirit.

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  5. This blog is a gold mine! We just had our second little one a week ago and my husband left for work for a few months today (here only on the weekends). I needed some inspiration and motivation, and God knew it. Thank you for your posts, and for the joyful life you live. My heart has been redirected from focusing on me to focusing on God and His desires for our growing family.

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    1. So glad it could be an encouragement to you. It sounds like you will have your hands full for the next few months. I hope they fly by and that your husband will be able to rejoin the family very soon.

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  6. Just wanted to let you know I nominated you for the Sunshine Award. I linked to your blog at this post: http://rules4radicalparents.wordpress.com/2013/03/27/quick-note/

    :) Have a blessed day!

    Morgan

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    1. What an honor to be nominated. Thank you so much!

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  7. Someone posted your 10 snack ideas on fb and I hopped over here to see it and have spent the last hour reading stuff on your blog. You're amazing and I love reading what God is doing in your family, and I really appreciate all the resources you've put on here! My son is just about to turn one, but my husband and I already know we want to homeschool and from the stuff I've read on here, I'm DEFINITELY going to be coming back, lots and lots to indulge in the wisdom God has given you and you are sharing so thoughtfully! THANK YOU! I did have a question for you though, have you heard of Moti-Venture, the motivational adventures for kids? I was just wondering what your thoughts were on them. Anyway, thanks so much for taking the time to blog about homeschooling, I really appreciate what you have here. God bless you!

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    1. Hi athelas7, I saw you were wondering about Moti-Venture. If you have any questions about our products, please feel free to contact us through our website; we'll be glad to chat with you! (http://www.moti-venture.com/Contact-Contact.html)

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  8. I too found your blog from the 10 snack idea post, via Pinterest! I'm a homeschooling mom of 3 and really like your blog! I've bookmarked it so I can look at more posts as I get the time. :)

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  9. A good friend of mine shared your task cards post with me thru a fb message, and I admit, I've spent the past few hours reading and video watching here. :) I'm encouraged by this post in which you relate your dh's opposition to homeschooling. We are a family with 5 darling little girls, aged 2-11, four of whom came from my first marriage, which ended while I was pregnant with my fourth through the unexpected death of my first husband. Going through the "life changes" that being a new mom and new widow threw at me, I failed miserable at homeschooling my then first grader. So when new hubby came along and suggested we put the 2nd grader and kindergartener in public school, I took it as the next season of life. A move to a new county found us questioning public school as our choice. (He knew I had homeschooled before, and he had been homeschooled through middle and most of high school.) Three years of public school later, he almost begrudgingly agreed to let me homeschool "this time" simply because he knows me, and my "scatterbrained" ways don't lend to much organization, though I'd LOVE to be more organized!
    To make a long story slightly less long, with the help of various blogs and programs, (Managers of Their Homes, and your blog mainly!) I feel confident in re-starting my homeschool journey for the second year with a 6th grader, 4th grader, 2nd grader, pre-schooler, and toddler! I appreciate your honesty and openness here, as well as your practical advice and approach to scheduling! Thank you so much! Many blessings!

    1 Corinthians 14:33b
    For He [Who is the source of their prophesying] is not a God of confusion and disorder but of peace and order.

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    1. Lara, I'm so sorry to hear of your difficult journey these last few years. Don't beat yourself up over organization. Sometimes I think my homeschooling days run smoothly IN SPITE of my "best laid plans". I'm so excited to hear that you are leaping in to homeschooling again and pray that you have a wonderful year!

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    2. Thank you so much! Many blessings to you and yours!

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  10. I am kind of a scatterbrained mom so organization although I'd LOVE to be more organized and always have ideas it doesn't come easy to me. Is there somewhere on your blog that talks about your preschool routine? My almost 2 1/2 year old seems bored most of the time and while we try to get out and do mommy and me classes we are about to have another child in a month or less and it would help tremendously if our mornings were more organized with a preschool routine! My hubby and I really want to homeschool our kids but it scares me half to death and I pray all the time that somehow I will get organized enough to do it! I love your blog and this post because of the "Unlikely" part that gives me inspiration to make it more "Likely" in our home! I never really thought of looking for a preschool play group but that's a great idea as he loves being around other kids and I am hesitant about doing a normal preschool. Anyway, thank you for your blog and sharing!

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    1. Here is a link to all the preschool posts I have on my blog. Included in that is a series of posts about starting a preschool group. http://www.theunlikelyhomeschool.com/search/label/Preschool

      I also wrote an article on another blog about organizing Tot School in your day. Although it is mostly geared to tots, you could apply the same principles to preschool.

      http://www.hiphomeschoolmoms.com/2013/08/5-tips-to-establishing-tot-school/

      I hope this helps. You can do it! Remember, that everyone's "organized" looks different. Read all you can on homeschool blogs, find that works for you, and then just do the best you can.

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  11. I really enjoy your wisdom as a mom further along in the journey than myself! :-) your approach to homeschooling is also similar to mine:-)
    I giggled when I read your book list for 2015- and your winter art projects. You must be in a climate similar to mine! I live in Fairbanks, Alaska- where 31 above is truly a heat wave, and negative temperatures are common! We also read through "the long winter" two winters ago- reminding ourselves that we have it pretty good!

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    1. It sounds like we are kindred spirits, Jennifer. Thanks for reading my blog and for saying, "hello!" I always enjoy chatting with other mommas on the journey.

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  12. Hi! I enjoy reading your blog and have a question for you. I just received an anonymous comment on a two year old blog post saying that he would like to do something disgusting with my little girls.
    Have you ever received a comment like that? What can be done?

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    1. I'm not sure what can be done about that, Shirley. Perhaps contact Blogger.com

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  13. We are considering homeschooling, our 12 year old grandson who has ADHD and just his attitude and the things he does the things he’s picking up from school just seem to get worse every day. We’re wanting to do some research and of course pray about it. Are there any books you can recommend for parents or grandparents regarding homeschooling a child with ADHD or any learning disability from a Christian point of view? Any suggestions would be appreciated. I’m finding some online, but I really would like some from a Christian perspective.

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    1. I'm sorry, I really don't know of any that are about homeschooling with special needs that are explicitly from a Christian perspective.

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