Hi! I am the Mama Bird, Julie. Today I celebrate 13 years of homeschooling. 13 years of having my children near me and being able to learn together. 13 years of failures, triumphs, tears, laughter, peace, joy, craziness, and fear! I have one graduate, one graduating this month, two rising 11th graders, and three who just go by age right now. JD is 13, LG is 8, and GN is 5. I honestly don't really go by grades too often til they are nearing the end of the journey. We go at a slower pace and just enjoy learning. Even my senior and juniors are not necessarily doing senior and junior work, but its enough to count. In case you haven't figured it out we are pretty laid back and I believe in letting the kids direct a lot of their learning. I do have boxes to check, but I'm not a big stickler on how they get checked. It has taken me quite a few years and quite a few frustrating moments to get to that place, but here we are!
So who am I and what am I doing with a blog?
Well, I really enjoy writing and sharing my life with others. I'm very much a this is who I am person, messy hair (and house) and don't care, ok, I do care, but I'm living this life and trying each day to do better. I LOVE Jesus. I'm also a very black and white person and I take the Bible hands down literal which puts me into dangerous territory with people sometimes. I'm the girl over there going, sin is sin, and God is God and God hates sin, so no honey, God is not grinning at your sin like you're some toddler who just did something cute. I'm also the first person to say, Yeah, I'm a sinner and I'm thankful that God did not leave me dead in that sin and that I am redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ!
I am an foster/adoptive mom. My older 5 came to me through an alternate experience. I like to tell them that going through the adoption process was a lot like labor. I have a child with severe attachment issues who is off doing her own thing right now. However, see about I one hundreed percent believe in the healing power of Christ and prayer and I'm praying my girl right on back to the fold. I am passionate about educating foster/adoptive parents and empowering them to help these children! I would love to foster/adopt again one day, but for now the little nest is full and the baby chicks are still a bit young.
I am also totally in love with Essential Oils, Young Living specifically. Now, before you stop reading here just know while I may talk about some oils and even feature them every now and then I'm not some high pressure sales person looking to convert you! I am extremely devoted to them though because they have changed my family's life! I'm kind of the crazy oil lady, but not the one chasing you down the street, I'm the one doing all the oily things and loving it! We use them for all sorts of things and I do get a commission check each month so they will creep in to my blog. Can't help it. :)
There are many more things about me and I am sure we will all be a little surprised! I'm looking forward to sharing the adventures from our nest with you!
