LHomeschooling has never been a straight line for me; it’s been a winding trail of trial, error, and grace. I first started homeschooling back in 2015, long before I ever dreamed I’d be writing my own lessons. Like many families, we began with good intentions and a stack of curriculum that promised more than it delivered. Then life shifted. My son was diagnosed with a rare genetic mutation, and our days became filled with therapy, doctor visits, and learning how to navigate a new world.

We were forced into homeschooling again in 2020 when the world suddenly changed sent my kids back to public school for a little bit, but left public school again as we searched for something that actually worked. Somewhere along the way, I realized the struggle wasn’t with homeschooling itself. It was with the options available.

This fall, we started out using Time4Learning. While it’s a great resource for some families, my kids just didn’t thrive with it. Every day felt like a battle to keep them engaged. So, when their “first quarter” ended, I decided to make a change. I introduced math from a Saxon math and then began writing my own lessons while supplementing with a couple lessons from various places.

That simple shift changed everything. Their moods lifted, our lessons flowed more easily, and I remembered why I loved teaching them in the first place. I’ve always believed children learn best when they’re moving, exploring, and breathing fresh air. We’ve always been an outdoor family; hiking, biking, camping and it finally clicked that our classroom didn’t need walls.

Now, I’m tying it all together: faith, nature, and learning that feels alive. My goal is to create lessons that actually work for real families. Lessons that get kids outside, off the screens, and connected to both creation and the Creator.

Rooted in Faith, Creation, and Hard Work

Isaiah 61:3 — “That they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.”

Education, to me, is more than academics. It’s discipleship, character building, and learning to see God’s hand in every part of creation. Children grow best when their roots reach deep into truth, purpose, and wonder.

I believe learning should be both practical and purposeful. Books matter, but so do muddy boots and open skies. My lessons are built around the idea that work is an honor, curiosity is courage, and perseverance is part of God’s refining process. When students build, create, explore, or question, they’re not just learning facts; they’re learning faith in motion.

Our family’s homeschool rhythm blends classical education with forest-school principles. We read Scripture and literature around the table, then step outside to apply what we learn. Science happens on trails and riverbanks. Writing happens in field journals. Math shows up in the rhythm of the natural world.

Every lesson I create is designed to:

Point children back to the Creator through hands-on discovery. Foster resilience and character through real work and reflection. Encourage wonder by exploring the world God made. Honor individual needs, including adaptations for special education and sensory learning.

In a world that moves fast and loud, I want my children and any child using this curriculum to know that stillness and hard work both matter. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s planting seeds that grow into strong, steady trees of righteousness.

This journey has been years in the making—equal parts faith, failure, and finding what truly works. I’m not an expert or a perfect homeschool mom. I’m just a mother who refused to give up on learning that feels alive, faith-filled, and free.

As I prepare to share my first full set of lessons, my hope is that they bless other families the way they’ve blessed ours. Whether you’re a seasoned homeschooler or just beginning to explore this path, I’d love for you to walk alongside me.

You can follow updates and download the first free lessons soon at http://www.raisingoutsiders.com, or just stay connected here as I share what’s working, what’s changing, and how faith and the outdoors continue to shape our learning.

Here’s to raising children who are rooted in truth, reaching for light, and unafraid to explore God’s creation.