About Me

I am a 40-something, blissfully married, work-at-home mom of four amazing kids.  Jim and I spent 18 of the last 26 years of marriage involved in full-time ministry.  After leaving ministry 6 years ago, I had to become a “working mom”, though I am blessed to be able to work from home in a field I love…homeschooling!  After working for 7 years as a homeschool consultant and convention representative for Alpha Omega Publications, I have recently begun working as the Director of Virtual Environments for Home Educating Family.  My job description includes the incredibly awesome task of building the virtual homeschool convention (HomeschoolConvention.com) that will open to the public on March 26, 2012.

I’d love for you to meet my children:

Darcy (25) is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.  Darcy is using her own passion for teaching and her experience as a homeschooled kid in a number of different ways.  She is currently working as a teacher in a large homeschool coop, as a youth group leader, and as a nanny.  She loves ALL her jobs and the variety they bring to her life!

Janna (23) is a graduate of Thomas Edison State College…a degree which she earned through accelerated distance learning with the help of College Plus!  Janna is currently working as the receptionist/office manager for a small dental practice.  Darcy and Janna moved out of our home this past winter into an apartment they share with a friend…instantly cutting the size of our household by 1/3!

After 3 semesters at a community college, Nina (21), has decided to put her college education on hold for the time being and is working as an assistant manager at Plato’s Closet, a local retail/resale store.

Jimmy (8) is the big surprise of the family.  Born almost exactly 13 years after his closest sister, Jimmy was both a huge surprise and a HUGE blessing to our family!!  Jimmy is in second grade…part-time at a local homeschool co-op and part time at home!  His poor tired mommy is working hard to find a healthy balance between full-time employment and being the best homeschool mom that ever lived!  Jimmy’s passions are reading and solving mysteries…he’s currently working through his sister’s collection of Nancy Drew Mysteries.

Homeschooling is a journey—an exciting and sometimes treacherous journey filled with bumps and pitfalls, beautiful waysides, and breathtaking views.  It can be challenging, discouraging, and troubling, but it is always thrilling.  As with any journey, the experiences of those who have traveled the road before can help smooth the way for those who follow after.  My own homeschooling journey began nearly 20 years ago—even before I had children—and continues to this day.  It is my hope that my experiences along this often long and winding road will be a help and encouragement to others as they forge their own homeschooling journeys!