I often describe myself as brave, tenacious, and deeply rooted in both military and homeschooling life. My story begins as an Army Brat during the Vietnam Era, spending 20 years in that world—8 of those years growing up in Germany. Later, I became a Navy Military Spouse for 23 years, and together my husband and I navigated the challenges and joys of military family life. Relationally, my greatest blessings are found at home. I have been married to the same wonderful man for almost 46 years—we’ve known each other for 49! Together, we raised three children, whom I had the privilege of homeschooling for 16 years. Today, all three are college graduates (two with bachelor’s degrees, one with an associate’s degree), and they’ve carried forward that love of learning into their adult lives. Now, I’m a grandmother of nine—ranging from age five to nearly twenty-three. Six of them have been homeschooled, and I’ve celebrated graduations at the Home Educators Association of Virginia (HEAV) in 2021, 2024, and soon in 2025. Watching another generation experience the fruit of homeschooling has been such a joy. My Homeschool Journey: I began homeschooling in 1993. At first, the reason was simple: as a military family, I wanted to avoid the constant upheaval of changing schools every two to three years. (Funny enough, we’ve now lived in the same area for 35 years!) Over time, the reasons grew deeper. With chronic illnesses, therapies, and learning challenges, homeschooling gave us the flexibility we needed. Yes, I wore the classic denim jumper in the 90s, and I look back fondly on those days of learning around the kitchen table. We continued all the way through, with my two youngest graduating from our homeschool program in 2009. While college degrees weren’t the goal of homeschooling, the fact that all my children pursued higher education has been an added blessing. Most importantly, they each learned how to learn. From 1994–2009, I also served as the leader of a homeschool support group called Hope for the Future, encouraging and equipping other families along the journey. What I Do Now: Today, I work full-time as a Military Veteran Services Advisor at Virginia Peninsula Community College, where I help students navigate their military education benefits. I’ve also personally used both MYCAA and the Chapter 33 Transfer of Benefits to earn two associate degrees, graduating in 2013. My season in this role will come to a close in June 2025. I also joyfully serve with the Home Educators Association of Virginia (HEAV) Convention Team as the Welcome Tour and Workshop Host Coordinator. Supporting families who are stepping into the homeschooling journey is part of my “why.” At the heart of it all, homeschooling was never just about academics for me—it was about stability, flexibility, and cultivating a love for learning that lasts a lifetime.